"By the way, Dong'er, do you know who this Lin Yan is? I clearly remember there was no one by that name among our generation of the Lin Clan! But for some reason, the name sounds familiar."
Unlike Lin Dong and Qing Tan, Lin Xiao hadn't seen Lin Yan recently, and he didn't know anyone by that name among their generation. So although Qing Tan's explanation had left him astonished by Lin Yan's strength, he still couldn't remember who Lin Yan was.
"Father, Brother Lin Yan isn't from your generation. He's our age."
"Speaking of which, you know his father. It's Uncle Lin Quan."
Lin Dong smiled as he explained to Lin Xiao.
"Oh! So it was Lin Quan!"
"I never imagined his child would amount to so much. I'm sure he'd be pleased, even in the afterlife."
Lin Dong's words immediately cleared things up for Lin Xiao. He didn't know Lin Yan, but he knew his father. In fact, when they were young, he and Lin Quan had been close friends. But later, Lin Quan had died young, and Lin Xiao had lost his cultivation and spirit, falling into a deep slump.
Thinking about it now, Lin Xiao even felt a little guilty. Things had happened to his own family over the years, and he hadn't looked after his old friend's son much at all. Given the ties between their families, he really should have.
With a sigh, Lin Xiao said to the two of them, "When we have some free time, invite that boy over for a meal. He's been living alone all these years, without anyone to rely on. It can't have been easy."
The two nodded at Lin Xiao. Taking the opportunity, Qing Tan brought out the bottle of pills Lin Yan had given her and said to Lin Xiao, "Father, Brother Lin Yan said these pills should be able to heal your injuries, if you're willing to try them."
Lin Xiao raised an eyebrow.
If they had come from anyone else, he certainly wouldn't have accepted them.
But they had come from his old friend's son, who held a special place in Lin Xiao's heart. Besides, Lin Yan had already helped Qing Tan get rid of her cold energy.
"Dong'er, Qing Tan, tell me: what kind of person is Lin Yan?"
Lin Xiao didn't rush to decide. Instead, he questioned Lin Dong and Qing Tan first.
Though he and Lin Quan had been close friends who could confide in each other completely, that didn't mean Lin Quan's son was the same kind of person.
So Lin Xiao wanted to learn more about Lin Yan from his two children, since they had spent time with him.
"Father, I'm not actually very familiar with Brother Lin Yan."
"But this isn't the first time he's helped us. Last time, when Qing Tan had a conflict with Lin Hong and Lin Shan, he helped her too."
"From what I've seen of Brother Lin Yan, I think he's trustworthy, and he's a pretty warmhearted person."
After thinking it over, Lin Dong quickly gave his opinion of Lin Yan.
Lin Xiao took Lin Dong's assessment to heart, then turned his gaze to Qing Tan.
At the thought of Lin Yan, Qing Tan couldn't help blushing. She stammered, "Father, I think Brother Lin Yan is trustworthy too. He's a very gentle person. If it's him, there definitely won't be a problem."
Seeing this, Lin Dong's eyes widened. "Qing Tan, you and Brother Lin Yan—could it be that you...?"
Qing Tan blushed even harder, but still protested, "No! We're just friends."
Lin Xiao gave Qing Tan a knowing look, then smiled and replied, "It seems Lin Yan's character is much like his father's."
"If that's the case, then he can be trusted."
Lin Xiao took the bottle of medicine from Qing Tan. The moment he opened it, a rich medicinal fragrance wafted out. Lin Dong and Lin Xiao were both surprised, since this was their first time seeing pills refined using the methods of the Dou Qi Continent.
Lin Xiao took out a pill and swallowed it. At once, he felt a powerful medicinal force begin to course through his body.
Lin Xiao's eyes lit up. He discovered that the medicinal power contained in the pill he'd taken was far stronger than the medicinal broth he'd brewed before.
He didn't dare waste a moment. Sitting cross-legged, he began to channel his energy and treat his injuries, helping his body absorb the medicinal power more effectively.
Lin Dong and Qing Tan were even more anxious than Lin Xiao as they watched from the side.
It wasn't that they didn't trust Lin Yan. It was just that this wasn't the first time Lin Xiao had tried to heal his injuries, and all his previous attempts had failed. If this one failed too, it might deal him a serious blow.
Pfft!
Lin Xiao continued channeling his energy to regulate his body. Suddenly, he felt his blood and energy surge upward, and he couldn't hold back. He spat out a mouthful of old blood.
Lin Dong and Qing Tan were startled and hurried forward to help him.
But when they reached him, they saw that although Lin Xiao had spat out a mouthful of blood, his face wasn't pale at all. On the contrary, it was rosy.
Joy appeared in Lin Xiao's eyes as he murmured, "My injuries... they're healed?"
He had only hoped for a desperate last-ditch remedy. He never expected it to actually work, and the result filled him with indescribable joy.
He hurriedly channeled his energy, and a powerful force of Yuan Qi surged from within him. It wasn't as strong as it had been at his peak, but that was mainly because Lin Xiao had neglected his cultivation for years. Now, after channeling his energy with all his might, he didn't feel the slightest discomfort, unlike before.
"Hahahahaha! My injuries are healed!"
Lin Xiao's laughter grew louder and louder. Though he'd never said so, becoming a cripple had always been the greatest blow to someone like him. Now that his internal injuries had finally healed, this was without a doubt the happiest thing that had happened to him in years.
Qing Tan was even happier than Lin Xiao. After all, as a child, she only wanted her parents to be well. She'd often seen Lin Xiao suffering because of his internal injuries, and it had pained her greatly. Now, at last, that torment was over.
"We have Brother Lin Yan to thank. I don't know how we could ever repay this kindness," Qing Tan said to Lin Dong.
Lin Dong nodded solemnly. He cared deeply about his family and friends, so he understood just how great this debt of gratitude was. He silently made a vow in his heart: From this day on, Brother Lin Yan's affairs are my affairs. If he ever finds himself in danger, I, Lin Dong, will go through fire and water for him without hesitation.
"What's going on? Why is everyone so happy today?"
Not long afterward, Lin Dong's mother, Liu Yan, returned from an errand. Seeing how happy everyone was, she couldn't help smiling too.
"Mother, Father's injuries have healed."
"We have Brother Lin Yan to thank for it!"
Qing Tan hurried over to share the good news with Liu Yan.
Liu Yan's eyes immediately filled with excitement. After Qing Tan told her what had happened, she addressed the two of them with a serious expression. "Dong'er, Qing Tan, Lin Yan has done us an enormous kindness this time. You must remember it in your hearts. If you ever have the chance, you must repay him."
"Wait here. I'll prepare some gifts, and then our whole family will go over to thank him."
Meanwhile, after giving away the pills, Lin Yan had returned home.
He wasn't worried that the pills would bring trouble down on him. For one thing, he trusted Lin Dong and Lin Xiao's character. For another, he had Yao Lao with him. At least within the Great Flame Dynasty, there weren't many who could stand against them.
So after returning home, Lin Yan closed his eyes and rested.
"Little friend, it seems the pills have done their work. That little girl's family is coming over to thank you."
No one knew how much time had passed when Yao Lao's voice suddenly sounded beside Lin Yan's ear.
Hearing him, Lin Yan opened his eyes and walked outside. Sure enough, he saw Lin Dong and the others already standing at his door.
Before you continue