Divorce Only Makes a Son-in-Law Stronger-Chapter 142. Busy Man Lin Fan

Mom, I have to return to the Imperial Capital to confront those beasts who drove you to your death...

Watching Wang Meng stride away joyfully, Lin Fan withdrew his gaze and turned to the portrait of his mother on the wall. His thoughts drifted for a moment before his gaze settled with firm resolve. After muttering to himself, he pulled the clothes from the washing machine, wrung them out, and hung them to dry under the eaves.

Next, Lin Fan looked around the clinic and brought out his Alchemical Furnace and other equipment. He retrieved some herbal medicines from the rows of cabinets lining the wall. Nodding in satisfaction, he began refining Qi Replenishing Pills.

Ever since Lin Fan had taken command of the Hulin Guard, the military had produced a steady stream of experts who consistently dominated the martial arts competitions across the various military regions. The greatest factor behind their success was the potent effect of the Qi Replenishing Pill. The old leaders from other military regions were green with envy, nearly fighting tooth and nail to get Lin Fan to hand over the secret formula. They even shamelessly stooped to using honey traps, sending their beautiful granddaughters, one after another, to serve as Lin Fan’s so-called "personal assistants."

Fortunately, the matter alerted the military high command. They made the final decision to classify the Qi Replenishing Pill as a top-level national secret. Lin Fan was given sole control, and any leaks were strictly forbidden. This prevented a farce and forced the other military leaders to grudgingly abandon their schemes.

A moment later, footsteps approached from outside the door. Lin Fan, who was squatting by the entrance with his attention fixed on the furnace fire, asked without looking up, "What are you doing here so late at night?"

"Hehe, Master, I need to ask a favor of you," said the visitor, who was none other than Doctor Jiang, an obsequious grin on his face. He walked over to Lin Fan, squatted down beside him, and stared curiously at the Alchemical Furnace.

"If you have something to say, just say it," Lin Fan said indifferently, glancing at him.

This old fellow is hardly reliable. Back in the convention center lobby, the moment Iguchi Tama released that swarm of Poison Insects, Doctor Jiang proved to be the most cunning of all, bolting out of there unscathed. Now he has the audacity to show up here again. He’s definitely up to no good.

"Master, an old friend of mine invited me to give a public lecture to a class of students," Doctor Jiang said, rubbing his hands together with an embarrassed smile. "I was just thinking, if I could get *you* to make an appearance, it would absolutely electrify the audience!"

"I don’t have time. I have to go to the Imperial Capital in a few days," Lin Fan replied, frowning as he immediately shut down the idea. He couldn’t be bothered with such petty, fame-seeking nonsense.

"Hey, don’t refuse so quickly! I was invited to speak at the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine in the Imperial Capital. We master and disciple will be on the same route anyway!" Doctor Jiang pleaded, his eyes fixed on Lin Fan.

"The Imperial Capital... Beijing University of Chinese Medicine... Alright. We’ll see how my schedule looks. If I can make time, you can contact me then," Lin Fan said, his interest piqued as he reluctantly nodded.

He couldn’t help but think of Huang Jiacheng’s granddaughter, Huang Xiaoya, who was a student at that very university. This might be a good opportunity to get closer to her without seeming too abrupt.

"Thank you, Master! Rest assured, I’ll inform my old friend in the Imperial Capital and also have him help search for news about the Fire Fungus!" Doctor Jiang exclaimed, overjoyed. He quickly stood and bowed deeply to Lin Fan.

In truth, he hadn’t been invited to give a lecture. He had made a bet with an old friend to hold a public medicinal debate. Doctor Jiang feared his own skills were insufficient. It would be utterly humiliating to suffer a crushing defeat in front of a crowd of students from the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. Thus, his first thought was to find Lin Fan and coax him into attending. Fearing rejection, however, he had slightly altered the reason for the trip...

"Master, what wonderful thing are you refining? Could you spare some for me?" Doctor Jiang asked, his eyes filled with anticipation as he stared at the Alchemical Furnace. A rich, herbal fragrance, so potent it seemed to seep into one’s very soul, wafted from within.

