Chapter 413 - 411: Discussing the Problem
However, Chen Tianlong’s legs were still a bit wobbly. When he got up, he suddenly felt his legs give way and was about to fall, so he hurriedly held tightly onto Zhang Yufei. But this made Zhang Yufei, who was already a bit tired on her feet, lose her balance, and the two of them fell down directly without warning.
By chance, or misfortune, Chen Tianlong’s mouth landed right in front of Zhang Yufei. Feeling a warm, soft thing pressed against his lips, Chen Tianlong instinctively widened his eyes, and a glimpse of spring scenery appeared before him.
After all, the heavy rain last night had made Zhang Yufei’s clothes cling tightly to her, and it was a hot summer day. She was wearing a casual white shirt, the buttons of which were stretched open by her curves, and now Chen Tianlong was pressed right against it.
Zhang Yufei looked up and saw Chen Tianlong staring intently and blankly at her chest, and she instantly blushed with embarrassment. She quickly pushed him away and hastily straightened her clothes.
Li Sheng, who was standing by with a plate in his hands, was also stunned by the scene that had just unfolded between the two of them.
However, Li Sheng quickly snapped back to reality and hurriedly said, "You two, get up, have some food, and then change your clothes. We have some maids here at the villa who are about the same size as this young lady, so the clothes should fit."
"Thank you, Housekeeper Li!"
Chen Tianlong was considerate of Zhang Yufei. She accompanied him here and he didn’t want her to suffer or catch a cold, which could lead to a fever and complications later.
"You’re welcome. Please eat these first, and then follow me."
Li Sheng was decisive in his actions, wasting no time.
Chen Tianlong was also preoccupied with seeking medical help, so he gave a wink to Zhang Yufei, who was blushing like a boiled lobster, signaling her to quickly eat something so they could get down to business.
Although Zhang Yufei was shy, she dared not delay, and the two quickly finished their meal, changed into dry clothes, and returned to the small house outside.
"Master, I have brought them."
Housekeeper Li knocked on the door twice and then retreated.
"Come in."
At this moment, Zhang Ju’s tone had become much more gentle.
Chen Tianlong and Zhang Yufei didn’t delay and directly pushed the door open. As expected, seated in the center of the hall was none other than Divine Doctor Zhang Ju.
"Greetings, Divine Doctor Zhang."
"Please take a seat, there’s no need for formalities with this old man."
Since Zhang Ju allowed them to come in, he must have thought things through and dropped his airs. This time, he wanted a good chat with Chen Tianlong.
Chen Tianlong was obviously taken aback; Zhang Ju’s complete change in attitude was baffling.
After the three sat down, Chen Tianlong was rather anxious and began to ask, "Divine Doctor Zhang, have you agreed to my request?"
"I think you’ve misunderstood. I’m afraid I can’t go to South Sea City, even if I wish to."
"Oh? Why is that, elder?"
Chen Tianlong wasn’t foolish; he could hear what Zhang Ju implied. It wasn’t that Zhang Ju didn’t want to go, but rather that there were unspeakable difficulties.
So, if he helped solve Zhang Ju’s problem, wouldn’t that mean he could persuade him to go to South Sea City?
Indeed, Zhang Ju took a deep breath and began to say, "Young man, I’ll speak frankly. Ever since you two recklessly intruded into the Forbidden Land on the back mountain, you’ve stirred up trouble. Originally, I wanted to let you leave directly, perhaps things would be better. But fate toyed with you, and you didn’t leave."
Saying this, Zhang Ju seemed to feel that he also bore some responsibility. After all, he was old and it didn’t matter much to him, but the two young ones should not be hunted down and become victims.
"Elder, since this is the case, just tell us what trouble we’ve gotten ourselves into. Maybe I can help solve it."
It wasn’t arrogance on Chen Tianlong’s part; he believed there was a solution to every problem in the world. If even the issue isn’t known, of course, it would be unsolvable.
"Alright, since you wish to know, I’ll tell you."
Zhang Ju said this, took a deep breath, paused for a moment, perhaps organizing his thoughts.
After a short while, Zhang Ju continued, "You’ve intruded into a place you shouldn’t have. Although you don’t know the secrets within, you can’t avoid being implicated. Understand?"
Chen Tianlong nodded, while Zhang Yufei was left baffled.
Zhang Ju smiled with satisfaction, knowing that Chen Tianlong was not ordinary and quickly understood. He then stepped outside, glanced around, and closed the door.
"Young man, you’re very smart. I heard you could even break the Twelve Bronze Men Array, which means you are fated with me!" Zhang Ju, despite his age, was pleased to meet such a talented young man. After pondering overnight, he finally made a decision.
"And then?"
Chen Tianlong could sense there was more to it.
"This is the only way to resolve the peril that could cost you your lives. That is... both of you must become my apprentices!" Zhang Ju said flatly.
"Huh?"
"Ah?"
Both of them were stunned. After all this talk, it turned out Zhang Ju intended to take them both as apprentices. But Chen Tianlong felt something was off. What exactly was this life-threatening peril the elder mentioned?
"Elder..."
"Hey, don’t call me elder. Call me master! That is, if you want to leave here alive." Zhang Ju’s expression was serious, not as if he was joking.
Reacting quickly, Chen Tianlong dragged Zhang Yufei around the table and knelt in front of Zhang Ju. Anyway, the purpose of coming here was to ask him to help save Lin Wushuang. Becoming apprentices was of secondary concern; saving a life was the priority.
Zhang Yufei, just playing along, naturally followed Chen Tianlong. The two knelt in front of Zhang Ju, saying, "Master, please accept our bow!"
Chen Tianlong bowed first, and seeing him do so, Zhang Yufei followed suit. Though it looked a bit comical, they completed the ceremony.
Although it came about rather hastily, the eighty-year-old Zhang Ju felt a surge of excitement seeing two young ones become his apprentices.
"Stand up, both of you! Let me pour you some tea." Remembering how he had tormented them last night, he felt a bit guilty that now they had become his apprentices.
Chen Tianlong and Zhang Yufei returned to their seats, accepted the tea brewed by Zhang Ju, and drank it without pretense.
"Master, now that we are your disciples, please feel free to speak openly." Chen Tianlong was straightforward.
"Well... listen carefully. I’m the head of a new drug research project, and this place is my secret research base. By stumbling upon it, it means once you step out the door, the founders of this project will trouble you, regardless of whether you leak any information. Understand?" Zhang Ju explained everything in one breath.
"Hiss....."
Chen Tianlong took a deep breath, and suddenly everything became clear to him.