Chapter Fifty-Six: The Helicopter

At this moment, Miss Long gave Lu Hao a gentle bow and said, "Mr. Lu, I ask you to board our helicopter and treat Miss Shang."
"As for consultation fees and any other compensation, there will be absolutely no issue. Whatever amount you name will be granted."

Lu Hao listened, but did not respond immediately. Instead, his gaze shifted toward Sun Linhai, who stood not far away.
Miss Long's eyes followed his, settling on Sun Linhai as well.

"I understand your concern," she said.
"Sun Linhai, I am about to escort Mr. Lu to treat Miss Shang. Do you have any objections?"

Upon hearing this, Sun Linhai shuddered.
Objections? How could I dare object?
"Of course not. If Miss Long wishes to invite the doctor to treat her, I am more than glad to support it."

Even though Sun Linhai was now the highest authority in the Sun Group, with thousands depending on his decisions for their livelihood, before true family powers and great influence, he could only keep his head low and behave with caution.

With a swift motion, Miss Long drew her Tang blade, then pulled a white handkerchief from her bosom and wiped the blade clean.
"Do not accuse me of failing to warn you all—if anyone dares to threaten or harm Mr. Lu, my Tang blade will show no mercy."

Her hand flashed like a phantom.
A sharp sound cut through the air.

Miss Long sheathed her Tang blade and slowly turned away.
A massive ornamental stone in front of her split cleanly, its cut as smooth as a mirror.

Even Song Xiong, who had been standing discreetly at a distance, could not help but let a glimmer of admiration flicker in his eyes.

"Peak second-tier, nearly reaching the first-tier—a rare master of the sword, who has already cultivated both internal force and qi," he thought, his gaze filled with caution.
As a martial artist, he knew well: a master who wields a weapon far surpasses one who fights bare-handed.
Even if both have access to firearms, should two experts of equal rank face off, the one with cold steel will always defeat the bare-handed opponent.

"This Miss Long's background is anything but simple," he murmured.
"Looks like Mr. Lu won't need my protection this time."

Standing at the center of the grounds, Lu Hao looked at Miss Long and nodded. "Since Miss Long is offering her assistance, I will accept the invitation."

"But what about my clinic—and my mother? How will they be cared for?" Lu Hao asked.

Miss Long gave him a serene smile. "Please rest assured, Mr. Lu."
"Mr. Zheng, can you handle this matter?"

Mr. Zheng quickly stepped forward. "Please don't worry, Miss Long."
"I will purchase all the equipment needed for Mr. Lu's clinic, and will make sure his mother is well accommodated."
"You can be completely at ease; no one will threaten your family or your clinic."

"That's good," Lu Hao replied, nodding. He turned and said a few words to his mother and Zhang Qingfan, then followed Miss Long onto the helicopter.

As the helicopter lifted off, Sun Wenguo, standing below, could not help but curse, "Why doesn't that helicopter crash and kill everyone on board!"

Hearing this, Sun Linhai suddenly slapped Sun Wenguo hard across the face.
Rage surged across Sun Linhai's face like a flood.

"What nonsense are you spouting?"
"If you dare say another word, I'll deal with you myself on your father's behalf!"

Sun Wenguo, now agitated, glared at his uncle in fury. "Uncle, what do you mean by that?"
"Weren't you going to avenge me?"
"What are you doing now?"

Sun Linhai replied, "Avenge you? Do you even know whom you've provoked? You still want revenge?"
"From the way you secretly mobilized the excavators and bulldozers, it's clear you're not as obedient as you pretended to be."

Sun Wenguo's eyes reddened, his face full of defiance. "But my arm—my arm was broken by him!"
He could not accept the outcome.

Sun Linhai replied coldly, "You have no choice but to accept it."

"Why?" Sun Wenguo protested.

"Because he is now an honored guest of the Shang family."
"Our Sun family, compared to Shang Capital, is like ants—do you understand that?"

A dark shadow settled over Sun Wenguo's gaze.
He could hardly imagine that Lu Hao, a country doctor, possessed such influence.

...

Lu Hao sat in the helicopter, listening to the deafening roar of the rotors and gazing down at the distant city below.
He felt as if everything was slightly unreal.

Truthfully, it was his first time ever riding in a helicopter, and he was not quite used to it.

Miss Long sat directly across from him, her gaze fixed on his face, making him somewhat uncomfortable.
After all, though Miss Long wore a traditional long gown, her ample chest was impossible to ignore.
The swaying peaks were quite distracting.

"Miss Long, how is Miss Shang's condition now?" Lu Hao could only find a topic to ease the awkwardness.

Miss Long answered earnestly, "Her condition is stable."
"Also, Mr. Lu, you need not call me Miss Long. Please use my given name, Long Gui."

"Alright, Miss Long Gui," Lu Hao nodded.

"Dr. Lu's medical skills are extraordinary. Miss Shang's personal court physician remarked that your suturing technique is truly unmatched in this era."

Lu Hao shook his head. "That doctor flatters me; in reality, it's just a very ancient technique for wound suturing."

Miss Long asked, "I wonder, with such remarkable skills, who did you learn from?"

Lu Hao replied, "I'm sorry, Miss Long, but for now I must keep that confidential."

Miss Long nodded, "Very well, I was too forward."

"Miss Shang praised your medical skills highly, and instructed us never to neglect you."
"Please be patient a little longer; we will arrive soon."

The group remained silent as the hours passed.

The helicopter finally arrived at a broad lakeside.

The lakeside was nestled in a hillside, surrounded by walls, clearly a privately built estate.

Many villa-style buildings stood within, noble, elegant, and shrouded in mystery.