"Just do your job well. If you can find a clue about the Fire Fungus, you’ll get your reward," Lin Fan said, shaking his head as he added two more pieces of charcoal to the fire. "This is specially refined for Martial Artists. Not only would it be useless for you, but you also wouldn’t be able to withstand its effects. You could very well explode and die."

"Hiss... In that case, forget it! Hehe. Master, I’ll be on my way then. I’ll see you in the Imperial Capital!" Doctor Jiang’s body trembled. Realizing Lin Fan wasn’t bluffing, he shook his head furiously.

"Hey, Old Sun, you just wait and see! I’ve invited a supreme expert to back me up this time. I’ll make you admit defeat!" Doctor Jiang said his cheerful goodbyes, and as soon as he was out of the alley, he impatiently whipped out his phone. His face lit up with excitement as he dialed the number for Principal Sun of the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine.

"Hehe, Old Jiang, keep on bragging. We’ll see how you keep up your bluster after my prized student defeats you," came a gloating, elderly voice from the other end of the line.

"You’re no match for me, and your students are even less of a threat," Doctor Jiang retorted, filled with renewed confidence. After trading a few more barbs with his old friend, he drove off, thoroughly satisfied.

...That old fox doesn’t seem to be telling the truth.

Meanwhile, at the clinic’s entrance, the corner of Lin Fan’s mouth twitched as he retracted his gaze from the alley. His hearing was so sharp that even from more than ten meters away, he had heard the gist of what Doctor Jiang said. Shaking his head, he decided not to dwell on it. Seeing that the batch of Qi Replenishing Pills was nearly ready, he removed most of the charcoal and let them simmer over a low heat.

Just then, his phone buzzed. Someone had sent him a private message on the traditional medicine forum app.

"I have a competition in two days. Want to come and have your mind blown?"

The message was from a user with the ID "Little Gray Machine," whose profile listed them as a seventy-plus-year-old male.

"No time. You’re just a kid pretending to be an old doctor. How childish," Lin Fan frowned and typed a quick reply. The person’s medical knowledge was impressive, but their arrogant tone was clearly that of a young person. They had clashed in debates on the forum many times and were practically sworn enemies.

"Hmph, I know you’re poor. I’ll cover your round-trip airfare and your accommodations. How about it? Do you dare to meet me?" Little Gray Machine sent a punchably smug smiley emoji.

"...I’m not poor anymore, but I’m still busy. Very busy," Lin Fan replied, the corner of his mouth twitching again as he prepared to close the app. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

"Hey, I’m actually a pretty girl, you know. If you don’t come, you’ll regret it!" Little Gray Machine sent, seemingly unwilling to give up. A photo of a pretty girl in a school uniform immediately followed.

"What century is this? Still using tricks like this... Is that just some random picture you found online?" Lin Fan’s face darkened as his fingers flew across the screen. "If I weren’t so busy, I’d definitely come and expose your true identity."

"Coward! If you’re too scared to come, just admit it. Don’t try to act tough with me."

Little Gray Machine was clearly angry now, perhaps stung by Lin Fan’s skepticism. After sending three angry emojis, their avatar went gray. It looked like they had logged off in a huff.

...

Lin Fan was left speechless. He silently put his phone down and began to pack the freshly refined Qi Replenishing Pills. This batch wasn’t just for Wang Meng. A headache began to form as he thought of Mrs. Xue, whose verbal assaults were far more potent than her physical skills. The dangers he was about to face would only grow more intense. It was time to improve Mrs. Xue’s martial arts abilities. Otherwise, how could he confidently trust her to protect Yuan Youwei up close?

How much your strength improves will depend on your own destinies.

After storing the Qi Replenishing Pills and putting everything away, Lin Fan turned his gaze toward the People’s Cemetery. He wondered if Zhang Meili had truly kept her promise and was kneeling before his mother’s grave.