The Wild Doctor and the Fair Beauty

"This is wonderful!"

Leng Ning wanted to both laugh and cry.

She wanted to cry because she never expected the near-annihilation of the Leng Family to be connected to her maternal grandfather’s family, with whom she shared no affection.

She wanted to laugh because, after tomorrow, the name of the Central State’s Leng Family would once again be remembered by the world.

The two of them returned to the courtyard.

Jiang Xinghai was still drinking and chatting with the clansmen.

"Jiang, I’ve just learned how powerful you truly are. On behalf of the entire Leng Family, I thank you for your contributions."

Leng Zhicheng didn’t bother with pleasantries. He stood directly beside Jiang Xinghai and then looked at the other clan members. "All of you, get up and stand behind me."

Jiang Xinghai just smiled faintly and glanced at Leng Ning.

Leng Ning’s eyes were glistening as she gave a slight nod.

The other Leng Family members, clearly unaware of what was happening, rose one by one and stood blankly behind Leng Zhicheng.

"Everyone, listen to me. It is thanks to Jiang Xinghai’s help that the Yan Family’s power has been cut in half. He is the benefactor of our Leng Family."

Leng Zhicheng didn’t explain further; that single sentence carried immense weight. Upon hearing it, everyone’s expression changed drastically.

"Kneel!"

As Leng Zhicheng knelt, the rest of the clan members followed suit, kneeling on the ground one after another.

"There’s no need for this. Please, rise."

Jiang Xinghai, of course, wouldn’t act conceited. He extended a hand, and a gentle wisp of energy helped Leng Zhicheng to his feet. "Everyone, please get up. My feud with the Yan Family is irreconcilable. It wasn’t just to help the Leng Family; it’s a personal grudge. So, there’s no need for such a grand display."

Then, a gentle energy spread through the crowd, and everyone was lifted to their feet.

The atmosphere of the meal quickly relaxed.

They started at noon and ate until five in the afternoon.

Everyone unanimously finalized the plan to relocate to the Central State tomorrow.

"Let’s go to the mountaintop and watch the sunset."

Leng Ning took Jiang Xinghai’s hand and led him out of the courtyard, pointing to a nearby mountain peak.

"Alright. I’d love to enjoy the scenery with you." Jiang Xinghai had been thinking the same thing.

He hadn’t climbed a mountain since coming down from Kunlun.

"Sis, Brother-in-law, how about I show you the way?" Leng Bing slurred, staggering over drunkenly.

But his wife immediately came up and grabbed him by the ear. "You’re really clueless, aren’t you? Do you have to be a third wheel?"

"Er..." Leng Bing was dragged away by his wife, his face flushing red.

Leng Ning and Jiang Xinghai shared a smile and continued walking.

A sweet warmth filled Leng Ning’s heart.

Especially when she heard the words "Sis and Brother-in-law."

But then she remembered she was four years older than Jiang Xinghai, and couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed.

The memory of seeing Shen Lingxue and Jiang Xinghai standing shoulder to shoulder, like a perfect pair, left her with little hope for herself.

She knew she was just a fleeting beauty in Jiang Xinghai’s life.

To be able to spend these few short days with him was already enough to make her content.

The two walked along the riverbank, talking and laughing.

"This peak is only a hundred meters high. How about a race?" Leng Ning suggested, looking at the summit.

"A race with me? Aren’t you afraid I’ll completely crush you?" Jiang Xinghai chuckled.

"You may be stronger than me, but I’m more familiar with this path," Leng Ning retorted, refusing to back down.

"Alright, on the count of three. Three..."

"Go!"

Leng Ning shot forward first.

Jiang Xinghai gave a wry smile, then immediately unleashed an extremely fast Body Skill to give chase.

The mountain was lush and green, covered with hawthorn, chestnut, and other fruit trees. Along the way, they could see common folk working in the fields.

"What was that just now?"

"Couldn’t see clearly. Just saw two shadows flash by."

"Couldn’t have been ghosts, right?"

Many of the working villagers started chatting amongst themselves.

But they treated it as idle chatter after a meal, and no one took it seriously.

In a poor, remote place like this, why would a noble figure like a Martial Arts expert come here?

「Meanwhile.」

"I win!"

At the summit, Leng Ning stopped and looked back.

Only to be met with a passionate embrace, followed by a fervent kiss pressed against her lips.

"Don’t..." Leng Ning was mortified.

Jiang Xinghai looked embarrassed. "That was presumptuous of me."

"Don’t... stop!" Leng Ning said, half-resisting, half-yielding.

A cunning glint flashed in Jiang Xinghai’s eyes, but he released her. "’Don’t,’ or ’Don’t stop’?"

"What do you think!" Leng Ning’s tone was a mix of shyness and anger, the sudden intimacy having left her flustered.

"Can I take that as you asking me to make the next move?" Jiang Xinghai’s gaze was full of playful provocation.

His words made Leng Ning’s face burn. She turned her head away, not wanting him to see her blush.

"I think... I’d like to watch the sunset first," Leng Ning said, trying to keep her voice calm, but her heart was already racing out of rhythm.

Jiang Xinghai’s deep voice echoed in the wind. "We’ll have plenty of time in the future. We can watch it another day."

The moment he finished speaking, his lips covered hers once more.

This time, Leng Ning didn’t push him away. Instead, she returned his kiss, her heart pounding faster and faster in response to his passion.