Liu Cheng's residence stood in Hidden River Alley near the Rippling River. Many martial artists in close-fitting combat clothes, their bodies bearing unusual traits, were currently standing guard and patrolling.
Ding Songyan, dressed in a blue straight-cut robe and a Carefree Headwrap, met the young proprietor in a quiet room hung with paintings, calligraphy, and swords.
Two young, beautiful maids helped Liu Cheng inside. He wore a pale, straight-cut robe, his hair simply tied back without a crown. His face was as white as paper, and his steps were unsteady.
"I came to visit an injured man. How could I make him come to me?" Ding Songyan rose to meet him.
Liu Cheng's smile remained amiable, but his voice was noticeably weak:
"As long as I didn't die on the spot, being a Law Realm Martial Grandmaster with miraculous healing medicine at hand, I can at least get up and walk around a little, no matter how bad it is, and chat with people."
He reclined in the Carefree Chair, which had been spread with bedding, with a soft cushion supporting his waist.
"How are your injuries?" Ding Songyan sat opposite him and asked the customary question.
Liu Cheng glanced to either side, and the two young, beautiful maids immediately withdrew from the quiet room with light footsteps.
"I'll be honest with you, Brother Ding. My injuries are serious, but not as serious as you imagine. It may take two or three months to recover fully and regain my usual strength, but if it's only a matter of fighting someone to the death, another five or six days should be enough," the young proprietor said with a warm smile.
"The Treading the Sea Gang's healing medicines are that miraculous?" Ding Songyan was immediately tempted.
"Not quite," Liu Cheng replied without