Zhao Ya certainly recognized Xia Hongyu, but he didn’t know why she suddenly came to find him.
"Hmm, what does this Miss Hongyu want with me?" Zhao Ya asked.
Xia Hongyu glanced at Zui’Er beside her, bit her lip, and then said, "Commander Zhao, I want to ask you to save my grandfather."
"Oh? Save your grandfather?"
"Yes!"
As she spoke, tears burst from Xia Hongyu’s eyes.
Back when her grandfather Xia Feiying was leading her in a breakout, he was ambushed by the Hong Family and critically injured.
He relied on his great strength to hold on, but now, as his condition gradually worsens, Xia Feiying’s situation is getting dire.
He hasn’t eaten much for two or three days now.
Xia Hongyu knew that if things continued, her grandfather might truly not make it.
They urgently needed medicine, good medicine.
However, with her meager salary, even feeding herself was a struggle, let alone buying medicine.
Out of desperation, Xia Hongyu mustered the courage to seek help.
Before coming, Xia Hongyu was terrified.
Because everyone in the Song Family knew of Commander Zhao’s renown.
She was only a laundry maid, and it wouldn’t be surprising if she were thrown out for such an audacious visit.
But for her grandfather’s life, she decided to give it a try.
When she nervously knocked on the door, a bright young girl opened it.
Xia Hongyu knew this must be Miss Zui’Er, who stayed by Commander Zhao’s side.
She expected a cold reception but was surprised by Zui’Er’s friendliness. Upon hearing that Xia Hongyu was looking for Zhao Ya, she graciously invited her in, noticed her tension, and specially poured her a cup of hot tea.
All this allowed Xia Hongyu to relax a little, and she waited for Zhao Ya’s return.
When Zhao Ya heard that Xia Hongyu’s grandfather was the old Leader of the Jinsheng Escort Agency, he immediately decided to help without any hesitation.
"There’s no time to lose; take me there now."
Zhao Ya took the medicine and followed Xia Hongyu to their residence.
As soon as they entered the courtyard, a weak voice came from the house.
"Hongyu, who is here?"
Xia Hongyu hurriedly said, "Grandfather, it’s Commander Zhao. He’s here to treat your injuries."
Zhao Ya didn’t waste any words and quickly entered the house, where a pungent stench greeted them.
Zhao Ya walked to the bedside and looked.
Sure enough, there lay a skinny old man on the bed, with several huge claw marks on his chest oozing with pus.
Zhao Ya exclaimed in surprise, "Eagle Claw Skill?"
Xia Feiying had been watching Zhao Ya as he approached, and seeing the restrained brilliance in his eyes and the imposing demeanor in his every gesture, he knew the rumors were true: Zhao Ya had indeed reached the third realm.
Xia Feiying smiled slightly, "Indeed, it’s the Eagle Claw Skill. It’s impressive that despite your young age, Commander Zhao, your insight is so sharp."
Xia Hongyu cautiously asked, "Commander, can my grandfather’s injuries still be healed?"
"For anyone else, probably not. But the old gentleman might have a chance."
Zhao Ya’s words were neither flattery nor comfort but from the bottom of his heart.
Because Xia Feiying’s injuries were so severe that if it were anyone else, even another Martial Artist, they would likely have been dead long ago.
Xia Feiying managed to hang on purely because of his profound Martial Dao cultivation.
Zhao Ya placed the medical box beside the bed, instructed Xia Hongyu to open the windows for ventilation, and then light the candles.
Xia Hongyu complied one by one, and Zhao Ya opened the medical box.
Inside, a tidy arrangement of small medicine bottles, many of which were rare and unavailable in the market.
These were bought from the Yang Family back when the Song and Yang Families still had relations.
Zhao Ya took out a small bottle, asked Xia Hongyu to fetch some clean water, then poured the medicine powder into it. Once dissolved, he cleaned Xia Feiying’s wounds.
The process was excruciating because he had to reopen some superficially healed wounds and cleanse the pus inside.
Zhao Ya was a bit worried whether Xia Feiying could endure it, so he hesitated at first.
Noticing Zhao Ya’s concern, Xia Feiying kindly said, "Commander Zhao, don’t worry, just do it boldly. I can endure this much pain."
Indeed, whether cutting open the wounds or scraping out the rotten flesh later, Xia Feiying remained silent the entire time, only the sweat on his forehead reminding everyone of the old man’s incredible resilience.
It took three basins of water to clean the wounds thoroughly.
Zhao Ya opened another small bottle, applied the ointment to the wounds, and bandaged them with clean gauze.
After everything was finished, Xia Feiying lay on the bed, pale and somewhat exhausted.
But it was already remarkable. Just the strenuous ordeal would be hard for a young and strong lad to endure.
Zhao Ya took out a piece of Cured Green Bamboo Snake, had Xia Hongyu soak it in hot water for a while, and then fed it to Xia Feiying.
After swallowing a piece of cured Cyan Bamboo Snake, Xia Feiying’s condition immediately improved, and his complexion regained some color.
He sat up and cupped his fist towards Zhao Ya.
"I won’t just say thanks for your great kindness. Commander Zhao, you have truly saved this old man’s life."
Zhao Ya waved his hand, "No need for formalities, old sir. Not to mention we’re all fellow comrades in the Jianghu; just based on our past in the Escort Agency business, I couldn’t just sit back and watch you die."
