An Understated Dominance Chapter 1301 to Chapter 2306 - English Version Translated by NAZMUL

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English Version Translated by NAZMUL

An Understated Dominance is a Urban novel for men, telling a story of Dahlia Nicholson and Dustin Rhys had been married for three years. "An Understated Dominance" delves into themes of ambition, power and the price of success. The novel explores the complexities of relationships and so on.
 

bbaggi

Active Villager
Sep 9, 2023
322
100
1,150
Chapter 1325

"You, you, you...what are you talking nonsense about?!"

Roselyn was immediately furious and furious, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.

"Did I say something wrong? If this handsome guy hadn't come to your aid, you would have lost everything. You are still here babbling. You really have no power at all."

Hazel crossed her arms and curled her lips. After finishing, she even flashed her eyes at Dustyn: "Handsome guy, oh~!"

The word 'oh' is elongated and has a somewhat ambiguous tone.

"Okay! So you two are a team!"

Roselyn looked left and right, showing a look of sudden realization: "No wonder you two have been flirting with each other for a long time, and you have already joined forces!"

"idiot!"

Hazel rolled her eyes and was speechless for a while.

Does this woman have **** in her head?

The words were spoken without any thought at all, and I was really convinced.

"Forget it, junior sister, since the beauty picture was won by Brother Dustin, we can't take advantage of it. What he wants to do is his own business and we have no control over it." Carlos patted Roselyns shoulder.

His appearance was calm, but his eyes were cold.

This kid really has no skills at all.

If he gave away the beautiful picture, he would still accept the other person's favor.

Now that he wants to keep it for himself, don't blame him for using some tricks.

"Hmph! Remember, this is not over today!"

Roselyn glared at the two of them fiercely and left angrily.

"Dustyn , this girl is too willful. Don't take it to heart. Let's talk tomorrow if something happens."

Dr. Elijah said hello, and then followed his granddaughter, fearing that the other party would do something stupid.

"Brother Dustyn, you guys eat slowly, I have something else to do, so I'll take my leave now."

Carlos hugged his fists with a smile, then turned and left.

Seeing this scene, the other Heal Well disciples stood up one after another and dispersed.

In this regard, Dustyn just smiled and said nothing.

Neither Roselyn nor Carlos are good people.

The former is brainless and unruly, while the latter is ulterior motives.

Pictures of beautiful women are worth tens of thousands of dollars. How can it be so easy to get away from him with nothing?

"Handsome boy, please stay."

Just as Dustyn was about to leave, Hazel suddenly shouted.

"Is something wrong?" Dustyn turned around.

"Handsome guy, did you come alone?" Hazel looked up and down.

"That's right, what's wrong?" Dustiyn asked.

"It's nothing, I just want to remind you that Yanjing is a mixed bag. If you bring such a priceless treasure with you, if you don't have the protection of a big force, you may be robbed as soon as you step out of the Imperial Tower." Hazel reminded.

"Is the law and order under the Emperor's feet so chaotic?" Dustyn raised his eyebrows slightly.

"Although we are under the emperor's feet, people die for wealth and birds die for food. This picture of a beautiful woman is enough to make many forces take action." Hazel seemed to be smiling but not smiling.

"Thanks for reminding me, but it's not that easy to snatch my things." Dustyn didn't care.

"Handsome guy, the water in Yanjing is deeper than you think. Besides, it's hard for two fists to defeat four hands. You are weak alone, how can you fight against those jackals, tigers and leopards?" Hazel said with a smile.

"What should I do according to Miss Hazels wishes?" Dustyn asked.

"It's very simple. As long as you find a big power to protect you, you can rest easy. For example, I am from the Lancester family."
here come the confusing Chinese names back ! furthermore same texts are being written double. So it's no more ten chapters but just nine or even eight. what's going on !
 

Emperor

Top Level Martial Arts Grandmaster
Sep 21, 2023
155
270
1,400
ver
Have to translate it and give new names against Chinese names it takes some times. Please be patient. I try to post minimum 20 chapters per day. It can be more If I can translate more chapters. :)
Very good keep up the good work
 

Prosper

Five Level Tribulator
Sep 17, 2023
606
1,004
1,900
Chapter 1325

"You, you, you...what are you talking nonsense about?!"

Roselyn was immediately furious and furious, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.

"Did I say something wrong? If this handsome guy hadn't come to your aid, you would have lost everything. You are still here babbling. You really have no power at all."

Hazel crossed her arms and curled her lips. After finishing, she even flashed her eyes at Dustyn: "Handsome guy, oh~!"

The word 'oh' is elongated and has a somewhat ambiguous tone.

"Okay! So you two are a team!"

Roselyn looked left and right, showing a look of sudden realization: "No wonder you two have been flirting with each other for a long time, and you have already joined forces!"

"idiot!"

Hazel rolled her eyes and was speechless for a while.

Does this woman have **** in her head?

The words were spoken without any thought at all, and I was really convinced.

"Forget it, junior sister, since the beauty picture was won by Brother Dustin, we can't take advantage of it. What he wants to do is his own business and we have no control over it." Carlos patted Roselyns shoulder.

His appearance was calm, but his eyes were cold.

This kid really has no skills at all.

If he gave away the beautiful picture, he would still accept the other person's favor.

Now that he wants to keep it for himself, don't blame him for using some tricks.

"Hmph! Remember, this is not over today!"

Roselyn glared at the two of them fiercely and left angrily.

"Dustyn , this girl is too willful. Don't take it to heart. Let's talk tomorrow if something happens."

Dr. Elijah said hello, and then followed his granddaughter, fearing that the other party would do something stupid.

"Brother Dustyn, you guys eat slowly, I have something else to do, so I'll take my leave now."

Carlos hugged his fists with a smile, then turned and left.

Seeing this scene, the other Heal Well disciples stood up one after another and dispersed.

In this regard, Dustyn just smiled and said nothing.

Neither Roselyn nor Carlos are good people.

The former is brainless and unruly, while the latter is ulterior motives.

Pictures of beautiful women are worth tens of thousands of dollars. How can it be so easy to get away from him with nothing?

"Handsome boy, please stay."

Just as Dustyn was about to leave, Hazel suddenly shouted.

"Is something wrong?" Dustyn turned around.

"Handsome guy, did you come alone?" Hazel looked up and down.

"That's right, what's wrong?" Dustiyn asked.

"It's nothing, I just want to remind you that Yanjing is a mixed bag. If you bring such a priceless treasure with you, if you don't have the protection of a big force, you may be robbed as soon as you step out of the Imperial Tower." Hazel reminded.

"Is the law and order under the Emperor's feet so chaotic?" Dustyn raised his eyebrows slightly.

"Although we are under the emperor's feet, people die for wealth and birds die for food. This picture of a beautiful woman is enough to make many forces take action." Hazel seemed to be smiling but not smiling.

"Thanks for reminding me, but it's not that easy to snatch my things." Dustyn didn't care.

"Handsome guy, the water in Yanjing is deeper than you think. Besides, it's hard for two fists to defeat four hands. You are weak alone, how can you fight against those jackals, tigers and leopards?" Hazel said with a smile.

"What should I do according to Miss Hazels wishes?" Dustyn asked.

"It's very simple. As long as you find a big power to protect you, you can rest easy. For example, I am from the Lancester family."
You are doing great. Thanks for making my weekend exciting. Waiting for more 😃😃😃👍👍👍
 

jrsongco5

Villager
Sep 13, 2023
31
26
900
Chapter 1325

"You, you, you...what are you talking nonsense about?!"

Roselyn was immediately furious and furious, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.

"Did I say something wrong? If this handsome guy hadn't come to your aid, you would have lost everything. You are still here babbling. You really have no power at all."

Hazel crossed her arms and curled her lips. After finishing, she even flashed her eyes at Dustyn: "Handsome guy, oh~!"

The word 'oh' is elongated and has a somewhat ambiguous tone.

"Okay! So you two are a team!"

Roselyn looked left and right, showing a look of sudden realization: "No wonder you two have been flirting with each other for a long time, and you have already joined forces!"

"idiot!"

Hazel rolled her eyes and was speechless for a while.

Does this woman have **** in her head?

The words were spoken without any thought at all, and I was really convinced.

"Forget it, junior sister, since the beauty picture was won by Brother Dustin, we can't take advantage of it. What he wants to do is his own business and we have no control over it." Carlos patted Roselyns shoulder.

His appearance was calm, but his eyes were cold.

This kid really has no skills at all.

If he gave away the beautiful picture, he would still accept the other person's favor.

Now that he wants to keep it for himself, don't blame him for using some tricks.

"Hmph! Remember, this is not over today!"

Roselyn glared at the two of them fiercely and left angrily.

"Dustyn , this girl is too willful. Don't take it to heart. Let's talk tomorrow if something happens."

Dr. Elijah said hello, and then followed his granddaughter, fearing that the other party would do something stupid.

"Brother Dustyn, you guys eat slowly, I have something else to do, so I'll take my leave now."

Carlos hugged his fists with a smile, then turned and left.

Seeing this scene, the other Heal Well disciples stood up one after another and dispersed.

In this regard, Dustyn just smiled and said nothing.

Neither Roselyn nor Carlos are good people.

The former is brainless and unruly, while the latter is ulterior motives.

Pictures of beautiful women are worth tens of thousands of dollars. How can it be so easy to get away from him with nothing?

"Handsome boy, please stay."

Just as Dustyn was about to leave, Hazel suddenly shouted.

"Is something wrong?" Dustyn turned around.

"Handsome guy, did you come alone?" Hazel looked up and down.

"That's right, what's wrong?" Dustiyn asked.

"It's nothing, I just want to remind you that Yanjing is a mixed bag. If you bring such a priceless treasure with you, if you don't have the protection of a big force, you may be robbed as soon as you step out of the Imperial Tower." Hazel reminded.

"Is the law and order under the Emperor's feet so chaotic?" Dustyn raised his eyebrows slightly.

"Although we are under the emperor's feet, people die for wealth and birds die for food. This picture of a beautiful woman is enough to make many forces take action." Hazel seemed to be smiling but not smiling.

"Thanks for reminding me, but it's not that easy to snatch my things." Dustyn didn't care.

"Handsome guy, the water in Yanjing is deeper than you think. Besides, it's hard for two fists to defeat four hands. You are weak alone, how can you fight against those jackals, tigers and leopards?" Hazel said with a smile.

"What should I do according to Miss Hazels wishes?" Dustyn asked.

"It's very simple. As long as you find a big power to protect you, you can rest easy. For example, I am from the Lancester family."
Hazel didn't pay them for their bet?
 

amonreyz

New Villager
Sep 20, 2023
10
20
300
Chapter 1301 : Bargaing for Jade Dew Ointment Prescription
"Cannot be sold?!" Upon hearing this, Carlos couldn't help but furrowing his brows.

He had thought it was some kind of miraculous elixir, but he didn't expect such severe side effects.

While feeling disappointed, he couldn't help but be somewhat skeptical.

"Mr. Rhys, you're not joking with me, right? I just saw Lenny, and it seems like he didn't have any adverse reactions," Carlos Grantwood cautiously inquired.

"Right now, it may not be apparent, but in half an hour, it will naturally become evident," Dustin replied without changing his expression.

"Mr. Rhys, is there any way to reduce the side effects? Even if the medicinal effect is slightly weaker, it's okay." Carlos suggested, seeking a compromise.

Using medication that was too potent would lead to noticeable side effects.

But if milder herbs were used, there should be no issues.

"Not for now," Dustin shook his head.

Neither Sebatian Stratford nor Carlos Grantwood were trustworthy individuals.

He wouldn't easily share a drug that could disrupt the market balance.

Of course, the main reason was his dislike of both of them.

"That's fine too. Provide me with the prescription, and I'll try to improve it. If it succeeds, I'll give you a fifty percent share. How about that?" Carlos had another idea.

As one of Dr. Elijahs's top disciples, he had a high level of expertise in medicine.

Improving the prescription should be feasible.

"Mr. Carlos, this is a fragmentary prescription. There's no way to improve it. You should give up," Dustin refused once again.

"What harm is there in trying?" Dustin countered.

"Many people have tried before, without exception, all failed. No matter how much research they did, it was all in vain," Dustin shook his head.

"Hey! You are being too stingy! Just because I asked you for the prescription, you're making all kinds of excuses. It's truly despicable!"

At this point, Roselyn Grantwood couldn't hold back any longer and angrily said, "Moreover, just because others couldn't improve it doesn't mean my eldest senior brother can't. My eldest senior brother Carlos is a genius in the field of medicine, much better than you. He's offering you a chance to get rich now, and you don't know how to appreciate it!"

"Roselyn! Watch your tone!" Carlos deliberately maintained a serious face.

"Elder Senior Brother, you are too polite to him. Such a person should not be indulged, or he will only act arrogantly!" Roselyn said, hands on her hips.

"Dustin Rhys just has some reservations, which is understandable, after all, we've only just met," Carlos said diplomatically.

Carlos put on a seemingly understanding demeanor and changed his approach, saying, "But Mr. Rhys, now that you've joined Healwell Clinic, we are now fellow apprentices. With this bond between us, what reason do you have not to trust me?"

"You're absolutely right! Our eldest senior brother is benevolent and has excellent character. If you entrust the prescription to him, there won't be any problems!"

"Yes! Eldest senior brother comes from a prestigious family and is proficient in pharmacology. He will surely be able to improve the prescription, and we can all get rich together!"

"Mr. Dustin Rhys, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Since you won't use the prescription yourself, giving it to our eldest senior brother would be the most efficient use of it!"

At this moment, the medical apprentices of Healwell Clinic began persuading Dustin.

Carlos was known for his generosity, and if he could improve the prescription, they would all benefit greatly, so they were eager to support his cause.

"I made it very clear before that this prescription is an ancestral one and will not be sold," Dustin said calmly.

"Mr. Rhys, please don't misunderstand. I'm not asking to buy it; I'm just asking to borrow it. Rare prescriptions like this shouldn't be buried; they should be promoted and benefit the people. It's our duty as healers!" Carlos argued with conviction.

"Well said! Indeed, our eldest senior brother has a heart of compassion!" Roselyn admired him wholeheartedly.

Men with such kindness and righteousness were truly rare.




Chapter 1302 : Roselyn in Infuriate

"Benefit the people?"
Upon hearing this, Dustin couldn't help but find it somewhat amusing.

This Carlos was truly skilled at talking in circles.

Clearly, he was extremely greedy, but he presented himself as a virtuous and glorious figure, trying to portray himself as a beacon of righteousness.

It was truly nauseating.

While Sebastian Stratford might be greedy, at least he was willing to pay for things.

But this guy in front of him was something else, trying to get something for nothing.
He really had no shame.

"Hey! My eldest senior brother is talking to you, can't you hear?"
Seeing Dustin remain silent, Roselyn grew impatient.

"Since you've joined Healwell Clinic, you should listen to us. Consider the prescription for the Jade Dew Ointment as your contribution to Healwell Clinic. There will be benefits for you in the future!" Roselyn said impatiently.

"I'll say it one last time: the prescription will not be shared," Dustin spoke coldly.

"Hey! Why are you so dense, like a block of wood? How can you be so unenlightened?"
Roselyn was becoming increasingly frustrated. "My eldest senior brother wants your prescription, not for personal gain but to benefit the public, to save patients. This is a noble aspiration. Shouldn't you support it?"

"Is it appropriate for him to achieve his aspirations using my belongings?" Dustin retorted.

"What's inappropriate about it? It's said that a compassionate doctor should have a compassionate heart. Aren't you being too selfish? You have no sense of humanity!" Roselyn sneered.

"If you're not selfish, if you're righteous, if you're generous, and if you have a compassionate heart, then why don't you donate all your possessions? Your house, your car, your clothes, your bags, and all your luxury items. Can't you give them all to those two beggars sitting at the street corner?"
"For the benefit of the people!"
Dustin started to retort in kind, every word cutting to the heart.

He really couldn't stand these holier-than-thou types.

"You... you're clearly using sophistry!"
Roselyn's face turned bright red, her frustration turning into anger.

"What? Don't want to? Weren't you just talking about it so beautifully? Why can't you sacrifice yourself for others? Since you can't do it, why do you have the audacity to demand it from me? You're clearly applying double standards," Dustin continued to press.

He originally didn't want to make a big deal out of this, but this woman kept pushing him, going on and on.


Did she really think of herself as a soft target that could be easily manipulated?

"You... You... You... You're outrageous!"
Roselyn's face turned red, her veins pulsating as she became highly agitated. "I am your senior sister, and you dare to show disrespect to me? This is simply disregarding authority and challenging superiors!"

"Senior sister? That's just your self-righteousness," Dustin sneered.

"I don't care! You must hand over the prescription today, or else you can forget about staying in Healwell Clinic. I'll have you expelled from our sect!" Roselyn threatened in a stern voice.

"Miss Roselyn, you've misunderstood something. I never intended to join Healwell Clinic, so your threats are just a joke to me," Dustin shrugged, utterly indifferent.

"You... You..."
Roselyn was so furious that she stomped her feet, and she was on the verge of losing control.

For a moment, her eyes turned red, and tears streamed down her face.
She had actually been so angry that she cried.



Chapter 1303 : Make a Deal

"You rascal! You've gone too far! You're bullying me!"
Roselyn was furious and felt wronged, tears streaming down her face.

She was known for her stunning beauty, exceptional talent, and had been pampered her entire life. Wherever she went and whatever she encountered, people always treated her with deference.

But this guy, Dustin, had no manners at all. He not only showed her no respect but also insulted her publicly, causing her great embarrassment.
It was utterly despicable!

"Alright, alright, Sister, you should calm down a bit,"
Seeing that things were getting out of hand, Carlos began to mediate, "We're all fellow disciples here, and we'll see each other often in the future. There's no need to damage our relationship."

"Hmph! Who says we're fellow disciples? Healwell Clinic has both him and me. It has me, but it doesn't have him!" Roselyn firmly asserted.

"That's enough!" Dr. Elijah couldn't hold back any longer and spoke in a stern voice, "Roselyn, you're being too stubborn. The prescription for the Jade Dew Ointment belongs to Dustin. How he chooses to handle it is his business. You have no right to meddle."

"Grandfather? I'm your granddaughter, how can you take his side?" Roselyn found it hard to believe.
Her grandfather usually attention on her, so why was he siding with an outsider today?

"Dustin saved Healwell Clinic twice. If you can't be grateful and instead cause trouble like this, it's really unreasonable!" Dr. Elijah scolded with a straight face. "If you dare to be disrespectful again, don't blame me for confining you to your room and not letting you leave for a month!"

