Xia Ruoxi and Xia Ruoxuan did not hesitate in the slightest. They shouted in unison, “Quick! Draw my blood!”
At that moment, the unease in Dr. Li’s heart surged uncontrollably.
If the Head of the Xia Family died, he would never escape responsibility. And if Lin Fan actually managed to save him, then everything he had built—his status, his reputation—would collapse overnight.
No matter what, he had to pin everything on Lin Fan.
He roared hoarsely, “Don’t listen to Lin Fan! The Head of the Xia Family’s pupils are dilated and there are no signs of life—it’s all because of his silver needles and his ridiculous treatment!”
Slap!
Xia Ruoxi struck him across the face without hesitation, the force sending him stumbling back several steps.
“Shut up! Lin Fan will definitely save my grandfather!”
At that moment, Lin Fan had already torn off all the instruments attached to the Head of the Xia Family. With a swift motion, a row of dazzling silver needles appeared in his hand.
He took a deep breath. Then, like lightning, he began inserting the needles.
In an instant, more than thirty acupoints across the Head of the Xia Family’s body were pierced.
Each time he placed a needle, his little finger flicked it lightly.
Buzz…
A faint humming sound rippled through the air as the needles trembled.
At the same time, a thin stream of silvery energy flowed from Lin Fan’s palm, traveling along the needles and entering the Head of the Xia Family’s body.
The bleeding from his mouth and nose suddenly stopped. A weak but steady breath returned.
Zhou Yun watched without blinking, awe spilling from his eyes as he exclaimed, “This is the Hundred-Turn Soul-Reviving Needle Technique! A lost ancient medical art from a thousand years ago!”
“What an eye-opener… today has truly been an eye-opener!”
The crowd surged closer, some even standing on tiptoe, desperate to witness the miracle.
Seeing the Head of the Xia Family showing signs of life, Dr. Li suppressed his shock and forced himself to speak, “It’s my Western medicine that’s working!”
This time, Zhou Yun gave him no face at all. Turning around in fury, he shoved him aside and snapped, “Shameless! Someone, take the medicine he injected into the Head of the Xia Family for testing!”
“All the physicians present from Binhai City can testify! This man slandered traditional medicine as useless, acted recklessly, and nearly caused the death of the Head of the Xia Family. Yet after Lin Fan turned the situation around, he still dares to smear him and steal the credit!”
“Such rotten medical ethics—he must be held fully accountable!”
The moment his words fell, hundreds echoed in agreement.
Dr. Li felt as though a hundred buckets of icy water had been poured over him. His body trembled uncontrollably as he stood frozen, no longer daring to utter another word.
Meanwhile, Xia Ruoxi hurried over with two bottles of fresh blood in her hands and said, “Here!”
Lin Fan nodded, walked to a nearby antique display shelf, and picked up a large Tang Dynasty vase.
Five seconds later, the vase began to emit thick, blood-colored mist. A pungent metallic stench spread throughout the room, so strong that people instinctively covered their noses, some nearly gagging.
Xia Ruoxi frowned, covering her mouth. “Is it poisonous?”
Lin Fan replied calmly, “This is Blood-Transforming Powder. Its only purpose is to amplify the scent of blood a thousandfold. It’s harmless to the human body.”
“Your grandfather has a toxin hidden in his abdomen. That toxin feeds on the vitality of his liver and spleen. Since you and your elder sister share the same bloodline as him, by amplifying the scent of your blood, I can draw out the toxin from his abdomen and turn the situation around.”
Dr. Li had been too afraid to speak, but upon hearing this, his anger flared again. “Lin Fan’s crooked methods are completely unreliable! He’s just putting on a show—his tricks collapse on their own! The truth is, it’s my Western medicine that worked! Arrest him and let me take over treatment! This is a matter of life and death!”
Xia Ruoxi’s fury exploded. She slapped him again and snapped, “Say one more word and I’ll have you castrated!”
Then she turned to Lin Fan urgently. “Please, save him quickly!”
Lin Fan nodded. He helped the Head of the Xia Family sit upright, placed one hand against his back, and exerted hidden force.
With his other hand, he pressed the mouth of the vase—now filled with an overpowering stench—against the patient’s nose and mouth.
The Head of the Xia Family began trembling violently before suddenly retching.
Xia Ruoxuan exclaimed in surprise, “Grandfather’s abdomen is shrinking!”
