Chapter 181: Chapter 181

When Xu Qingxue returned home, Xu Hao went to the Divine Farmer Hall to instruct his female disciple, Feng Zixuan, in medical techniques.

In the acupuncture training room—

After barely completing a set of the Nine Heavenly Medical Needles, Feng Zixuan wore a troubled expression.

She had been practicing the needle techniques Xu Hao taught her, but the Nine Heavenly Medical Needles were far too profound and esoteric. Back then, it had taken her years to master the Taiyi Divine Needles. Now, faced with an even more complex technique, even with her foundation in the Taiyi Divine Needles, she couldn’t learn it so quickly.

But time was running out.

She had to master it within the next ten or so days.

If Western medicine discovered they couldn’t cure the patient, they would surely shift the blame back to the Divine Farmer Hall. If she failed to treat the patient then, the century-old reputation of the Divine Farmer Hall would collapse—and traditional Chinese medicine would suffer as well.

If she couldn’t learn the Nine Heavenly Medical Needles in time, her only option would be to ask her master to step in.

But that was a last resort.

It would be best if she could do it herself.

After finishing the needle technique, Feng Zixuan nervously glanced at Xu Hao.

Xu Hao stroked his chin, pretending to ponder deeply.

“Zixuan, your precision is there, but… mumble mumble, blah blah…”

After his explanation, Feng Zixuan nodded in realization, silently scolding herself for her carelessness.

Her brain understood, but when Xu Hao told her to practice again—

Her hands seemed to say: “If you know how, you do it. I don’t understand a thing.”

Feng Zixuan was at a loss.

As if sensing her struggle, Xu Hao offered guidance.

Yet even with his verbal instructions, she kept making mistakes.

The more errors she made, the more flustered she became, her movements growing frantic.

Suddenly, her body stiffened.

She felt her hands being grasped from behind once more.

A warm, jade-like voice whispered in her ear:

“Zixuan, calm your mind…”

The comforting embrace and soothing voice did ease her restlessness—

But then, another wave of agitation surged in her chest.

Her heartbeat quickened.

As Xu Hao guided her hands through the movements, she gradually lost herself in the process.

By the time he finished teaching her the full set of needle techniques, Feng Zixuan still yearned for more—especially the feeling of Xu Hao holding her hands.

Every movement had been fluid, each needle precise, swift, and seamless.

This only reinforced her belief:

Xu Hao’s medical skills surpassed even her master’s—the one she had studied under for years in the mountains.

After teaching her once, Xu Hao released her without hesitation.

Like a proper master, he had simply guided his distracted disciple, helping her focus.

Pure instruction—no ulterior motives.

Feng Zixuan continued practicing.

To her delight, after the hands-on teaching, her needle technique had improved significantly.

But there were still many things she didn’t fully grasp.

A thought suddenly brightened her eyes.

What if Xu Hao taught her like that a few more times?

Wouldn’t she master it much faster?

Learning the Nine Heavenly Medical Needles in just over ten days… wasn’t impossible.

Her breath hitched, her heart skipping a beat.

The more she thought about it, the more feasible it seemed.

Sure, it might be a little embarrassing—

But this was a matter of life and death for the Divine Farmer Hall!

The rise or fall of traditional Chinese medicine rested on her shoulders.

From what she could tell, Xu Hao’s teachings were purely for her medical training.

He genuinely wanted her to learn—no inappropriate intentions.

After Xu Hao’s careful groundwork, the young female lead had begun to trust him inexplicably.

Feng Zixuan looked at Xu Hao, blinking expectantly.

“Master… I’m slow to learn. Could you teach me hands-on like before?”

She felt a little nervous.

She trusted her master, but would he agree?

Would he think she was too stupid?

“I don’t have a problem with it,” Xu Hao said, hesitating slightly.

“But I’m not sure if you can accept it. Even though we’re master and disciple, men and women…”

Before he could finish, Feng Zixuan quickly interjected:

“I’m fine with it! Master, you’re putting so much effort into teaching me—I’m nothing but grateful!”

She already trusted Xu Hao, and his words only strengthened that trust.

A faint, meaningful smile crossed Xu Hao’s lips.

He stepped forward, taking Feng Zixuan’s hands in his.

Chest against her back, the hands-on teaching resumed.

[Ding… Feng Zixuan’s heartbeat quickens. Emotional Value +678…][Ding… Feng Zixuan feels restless. Emotional Value +789…]

Emotional Value notifications kept popping up.

Xu Hao opened Feng Zixuan’s character panel and saw her favorability slowly rising.

Their master-disciple relationship was gradually… warping.

Xu Hao declined his female disciple’s dinner invitation and returned to the Xu family villa.

