Medical Sage

”Miraculous? This method is indeed quite miraculous. Have you ever heard of the Life-taking Rejuvenation Needle, Dr. Xunn?” Chen Fei asked with a faint smile, the corner of his mouth twitching upwards. It was clear his method was related to the Cultivation World, but since such a technique had once left traces on Earth, he posed the question.

”The Life-taking Rejuvenation Needle?” Dr. Xunn’s expression changed instantly. He drew a sharp breath and, looking utterly shocked, murmured to himself, ”Hiss… could that be the heaven-defying needle technique created by Ancestor Bian in ancient times? It’s said that this technique can wrestle life from the heavens and seize additional years of life. It’s the sacred needle art that Ancestor Bian is said to have poured his entire life’s effort into creating. Even ancient medical texts only mention it occasionally. I had always thought it was just a legend. I never expected…”

He paused, his body trembling slightly. ”I never expected such a miraculous needle technique to truly exist in this world!”

”You have great insight, Dr. Xunn.”

Upon hearing this, Chen Fei couldn’t help but look at him with deep admiration. A Medical Sage indeed; to think he’s even aware of such ’dust’ hidden in the corners of history. He truly is knowledgeable and well-informed!

”Your words are too kind, Dr. Chen. I have only heard tales of it, whereas you, Mr. Chen, can actually perform this heaven-defying needle technique? Can you tell me how it is done?” Dr. Xunn asked, his voice filled with deep admiration.

In fact, he now felt as if he had completely wasted the past hundred years of his life.

Because this young man, Chen Fei, was simply too monstrously talented, too shocking! Not only was he young, but he had already reached the Innate realm of Ancient Martial Arts in his twenties, possessing peerless martial talent. He was even versed in the legendary heaven-defying needle technique… could something so legendary actually exist? It was simply too shocking, absolutely monstrous!

”How is it done? It’s quite simple, really. Just six words: Find life in the face of certain death!”

Chen Fei turned his head to look intently at the old man and spoke slowly, ”If successful, you can live comfortably for another year or more. You won’t have to spend your remaining days crippled in a wheelchair; you’ll be just like a normal person. However, because this technique involves wrestling life from heaven, the success rate is only fifty-fifty, and it might even be less than that!”

He paused, his tone suddenly growing serious. ”Therefore, to be honest, I’m not very confident right now. I suggest you take more time to consider it carefully.”

Dr. Xunn was stunned. ”Find life in the face of certain death?” A strange look appeared on his aged face, followed by hesitation and uncertainty.

Although he didn’t understand the technique, Chen Fei’s words were crystal clear. Wrestling life from heaven implied that it was extremely difficult, with a very low chance of success. The so-called ”fifty-fifty” was likely just a pleasantry. Otherwise, Chen Fei wouldn’t have reminded the Old Commander twice to consider it carefully and be cautious.

The old man’s grandson, Xuu Ji, clearly understood this as well. He seemed a bit frightened and couldn’t help but say, ”Grandpa, we must be cautious. Why don’t we call Dad and Aunt over? We can all discuss this together before making a decision.”

The old man was the Pillar of the Sky, the Sea-Calming Divine Needle of the Xuu Family. Only his continued presence could deter opportunistic evil spirits, so it was natural for his grandson to be nervous and cautious. Beyond that, from an emotional standpoint, he couldn’t remain calm watching his grandfather attempt such a dangerous treatment himself. It would be best to wait until the whole family could gather, arrange all necessary emergency measures, and only then decide whether to proceed with such a risky procedure.

After all, this was no laughing matter. If it failed, everything would descend into chaos.

The old man hesitated. Although he wasn’t afraid of death, he didn’t want to cause an uncontrollable mess. His status was connected to too many people and too many matters; he couldn’t act rashly.

”Old Xun, what do you think?” With this thought, he couldn’t help but turn to his old friend of several decades for advice.

Elder Xunn let out a wry smile, his hesitant gaze shifting to Chen Fei. ”Mr. Chen, considering the Old Commander’s condition, can you give us a bottom line? What are the highest odds you can offer?”

”The highest odds? It’s hard to say. At most... only forty percent,” Chen Fei replied after a moment of hesitation.

He had no choice. This concerned wrestling life from heaven, which was not to be taken lightly. Even with his current Cultivation Level, he felt immense pressure. But that wasn’t the main issue. The success of this needle technique ultimately depended on the old man himself. The principle of ”finding life in the face of certain death” was, to put it bluntly, about unearthing the last of one’s own internal treasures to be reborn from the ashes. Willpower was crucial.

