Chapter 4 The Soul Returns!

Xue Huaisu looked at Ye Tianci, his expression haughty. “Young man, did you just call me a quack?”

“Aren’t you?” Ye Tianci’s gaze was calm as he looked at him.

“How dare you! You, a wild boy from the mountains, dare to mock Divine Physician Xue?”

“Divine Physician Xue is a man of virtue and extraordinary skill. Who are you, a country bumpkin, to insult him?”

“Kneel down and apologize to Divine Physician Xue at once!”

The Lin family members all scolded him in unison.

A flash of anger appeared on Xue Huaisu’s arrogant face, his eyes growing cold. “I’m curious, just where did you find the courage to ridicule me, Xue Huaisu?”

“Old Master Lin is clearly still savable, yet you declare him beyond help and tell the Lin family to prepare for his funeral. Abandoning a life so easily—how is that any different from wanton disregard for human life?”

“If you’re not a quack, who is?”

Ye Tianci stepped forward, his limp scarcely noticeable, but everyone saw it clearly.

“If Divine Physician Xue says Old Master Lin is beyond cure, then so be it. We believe in Divine Physician Xue!”

“And you, a cripple, think you have the right to mock him?”

“If you’re truly a doctor, heal your own lame leg first! Limping around pretending to be a physician—have you no shame?”

The Lin family grew even angrier, berating Ye Tianci while fawning over Xue Huaisu.

They would rather trust Xue Huaisu’s medical judgment, rather believe Lin Daonan was beyond saving, than accept a word from Ye Tianci.

Xue Huaisu gestured for silence, a mocking smile on his lips. “Since you call me a quack and claim Old Master Lin can still be saved, then show us your medical skill. Enlighten me, Xue Huaisu.”

Ye Tianci extended his hand. “Are there any silver needles? Lend me a set.”

“He even has to borrow Divine Physician Xue’s needles? And he dares to pose as a doctor?”

“What a joke!”

Mocking laughter broke out again.

With a cold face, Xue Huaisu handed over his needle pouch.

Ye Tianci walked to Lin Daonan’s bedside and prepared to apply the needles. Suddenly, Lin Daonan lifted his arm and began grasping at the air, eyes tightly shut.

“Look! Groping for clothes and bedding, plucking at the air—these are classic signs of impending death in traditional medicine!”

“Young man, are you certain you want to torment Old Master Lin in his final moments?”

Xue Huaisu’s tone was icy.

Hearing this, Lin Changren stepped forward, face livid as he fixed Ye Tianci with a glare. “Stop right there!”

“We will follow Divine Physician Xue’s advice and attend to my father’s final matters, fulfilling our filial duty.”

“My father worked hard all his life. In his last moments, he deserves peace—not to be tormented by a fake doctor!”

Ye Tianci let out a soft snort. “You care nothing for your own father’s life, yet you grovel before a quack. How laughable.”

“Outrageous!”

Lin Changren exploded with fury, turning to Xue Huaisu with a respectful salute. “Divine Physician Xue is the man our Lin family respects most. I won’t allow you to insult him again!”

“Throw this insolent brat out!” he barked.

Several Lin family men moved to eject Ye Tianci. Lin Qingqian hurriedly stepped forward to block them, saying quickly, “Uncle, I think Ye Tianci has a point.”

“Whatever his ability, let him try. What if he can really save Grandfather?”

Xue Huaisu waved his hand with arrogant indifference. “Let him try, then!”

“I refuse to believe that anyone can save someone I have declared beyond hope.”

Ye Tianci glanced at him coolly. “And if I do save him?”

“If you save Old Master Lin, I, Xue Huaisu, will kneel and call you my master on the spot. From then on, I will follow your lead!”

Ye Tianci said nothing, retrieving seven silver needles of varying lengths from the pouch.

Just as he was about to begin, Xue Huaisu said coldly, “And if you fail?”

“You may deal with me as you see fit,” Ye Tianci replied, his tone frosty. He took a deep breath, calming himself completely.

