"Xu Yan, that's enough!" Guan Jiaojiao couldn't take it anymore. What was wrong with this man? What did he mean, 'charlatan'? And 'more reliable than some'? Was Xu Yan trying to humiliate her?

"Jiaojiao, don't be angry," Xu Yan said calmly. "I'm just worried you'll be deceived by a few smooth words."

"I don't need you to worry about me. No matter what, I, Guan Jiaojiao, still have basic judgment," she retorted, fuming.

"Jiaojiao, don't be ridiculous." Xu Yan frowned, his tone taking on a scolding edge. "You're telling me Lin Mu knows medicine? That he can save Uncle Guan? If that were true, I would have nothing more to say. But which is more important: Uncle Guan's condition or some random person's pride? I shouldn't have to spell that out, should I?"

He continued earnestly, "I'm worried that not only will this person fail to save Uncle Guan, but he'll also waste precious time."

Every word out of Xu Yan's mouth was a jab at Lin Mu. Guan Jiaojiao was so angry she was speechless.

Xu Yan turned to Lin Mu. "Kid, you say you know medicine. What school did you graduate from? Did you study medicine?"

"No," Lin Mu replied faintly.

Xu Yan raised his voice. "No? Then which Divine Doctor did you study under?"

Lin Mu thought for a moment. "None."

He couldn't very well tell Xu Yan he was self-taught, could he?

"Jiaojiao, Elder Guan, you see?" Xu Yan said, as if he'd found his smoking gun. "This Lin Mu didn't graduate from a Medical University, nor did he study under any Divine Doctor. On what grounds does he claim to know medicine? Let alone claim his skills are 'Reaching the Divine'? What a joke!"

"Xu Yan, that is enough!" Guan Jiaojiao was about to explode with rage. Xu Yan was going way too far. "Lin Mu is a friend I invited here. By talking about him like that, aren't you being completely disrespectful to me?" she said coldly.

"Jiaojiao, don't be angry, I didn't mean it like that at all," Xu Yan said, waving his hands frantically. "I'm just trying to be nice. This is all for your own good."

Guan Jiaojiao sneered. "No, thank you. I can't afford such kindness! You may have forgotten how you were thrown out before, but I remember it quite clearly." She couldn't resist digging up his past.

Xu Yan looked embarrassed for a moment, but he quickly covered it with another sneer. "Just wait until the Divine Doctor arrives. Then you'll see who *really* has your best interests at heart!"

Guan Jiaojiao couldn't be bothered with him. She turned to Lin Mu and said apologetically, "Lin Mu, please don't be angry. I had no idea Xu Yan would be like this."

Of course, Lin Mu didn't mind. On a normal day, he wouldn't spare someone like Xu Yan a second glance, let alone deign to argue with him.

Guan Jiaojiao breathed a sigh of relief. As long as Lin Mu wasn't angry, everything was fine.

Watching her, Xu Yan grew even more incensed. Guan Jiaojiao, you wretched woman! Just wait until the Divine Doctor gets here. Let's see you beg me then! And you, Lin Mu... I'd like to see if you're still smiling later!

After being rejected by Ning Xian, Xu Yan had called his family. Although they'd scolded him, they told him that *the* Divine Doctor happened to be in River City, and his medical skills were countless times greater than Ning Xian's. Xu Yan had then begged his family to help him contact this Divine Doctor. His family informed him that this doctor owed the Xu Family a favor from long ago and would certainly not refuse a request from them. Finally, his family revealed the Divine Doctor's identity.

Xu Yan had been stunned. He never would have expected it to be *that* person. Overcome with excitement, he was now confident that once the Divine Doctor arrived, the Guan Family would see him in a completely new light. And when they saw the connection between the Xu Family and this legendary doctor, they would have to seriously consider the conditions he planned to propose.

Guan Chengye quietly sipped his tea, taking in Xu Yan's deliberate provocations and Guan Jiaojiao's anger. He offered no comment, choosing instead to observe Lin Mu's reaction. Throughout the entire exchange, Lin Mu had barely spoken. Faced with Xu Yan's mockery, his gaze remained tranquil and his demeanor composed. Behind those calm eyes was a detached indifference. It was like... a god looking down from on high, disdaining to argue with an ant on the ground.

The moment this thought occurred to him, Guan Chengye was startled. He remembered how Lin Mu had surveyed his surroundings upon arriving at the estate. It definitely wasn't a casual glance! This young man has hidden depths.

Thinking this, Guan Chengye's lips curled into a faint smile. He didn't know if Lin Mu was the expert Xin He had mentioned, but his calm and collected bearing was already leagues better than Xu Yan's. Therefore, when Guan Jiaojiao looked about to anxiously intervene, Guan Chengye gave her a slight shake of his head. He wanted to see if this young man named Lin Mu had real substance to back up his confidence, or if it was all a facade. At the same time, he was also curious to see what kind of Divine Doctor Xu Yan could possibly bring to treat Xin He.

A short while later, Xu Yan's phone rang. "The Divine Doctor is here! I'll go welcome him!" He hung up, jumped to his feet excitedly, and rushed outside.

Guan Jiaojiao and her grandfather exchanged surprised glances. Had Xu Yan really managed to find a genuine Divine Doctor?