"I..." Roselyn opened her mouth but ultimately held back.
She knew that her grandfather's word was ironclad, and whatever he said, he would do.

Although she felt wronged, causing more trouble wouldn't lead to a good outcome.
In the end, she could only direct all her anger and resentment toward Dustin through her eyes.
Sooner or later, she would make him pay!

"Mr. Rhys, this girl has been quite rude. Allow me to apologize on her behalf," Dr. Elijah Grantwood said apologetically, clasping his hands.

"It's fine. I was just joking earlier," Dustin replied with a faint smile, not wanting to make a big deal out of it.
Despite Roselyn's stubbornness, Dr. Elijah was still reasonable.

Considering that uncle Lorenzo would have to stay in Healwell Clinic for a while, Dustin didn't want to create unnecessary conflicts.


"Mr. Rhys, can we discuss the matter of the prescription?" Carlos said impatiently. "I sincerely want to cooperate with you. As long as you're willing to provide the prescription, we can research it together, make money together, and benefit the people together. Why not give it a try? Of course, if you feel my sincerity is lacking, feel free to name your price. Whatever you need, I'll try my best to fulfill."

Upon hearing this, Dustin was about to refuse, but then he seemed to think of something. Suddenly, he changed his tone and said, "Since Mr. Carlos is so sincere, let me be straightforward. If you can obtain three rare medicinal herbs for me—Ice Heart Lotus, Dragon Blood Ginseng, and Golden Marrow Jade—I will give you the prescription for the Jade Dew Ointment."

"Really?"
Carlos's eyes lit up, and he became excited. "Mr. Rhys, don't even mention three medicinal herbs. Even if it's thirty or three hundred, it's completely fine. Tell me, what do you need?"

"I need Ice Heart Lotus, Dragon Blood Ginseng, and Golden Marrow Jade," Dustin listed the names of the medicinal herbs one by one.

These were the primary ingredients for refining the Bone Cleansing Pill and were crucial for treating Uncle Lorenzo.

If he could exchange a partial prescription for three top-quality medicinal herbs, it would be a great deal.

"Ice Heart Lotus? Dragon Blood Ginseng? Golden Marrow Jade?"

Upon hearing this, Carlos immediately furrowed his brow. "If I'm not mistaken, these three medicinal herbs are extremely rare treasures, right? They can't be found on the market at all. I wonder, Mr. Rhys, what do you need these items for?"

"I have my reasons. It depends on whether Mr. Carlos agrees or not," Dustin replied calmly.

"These three medicinal herbs are extremely rare, and they are worth a fortune. They're hard to come by. Give me some time, and I should be able to gather them," Carlos said thoughtfully.

"Alright, I'll wait for your good news. As long as you manage to collect the three medicinal herbs, I'll immediately hand over the Jade Dew Ointment formula," Dustin said with a faint smile.



Chapter 1304 : Emperor Pavilion Restaurant

"Great! It's a deal!" Carlos was filled with enthusiasm.

The Grantwood family, although not as influential as the Torbys family in the field of medicine, was still a prominent presence in the southern city region. With a bit of effort, finding three top-quality medicinal herbs shouldn't be too difficult.

"The day is getting late, how about we all have a meal together? It's a good opportunity to welcome and entertain Mr. Dustin Rhys," suddenly suggested Dr. Elijah.

"No problem! Today, I'll host the dinner. Let's go to the Emperor's Pavilion!" Carlos declared grandiosely.

"The Emperor's Pavilion?"
As soon as these words were spoken, the people from Healwell Clinic couldn't help but brighten up, their excitement evident.

The Emperor's Pavilion was the most famous restaurant in the southern city, typically catering to high-ranking officials and dignitaries. Ordinary people didn't have the qualifications to enter.

To dine there, one not only needed money but also status and position; the threshold was extremely high.

What made the Emperor's Pavilion even more renowned was a story that had been passed down through the generations. It was said that someone from the Forbidden City had dined there once, found the food exceptionally delicious, and even composed a poem in praise. Since then, the restaurant was renamed from Fulai Tower to the Emperor's Pavilion.

This poem became the restaurant's signature, and the story behind it spread far and wide.

For common folks, having the fortune to dine at the Emperor's Pavilion was something they could boast about for a whole year.

As night fell, a few luxury cars pulled up at the entrance of the Emperor's Pavilion.

As the car doors opened, Carlos led a group of people into the restaurant with a high and mighty demeanor.

Wherever they passed, greetings and salutations filled the air.

Anyone who saw them had to address Carlos as "Young Master."

The grandeur of the scene was impressive, and it deepened the admiration of the young people, including Roselyn.

"The Emperor's Pavilion is truly luxurious!"

"I never thought that in my lifetime, I'd have the chance to dine at the Emperor's Pavilion. It's incredible!"

"Thanks to our Big Brother's generosity, or else where would we have this opportunity?" After entering the restaurant, the disciples from Healwell Clinic were wide-eyed, discussing excitedly.

They looked like country bumpkins who had just entered a magnificent palace.

"Dustin, what do you think? Are you completely awestruck?" Roselyn deliberately approached to Dustin Rhys and adopted a condescending expression. "For someone like you, a loser, you probably haven't seen such a high-end restaurant before, right? Take your time and look around, take some photos. In the future, when you go out, you can brag about it. After all, you won't have such an opportunity a second time. Cherish it, bumpkin."

Hearing this, Dustin just chuckled and didn't bother to respond.

This woman was actually flaunting her superiority in front of him. He didn't know where she found the courage.

"Hey! Why are you laughing?" Roselyn was somewhat displeased. "Looking at you, I can tell you're inexperienced. The Emperor's Pavilion is the best restaurant in the southern city, a place even the emperor has visited. Only high-ranking officials and dignitaries can enter. If it weren't for the fact that you're benefiting from Big Brother, you would never set foot in this place in your entire life!"

"Whether the Emperor's Pavilion is the best in the southern city, I'm not sure," Dustin shook his head and calmly said, "I only remember that ten years ago, when I dined here with the emperor, it was called Fulai Tower, not the Emperor's Pavilion."




Chapter 105 : A Historical Poem

"What? You dined with the emperor?" Roselyn was first taken aback and then burst into mocking laughter. "I say, country bumpkin, do you have a problem with your brain? Just you? Dining with the emperor? Are you worthy? Even my Big Brother doesn't have that qualification. Who do you think you are?"

A shabbily dressed country bumpkin like him actually claimed to know the emperor. He was truly shameless!

"Believe it or not, it's up to you," Dustin shrugged and didn't argue further. There was no point in talking to someone like her who had such a narrow view.

"Humph! I just thought you lacked awareness and didn't have gentlemanly manners, but now you're boasting. I really don't understand why my grandfather values you," Roselyn said disdainfully.

As a member of the Grantwood family, she naturally had an innate sense of superiority when dealing with outsiders from rural areas.

"We're here, this is it!" At this moment, Carlos, who was leading the way, suddenly stopped and pointed to a hanging scroll in the air.

The scroll was quite large, framed with a golden border, and hung prominently in the most visible spot. You could see it just by looking up.

At this moment, the scroll had several lines of calligraphy written on it.

The handwriting was vigorous and powerful, with a majestic brushstroke and a unique artistic conception. It was clearly written by a master calligrapher.

"Big Brother, is what's written on it a poem?" Roselyn raised her head, curious.

Although she didn't understand calligraphy, she could tell that the characters were beautifully written, pleasing to the eye, and truly remarkable.

"Yes, it's a poem!" Carlos smiled and nodded. "I believe you've all heard the rumors about the Emperor's Pavilion. About ten years ago, the emperor visited the Emperor's Pavilion and, after three rounds of drinking, he was in high spirits and composed this poem you see before you!"

"Oh my god! I didn't expect the rumors to be true! There's actually a poem written by the emperor here. This is amazing!"

"No wonder it's called the Emperor's Pavilion. It truly lives up to its reputation!"

The doctors from Healwell clinic were staring intently at the poem. They were all excited. For ordinary people like them, witnessing the talents of the emperor was a great honor.

"Hmm... Strange. Why does the poem have two surnames as the author?" Suddenly, someone asked.

"You hit the nail on the head with that question," Carlos said with an air of knowledge. "Indeed, this poem was composed by the emperor, but the person who physically wrote it was another prominent figure. That's why there are two surnames on the inscription. Of course, it also signifies that the emperor holds this person in high regard."

"That's incredible! Someone could co-sign a poem with the emperor? That's amazing!" The crowd marveled.

"To have the emperor value them so highly, this person must be a royal, right?" Roselyn was filled with admiration.

"Sister, you guessed wrong." Carlos smiled and shook his head. "This person is not a royal, but their status is even higher than that of a royal."

"Oh? Who is this person then?" Roselyn grew even more curious.

"To be honest, this person is none other than the Crown Prince of the Western Liang Palace, the world-renowned Kirin Child from ten years ago, Lord Logan Rhys!" Carlos announced loudly.

"What? The Kirin Child, Logan?!"

As soon as this statement was made, the whole room erupted.

The name Logan resonated like thunder, and even though ten years had passed, his past glory still remained deeply ingrained in people's hearts.

Ten years ago was an era of exceptional talents and prodigies.

However, Logan Rhys had single-handedly suppressed all the young geniuses, dominating Stonia with unparalleled power and becoming famous throughout the world!

He had shone brilliantly in that era, standing head and shoulders above the rest.

Since then, no one had come close to matching Logan's accomplishments.

Whether they were nobles, aristocrats, or elite talents, none could compare with him!




Chapter 1306: A New Challenge

"I didn't expect that the calligraphy on this paper was by Logan. No wonder he was able to write poetry on behalf of the emperor."

"The emperor's poem with Logan's calligraphy, it's no wonder that Emperor's Pavilion is so famous! It's well-deserved."

"Indeed, it's Logan, the Kirin Child. His calligraphy at the age of fifteen is already comparable to that of the great calligraphers. It's truly worth a fortune!"

As they looked at the poem in the air, everyone couldn't help but be amazed. At this moment, they understood why Emperor's Pavilion had such a high threshold. With such a priceless treasure on display, a high threshold was only natural.

"I heard that the Kirin Child is not only extraordinarily talented but also exceptionally handsome. He is well-versed in the classics and contemporary knowledge. It would be wonderful if we had the chance to meet him!"

Roselyn cupped her face with her hands, her eyes filled with admiration.

Although Carlos was outstanding, compared to Logan, he was hardly worth mentioning.

Whether it was family background, personal abilities, or looks, Logan had reached the pinnacle in almost every aspect.

He was a near-perfect man, the dream lover of countless girls.

In the past, she had fantasized more than once about how wonderful it would be to marry Logan.

"Before West-Seated Mountain, white egrets fly; Peach blossoms and flowing water make carp thrive. With a green bamboo hat, and a green straw coat, I wander with the slanting wind and fine rain, with no need to return."

"Great poem! Truly a great poem!"

"The poem is great, and the calligraphy is even better. He's truly the unparalleled genius of his time!"

"Dr. Elijah's praise is well-deserved. The handwriting on this paper is still a bit immature," Dustin said as he looked up at the poem, his memories seemingly drifting back to ten years ago.

"Hey! What nonsense are you talking about?" When she heard this, Roselyn was instantly displeased. "Who do you think you are? How dare you speak nonsense about the Kirin Child's calligraphy? You have quite the audacity!"

After all, Logan was her idol, a sacred and inviolable figure in her eyes.

"That's right! The Kirin Child's calligraphy is worth a fortune, but what about you? People would find it uncomfortable if you wiped their backsides!" Elmer chimed in.

While the others didn't say anything, they all had strange looks on their faces.

The characters of the Kirin Child had been verified by time long ago. Many calligraphers came to admire them and were deeply impressed after seeing them. To have characters admired by various calligraphy experts, but to call them immature when spoken by Dustin – wasn't that too arrogant?

"I was just speaking the truth. Why are you all so worked up?" Dustin said with some frustration.

Compared to now, it was true that the characters he had written ten years ago might seem a bit immature. What was the big deal?

"I just told the truth? I think you're just talking nonsense!" Roselyn couldn't contain her anger. "You clearly know nothing, yet you're shamelessly giving your opinion and pretending to be an expert. People like you are truly despicable!"

"Humph! I think someone here is just envious and jealous, so they're trying to defame the Kirin Child's characters!" Elmer sneered.

"Mr. Dustin, be careful with your words. If what you said today spreads, it could lead to big trouble," Carlos warned.

Damn it, is this guy out of his mind? He dares to belittle the Kirin Child's characters in Emperor's Pavilion? Is he seeking death?

"Mr. Dustin! Since you're so confident, and you think the Kirin Child's characters aren't good enough, then go ahead and write a new set of characters based on this poem. I want to see just how capable you are!" Roselyn glared with anger.




Chapter 1307: Cultural Evening Competition

"I haven't written for a long time, and I'm a bit out of practice. I think I'll pass," Dustin shook his head.

His handwriting was quite distinctive and could be recognized by someone knowledgeable. Although he wasn't afraid of revealing his identity now, it could still lead to trouble if certain people found out.

"Out of practice? Hmph! I think you're just incapable!" Roselyn sneered. "You clearly can't do it, but you insist on pretending and speaking so self-righteously. It's truly disgusting!"

"Alright, let's stop arguing. There are so many people watching us, and there's no need to make a scene. I've already reserved a spot upstairs, and the collections up there include some rare treasures that are guaranteed to amaze you."

"In addition, there's a special event at Emperor's Pavilion tonight, and if we're lucky, we might get a pleasant surprise."
Carlos's words instantly picked everyone's interest.

"A surprise? What kind of surprise?" Roselyn asked with curiosity.

"As far as I know, every three months, Emperor's Pavilion hosts a cultural evening where participants compete in poetry, songs, and other forms of art."

"If someone can stand out in this competition and prove their superiority, they'll receive a special prize prepared by Emperor's Pavilion."

"So, during this time, Emperor's Pavilion is always packed. If it weren't for my early reservation and some connections, we might not even have seats tonight," Carlos explained enthusiastically.

Spending a significant amount of money to reserve seats and attending this cultural evening was a chance to meet influential figures. After all, anyone who could enter Emperor's Pavilion was either wealthy or influential.

Now, it was the perfect opportunity to make connections.

"A cultural evening? That sounds great!" Roselyn became excited. "I've been well-versed in poetry, songs, and various forms of art since I was a child. Finally, it's time for me to show off!"

Her grandfather had forced her to study various subjects when she was young, and she had memorized many literary works. She had always excelled academically, earning her the title of a young talent in her school days.

Now, she could relive her past glory.

"Senior brother Carlos, you mentioned earlier that there are prizes for winning. I'm curious, what kind of prizes are they?" Elmer asked cautiously.

"The prizes at Emperor's Pavilion are definitely not ordinary items," Carlos replied with a smile. "If I'm not mistaken, the winner can choose one item from the Treasure Pavilion. The Treasure Pavilion is a collection of rare and valuable treasures personally curated by the owner of Emperor's Pavilion. Any item from there is worth a fortune."

"Worth a fortune?!"
Upon hearing this, Elmer's eyes lit up, and his breathing quickened.

The other doctors from Healwell Clinic were also thrilled.

To obtain an item worth a fortune, wouldn't that mean instant wealth?

They hadn't expected that a simple dinner could offer such an opportunity.

"Roselyn, we're counting on you for this. If you can outperform everyone and win a treasure, it will bring honor to Healwell Clinic!"

"That's right! If you win the treasure, our Healwell Clinic will gain fame!"

Many disciples from Healwell Clinic placed their hopes on Roselyn. They knew she was incredibly intelligent, talented, and excelled in various areas. Especially in poetry and literature, her upbringing had given her a high level of proficiency.

"Don't worry, I've got this. After winning the top spot and obtaining the treasure, I'll treat everyone to a meal!" Roselyn declared confidently.

"Roselyn, don't get too arrogant. Remember, there's always someone better out there. Keep a humble heart," Dr. Elijah reminded her at the right moment.




Chapter 1308: Roselyn College Friend

"Grandfather, although I'm known as a talented woman at school, it doesn't mean I can easily outshine everyone. After all, Stonia is a place where talents gather," Roselyn replied confidently.

"Granddaughter, don't talk like that," Elijah frowned slightly.

"Master, my junior sister is exceptionally talented, and I believe she will do well in this competition," Carlos chimed in with a smile.

"See? Even senior brother believes in me. I'm determined to win the first place in today's competition!" Roselyn said with even more pride.

Dr. Elijah shook his head, somewhat helpless. He knew that her arrogance might get her into trouble one day.

"It's about time; let's head upstairs," Carlos suggested, leading the group to the second floor.

Compared to the dazzling splendor of the ground floor, the second floor had an even more elegant and refined atmosphere. Every decoration and detail was meticulously arranged, creating a flawless ambiance.

Upstairs at Emperor's Pavilion, a gathering of dignitaries and elites could be seen. These individuals were accompanied by one or two young talents, showcasing their sophistication and literary prowess.

The Emperor's Pavilion's cultural event, held every three months, consistently attracted a large number of returning guests. It served as an excellent marketing strategy.

Guided by Carlos, the group found their reserved seats.

"Ah! Isn't this our talented lady, Roselyn?" Suddenly, a teasing female voice resounded from nearby.

Everyone turned their heads to see an alluring woman approaching with a swaying gait. By her side, there was a fair-skinned young man.

The young man wore a long robe and exuded an air of scholarly refinement.

"Hazel Lancaster? What are you doing here?"

Upon seeing the woman, Roselyn couldn't help but furrow her brow. Her previous smile disappeared, replaced by a more composed expression.

"Since my family, the Lancaster family, in South City has some reputation, what's so surprising about dining at Emperor's Pavilion? As for you, coming from a small and insignificant background, it's surprising that you could even enter Emperor's Pavilion," Yin Tao said, her lips curling in a mocking smile as she looked Roselyn up and down.

"How I got in is none of your business! You're just flaunting your wealth, nothing impressive about that," Roselyn retorted with a proud stance.

This woman before her was not just a fellow student but also her romantic rival. During their four years in college, Hazel had consistently used her money and looks to outshine Roselyn. She had even openly stolen Roselyn's boyfriends more than once. This had left Roselyn with deep-seated resentment.

"Sorry, but having money is indeed impressive," Hazel said, shrugging her shoulders with a sly smile. "Take Emperor's Pavilion, for example. I can come here anytime I want, but what about you? You can only be here because you're riding on someone else's coattails. That's the difference. Oh, by the way, take some photos when you have the chance and post them on social media. Cherish this rare opportunity. After all, for someone like you, getting in here is like a miracle."

"You...!" Roselyn's face turned red with anger and frustration.

