Top-tier Unruly Master

As Ding Fan sized up Old Master Qin, Old Master Qin was also taking Ding Fan's measure.

He behaved properly, was neither servile nor overbearing, and while his clothes were plain, there was an air of distinction about him that made it impossible for anyone to look down upon him.

Who was Old Master Qin? He was a founding father of the nation, and even national leaders would personally call to extend their greetings on his birthday, though Old Master Qin had now retired. But Old Master Qin's subordinates and disciples spread throughout much of Huaxia Country.

Old Master Qin was truly a person of high esteem; that commanding presence when leading thousands of troops, that generous spirit that had seen life and death…

Ordinary people meeting Old Master Qin would undoubtedly be affected by his aura. Even Xu Guanjie, who had followed Old Master Qin for so many years, still felt uneasy in his presence.

Yet here was Ding Fan, barely over twenty years old, able to remain so composed in front of Old Master Qin, which inadvertently earned Ding Fan a few more points of good impression in Old Master Qin's eyes.

"Young friend, please come inside."

Old Master Qin made an inviting gesture toward Ding Fan.

At this moment, Qin Manshu, who was standing to the side, watched the scene enviously wishing she could be in Ding Fan's position.

It was well known that even provincial officials of high rank never received a personal welcome from Old Master Qin when they visited. If others saw Old Master Qin personally greeting Ding Fan, it was bound to stir up quite a bit of excited speculation.

Ding Fan didn't put on any airs. He walked into the living room with Old Master Qin right away.

Inside the living room, snacks and dried fruits had already been prepared. Ding Fan and Old Master Qin sat down as host and guest, respectively.

"Previously, when this old man fell ill, if it hadn't been for the pill that young friend made to save me, my life wouldn't have been spared. Today, I must extend my heartfelt thanks to you in person."

Old Master Qin highly valued righteousness; he believed in repaying even the smallest kindness with great gratitude, let alone saving his life.

"Back then, it was merely a transaction. I just received payment to treat an illness; there's no need for thanks…" Ding Fan remained humble without taking credit.

At that time, Ding Fan was penniless; he truly refined medicine pills only to earn some money. Qin Manshu paid for the medicine, and his pill cured the illness and saved lives, something Ding Fan saw as completely normal.

Seeing Ding Fan's modest response, Old Master Qin's favorable impression of him grew even more.

Old Master Qin had spent his life in the military and had seen too many people and events; those who could remain humble in their achievements and resilient in defeat were exceedingly rare.

At that moment, a servant brought over the tea.

Old Master Qin then struck up a conversation with Ding Fan, starting with some common household matters, moving on to health and fitness, and eventually discussing grand affairs of the world...

Ding Fan's words were quite exceptional, and his insights and angles were different, leaving one deep in thought after listening.

"Grandfather, dinner is ready."

It was hard to tell how much time had passed when Qin Manshu came over, a smile on her face, and spoke to Old Master Qin.

"Young friend Ding Fan, I have prepared a family banquet in your honor. I hope you will grace us with your presence," said Old Master Qin.

"That would be my pleasure!" Ding Fan readily accepted without any pretense.

The three of them then moved to the courtyard, where dinner had been laid out beneath the grapevines.

The meal consisted of six dishes, three meat and three vegetarian, all carefully paired, and there was also a soup.

With just a glance, Ding Fan could tell that the dishes were not the work of an ordinary cook; the knife skills alone were a clear indicator that no common chef could achieve such precision.

"Manshu, meeting young friend Ding Fan today has made me very happy. Bring out the Moutai; I'd like to have a few drinks with our guest," Old Master Qin told Qin Manshu by his side.

"Grandfather, just the other day, the doctor said your liver was not in good shape and advised you against drinking alcohol…" Qin Manshu frowned slightly.

"This is a special occasion with young friend Ding Fan here, I'm delighted. Go on..." Old Master Qin spoke to Qin Manshu as if coaxing a child.

With no other choice, Qin Manshu chuckled, "Just this once, then. No more in the future."

After Qin Manshu spoke, she went to get the wine.

It didn't take long for Qin Manshu to return with two bottles of Moutai.

Qin Manshu then poured a glass each for Ding Fan and Old Master Qin and began to serve them dinner.

The dinner was rather enjoyable. Although Old Master Qin was accustomed to holding high office and inevitably carried an air of authority, he was very courteous to Ding Fan.

"Young friend Ding Fan, may I ask you a question?"

After both Old Master Qin and Ding Fan had a couple of drinks, Old Master Qin turned to the matter at hand.

Ding Fan nodded. He knew well that Old Master Qin hadn't invited him over simply for a meal.

"Young friend Ding Fan, have you ever heard of the Hidden Sects?"

Hidden Sects?

Ding Fan nodded in confirmation; previously, the White Lotus Sect, Three Flames Gate, the He Family of Hao Mountain, and the Lu Family of Dejiang—all presumably counted as Hidden Sects.

