Chapter 170: Ambiguous Healing

Even though it was just a superficial wound, the cool sensation was enough for Lin Xiao to let out a long sigh of relief and relax.

With the ointment on her hands, Chen Lingxin gently spread it over Lin Xiao’s large hand. For some reason, her pale cheeks began to blush.

This was her first time being this close to a man. Lin Xiao’s hands were different from those of ordinary practitioners; they were slender, pale, and smooth, without any calluses, seemingly even more delicate than her own.

A strange feeling spread from Lin Xiao’s palm, making Chen Lingxin feel as if she was being electrified.

She couldn’t believe that such hands could unleash such ferocious power, sweeping away all in their path.

A complex emotion welled up in Chen Lingxin, making her reluctant to let go of Lin Xiao’s hand.

Lin Xiao didn’t experience the same delicate sensation as Chen Lingxin, but his feelings were still peculiar. Any man would likely feel something extraordinary if a beautiful girl continuously stroked his hand. Especially since Chen Lingxin, in her focus on applying the medicine, had unknowingly loosened her practice suit’s neckline, revealing her fair chest and deep cleavage.

Chen Lingxin’s skin was not only soft and white but also radiated a healthy glow.

Underneath her practice suit, her curves were barely concealed, swaying with Chen Lingxin’s movements in a tantalizing manner that was incredibly distracting.

Lin Xiao took a quick glance before turning his head, shifting his gaze away. He might not be a paragon of virtue, but he wouldn’t stoop to peeping. Especially since Chen Lingxin was treating his wounds, and her exposure was merely due to her intense focus on treating him.

After about five to six minutes, Chen Lingxin finished applying the ointment to Lin Xiao’s hands, straightened up, stretched, and then noticed her loosened practice suit, her face flushed with embarrassment.

A typical girl might pretend not to know about her accidental exposure and brush off the incident. However, Chen Lingxin was no ordinary girl.

She hastily covered her chest, glaring at Lin Xiao, “Did you see anything?”

“No,” Lin Xiao flatly denied.

It was just an unintentional glance, hardly a proper look.

“I don’t believe you. You definitely saw,” Chen Lingxin said, her eyes sharp with accusation. “Here I am treating your wounds, and you’re peeking at my chest.”

Lin Xiao rolled his eyes, thinking that if it wasn’t for the wound treatment, he would’ve left already.

“I said I didn’t see anything.”

“Are you even a man?”

“Of course, I am,” Lin Xiao was puzzled by Chen Lingxin’s line of questioning.

“If you’re a man, then you definitely looked.” Chen Lingxin argued with conviction. “There’s no man who doesn’t enjoy looking at a girl’s chest. Are you saying you’re not a man?”

“…”

Lin Xiao found himself at a loss for words against Chen Lingxin’s argument.

“Ha, caught you, didn’t I? Now you’re speechless?” Chen Lingxin wore a smug smile.

“Fine, you win. I really have nothing to say,” Lin Xiao conceded, reclining on the couch, “And if I did look, what would you do about it?”

“It doesn’t matter. You’re my master. If you saw, so what?” Chen Lingxin’s tone softened, her demeanor suddenly shy and girlish.

“Isn’t that contradictory?” Such an expression was unusual for her tomboyish personality, leaving Lin Xiao feeling awkward.

But then Chen Lingxin quickly reverted to her usual self.

“Master, since I’m such a good and understanding disciple, why not teach me some martial arts? I’ll be a diligent student.”

“So this was your goal,” Lin Xiao sighed. He didn’t know whether to laugh or cry and simply closed his eyes, ignoring her.

“What do you mean this was your goal? If it were anyone else, I wouldn’t let it slide. I’d break his third leg,” Chen Lingxin fiercely added, then clasped Lin Xiao’s arm, adopting a woeful expression, “Please, you’re so skilled, what’s wrong with teaching me a few moves?”

