"What a waste, unable to handle even such a small matter." As dusk settled, Nie Fengxing’s somewhat pale complexion began to turn ashen, spittle spraying across the faces of the three martial attendants opposite him.

It had taken these three good-for-nothings over an hour, and they still hadn't brought back the beautiful Hua Mei. How could Nie Fengxing not be furious? If he had known the trio hid away to practice Nie Kong's massage techniques before returning to face him, Nie Fengxing would likely have skinned them alive.

Wu Tong, Er Lin, and San Mu were long accustomed to such scenes, lowering their heads respectfully while Nie Fengxing berated them, their faces etched with expressions of abject fear.

After a long pause, the hall finally quieted. Nie Fengxing paced back and forth with a cold expression. While arrogant, he wasn't brainless; stealing a kinsman's wife was always a major taboo in the Nie family. Even as the clan leader’s son, he dared not act overtly, resorting only to covert coercion.

If Nie Kong had died this time, it would have been simple: bring Hua Mei over and claim she willingly remarried. Who knew his life was so tenacious that he actually revived. Thinking of Hua Mei's shy blush, the way her innocence blended with subtle allure, Nie Fengxing felt an uncomfortable mix of frustration and yearning.

"Third Young Master, Nie Kong also said he will return the 'Revitalization Dew' to you as soon as possible," Wu Tong seized the opportune moment, fawning with a sly smile.

"Return it? What will he use to return it? That fifty gold coins a month allowance the clan gives him?" Nie Fengxing scoffed disdainfully.

"Yes, yes. That brat doesn't even have money to buy spirit medicine for himself, yet he claims he'll return the 'Revitalization Dew' to you? One bottle costs ten thousand; how could he possibly afford it!" Wu Tong quickly chimed in agreement.

Hearing this, Nie Fengxing’s eyes suddenly brightened. He clapped Wu Tong on the shoulder and chuckled malevolently, "Good, well said. He wants to return the 'Revitalization Dew,' does he? Let him. But I won't press him now. In about six or seven days, he'll need spirit medicine again to prolong his life. That's when I'll pay him a visit!"

"Brilliant, Third Young Master is truly brilliant."

The three martial attendants complimented him repeatedly. Six or seven days later, when Nie Kong had no money for medicine and the Third Young Master came to demand the Dew back, Nie Kong would have no choice but to willingly offer up his sister-in-law to the Third Young Master if he didn't want to die. At the brink of life and death, they believed that young man wouldn't remain stubborn. For a moment, Wu Tong and the others almost pitied Nie Kong, but remembering their own hidden ailments, they became filled with fresh anxiety...

... —————————————————————————————————————————————— The sky gradually darkened.

In the room, there was only a bed, a table, and a chair—simple furnishings, yet impeccably clean, utterly dust-free. The door, kicked open yesterday afternoon, had already been mended.

Candlelight flickered on the tabletop, beside which nine gold needles, laid out on a piece of black cloth, gleamed. Hua Mei stood before the table, clutching her small fists tightly, equally curious and nervous, her bright eyes darting between Nie Kong and the needles. Dressed in a simple cloth skirt and wooden hairpin, without a speck of makeup, her beautiful, fair skin reflected a faint rosy glow under the candlelight, appearing translucent and so delicate one might break it with a touch, possessing a unique kind of allure.

"Uncle, can these gold needles cure your illness? How are they used?" Hua Mei finally couldn't help but ask. After Nie Kong drew the diagrams of the nine needles last night, she went to a jewelry shop in Jiyang City this morning and commissioned a Spiritual Master craftsman, known to her father-in-law Nie Qingyang, to forge them, taking a full day.

"Of course, they can. Just insert them into the body," Nie Kong explained simply.

"Ah, insert them into the body? Needles this long—if by chance... if by chance..." Hua Mei left the rest unsaid, but her delicate face paled with fright.

"They won't kill anyone; I'm sure of it," Nie Kong chuckled wryly. These people likely had no concept of acupuncture and probably thought long needles inserted into the body would result in death. "Sister-in-law, perhaps you should wait outside; I'll start now. If nothing unexpected happens, there should be results by tomorrow."

"Uncle, I... I'll stay and help you." How could Hua Mei feel at ease leaving?

Nie Kong shook his head. "No need, I can manage alone. Besides, I’ll have to remove my clothes for the needling."

"Oh."

