Volume 1, Chapter 35: Xu Ziyao's Probing

"Li Group..."
"Beauty-Stabilizing Pill..."

In the office of a private club, Xu Ziyao quietly leafed through the intelligence documents in her hands, a hint of surprise crossing her face. Before formally making contact with this so-called "miracle doctor," she naturally had to arrange for someone to investigate his background. Although Xu Weiping had retired to the second line, the descendants of the Xu family still commanded significant resources, and thus, Xu Ziyao received the results of the investigation quickly.

According to the findings, all the rumors surrounding the miracle doctor seemed to originate from the Li family in Nanjiang City. It felt as if the Lis were deliberately building momentum for him. In the past, Xu Ziyao would have immediately pegged the Li family as pawns of some foreign power, concocting these rumors to lure the Xu family into a trap. But now, the Li Group was in a stage of rapid growth; not only did they possess vast assets, but their entire extended family lived in Nanjiang City. A family like that would hardly want to serve as a chess piece for foreign interests, dragging their entire kin into a conspiracy to harm a national hero. They wouldn't sacrifice their family for such schemes.

So why, then, were they promoting this miracle doctor?

Xu Ziyao carefully reviewed the profile of the Li family. A few years ago, the Li Group was merely an ordinary merchant household in Nanjiang. They were not a top-tier commercial group, nor an elite family—they didn't even rank as second-rate. Their company had been a minor third-rate firm, and while they managed well enough, they were insignificant in the city's broader landscape.

The turning point came two years ago. The Li Group suddenly launched a beauty product called the "Beauty-Stabilizing Pill," which received an overwhelming response upon release, catapulting the Li family into the spotlight as a rising star in Nanjiang. It was said that the formula for this pill came from a practitioner named Ye Tian. Even more baffling, the investigation revealed that this Ye Tian had been serving time in prison just a few months prior. According to his background check, he had been nothing more than an ordinary househusband before his imprisonment, with no remarkable traits to speak of. Yet, he had produced such a formula and, with keen insight, entrusted it to the Li Group for operation.

The moment the Beauty-Stabilizing Pill hit the market, it triggered a buying frenzy. Its sales were staggering, and it rapidly seized the majority of the beauty and skincare market in Nanjiang with unstoppable momentum. Thanks to this pill, the Li Group boarded a high-speed vessel, rising with the tide in the commercial ocean and successfully establishing itself among the premier business groups in Nanjiang. Recently, this same Ye Tian had struck again, developing and launching the "Youth-Preserving Pill."

Word had it that the efficacy of the Youth-Preserving Pill was a qualitative leap over its predecessor, several times more powerful. Surprisingly, the Li Group did not raise the price due to its superior performance, keeping it consistent with the Beauty-Stabilizing Pill. Furthermore, the Li family made an admirable move: they released the formula for the Beauty-Stabilizing Pill without reservation, causing the prices of similar products to plummet. This series of actions undoubtedly benefited the masses, allowing families previously priced out of such beauty products to finally afford them. Ordinary people could even attempt to refine and use the product at home based on the published formula.

In this light, Ye Tian and the Li Group seemed to possess a noble, altruistic spirit. At the very least, they were not the sort of profit-driven doctors or merchants who only cared about money.

"Ye Tian..." A playful smile touched the corners of Xu Ziyao's mouth. "Could he be the miracle doctor the Li family is so desperately promoting? Or is he merely a figurehead used to deceive the public?"

"Interesting..." she mused. "This person is worth a deeper look. I want to see exactly who this Ye Tian is and where he gets such capability."

Xu Ziyao set the documents aside.

...

Li Group, Guest Reception Room.

Li Qingcheng wore a warm, perfectly measured smile. Sitting opposite her was the recently arrived Xu Ziyao.

"Miss Xu, your presence today makes this humble place shine. Please forgive me for not coming to greet you sooner," Li Qingcheng said.

"You are too kind, Miss Li," Xu Ziyao replied with a slight nod. She showed no undue surprise or restraint, carrying herself with an innate sense of efficiency and ease.

She didn't beat around the bush. "I want to meet the miracle doctor—Ye Tian."

A flicker of subtle excitement flashed in Li Qingcheng's eyes. She tilted her head and smiled. "Is Miss Xu looking for the miracle doctor to treat an illness?"

Xu Ziyao arched an eyebrow. "I want to personally test the Youth-Preserving Pill and see if it is truly as miraculous as the rumors claim."

"Have you never used the Youth-Preserving Pill, Miss Xu?" Li Qingcheng asked with a smile.

"I usually focus entirely on martial arts training," Xu Ziyao replied calmly. "I don't pay much attention to skincare or beauty, and I have never touched products like this."

Li Qingcheng nodded slightly. "If you only wish to test the pill, there is no need for such trouble. The miracle doctor is not here, but I do have some of the Youth-Preserving Pill on hand... I will have someone prepare it for you."

She clapped her hands, signaling a staff member to retrieve the product. A moment later, a female employee walked in carrying an exquisite carved box. After carefully placing it on the table, she bowed and retreated.

Li Qingcheng gently opened the box, revealing a pill that emitted a soft, faint luster, along with a delicate porcelain bottle containing the topical ointment. "This is the Youth-Preserving Pill. It can be taken orally or applied topically. The results are instantaneous. Miss Xu can try it now and see for herself."

Xu Ziyao did not hesitate. She took the pill and then used her finger to dab some of the ointment onto her face. Li Qingcheng watched with a smile.

A moment later, Xu Ziyao felt a gentle warmth spread across her face, followed by a marvelous, comforting sensation rising from deep within her skin. She instinctively touched her cheek and her eyes widened in surprise. Her skin, which had been slightly rough from years of martial arts training and exposure to the elements, now felt remarkably smooth and delicate.

The effect was truly instantaneous!

A flash of delight crossed Xu Ziyao's eyes. "It truly lives up to its reputation!" She looked up and said, "I am even more curious about the miracle doctor now, Miss Li. I want to meet him."

Li Qingcheng showed a look of hesitation. "I cannot bring him here right now; he mentioned he was in the middle of cultivation..."

"I can go to him," Xu Ziyao replied, having anticipated this.

Li Qingcheng smiled. "That is possible, but he is currently residing on Dragon Head Mountain. It is a remote location with poor access, rugged roads, and complex, wild terrain. It will take a considerable amount of time and effort to get there, and it is not particularly safe—there are often wild beasts and unexpected hazards. Shall I arrange for some capable people to escort you?"

"That won't be necessary," Xu Ziyao said, waving her hand. "As a member of the Xu family, I have been trained since childhood; crossing mountains is second nature to me. Just give me the specific location, and I will go myself."

As a Xu, she did not want to owe the Li family too many favors. Knowing his location was enough; otherwise, should the Li family ever ask for a favor in the future, it would be even harder for the Xu family to refuse.

Seeing her resolve, Li Qingcheng stopped trying to persuade her. "Since you insist, Miss Xu, I can only wish you a safe journey."