Chapter 211 210: An Expert's Resurgence

Long Qingshan was more than just one man. In his active days in the Jianghu, he had amassed an extensive network of contacts.

Now, Mu Lin could take over this entire network.

With strength and connections both at his disposal, was there anywhere in the Jianghu Mu Lin couldn't go?

Upon entering the treatment room, Mu Lin opened the jade case containing the Celestial Dragon Incense, and a rich fragrance immediately filled the air.

Inside the jade case lay a solid, translucent yellow block. Mu Lin used a spoon the size of an ear pick to scoop out a small piece and hand it to Long Qingshan.

Long Qingshan's eyes widened in excitement. "Divine Doctor Mu, is this..."

Mu Lin said simply, "Swallow it."

Long Qingshan hesitated for a moment before opening his mouth and swallowing the entire piece.

"Alright. Sink your Qi to your Dantian and begin cultivating. Follow my lead. I will help you clear the sediment from your wounds and restart your circulation."

Long Qingshan nodded earnestly. "Alright!"

He was deeply moved. The Celestial Dragon Incense was priceless. It could be taken orally or burned like common incense, and even a single gram was enough to cause a bloodbath in the outside world.

It was so precious that few people would be foolish enough to simply burn it. Instead, they used it as a cultivation aid, either by consuming it or mixing it into candles for aromatherapy.

He never imagined Master Ning would send a full hundred grams, and of such exceptionally high quality at that.

And now, Mu Lin had casually scooped out half a spoonful for his treatment. That small amount alone could be auctioned off for over a hundred million.

And he had given it just like that.

Mu Lin was truly magnanimous. Long Qingshan suddenly saw him in a new light.

The moment it entered his mouth, a rich fragrance filled his senses.

The aroma quickly overwhelmed Long Qingshan's five senses, like a tentacled sea monster dragging him down into an ocean of sensation.

"Mr. Qingshan, relax. Let your consciousness sink completely," Mu Lin suddenly instructed.

Long Qingshan did as he was told. The fragrance was like a gentle hand, cradling his consciousness.

Then, a powerful sense of qi emerged from somewhere within Long Qingshan's meridians, guiding his True Qi, which had been like a lost lamb, forward.

It broke through one blockage after another, surveying the ruins of his internal pathways.

Now, a wide bridge spanned each of those ruins. As long as the True Qi crossed these bridges, the desolation below was of no consequence.

The True Qi flowed smoothly past, like a joyful brook.

A wave of comfort washed over Long Qingshan. He couldn't help but let out a long sigh of pure enjoyment.

After a very long time, Long Qingshan slowly opened his eyes.

Mu Lin asked in a low voice, "How do you feel?"

Long Qingshan's eyes lit up as he said excitedly, "It's incredible! I can feel my strength slowly returning."

Mu Lin smiled. "That's just an illusion. It's still too early! You'll need at least two more treatments to recover your former cultivation level."

Long Qingshan nodded again and again. "I understand!"

"For now, continue cultivating with your usual methods. If you run into any problems in the future, let me know. Please, don't hesitate."

Long Qingshan nodded eagerly and said with excitement, "Of course!"

With everything settled, Mu Lin said, "I'll head out first. If you want to continue cultivating, please, go ahead."

Long Qingshan said quickly, "No, that's alright! I'll go back to my room to cultivate. It wouldn't be right to monopolize the treatment room."

Mu Lin nodded, tidied everything up, and left with the jade case.

The moment he opened the door, Luo Wanqing rushed forward and asked with great concern, "Divine Doctor Mu, how is Mr. Qingshan?"

Mu Lin replied, "He should be fine. It will just take a few more treatments."

Luo Wanqing smiled sweetly. "That's wonderful news! Mr. Qingshan has waited for this day for so long."

Suddenly, a loud noise erupted from the treatment room.

Those present with cultivation bases felt a surge of Qi Force emanate from within the room.

Luo Wanqing's head snapped up. "No way..."

'A breakthrough already?!'

Mu Lin smiled. "Mr. Qingshan is getting his feel back. This breakthrough was a natural progression for him. All the cultivation he's accumulated over the years has just been unleashed by my guidance."

"But this is far from his true peak. He should be much stronger than this!"

"That's what the next few treatments are for. But we can't rush it; we have to take it one step at a time."

