Hedonist Prodigy

Chapter 65: A Sudden Turn

Early in the morning, Zhao Wuxia heard the sound of a car engine outside, followed by knocking at the door. Knowing a guest had arrived, she hurried to the courtyard to open the gate.  

As the door swung open, a delicate and adorable little face peeked in. Big, curious eyes darted around before landing on Zhao Wuxia. The girl’s nose wrinkled slightly in surprise and curiosity, but she quickly blurted out, “Are you Jiang Feng’s girlfriend?”  

“Girlfriend?” Zhao Wuxia was momentarily stunned before replying, “No. May I ask what you need?”  

“I’m here to see Jiang Feng. Is he in?” the girl asked.  

“What business do you have with him?” Zhao Wuxia asked warily.  

The girl pouted. “Ugh, why so tense? I’m not here to steal your boyfriend.”  

Then, a dignified voice came from behind her: “Miss, please inform him that Pei Yuanshan has come to visit.”  

After Jiang Feng had stormed off yesterday due to Pei Ruoxi’s antics, Pei Yuanshan had privately regretted the incident. Having met countless people in his lifetime, he could tell at a glance that Jiang Feng was no ordinary man. That was why he had come early in the morning—not only to visit but also to see the legendary Hundred-Fruit Tree with his own eyes.  

“Divine Physician Pei?” Zhao Wuxia’s beautiful eyes widened as she inhaled sharply. “Please, come inside. I’ll notify the young master at once.”  

Pei Yuanshan smiled and nodded, stepping into the courtyard. The moment he entered, his expression shifted subtly as he took in the air. Such a rich spiritual essence… It seems this trip was worth it.  

After serving two cups of hot tea, Zhao Wuxia went to the backyard to fetch Jiang Feng. Hearing that Pei Yuanshan had come, Jiang Feng was slightly surprised. Though their meeting yesterday had ended on a sour note due to Pei Ruoxi’s interference, his impression of the elder had been quite favorable.  

Pei Yuanshan had known about the Hundred-Fruit Tree here, and despite Jiang Feng taking Pei Ruoxi’s protective talisman, the old man hadn’t mentioned it at all—proof of his magnanimity.  

Having long heard of Divine Physician Pei’s reputation in the capital, Jiang Feng knew he was Pei Ruoxi’s grandfather. He hadn’t been opposed to meeting him again; in fact, he had even considered visiting the elder himself someday, hoping to gain some benefits. But he hadn’t expected Pei Yuanshan to come in person.  

“Take me to him,” Jiang Feng said immediately.  

Meanwhile, Pei Ruoxi had already entered the room, her big eyes darting around curiously. Last time, she had sneaked in through the backyard and been scolded by Jiang Feng before she could even step inside—not to mention losing her talisman. It had been a miserable experience.  

Back then, Zhao Wuxia hadn’t moved in yet, so this was Pei Ruoxi’s first time seeing her. The moment she laid eyes on Zhao Wuxia, she was stunned by her beauty. And when she heard the woman refer to Jiang Feng as “young master,” she quickly realized this must be Jiang Feng’s personal secretary, Zhao Wuxia.  

She had only heard rumors about Zhao Wuxia’s stunning looks, and now she saw they were true. But according to gossip, Zhao Wuxia despised Jiang Feng—so why were they living together?  

Did that b*stard force her into this?  

The thought made Pei Ruoxi grit her teeth. ‘What a scumbag! Poor Zhao Wuxia, how could she submit to someone like him? He should be arrested!’  

Then she felt a pang of frustration. ‘Jiang Feng went so far as to coerce Zhao Wuxia, but he didn’t show the slightest interest in me. Am I really that unattractive?’  

Okay, fine—she admitted she wasn’t as beautiful as Zhao Wuxia. But she was still plenty pretty, enough to make countless young men swoon! Jiang Feng is just too much!  

Pei Ruoxi had no concept of manners. Lost in her thoughts, she ignored the tea and wandered around the room, snooping freely. When she saw the absurdly large bed in the bedroom, her eyes bulged before she shrieked, “Grandpa, come quick! This Jiang Feng is disgusting!”  

Pei Yuanshan frowned at his granddaughter’s outburst. “Ruoxi, come back here. You can’t just barge into someone else’s private space without permission!”  

Pei Ruoxi scampered back, clinging to his arm. “Grandpa, I wasn’t barging in—I was just curious! Don’t scold me like that. And you didn’t see the bed in Jiang Feng’s room! That bed—that bed—”  

Before she could finish, Jiang Feng and Zhao Wuxia returned. She swallowed her words, glared fiercely at Jiang Feng, and pretended to sip her tea.  

Though she hadn’t finished, Jiang Feng had heard her mention the bed. He could only sigh inwardly.  

Stepping forward, he greeted, “Divine Physician Pei, your visit honors me greatly. I should have been the one to call on you.”  

