Chapter Sixty-Six: The Art of Severing the Pulse

“North Tiger, even if this young man cannot save me, it is not his fault. Remember to let him go, make sure he leaves unharmed!”

Jiang Beicheng looked at Jiang Beihu as he spoke, then turned his gaze to his father, Jiang Taihong, and said softly, “Over the past few years, some people have come, but none could cure me. In the end, they just vanished.”

“Our Jiang family is the foremost in Qingxue County. We must leave a good name behind. Don’t let it be ruined because of me.”

Jiang Beicheng seemed a bit despondent. No matter how talented he was, he would have to face death someday.

“Very well, since this is your wish, I’ll let him go.” Jiang Taihong nodded. Since it was his son’s request, he would grant it. After all, his son’s days were numbered. For someone as young as Lin Fan to fail in saving him was within reason. Even if he had deceived the Jiang family, since Beicheng had spoken, the boy would be spared.

“What are those looks on your faces? I may not be able to cure the poison, but I never said I couldn’t suppress it!” Lin Fan, seeing everyone behaving as though parting at death’s door, hesitated a moment and scratched his head.

With his current cultivation, he truly could not cure the poison nor extract it completely, but he never said he couldn’t suppress it. If he wasn’t at least somewhat confident, would he have dared come to the Jiang family? As the saying goes, who would dare climb Mount Liang without at least some skill?

At this moment, Jiang Beicheng speaking up for him was unexpected, but in Lin Fan’s plans, he had never counted on anyone to plead for him. If he had truly deceived the Jiang family, death would be the only outcome—one does not stroke the whiskers of the tiger that leads the top family.

Only after making thorough preparations did he dare claim he could treat Jiang Beicheng.

Jiang Beihu, hearing Lin Fan speak, thought he was trying to plead for himself and waved him off impatiently, “Alright, hurry up and get lost...!”

“What? What did you just say?!”

But before he could finish, he suddenly realized what Lin Fan had said, his eyes widening as he leaned in, his face full of astonishment.

“Say that to your grandfather—!”

With a bang, Jiang Beihu was sent flying by a slap from Jiang Taihong, smashing several chairs along the way.

“Young man, is what you said true?” Jiang Taihong also leaned in close, fixing Lin Fan with a piercing stare. “Are you aware of the consequences of deceiving the Jiang family? Just now, my son pleaded for you, but that does not mean you’ll be forgiven for deceiving us again!”

“It’s absolutely true. However, with my abilities, I can only guarantee that Senior Beicheng will be safe for three years. After that, the poison will erupt again.”

“And the very instant it erupts, it will claim Senior Beicheng’s life!”

“Moreover, during these three years, he must not fight anyone or use his cultivation at all!”

Lin Fan nodded. He spoke the truth. If his cultivation were two realms higher and he reached the Meridian Unification stage, curing Jiang Beicheng’s poison wouldn’t be difficult.

But now, he was only at the mid Qi Gathering stage—his strength was insufficient!

The method he would use to treat Jiang Beicheng was known as the Vein-Sealing Technique, a highly advanced method in the healing arts, even if it was not a martial skill.

Of course, this was him using the Vein-Sealing Technique. If his good friend, Beiming Xi—the so-called King of Life and Death—were to use it, it would be entirely different. With his friend’s knowledge of the human body, a single move could sever all of an opponent’s meridians in an instant!

Even a true Divine-level expert would be rendered powerless if struck by Beiming Xi’s Vein-Sealing Technique, left at his mercy.

Upon hearing Lin Fan’s words, both Jiang Taihong and the recently returned Jiang Beihu turned their eyes to Jiang Beicheng.

Though they said nothing, it was clear this was the best option—delaying three years was better than dying in half a year. Perhaps within those three years, they might find a cure for Jiang Beicheng.

“Haha, it doesn’t matter. I only had half a year left anyway. I let it be known outside that I have only a month to live, just to lull some rivals into carelessness. Now that I can last three years, that’s a gain.”

Jiang Beicheng laughed freely. If any lovesick young women or noble ladies saw that smile, their hearts would surely be captured on the spot. It was hard to imagine such a charming smile from a middle-aged man.

This was already the best possible outcome!

Three years, plus his remaining six months—three and a half years. If they still couldn’t find a cure by then, it would mean even Heaven wanted him dead, and he would accept his fate.

The Jiang family had told outsiders he had only a month left, hoping to put their rivals off guard.