Mr. Qingshan pushed the door open and emerged. Luo Wanqing said, "Mr. Qingshan, congratulations on your breakthrough!"

Mr. Qingshan waved his hand dismissively. "It's far too early for that. I'm just reclaiming lost ground. It will take a long time and a lot of effort to reach my former peak."

Though his words were humble, everyone could see the excitement and fervor in his eyes.

He had been stuck in place for so long; in the past, he wouldn't have even dared to dream of a day like this.

"Divine Doctor Mu, thank you!"

Mu Lin waved his hand, not saying much. "Take it slow. Don't be in a rush to recapture your past glory. You're not a young man anymore, after all."

Mr. Qingshan couldn't help but lower his head. Mu Lin was right.

Although he now had the chance to climb to the summit again, he could never get back the years of his prime.

Lost time was lost time. There are no 'what ifs' in life.

Still, Mr. Qingshan bowed solemnly to Mu Lin. "Divine Doctor Mu! From this day forward, my life—Long Qingshan's life—is yours. I swear I will go through fire and water for you without hesitation."

Mu Lin cocked his head. "I'm no bandit king. What would I need you to go through fire and water for?"

"I'd be happy enough if everyone just eats well, drinks well, and lives a good life. Uncle Long, you've traveled the Jianghu for so many years and have a wealth of experience. From now on, if I have any questions, I'll come to you!"

Hearing Mu Lin call him Uncle Long put Long Qingshan in an excellent mood.

"Of course! Feel free to ask anytime. That would be great!"

"I was young and foolish back then, relying on my talent to rush headlong into things. By the time I had regrets, it was already too late."

"I traveled all over the Divine Land searching for a doctor who could heal my damaged meridians, but I never found one."

Mu Lin just smiled, saying nothing.

'This kind of injury would have been a piece of cake for the old master,' Mu Lin thought, 'but he stubbornly refused to intervene.'

'Fate is a strange thing.'

'Who knows what kind of person Long Qingshan was in his youth!'

But now he was a polite and seasoned veteran of the Jianghu, an old fox. Mu Lin couldn't judge him by his past.

Mu Lin said slowly, "But the time you lost wasn't wasted. All that repeated tempering has actually given you immense potential. After a few more sessions, you should be able to touch the threshold of the Grandmaster realm again. Who knows? This time, you might just step right across it."

Mu Lin didn't make any firm promises.

Long Qingshan didn't take it as fact, but laughed heartily. "Then I'll take that as a good omen, young friend!"

His many lost years had taught him a habit: rely only on yourself, and never waste time on fantasies until the goal is actually achieved.

This mentality had helped him endure the massive fall from a young prodigy to a crippled martial artist of the Jianghu.

Working as a guard at Hidden Sword Manor had also been a great trial for his character.

Lin Jin said to Mu Lin, "Mu Xiaoyou, I must return to report to my father, so I'll be taking my leave."

Mu Lin replied, "Please give my regards to Elder Lin. I'm grateful for the support he has shown the Li Group."

Lin Jin chuckled. "Of course."

But Xu Jishan cut in, "Ah, Mu Xiaoyou, what sights are there to see around Anhua? It's not often I get to travel. I'd like to have some fun before I head back!"

Xu Xifeng, who was beside him, chimed in with agreement.

Lin Jin's expression flickered when he heard this. 'This old fox isn't here for sightseeing,' he thought. 'He's just trying to get closer to Mu Lin.'

'If he stays, won't I be at a disadvantage?'

Then he had another thought. 'But wait, don't I have Lin Shishi?'

'That must have been the old man's goal when he told me to bring her—to build the best possible relationship with Mu Lin.'

He had to admire his father's foresight. Lin Jin turned to Lin Shishi and said, "Shishi, didn't you say you wanted to explore every nook and cranny of Anhua? Why don't you stay for a while? Whenever you want to go home, I'll send a car for you."

Lin Shishi knew exactly what her father meant. As it happened, she was quite interested in Mu Lin herself, so she nodded. "Okay! Brother Mu, would you be willing to show me around?"

Mu Lin smiled. "Of course I can."

Luo Wanqing averted her gaze. 'This is just too cringeworthy.'

'Those two old geezers, putting on such a ridiculous act. Have they no shame?'

'But of course, Mu Lin doesn't seem to care in the slightest.'

'He has the power to ignore all their scheming.'