Pei Yuanshan chuckled. “Young Master Jiang, you flatter me. It is I who came uninvited—I hope you won’t blame me for disturbing your peace.”  

Jiang Feng smiled faintly. “You’re too modest. Countless people would give anything for a chance to meet you—how could I possibly complain? May I ask what brings you here today?”  

Seeing Jiang Feng’s directness, Pei Yuanshan replied plainly, “To be honest, I’m very interested in the Hundred-Fruit Tree here. But what intrigues me even more… is you yourself, Young Master Jiang.”  

“Since that’s the case, please follow me to the backyard,” Jiang Feng said, gesturing for them to proceed.  

Pei Yuanshan nodded and followed. The moment the backyard door opened, an even purer and denser energy rushed over him. Despite having seen countless rare treasures in his lifetime, the old man’s face twitched with barely contained excitement.  

Jiang Feng observed his reaction before pointing at the Hundred-Fruit Tree. “Divine Physician Pei, that is the Hundred-Fruit Tree.”  

Since Pei Yuanshan referred to it as such, Jiang Feng played along—he had no intention of revealing his secrets.  

“If you don’t find it presumptuous, Young Master Jiang, you may simply call me Elder Pei,” Pei Yuanshan said, his voice trembling slightly as he stared at the tree.  

“In that case, Elder Pei, please just call me Jiang Feng. I’m the junior here, after all.”  

“Good. Then I’ll call you Jiang Feng.” Pei Yuanshan laughed heartily. “To think such a thing as the Hundred-Fruit Tree truly exists in this world… The universe never ceases to amaze. But tell me—”  

Jiang Feng seized the opportunity. “Please, feel free to examine it closely.”  

Pei Yuanshan took a deep breath and stepped forward, gazing intently at the tree. Behind his glasses, his eyes shimmered with unshed tears—he was utterly overwhelmed.  

“Yes… yes, this is it. To see such a marvel in my lifetime… Even if I were to die now, I would have no regrets.” His voice trembled with emotion, tears streaming down his aged face.  

Though Jiang Feng knew the Hundred-Fruit Tree was extraordinary—even in the Tianyuan Continent, it was rare—he hadn’t expected such a strong reaction. Curious, he asked, “Elder Pei, from your response, it seems this tree is incredibly precious?”  

“Precious?” Pei Yuanshan exhaled sharply. “That’s an understatement. Have you ever heard the saying, ‘The pinnacle of medicine can revive the dead and regrow flesh from bone’?”  

Jiang Feng nodded slightly.  

Pei Yuanshan continued, “But the path of medicine is vast and profound. To reach such heights is no easy feat. Since ancient times, the only one who could truly be called divine was Shennong, who tasted hundreds of herbs and left behind the Divine Farmer’s Materia Medica.”  

Pausing, he added, “After Shennong, our land has seen many geniuses—Zhang Zhongjing, the Sage of Medicine; Hua Tuo, who invented anesthesia… All were brilliant beyond compare. Yet since antiquity, no one has reached Shennong’s level. The idea of reviving the dead remains but a myth. Those of us in this field can only hang our heads in shame.”  

Though the Hundred-Fruit Tree’s fruit had remarkable healing properties, Jiang Feng knew it was far from being able to “revive the dead.” Puzzled, he asked, “Elder Pei, are you saying this tree possesses such power?”  

Pei Yuanshan glanced at him. “Since you live here, you must know something about the Hundred-Fruit Tree?”  

Jiang Feng didn’t deny it. “I do.”  

“I thought as much. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have clashed with Ruoxi over her accidental intrusion.” Pei Yuanshan’s expression grew more solemn. “But do you know… if the Hundred-Fruit Tree has any other unique properties?”  

Recognizing this as a test, Jiang Feng answered directly, “I once read an ancient text that mentioned the Hundred-Fruit Tree blooms once every ten years, completing a cycle after ten blooms.”  

“Exactly!” Pei Yuanshan nodded vigorously. “Such a rarity cannot be compared to ordinary plants. Ten years per bloom, ten blooms before bearing fruit. At a glance, it may seem unremarkable, but its fruit… would drive any man to madness.”  

“The text I read mentioned that the fruit can be used medicinally to heal wounds, but surely it’s not as miraculous as you suggest?” Jiang Feng mused.  

Pei Yuanshan laughed heartily. “You’re not wrong. But that text only grasped half the truth. Five thousand years of history have buried countless secrets, and the selfish hoarding of knowledge has left later generations with nothing but regret.”  

Taking a deep breath, he continued, “Using the Hundred-Fruit Tree’s fruit alone would diminish its effects—but not because of the fruit itself. It’s because of a missing catalyst! Without that unique ingredient to harmonize its properties, even the rarest Hundred-Fruit Tree would be nothing more than an expensive herb.”  

Just as he finished speaking—  

Pei Yuanshan suddenly moved.  

With a swift motion, he threw a punch straight at Jiang Feng’s chest!