“How long will it take for me to recover?”
Ellis thought for a moment and replied, “For most people, it would probably take about six months. But your body is different. I’d estimate it’ll only take about half a month for you to fully recover.”
Hearing this, Chris let out a sigh of relief.
If he really had to stay here for six months, Esther and the others would probably go crazy.
Chris glanced around and curiously asked, “Are you the only one at home?”
Ellis shook her head. “No, I live with my grandfather. But he went up the mountain a few days ago to gather herbs. He should be back in the next few days.”
Through his conversations with Ellis, Chris gradually pieced together some basic information.
—
Days passed, and in the blink of an eye, nearly half a month had gone by.
During this time, Chris’s injuries healed quickly. He was already able to get out of bed and walk around. He spent most of his days wandering around the village.
The villagers were warm and welcoming, their lives simple and sincere. From his observations, Chris learned that Peace Village was located somewhere in Southrivers.
To his surprise, Chris realized that after falling off the cliff in Middleton, he had been carried by the river all the way here-hundreds of kilometers away.
Peace Village was a small settlement with just over a hundred households. Though small in population, the villagers seemed content and happy. According to local stories, their ancestors had fled here centuries ago to escape war. Over time, they established the village, naming it “Peace Village” in the hope of living free from conflict forever.
Ellis and her grandfather, Dr. Raymond, had moved to Peace Village about a decade ago.
Dr. Raymond was a renowned healer in the village. Unfortunately, he often ventured deep into the mountains to gather herbs, sometimes staying away for extended periods.
Ellis, though not as famous as her grandfather, was also highly skilled in medicine.
Chris couldn’t help but wonder: with their medical expertise, why had Ellis and her grandfather chosen to live in this remote village instead of thriving in the outside world? However, he thought it best not to pry. Everyone had their own secrets, and it wasn’t his place to ask.
Chris estimated that it would only take a few more days before he was fully recovered. Once healed, he planned to leave Peace Village and return to Middleton to find Esther.
—
“Dr. Raymond, you’re back!”
“Dr. Raymond, you’re back!”
“Dr. Raymond, you’re back!”
On this day, an elderly man carrying a bamboo basket walked into the village. One by one, the villagers greeted him with respect and admiration.
This man was none other than Ellis’s grandfather-Dr. Raymond.
“Grandpa!”
Ellis’s face lit up with joy as she ran toward him.
Dr. Raymond looked at her with a warm smile. “Ellis, my dear granddaughter, I’m back!”
“Grandpa, let me introduce you. This is Chris-he’s the injured man I saved a while ago.”
Ellis pulled Chris over and introduced him to her grandfather.
After the introduction, Dr. Raymond gave Chris a long, thoughtful look.
“So, you’re the one my granddaughter saved?”
Chris stepped forward respectfully. “Hello, sir. My name is Chris.”
Dr. Raymond nodded slightly. “Chris, could we speak privately?”
“Uh… sure,” Chris replied, momentarily stunned.
Though confused about what Dr. Raymond wanted to discuss, Chris followed him to the study. Ellis, meanwhile, watched curiously.
Her grandfather had only just met Chris. Why did he want to talk to him alone? What could they possibly have to discuss?
—
Inside the study, Dr. Raymond carefully scrutinized Chris before speaking in a calm tone. “If I’m not mistaken, you’re not an ordinary person, are you?”
Chris’s eyes flashed with a sharp glint.
“Ha!” Chris chuckled lightly. “Dr. Raymond, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Still pretending? If that’s the case, don’t blame me for being rude!”
Before Chris could react, Dr. Raymond suddenly struck out with his palm.
Startled, Chris hadn’t expected the old man to attack him. What shocked him even more was Dr. Raymond’s incredible speed.
Without hesitation, Chris countered with a punch.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The two quickly became locked in a fierce battle.
Bang!
With a loud crash, their fists collided, and Chris was forced back over ten steps before regaining his footing.
Breathing heavily, Chris stared at Dr. Raymond in disbelief.
He hadn’t anticipated that this seemingly ordinary elderly man was actually a formidable martial artist. Judging by his skill, Dr. Raymond was at least at the level of a Crescendence practitioner.
A Crescendence-level master, living in a small, hidden village like Peace Village? The thought was mind-boggling.
Dr. Raymond, equally astonished, studied Chris with a wary expression.
At eighty years old, Dr. Raymond had spent decades mastering martial arts. His abilities were nearly unrivaled. Yet today, this young man had matched him blow for blow.
Who was Chris? How could someone so young possess such extraordinary strength?
“Who are you really?” Dr. Raymond demanded, his tone guarded. “Why have you come to Peace Village?”
Chris took a deep breath and replied, “Dr. Raymond, you’ve misunderstood. I came to Peace Village purely by accident. I was ambushed by three assassins, fell off a cliff in Middleton, and was swept here by the river…”
Chris then recounted the events that had brought him to Peace Village.
After hearing the explanation, Dr. Raymond’s tense expression softened.
Curious, he asked, “Who is your master? How did you develop such incredible strength at such a young age?”
Chris hesitated for a moment before answering, “My master is Archer Wintersong.”
“What? Archer Wintersong is your master?”
Dr. Raymond’s face filled with shock.
Seeing his reaction, Chris asked, “Do you know my master?”
Dr. Raymond sighed deeply. “Know him? We’re more than acquaintances-we’re brothers. We trained under the same master. But your master had far greater aptitude for martial arts, while my talents lay in medicine. Later, I offended an enemy and was forced into hiding here in Peace Village.”