The crowd was utterly stunned, their admiration pouring out in waves.
“This kind of treatment… it’s unprecedented! Truly miraculous!”
“He’s saved! The Head of the Xia Family is coming back!”
“This is incredible—an absolute miracle of traditional medicine in our nation!”
A full three minutes passed before Lin Fan finally removed the vase.
The Head of the Xia Family clutched his chest, breathing heavily as he said weakly, “I feel… much better…”
The entire room erupted into cheers.
Xia Ruoxuan rushed forward and hugged him tightly, tears streaming down her face. “Grandfather! You’re really alive!”
At that moment, Xia Ruoxi’s gaze fell on the vase in Lin Fan’s hand. Her face instantly turned pale.
“Look! Inside the vase… they’re all black worms! And they’re moving!”
The sight sent chills down everyone’s spine.
Lin Fan said lightly, “It’s Gu poison. This matter shouldn’t be spread. After drinking my medicine and resting for a few days, he’ll fully recover.”
As he spoke, he personally handed a bottle of medicinal decoction to the Head of the Xia Family.
The old man looked at Lin Fan with deep gratitude and said weakly, “You are my great benefactor. From now on, whatever you need, my Xia Family will spare no effort to repay your kindness a hundredfold.”
Lin Fan smiled gently. “Your life is what matters most. Drink the medicine—your recovery will be swift.”
Meanwhile, Xia Ruoxuan stood up slowly, guilt written all over her face as she looked at Lin Fan. “I was blind to greatness. I doubted you before, and my stubbornness nearly harmed my grandfather…”
“I’m sorry. I hope you can forgive me.”
Everyone present was stunned by her sincerity.
Known as the “Thunder Phoenix,” Xia Ruoxuan was famous for her fiery temper. Aside from the Head of the Xia Family, she showed respect to no one. For her to apologize so earnestly—this was something only Lin Fan could command.
Lin Fan smiled faintly and said, “It’s fine. That kick you gave earlier worked out pretty well too, didn’t it?”
Xia Ruoxuan’s cheeks flushed slightly. She gave an awkward laugh before glancing at Dr. Li.
“You said you’d take full responsibility if anything happened to my grandfather. If it weren’t for Mr. Lin Fan just now, you would’ve killed him.”
“So tell me—how do you plan to take responsibility?”
Xia Ruoxi added calmly, “Sister, Dr. Li was invited by you. It wouldn’t be appropriate for you to handle this. Let Mr. Lin Fan decide how to deal with him.”
Xia Ruoxuan’s smile froze, irritation flashing through her heart.
This was the first time Xia Ruoxi had openly opposed her—and won so completely.
It seemed she would have to find a way to bring Lin Fan over to her side. Then she’d like to see how Xia Ruoxi would still dare act so smug.
Lin Fan spoke casually, “Dr. Li slandered traditional medicine as useless. He must write a formal apology, admitting that his remarks were entirely wrong. After writing it, he should hand it to Divine Physician Zhou Yun.”
“Also, the Head of the Xia Family could have avoided the step of inducing vomiting with Blood-Transforming Powder. Now, your Xia Family’s valuable Tang Dynasty vase has been dirtied. Dr. Li should personally clean it.”
Zhou Yun immediately understood that Lin Fan was giving him face. This favor alone would allow him to keep Dr. Li firmly in check from now on.
His goodwill surged as he said, “Well said! Please take my business card. I have some standing in the medical field of Binhai City—if you ever need anything, just call me, and I’ll do my best to help.”
He handed the card to Lin Fan.
Xia Ruoxi stared at Lin Fan as though he were some kind of alien.
Only she had noticed—Lin Fan had casually revealed the secret of the Tang Dynasty vase.
A treasure appraiser as well? What other hidden identities did he possess…?
Dr. Li’s face turned green, as if he had swallowed something foul and couldn’t spit it out.
He, a leading figure in the southern medical world, had actually fallen at the hands of a young man like Lin Fan.
Just as he was about to refuse harshly, the Head of the Xia Family raised a hand slightly and said, “Aren’t you going to thank Mr. Lin Fan for his lenient handling?”
Once the Head of the Xia Family spoke, Dr. Li didn’t dare resist.
Even if he were told to obey without question—or even to hang himself—he wouldn’t have the courage to refuse.
He stood there stiffly, swallowed hard, and finally forced out, “Th-thank you…”