Why did these words sound so familiar?




Chapter 1309: A Unwanted Bet

"Miss Hazel, that's a bit too much," Carlos finally spoke. "Roselyn is my junior sister, and it's not proper to speak like this."

"Oh? So Mr. Carlos is here too? What a coincidence," Hazel feigned surprise and then continued with a mocking tone. "No wonder Roselyn has the privilege to enter Emperor's Pavilion. It turns out she has you to protect her. But I find it a bit strange, Carlos, as a young master from a prestigious family, how could your taste be so poor as to choose someone as ordinary as her?"

"Hey! Who are you calling ordinary?" Upon hearing this, Roselyn immediately flared up, wanting to confront her physically but was held back by her companions.

The Grantwood family's influence was not weaker than the Lancaster family's and might even be stronger. If they fought and it got back to the Lancestor family, even Carlos might not be able to protect them.

"Whoever I'm talking about is the one I'm talking about. What are you going to do about it?" Hazel sneered, her eyes filled with provocation.
She enjoyed seeing Roselyn frustrated but powerless to do anything about it.

"You... You're going too far!" Roselyn was seething with anger and wanted to respond with harsh words, but Carlos raised his hand to stop her. "Miss Hazel, please let it go. We came here to have a meal and don't want any trouble. I hope you'll show some restraint."

"Fine, I'll let her off for your sake, Carlos."
Hazel glanced at Roselyn, her smile faint. "By the way, the Emperor's Pavilion seems to be hosting a cultural event later. Since you fancy yourself so knowledgeable and talented, I hope you won't embarrass yourself."

"Hmph! Embarrass myself? That's a joke!" Roselyn retorted coldly. "When it comes to poetry and literature, even if you combine ten of you, you still won't be my match!"

"Oh? Is that so?" Hazel chuckled teasingly. "Since you're so confident, how about a little competition?"

"Competition? I'm not afraid of you!" Roselyn said confidently.

In terms of family background and wealth, she might concede to Hazel. But when it came to talent, she believed she could easily outshine her.
"Alright, let's have a competition. And to make it more interesting, how about a bet?" Hazel taunted.

"What do you want to bet?" Roselyn raised her head.

"You don't have anything valuable on you either. So, how about this? Let's bet your family's Healwell Clinic," Hazel said with a shocking proposal. "If you lose, you give Healwell Clinic to me. If I lose, I'll give you one billion. What do you say?"

"Bet Healwell Clinic?" Roselyn furrowed her brow slightly in response to this unexpected suggestion.

It was clear that Hazel had ulterior motives.

"With the valuation of your Healwell Clinic, it's probably worth less than one billion. But I'm a generous person, I won't haggle with you. The real question is, do you dare to bet? If you don't, you better avoid me when you see me in the future," Hazel asked with a smirk.

"What do I have to fear? Let's make the bet!" Roselyn was provoked and readily agreed.

"Roselyn, don't be reckless!" Dr. Elijah's expression changed, and he hurriedly intervened. "Healwell Clinic is of paramount importance; it's not something to be used as a bet! Even if we gamble some money, it's one thing, but to gamble our entire business is too reckless!"

"What's there to worry about, Grandpa? I'm confident I can win against her. She's practically giving us money!" Roselyn was brimming with self-assurance.

"But money isn't earned that easily. Using the entire Healwell Clinic as a bet is too risky!" Elijah cautioned, his voice filled with concern.

"Why can't it be? I'm absolutely certain I'll win, Grandpa. As long as I have the confidence, this is a golden opportunity, and we can't let it slip away!" Roselyn insisted firmly.




Chapter 1310: Bet Healwell Clinic

"Healwell Clinic's income is actually quite low. We either don't charge poor patients or only ask for a nominal fee for medicinal herbs," Roselyn explained. "Our reputation has grown, but we're not making much money from our own people. One billion is something we'd never earn in our lifetime. It's worth the risk."

"Things are never absolute, and I absolutely won't allow you to use Healwell Clinic as a gamble!" Dr. Elijah maintained his stancd.

"Grandpa! Why won't you believe me?" Roselyn was getting agitated. "Before, when those hooligans were causing trouble, you were willing to stake Healwell Clinic for the sake of our people, and even for Dustin Rhys! Why is it that you'd rather trust a stranger and not me? Why?!"
She almost shouted the last sentence.

"Child, before it was a last resort. Now, it's you being reckless. You need to understand the difference between the two," Elijah tried to explain, his brows furrowing.

"I don't care! I don't care!" Roselyn was not listening and her emotions were running high. "Why should Dustin be worth risking Healwell Clinic for, and I'm not? If you don't believe me today, I'll cut ties with you!"

"You..." Dr. Elijah was growing frustrated.

He felt a mixture of anger and helplessness.

Why did this girl have to be so stubborn?

To prove a point, she was willing to risk everything they had?

"Master, although my junior sister is impulsive, what she says makes sense," Carlos spoke up, supporting Roselyn. "I'm familiar with Hazel; she doesn't have an ounce of ink in her, and in terms of poetry and talent, she's nowhere near my junior sister. I believe in her; she will definitely win!"

"Yes, Master! Everyone acknowledges Junior Sister as a talented poetess, and she's unparalleled in writing poems. She'll easily outperform this rich girl!" Elmer chimed in.

"Master! Wealth comes with risks, and if we can win this billion, we can help even more patients at Healwell Clinic. It would be a great act of merit!" The disciples continued to persuade him.

"Well..." Under the unanimous voice of his disciples, Elijah couldn't help but waver. Now that he was in this situation, if he refused his granddaughter, she might do something reckless in her impulsivity. On the other hand, if he agreed and won the bet, he could solve many problems for Healwell Clinic.

For a moment, Dr. Elijah found it difficult to make a decision.

"Master, please agree. I'm willing to vouch for Junior Sister!" Carlos further played his part to convince him.

"Well... Since you all insist, then let the girl be willful this time," Elijah eventually nodded, but added sternly, "But this is a one-time exception, it won't happen again!"

"No problem," Carlos agreed.

"Thank you, Grandpa!" Roselyn beamed with gratitude.

"Hehe... I thought you wouldn't dare to bet. But you surprised me. Unfortunately, you're destined to lose," Hazel smirked.

"Lose? Hmph! What a joke! I know exactly how much you're worth. With your limited talent, you're not even worthy to carry my shoes!" Roselyn sneered.

During their four years in university, she didn't dare claim to know everything about Hazel, but she knew her very well. It wasn't an exaggeration to say that even her footprints were prettier than Hazel's handwriting.

"If you're that confident, let's just wait and see. I only hope you won't regret it later," Hazel smiled mysteriously, then sat down at a nearby elegant table with the man beside her.

After a while, the cultural event held by the Emperor's Palace began.
Many2 thank you for your hardwork sir..keep posting..Really like your efforts..much appreciated...
 

nazmul

Immortal Grandmaster
Platinum Villager
Sep 15, 2023
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Chapter 1321: Answer is Correct

"Dong!"
As he watched the paper that Carlos had just heavily slapped down, the manager couldn't help but be slightly stunned, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

He hadn't expected that the other party could actually answer it.

The third riddle was much more difficult than the previous two.

You see, the character '醢' (hǎi) itself is a rare word, and few people know it, let alone write it.

And to combine the riddle's context and guess this obscure character made it even more challenging.

When he drew this question just now, he thought no one could answer it and was prepared to declare it void.

But to his surprise, Carlos, who seemed inexperienced, was the first to answer, which was truly astonishing.

It seemed that there must be someone behind him guiding him.

"Manager Kaizen, what are you waiting for? Give me a straightforward answer. Is this character correct?" Carlos urged.

Initially full of confidence, he suddenly became nervous when he saw the manager's unusual expression.

"Young Master Carlos, I advise you not to struggle. Just by looking at Manager Kaizen's expression, you're definitely wrong again this time," teased Hazel.

"If you don't have the ability, just leave early and stop embarrassing yourself here!"

A group of dignitaries in the audience joined in the jeering.

"Could he be wrong again?"

Carlos frowned slightly, unable to hide the unease on his face.

"Hmph! You talk so big, but in the end, it's still wrong, isn't it? I knew I shouldn't have trusted you!" Roselyn glared fiercely at Dustin.

How could someone inferior to even himself answer such a difficult riddle?

"Don't misunderstand, everyone..."

Realizing the situation, the manager hurriedly said, "Young Master Carlos did not answer incorrectly. On the contrary, he answered it absolutely correctly. The solution to the third riddle is indeed the character '醢' (hǎi)."

"What? He got it right?"

As soon as these words came out, the smile on Hazel's face instantly froze.

The dignitaries who had just been making a commotion were now all looking at each other in confusion.

As for Roselyn, the words that were on the tip of her tongue were forcibly swallowed back.

"Manager Kaizen, are you sure you're not mistaken? These guys with wooden heads actually answered this question correctly?" Hazel couldn't believe it.

Even the literary genius she had paid a high price to invite couldn't answer it in a short time, let alone Roselyn and Carlos.

"I saw it clearly, there's no mistake. Young Master Carlos did answer it correctly," the manager nodded slightly.

"Well then, tell us, what character did he write?" Hazel demanded.

"It's the character '醢' (hǎi)."

The manager displayed the character Carlos had written clearly in front of everyone.

After seeing it, many people nodded in recognition.

"Is it really this character?" Hazel asked the scholarly man next to her.

"One on the right and one on the left, three rooms in a square, southeast upright. With 'right' and 'left,' three square rooms correspond to the pictographic character '皿.' This character '醢' (hǎi) is answered absolutely correctly, even I didn't expect it," the scholarly man gave his evaluation.

"It shouldn't be..." Hazel frowned. "Roselyn is a woman who looks down on others and has little talent. How could she solve such a difficult riddle? Could it be that there is another expert helping her?"
As she spoke, her gaze swept over everyone and finally settled on Dustin.

Because compared to the astonishment and surprise of the people around, he remained very calm, as if he had expected this all along.

"Hahaha... I got it right, finally!" Carlos was excited.

His mistakes on the previous two questions had left him losing face and subject to ridicule. This third question had finally allowed him to regain a bit of dignity.

"Mr. Rhys, I didn't expect you to be good at solving riddles too. Impressive!" Dr. Elijah gave him a thumbs up.

This guy was truly versatile, excelling in both academics and martial arts.

"I've read a lot of books, so it's not a big deal," Dustin said with a faint smile.

"Mr. Rhys, don't be modest. Thanks to you just now, or else we would have lost again," Carlos happily returned to his seat.

"Hmph! What's so impressive about it? It's just luck!" Roselyn pouted, clearly dissatisfied.





Chapter 1322: Ridiculously Unreal

In her opinion, Dustin had guessed the answer by sheer luck or perhaps had seen a similar riddle before, which made him answer quickly.

"Mr. Rhys, the next riddles are all up to you. After we succeed, I'll definitely show my gratitude!" Carlos clasped his fists at Dustin.

"For the sake of Dr. Elijah's favor, I'll do my best," Dustin yawned.

If it weren't for the need to save Healwell Medical Center, he wouldn't bother getting involved.

"Roselyn, I can't believe there's still someone intelligent among you."

Hazel's voice drifted in again, "But don't celebrate too soon; we're still in the lead. The next seven riddles are the key to victory."

"Hmph! Bring it on!" Roselyn raised her head defiantly, showing no fear.

"Manager Kaizen, please present the next riddle!" Hazel urged.

The chubby man nodded and then took out the fourth card from the box, saying, "Please listen to the fourth riddle: 'Leaving for half a month, guess a character.'"

Before he could finish speaking, Dustin calmly uttered a word, "Brain."

"Congratulations to this guest for the correct answer," the manager announced the result directly.

"Huh?"
Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned.

The riddle had just been presented, and they hadn't even had a chance to think, but someone had already given an answer?

What kind of joke was this?

Could it be so easy?

"Wait! Why is the answer 'brain'? Can you explain?" someone raised a question.

"Taking the upper part of the character ' Banyue' and combining it with the character ' moon' naturally forms the character '脑' (brain)," Dustin explained succinctly.

"Oh, I see, it sounds quite simple when you put it that way. No wonder he answered so quickly," everyone suddenly realized.

"Manager Kaizen, continue with the next riddle!" Hazel was somewhat reluctant.

"Please listen to the fifth riddle: 'Two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, guess an idiom,'" the chubby man said.

"Lacking clothing and food," Dustin immediately replied.

"Congratulations to this guest for the correct answer," the manager nodded.

"..."
The faces of the crowd froze, and they were left speechless.

It was way too fast.

They couldn't react at all.

"Please listen to the sixth riddle: 'There is a bamboo forest on the ground, and one inch of gold beneath the earth. Guess a word.'"

The word "wait."

"Please listen to the seventh riddle: 'A blind man touching an elephant, honeyed lotus seeds, what do they represent?'"

"A blind man touching an elephant represents not seeing the big picture; honeyed lotus seeds represent sharing sweetness and bitterness." Dustin replied.

"Please listen to the eighth riddle: ' Guess a four-character common phrase."

" ”The rat, the ugly, and the ox are the first and second animals in the Chinese zodiac, so they should be born in the first and second zodiac signs.”

"Ninth riddle: 'The phoenix flute sounds, the jade pot shines, and the fish and dragons dance all night!'"

"Lantern Festival."

"..."
The questions and answers went back and forth, with their speed increasing.

No matter what the manager asked, Dustin answered without hesitation.

And every single answer was correct.

The other guests around them had no chance to speak.

Even the talented scholar hired by Hazel had paid a high price to invite was left dumbfounded and utterly shocked.

Was this really a lantern riddle guessing game?

Was he reading from the answers?

This was ridiculously unreal!





Chapter 1323: One Man Show

In this moment, everyone was shocked by Dustin's rapid-fire answers.

It was incredibly fast, too fast for anyone to keep up with.

Their brains seemed to have crashed, and they had completely lost any desire to compete.

What should have been a lively competition among the participants had turned into Dustin's one-man show.

Even the Manager who had been asking the questions was sweating profusely by the end.

These riddles were randomly selected, and they covered a wide range of topics. Even with extensive knowledge, it would be impossible to answer so quickly and accurately. If it weren't for the high level of confidentiality in the Imperial Tower, he would have suspected that Dustin had seen the correct answers and memorized them all.

"Th... the last question."
The Manager swallowed hard and read the riddle from the card, "Red, yellow, blue, white can transform; like a phoenix, like a dragon, it's an incarnation; it travels a thousand miles without stopping, a light breeze blows it clean..."

"Cloud," Dustin once again answered without hesitation.

"All... answers correct!" the Manager struggled to utter a few words.

He was truly amazed; he had never seen someone like this.

"Oh my god! All correct? Is this guy cheating?"

"Why is he going so hard? He's making me look dumb!"

"Damn it! I have reason to suspect that this kid is a plant hired by the Imperial Tower!"
...
After a brief silence, the entire scene erupted into chaos.

Although it was just a lantern riddle guessing game, Dustin's performance was incredibly outstanding, completely overshadowing everyone else.

Those who had come prepared had become the butt of the joke.

They say participation is what matters, but the problem was that they didn't even get a chance to participate.

"Oh my god! He answered seven questions in a row. Dustin is going all out!"

"No, you're wrong. He got all ten right!"

The disciples of Healwell Clinic looked at Dustin with wide eyes, as if they were seeing a monster.

"How... how is this possible? How could he get them all right?!" Roselyn widened her eyes, her face full of disbelief.
If Dustin had gotten a few questions right, she could attribute it to luck.

Now, even if she didn't want to admit it, she had to acknowledge that he was far superior to her.

"Well... well done!" Carlos couldn't help but burst into laughter.

He had been unsure before, but Dustin's performance had pleasantly surprised him.

"This kid is truly a genius," Elijah stroked his beard and smiled, his eyes shining brightly.

Young talents with such extraordinary abilities were extremely rare.

He not only had the thought of passing on his legacy to Dustin but also considered marrying his granddaughter to him.

"I didn't expect such a dark horse to emerge halfway. It's really a miscalculation!" Hazel stared at Dustin with intense focus, as if trying to see something.

He was dressed plainly but carried an extraordinary air.

His expression was calm, his sharpness concealed, and even after a resounding victory, he showed no emotional fluctuations.

Clearly, this was a man with a deep understanding of the world, a master who concealed his true strength.

"Manager Kaizen, are there any more riddles?" Dustin asked casually.

"No...," the manager smiled reluctantly, "Sir, you are truly knowledgeable. I admire you greatly. May I ask for your surname?"





Chapter 1324: Unpleasant Bargain

"Rhys."

"Mr. Rhys, congratulations on winning the grand prize."

The manager held a box containing the priceless beauty painting and walked up to Dustin respectfully. He said, "On behalf of the Imperial Tower, I present this invaluable beauty painting to you."

"I'll inspect the goods first."

Carlos was the first to take the box and opened it. His eyes couldn't help but light up. "It's truly a precious item!"

After confirming its authenticity, Carlos couldn't help but feel a bit conflicted.

After all, this treasure had been won by Dustin. If he simply accepted it without saying a few polite words, he might be criticized for it. The best approach was to let Dustin take the initiative to offer it, and he would graciously accept, benefiting from the treasure as well as gaining a good reputation.

Perfect!

"Mr. Rhys, my friend, although I have admired this beauty painting for a long time, I can't take what you won by your own skill. I can't take what belongs to another."

Carlos spoke with an expression of reluctantly giving up. He handed the box over halfway, then suddenly stopped. "Of course, if you really don't like it, I can hold onto it for you, and when the time comes..."

"Oh, thanks."

Before he could finish, Dustin calmly accepted the box and didn't say anything more.

"???"

Carlos was stunned.

This wasn't following the script at all!

Normally, shouldn't there be some polite refusals and words of courtesy?

Why did he just accept it outright?

Did I not make my reluctance clear enough?

"Hey! Mr. Rhys! What do you mean? Are you planning to keep this beauty painting all to yourself?"
Seeing this, Roselyn immediately became displeased.

"Keep it to myself?"

Dustin raised an eyebrow slightly and asked, "Manager Kaizen, according to today's rules, whoever answers the most questions correctly gets this beauty painting, right?"

"That's correct," the manager nodded.

"Since I answered the most questions, shouldn't the beauty painting belong to me?" Dustin asked again.

"Exactly," the manager nodded again.

"Then it's strange. This was originally mine, so how can you call it keeping it all to myself?"

As he spoke, Dustin's gaze had shifted towards Roselyn, carrying a hint of questioning.

He might not be very interested in the beauty painting, but that didn't mean he wanted to give it away for free, especially when someone was trying to demand it as if it were their right.