Every member of the Lin family stared at him, unblinking.

Lin Changren had decided: if Ye Tianci failed to save Lin Daonan and was simply making a scene, he would personally break Ye Tianci’s other leg.

Lin Qingqian’s heart was in her throat. She knew the chances of Ye Tianci saving her grandfather were slim—perhaps one in ten thousand—but still she prayed for him to succeed.

Suddenly—

Ye Tianci’s hands moved.

The seven silver needles left his fingers almost simultaneously, piercing seven crucial acupuncture points: Qi Sea, Taiyi, Celestial Pivot, and others.

Then, with his fingers pressed together like a sword, Ye Tianci tapped Lin Daonan’s brow.

A surge of pure internal energy, the power he had cultivated, poured into Lin Daonan’s body.

“Return the soul!”

Ye Tianci’s low voice resonated through the room.

In the next instant, the seven silver needles in Lin Daonan’s body began to tremble in unison.

The expressions on every Lin family member’s face changed.

Beside them, Xue Huaisu’s eyes flew wide open in shock and horror.

Only now did he see clearly: the seven silver needles formed the pattern of the Northern Dipper constellation.

A sharp gasp escaped Xue Huaisu, his face flushing red, his eyes shifting from panic to awe.

“Divine Physician Xue, are you all right?” Lin Changren noticed his strange state and asked with concern.

With a thud, Xue Huaisu dropped to his knees.

His action left the entire Lin family dumbfounded.

“Divine Physician Xue, what are you doing?” Lin Changren asked, full of suspicion.

“The Heaven-Defying Nine Needles!”

“The Seven-Star Soul Recall!”

“This… this is the seventh needle of the legendary Heaven-Defying Nine Needles, thought lost to history—the Seven-Star Soul Recall!”

“My heavens! I never dreamed I’d live to see the Heaven-Defying Nine Needles with my own eyes!”

Xue Huaisu was so excited he could barely speak.

“Withdraw!” Ye Tianci commanded, and the seven silver needles left Lin Daonan’s body almost simultaneously.

Now, though Lin Daonan was still unconscious, his breathing was steady and audible, and a healthy flush returned to his withered face.

Ye Tianci handed the needle pouch back to Xue Huaisu. “Divine Physician Xue, you may now re-examine Old Master Lin and decide whether the family should still prepare for his funeral.”

There was no need for further examination; any onlooker could see Lin Daonan was out of danger for the time being.

Still kneeling, Xue Huaisu’s face was full of shame. “In traditional medicine, the accomplished are honored first. I must address you as ‘Master.’”

“Master Ye, I no longer deserve the title ‘Divine Physician.’ You are the true master!”

“I, Xue Huaisu, admit my defeat and humbly ask to become your disciple. From now on, I will follow only your lead!”

Without waiting for Ye Tianci’s response, Xue Huaisu began bowing his head to the floor repeatedly.

He had made up his mind—even if Ye Tianci refused him, he would shamelessly persist, determined to learn the Heaven-Defying Nine Needles.

The entire Lin family was dumbstruck.

The Divine Physician Xue, whom they had groveled before and humiliated themselves to please, was now kneeling and begging to become the disciple of Ye Tianci—the very man they had most despised.

The irony was overwhelming.

“Enough kneeling. I will not take you as my disciple,” Ye Tianci said with a casual wave of his hand.

Xue Huaisu stood up, smiling awkwardly. “Master Ye, if you will not accept me, that’s all right. This is my card—if you ever need anything, just command me.”

He offered his card with both hands, deferentially.

Seeing that he was a man of some standing, Ye Tianci spared him further embarrassment and accepted the card.

Satisfied, Xue Huaisu took his leave, not even acknowledging the Lin family as he departed.

That was an even greater humiliation than before.

Especially for Lin Changren, who had brought Xue Huaisu in the first place—he felt deeply shamed, his face burning.

“Ye—you’ve really done it now!” Lin Changren glared coldly at Ye Tianci.

Several Lin family men approached Ye Tianci, their faces twisted with anger.