C12 ​

Wang Xiao was the one speaking. Seeing Tong Waner in tears, his heart softened, and he felt compelled to intervene.

"Wang Xiao, don't talk about things you don't understand. Father had a stroke, not just some common cold or flu," Tong Tie said, his face darkening as he scolded Wang Xiao. He was well-acquainted with this son-in-law who had joined their family through marriage.

"Hehe, a few needles and he's cured? Do you fancy yourself the living Hua Tuo? Ridiculous!" A scornful laugh cut through the air.

Chen Feng, the second aunt, and Tong Bin, the cousin, had also entered the room unnoticed. Tong Bin was the one who had just spoken.

"Just a few needles to cure him? Wang Xiao, are you ridiculing Elder Dong's medical expertise?" Chen Feng accused, her voice sharp and spiteful. She was quick to imply that Wang Xiao was disrespecting his elder, Elder Dong.

Elder Dong, Dong Yuan, standing nearby, slightly furrowed his brow and fixed a piercing gaze on Wang Xiao.

"Young man, if your medical skills are as exceptional as you claim, I'd be interested to witness them," Dong Yuan said, his voice low and stern as he addressed Wang Xiao with a cold huff.

Tong Waner's face tensed with worry upon seeing Wang Xiao potentially offend Elder Dong. She hastily grabbed his hand and shot him an urgent look.

Wang Xiao caught her gesture and reassured her with a calming glance.

Relieved, Tong Waner breathed easier. If Big Brother Wang Xiao had truly crossed Elder Dong, they would face difficulties ahead.

However, Wang Xiao's next words caused Tong Waner's expression to freeze.

"In my view, there's no difference between a stroke and a common cold. Even if Hua Tuo were alive today, his medical skills might not surpass mine," Wang Xiao declared, casting a dismissive glance at Tong Tie and Tong Bin.

"I haven't mocked anyone's medical skills, because..." He then turned to face Chen Feng and Elder Dong, his voice grave, "In my eyes, the current generation of medical practitioners is utterly worthless!"

Upon hearing his words, both Second Aunt Chen Feng and Dong Yuan's faces froze.

Tong Waner's eyes widened in shock, her mouth agape. She had assumed Big Brother Wang Xiao's glance was a silent promise not to cross Second Uncle, Second Aunt, or Elder Dong.

Well, that escalated quickly. He had managed to offend all four of them in one fell swoop!

As expected, fury flashed across the faces of Tong Tie, Chen Feng, and the others.

"You impudent fool, the height of arrogance!"

Even Elder Dong's face flushed with rage, his finger trembling as he pointed at Wang Xiao and berated him.

With so many in the medical field, this brash youngster had insulted them all. His arrogance knew no bounds.

"Arrogant or not, you're about to find out."

Wang Xiao paid no mind to the four seething figures. With a swift flick of his right hand, a needle pack materialized, and he strode purposefully toward the elder lying in the bed.

Hmm? That needle pack looks strangely familiar!

Dong Yuan's eyebrows shot up at the sight of the needle pack in Wang Xiao's grasp, a flicker of confusion crossing his gaze. He glanced down and upon realizing the needle pack from his white coat had vanished, his complexion shifted dramatically.

"That's my needle pack in the kid's hands? When did he swipe it? How did I not notice?"

A trio of doubts swirled in Dong Yuan's mind, just as Wang Xiao's voice cut through the air once more.

"Pay attention, Elder Dong."

Wang Xiao spared Elder Dong a brief glance, his hand already brandishing several silver needles, his tone nonchalant.

With that, Wang Xiao's expression turned steely, his right hand flipping once more as the silver needles transformed into streaks of chilling light, targeting the elder's body.

His hands then danced between the needles, fluid as a gliding dragon.

"Heh, I thought you had some real skill. Turns out you're just like Elder Dong, hitting the same old acupoints," Tong Bin sneered, his voice dripping with scorn as he addressed Wang Xiao.

Though unfamiliar with the intricacies of acupuncture, even he could tell that Wang Xiao's needle placement bore no difference from Elder Dong's previous attempts.

"Shut up!"

At that moment, Elder Dong's face was stern as he scolded Tong Bin.

"Grandpa Dong, I'm defending you. Why are you yelling at me?"

Tong Bin looked at Elder Dong, his face the picture of injustice.

"You don't understand, and I don't fault you for that, but please refrain from speaking carelessly!" Dong Yuan shot Tong Bin a sharp look and said gravely, "This young man is using the legendary Nine Serene Soul Returning Needle, a technique long thought to be extinct. I never imagined I'd witness it here today."