With his fourth daughter back, of course he had to check on her.

“Heh, Fourth Sister, you’re asking why our skin is so smooth, our energy so vibrant, our bodies so healthy? It’s simple—Dad gave us Marrow-Cleansing Pills!”

“They cleanse the marrow and expel impurities, making us feel reborn!”

“Dad has plenty of these pills. If you just throw yourself into his arms, he’ll definitely give you one too…”

Xu Shiqing’s voice carried a hint of temptation.

Earlier, Xu Qingxue had finally caved and asked the question burning in her mind.

When Third Sister heard she had returned, she rushed out of the study.

Her skin was just as flawless, her vitality just as strong.

Even without martial prowess, her physique was far healthier than an average person’s.

The entire family’s charm had leveled up.

And in the middle of them all, Xu Qingxue stood out—like the lone ugly duckling.

For the first time in her life, she felt… less beautiful than others.

Marrow-Cleansing Pills? Expelling bodily impurities?

Xu Qingxue’s eyes narrowed in thought.

Did such miraculous medicine really exist?

Her master came from the millennia-old Heavenly Medical Sect, yet even they had no records of such a pill.

Where had Xu Hao gotten it?

And it wasn’t just the Marrow-Cleansing Pills.

The fetal stabilization medicine he gave Stepmother Su Wanqiu was equally extraordinary.

After confirming that Su Wanqiu and the baby were both healthy, Xu Qingxue still inspected the medicine Xu Hao had provided.

To her shock, the formula’s balance was even more precise and refined than anything she could devise.

Of course, she refused to believe Xu Hao had concocted it himself.

If he had, his medical skills would surpass even her master’s.

Was that even possible?

More likely, as a billionaire, he had connections—some reclusive genius doctor must have made it for him.

Just as she was lost in thought, her younger sister Xu Shiqing’s voice snapped her back to reality, urging her to acknowledge Xu Hao.

Xu Qingxue’s face darkened.

True, since returning, she’d witnessed many extraordinary things.

She’d also realized Xu Hao wasn’t as simple as she’d thought.

None of that changed how he’d treated them in the past.

There was no real grudge between them, but expecting her to forgive and forget?

“Fourth Sister, are you jealous that we’ve all become prettier?” Xu Huayi teased, grinning.

“Who’s jealous of you traitors?” Xu Qingxue scoffed. “Selling out the organization just for beauty—you should be ashamed!”

At this point, she was certain:

Xu Hao hadn’t drugged or hypnotized her sisters.

They were perfectly healthy.

The reason for their betrayal?

They’d succumbed to his temptations.

Martial arts, piano, painting, calligraphy—he’d targeted each of their interests.

Xu Qingxue sneered at their weakness.

Couldn’t even resist that much?

She swore to herself:

No matter what Xu Hao offered, she would never yield.

Xu Huayi wasn’t bothered by the “traitor” label.

In fact, she reveled in it.

Only by accepting Dad would Xu Qingxue understand how much better he treated them than the Seven Fairies ever had.

“Fourth Sister, no use denying it—I can see the envy in your eyes.”

Then, lowering her voice conspiratorially:

“Join us, and I’ll ask Dad to give you a Marrow-Cleansing Pill. You’ll be just as stunning as we are.”

“Hell, I’ll even get you a breast-enlarging tonic. You’ll have a figure like ours in no time.”

Xu Qingxue’s fists clenched.

Xu Qingxue’s lips twitched as she tightened her fists.

Her seven sisters were all stunningly beautiful, with peerless looks and figures—top-tier in every way.

Only her own figure fell slightly short.

This was her sore spot.

And Xu Huayi had just brought it up in front of all their sisters.

Xu Qingxue clenched her fists.

“Three days without a beating, and you’ll tear the roof off. Today, I’m going to teach you a lesson!”

She swung her fist at Xu Huayi, who immediately turned and bolted.

Spotting Third Sister Xu Hongzhuang sipping tea nearby, Xu Huayi rushed over and hid behind her.

“Third Sister, save me! Fourth Sister’s furious because I hit a nerve!”

Xu Hongzhuang sighed in amusement.

“Don’t slap a face, don’t expose flaws—who told you to run your mouth?”

“But I was just stating facts!” Xu Huayi pouted.

“What’s the big deal? With Dad’s medical skills, he could easily help her gain some confidence.”

“You’re still going on about it?!”

Blushing with rage, Xu Qingxue lunged forward.

The two began circling around Xu Hongzhuang like cats chasing their tails.

Just as Xu Huayi was about to be caught, Xu Hao returned.

Seeing her savior, Xu Huayi dashed over and threw herself into his arms.

