Chapter 490 - 489: The Arrogant Elder

Someone on the city wall spotted Old Wei's motorcade and shouted an order, "The butler and the young miss are back! Open the city gates and welcome them!"

With a loud groan, the towering city gates slowly swung open. The motorcade drove straight into the city, speeding toward its center.

The city center was bustling with activity, its streets lined with shops and filled with people. It was a stark contrast to the desolation outside the walls, like two entirely different worlds.

Old Wei looked at Ye Feng and said with a smile, "All the residents here are relatives and friends the Patriarch brought with him from the heartlands. It has since grown into a large city with a population of several million!

The Patriarch is a great proponent of the martial arts, so the city is teeming with experts. It has become a formidable power in this barren land.

If the Judicature wants to move against the Qiao family, they'll have to think twice. Don't worry, the Patriarch will protect you!"

"Thank you, but I don't want to bring trouble upon the Qiao family. We'll just rest for a bit and then leave as soon as we can."

Old Wei immediately grew anxious. "What do you mean, 'bring trouble'? You saved our young miss! That makes you the Qiao family's benefactor! And even if we set that aside, you're our compatriot. The Qiao family is obligated to back you up. Don't say such things, you're not a stranger!"

Seeing Old Wei's passion, Ye Feng felt a warmth in his heart. He smiled and said, "Thank you, Grandmaster Wei. By the way, is the Judicature's main lair located here in this barren land?"

Old Wei nodded. "Yes, deep within the barren lands."

His expression turned solemn as he looked at Ye Feng. "Divine Doctor Ye, do you have a feud with the Judicature?"

Ye Feng nodded. "The Judicature covets something I possess and has repeatedly targeted my family. I now also suspect they are connected to another deep-seated vendetta of mine. As it stands, they are my sworn enemy."

"I see. We'll go report this to the Patriarch. He can help you figure out what to do!"

The car soon pulled up in front of a rustic, traditional-style manor.

The car stopped. Old Wei led Ye Feng and the others through the halls of the estate, soon arriving before a large main hall.

Just then, the young woman looked at Ye Feng and said with a smile,

"Divine Doctor Ye, I'm going to go get cleaned up." She had been sick all over herself on the plane, and although she'd cleaned up as best she could, she was meticulous about her hygiene and still felt unpleasantly sticky.

"Of course, Miss Ling'Er. Please, go ahead," Ye Feng replied with a smiling nod.

Old Wei had already told Ye Feng that the young woman was Qiao Ling'Er, the daughter of the Qiao family's Patriarch, Qiao Dongliang.

Qiao Ling'Er nodded and turned to leave.

"Divine Doctor Ye, let's head to the main hall. The Patriarch might be there!" Old Wei said warmly to Ye Feng and his companions, ushering them inside.

Several people were seated in the main hall, deep in conversation.

Old Wei addressed them respectfully. "Greetings to the Elders."

A burly, red-faced man turned his head and asked Old Wei urgently,

"Old Wei, how is the young miss's condition? What was the outcome of the treatment?"

Old Wei replied quickly, "Eighth Elder, the young miss is out of danger. She just needs some medicine to recuperate and she will make a full recovery!"

"Good! That's wonderful news! Old Wei, you've performed a great service this time." The Eighth Elder laughed heartily, then looked at Ye Feng and his companions with a questioning gaze.

"And who are they?"

Old Wei quickly made the introduction. "This is Divine Doctor Ye Feng, the man who cured the young miss. The people behind him are his family."

Upon hearing this, the others immediately became effusive. "Ah, so the Little Divine Doctor is a benefactor of our Qiao family! Please, have a seat! Someone, bring tea!"

Their attitude was warm, their hospitality impeccable.

Mu Qingyun and Feng Qingwu exchanged a glance and nodded slightly. 'They certainly know how to show gratitude.'

At this point, Old Wei looked toward the Eighth Elder, but addressed the highest-ranking member in the room. "Grand Elder, is the Patriarch present? I have something to report to him!"

The Eighth Elder chuckled. "Old Wei, whatever it is, is it really so important you have to bother the Patriarch? Just tell us. The few of us here can handle it for you."

"I think it would be best to wait for the Patriarch," Old Wei said, hesitating.

The Eighth Elder's expression soured. "Old Wei, are you looking down on us? Do you think we're just ornaments here in the Qiao family, is that it?"

"No, Eighth Elder, that's not what I meant at all!" Old Wei said hastily. Then, gritting his teeth, he briefly explained Ye Feng's conflict with the Judicature and the possibility that they might come to the Qiao family seeking revenge. He concluded by saying,

"The Patriarch himself has said that if anyone from the Great Xia Empire needs our help, we are to provide it. What's more, Divine Doctor Ye saved our young miss's life—he is our benefactor! Therefore, I implore the elders to confer and organize our forces to stand against the Judicature!"

The Eighth Elder immediately fell silent and turned to look at the other elders.

The other elders also looked troubled, their gazes shifting to an old man in a green robe seated at the head of the group.

The green-robed elder's face darkened as he stared at Old Wei. "Old Wei, 'organize our forces to stand against the Judicature'... you make it sound so simple. Have you forgotten how powerful the Judicature is? Are you trying to lead our entire family to ruin?"

Old Wei quickly protested, "Grand Elder, Divine Doctor Ye saved our young miss's life..."

Before he could finish, the green-robed elder cut him off. "He saved the young miss's life, yes. There are many ways we can show our gratitude. Must we offer the lives of our Qiao family members as thanks?"

"Grand Elder, but—" Old Wei tried to speak again, but the green-robed elder cut him off bluntly. He then turned to Ye Feng and said calmly,

"Divine Doctor Ye, you saved our young miss's life, and for that, we are all extremely grateful. So, how about this? How much compensation do you require? Name your price, and we will not haggle. If you have no interest in money, we can procure rare medicinal herbs for you—whatever you need, we can find it."

The other elders all nodded in agreement.