Chapter Sixty-Nine: The Mind Parasite

Feng Residence.

As soon as Feng Yuling and Deng Chang returned, a tall man asked, “Ling’er, how did it go? Did you manage to get the Heart-Cleansing Herb?”

He was Feng Yuling’s father, Feng Zhenyu.

“Dad, we didn’t get the Heart-Cleansing Herb,” Feng Yuling replied, shaking her head.

“I see.”

Though Feng Zhenyu was somewhat disappointed, the old master had been in a coma for more than three years, so he wasn’t desperate for an immediate solution.

Seeing her father’s expression, which was much like her own earlier, Feng Yuling couldn’t help but smile wryly. “Dad, I haven’t finished speaking.”

“Hm?” Feng Zhenyu looked at his daughter in confusion.

“It’s like this,” Feng Yuling continued, “I went with my teacher to find Mr. Lin, and discovered that he’s not only a young grandmaster but also an alchemist, far more skilled than my teacher.”

Feng Zhenyu was stunned, hardly believing his ears. Among the ten great families of Shan Province, only the Fengs had a known alchemist, which showed how rare such a talent was.

And now his own daughter was telling him that Lin Yi was not only a grandmaster but also an alchemist. It sounded like pure fantasy—had Lin Yi begun studying these things from the moment he was born? At Lin Yi’s age, he himself had been busy chasing girls…

Ignoring her father’s expression, Feng Yuling continued, “Although I didn’t get the Heart-Cleansing Herb, Mr. Lin gave me a Heart-Cleansing Pill.”

She took a jade bottle from her pocket and poured out a perfectly round pill.

Feng Zhenyu didn’t know much about pills, but the Heart-Cleansing Pill’s fragrance alone was enough to clear one’s mind.

“Mr. Lin is indeed a remarkable young man,” Feng Zhenyu praised, then turned to Feng Yuling with a sudden glint in his eye. “Ling’er, what do you think of Mr. Lin?”

“Dad, there’s nothing between me and Mr. Lin,” Feng Yuling shot him a look, clearly understanding his intentions—he wanted to use this opportunity to connect with Lin Yi.

But she knew it was impossible for her. Leaving aside what happened in Shiku Forest, even in the few times she’d interacted with him, she could tell that Lin Yi was calm and steady, nothing like other impulsive youths.

To truly enter the heart of such a man would be extremely difficult. Not to mention, Lin Yi already had An Qier and Zhang Xinyi by his side. She was pretty, but compared to Zhang Xinyi, she was still a little lacking.

“Alas,” Feng Zhenyu sighed, realizing the disparity.

“Let’s give the Heart-Cleansing Pill to Grandpa first.”

The group went to the old master’s quarters, where an elderly man with silver hair lay on the bed, his complexion sallow and lips pale.

Feng Zhenyu carefully administered the Heart-Cleansing Pill to the old master, wrapping it in his internal energy.

After a few seconds, the old man’s eyelids fluttered.

Both Feng Zhenyu and Feng Yuling were delighted.

But in the next moment, the old man suddenly sat upright, coughed up a mouthful of black blood, and collapsed again, his breath now so weak it seemed he could pass away at any moment.

“Dad!” “Grandpa!”

Tears welled in Feng Yuling’s eyes as she hurriedly called to her grandfather.

Feng Zhenyu grabbed Deng Chang by the collar and demanded, “Didn’t you say one Heart-Cleansing Pill would be enough to bring my father back? Why has he gotten worse?”

Deng Chang pushed him off, his brow tightly furrowed. “That shouldn’t be! The old master’s problem was qi and blood reversal from mental collapse—a common Heart-Cleansing Pill should have sufficed.”

Suddenly, Deng Chang clapped his hands. “Unless Mr. Lin gave us a fake pill, or perhaps, the old master’s condition isn’t just a simple mental collapse.”

Feng Zhenyu’s face darkened as he turned to Feng Yuling. “Ling’er, call Mr. Lin at once.”

“All right.”

Feng Yuling was anxious, with many questions for Lin Yi. Soon, the call connected.

“Hello, Mr. Lin, our Feng family sincerely seeks your forgiveness, but why did you give us a fake Heart-Cleansing Pill?” Her tone was icy.

“Fake?” Lin Yi frowned.

Feng Yuling, no longer caring whether he was a grandmaster, sneered, “Isn’t it? My grandfather took your pill, and now he’s barely alive.”

“Then send me a video of his current condition,” Lin Yi said.

“Why should I—” Feng Yuling’s retort was cut short by Feng Zhenyu.

“Ling’er, do as Mr. Lin says.”

Feng Yuling was still young, and childish temper was normal, but as one of the Feng family’s direct heirs, Feng Zhenyu couldn’t afford to indulge her. If Lin Yi were truly angered, the entire family would suffer.

“Oh.” Feng Yuling recorded a video and sent it.

After a brief glance, Lin Yi understood immediately. “Your grandfather’s coma wasn’t caused by a failed breakthrough.”

Feng Yuling’s brows knitted. “Then what was it?”

