Chapter Fifty-Five: The Tang Sword

"A helicopter? Who would make such a grand entrance?" At this moment, Sun Linhai also gazed at the helicopter roaring and circling above with a face full of confusion.

With a thunderous rumble, the helicopter slowly descended onto an open space in Peach Blossom Village.

Immediately afterward, four imposing middle-aged men followed by a stunning young woman walked toward the Azure Dragon Clinic where Lu Hao was.

Among the four men was Director Zheng, who had previously accompanied Miss Shang Yunjie, the young heiress of the Shang family, to seek medical help.

The woman leading them wore a cheongsam and a Tang sword at her waist, exuding the elegance and aura of a beauty from the Han dynasty.

The moment Sun Linhai saw her, his face instantly revealed a trace of dread.

"Miss Long!" Sun Linhai reacted as if he had met some great figure, his face filled with anxious, flattering smiles.

It was as though this Miss Long was his direct superior.

"Miss Long, what brings you here today? What wind has blown you all the way to our village?" Sun Linhai hurried forward to greet her.

No matter how angry he was, he suppressed all his emotions at this moment. In front of Miss Long, he dared not show any disrespect.

Miss Long sneered coldly, "What? Do you think the matters Miss Shang has instructed are for you to question?"

"Miss Shang?" A strong trace of apprehension flashed through Sun Linhai's eyes.

A few years ago, his Sun Group had been squeezed to the brink of collapse by market competitors. It was Miss Shang from Shang Capital Group who personally met with him and purchased a large amount of shares, injecting a vast sum that kept Sun Group's cash flow alive.

His company only survived thanks to her.

Moreover, there was said to be a powerful, terrifying force behind the Shang family, with rumored ties to the God of War in Jingzhou.

Thus, the Shang family was not only Sun Group’s major financial backer but also one of their greatest patrons.

Naturally, Sun Linhai dared not slight them.

"Miss Long, you misunderstand me," Sun Linhai said excitedly. "I simply meant that if you were planning to come, a bit of advance notice and we would have done our utmost to welcome you."

"That’s not necessary." With that, Miss Long, graceful in her cheongsam, walked up to Lu Hao and offered him a traditional bow.

It was clear the Shang Group held traditional etiquette in high regard.

"Hello, Dr. Lu. We’ve met once before," Miss Long said seriously as she looked at Lu Hao.

Lu Hao was momentarily puzzled. "We have?"

"When was that?" he asked.

"It was when we escorted Miss Shang here. I was hiding among the assistants; you may not have noticed me," Miss Long replied.

Lu Hao nodded in realization. "I see."

"Dr. Lu, I’m here to pick you up. Last time, you stitched the wound on our Miss Shang’s leg..." She left her meaning unspoken.

Lu Hao understood. She was referring to when he had stitched pigskin onto Shang Yunjie’s leg.

"Oh, that matter. I remember," Lu Hao nodded. "But now, I’m afraid I can’t go," he said awkwardly.

Miss Long looked at him, puzzled. "Why not?"

Lu Hao took a deep breath. "Because they want to break both my legs. I can’t go anywhere."

As soon as he finished speaking, a chill like ice spread across Miss Long’s face.

When her gaze fell upon the four men of East, South, West, and North that Lu Hao indicated, they immediately felt as though a hawk had fixed its eyes on them.

A cold shiver ran through their bodies.

Especially when they saw Miss Long’s hand move toward the Tang sword at her waist, true terror welled up from inside.

"What’s going on?" Miss Long’s gaze landed on Sun Linhai, certain that he must know what was happening.

Sun Linhai quickly stepped forward to explain, "Miss Long, you may not know, but this criminal just broke my nephew’s arm. These men were acting on my instructions, but we weren’t really going to break his legs. That was just a joke; we only meant to restrain him."

"Restrain him? For what? Did he kill someone?" Miss Long asked coldly.

"No, nothing like that," Sun Linhai replied, a little embarrassed.

"If there was no murder, then what’s your rush? And those bulldozers and excavators outside—did you call them?" Miss Long’s tone turned colder. "What are you planning?"

Sun Linhai was momentarily flustered. "Miss Long, I think you’ve misunderstood. It was he who broke my nephew’s arm—look, the bone is sticking out." He gestured at Sun Wenguo’s arm as if afraid Miss Long might not notice.

"Your nephew is none of my concern, nor do I care," Miss Long replied flatly.

"I’m here for Mr. Lu. Miss Shang, the head of our group, is still his patient."

"I am here to take him for treatment. Anyone who tries to stop me will be considered an enemy of Shang Group."

Sun Linhai was utterly shocked. His eyelids twitched uncontrollably.

How could the doctor of a tiny village clinic be Miss Shang’s personal physician? Was someone like Lu Hao even worthy?

He wanted to voice his disbelief, but seeing the icy look on Miss Long’s face, he swallowed the words.

Given the Shang family’s power and wealth, it was inconceivable that they would entrust their health to a village doctor. After all, with a single word, the world’s top specialists and professors would come running.

How could a rural doctor like Lu Hao ever cross paths with someone of Miss Shang’s stature? There was an obvious, unbridgeable gap between them.

Miss Long, noticing his hesitation, said calmly, "What? Do you doubt my words? Or do you intend to cripple Mr. Lu’s legs and make things difficult for Miss Shang?"

Sun Linhai made a split-second decision in his mind.

"Miss Long, you must be joking," he said. "If he’s Miss Shang’s private doctor, how could I possibly dare disrespect him?"

He glanced at the helicopter they had arrived in. If nothing else, just the fact that the Shang family could fly a helicopter in the city—a privilege beyond the reach of ordinary wealthy families—spoke volumes.

And not just anyone got to ride in that helicopter. Only the most important members of the Shang family could use it.

Dispatching a helicopter to fetch Lu Hao made their intentions clear—they placed immense value on him.

“At least in the southwest, the Shang family is the foremost, almost royal power,” he thought silently to himself.