Chapter 9: The Marvelous Uses of the Nine Needles of Revival

“Someone, beat him for me!”

At her command, more than a dozen people surged forward. Yet, before they could approach, Ye Tian reached out with one hand and, using only two fingers, seized a servant’s wrist and pinned him to the ground.

“Ow, ow, ow!”

With a swift kick, Ye Tian sent the man flying out the door.

“If you’re looking for a beating, just come forward,” he declared.

At these words, the servants no longer dared to advance.

“Heavens, this is outrageous!” Yin Huijuan was nearly driven mad with fury. She rushed at Ye Tian, intent on giving him a resounding slap, but he easily caught her arm and flung her aside.

Ye Tian frowned. This woman, with her sharp cheekbones and flattened nose, was clearly a shrewish and ruthless type. If he resorted to force, Uncle Li’s illness might go untreated today. He softened his tone and pleaded gently:

“Auntie, I’ve come for Uncle’s illness as well. If you don’t believe me, why not let me take a look, offer my diagnosis, and have Doctor Zhu here give his opinion?”

“Hmph, who do you think you are, daring to call me Auntie!” Yin Huijuan was as stubborn as they came. She had already pegged Ye Tian as a no-good troublemaker and refused to listen.

What to do? She won’t yield to force or persuasion…

Ye Tian frowned again. He had only studied the Dao with his masters on the mountain, never the ways of the world. He simply didn’t know how to respond to Yin Huijuan’s words.

At that moment, Zhu Hanchun, who had been watching from the sidelines, finally spoke up.

“Ha! The boy even knows the art of differentiation—seems he really is a disciple of a physician.”

“So arrogant—clearly you’ve never been put in your place. Fine, go ahead and try. If you truly cure Li Shanhe today, I, Zhu Hanchun, will wash my hands of medicine for good and cede the title of Miracle Doctor to you!”

This declaration sent shockwaves through the room.

Yin Huijuan hurriedly protested, “No, no, this kid is just bluffing! Miracle Doctor Zhu, don’t take him seriously—I’ll throw him out right now!”

“I have a question!”

Before Li’s wife could continue her tirade, Ye Tian raised his voice:

“Did Uncle Li, earlier on, suddenly break out in a sweat, vomit, and suffer diarrhea, then collapse from exhaustion, unable to walk?”

“Is he sensitive to cold, lacking in appetite, with weak breathing and a faint pulse?”

“…Yes!”

Li Muqing’s eyes lit up as she immediately chimed in.

“Then I am not mistaken.” Ye Tian smiled slightly, thinking to himself: Not only is this girl kind-hearted, she’s also clever, adept at steering the conversation.

Now that he had seized the opportunity, it was time to show his skill.

“These are signs of Yang collapse—the manifestation of depleted vital energy. I suppose Uncle Li has long been overworked, neglecting rest, leading to exhaustion.”

“This is not an incurable illness in itself.”

“But due to prolonged neglect, his condition has now become critical—his life is in danger!”

Ye Tian exhaled, his eyes shining with confidence. Even from such a distance, only a true master could discern the patient’s true condition. Fortunately, he had learned the art of observing qi from his second master—he could sense not a trace of yang energy from the sickbed, giving him certainty in his diagnosis.

Hearing this, Zhu Hanchun’s brow furrowed.

This young man—he truly has some skill.

Word for word, Ye Tian had described Li Shanhe’s symptoms exactly.

But so what? Zhu Hanchun sneered inwardly.

“So, you can recognize Yang collapse. But Li Shanhe has delayed treatment for too long—he’s hanging by a thread. Who dares claim certainty in saving him?”

“Even with my special remedy, I have less than a seventy percent chance!”

“What will you use to treat him?”

Their exchange left Yin Huijuan dumbstruck. But hearing Ye Tian’s detailed analysis, she finally realized this youth was no mere braggart—he had genuine ability.

After all, even Zhu Hanchun, for all his harsh words, tacitly acknowledged Ye Tian’s skill.

He really has talent…

Li’s wife began to reconsider. Her only goal now was to save her husband. Without Li Shanhe, what would become of her life? As long as he could be saved, it didn’t matter who did it.

Since Zhu Hanchun was so unyielding, why not let this wild youth have a try?

“How certain are you?” Yin Huijuan asked.

“One hundred percent,” Ye Tian replied.

“Ridiculous!”

Zhu Hanchun could not hold back a laugh. He jabbed a finger at Ye Tian, his contempt undisguised.

“Even the greatest physicians under heaven—like Miracle Doctor Wang the Ghost Hand—would never dare claim complete certainty. And you, a greenhorn, dare spout such arrogance!”

“Utterly laughable!”

“My advice to you: get out now, hide your name, and spare us all the shame!”

Tch.

Ye Tian curled his lip, utterly dismissive of Zhu Hanchun’s words.

Ignorant fool.

“If you’ll treat him, then proceed. If not, take the door to your left.”

“To let someone die without aid—on this point alone, you are unworthy of being called a doctor!”

“You—!” Zhu Hanchun was about to retort, but the words caught in his throat. His gaunt face flushed red, and he could only swallow his anger.

“Fine, fine! Since you claim total certainty, let’s see you work a miracle!”

“My words stand—if you cure him, I’ll never practice medicine in Zhongdu again!”

“Go ahead and try,” said Yin Huijuan.

She was stubborn but not foolish; she could tell from the conversation that Zhu Hanchun was only kicking them while they were down. Better to let this young man give it a try.

Expressionless, Ye Tian stepped past the crowd and approached the sickbed.

There, before everyone’s eyes, he unrolled a set of silver needles.

Then, turning the patient over, he swiftly drew nine silver needles. As if magnetized, the needles danced and fluttered in his hand!

A breathtaking sight!

Was this acupuncture?

Zhu Hanchun was dumbfounded.

The nine needles obeyed Ye Tian’s slightest movement, each one finding its mark along the meridians with breathtaking speed, precision, and depth—truly astonishing!

Such mastery, such confidence—it was almost unbelievable.

Yet even so, Zhu Hanchun thought, the Returning Yang Nine Needles alone could not save Li Shanhe!

He was perplexed.

But in the young man’s eyes, he saw only utter confidence. Where did this certainty come from?

The Returning Yang Nine Needles stimulated and harmonized the yin and yang to replenish lost energy. But Li Shanhe’s vital yang was utterly depleted—without external supplementation, acupuncture alone would be useless.

Realization dawned on Zhu Hanchun.

“Hmph, still too young!” he muttered, arms folded, sneering.

But Ye Tian paid no heed to the mockery.

He poured his whole being into every needle, following the “Sea of Yang Meridians” down the Governor Vessel. With each insertion, a wisp of pure inner energy flowed through the needle into the acupoint.