"Although the beauty painting was won by you, doesn't that mean we had no merit at all?"

Roselyn spoke earnestly, "Setting aside all of this, if it weren't for Senior Brother bringing you into the Imperial Tower, would you have had a chance to obtain this treasure? Shouldn't you show some gratitude?"

"You're absolutely right! One should repay kindness received. Without Senior Brother's help, you wouldn't even have had the opportunity to answer questions. Therefore, this beauty painting should rightfully be given to Senior Brother!"
Elmer echoed in agreement.

"From what you're saying, as long as I enter the Imperial Tower, I have to owe my life to your Senior Brother?"

Dustin's lips curled in mockery. "Miss Roselyn, please understand one thing. Without my intervention, you still wouldn't have obtained the beauty painting, and because of your impulsive behavior, you might have lost the entire Healwell Clinic!"

"Nonsense!"

Roselyn was defiant, "Do you think we couldn't have won without you? That's a joke! I was just warming up earlier. Even if you hadn't spoken, I would have easily secured the victory!"

"Heh, you answered three questions incorrectly. Do you really think anyone would believe that?" Dustin sneered.

"I...I just made some mistakes earlier," Roselyn said with a forced smile.

But her voice unconsciously softened, clearly showing signs of wavering.

"Roselyn, you're shameless!"

At this moment, Hazel swayed her slender waist and walked over, her voice carrying a strange tone. "This handsome guy just helped you and saved Healwell Clinic from a disaster, and you're not grateful at all. Instead, you even have your eyes on the beauty painting. I have to ask, where's your face? Did a dog eat it?"

These words directly turned Roselyn's face red, as if she had eaten something unpleasant.





Chapter 1325: Offer Protection

"What are you talking about?!" Roselyn was furious, jumping and yelling as if she were a cat with its tail stepped on.

"Did I say anything wrong? If this handsome guy hadn't helped, you would have lost everything, and yet you're still arguing here. It's like you have no self-awareness."

Hazel crossed her arms, pouted, and even gave Dustin a seductive look after she was done, saying, "Handsome guy, oh~!"

The 'oh' was drawn out, carrying a hint of flirtatiousness.

"Okay! So, you two are in cahoots!"

Roselyn looked left and right, suddenly as if she had realized something. "No wonder you two have been giving each other meaningful looks the whole time. It turns out you've been joined force!"

"Idiot!"

Hazel rolled her eyes and was left speechless.

This woman, did she have poop in her head? She spoke without thinking, it was truly baffling.

"Forget it, Junior Sister. Since Dustin won the beauty painting, we can't just take it from him. It's up to him how he wants to handle it; we can't interfere," Carlos patted Roselyn's shoulder.

Although he maintained a calm appearance, his eyes turned cold.

This guy had no manners at all.

If he had graciously handed over the beauty painting, Carlos would have owed him a favor. But now that he wanted to keep it for himself, he shouldn't be surprised if Carlos took some measures.

"Hmph! Remember this, today's matter isn't over!" Roselyn glared at the two of them angrily and then left in a huff.

"Dustin, this girl is too headstrong. Don't take it to heart. If there's anything, we can discuss it tomorrow," Elijah said his farewell, following his granddaughter to prevent her from doing anything reckless.

"Dustin, you take care of yourself. We'll see you around." Carlos smiled politely, then turned and left.

Seeing this, the other disciples of Healwell Clinic also stood up and left one by one.

In response to all of this, Dustin just smiled and remained silent.

No matter whether it was Roselyn or Carlos, neither of them seemed like a good person.

The former was headstrong and arrogant, while the later was cunning and untrustworthy.

The beauty painting was invaluable, and trying to take it from Dustin empty-handed was not going to be easy.

"Sir, please wait a moment," Hazel suddenly called out as Dustin was preparing to leave.

"Do you need something?" Dustin turned back.

"Sir, did you come here alone?" Hazel looked him up and down.

"Yes, what's the matter?" Dustin replied.

"It's nothing. I just want to remind you that Stonia is a place filled with all sorts of people. With such a priceless treasure in your possession, if you don't have the backing of a major power, you might be targeted as soon as you step out of the Emperor's Pavilion," Hazel warned.

"Is the security really that bad in the capital?" Dustin raised an eyebrow.

"Even though it's the capital, the world is a jungle where the weak are preyed upon by the strong. With a treasure like this beauty painting, it's enough to attract the attention of many forces," Hazel said with a half-smile.

"Thank you for the reminder, but I'm not too worried about someone trying to steal from me," Dustin said casually.

"Sir, the waters in Stonia are deeper than you can imagine. Moreover, you're alone and vulnerable. How can you contend with those wolves and tigers out there?" Hazel chuckled.

"So, according to Miss Hazel, what should I do?" Dustin asked.

"It's simple. Just find the protection of a major power, and you'll be safe and sound. For example, my Lancaster family," Hazel suggested.





Chapter 1326: 108th Boyfriend

Finally, Hazel got to the point. "Sir, I think you're quite talented. How about becoming a retainer of my Lancaster family? With the protection of my Lancaster family, you can roam the entire Southern City without fear. Apart from the two major powers, the Strartford Family & Torby Family no other force would dare to touch you."

"Miss Hazel, are you trying to recruit me just because of the beauty painting?" Dustin probed.

"The beauty painting?" Hazel smiled faintly. "Though it's a precious item, I'm not in need of money. For me, it has little value."

"Oh? Then why are you helping me?" Dustin was curious.

"I may not need money, but I do need people," Hazel said, extending her slender jade finger and gently caressing Dustin's chest. She looked lively and radiant as she continued, "You seem lean, but surprisingly strong. I guess I didn't make a mistake. Would you be interested in becoming my 108th boyfriend?"

"Huh?" Dustin furrowed his brow and instinctively took a step back. He had thought she was after the beauty painting, but it turned out she was interested in his body. She was quite a rascal!

The 108th boyfriend? Was she trying to collect the entire set of heroes like the legendary Liangshan heroes?

"Sir, are you intimidated by me?" Hazel teased, her lips curving into a smile. "Don't worry, I was just joking with you. I don't really have 108 boyfriends. Even if I did, you'd be my new favorite, and I promise I won't mistreat you."

After saying that, she moved to touch him again, but Dustin stopped her with a single hand. "Miss Hazel, please restrain yourself."

"Sir, what's with your reaction?" Hazel raised an eyebrow, her tone tinged with disappointment. "We're both adults. There's no need to be so uptight. Life is short, so why not enjoy it?"

"Miss Hazel, you seem to be intoxicated. It's time for you to rest," Dustin said coldly.

"Mr. Rhys, what's wrong with your reaction?" Hazel was puzzled at first, but then she burst into laughter, her delicate figure trembling with mirth. Tears welled up in her eyes as she continued, "Hahaha... this is interesting. Mr. Rhys, you're the first person to reject me like this. I've noticed that I'm becoming more and more interested in you."

She considered herself top-notch in both looks and figure. With a seductive glance, she could easily captivate most men.

Even if some self-righteous guys appeared uninterested on the surface, once she revealed her identity and was willing to spend money, they would quickly fall for her charms. No man could resist her allure.

However, Dustin was an exception—a unique man she had never encountered before. She had a wealth of experience in captivating men and was confident in her ability to read them like an open book.

She could easily tell if a man was lying or not. Dustin's recent actions, expressions, and words had all proven that he was not lying. His clear and calm gaze didn't deceive.

In other words, her tried-and-true seduction techniques had failed for the first time with Dustin. This unexpected sense of defeat only fueled her excitement.

She decided that no matter the cost, she would win this man over!

"Miss Hazel, there's nothing else. I'll take my leave," Dustin said as he noticed her peculiar behavior and promptly departed.

"Follow him and observe from the shadows. When the situation becomes critical, swoop in and play the hero," Hazel ordered, snapping her fingers. Her eyes sparkled like a hunter who had just discovered a new and fascinating prey.





Chapter 1327: A Bunch of Useless Attacker

When Dustin walked out of the Emperor's Pavilion, he quickly noticed some unfriendly glances.

With a quick glance around, he realized that at least two factions had their eyes on him.

It seemed that Hazel was right; even though the Beauty Portrait was a treasure, it could also attract a lot of trouble.

The innocent bear the sins of the guilty.

Ordinary people, even if they obtained such a treasure, wouldn't be able to keep it.

Fortunately, Dustin was not an ordinary person.

"Daring to have designs on me, let's see if you have the ability."

Dustin coldly snorted and then casually walked toward a secluded area.

The two factions discreetly followed him, one on the left and one on the right.

After walking for about ten minutes, Dustin carried the Beauty Portrait and turned into a rarely visited old alley.

"A perfect opportunity! Follow him quickly!"

Over a dozen black-clad individuals, carrying knives, chased after Dustin into the old alley.

Upon entering, they all froze.

Because they discovered it was a dead end.

And the Dustin who had just entered mysteriously disappeared!

"What's going on? Where did that kid go?"

"Weird, I clearly saw him come in, why did he suddenly vanish?"

"Damn! Could it be a ghost?"

A group of black-clad individuals exchanged puzzled looks, filled with doubt.

How could someone just disappear out of nowhere?

"Are you looking for me?"

A cold voice suddenly sounded behind them.

Everyone jumped and quickly turned around, only to find that, somehow, Dustin had already appeared at the mouth of the alley.

"You...weren't you in front of us? How did you end up behind us?" one of the black-clad individuals exclaimed in surprise.

At this moment, the sky had grown dark, and the moonlight flowed like water.

Dustin tilted his head slightly, half of his face concealed in the darkness, emanating an icy aura from head to toe.

This added an even more eerie and terrifying atmosphere to the already ominous situation.

"You've been following me for so long, what exactly do you want?" Dustin asked coldly.

"So, you've already noticed. Impressive," the leader of the black-clad individuals took a step forward and demanded, "Kid, save your breath! Money can buy silence. If you don't want to die, hand over what you're holding!"

"The item is right here. If you have the guts, come and take it," Dustin placed the box containing the Beauty Portrait gently on the ground and gestured with his hand.

"Hmph! We don't toast to people, only force them to drink! Attack together!"

The lead black-clad individual shouted, and immediately his comrades rushed forward.

Dustin gave a cold smile, took a step, and turned into a streak of black light, directly crashing into the midst of the group.

A series of agonized screams followed as all the black-clad individuals were sent flying into the air and then crashed heavily to the ground.

For a moment, they were sprawled on the ground, groaning in pain.

"Tell me, who sent you?" Dustin grabbed the throat of the leader and lifted him up forcibly.

"I... I don't know... we were just doing it for money," the leader stammered in fear, his body trembling.

They had thought it was just a routine job, never expecting their target to be so formidable.

With just one glance, he had defeated them all.

It was terrifying!

"Don't know? Or not willing to say?" Dustin slowly applied pressure with his fingers.

The leader felt his breath catch, his face turning red, veins bulging on his neck, and his hands and feet frantically struggling.

"I really... really don't know. We have rules, we never inquire about the origin of our employer," the leader gasped out in agony.

"Useless!" Dustin muttered in disdain.

Dustin lost interest and, with a flick of his hand, slammed the leader against the wall, rendering him unconscious.

These people only knew basic fighting skills and couldn't even be considered martial artists.





Chapter 1328: Arrange A Meeting

From this, it was clear that the mastermind behind this didn't regard him highly.

Or perhaps, they didn't have much power.

Dustin dusted off his clothes and was about to leave when several black business cars suddenly stopped at the entrance of the alley.

As the car doors opened, a group of strong and well-built thugs in tough attire descended in a formidable manner.

These thugs were armed and immediately surrounded Dustin, leaving him no chance to escape.

"Clear the way!"

At this moment, a man with bulging muscles, smoking a cigar, swaggered over.

The man had a scar on his face, and his appearance was menacing and aggressive; he clearly wasn't someone to be trifled with.

"Is it you?" Dustin squinted slightly and quickly recognized the scar-faced man.

The newcomer was none other than Lenny, the one who had caused trouble at the Healwell Clinic during the day.

"Kid! We meet again!" Lenny puffed on his cigar, put his hands on his hips, and draped a mink coat over his shoulders.

He carried himself as if he were the boss.

"What did you just call me?" Dustin raised an eyebrow.

"What? Deaf now? I called you a kid!" Lenny stared with widened eyes and said menacingly.

Three minutes later...

"Big...big brother, let's talk it out, please don't hit my face," Lenny crawled on the ground with a bruised and swollen nose, completely changing his arrogant demeanor from before. He now looked terrified and cringed, like a startled quail, his face filled with panic and fear.

Around him, his men were sprawled in all directions on the ground.

This time, to be safe, he had brought around twenty or thirty men with him, but in less than three minutes, all his subordinates had been knocked down.

Even worse, he couldn't even follow Dustin's movements.

He felt as if everything happened in a blur, and then his subordinates fell one by one like dominoes.

It was clear that he had picked a fight with the wrong person.

"Lenny, to be honest, I preferred your previous unruly self," Dustin pulled him up.

"Big... big brother, don't joke around," Lenny said with a mournful face. "I was blind and disrespectful just now. I hope you can be magnanimous and spare me. I promise, I will never be your enemy again!"

"Just based on those words, you think you can get away?" Dustin said calmly.

"Big brother, what do you want to know? I'll tell you everything, nothing held back!" Lenny quickly realized his situation.

"Smart," Dustin smiled faintly. "Let me ask you, did Sebastian send you?"

"Yes, that's right. It was butler Sebastian who wanted your Jade Dew Ointment formula, so he sent us to snatch it," Lenny nodded repeatedly.

"Besides sending you, did Sebastian involve anyone else?" Dustin asked again.

"No, there was no one else. Mr. Sebastian... doesn't seem to think highly of you," Lenny replied humbly.

"Very well."

Dustin let go of him and said, "Go back and tell Sebastian to arrange a meeting place for tomorrow. We can talk things out properly."

"What?" Lenny was momentarily stunned, not quite understanding.

Negotiate with Sebastian Strartford? Wouldn't that be walking into the lion's den?

What was this person up to?

"What's the matter? Any problems?" Dustin maintained his smile.

"No problem, no problem. I promise to convey the message," Lenny forced a smile.

"Alright, you can go now," Dustin waved his hand.

"Thank you, big brother! Thank you, big brother!"

With a pleased expression, Lenny bowed repeatedly, then limped his way back to the cars.

"Wait..."

Dustin's voice sounded again, freezing Lenny in place, his body drenched in sweat. "Big... big brother... you're not going to change your mind, are you?"

"In the future, if you want to act cool, don't wear a fake fur coat. It's embarrassing," Dustin said with a chuckle.

With those words, Dustin turned and walked away, leaving Lenny standing there in a daze, his ears burning red.





Chapter 1329: Dragon Blood Ginseng

In the Emperor's Pavilion, on the second floor by the window.

Hazel swirled her wine glass, gazing at the watery night outside. Her beautiful eyes reflected the moon and stars, exuding a unique charm.

"Miss..."

At this moment, a suited bodyguard approached and whispered, "There was an unexpected incident just now. The target we were watching disappeared."

"Disappeared?" Hazel raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"The target has impressive skills. He knocked down dozens of people barehanded and then mysteriously vanished," the bodyguard replied, bowing his head.

"Oh? So, he's quite skilled?" Hazel smiled, her eyes filled with intrigue. "I thought he was just handsome, but it seems he has some abilities. Investigate who he is and find out his background. If he has a decent background, try to recruit him."

"Yes!"

The bodyguard nodded and quickly left.

"Interesting, very interesting. It's been a long time since I've met someone this intriguing."

Hazel smiled faintly and then raised her wine glass, finishing the contents in one gulp.

She had a feeling that she might have stumbled upon something valuable.

The next day, in the early morning.

Dustin left the hotel and headed straight for Healwell Medical Center.

After shaking off the pursuers last night, he had found a hotel near Healwell Medical Center to stay in.

His primary objective in coming to Stonia was to cure Uncle Lorenzo and investigate the events of the past. With his current strength, combined with the help of the Heavenly Spirit Pearl, he was qualified to seek the truth.

Five minutes later, Dustin walked into Healwell Medical Center.

Healwell Medical Center was as lively as ever today, filled with elderly people seeking medical treatment. The place buzzed with chatter, resembling a vegetable market with constant noise and commotion.

Dustin had already informed Dr. Elijah in advance, so he headed straight to the second floor.

The door to the second floor was already open, and Elijah had been waiting in the living room for a while.

"Dustin Rhys, you're here? Please have a seat."

Dr. Elijah gestured with one hand and poured a cup of tea, expressing his apologies, "I'm really sorry about last night. Although Roselyn can be headstrong, she doesn't have any ill intentions. I hope you won't judge her too harshly."

"It's alright, what's done is done. I just hope she can restrain her temper in the future," Dustin replied with a faint smile.

Roselyn was willful and capricious, often acting unreasonably. If it weren't for Elijah's sake, he wouldn't be so polite.

Of course, as long as she didn't cross his bottom line, there were some things he wouldn't bother to argue about.

"I'll make sure to discipline her properly in the future. Otherwise, at this rate, that girl will cause a big disaster sooner or later," Dr. Elijah said with some regret.

"By the way, Dr. Elijah, how is Uncle Lorenzo's condition?" Dustin changed the topic.

"I just examined him, and for now, Mr. Lorenzo's condition is stable. However, it can only be maintained for ten days to half a month. We must quickly refine the Bone-Cleansing Pill," Elijah replied with a grave expression.

"Have there been any updates on the three main ingredients for the Bane-Cleansing Pill?" Dustin inquired.

"I've already had someone inquire about it, but we still don't know the whereabouts of Iceheart Lotus and Golden Marrow Jade. However, I do know where Dragon Blood Ginseng is located, but it's a bit difficult to obtain," Elijah sighed.

"Oh? Where is it?" Dustin suddenly became interested.

"As far as I know, the Dragon Blood Ginseng is stored as a treasure by the Torbys family and is not easily revealed," Elijah explained.

"The Torbys family, one of the Eight Noble Families?" Dustin raised an eyebrow.

"That's correct," Elijah nodded. "I tried to inquire about it, but Mr. Torbys's health has always been poor, and this Dragon Blood Ginseng is kept as a life-saving treasure. It's almost impossible to purchase it from the Torbys family."

"It's indeed a bit troublesome, but we still have to try."

Dustin contemplated and said, "Let me handle this matter. Please, Dr. Elijah, continue to work on the Bone-Cleansing Pill, and try to find out the whereabouts of the other two medicinal ingredients."

"No problem. I've already contacted my friends in the medical community, and it shouldn't take too long to gather information on the other two herbs," Elijah replied with a serious expression.





