Chapter 70: The Old Man in the Park
Chapter 70: The Old Man in the Park
The pure and beautiful young woman rushed over to support her grandfather as soon as he began coughing, gently patting his back. “Grandpa, are you alright?” She watched him anxiously until, after a while, he finally managed to catch his breath and waved a hand to signal her to stop.
“Grandpa, are you sure you’re alright? Should I call a doctor to come have a look?” she asked worriedly. Her grandfather was her closest relative. Since her grandmother passed away and her parents left Qing Province, it had only been the two of them. The bond between them ran deep.
He gave a bitter smile. “No need. I know my own body. This is just an old injury from the battlefield—after all these years, every day is a gift.” He was in his seventies now, which was already a good age. Thinking back to how he’d risen from a green recruit to his present achievements, he felt content.
“Grandpa, please take care of yourself. I can’t lose you. Promise me you’ll look after your health,” the young woman began to sob softly. Her grandfather had endured so much. He could have joined the central government, but when he said he missed his hometown, they chose to stay in Qing Province.
He smiled gently. “I will. This old bag of bones has to hold out at least until I see you find happiness.” He sipped his tea. “Of course, I won’t rush you. Let things happen as they will. Now, go and rest. I’ll read for a while, then get some sleep myself.”
“Alright, Grandpa. Let me help you back.” She supported him as they slowly made their way into the house. Though he coughed occasionally, it was nothing serious. As they took just a few steps, a tall, robust middle-aged man approached and took over supporting the old man.
All of this, of course, happened without Ye Feng’s knowledge. He was at the Chenlong Club, where, after training with the others, he called his two beautiful wives to check in and exchange some sweet words. Then, as was his daily habit, he sat cross-legged alone in his room, quietly circulating his internal energy.
The next morning, Ye Feng asked Ma Long about nearby parks. He then headed to Moon Lake Park, the closest to the club. The fresh morning air was perfect for cultivating his energy, and his time in the army had ingrained the habit of training at dawn.
He began with a slow jog into Moon Lake Park. There were already quite a few people out—mainly elderly folks, some young people helping their elders stroll, others practicing tai chi. The atmosphere was peaceful and pleasant.
Ye Feng understood the benefits of tai chi for health and self-cultivation, but he’d never seriously studied it. Tai chi was deep and profound, not something a restless young man could master on a whim. So he stuck to the track, jogging at a gentle pace.
He occasionally nodded and greeted people as he passed, all the while circulating his internal energy, synchronizing his breathing in a steady rhythm. To outsiders, he was just another young man jogging—and not particularly fast at that.
Yet this was precisely the effect Ye Feng wanted. As his energy cycled through his body, it grew ever more powerful. It was as if he ran with the wind, though no ordinary person could perceive this. Suddenly, an elderly man with snow-white hair appeared in front of him, his face kind and familiar. Ye Feng nodded in greeting.
The old man smiled back, but then suddenly furrowed his brow and began coughing violently. Ye Feng quickly stepped forward to support him. “Sir, are you alright?”
“I’m... I’m fine. Cough, cough!” The coughing continued, so Ye Feng helped him to a stone bench nearby. “Sir, have you had a lung injury in the past?”
“Oh?” The old man looked up, surprised. How could this young man know? His lungs had indeed been injured long ago, when there was no proper medical treatment available. Even after seeing many famous doctors later, the condition remained—everyone said it was a cold in the lungs, difficult to heal. “Young man, how did you know?”
Seeing the old man’s interest, Ye Feng realized he’d guessed correctly. “When I supported you just now, I noticed your pulse seemed a bit weak, especially in a way that suggested problems with the lungs. So I made an educated guess.”
The old man’s eyes brightened, as if hope had dawned. He was particularly curious about this young man, who not only noticed his condition with a single touch but also carried an air of confidence and vitality. “Do you have any good suggestions, young man?”
Ye Feng hesitated. He could use his internal strength to expel the cold toxin from the old man’s body, but there was no scientific explanation for his methods. Seeing his hesitation, the old man’s hopeful expression dimmed.
Originally, the old man had thought that with help from this young man, perhaps he could live a few more years—long enough to see his granddaughter settled. Noticing the old man’s disappointment, Ye Feng spoke up. “I can give it a try, though my methods are difficult to explain scientifically.”
“You… you can try?” The old man’s eyes lit up—not because he feared death, but because he wasn’t ready to leave his beloved granddaughter behind.
Ye Feng nodded resolutely. “Yes. I can’t promise complete success, but I believe there will be some effect. Even if I can’t heal it entirely, I should be able to help. But first, I’ll need to examine your pulse carefully.”