If, after a month, no one provided the inner core or information about the Nine-Headed Serpent, the Jiang family would announce his death.

He would then go into hiding for five months, assassinating the members of rival families, doing one last thing for the Jiang family.

Of course, while he was in hiding, the Jiang family would continue to search for clues about the Nine-Headed Serpent.

Now that Lin Fan said he could extend his life by three years, he was naturally delighted!

“Very well—let’s start now!”

Lin Fan actually admired Jiang Beicheng’s free-spirited nature. He felt an inexplicable fondness for him—the man’s character reminded him so much of a friend from his previous life, Ximen Jianchen!

The same handsomeness, the same carefree air, the same inability to inspire dislike!

In truth, Lin Fan hadn’t had many friends in his previous life. Some had even been former rivals, but mutual respect had turned them into friends.

For example, the Healing Saint, also known as the King of Life and Death, Beiming Xi!

For example, the legendary swordsman, Ximen Jianchen, rumored descendant of Ximen Chuixue!

For example, the battle-madman with the Sky Tyrant Physique, Bàxia!

For example, the peerless master of formations, Han Muzi, the Formation Saint!

Of course, there was also his great nemesis—almost flawless in every way, called the Son of God, Qin Long…!

“Now? Right now?” Jiang Beicheng was clearly taken aback by Lin Fan’s words. “Don’t you need to prepare anything?”

“Yes, don’t you need any rare herbs or at least some silver needles?” Jiang Beihu chimed in. In his mind, a healer would always need to prepare something—be it herbs, elixirs, or acupuncture tools.

Normally, this would take several days. How could Lin Fan say he was ready now? Wasn’t this a bit too hasty?

He couldn’t help but worry that this might not be reliable at all...

“Damn, I actually forgot something so important!” Lin Fan slapped his forehead, looking a bit regretful, as if he had really forgotten. Only after their reminders did he remember.

This made Jiang Beihu’s face darken. He thought, How could someone forget something like this?

If you forgot, how can you treat my big brother? Are you here to joke around, or just to die…?!

Ignoring Jiang Beihu’s thoughts, Lin Fan looked up and said seriously, “Yes, I do need to prepare something. Listen carefully!”

Jiang Beihu immediately pricked up his ears, Jiang Taihong focused his attention, and even Jiang Beicheng blinked, curious about what was needed to treat such a deadly poison.

“Six hundred million taels of silver!”

Lin Fan cleared his throat and finally spoke.

Crash!

Jiang Beihu lost his balance, slammed into the table, and even blood trickled from his nose, his face twitching with veins bulging. Jiang Taihong’s forehead grew a few black lines, while Jiang Beicheng looked utterly stupefied.

“Negative emotion value from Jiang Beihu, +999!”

“Negative emotion value from Jiang Fengnian, +999!”

“Negative emotion value from Jiang Beicheng...”

Damn it, I thought you’d ask for some rare herbs or priceless silver needles, but at this moment, you’re asking for silver?!

Shua, shua, shua!

Since Lin Fan entered the main hall, the negative emotion values had been steadily rising, mostly by the hundreds, all from Jiang Taihong and Jiang Beihu.

But now, all three of them gave him over a thousand points each in an instant.

Jiang Beicheng’s mouth twitched. He suddenly felt hesitant to let this youth treat him. What if instead of prolonging his life, the boy used up the half year he had left?

How unreliable could he be!

“As long as you can heal my brother and give him three more years, the Jiang family’s reward of a billion silver taels is yours, and you’ll even have the position of honored guest elder. You don’t need to say more!” Jiang Beihu fought the urge to slap Lin Fan to death, growling in a low voice, “I’m asking if you need anything else for the treatment, like rare herbs or treasures?”

Lin Fan shook his head. “I don’t want a billion, just six hundred million. I also don’t need the guest elder position, but I do need a promise from the Jiang family.”

As he spoke, Lin Fan did not look at Jiang Beihu, but instead turned to the silent Jiang Taihong.

Facing a master of the River Realm, Lin Fan’s gaze did not waver in the slightest. He looked calm and resolute.

“What promise?” Jiang Taihong was puzzled. Why would Lin Fan refuse a billion taels and the position of guest elder, both of which carried enormous power in Qingxue County, making even the boldest hesitate to provoke him?

He faintly sensed that this promise would be far from simple.

“I want the Jiang family to protect my Lin family for three years, so that no other family can offend us. At the same time, the Lin family will not pay tribute to the Jiang family, nor will we be a vassal.”

[End of Chapter]