Hua Mei's face flushed slightly. If they were merely siblings, it would be fine, but given their uncle-sister-in-law relationship, it was indeed inconvenient. Hua Mei hesitated, "Then, then... Uncle, please be careful. I'll wait just outside; call me if you need anything." Only after Nie Kong agreed did Hua Mei step out of the room. As she closed the door, she was careful not to latch it fully, leaving a small crack so she could discreetly observe the situation inside.

Nie Kong paid it no mind. He removed his outer robe, remaining only in his underpants, and sat cross-legged upon the mat. Now, Nie Kong's eye sockets were sunken, his cheeks thin, and the outlines of his protruding ribs were clearly visible on his chest. There was hardly any flesh on his entire body.

Nie Kong was quite displeased with this frail physique, but having been sick for eighteen years, he couldn't demand perfection. After recovering, a period of proper recuperation should strengthen his body.

A moment later, Nie Kong calmed his mind and picked up the third longest gold needle to sterilize it.

These nine gold needles varied in thickness and length. In the ancestral medical arts Nie Kong inherited, the names for these nine needles differed from the universally recognized ones.

In the Huangdi Neijing: Ling Shu: Nine Needles Chapter, there is a passage—

The Yellow Emperor said: I heard of the Nine Needles from my Master; vast and profound they are, yet I still cannot fully grasp them. I dare ask, how did the Nine Needles originate, and why are they named as such? Qi Bo replied: The Nine Needles are the grand numbers of Heaven and Earth, beginning with one and ending with nine. Thus, the first models Heaven, the second models Earth, the third models Man, the fourth models Time, the fifth models Sound, the sixth models Law, the seventh models Stars, the eighth models Wind, and the ninth models the Wilderness.

The Nine Needles in Nie Kong's inherited medical arts were named according to Qi Bo's reply, ordered from longest to shortest: Heaven Needle, Earth Needle, Man Needle, Time Needle, Sound Needle, Law Needle, Star Needle, Wind Needle, and Wilderness Needle.

"Hah..."

Nie Kong exhaled, his fingers gently twisting, and the Man Needle slowly pierced the "Heart Sea Acupoint" on his chest. This hidden point lies between the Shenfeng and Ruzhong points...

... —————————————————————————————————————————————— Hua Mei stood outside, wanting to see what was happening inside the room, but the thought that Nie Kong might be naked at this moment made her timid. After hesitating for a while, she ultimately couldn't settle her unease. Suppressing her shyness, Hua Mei quietly pressed her face against the gap in the door. Nie Kong’s gaunt figure immediately came into view.

At that sight, Hua Mei’s heart pounded like a drum. Instinctively, she wanted to look away, but before she could move, she saw Nie Kong pick up the half-foot-long gold needle and drive it into his own chest. That was the vicinity of the heart! Hua Mei’s expression changed drastically, and she almost cried out in alarm. Fearing she would disturb Nie Kong, she quickly covered her mouth, forcefully swallowing back the sound that had rushed to her throat.

The needle pierced deeper and deeper, and Hua Mei's eyes widened further. Finally, Nie Kong released his hand; only half of the gold needle remained exposed, vibrating gently. Hua Mei’s heart trembled along with it. Uncle, how could you be so reckless? What if something goes wrong?

Biting her lip, Hua Mei was so worried that tears were about to fall. Just then, Nie Kong picked up the second longest needle to sterilize it, then drove it into his right chest.

The nine major hidden points: Heart Sea is in the left chest; Jade Bright is in the right chest; Celestial Palace is between the Tanzhong and Zungting points; Black Court is at the back of the neck; Dragon Palace is on the top of the head; Spirit Away and Yang Peak are on the lower back; Lost Spring is above Shenque; and the last one, Jade Pool, is located inside the Dantian.

After inserting the Earth Needle, Nie Kong's speed increased. The Time Needle entered the Celestial Palace, the Sound Needle entered the Black Court, the Law Needle entered the Dragon Palace, the Star Needle entered Spirit Away, the Wind Needle entered Yang Peak, and the Wilderness Needle entered Lost Spring. Only the Heaven Needle remained, along with the Jade Pool point, which was situated in the gap between the three spiritual orifices.

That space was already occupied by the seeds of the Purple Violet Illusory Spirit Incense, but this in no way hindered Nie Kong from inserting the needle. The moment the Heaven Needle entered the Jade Pool, a faint weng sound resonated. The other eight needles seemed to be linked by an invisible thread and vibrated subtly at the same time...