As someone who had once stood at the pinnacle of life.
He constantly thought of returning to his former peak moments.
Alas, reality was like a colossal mountain, pressing down heavily on his head, making it difficult for Cui Fu to stand tall.
Over the years, Cui Fu had not failed to seek out renowned physicians or try unorthodox remedies to cure his ailments.
However, the damage was to the core, beyond the treatment of any ordinary physician or folk remedy.
As he aged and his son and daughter grew, Cui Fu gradually gave up the idea of treating himself, planning to enjoy his twilight years.
If another young person had stood before him, claiming to have a way to restore him to his peak, Cui Fu would have believed it one hundred percent.
But when that person was Chu Fan, it was a different story.
Although he had not interacted with Chu Fan for long, this young man gave Cui Fu an extraordinary feeling.
Strength was one level, and talent was another.
From the discipline of formations alone, Chu Fan's learning ability and comprehension skills could be described as heaven-defying.
Since he said he understood some medicine, it was obvious that his achievements in medicine were not low.
Just like moments ago, a few pats on his back could successfully expel the stagnant blood within him. This technique alone was not something any grandmaster could perform casually.
Therefore, when Chu Fan said he could help him return to his peak, Cui Fu felt that he had the confidence to speak such words.
"Heh heh..."
Suppressing his excitement, Cui Fu rubbed his hands sheepishly and asked, "What do you need me to do?"
"Do you have paper and pen?"
"Many medicinal herbs will be needed as assistance!"
Before Cui Fu could move, Zhu Fei, who was quite perceptive, stepped forward and brought the paper and pen from the counter to Chu Fan.
One sheet of paper was quickly filled.
"These herbs are not difficult to find, but they can still be found!"
"Old Sir, if you need funds, just tell me!"
Cui Fu accepted the paper with trembling hands, smiling as he said, "Money is not an issue; I have saved up quite a bit over the years!"
Hearing this, Chu Fan couldn't help but ask, "Since you've saved up a considerable fortune, why didn't you use money to resolve the trouble before, instead of going yourself?"
To resolve matters with money, yet to throw oneself into a trap alone.
This kind of behavior, in Chu Fan's mind, was something only a fool would do.
When this matter was brought up, Cui Fu immediately looked helpless and explained slowly, "I did have the money to resolve the trouble!"
"But, this is not the first time this has happened!"
"The previous few times, Xiao Yang did this, and I used money to sort it out!"
"If I continue like this, he will only think that my money is inexhaustible, and when he can't get money from me, he will continue to cause trouble outside, expecting me to clean up his mess."
"Doing this is also to teach him a lesson; otherwise, no matter how much I have, it won't be enough for him to squander!"
A thousand times or ten thousand times of lecturing are not as effective as a real, painful experience.
Although Chu Fan agreed with Cui Fu's educational approach, he still said, "Doing so is still somewhat risky!"
The implication was that if he hadn't gone to rescue him, the final outcome would have been hard to say.
As someone who had lived for decades, Cui Fu's insight was sharp, and he knew what Chu Fan was thinking. He smiled and said, "I actually had two preparations for this matter!"
"The other party is merely after money; when the time is right, resolving the problem by offering money is feasible."
"My other preparation was you; I knew that when you found out I had gone missing, you would definitely search for me."
"I just didn't expect you to come so quickly!"
After all, he was someone who had lived for decades. Although his actions were risky, he had made thorough preparations.
Chu Fan did not waste any more time arguing about this matter.
Instead, he shifted the conversation to formations.
Upon learning that Chu Fan had finished reading those books again, Cui Fu's astonishment was still difficult to conceal.
Due to Cui Fu's injury, Chu Fan had to change his plans and temporarily set aside the idea of them sparring through formations.
Considering that he would need other items for Cui Fu's treatment, Chu Fan didn't delay, got up to bid farewell, and asked Zhu Fei to accompany him to purchase silver needles and other items.
On the way, Chu Fan suddenly asked Zhu Fei, "Are you planning to follow me?"
The sudden question clearly made Zhu Fei nervous, after which he nodded emphatically.
Chu Fan continued, "You have seen some things that are beyond the reach of ordinary people, so you should also know that the people I interact with are not ordinary."
"Moreover, my enemies will only become more powerful and their forces stronger. Following me, to be honest, is too risky!"
Zhu Fei was just an ordinary person, and any one of the forces he provoked could kill dozens like him.
Chu Fan needed Zhu Fei to think clearly about the implications.
Following him, death would become a commonplace occurrence.
After a dozen seconds of silence, Zhu Fei said, "Living one life, death is inevitable; it's just a matter of dying sooner or later!"
"I'm willing to take a gamble and see the splendor that I might never have seen in this lifetime!"
Since witnessing Chu Fan's extraordinary nature, Zhu Fei had been contemplating whether to follow this mysterious influential figure.
Just now, Chu Fan had laid out the risks and benefits, and Zhu Fei knew that the boss was not averse to him following and had even given him the choice.
By choosing to follow, he would have his backing.
Developing and growing would be effortless.
However, the risks were also different.
Currently, minor skirmishes would generally not involve life or death.
But once entangled with Chu Fan, death would become the most likely outcome.
After careful consideration, Zhu Fei still chose to follow Chu Fan.
Because he firmly believed that the boss was a good person and would not treat him as cannon fodder like others. After all, he was just an ordinary person, and to put it simply, he didn't even qualify to be cannon fodder.
Conversely, with the boss's support, he could ascend to a different level, instead of being like he was now, leading a few people to lend money, collect protection fees, and engage in other minor affairs.
His lifelong dream was to become a powerful figure.
Now, the opportunity lay before him.
Zhu Fei was willing to take the plunge.
Confirming Zhu Fei's willingness, Chu Fan nodded and said, "Alright!"
"Since you are not afraid of death and wish to see a different kind of splendor, then you will follow my arrangements from now on!"
Originally, Chu Fan had no intention of establishing a force in Nan Yun City for the time being.
Zhu Fei's good performance made him change his mind temporarily.
This was because different forces obtained different information.
Si Qian Yuan's side had limited capabilities, and with the Qin family keeping an eye on him, his activities were inconvenient.
By re-establishing a force and having an inconspicuous ordinary person like Zhu Fei handle affairs, it would be less likely to attract the Qin family's attention.
As someone walking the path of martial arts, Chu Fan was well aware that those with strength and powerful forces viewed people like Zhu Fei as ants, not worth paying attention to, and easily overlooked.