Chapter 1330: Meeting Fixed

"Master, Mr. Rhys, I didn't expect to find you both here," Carlos and Roselyn suddenly walked in.

"Hmph! Here to freeload again!"

Roselyn curled her lips, looking quite disdainful. She had been holding a grudge since last night, especially after witnessing the scene where Dustin and Hazel were together. She harbored a deep resentment.

"Mr. Rhys, I heard that you were robbed last night. Are you okay?" Carlos showed a concerned expression.

"Thank you for your concern, Mr. Carlos. They were just a group of small fry, and I didn't pay them much attention," Dustin replied. Then he changed the subject, "By the way, Mr. Carlos, how did you know that I was robbed?"

"Huh?"

Carlos's face stiffened for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure. "Oh, I have very reliable sources, and in this area of South City, nothing can escape my watchful eye."

"I see." Dustin smiled with a meaningful expression.

He had been wondering who came up with the idea to steal the Beauty Portrait last night. It was highly likely to be Carlos.

However, he didn't bother to expose him. This kind of pseudo-gentleman might still be useful.

"Mr. Rhys, a commoner is innocent, but holding a priceless treasure like the Beauty Portrait is like holding a hot potato. With your status, you can't handle it," Carlos said earnestly.

"Oh? What do you suggest I do, Mr. Carlos?" Dustin asked in return.

"It's simple. Act quickly and get rid of it as soon as possible to avoid bigger troubles," Carlos said with a serious tone. "If you trust my advice, you can hand over the Beauty Portrait to me. I can find someone to auction it off for you and guarantee you a good price."

Once the Beauty Portrait was in his hands, he could determine the selling price.

He was just a bumpkin who hadn't seen much of the world. What did he know?

"An auction, huh? I'll consider it," Dustin pretended to hesitate.

"Don't think too much about it. The longer you keep it, the more dangerous it becomes. I'm just looking out for your best interests!" Carlos seemed a bit impatient.

"Ring ring ring..."

Just as Dustin was about to say something, his cell phone suddenly rang. When he answered it, Lenny's voice quickly came through, "Kid! You're meeting with Steward Sebastian, right? I've already set up the meeting for you. If you have the guts, come over!"

"Did you just call me something?" Dustin's voice grew colder.

"Li... Brother," Lenny was about to shout, but it seemed he realized something. His voice hesitated as he said, "Bro, you're here for negotiations, right? Sebastian has invited you to meet at the Dragon Phoenix Teahouse. Hurry up and come over."

"The Dragon Phoenix Teahouse, huh? Alright, I'll be there in an hour."

Dustin hung up the phone and turned to Elijah, saying, "Dr. Elijah, I have some business to attend to. I'll inform you if I have any updates."
"Sure," Elijah nodded.

"Mr. Dustin Rhys, I just heard you say you're going to the Dragon Phoenix Teahouse?" Carlos suddenly asked.

"That's right, what's the matter?" Dustin glanced at him.

"Do you know that the Dragon Phoenix Teahouse is owned by the Stratford family?" Carlos inquired.

"Of course, I know. I'm going there to negotiate with Sebastian. It's better to resolve some matters early and avoid trouble," Dustin replied calmly.

"Dustin, are you out of your mind?" Carlos slapped his thigh and quickly advised, "The Stratford family has ambitions, and they've been coveting your formula for the Jade Dew Ointment. If you go for negotiations alone, won't you be walking into the lion's den?"

"Who's the lion, and who's the lamb, is still uncertain," Dustin said with a calm expression.

"Dustin, I won't stop you if you insist on going, but for safety's sake, I suggest you write down the Jade Dew Ointment formula and entrust it to us. If the Stratford family can't get their hands on the formula, they probably won't harm you either," Carlos quickly came up with this plan.

Not getting the Beauty Portrait but obtaining the Jade Dew Ointment formula would also be an excellent outcome.

"Mr. Carlos, you are truly a sincere person, always looking out for me," Dustin said with a half-smile.

This guy, he wanted the Beauty Portrait one moment and the Jade Dew Ointment formula the next. He was insatiable.

"Where, where, we're all friends, helping each other is only natural. Just wait for a moment; I'll find paper and a pen for you. You can write down the formula, and I'll keep it safe for you," Carlos said.

After saying that, he eagerly rushed downstairs.

Two minutes later, when Carlos returned upstairs with paper and a pen, he found that Dustin had already disappeared without a trace.
 

honour

Active Villager
Aug 25, 2023
137
144
1,150
I really like the way Dustin is behaving towards Carlos, it is as though he is a fool on the other hand intertaining the original fool Carlos
 

jrsongco5

Villager
Sep 13, 2023
31
26
900
Chapter 1321: Answer is Correct

"Dong!"
As he watched the paper that Carlos had just heavily slapped down, the manager couldn't help but be slightly stunned, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

He hadn't expected that the other party could actually answer it.

The third riddle was much more difficult than the previous two.

You see, the character '醢' (hǎi) itself is a rare word, and few people know it, let alone write it.

And to combine the riddle's context and guess this obscure character made it even more challenging.

When he drew this question just now, he thought no one could answer it and was prepared to declare it void.

But to his surprise, Carlos, who seemed inexperienced, was the first to answer, which was truly astonishing.

It seemed that there must be someone behind him guiding him.

"Manager Kaizen, what are you waiting for? Give me a straightforward answer. Is this character correct?" Carlos urged.

Initially full of confidence, he suddenly became nervous when he saw the manager's unusual expression.

"Young Master Carlos, I advise you not to struggle. Just by looking at Manager Kaizen's expression, you're definitely wrong again this time," teased Hazel.

"If you don't have the ability, just leave early and stop embarrassing yourself here!"

A group of dignitaries in the audience joined in the jeering.

"Could he be wrong again?"

Carlos frowned slightly, unable to hide the unease on his face.

"Hmph! You talk so big, but in the end, it's still wrong, isn't it? I knew I shouldn't have trusted you!" Roselyn glared fiercely at Dustin.

How could someone inferior to even himself answer such a difficult riddle?

"Don't misunderstand, everyone..."

Realizing the situation, the manager hurriedly said, "Young Master Carlos did not answer incorrectly. On the contrary, he answered it absolutely correctly. The solution to the third riddle is indeed the character '醢' (hǎi)."

"What? He got it right?"

As soon as these words came out, the smile on Hazel's face instantly froze.

The dignitaries who had just been making a commotion were now all looking at each other in confusion.

As for Roselyn, the words that were on the tip of her tongue were forcibly swallowed back.

"Manager Kaizen, are you sure you're not mistaken? These guys with wooden heads actually answered this question correctly?" Hazel couldn't believe it.

Even the literary genius she had paid a high price to invite couldn't answer it in a short time, let alone Roselyn and Carlos.

"I saw it clearly, there's no mistake. Young Master Carlos did answer it correctly," the manager nodded slightly.

"Well then, tell us, what character did he write?" Hazel demanded.

"It's the character '醢' (hǎi)."

The manager displayed the character Carlos had written clearly in front of everyone.

After seeing it, many people nodded in recognition.

"Is it really this character?" Hazel asked the scholarly man next to her.

"One on the right and one on the left, three rooms in a square, southeast upright. With 'right' and 'left,' three square rooms correspond to the pictographic character '皿.' This character '醢' (hǎi) is answered absolutely correctly, even I didn't expect it," the scholarly man gave his evaluation.

"It shouldn't be..." Hazel frowned. "Roselyn is a woman who looks down on others and has little talent. How could she solve such a difficult riddle? Could it be that there is another expert helping her?"
As she spoke, her gaze swept over everyone and finally settled on Dustin.

Because compared to the astonishment and surprise of the people around, he remained very calm, as if he had expected this all along.

"Hahaha... I got it right, finally!" Carlos was excited.

His mistakes on the previous two questions had left him losing face and subject to ridicule. This third question had finally allowed him to regain a bit of dignity.

"Mr. Rhys, I didn't expect you to be good at solving riddles too. Impressive!" Dr. Elijah gave him a thumbs up.

This guy was truly versatile, excelling in both academics and martial arts.

"I've read a lot of books, so it's not a big deal," Dustin said with a faint smile.

"Mr. Rhys, don't be modest. Thanks to you just now, or else we would have lost again," Carlos happily returned to his seat.

"Hmph! What's so impressive about it? It's just luck!" Roselyn pouted, clearly dissatisfied.





Chapter 1322: Ridiculously Unreal

In her opinion, Dustin had guessed the answer by sheer luck or perhaps had seen a similar riddle before, which made him answer quickly.

"Mr. Rhys, the next riddles are all up to you. After we succeed, I'll definitely show my gratitude!" Carlos clasped his fists at Dustin.

"For the sake of Dr. Elijah's favor, I'll do my best," Dustin yawned.

If it weren't for the need to save Healwell Medical Center, he wouldn't bother getting involved.

"Roselyn, I can't believe there's still someone intelligent among you."

Hazel's voice drifted in again, "But don't celebrate too soon; we're still in the lead. The next seven riddles are the key to victory."

"Hmph! Bring it on!" Roselyn raised her head defiantly, showing no fear.

"Manager Kaizen, please present the next riddle!" Hazel urged.

The chubby man nodded and then took out the fourth card from the box, saying, "Please listen to the fourth riddle: 'Leaving for half a month, guess a character.'"

Before he could finish speaking, Dustin calmly uttered a word, "Brain."

"Congratulations to this guest for the correct answer," the manager announced the result directly.

"Huh?"
Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned.

The riddle had just been presented, and they hadn't even had a chance to think, but someone had already given an answer?

What kind of joke was this?

Could it be so easy?

"Wait! Why is the answer 'brain'? Can you explain?" someone raised a question.

"Taking the upper part of the character ' Banyue' and combining it with the character ' moon' naturally forms the character '脑' (brain)," Dustin explained succinctly.

"Oh, I see, it sounds quite simple when you put it that way. No wonder he answered so quickly," everyone suddenly realized.

"Manager Kaizen, continue with the next riddle!" Hazel was somewhat reluctant.

"Please listen to the fifth riddle: 'Two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, guess an idiom,'" the chubby man said.

"Lacking clothing and food," Dustin immediately replied.

"Congratulations to this guest for the correct answer," the manager nodded.

"..."
The faces of the crowd froze, and they were left speechless.

It was way too fast.

They couldn't react at all.

"Please listen to the sixth riddle: 'There is a bamboo forest on the ground, and one inch of gold beneath the earth. Guess a word.'"

The word "wait."

"Please listen to the seventh riddle: 'A blind man touching an elephant, honeyed lotus seeds, what do they represent?'"

"A blind man touching an elephant represents not seeing the big picture; honeyed lotus seeds represent sharing sweetness and bitterness." Dustin replied.

"Please listen to the eighth riddle: ' Guess a four-character common phrase."

" ”The rat, the ugly, and the ox are the first and second animals in the Chinese zodiac, so they should be born in the first and second zodiac signs.”

"Ninth riddle: 'The phoenix flute sounds, the jade pot shines, and the fish and dragons dance all night!'"

"Lantern Festival."

"..."
The questions and answers went back and forth, with their speed increasing.

No matter what the manager asked, Dustin answered without hesitation.

And every single answer was correct.

The other guests around them had no chance to speak.

Even the talented scholar hired by Hazel had paid a high price to invite was left dumbfounded and utterly shocked.

Was this really a lantern riddle guessing game?

Was he reading from the answers?

This was ridiculously unreal!





Chapter 1323: One Man Show

In this moment, everyone was shocked by Dustin's rapid-fire answers.

It was incredibly fast, too fast for anyone to keep up with.

Their brains seemed to have crashed, and they had completely lost any desire to compete.

What should have been a lively competition among the participants had turned into Dustin's one-man show.

Even the Manager who had been asking the questions was sweating profusely by the end.

These riddles were randomly selected, and they covered a wide range of topics. Even with extensive knowledge, it would be impossible to answer so quickly and accurately. If it weren't for the high level of confidentiality in the Imperial Tower, he would have suspected that Dustin had seen the correct answers and memorized them all.

"Th... the last question."
The Manager swallowed hard and read the riddle from the card, "Red, yellow, blue, white can transform; like a phoenix, like a dragon, it's an incarnation; it travels a thousand miles without stopping, a light breeze blows it clean..."

"Cloud," Dustin once again answered without hesitation.

"All... answers correct!" the Manager struggled to utter a few words.

He was truly amazed; he had never seen someone like this.

"Oh my god! All correct? Is this guy cheating?"

"Why is he going so hard? He's making me look dumb!"

"Damn it! I have reason to suspect that this kid is a plant hired by the Imperial Tower!"
...
After a brief silence, the entire scene erupted into chaos.

Although it was just a lantern riddle guessing game, Dustin's performance was incredibly outstanding, completely overshadowing everyone else.

Those who had come prepared had become the butt of the joke.

They say participation is what matters, but the problem was that they didn't even get a chance to participate.

"Oh my god! He answered seven questions in a row. Dustin is going all out!"

"No, you're wrong. He got all ten right!"

The disciples of Healwell Clinic looked at Dustin with wide eyes, as if they were seeing a monster.

"How... how is this possible? How could he get them all right?!" Roselyn widened her eyes, her face full of disbelief.
If Dustin had gotten a few questions right, she could attribute it to luck.

Now, even if she didn't want to admit it, she had to acknowledge that he was far superior to her.

"Well... well done!" Carlos couldn't help but burst into laughter.

He had been unsure before, but Dustin's performance had pleasantly surprised him.

"This kid is truly a genius," Elijah stroked his beard and smiled, his eyes shining brightly.

Young talents with such extraordinary abilities were extremely rare.

He not only had the thought of passing on his legacy to Dustin but also considered marrying his granddaughter to him.

"I didn't expect such a dark horse to emerge halfway. It's really a miscalculation!" Hazel stared at Dustin with intense focus, as if trying to see something.

He was dressed plainly but carried an extraordinary air.

His expression was calm, his sharpness concealed, and even after a resounding victory, he showed no emotional fluctuations.

Clearly, this was a man with a deep understanding of the world, a master who concealed his true strength.

"Manager Kaizen, are there any more riddles?" Dustin asked casually.

"No...," the manager smiled reluctantly, "Sir, you are truly knowledgeable. I admire you greatly. May I ask for your surname?"





Chapter 1324: Unpleasant Bargain

"Rhys."

"Mr. Rhys, congratulations on winning the grand prize."

The manager held a box containing the priceless beauty painting and walked up to Dustin respectfully. He said, "On behalf of the Imperial Tower, I present this invaluable beauty painting to you."

"I'll inspect the goods first."

Carlos was the first to take the box and opened it. His eyes couldn't help but light up. "It's truly a precious item!"

After confirming its authenticity, Carlos couldn't help but feel a bit conflicted.

After all, this treasure had been won by Dustin. If he simply accepted it without saying a few polite words, he might be criticized for it. The best approach was to let Dustin take the initiative to offer it, and he would graciously accept, benefiting from the treasure as well as gaining a good reputation.

Perfect!

"Mr. Rhys, my friend, although I have admired this beauty painting for a long time, I can't take what you won by your own skill. I can't take what belongs to another."

Carlos spoke with an expression of reluctantly giving up. He handed the box over halfway, then suddenly stopped. "Of course, if you really don't like it, I can hold onto it for you, and when the time comes..."

"Oh, thanks."

Before he could finish, Dustin calmly accepted the box and didn't say anything more.

"???"

Carlos was stunned.

This wasn't following the script at all!

Normally, shouldn't there be some polite refusals and words of courtesy?

Why did he just accept it outright?

Did I not make my reluctance clear enough?

"Hey! Mr. Rhys! What do you mean? Are you planning to keep this beauty painting all to yourself?"
Seeing this, Roselyn immediately became displeased.

"Keep it to myself?"

Dustin raised an eyebrow slightly and asked, "Manager Kaizen, according to today's rules, whoever answers the most questions correctly gets this beauty painting, right?"

"That's correct," the manager nodded.

"Since I answered the most questions, shouldn't the beauty painting belong to me?" Dustin asked again.

"Exactly," the manager nodded again.

"Then it's strange. This was originally mine, so how can you call it keeping it all to myself?"

As he spoke, Dustin's gaze had shifted towards Roselyn, carrying a hint of questioning.

He might not be very interested in the beauty painting, but that didn't mean he wanted to give it away for free, especially when someone was trying to demand it as if it were their right.

"Although the beauty painting was won by you, doesn't that mean we had no merit at all?"

Roselyn spoke earnestly, "Setting aside all of this, if it weren't for Senior Brother bringing you into the Imperial Tower, would you have had a chance to obtain this treasure? Shouldn't you show some gratitude?"

"You're absolutely right! One should repay kindness received. Without Senior Brother's help, you wouldn't even have had the opportunity to answer questions. Therefore, this beauty painting should rightfully be given to Senior Brother!"
Elmer echoed in agreement.

"From what you're saying, as long as I enter the Imperial Tower, I have to owe my life to your Senior Brother?"

Dustin's lips curled in mockery. "Miss Roselyn, please understand one thing. Without my intervention, you still wouldn't have obtained the beauty painting, and because of your impulsive behavior, you might have lost the entire Healwell Clinic!"

"Nonsense!"

Roselyn was defiant, "Do you think we couldn't have won without you? That's a joke! I was just warming up earlier. Even if you hadn't spoken, I would have easily secured the victory!"

"Heh, you answered three questions incorrectly. Do you really think anyone would believe that?" Dustin sneered.

"I...I just made some mistakes earlier," Roselyn said with a forced smile.

But her voice unconsciously softened, clearly showing signs of wavering.

"Roselyn, you're shameless!"

At this moment, Hazel swayed her slender waist and walked over, her voice carrying a strange tone. "This handsome guy just helped you and saved Healwell Clinic from a disaster, and you're not grateful at all. Instead, you even have your eyes on the beauty painting. I have to ask, where's your face? Did a dog eat it?"

These words directly turned Roselyn's face red, as if she had eaten something unpleasant.





Chapter 1325: Offer Protection

"What are you talking about?!" Roselyn was furious, jumping and yelling as if she were a cat with its tail stepped on.

"Did I say anything wrong? If this handsome guy hadn't helped, you would have lost everything, and yet you're still arguing here. It's like you have no self-awareness."

Hazel crossed her arms, pouted, and even gave Dustin a seductive look after she was done, saying, "Handsome guy, oh~!"

The 'oh' was drawn out, carrying a hint of flirtatiousness.

"Okay! So, you two are in cahoots!"

Roselyn looked left and right, suddenly as if she had realized something. "No wonder you two have been giving each other meaningful looks the whole time. It turns out you've been joined force!"

"Idiot!"

Hazel rolled her eyes and was left speechless.