”Only a forty percent chance of success... That seems a bit low,” the old man murmured, falling silent. Although he was completely content with having lived this long and didn’t really care about the success rate—he was willing to give it a try. But if he really fell, what would happen to the Xuu Family? What about his son, daughter, and his grandchildren? There was too much to consider; he couldn’t help but hesitate.

”It is a bit low, but it can’t be helped,” Chen Fei said, understanding the old man’s predicament. He spoke in a reassuring tone, ”Elder, would you like me to perform the acupuncture now, or would you prefer to return to Capital City and discuss it with your children before deciding?”

”Return to Capital City? There’s no need for that,” the elder said slowly, asking them to leave. ”Excuse me, but could you all step out for a moment? I need some space to make a phone call.”

”Yes, Commander.”

Seeing this, Elder Xunn gestured to Chen Fei and Xuu Ji. The three of them then silently exited the private room of the teahouse.

Once outside, Xuu Ji suddenly bowed to Chen Fei. ”Mr. Chen, I’m very sorry. I was too emotional earlier and was quite rude to you. My sincere apologies.” He felt terrible for his impulsive and offensive words.

No matter how foolish he might be, he now fully understood that Chen Fei was no ordinary person, but a remarkable man whom the esteemed Elder Xunn and even the Old Master himself treated as an equal, one who could perform the heaven-defying needle technique, an almost divine skill. Naturally, he no longer dared to be presumptuous and could only act with the utmost caution.

”Please, don’t mention it, Xuu Ji. You’re being too polite. I understand completely,” Chen Fei replied immediately.

Consider his status—the official grandson of Old Master Xuu of Capital City! Even without a blood tie, that connection was undeniable, making him one of the top young masters in the capital! For someone like him to take the initiative to lower his standing and personally apologize was truly commendable. It proved he was a decent person.

”Doctor Chen, if the Old Commander’s treatment is successful this time, will he still be able to use treasures that extend one’s lifespan in the future?” Elder Xunn suddenly asked. Xuu Ji couldn’t help but focus his attention, as this was also a critical question.

After all, if this treatment succeeded, his grandfather could live for another year, maybe even a year and a half. But as his grandson, he naturally hoped his grandfather would live for as long as possible. Anyone could understand that.

”He can, but the effect certainly won’t be as potent as the first time. It will also depend on the quality of the life-extending treasure. In short, it can’t be generalized,” Chen Fei explained.

”He can?” A look of surprise flickered in Elder Xunn’s eyes, and he seemed to relax, as if a great weight had been lifted.

Just then, the old man’s voice came from inside the room. ”Young man, Doctor Chen, please come in for a moment.”

Chen Fei was startled for a second, but he pushed the door open and walked back in.

Upon entering the private room, he saw the old man holding a black telephone. The elder smiled apologetically and handed the phone to him. ”Young man, sorry to bother you. It’s my son. He’d like to have a word with you.”

”Oh, with me? Alright.”

Chen Fei took the phone, slightly stunned, and said into the receiver, ”Hello, this is Chen Fei.”

”Hello, Doctor Chen. I am Xuu Wangyang!” A deep and powerful voice came from the other end. Even through the cold black handset, one could feel an authority very similar to the old man’s—a true chip off the old block.

However, after that greeting, a long, heart-stopping silence followed. Chen Fei didn’t know what to say, and it seemed the man on the other end was in the same position.

After about half a minute, the man on the other end finally let out a slow breath and said in an extremely solemn tone, ”Mr. Chen, my father… I’m entrusting him to you. He is a hero, so I hope you will do your utmost to keep him alive.”

”You can rest assured, Mr. Xuu,” Chen Fei replied with unprecedented gravity. ”I am a doctor, and I am also a citizen of Huaxia! I respect the life the Old Master spent on the battlefield, the sacrifices he made that saved our entire nation! So, I will give it my all, if only to be true to my own conscience.”

”Thank you…”

The powerful voice on the other end seemed to choke with emotion. After another long silence, he spoke softly, ”Whatever the outcome, Mr. Chen, you will forever be a friend of our Xuu Family. I, Xuu Wangyang, will owe you a favor.”

”Mr. Xuu, I didn’t come here to treat the Old Master for your favor,” Chen Fei said with a faint smile, his eyes narrowed. ”I’m hanging up now. Wait for my good news.”

The line went dead.

Chen Fei turned to the old man, a faint smile on his face. ”Old Master, have you made your decision?”

”Naturally.”

The elder’s aged face wore an incredibly open-minded expression. With a smile that wasn’t quite a smile, he said, ”Young man, I’m entrusting my old bones to you. Do it boldly. Even if you fail, no one will give you any trouble. I, Xuu Dongtian, give you my word!”

”As you wish. But Old Master, I will succeed. Do you believe me?”

”Hahaha, of course I believe you! Of course I do.”