Just as Ling Chen felt a shock of alarm, the black shadow, without pausing, rapidly scaled the exterior wall of the hospital building, reaching the fifth floor in the blink of an eye.

Seeing this scene, Ling Chen couldn’t help but widen his eyes in disbelief, staring at the black shadow as his mind temporarily froze, unable to snap back to reality.

Is... is this even human?

Scaling walls and walking on roofs!

With just this skill, the person’s physical ability could very well be on par with He Ziyun.

A gust of wind struck his face, and without time for further thought, Ling Chen took steps backward. He still hadn’t figured out the black shadow’s origins, so he had to remain cautious. As his thoughts raced, the black shadow had already entered through a window, landing in the corridor of the hospital.

Ling Chen’s heart tensed, his fists slightly clenched, as he sized up the person with piercing eyes, his expression immediately taken aback.

Bathed in the bright corridor light, the appearance of the black shadow was laid bare before Ling Chen. Silver hair, skin covered in wrinkles, eyes dark and ominous, a light red tumor on the chin the size of a pigeon’s egg, dangling slightly, somewhat bizarre.

At first glance, this old man appeared to be at least seventy or eighty years old. Besides the old man’s appearance, the cane in his hand also caught Ling Chen’s attention.

The three-foot long, pure wooden cane was brown, very much like a twisted tree trunk, with deep, convoluted grain patterns, and a ’7’-shaped handle at the top. At this moment, the old man was leaning on his cane, sizing up Ling Chen with the same chilly, shadowy eyes.

Those who are good do not come; those who come are not good.

Ling Chen’s intuition told him this old man was not here to make friends. With this thought, his eyes slightly narrowed as the Inner Strength within his Dantian began to move slowly, the robust Inner Strength flowing like a tiny stream through his meridians, ready to erupt at any moment.

"Are you Ling Chen?" the old man was the first to speak.

Ling Chen nodded, his heart on guard, his lips slightly turning up with a faint smile as he replied, neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Do you need something from me?"

The old man did not hesitate and, leaning on his cane, pressed forward one step closer, staring straight into Ling Chen’s pupils. He cut to the chase, "Where is Qiu Yong?"

"Qiu Yong?" Ling Chen was momentarily stunned. He thought the old man was here to trouble him; it seems he was overly sentimental. He looked at the old man perplexedly and asked in return, "What do you want with Elder Qiu?"

"That is my business; you don’t need to know. Tell me, where is he?" The old man’s tone was insistently demanding.

Ling Chen spread his hands and said, "Sorry, you’ve asked the wrong person. I haven’t seen Elder Qiu in a very long time."

The old man coldly stated, "My people have told me that you have frequent contact with the eight eccentrics; surely you can’t be unaware?"

Ling Chen immediately pleaded innocence, "That’s nonsense. Whoever your informant is, you should definitely fire them; too irresponsible, spouting nonsense with eyes wide open. Yes, I know the eight eccentrics, but I’m not familiar with them; it’s useless to ask me."

"If you don’t get a lesson, you won’t be ready to tell the truth." As the words left him, the old man’s eyes suddenly widened, brimming with sharpness and emitting an intimidating authority. With just this attitude, Ling Chen’s legs involuntarily stepped back, like a willow branch in a gale, unable to hold its ground.

So powerful!

Ling Chen observed the old man, his pupils slightly constricted, internally startled.

This old man’s strength was probably beyond the Tiger List.

Not only him, but Jiang Yunkai alongside him was also filled with shock, staring at the old man in disbelief.

With thoughts swirling, the old man who leaned on the cane made his move, swift as a gust of wind, and in an instant, he was upon Ling Chen, his withered fingers transforming into a claw, reaching for Ling Chen’s face.

Ling Chen gathered his spirit and quickly raised both hands to protect his vital facial features, hoping to block the opponent’s attack. However, as soon as he made a move, Ling Chen realized that the old man’s attack had suddenly shifted from a high line to a mid-line, striking rapidly towards his chest and abdomen.

Ling Chen acknowledged his own reaction abilities weren’t weak, but in front of the elder, his actions couldn’t keep up with his sight. Watching as the withered claw struck, Ling Chen found himself utterly helpless. For the first time, he felt a profound sense of powerlessness.

"Stop!"

Jiang Yunkai saw that the situation was grim and, concerned for Ling Chen’s safety, didn’t hesitate to leap forward and strike out with a single palm. However, the elder didn’t even glance at him, shaking his walking stick lightly. Before Jiang Yunkai could see the move clearly, his forward-charging body was sent flying and smashed heavily against the wall.

"Kai!" Ling Chen’s expression changed slightly, his eyes filled with concern.

"You should watch out for yourself first." The elder snorted coldly, his vigorous attack unabatedly targeting Ling Chen’s vital points.

Just in the blink of an eye, a sharp sword light suddenly shot forth, aiming straight for the elder’s head.

The sudden change caused the elder’s expression to change, prompting him to immediately withdraw and step back.

Clang!

Accompanied by a crisp sound, a cold, gleaming sword was firmly embedded in the wall, half the blade sunk in, the hilt trembling slightly, the force not yet dissipated.

The elder glanced at the sword, his eyes instantly turning cold as he shouted, "Who’s there, come out!"

"Dongfang Yu, long time no see. I trust you’ve been well."

An elderly and familiar voice came through, and Ling Chen’s eyebrows lifted slightly. A trace of joy appeared on his sharp-featured face as he turned to look at the newcomer.

The one who had lent a timely hand was none other than He Ziyun.

At this moment, He Ziyun was dressed in a Tang suit, hands clasped behind his back, walking with head held high and chest out.

"It’s you?" Seeing He Ziyun, Dongfang Yu’s face suddenly fell, revealing a clear sense of discontent. "Mr. He, this is my private affair; don’t intervene."

He Ziyun spoke indifferently, "Ling Chen is a friend I deeply respect. If you intend to harm him, I will be the first to object."

Hearing this, Dongfang Yu’s gaze flickered, seemingly hesitating. After a moment, he looked intently at Ling Chen and squeezed a few words from between his teeth, "Fine, Mr. He, for your sake I will let him go for now. But as long as he doesn’t reveal Qiu Yong’s whereabouts, I will never let this rest."

With that, Dongfang Yu turned and leaped towards the window, spreading his hands like a great roc spreading its wings, vanishing instantly into the ink-like night.

Ling Chen quickly walked to the window, watching Dongfang Yu leaving, and let out a sigh of relief.

That was close! Had He Ziyun not arrived in time, he probably couldn’t have escaped this disaster.

"Mr. He..."

He Ziyun waved his hand, cutting off Ling Chen’s words, and said, "You should first sort your own affairs out and then come to the Martial Arts Academy to find me." With that, He Ziyun walked to the wall, pulled out the sword with his hand, sheathed it, and strode away.

At this moment, Jiang Yunkai got up from the ground, clutching his aching right shoulder, and watched He Ziyun’s departing figure with a tinge of shock in his eyes.

"Ling Chen, who is that man?"

"He Ziyun, Mr. He." After a pause, Ling Chen added another sentence: "A master of the Earthly List!"