“Have you ever heard of a Mind Parasite?” Lin Yi asked.

Feng Yuling shook her head. “No.”

Deng Chang, however, had some knowledge. “I read about it once, when traveling through Miaojiang. According to an old miscellany, these parasites can control a person’s thoughts and emotions, and even transfer their memories into someone else—extremely sinister.”

Feng Yuling’s eyes grew cold. “Are you saying someone planted a Mind Parasite in my grandfather?”

“Exactly,” Lin Yi replied calmly.

Feng Yuling was puzzled. Her grandfather was always kind—why would anyone do this to him?

Feng Zhenyu, seeing his daughter still dazed, urged her again, “Ask him quickly if there’s any way to save your grandfather.”

“Oh.”

“Lin Yi, since you’re familiar with Mind Parasites, you must have a way to save my grandfather, right?” Feng Yuling asked.

“Mm,” Lin Yi grunted, waiting for her next words.

He was no philanthropist. Since he’d already given the Heart-Cleansing Pill, their transaction was settled. As for the old master spitting blood after taking the pill, that was not his fault—they simply hadn’t treated the real cause.

Feng Yuling bit her lip. The Feng family had already paid a billion and three spiritual herbs for her grandfather’s sake; any more was beyond their means. Their resources were limited, and they couldn’t sacrifice everything for a half-dead man.

“Mr. Lin, as long as you save my grandfather, I, Feng Yuling, am willing to serve you loyally,” she offered.

Lin Yi shook his head. “Pick another condition.”

“I…” Feng Yuling’s lips parted in disbelief, her eyes dim.

She was a beautiful woman, yet she’d been flatly rejected, leaving her deeply wounded.

At that moment, a voice spoke up, “Tell Mr. Lin our Feng family is willing to offer three more spiritual herbs.”

It was the family grandmaster, Feng Yi, who, though still injured, was able to move.

Grateful, Feng Yuling quickly relayed, “Lin Yi, three spiritual herbs.”

Lin Yi smiled faintly. “Agreed.”

The Feng family’s generosity pleased him. Even if all three herbs were red ginseng, it was still a good profit.

After hanging up, Feng Yuling smiled sweetly, “Granduncle, why are you here?”

“Third Brother is my blood relative. If he wakes, our Feng family will only grow stronger,” Feng Yi replied kindly.

Meanwhile, Lin Yi boarded the Linda Group’s private helicopter. In just over an hour, it landed in the Feng family’s courtyard.

“Welcome, Mr. Lin,” Feng Zhenyu greeted with a cupped fist.

“Let’s go see the old master,” Lin Yi replied, getting straight to the point.

“This way, please,” Feng Zhenyu said, leading the way.

They soon arrived at the old master’s room, where Feng Yuling sat by the bed wiping her grandfather’s face.

Lin Yi strode to the bedside. The old master’s breath was weak, his face deathly pale, clinging to life by a thread.

Lin Yi took out a Vitality Pill, crushed it, and let the powder fall onto the old man’s lips. Instantly, his pallor improved a shade.

Next, Lin Yi pressed a large palm to the old man’s ear.

“Come out!”

A powerful suction burst from Lin Yi’s palm, and a slender black parasite wriggled out of the old man’s ear canal.

It was the Mind Parasite.

Once inside the human body, such parasites were horrifying and undetectable even by the most advanced hospital equipment. But once removed, they became extremely fragile.

Lin Yi crushed the parasite with his fingers.

“Mr. Lin, was that the Mind Parasite?” Feng Yuling asked, both curious and furious at the thought of a worm having been inside her grandfather’s head.

Lin Yi nodded, then infused a strand of healing true energy into the old man’s body.

Soon, the old master’s weak pulse grew stronger.

“Your grandfather is basically out of danger,” Lin Yi instructed, “but the one who planted the parasite hasn’t been found yet. Be on your guard.”

“Thank you, Mr. Lin.” Feng Zhenyu bowed gratefully.

Lin Yi disliked such formalities. “And the herbs?”

“Here.” Deng Chang hurriedly brought out three brocade boxes.

Lin Yi opened them—inside were three pieces of red ginseng.

He showed no dissatisfaction, instantly vaporizing the herbs and storing their essence with him.

“If the old master wakes, let me know. There are some things I wish to ask him personally,” Lin Yi said as he left.

He had his suspicions, and hoped to use this opportunity to track down the two traitors who had murdered Miao Caifeng.

…

Back in Lancheng, Lin Yi was about to take a stroll when a clear voice called from behind, “Lin Yi.”

He turned to see Li Zhihan approaching, accompanied by two men and a woman.

One of the men came from a wealthy family, decked out in designer brands and exuding the air of a nouveau riche. The other was refined, handsome, and clearly a martial artist—his strength at the dark energy stage, impressive for Lancheng.

As for the woman, she wore a cold expression, her eyes betraying disdain and arrogance, as if nothing in the world was worth her attention.

The moment Li Zhihan saw Lin Yi, her eyes lit up and she skipped over, her big, bright eyes sparkling at him.