This woman, did she have poop in her head? She spoke without thinking, it was truly baffling.

"Forget it, Junior Sister. Since Dustin won the beauty painting, we can't just take it from him. It's up to him how he wants to handle it; we can't interfere," Carlos patted Roselyn's shoulder.

Although he maintained a calm appearance, his eyes turned cold.

This guy had no manners at all.

If he had graciously handed over the beauty painting, Carlos would have owed him a favor. But now that he wanted to keep it for himself, he shouldn't be surprised if Carlos took some measures.

"Hmph! Remember this, today's matter isn't over!" Roselyn glared at the two of them angrily and then left in a huff.

"Dustin, this girl is too headstrong. Don't take it to heart. If there's anything, we can discuss it tomorrow," Elijah said his farewell, following his granddaughter to prevent her from doing anything reckless.

"Dustin, you take care of yourself. We'll see you around." Carlos smiled politely, then turned and left.

Seeing this, the other disciples of Healwell Clinic also stood up and left one by one.

In response to all of this, Dustin just smiled and remained silent.

No matter whether it was Roselyn or Carlos, neither of them seemed like a good person.

The former was headstrong and arrogant, while the later was cunning and untrustworthy.

The beauty painting was invaluable, and trying to take it from Dustin empty-handed was not going to be easy.

"Sir, please wait a moment," Hazel suddenly called out as Dustin was preparing to leave.

"Do you need something?" Dustin turned back.

"Sir, did you come here alone?" Hazel looked him up and down.

"Yes, what's the matter?" Dustin replied.

"It's nothing. I just want to remind you that Stonia is a place filled with all sorts of people. With such a priceless treasure in your possession, if you don't have the backing of a major power, you might be targeted as soon as you step out of the Emperor's Pavilion," Hazel warned.

"Is the security really that bad in the capital?" Dustin raised an eyebrow.

"Even though it's the capital, the world is a jungle where the weak are preyed upon by the strong. With a treasure like this beauty painting, it's enough to attract the attention of many forces," Hazel said with a half-smile.

"Thank you for the reminder, but I'm not too worried about someone trying to steal from me," Dustin said casually.

"Sir, the waters in Stonia are deeper than you can imagine. Moreover, you're alone and vulnerable. How can you contend with those wolves and tigers out there?" Hazel chuckled.

"So, according to Miss Hazel, what should I do?" Dustin asked.

"It's simple. Just find the protection of a major power, and you'll be safe and sound. For example, my Lancaster family," Hazel suggested.





Chapter 1326: 108th Boyfriend

Finally, Hazel got to the point. "Sir, I think you're quite talented. How about becoming a retainer of my Lancaster family? With the protection of my Lancaster family, you can roam the entire Southern City without fear. Apart from the two major powers, the Strartford Family & Torby Family no other force would dare to touch you."

"Miss Hazel, are you trying to recruit me just because of the beauty painting?" Dustin probed.

"The beauty painting?" Hazel smiled faintly. "Though it's a precious item, I'm not in need of money. For me, it has little value."

"Oh? Then why are you helping me?" Dustin was curious.

"I may not need money, but I do need people," Hazel said, extending her slender jade finger and gently caressing Dustin's chest. She looked lively and radiant as she continued, "You seem lean, but surprisingly strong. I guess I didn't make a mistake. Would you be interested in becoming my 108th boyfriend?"

"Huh?" Dustin furrowed his brow and instinctively took a step back. He had thought she was after the beauty painting, but it turned out she was interested in his body. She was quite a rascal!

The 108th boyfriend? Was she trying to collect the entire set of heroes like the legendary Liangshan heroes?

"Sir, are you intimidated by me?" Hazel teased, her lips curving into a smile. "Don't worry, I was just joking with you. I don't really have 108 boyfriends. Even if I did, you'd be my new favorite, and I promise I won't mistreat you."

After saying that, she moved to touch him again, but Dustin stopped her with a single hand. "Miss Hazel, please restrain yourself."

"Sir, what's with your reaction?" Hazel raised an eyebrow, her tone tinged with disappointment. "We're both adults. There's no need to be so uptight. Life is short, so why not enjoy it?"

"Miss Hazel, you seem to be intoxicated. It's time for you to rest," Dustin said coldly.

"Mr. Rhys, what's wrong with your reaction?" Hazel was puzzled at first, but then she burst into laughter, her delicate figure trembling with mirth. Tears welled up in her eyes as she continued, "Hahaha... this is interesting. Mr. Rhys, you're the first person to reject me like this. I've noticed that I'm becoming more and more interested in you."

She considered herself top-notch in both looks and figure. With a seductive glance, she could easily captivate most men.

Even if some self-righteous guys appeared uninterested on the surface, once she revealed her identity and was willing to spend money, they would quickly fall for her charms. No man could resist her allure.

However, Dustin was an exception—a unique man she had never encountered before. She had a wealth of experience in captivating men and was confident in her ability to read them like an open book.

She could easily tell if a man was lying or not. Dustin's recent actions, expressions, and words had all proven that he was not lying. His clear and calm gaze didn't deceive.

In other words, her tried-and-true seduction techniques had failed for the first time with Dustin. This unexpected sense of defeat only fueled her excitement.

She decided that no matter the cost, she would win this man over!

"Miss Hazel, there's nothing else. I'll take my leave," Dustin said as he noticed her peculiar behavior and promptly departed.

"Follow him and observe from the shadows. When the situation becomes critical, swoop in and play the hero," Hazel ordered, snapping her fingers. Her eyes sparkled like a hunter who had just discovered a new and fascinating prey.





Chapter 1327: A Bunch of Useless Attacker

When Dustin walked out of the Emperor's Pavilion, he quickly noticed some unfriendly glances.

With a quick glance around, he realized that at least two factions had their eyes on him.

It seemed that Hazel was right; even though the Beauty Portrait was a treasure, it could also attract a lot of trouble.

The innocent bear the sins of the guilty.

Ordinary people, even if they obtained such a treasure, wouldn't be able to keep it.

Fortunately, Dustin was not an ordinary person.

"Daring to have designs on me, let's see if you have the ability."

Dustin coldly snorted and then casually walked toward a secluded area.

The two factions discreetly followed him, one on the left and one on the right.

After walking for about ten minutes, Dustin carried the Beauty Portrait and turned into a rarely visited old alley.

"A perfect opportunity! Follow him quickly!"

Over a dozen black-clad individuals, carrying knives, chased after Dustin into the old alley.

Upon entering, they all froze.

Because they discovered it was a dead end.

And the Dustin who had just entered mysteriously disappeared!

"What's going on? Where did that kid go?"

"Weird, I clearly saw him come in, why did he suddenly vanish?"

"Damn! Could it be a ghost?"

A group of black-clad individuals exchanged puzzled looks, filled with doubt.

How could someone just disappear out of nowhere?

"Are you looking for me?"

A cold voice suddenly sounded behind them.

Everyone jumped and quickly turned around, only to find that, somehow, Dustin had already appeared at the mouth of the alley.

"You...weren't you in front of us? How did you end up behind us?" one of the black-clad individuals exclaimed in surprise.

At this moment, the sky had grown dark, and the moonlight flowed like water.

Dustin tilted his head slightly, half of his face concealed in the darkness, emanating an icy aura from head to toe.

This added an even more eerie and terrifying atmosphere to the already ominous situation.

"You've been following me for so long, what exactly do you want?" Dustin asked coldly.

"So, you've already noticed. Impressive," the leader of the black-clad individuals took a step forward and demanded, "Kid, save your breath! Money can buy silence. If you don't want to die, hand over what you're holding!"

"The item is right here. If you have the guts, come and take it," Dustin placed the box containing the Beauty Portrait gently on the ground and gestured with his hand.

"Hmph! We don't toast to people, only force them to drink! Attack together!"

The lead black-clad individual shouted, and immediately his comrades rushed forward.

Dustin gave a cold smile, took a step, and turned into a streak of black light, directly crashing into the midst of the group.

A series of agonized screams followed as all the black-clad individuals were sent flying into the air and then crashed heavily to the ground.

For a moment, they were sprawled on the ground, groaning in pain.

"Tell me, who sent you?" Dustin grabbed the throat of the leader and lifted him up forcibly.

"I... I don't know... we were just doing it for money," the leader stammered in fear, his body trembling.

They had thought it was just a routine job, never expecting their target to be so formidable.

With just one glance, he had defeated them all.

It was terrifying!

"Don't know? Or not willing to say?" Dustin slowly applied pressure with his fingers.

The leader felt his breath catch, his face turning red, veins bulging on his neck, and his hands and feet frantically struggling.

"I really... really don't know. We have rules, we never inquire about the origin of our employer," the leader gasped out in agony.

"Useless!" Dustin muttered in disdain.

Dustin lost interest and, with a flick of his hand, slammed the leader against the wall, rendering him unconscious.

These people only knew basic fighting skills and couldn't even be considered martial artists.





Chapter 1328: Arrange A Meeting

From this, it was clear that the mastermind behind this didn't regard him highly.

Or perhaps, they didn't have much power.

Dustin dusted off his clothes and was about to leave when several black business cars suddenly stopped at the entrance of the alley.

As the car doors opened, a group of strong and well-built thugs in tough attire descended in a formidable manner.

These thugs were armed and immediately surrounded Dustin, leaving him no chance to escape.

"Clear the way!"

At this moment, a man with bulging muscles, smoking a cigar, swaggered over.

The man had a scar on his face, and his appearance was menacing and aggressive; he clearly wasn't someone to be trifled with.

"Is it you?" Dustin squinted slightly and quickly recognized the scar-faced man.

The newcomer was none other than Lenny, the one who had caused trouble at the Healwell Clinic during the day.

"Kid! We meet again!" Lenny puffed on his cigar, put his hands on his hips, and draped a mink coat over his shoulders.

He carried himself as if he were the boss.

"What did you just call me?" Dustin raised an eyebrow.

"What? Deaf now? I called you a kid!" Lenny stared with widened eyes and said menacingly.

Three minutes later...

"Big...big brother, let's talk it out, please don't hit my face," Lenny crawled on the ground with a bruised and swollen nose, completely changing his arrogant demeanor from before. He now looked terrified and cringed, like a startled quail, his face filled with panic and fear.

Around him, his men were sprawled in all directions on the ground.

This time, to be safe, he had brought around twenty or thirty men with him, but in less than three minutes, all his subordinates had been knocked down.

Even worse, he couldn't even follow Dustin's movements.

He felt as if everything happened in a blur, and then his subordinates fell one by one like dominoes.

It was clear that he had picked a fight with the wrong person.

"Lenny, to be honest, I preferred your previous unruly self," Dustin pulled him up.

"Big... big brother, don't joke around," Lenny said with a mournful face. "I was blind and disrespectful just now. I hope you can be magnanimous and spare me. I promise, I will never be your enemy again!"

"Just based on those words, you think you can get away?" Dustin said calmly.

"Big brother, what do you want to know? I'll tell you everything, nothing held back!" Lenny quickly realized his situation.

"Smart," Dustin smiled faintly. "Let me ask you, did Sebastian send you?"

"Yes, that's right. It was butler Sebastian who wanted your Jade Dew Ointment formula, so he sent us to snatch it," Lenny nodded repeatedly.

"Besides sending you, did Sebastian involve anyone else?" Dustin asked again.

"No, there was no one else. Mr. Sebastian... doesn't seem to think highly of you," Lenny replied humbly.

"Very well."

Dustin let go of him and said, "Go back and tell Sebastian to arrange a meeting place for tomorrow. We can talk things out properly."

"What?" Lenny was momentarily stunned, not quite understanding.

Negotiate with Sebastian Strartford? Wouldn't that be walking into the lion's den?

What was this person up to?

"What's the matter? Any problems?" Dustin maintained his smile.

"No problem, no problem. I promise to convey the message," Lenny forced a smile.

"Alright, you can go now," Dustin waved his hand.

"Thank you, big brother! Thank you, big brother!"

With a pleased expression, Lenny bowed repeatedly, then limped his way back to the cars.

"Wait..."

Dustin's voice sounded again, freezing Lenny in place, his body drenched in sweat. "Big... big brother... you're not going to change your mind, are you?"

"In the future, if you want to act cool, don't wear a fake fur coat. It's embarrassing," Dustin said with a chuckle.

With those words, Dustin turned and walked away, leaving Lenny standing there in a daze, his ears burning red.





Chapter 1329: Dragon Blood Ginseng

In the Emperor's Pavilion, on the second floor by the window.

Hazel swirled her wine glass, gazing at the watery night outside. Her beautiful eyes reflected the moon and stars, exuding a unique charm.

"Miss..."

At this moment, a suited bodyguard approached and whispered, "There was an unexpected incident just now. The target we were watching disappeared."

"Disappeared?" Hazel raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"The target has impressive skills. He knocked down dozens of people barehanded and then mysteriously vanished," the bodyguard replied, bowing his head.

"Oh? So, he's quite skilled?" Hazel smiled, her eyes filled with intrigue. "I thought he was just handsome, but it seems he has some abilities. Investigate who he is and find out his background. If he has a decent background, try to recruit him."

"Yes!"

The bodyguard nodded and quickly left.

"Interesting, very interesting. It's been a long time since I've met someone this intriguing."

Hazel smiled faintly and then raised her wine glass, finishing the contents in one gulp.

She had a feeling that she might have stumbled upon something valuable.


The next day, in the early morning.

Dustin left the hotel and headed straight for Healwell Medical Center.

After shaking off the pursuers last night, he had found a hotel near Healwell Medical Center to stay in.

His primary objective in coming to Stonia was to cure Uncle Lorenzo and investigate the events of the past. With his current strength, combined with the help of the Heavenly Spirit Pearl, he was qualified to seek the truth.

Five minutes later, Dustin walked into Healwell Medical Center.

Healwell Medical Center was as lively as ever today, filled with elderly people seeking medical treatment. The place buzzed with chatter, resembling a vegetable market with constant noise and commotion.

Dustin had already informed Dr. Elijah in advance, so he headed straight to the second floor.

The door to the second floor was already open, and Elijah had been waiting in the living room for a while.

"Dustin Rhys, you're here? Please have a seat."

Dr. Elijah gestured with one hand and poured a cup of tea, expressing his apologies, "I'm really sorry about last night. Although Roselyn can be headstrong, she doesn't have any ill intentions. I hope you won't judge her too harshly."

"It's alright, what's done is done. I just hope she can restrain her temper in the future," Dustin replied with a faint smile.

Roselyn was willful and capricious, often acting unreasonably. If it weren't for Elijah's sake, he wouldn't be so polite.

Of course, as long as she didn't cross his bottom line, there were some things he wouldn't bother to argue about.

"I'll make sure to discipline her properly in the future. Otherwise, at this rate, that girl will cause a big disaster sooner or later," Dr. Elijah said with some regret.

"By the way, Dr. Elijah, how is Uncle Lorenzo's condition?" Dustin changed the topic.

"I just examined him, and for now, Mr. Lorenzo's condition is stable. However, it can only be maintained for ten days to half a month. We must quickly refine the Bone-Cleansing Pill," Elijah replied with a grave expression.

"Have there been any updates on the three main ingredients for the Bane-Cleansing Pill?" Dustin inquired.

"I've already had someone inquire about it, but we still don't know the whereabouts of Iceheart Lotus and Golden Marrow Jade. However, I do know where Dragon Blood Ginseng is located, but it's a bit difficult to obtain," Elijah sighed.

"Oh? Where is it?" Dustin suddenly became interested.

"As far as I know, the Dragon Blood Ginseng is stored as a treasure by the Torbys family and is not easily revealed," Elijah explained.

"The Torbys family, one of the Eight Noble Families?" Dustin raised an eyebrow.

"That's correct," Elijah nodded. "I tried to inquire about it, but Mr. Torbys's health has always been poor, and this Dragon Blood Ginseng is kept as a life-saving treasure. It's almost impossible to purchase it from the Torbys family."

"It's indeed a bit troublesome, but we still have to try."

Dustin contemplated and said, "Let me handle this matter. Please, Dr. Elijah, continue to work on the Bone-Cleansing Pill, and try to find out the whereabouts of the other two medicinal ingredients."

"No problem. I've already contacted my friends in the medical community, and it shouldn't take too long to gather information on the other two herbs," Elijah replied with a serious expression.





Chapter 1330: Meeting Fixed

"Master, Mr. Rhys, I didn't expect to find you both here," Carlos and Roselyn suddenly walked in.

"Hmph! Here to freeload again!"

Roselyn curled her lips, looking quite disdainful. She had been holding a grudge since last night, especially after witnessing the scene where Dustin and Hazel were together. She harbored a deep resentment.

"Mr. Rhys, I heard that you were robbed last night. Are you okay?" Carlos showed a concerned expression.

"Thank you for your concern, Mr. Carlos. They were just a group of small fry, and I didn't pay them much attention," Dustin replied. Then he changed the subject, "By the way, Mr. Carlos, how did you know that I was robbed?"

"Huh?"

Carlos's face stiffened for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure. "Oh, I have very reliable sources, and in this area of South City, nothing can escape my watchful eye."

"I see." Dustin smiled with a meaningful expression.

He had been wondering who came up with the idea to steal the Beauty Portrait last night. It was highly likely to be Carlos.

However, he didn't bother to expose him. This kind of pseudo-gentleman might still be useful.

"Mr. Rhys, a commoner is innocent, but holding a priceless treasure like the Beauty Portrait is like holding a hot potato. With your status, you can't handle it," Carlos said earnestly.

"Oh? What do you suggest I do, Mr. Carlos?" Dustin asked in return.

"It's simple. Act quickly and get rid of it as soon as possible to avoid bigger troubles," Carlos said with a serious tone. "If you trust my advice, you can hand over the Beauty Portrait to me. I can find someone to auction it off for you and guarantee you a good price."

Once the Beauty Portrait was in his hands, he could determine the selling price.

He was just a bumpkin who hadn't seen much of the world. What did he know?

"An auction, huh? I'll consider it," Dustin pretended to hesitate.

"Don't think too much about it. The longer you keep it, the more dangerous it becomes. I'm just looking out for your best interests!" Carlos seemed a bit impatient.

"Ring ring ring..."

Just as Dustin was about to say something, his cell phone suddenly rang. When he answered it, Lenny's voice quickly came through, "Kid! You're meeting with Steward Sebastian, right? I've already set up the meeting for you. If you have the guts, come over!"

"Did you just call me something?" Dustin's voice grew colder.

"Li... Brother," Lenny was about to shout, but it seemed he realized something. His voice hesitated as he said, "Bro, you're here for negotiations, right? Sebastian has invited you to meet at the Dragon Phoenix Teahouse. Hurry up and come over."