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Families or sects with ancient martial arts lineage.

Upon seeing Ding Fan nod, Old Master Qin's eyes flashed with a trace of light, "I wonder if the young friend is from the Hidden Sects?"

Ding Fan pondered for a moment, not expecting Old Master Qin to ask him this question.

"I am."

Ding Fan had cured Old Master Qin's ailment with a Medicine Pill, an illness that even the world's experts couldn't heal. With Old Master Qin's wisdom, he must have sensed something was amiss.

Although Ding Fan was a Cultivator, on Earth Cultivators were still considered too astonishing. Hence, Ding Fan chose to say he was a person from the Hidden Sects.

"Old Master Qin, if there is anything I can help you with, please feel free to speak up. If I can be of assistance, I will do my best," Ding Fan said.

Old Master Qin's eyes became fervent at that moment. "I do indeed have a matter I would like to ask for the young friend's help with."

"Please speak."

Old Master Qin paused, then said, "I have an old friend who, in the years of war, was as close as a brother, sharing life and death in the same foxhole... I have nothing to hide from you, my friend is now the leader of Group 3567."

Group 3567?

Ding Fan then remembered Ye Ningqing and the others he met at Changan Ridge; they were from Group 3567. Ding Fan recalled that Group 3567 reported directly to the central government, which could suggest that Group 3567 was akin to the ancient Imperial Guard.

Naturally, Old Master Qin's old friend must be a very remarkable person.

Old Master Qin continued, "A few days ago, my friend was injured on a mission by someone from the Hidden Sects. My friend has sought many doctors and experts for treatment, but his condition has not improved, and over these days, his spirit has been declining...

I think, since the one who injured my friend is from the Hidden Sects, the injuries he carries should also be treated by someone from the Hidden Sects. My old friend and I have been through life and death together, if the young friend is willing to lend a hand, the Qin family would be eternally grateful!"

Upon saying this, Old Master Qin actually stood up, respectfully performing a martial artist's salute toward Ding Fan.

Ding Fan stood up as well. "You are too kind, Old Master Qin. If I am capable of providing treatment, I will do my very best."

The martial artist's salute is a martial artist's etiquette. To see Old Master Qin, a veteran of the battlefield, foregoing his own status to show respect for his old comrade, Ding Fan was deeply moved.

"May I know where your old friend is currently located?" After Ding Fan and Old Master Qin sat down again, Ding Fan asked.

"Yanjing."

It was in Yanjing, as expected. Ding Fan nodded to himself.

Last time at Changan Ridge, Ye Ningqing invited him to her birthday party. Ding Fan was not one to break agreements, and moreover, Yanjing being the Capital of Huaxia, a place where the nation's fortunes converge, was somewhere Ding Fan naturally wanted to see for himself.

"I will be going to Yanjing in a little while. Once I'm finished with the things at hand, I'll visit Old Master Qin's old acquaintance," Ding Fan said.

Once the matter was settled, Old Master Qin seemed very happy, and they spent some time enjoying a few more drinks together.

"Brother Fan, this is for you."

As the meal was coming to a close, Qin Manshu handed a bank card to Ding Fan.

Ding Fan was surprised, not understanding what Qin Manshu was up to.

"Brother Fan, don't forget, you are also the manager of the logistics department at the Dongcheng branch of Qin's Group," Qin Manshu said with a smile. "This is your salary card."

Old Master Qin chuckled and then teased Qin Manshu. "Manager Qin, aren't you being a bit stingy, giving such a low-level position to our friend Ding Fan..."

Ding Fan just smiled in response. "The position is already very high for me, I am simply drawing pay without working."

"Brother Fan, in a few days, the Dancheng Branch Company of Qin's Group will reopen after renovation, and there will be a cocktail party. Could you do me the honor of accompanying me?" Qin Manshu looked at Ding Fan with hopeful eyes as she spoke.

Ding Fan did not really want to go, as such social events were not his forte. However, seeing the expectant look on Qin Manshu's face, he felt it difficult to refuse.

"All right," Ding Fan nodded.

"Please make sure you bring Sister Ruoran if she's available that day."

Ding Fan nodded again.

Ding Fan couldn't help feeling speechless, thinking that this meal had landed him some rather unwelcome duties: treating the illness of Old Master Qin's old friend in Yanjing, and in a few days, attending a cocktail party with Qin Manshu.

This dinner had turned out to be a bit costly.

...

After dinner, Old Master Qin wanted to have Ding Fan stay for a cup of fragrant tea. However, Ding Fan was concerned about Zhou Ruoran, so he promptly took leave of Old Master Qin.

At this point, Qin Manshu took on the role of Ding Fan's private chauffeur.

Qin Manshu drove steadily, and with a sense of atmosphere turned on some music. Rolling down the windows, the breeze was very comfortable.

But just then, a black sedan aggressively chased from behind Qin Manshu's car and eventually blocked their way.

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