In her quest to have Lin Xiao teach her martial arts, Chen Lingxin spared no effort, even resorting to acting coquettishly. While speaking, she vigorously shook Lin Xiao’s arm.

“I get it,” Lin Xiao, worn down by her persistence, responded with a hint of resignation, “I’ll teach you, just not right now.”

Lin Xiao had always admired Chen Lingxin’s eagerness to learn martial arts. Moreover, teaching her a few techniques was something he had been prepared to do. So, he readily agreed this time.

“As long as you’ve agreed, master, that’s good enough for me. I’m not in a hurry.”

Hearing Lin Xiao’s consent, Chen Lingxin’s face lit up with joy. She let go of Lin Xiao’s arm, retrieved a roll of gauze from the medical kit, and began to bandage the wounds on Lin Xiao’s palm.

Once Chen Lingxin finished bandaging, Lin Xiao flexed his hands.

The healing cream worked wonders. Although it was just a superficial wound, within such a short time, the pain in his hand had vanished, and Lin Xiao could feel the wound healing rapidly.

A wound that would normally take several days to heal now seemed like it would be better in just a day or two.

“Thank you for your effort,” Lin Xiao said, standing up from the couch.

“It’s me who should be thanking you.” Chen Lingxin met Lin Xiao’s gaze, her teeth lightly nibbling her lower lip. “Master, thank you for saving Chen’s Martial Arts Hall.”

As Lin Xiao was about to reply, Elder Chen’s voice came from the doorway, “Lin Xiao, how are your injuries?”

With those words, Elder Chen walked in, accompanied by Zhou Chenguang of Wuxu Martial Arts Hall and Yang Yuanji of Xuantian Martial Arts Hall, both of whom regarded Lin Xiao with admiration.

“I’m all right now,” Lin Xiao replied with a slight smile, nodding at the trio. “Old Master Chen, how’s everything outside?”

“With your help, all has been settled,” Elder Chen said cheerfully.

His good mood was evident, a stark contrast to the gloominess that had pervaded his demeanor before, as if he had become a different person altogether.

He added, “Jiang Linfeng and his crew have sworn to clear their grudges with Chen’s Martial Arts Hall. They compensated us as agreed. Moreover, Wei Chengxue of Wei Martial Arts Hall is too frightened to make a peep. He even asked me to extend his apologies to you, hahaha!”

“Now that the issue is resolved, I’m relieved,” Lin Xiao spoke with calmness, as if detached from the matter, despite being the primary contributor and the most meritorious.

“Lin Xiao, I’ll skip the formalities. Should you need anything from Chen’s Martial Arts Hall in the future, just let us know. As long as it’s within our capabilities, we’ll do it without hesitation,” Elder Chen earnestly offered, producing a black bank card from his pocket.

“This represents the compensation from Jiang Linfeng and his associates, ten million per person, totaling sixty million. It’s all yours.”

With that, Elder Chen attempted to press the bank card into Lin Xiao’s hand.

Lin Xiao stepped back, refusing, “Elder Chen, this money was compensated to the school by Jiang Linfeng. How could I possibly accept it?”

“Why not?” Elder Chen insisted, forcibly placing the bank card in Lin Xiao’s hand.

“If it weren’t for you, Chen’s Martial Arts Hall would’ve been finished. It was your victory over Jiang Linfeng and his group that saved us—and secured the compensation. No one deserves this reward more than you.”

“Really, master, you should take it,” Chen Lingxin supported, “If you don’t, my dad probably won’t be able to sleep tonight. After all you’ve done for us, we have to do something for you, right?”

Left with no choice, Lin Xiao accepted the bank card.

While an ordinary person might have been ecstatic about such a windfall, Lin Xiao remained as composed as ever, his expression unchanged.

Though Lin Xiao’s perspective on money had shifted from total disinterest, he still harbored no strong desire for it, especially after securing the funds for Mrs. Yuan’s treatment. He found himself at a loss on how to spend the money.

This demeanor further impressed Elder Chen and the others.