"The Dragon Phoenix Teahouse, huh? Alright, I'll be there in an hour."

Dustin hung up the phone and turned to Elijah, saying, "Dr. Elijah, I have some business to attend to. I'll inform you if I have any updates."
"Sure," Elijah nodded.

"Mr. Dustin Rhys, I just heard you say you're going to the Dragon Phoenix Teahouse?" Carlos suddenly asked.

"That's right, what's the matter?" Dustin glanced at him.

"Do you know that the Dragon Phoenix Teahouse is owned by the Stratford family?" Carlos inquired.

"Of course, I know. I'm going there to negotiate with Sebastian. It's better to resolve some matters early and avoid trouble," Dustin replied calmly.

"Dustin, are you out of your mind?" Carlos slapped his thigh and quickly advised, "The Stratford family has ambitions, and they've been coveting your formula for the Jade Dew Ointment. If you go for negotiations alone, won't you be walking into the lion's den?"

"Who's the lion, and who's the lamb, is still uncertain," Dustin said with a calm expression.

"Dustin, I won't stop you if you insist on going, but for safety's sake, I suggest you write down the Jade Dew Ointment formula and entrust it to us. If the Stratford family can't get their hands on the formula, they probably won't harm you either," Carlos quickly came up with this plan.

Not getting the Beauty Portrait but obtaining the Jade Dew Ointment formula would also be an excellent outcome.

"Mr. Carlos, you are truly a sincere person, always looking out for me," Dustin said with a half-smile.

This guy, he wanted the Beauty Portrait one moment and the Jade Dew Ointment formula the next. He was insatiable.

"Where, where, we're all friends, helping each other is only natural. Just wait for a moment; I'll find paper and a pen for you. You can write down the formula, and I'll keep it safe for you," Carlos said.

After saying that, he eagerly rushed downstairs.

Two minutes later, when Carlos returned upstairs with paper and a pen, he found that Dustin had already disappeared without a trace.
Thanks for the update Nazmul.
 

nazmul

Immortal Grandmaster
Platinum Villager
Sep 15, 2023
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Chapter 1331: A Full of Deamd

One hour later, at the Dragon Phoenix Teahouse.

Sebastian sat on the second floor by the window, sipping tea and watching the bustling crowd on the street.

There were a dozen or so tables occupied in the teahouse, but compared to its usual noisy atmosphere, today it felt somewhat dull.

All the guests were immersed in their tea, with no exchange of words.

"Mr. Sebastian, that young man has arrived."

At this moment, Lenny, standing behind, suddenly pointed downward.

Sebastian lowered his head and saw Dustin strolling along with the crowd, appearing carefree and relaxed, showing no signs of pressure.

"Humph! He actually dares to venture alone? It seems like a new calf isn't afraid of the tiger!" Sebastian sneered.

He then picked up his teacup and drank it all in one gulp.

"Thud, thud, thud..."

Soon, a muffled sound of footsteps approached.

Dustin walked up the stairs unimpeded and, after scanning the area, saw Sebastian and the others. He directly sat down at the table opposite them.

"Sebastian Stratford, we meet again."

Dustin smiled and poured himself a cup of tea.

"Mr. Rhys, I heard from Lenny that you want to discuss business with me. I'm curious about what you want to talk about?" Sebastian smiled politely.

As the butler of the Stratford family, he was not a simple-minded person. There were some matters that, if they could be resolved with money, would not necessarily lead to conflict.

"Of course, it's about the formula for the Jade Dew Ointment," Dustin cut to the chase.

"Oh?" Sebastian raised an eyebrow and smiled. "It seems that Mr. Rhys has thought it through. Please, tell me, how much money are you asking for? Name your price, as long as it's not too outrageous, I'll do my best to accommodate."

"I don't want money. I just want you to follow the prescription and procure some herbs for me."

Dustin said as he took out a prescription and placed it on the table, then pushed it over.

The prescription listed various precious medicinal herbs, totaling over twenty different types, including Ice Heart Lotus, Dragon's Blood Ginseng, and Golden Marrow Jade.

The reason for listing so many was to divert attention.

The Stratford family is a renowned medical clan with a century of heritage, extensive connections, and influence throughout the country. They are not to be compared with a small establishment like the Healwell Medical Center.

If we talk about the entire southern city, no one can gather the three main ingredients for the Bone Cleansing Pill as quickly as the Stratford family.

This is also the primary reason for Dustin to negotiate with them.

"Let me see which herbs are listed," Sebastian picked up the prescription and examined it closely. His smile instantly froze, and his brow furrowed, "Mr. Rhys, most of these herbs on your list are top-grade spiritual herbs, and some are even supreme-grade spiritual herbs. Each plant is worth a fortune. Are you asking me to gather them all? Isn't that asking the impossible?"

"Mr. Sebastian, your Stratford family has a century-long legacy and unparalleled influence in the field of medicine. These herbs should not be a problem for you, right?" Dustin raised his teacup and took a sip, the sweet aroma filling the air.

Delicious tea!

"Not a problem?" Sebastian's eye twitched as he tried to control his anger. "Mr. Rhys, your appetite is simply too grand. The value of these herbs far exceeds that of the Jade Dew Ointment formula. I cannot meet your demands."

With that, he pushed the prescription back.

Damn it!

Gathering these herbs would likely deplete half of the Stratford family's wealth.

This guy was truly asking for the moon.

"Mr. Sebastian, the Jade Dew Ointment formula is a priceless treasure passed down in my family. Swapping it for a few herbs, I believe, is more than fair," Dustin said.

"A few herbs? These are clearly two to three dozen spiritual herbs!" Sebastian's tone involuntarily rose.

If they were ordinary herbs, it wouldn't be a problem no matter how many there were. Unfortunately, these were spiritual herbs, and not just any, but top-grade and supreme-grade spiritual herbs.

Even one of them would be enough to make an ordinary person wealthy for a lifetime.





Chapter 1332: A Sudden Appearance

"Mr. Sebastian, I can see you're genuinely interested. How about this, I'll take a bit of a loss and round it down for you. I'll only need the first twenty spiritual herbs, deal?" Dustin put on an expression as if it pained him.

"Twenty herbs still won't work!" Sebastian said with a straight face.

"Then tell me, how many can you give me?" Dustin tried to compromise.

"One herb," Song Zhong raised one finger, "I can only give you one!"

"One herb?" Dustin frowned, "Sebastian, are you joking with me? Is this how you negotiate? Bargaining isn't done this way, is it?"

"Your Jade Dew Ointment formula is only worth one top-grade spiritual herb, and that's my bottom line," Sebastian said with impatience creeping into his voice.

If Dustin had only asked for some money, he could have made a decision. But now, the other party was speaking recklessly, calling out sky-high prices, treating him like a sucker.

"If Mr. Sebastian isn't interested, then forget it. I believe someone else will be interested," Dustin said and was ready to leave.

"Hold on!"

Sebastian slammed the table suddenly and shouted, "Kid! Did I say you could leave?"

"What? Does Mr. Sebastian want to invite me for tea?" Dustin turned around and asked.

"To hell with tea!"

Sebastian was furious. He lifted his teacup and with a "bang," he slammed it heavily onto the ground.

The next moment, everyone on the floor, both upstairs and downstairs, sprang into action.

Those who had pretended to be sipping tea earlier suddenly pulled out weapons from under their tables, and then they swarmed towards Dustin.

In a matter of seconds, Dustin was completely surrounded.

About fifty or sixty people blocked the exit.

"Kid! You come and go as you please? What do you take me for?" Sebastian stood up abruptly, finally dropping his facade and said menacingly, "Now you have only two choices: either hand over the Jade Dew Ointment formula honestly, or I'll beat you half to death and then force you to hand it over!"

"Mr. Sebastian, if a deal can't be reached, there's still a sense of honor in business. If negotiations fail, resorting to violence makes you no different from a robber," Dustin calmly looked around at the crowd.

"Is that so? Well, I'd like to see for myself how capable your people from the Stratford family are," Dustin sneered.

"Mr. Sebastian, this guy can fight pretty well, be careful," Lenny timely reminded.

"So what if he can fight? I have fifty or sixty experts here, each one could drown him in a puddle of piss!" Sebastian glared, "What the hell are you standing around for? Attack!"

"Stop!"

Just as the Stratford family's thugs were about to rush forward, a shrill shout suddenly echoed in the hallway.

Immediately afterward, a beautiful and tall girl, accompanied by two burly bodyguards, aggressively charged into the crowd.

Anyone blocking her path was kicked aside by the girl.

"Who dares...," Sebastian was about to yell when he saw the girl's appearance. He was instantly frightened, and he hurriedly put on a welcoming smile, approaching her eagerly, "Isn't this Miss Isabela? What brings you here?"

"Smack!"

The girl didn't waste any words; she slapped Sebastian across the face and scolded, "Hey! You lackey! You dare to touch my friend? Have you had enough of living?"

"What?" Sebastian was dumbfounded, clutching his burning cheek, feeling bewildered, "Friend?"

"Little Divine Doctor, we meet again."

After dealing with the thugs, the girl turned to Dustin, smiled sweetly, and added a touch of playfulness.

"It's you?" Dustin quickly recognized her.

The girl was none other than Isabela, the daughter of the Torby family, whom he had rescued yesterday.





Chapter 1333: Ask for A Favor

"Little Divine Doctor, how do you feel? Surprised, aren't you?" Isabela smiled and said, "I just saw you on the street, and you seemed familiar. I didn't expect it to be you. We parted so hurriedly last time, I didn't have a chance to thank you. This time, I insist on treating you to a meal."

"Miss Isabela, there's no need to be so polite. It's just a small favor," Dustin nodded slightly.

"Miss Isabela, do you... know this guy?" Sebastian cautiously asked.

"Smack!"

Isabela raised her hand and delivered another slap, scolding, "Nonsense! This Little Divine Doctor is my lifesaver. You dare to lay a hand on him? Believe me, I'll castrate you!"

"Lifesaver?"

Hearing this, Sebastian trembled all over, and his legs went weak.

He thought Dustin was just an unknown youngster, at most proficient in some medical skills and martial arts. He didn't expect that there would be a wealthy and influential family like the Torbys backing him.

He had made a big mistake.

"What are you standing around for? Quickly apologize to Little Divine Doctor, or I'll make sure you regret it!" Isabela glared.

"Thud!"

Sebastian didn't hesitate; he dropped to his knees in front of Dustin, with a forced smile, he said, "I... I'm sorry. It was my mistake earlier. I hope Mr. Rhys can forgive my momentary confusion. Please spare me this time."

"Alright, alright. Just go with your people!" Isabela was quite displeased.

"Yes, yes, I'll leave right away."

Sebastian nodded and bowed repeatedly, then hurriedly retreated with his group.

Even though both families were prestigious, the Torby family's influence still overshadowed the Stratford family's. Even their young master showed deference to this headstrong young lady, so an external affairs butler like him was even more inconsequential.

"Stop!"

When he reached the hallway, he was halted by Isabela's shrill command, "When you get back, tell that unfaithful man surnamed Stratford that one day, he will regret this!"

Sebastian forced a smile, repeatedly nodded, and then fled with his entourage..

"Little Divine Doctor, how are you? You didn't get hurt, did you?" Isabela turned back, her smile as radiant as ever.

"I'm fine, thanks to Miss Isabela's timely arrival," Dustin smiled.

"Well, they say we're destined to meet. Come on, I'll treat you to a meal!" Isabela grabbed Dustin and was about to head downstairs.

"Miss Isabela, I won't eat, but there's something I'd like to ask for your help with," Dustin suddenly said.

"Oh? What is it?" Isabela was curious.

"I've heard that the Torby family has a Dragon's Blood Ginseng. I wonder if it's true or not?" Dustin inquired.

"It seems like there's some truth to that," Isabela nodded thoughtfully.

"To be honest, I need that Dragon's Blood Ginseng to save a life. If possible, I'd like to buy it at a high price," Dustin got straight to the point.

He had been contemplating how to acquire the Dragon's Blood Ginseng from the Torby family through the right channels. He didn't expect an opportunity to come so quickly.

"Hey, it's just a herb, why bother with money? I'll give it to you directly!" Isabela was quite generous.

"Miss Isabela, the Dragon's Blood Ginseng is extremely precious. I can't accept it for free. Buying it with money would be more appropriate," Dustin was not greedy.

"Look at you, why are you saying that? You saved my life, and I'm giving you a herb. What's the big deal? Come on, come back with me, and I'll give it to you right away!" Isabela insisted.

Seeing her enthusiasm, Dustin didn't want to refuse.

About half an hour later, the car stopped in front of the Torby family's gate.

After getting out of the car, Dustin followed Isabela into the Torby family's estate.

The Torby family's mansion was grand and luxurious. In the coveted area of South City in Stonia, the entire family estate was built like a palace, magnificent and grand.

For those unfamiliar with it, it was easy to get lost.

Dustin and Isabela walked into the garden, where they saw a somewhat portly middle-aged man directing a group of servants, carefully pruning flowers and plants.

"Mr. Benjamin, come over here."

Isabela waved at the middle-aged man.





Chapter 1334: Meet With Isabela Mother

"Miss, do you have any orders?" The Torby family Butler rushed over, wearing a fawning smile.

"I'm asking you, do we have a Dragon's Blood Ginseng in our family?" Isabela inquired.

"Yes, we do. It's currently stored in the treasury," the Butler Benjamin truthfully replied.

"That's good. Fetch it for me immediately," Isabela instructed.

"Miss, what do you need this item for?" The Butler cautiously asked.

"Why do you care? I have my reasons!" Isabela was getting impatient.

"Miss, to be honest, this item is part of the old master's collection. It shouldn't be used without his permission," Benjamin explained, bowing his head.

"You go and get it for me first, and I'll talk to Grandfather afterward," Isabela said.

"This... it seems a bit irregular," Benjamin hesitated.

"Hey! You won't even listen to my words?" Isabela glared and kicked the butler in the butt.

"Please wait, Miss."
With no other choice, Benjamin had to quickly leave.

"Little Divine Doctor, please have a seat and enjoy some tea while the item arrives," Isabela smiled and led Dustin to a nearby pavilion, where they started to have tea and snacks.

About ten minutes later, the butler returned, but this time he was accompanied by someone else.

It was a woman in her thirties.

She was dressed in a red qipao, her features were delicate, her figure was alluring and full, and her long black hair was elegantly arranged behind her head, giving her a dignified and noble appearance.

As she moved gracefully, her two long white legs, like white lotus flowers, peeked out from the qipao's slit, revealing a hint of allure.

She truly exuded the charm of a mature woman.

"Isabela."
A cold voice slowly emanated from the lips of the beautiful woman.

Isabela, who was enjoying her snacks, shivered all over and turned stiffly, wearing a somewhat guilty expression. "Mom... Why are you here?"

"If I didn't come, wouldn't you have turned the house upside down?" Sophia Torby said calmly.

"How could that be? I've always been very obedient, you know?" Isabela forced a smile.

She wasn't afraid of anything or anyone except her mother. Even though her mother had never scolded or punished her, every time she saw her, Isabela inexplicably felt nervous.

"Just now, I heard Benjamin say that you need Dragon's Blood Ginseng. What are you planning to do?" Sophia Torby asked again.

"N-nothing."
Isabela glared fiercely at the butler, then chuckled nervously. "A friend of mine needs Dragon's Blood Ginseng to save someone life, so I wanted to help."

She extended her hand towards Dustin, who was standing nearby. "This is my friend, the young divine doctor. Last time, I was almost drowned, and he saved me in the nick of time, pulling me back from the brink of death."

"Is that so?" Sophia turned her gaze towards Dustin. While she appeared calm, there was a hint of scrutiny in her eyes. It was the gaze of someone in a higher position observing someone in a lower position.

"I am Dustin Rhys. I greet you, Auntie," Dustin stood up and greeted her with neither arrogance nor subservience.

"You need the Dragon's Blood Ginseng?" Sophia's tone remained calm.

"Yes, it's for me," Dustin nodded.

"You saved my daughter's life, and I'm grateful for that," Sophia said, casting a brief glance at the butler, before calmly stating, "Benjamin, bring the item."

"Yes," the butler replied and left once again.

"Thank you, Mom!"
Isabela's face lit up, thinking that everything was settled.

However, when the steward returned with the item, Isabela's smile froze, and even Dustin couldn't help but furrow his brows.





Chapter 1335: A New Offer

The item that the butler brought was a box of gold bars. In the sunlight, they shimmered and sparkled, creating a visually stunning display that was more captivating than mere currency.

"Dustin, this is a token of appreciation from my Torby family, also a reward for saving Isabela," Sophia said calmly as she glanced at the gold bars.

"Mom, what do you mean by this?" Isabela pouted, showing some dissatisfaction.

"Our Torby family never owes anyone favors. Dustin saved you, and I am rewarding him generously. It's only fair," Sophia replied indifferently.

"Auntie, I didn't save her for money," Dustin shook his head.

"What? Do you find it insufficient?" Sophia raised an eyebrow and gestured. "Benjamin, bring another box."

"Yes."
The butler acknowledged and was about to leave again.

"Mom!"
Isabela couldn't hold back any longer. "Not everything can be measured with money. The young divine doctor needs Dragon's Blood Ginseng, a life-saving spiritual medicine, not a few gold bars!"

"Dragon's Blood Ginseng?" Sophia said with an expressionless face. "Do you know that it's your grandfather's treasure? A priceless item?"

"What do you mean by priceless? It's just a spiritual medicine!" Isabela retorted. "Moreover, the young divine doctor saved my life. Are you saying that in your eyes, my life is worth less than a single Dragon's Blood Ginseng?"

"Your life is undoubtedly valuable, but the contribution he has made doesn't come close to warranting a Dragon's Blood Ginseng," Sophia said in a calm tone. "Doctors save lives to earn money, and his treatment of you deserves compensation, but that's all there is to it. We shouldn't give away all our precious possessions just because he saved you. Business is business, and it should not be elevated to a matter of sentiment. Do you understand?"

"Mom, you... you lack compassion!" Isabela was getting angry.

She hadn't expected her mother to treat her life as a business transaction.

"Auntie makes a reasonable point," Dustin suddenly spoke up. "However, I urgently need Dragon's Blood Ginseng. I hope Auntie can consider it. Of course, I won't take it for free. I can purchase it with money or offer goods in exchange. I hope Auntie can accommodate this request."

"You're a smart person," Sophia nodded. "You can have the Dragon's Blood Ginseng, but you must provide something of equivalent value."

"I wonder, Auntie, what do you need in exchange?" Dustin inquired.