“Daddy, save me! Someone’s trying to hit your precious daughter!”

Xu Qingxue, who had been about to pounce, froze mid-step, her jaw dropping.

Her eyes widened in shock.

She just hugged him?!

Since when were her sisters this close to Xu Hao?!

Now, after over two years apart, Xu Qingxue realized Xu Hao had truly changed.

He looked even younger than before—like he’d returned to his peak appearance in his early thirties.

Handsome, masculine, yet exuding mature charm.

Absolutely lethal to any young woman.

But what stunned her most was his newfound air of refinement and approachability.

It made her feel an inexplicable pull toward him, completely unlike the suffocating tension she used to feel in his presence.

“Out of all your sisters, you’re the most mischievous. If anyone’s getting bullied, it’s not you.”

Xu Hao patted his daughter’s back as she slid down, pouting.

“I’m not that much of a troublemaker!”

Only then did Xu Hao turn his gaze to his fourth daughter, who had just returned.

His eyes flickered slightly.

[Character]: Xu Qingxue

[Identity]: Female Lead of “The Return of the War God”

[Charm]: 94 (Max 100)

[Strength]: 90 (Peak Mingjin level)

[Physique]: 62 (Average: 10)

[Spirit]: 51 (Average: 10)

Xu Hao clicked his tongue.

That favorability score meant she really held a grudge.

No matter—he specialized in taming the unruly.

Nothing amused him more than watching a rebellious daughter chase after his approval later.

When Xu Feiyan had first returned, she’d even threatened to “teach him a lesson.”

Now? She obediently wore maid outfits, cosplayed anime characters, and followed his every order—calling him “Daddy” with the sweetest tone.

Strangely, his fourth daughter’s charm was two points lower than her sisters’.

One point was because she hadn’t taken the Marrow-Cleansing Pill yet.

Probably due to her “little friends” being underdeveloped.

Compared to her sisters, she was a bit lacking in that department.

So that’s why the system had rewarded him with those “Big White Rabbit Candies.”

They were specifically for her.

Her sisters had already devoured them all.

But he did know a certain massage technique…

His thoughts flashed by in an instant before he smiled warmly.

“Qingxue, long time no see. We’ve all been waiting for you.”

Xu Qingxue turned her face away—

Only to catch her sisters gazing at Xu Hao with pure admiration.

Gritting her teeth, she thought:

What kind of spell has he cast on them?!

Just because he sweet-talked them into becoming prettier, they’re fawning over him ?!

[Ding… Xu Qingxue feels displeased. Emotional Value +456…][Ding… Xu Qingxue is resentful. Emotional Value +741…]

By dinnertime, Xu Hongzhuang called out to her.

“Fourth Sister, come eat.”

Xu Qingxue glanced at Xu Hao and replied coolly,

“You go ahead. I already made plans with my senior sister—I’m heading out soon.”

She refused to share a meal with him.

“The food’s ready, and we even made your favorites. Can’t you meet her after eating?”

Xu Hongzhuang frowned.

“No. I promised her already.”

Truthfully, Xu Qingxue wanted to stay.

But the thought of Xu Hao steeled her resolve.

Without looking back, she walked out of the Xu family villa.

Xu Hongzhuang watched her leave, her eyes thoughtful.

This fourth sister’s resentment runs deep.

Reuniting this family won’t be easy.

Once outside, Xu Qingxue pulled out her phone to contact her senior sister, Feng Zixuan.

She had lied earlier—she hadn’t actually made plans yet.

Originally, she’d intended to visit her senior sister after a short stay at home.

But the shockwaves from returning had made her forget.

As she unlocked her phone, group messages flooded in—

From the “Three Loving Sisters” chat.

Tech is Power: Fourth Sister, what’s the situation at home? Tell us!

Tech is Power: Hello? Why aren’t you responding?

She’d been too stunned by everything to update her eldest and second sisters.

Typing quickly, she recounted everything she’d seen and heard.

After her messages, the group fell silent for a long time.

Finally, a new notification popped up.

Tech is Power: Fifth Sister, is this for real? The changes in our sisters—and Xu Hao becoming so capable? When did this happen?

Before, like Xu Qingxue, they’d assumed their sisters were just exaggerating in the group chat.

Now, it seemed they’d been telling the truth.

Traditional Chinese Medicine FTW: 100% real.

Money is Life: As long as they’re not being controlled by Xu Hao. Fourth Sister, stay cautious—don’t let him lure you in.

Traditional Chinese Medicine FTW: Don’t worry. My goal is reviving TCM.

If he can help me achieve that, I wouldn’t mind calling him “Dad.” But can he?