Dong Yuan's eyes gleamed with the fervor of a devout believer beholding a long-revered goddess.

"Ah, Elder Dong, you're quite knowledgeable to recognize the Nine Serene Soul Returning Needle."

Wang Xiao turned and commended Dong Yuan with a nod.

"I merely chanced upon it in an ancient text. I know but the barest essentials!"

Dong Yuan humbly bowed slightly to Wang Xiao, speaking with deference.

"Well then, today you'll witness its true capabilities. How much you learn is up to you."

Wang Xiao offered a slight smile and addressed Dong Yuan.

"I will study it with utmost diligence!"

Dong Yuan replied earnestly, nodding to Wang Xiao.

The room fell into a stunned silence.

One was the director of Forest City People's Hospital, the other merely a recent high school graduate and the Tong Family's son-in-law.

Just a moment ago, the former was visibly upset, yet now, he was bowing respectfully to the latter.

What was most perplexing was that neither found this dramatic shift in demeanor out of place.

What on earth was happening?

"Big Brother Wang Xiao is so incredible, earning such high praise from Grandpa Dong for his medical expertise."

Tong Waner's face glowed with happiness, her eyes brimming with admiration as she gazed at Wang Xiao.

"Exploring the Prefecture of the Nine Underworlds, reviving the King of Hell!"

Wang Xiao's focus was entirely on the elder lying in the bed, his fingers moving so fast they blurred, before he suddenly pressed down on the man's chest.

Dong Yuan watched, eyes alight with awe, his body quivering as if he were witnessing a miraculous feat of divine craftsmanship.

"Look, there are bloodlines forming on the old man's body."

At that moment, Chen Feng, his second aunt, seemed to have noticed something alarming and exclaimed in surprise.

Tong Tie and Tong Waner, upon hearing her, turned their gaze in the direction she indicated.

Sure enough, beneath each silver needle on their grandfather's body, a dark bloodline had appeared.

These sinister lines spread quickly, seemingly on the verge of connecting with others.

"Wang Xiao, what have you done to the old man? Are you trying to kill him?"

Seeing this, Second Aunt Chen Feng's face twisted with accusation. She lunged forward, intent on removing the ominous lines from the elder's body.

"Out of my way!"

At this critical juncture, Wang Xiao's face darkened. With a swift slap, he sent Chen Feng flying into a nearby bookshelf, where she came to a halt.

"Wang Xiao, you're asking for it!"

Tong Bin, witnessing his aunt being struck, grew livid. His fists tightened, ready to lash out at Wang Xiao.

"Hold it right there! Wang Xiao must not be disturbed!"

In that instant, Dong Yuan came to his senses and sternly commanded Tong Bin.

"All set!"

Finally, Wang Xiao completed the crucial step of the Nine Serene Soul Returning Needle technique, withdrawing the silver needles from the old man's body, and announced the completion.

The onlookers watched as the myriad of black bloodlines on the Tang Suit Old Man converged into one spot. At the Shangyang Acupoint on his right hand, Wang Xiao took a small knife, made a cut on his finger, and drained the blackened blood.

"The Nine Serenities Soul Returning Needle lives up to its reputation. It's incredible how it can draw together and expel the stagnant blood from a stroke patient's body!"

Elder Dong's face was awash with awe, his eyes shining with amazement as he expressed his shock.

"Hmph, what's so impressive about that? The old man still hasn't woken up, has he?"

Tong Bin, having helped Chen Feng to her feet, scoffed at Wang Xiao with a cold sneer.

"Eh... Where am I?"

Simultaneously, a voice weathered with age emanated from the bed, causing Tong Bin's face to freeze.

"Grandfather, you're awake?"

Upon seeing her grandfather stir, Tong Waner's face lit up with delight. She hurried to Elder Tong's side and exclaimed with joy.

"What's happened to me?"

Elder Tong's complexion was a shade paler as he sat up with the assistance of Tong Waner, his voice tinged with confusion.

"Elder Tong, you had a blockage in your heart just now and nearly didn't make it. I couldn't have saved you myself, but thankfully, Waner brought this young man who managed to clear the blockage of Qi and blood within you."

Dong Yuan gripped Elder Tong's hand, his voice filled with gratitude, as tears welled up in his aged eyes.

"I see. Young man, I owe you my thanks for saving my life."

Hearing this, Elder Tong turned to give Wang Xiao a thorough look, his weathered eyes revealing a glint of admiration as he spoke his words of thanks.