"I heard that you can produce a medicine called Jade Dew Ointment, and its effects are quite miraculous, capable of rapidly healing even severely infected wounds. Is this true?" Sophia asked.

Since her daughter's ordeal, she had investigated various people and matters, including Dustin, which had led to an unexpected discovery regarding the Jade Dew Ointment.

"As a physician, you're also knowledgeable in pharmacology. With a few modifications, you could reduce the side effects, right?" Sophia's gaze carried a hint of deeper meaning.

"I'm afraid that if we reduce the side effects, the efficacy of the medicine will be significantly compromised," Dustin replied, not hiding the truth.

Facing Sophia, a shrewd and perceptive woman, he couldn't afford to be dishonest.

Of course, the most crucial factor was that he had a favor to ask.

He had no choice but to be straightforward.

"If we reduce the side effects, what percentage of the medicine's efficacy would remain?" Sophia inquired again.

"Probably around thirty percent," Dustin answered honestly.

"Thirty percent? That should be sufficient," Sophia nodded. "I'm quite interested in your Jade Dew Ointment. If you provide me with the modified formula, I'll gift you the Dragon's Blood Ginseng. How does that sound?"

"Auntie, this is a formula passed down through my family, and I can't sell it," Dustin shook his head.

"Everything has its corresponding value. Besides, this isn't a sale; it's a trade. Dragon's Blood Ginseng is your precious lifesaving item. I believe your ancestors wouldn't blame you," Sophia replied with indifference.

"Well..." Dustin feigned hesitation, taking a few seconds before appearing to make up his mind. He said, "Auntie, I can provide you with the Jade Dew Ointment formula, but one Dragon's Blood Ginseng isn't nearly enough. Unless you can offer me two more spiritual herbs."

"What else do you need?" Sophia squinted slightly.





Chapter 1336: A Trade

"Ice Heart Lotus and Golden Marrow Jade," Dustin named the medicinal herbs.

With the influence of the Torby family, slightly stronger than that of the Stratford family, they should be able to locate these two spiritual herbs if they were willing to put in the effort.

"Young man, you have quite the appetite. Both of these herbs are priceless treasures. You're asking for three extraordinary spiritual herbs in exchange for a single formula. Isn't that a bit too greedy?" Sophia frowned slightly, displaying her discontent.

"Auntie, I dare not ask for more, but I can assure you that my modified Jade Dew Ointment formula is worth every bit of it. The profits it will bring to the Torby family will far exceed the value of three spiritual herbs," Dustin assured.

"Oh, really?" Sophia scrutinized Dustin closely, trying to discern something from his face.

No evasion, no signs of guilt, only calmness.

At least it showed that the person before her wasn't lying.

"Alright, I'll trust you this time."

After contemplating for a few seconds, Sophia finally nodded. "Leave the Jade Dew Ointment formula behind, take the Dragon's Blood Ginseng with you, and give me some time to procure the other two spiritual herbs. I'll have someone deliver them to you later. How does that sound?"

"One word is enough!" Dustin readily agreed.

"Benjamin, bring the Dragon's Blood Ginseng over and have someone fetch paper and pen," Sophia ordered.

"Yes," the butler acknowledged with a nod, then left.

Before long, he returned, carrying a jade box and placing it carefully on the table in the pavilion. He also brought paper and pen, setting them beside the jade box.

Dustin approached the jade box, opened it, and found a blood-red ginseng inside. The ginseng was the size of a palm, with tightly packed roots and fine wrinkles, appearing like a ball of hair spread out.

With just a slight inhalation, a unique fragrance could be detected.

"It truly is a precious item!" Dustin's eyes lit up.

With his perception, he could distinctly sense the rich spiritual energy contained within this Dragon's Blood Ginseng.

"The Dragon's Blood Ginseng is here; now, write down the formula," Sophia reminded.

Dustin nodded without further ado. He didn't waste time and began to write down the modified Jade Dew Ointment formula, word by word.

Despite the significant reduction in effectiveness after the modification, it still possessed miraculous properties when treating external injuries, surpassing the healing effects of the Golden Wound Medicine from the Healwell Clinic.

Once it was available, it would undoubtedly bring the Torby family substantial profits.

"Auntie, this is the prescription. Please review it," Dustin handed over the written formula.

"Hmm... not bad," Sophia examined it carefully and nodded in satisfaction.

With her keen eyesight, she couldn't spot any issues for now. Of course, she was confident that he wouldn't dare to deceive the Torby family.

"Auntie, I urgently need two more spiritual herbs to save a life. I hope you can put in extra effort," Dustin bowed slightly.

"No problem. I'll notify you immediately once there's any information," Sophia replied calmly.

"Thank you, Auntie," Dustin sighed in relief.

With the full support of the Torby family, he believed it wouldn't take long to find the whereabouts of the Ice Heart Lotus and Golden Marrow Jade.

"Alright, the transaction is complete, everyone is happy. Little physician, let's go!" Isabela didn't want to linger any longer. She bid farewell and led Dustin away.

She was somewhat displeased with her mother's behavior.

"Madam, the Ice Heart Lotus and Golden Marrow Jade are not ordinary items. Should I contact the Stratford family to use their connections?" the butler cautiously suggested.

"No need, I didn't plan to give them away anyway," Sophia replied calmly.

"Huh?" The butler was momentarily confused, struggling to comprehend.

Was she changing her mind?

"A nobody like him has no right to demand such a high price in front of me," Sophia's eyes turned colder, her tone still calm. "Benjamin, find some experts and retrieve the Dragon's Blood Ginseng from him. We can't let outsiders benefit from this treasure."

"Understood," the butler said with a somewhat stunned expression.

This seemed to be not just a change of mind, but a scheme to take advantage of the situation. It seemed that anyone trying to take advantage of the Torby family's generosity would face harsh consequences.





Chapter 1337: Isabela in Anger

"Miracle Doctor, I'm sorry," Isabela said apologetically as they stood at the entrance of the Torby family mansion. "Originally, I should have given you this Dragon's Blood Ginseng, but I didn't expect my mother to show up and ruin my plan."

"You don't need to blame yourself, Miss Isabela. If it weren't for your help, I wouldn't have obtained the Dragon's Blood Ginseng, and I wouldn't have been able to strike a deal with your mother. This outcome is already the best for me," Dustin smiled.

To exchange a torn prescription for three high-quality spiritual herbs was definitely a great deal.

"Do you really think so?" Isabela's spirits lifted.

"Of course," Dustin nodded with a smile.

"Hehe, miracle doctor, you really suit my taste. Consider yourself my friend now!" Isabela laughed, showing her two small tiger teeth. "You haven't eaten, have you? I know a restaurant with excellent food. Let's go and try it together!"

With that, she dragged Dustin into her car.

"Master, master, there's a phone call..."

Suddenly, a cellphone rang.

Isabela answered the call, and a deep voice came through.

"Miss, we've got results on the investigation you requested. Young Master Owen from the Stratford family did indeed go to a hotel with a female celebrity a few days ago. Based on the surveillance footage, their behavior was intimate, suggesting a certain kind of relationship."

"Beast!" After hearing the report, Isabela was furious. She nearly smashed her phone. Her pretty face was filled with resentment. "This scum, he keeps talking about reforming himself, but he's still entangled with that vixen. Does he think I don't exist? I'll have to castrate him this time!"

She took out a short knife from somewhere, drew it out with a flash of cold light, and held it with a sharp edge.

"I'm asking you, where is Owen right now?" Isabela yelled at the phone.

At this moment, she had transformed from the sweet girl into a fierce tigress.

"Miss, Young Master Owen is currently at the Imperial City Club for a gathering with friends," the voice on the other end of the phone replied.

"Driver! Head to the Imperial City Club immediately!" Isabela hung up the phone and shouted at the driver.

The driver didn't dare to say much. He stepped on the gas and headed straight for their destination.

Isabela gripped the short knife tightly, and her trembling hands were not from anger but from sadness.

Gradually, her anger was replaced by sorrow, and her beautiful eyes turned red with teary mist.

"Miss Isabela, what happened?" Dustin inquired cautiously.

Isabela turned away, wiped her tears, and her voice quivered as she spoke, "Two years ago, my parents arranged a marriage for me, and the groom was Owen Stratford from the Stratford family. Initially, I didn't agree, but Owen pursued me vigorously, with sweet words and surprise gifts. Gradually, we became a couple.

However, not long ago, I found out that Owen is a scumbag. He frequently cheats on me with other women. I was furious and decided to break up with him. At first, I thought that if he admitted his mistakes and sincerely repented, I would give him another chance.

But instead, he spoke sweetly to my face and went behind my back to meet with that vixen at a hotel. I don't understand why he treated me like this. What's wrong with me?"

As she spoke, Isabela choked up.

She had treated him sincerely, but in return, she received betrayal and deceit.

"Miss Isabela, it's not your fault. Owen is the one who's blind and doesn't appreciate your worth. Men like him, it's wise to let go of them when you can," Dustin comforted her.





Chapter 1338: A Playboy

Owen Stratford, this playboy, is a typical example of "a leopard can't change its spots."

Luckily, Isabela discovered it early, and the two of them are not married yet. Otherwise, they would have regrets.

"I know I should let go, but I can't accept it!" Isabela, with her two small fangs, said indignantly, "He dares to treat me like this; I can't let him off easily. I want to make him regret it. I want him to understand that losing me is the biggest loss of his life!"

"How do you plan to do that?" Dustin asked.

"He wants to find other women, right? Then I'll find other men. I want to make him jealous, make him shine with jealousy!" Isabela sniffed and suddenly fixed her gaze on Dustin. "Little Divine Doctor, from now on, you're my boyfriend. I want to declare my sovereignty in front of him!"

"What?" Dustin's face stiffened. "Miss Isabela, are you serious? We've just met."

"What's wrong with just meeting? Do you think I'm not good enough for you?" Isabela pouted.

"Miss Isabela, I already have a fiancée," Dustin said helplessly.

He knew very well that the girl in front of him was saying these impulsive words to get revenge at Owen.

"So what if you have a fiancée? You're not married yet, right?" Isabela grabbed Dustin's hand and said somewhat stubbornly, "I don't care. You must agree! At the very least, you have to act with me today and make Owen jealous!"

"I can help you, but let me make it clear beforehand: it's just acting, don't take it seriously," Dustin said with a hint of a headache.

"No problem!" Isabela immediately smiled.

She couldn't wait to see Owen's frustrated expression.

At this moment, in the VIP room of the Imperial City Club.

A group of young men and women were gathered, drinking and chatting.

Among them, the leader was none other than Owen, the young master of the Stratford family.

Owen was tall and handsome, dressed meticulously, and his hair was impeccably styled.

From appearances alone, he was indeed a handsome and dashing man.

Beside him, there was also a stunning woman with a hot figure and outstanding looks.

She was wearing a tight red dress, her long, shapely legs covered in black stockings, and her body exuded grace and allure, making her extremely enticing.

"Owen, didn't you already get engaged? Aren't you afraid your future wife will be angry when she sees you out with another woman so openly?" a chubby man teased with a smile.

This man's name was Brinkley Crawford, the eldest son of the Crawford family in the southern city. In this circle, his status was second only to Owen.

"Hah! That old hag? I lost interest in her a long time ago. She has no feminine charm at all. If it weren't for the family alliance, I wouldn't even bother with her," Owen said with a disdainful expression.

"Owen, Isabela is a famous beauty in the southern city. Many men have admired her for a long time. You don't know how fortunate you are!" Brinkley laughed.

"Do you like her? Then she's yours, I'm already tired of playing with her," Owen said, raising his chin.

"Owen, you're indeed generous. If I get the chance, I'd really like to see what it's like to be with the Torby family's heiress," Brinkley said with a lecherous smile.

Just as the two were talking, there was a loud "bang," and the door to the VIP room was kicked open by someone.





Chapter 1339: A Romantic Act

When the door opened, everyone in the room was stunned and instinctively turned their gaze toward it.

They saw Isabela, who was fashionable and sweet-looking, walking in with a cold expression on her face.

Behind her, there was Dustin, walking casually.

"Isabela?"

"Miss Torby?"

Upon seeing the newcomers, the atmosphere in the room changed instantly.

Especially Owen, who withdrew his hand from the waist of the woman in the red dress as if he had been shocked by electricity. He immediately stood up and forced a smile, saying, "Isabela, why are you here?"

"Why, you can come, but I can't?" Isabela first glanced at the woman in the red dress and then fixed her gaze on Owen.

Although she had mentally prepared herself before coming, seeing the intimate behavior of this couple still almost made her lose her temper.

"Of course, you can come, but you should have informed me in advance so I could make some arrangements for you," Owen said with a smile.

"No need to trouble yourself; I just dropped by casually," Isabela replied and then glanced at the nervous woman on the sofa. She asked casually, "Who is this beside you? Why does she look unfamiliar to me?"

"Oh? You mean her? She's Brinkley's new girlfriend," Owen said as he gave a signal to Brinkley, who was sitting nearby.

Brinkley was momentarily taken aback but quickly caught on and, with a smile, attempted to smooth things over, "That's right, that's right, sister-in-law. Let me introduce her to you. This is my girlfriend, Samara, she's from the entertainment industry."

"Hello, sister-in-law," Samara hurriedly stood up and managed a smile.

She had heard about the temper of the Troby family's heiress and knew she had to be careful. Provoking such a big figure would definitely lead to trouble.

"Brinkley's girlfriend? Why is she sitting next to you?" Isabela questioned.

"Oh, I just happen to be a fan of Miss Samara, so I asked her about some things related to movies. We were just having a chat, and then you walked in," Owen explained with a smile before his expression turned serious. "Isabela, you're not doubting me, are you? I swear on my honor; I've reformed and will never do anything to hurt you. I can swear to that!"

"What you do here has nothing to do with me. I just came for fun," Isabela said with a cold expression as she sat down on the empty spot on the sofa.

The people around her instinctively moved away a bit. Even a fool could see that Torby Miss's mood was not good.

"Isabela..."
Owen, with a thick skin, approached and sat next to Isabela. "What's wrong today? If you're not in a good mood, how about I accompany you for a stroll?"

"Stay away from me!"
Isabela glared, scaring Owen into not getting too close.

"Humph! I want to go shopping. There are plenty of people who can accompany me. I don't want to bother you, Young Master Owen."

Isabela said and then glanced at Dustin, giving him a sweet smile and patting the seat beside her. "Dustin, come, sit here."

Dustin had no choice but to sit down as she instructed.

On the left was Owen, on the right was Isabela, and the three of them were like a sandwich.

"Isabela, who is this person?" Owen gave Dustin a scrutinizing look, his expression not friendly.

He had just thought Dustin was Isabela's bodyguard, so he didn't pay much attention to him. Now it seemed that their relationship might not be so simple.

"Oh, this is Dustin, my male best friend," Isabela smiled as she introduced.

"Male best friend?"

As soon as he heard this, Owen's face immediately darkened.

What kind of male best friend? Could it be a friend with benefits?

In this day and age, it's impossible for there to be pure friendship between a man and a woman in his eyes.





Chapter 1340: Provocation

What irritating Owen the most was that this despicable woman had actually brought her "friend with benefits" in front of him, which was a blatant provocation!

"Isabela, how come I've never seen this male best friend of yours before?" Owen took a deep breath and managed to suppress his anger.

"Do I need your permission to make friends?" Isabela replied indifferently. "Besides, I haven't seen some of your female friends either."

"Well..." One sentence left Owen speechless.

He finally understood that this woman was deliberately trying to provoke him.

"Sister-in-law, since we rarely get the chance to gather like this, come on, let me propose a toast to you," Brinkley hastily tried to smooth things over with a smile.

"I don't drink," Isabela refused coldly.

"It's okay, it's okay. You can have juice. As long as you're happy, sister-in-law," Brinkley said with a forced smile, and he quickly ordered a variety of fruit juice drinks from the waiter.

"Dustin, come on, have some juice," Isabela picked up a red glass of juice and offered it to Dustin, feeding it to him herself, showing a lot of intimacy.

Watching their affectionate gestures, Owen clenched his teeth.

He might indulge in some flirtations outside, but that didn't mean he could tolerate being humiliated like this. Regardless of the circumstances, Isabela was his fiancée, and for her to publicly display affection with another man in front of him was a direct insult.

"Damn it! Touching my woman? You're really tired of living!" Owen stared at Dustin with intense hatred, his eyes seeming as if they could devour him.

However, due to Isabela's presence, he restrained himself from taking action and could only bear with it.

"Just drinking is a bit boring," Owen suddenly spoke up, seemingly having thought of something. "Brinkley, didn't you learn some mystical arts from Master Hudson? I've heard it's quite amazing. How about taking this opportunity to give us a demonstration? Spice things up a bit?"

In the past, Brinkley had spent a considerable sum of money to learn some strange and mystical techniques from a master, all for the purpose of impressing women.

For example, hypnosis, controlling people's actions, or using poison.

In the past, he had encountered a chaste and virtuous woman in a bar who refused to yield. However, after Brinkley's manipulation, the virtuous woman had turned into a seductress.

Now, he intended to make use of Brinkley's abilities to make Dustin look bad.

"Owen, what I do is just child's play, it's not on a professional level," Brinkley humbly said.

"No problem, let's consider it a magic show and let everyone have some fun," Owen gestured.

"Yes, Brinkley, we're all interested. We'd like to see it," several young men and women chimed in.

"Alright, since you're interested, I'll give it a try."

Brinkley quickly regained his composure and said with a smile, "But my performance requires a bit of cooperation from someone to be effective. I wonder who would like to come up and give it a try?"

"As I see it, this gentleman, Mr. Dustin, is just right."

Owen looked at Dustin and smiled maliciously. "He's a new friend, so why not give everyone a chance to get to know him?"

"If it requires cooperation, I can do it," Isabela volunteered.

"Sister-in-law, the mystical arts I've learned can't be used on women," Brinkley shook his head.

"Mr. Dustin, as a grown man, surely you wouldn't lack the courage for this, right?" Owen started to provoke.

"Mr. Dustin, don't worry, I promise there won't be any danger," Brinkley said with a smirk.

"Yeah, everyone is in high spirits, so let's have some fun together. You wouldn't want to miss out on this opportunity, right?" Many people joined in the teasing.

Their eyes were filled with mockery.

They naturally understood that Owen and Brinkley were planning to play a prank.

"Alright, since everyone is so interested, I'll join in the fun with you."

Dustin smiled faintly and then downed the contents of his juice in one gulp.

Ten years had passed, and it seemed that these idle rich kids in Stonia had forgotten the shadow of being controlled by Logan Ryhs.
 

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