"Let's go take a look, shall we?" Guan Chengye said, rising to his feet and heading for the door.

"I'm not going!" Guan Jiaojiao huffed. Seeing that Lin Mu hadn't moved, she stayed put as well.

Guan Chengye shook his head. Guan Jiaojiao could be willful, and Lin Mu could simply write it off as professional rivalry, refusing to greet the person Xu Yan had invited. But as the Head of the Guan Family, even if he disregarded the messenger, he had to respect the one who sent them. At the very least, he had to show the Xu Family some respect. Otherwise, that petty Xu Yan would surely throw a tantrum like a woman when he heard about this. This was one of the reasons he disliked dealing with the Xu Family.

Once everyone was gone, Guan Jiaojiao looked at Lin Mu and whispered cautiously, "Lin Mu, tell me quietly... is it true? What Sister Qin Yan said about your medical skills being 'Reaching the Divine'?"

Amused by her demeanor, Lin Mu said, "It might not be that exaggerated, but your father's illness is something that only I can cure."

"Really?" Her eyes lit up. "Then that settles it!" Her eyes darted around before she added, "Don't pay any attention to what Xu Yan said. He's just an annoying guy, the kind with all brawn and no brains."

Lin Mu nodded. "I wouldn't stoop to arguing with someone like that."

He stood up and walked over to a painting in the main hall, which he had noticed upon entering. It was a landscape featuring the back of a woman with a sword on her back, seemingly gazing at something in the distance. The brushwork was simple, yet it possessed a profound charm. Gazing at the painting, Lin Mu's mind stirred, and he was lost in thought.

Just then, three people entered from outside. The man in the lead was an elder, sprightly and vigorous, who walked with the stride of a dragon and the stance of a tiger. Even Elder Guan was at his side, his posture deferential. As for Xu Yan, he was practically bursting with pride, his arrogance more pronounced than ever.

"Having Master Sun visit truly brings honor to our humble Guan Family," Guan Chengye said with a cheerful laugh, though he was inwardly shocked. He never thought the Xu Family would have a connection to this man.

"Don't worry, Elder Guan. With the Divine Doctor here, Uncle Guan will surely be fine," Xu Yan announced loudly, his voice brimming with confidence and pride.

"Having Master Sun personally intervene is truly Xin He's good fortune," Guan Chengye had to admit Xu Yan wasn't wrong.

"Grandpa, who is he?" Guan Jiaojiao asked, puzzled by the immense respect her grandfather was showing this 'Master Sun'.

"Jiaojiao, mind your manners!" Guan Chengye scolded. "Come and pay your respects to Master Sun! You have no etiquette at all!"

"Grandpa..." Rarely scolded, Guan Jiaojiao pouted, aggrieved. She reluctantly walked forward and bowed to the old man. "Greetings, Master Sun."

The old man gave a faint, noncommittal "En," his attitude lukewarm. This made Guan Chengye a little uneasy.

Xu Yan, however, turned his attention to Lin Mu, who was still admiring the painting. "Hey, kid, aren't you going to greet Master Sun? You have no manners whatsoever."

Lin Mu seemed completely engrossed in the painting and didn't turn around.

Xu Yan's expression darkened. He strode over and grabbed Lin Mu's shoulder. "Hey, I'm talking to you!" He squeezed, intending to spin Lin Mu around.

But an aura suddenly erupted from Lin Mu's body. With a cry of pain, Xu Yan was sent flying backward.

"Hm?" Master Sun's eyes lit up. He took two steps forward and deftly caught Xu Yan with one hand. Setting the shaken Xu Yan down, Master Sun looked at Lin Mu coldly. "Young man, aren't you being a bit too presumptuous? Injuring someone so casually?"

Seeing Master Sun get angry, Xu Yan was secretly thrilled. This Lin Mu is courting death.

Guan Chengye and Guan Jiaojiao's expressions changed at the same time. Guan Chengye knew exactly who this old man was and the power he wielded. Guan Jiaojiao simply knew that if her grandfather was this deferential, the man must have an extraordinary identity. Both were worried that Lin Mu had just gravely offended Master Sun.

"Lin Mu, are you deaf? Master Sun is talking to you!" Xu Yan roared. "You will apologize to Master Sun right now, or you'll have to face the consequences!"

Despite his brave words, he didn't dare step any closer. His eyes, however, were fixed on Lin Mu with utter contempt. Still putting on an act in front of Master Sun? You're dead, kid.

The elder, known as Master Sun, paused, slightly taken aback. Lin Mu? The name sounds familiar.

"Tsk, tsk. It's only been a few days, Master Sun, but your prestige seems to have grown quite a bit," Lin Mu finally said, slowly turning around. He looked at the elder with a smile that wasn't quite a smile. "Are you planning on making me apologize to you... Sun Tianyang?"

His tone was level, and though he was smiling, it was laced with mockery.

When Master Sun saw the young man's face clearly, he trembled from head to toe.

"Young Master Mu? What are you doing here?" Master Sun, Sun Tianyang, instantly adopted a solemn expression. He hurried forward, bowed deeply, and said, "This junior, Sun Tianyang, pays his respects to Young Master Mu!"

As he spoke, the entire hall fell so silent you could hear a pin drop.

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