Back then, Jinsheng Escort Agency and Changlong Escort Agency were equally well-known. Although Zhao Ya hadn’t crossed paths with them, he had heard of Xia Feiying, knowing that he was a veteran who had roamed the Jianghu for decades.
Later, the Hong Family besieged various Escort Agencies in Wuxiang City, and Jinsheng Escort Agency also fell victim, leading to Xia Feiying’s disappearance. Unexpectedly, he had been hiding in the Inner City all along, while his granddaughter joined the Song Family as a laundry maid.
Thinking of this, Zhao Ya couldn’t help but marvel at the wonders of destiny. If he hadn’t gone to the bamboo grove to practice that night, he wouldn’t have met Li Chunfeng and wouldn’t have been able to save Xia Hongyu.
And if Xia Hongyu hadn’t survived her ordeal, Xia Feiying probably wouldn’t have lived either.
"Hahaha, well said. This old man won’t be coy, then. Now, Commander Zhao, holding such an important position in the Song Family, is quite impressive. But what do you think of the situation in Wuxiang City?" Xia Feiying asked.
Zhao Ya’s heart stirred, "What do you mean by that, old sir?"
Xia Feiying chuckled, "I believe Commander Zhao is a smart person. The current situation in the Inner City is quite similar to how it was for our Escort Agency. The Song Family isn’t weak, but the Hong Family is stronger, and Hong Shouchang clearly aims to become the master of Wuxiang City. So conflict between the Song and Hong Families is unavoidable and may break out at any moment."
Though bedridden and unaware of recent events, Xia Feiying’s sharp insight enabled him to deduce the predicament the Song Family faced.
Zhao Ya had to admire the foresight of these seasoned Jianghu members, nodding, "You’re right, old sir. The Hong Family indeed covets the Song Family. Not only that, even the Yang Family has already sided with the Hong Family."
"Oh? Is that so?"
Zhao Ya then recounted the incidents between the Song and Yang Families.
After hearing this, Xia Feiying couldn’t help but frown.
"That shouldn’t be. Yang Sansi, though as cunning as a fox and sometimes short-sighted, should understand the principle of ’lips gone, teeth cold.’ Once the Song Family is wiped out, the next target will be the Yang Family!"
"That’s what I thought too, but the Yang Family did what they did. Maybe they have other dealings with the Hong Family."
"So, how does Commander Zhao plan to handle this situation?" Xia Feiying continued to ask.
"Nothing special, just to confront them with soldiers and block water with earth, as the saying goes." Zhao Ya replied calmly.
"Good, now that I know Commander Zhao’s intentions, this old man can’t just accept your life-saving favor in vain. Though I don’t have many skills, my Lightweight Ascension Technique is presentable. If Commander Zhao doesn’t mind, I’m willing to teach it to you."
Zhao Ya did not refuse, as declining at such a moment would seem pretentious.
He merely cupped his fists, "Thank you!"
"But I have a condition!"
"Please, old sir, state it."
"I won’t move to the Song Family. If you want to learn, you must come to this small courtyard to find me."
Zhao Ya was taken aback; he had indeed considered bringing Xia Feiying back to the Song Family.
"Why is that?"
"Because I don’t want to be entangled in this dispute." Xia Feiying said, looking tenderly at Xia Hongyu by the bedside.
"My son and daughter-in-law died at the hands of the Hong Family, and many years of hard work were destroyed in an instant. Logically, I should join you, follow the Song Family, and fight the Hong Family. But I can’t do that because of Hongyu."
"These old bones of mine aren’t worth much, but I must consider Hongyu. That’s why I’ve been holding on and refusing to die. If I do, she’ll be left alone in this world."
"So, teaching you the Lightweight Ascension Technique is my way of repaying you. Once I recover, I’ll take Hongyu and leave. Do you accept this condition?"
Tears unknowingly streamed down Xia Hongyu’s face, and Zhao Ya was greatly moved.
Xia Feiying was indeed a seasoned Jianghu member. To put aside such deep-seated vengeance was remarkable, and Zhao Ya nodded solemnly.
"Alright!"
As Zhao Ya was about to leave, he left behind enough silver taels and some cured bamboo meat.
Naturally, Xia Hongyu no longer needed to return to being a laundry maid. She escorted Zhao Ya to the door and quietly said, "Thank you, Commander Zhao!"
"No need to be so formal. You can just call me Ya from now on. The title of commander sounds too awkward," Zhao Ya replied with a smile.
Xia Hongyu also smiled and nodded emphatically, "Alright, Ya!"
As Zhao Ya was about to leave, Xia Hongyu suddenly said, "Ya."
"Hmm?"
"Also, thank you for that night!"
Having said that, Xia Hongyu turned and went back inside.
Watching her retreating figure, Zhao Ya paused and then chuckled quietly.
She had already figured it out. No wonder she sought my help.
She’s indeed a clever girl.
When he returned home, Zui’Er asked with great concern, "Ya, is Hongyu’s grandfather’s injury healed?"
"Yes, rest assured, it’s healed."
"Hehe, that’s good." Zui’Er was very happy.
"Oh, from tomorrow onwards, after I return, you need to come with me to a place."
"Where are we going?"
"You’ll find out when the time comes."