Dr. Yang blurted out. In his estimation, this person before him wasn't just young, but outrageously arrogant. How dare he utter such words? What did he mean by "it's a good thing I found him"? Didn't that imply that all the doctors present were inferior to him alone?

Zhang Yang looked up calmly at him. Elder Wu had secretly introduced this man's identity to him just moments ago.

He was, indeed, an authoritative expert from the Provincial People's Hospital, possessing more prestige and status than the doctors at the Third Hospital. It was a pity that the hospital Zhang Yang belonged to in his previous life was far superior even to the Provincial People's Hospital, and he himself had been the authority among authorities.

For someone like this, he truly didn't take him seriously.

"Elder Wu, I need a set of needles, and please get me some boiling water. I need these things right away!"

Zhang Yang ignored Dr. Yang and spoke directly to Elder Wu beside him. The patient's condition was critical; this patient was indeed more severe than the little girl they had encountered at the hospital last time. Zhang Yang had no time to waste exchanging pleasantries with this man.

"I've already had someone prepare those things. I'll go get them!"

Elder Wu responded immediately. He had, in fact, made preparations in advance.

He knew Zhang Yang's acupuncture skills were formidable and that he would likely need to use needles. Therefore, when Wang Guohai went to invite Zhang Yang, Elder Wu had already arranged for several sets of needles, large and small, to be prepared. If Zhang Yang needed them, he could take them directly; preparing extra never hurt.

Now, it seemed Elder Wu had been absolutely right; at least some time had been saved, as they had already wasted quite a bit today.

Seeing that Zhang Yang didn't even spare him a glance, Dr. Yang could no longer restrain himself and challenged him sharply, "You, what kind of attitude is this?"

Dr. Yang was an expert from the Provincial People's Hospital; even the hospital director usually treated him with great respect. Here at the Third Hospital, it was even more pronounced—even Zhu Zhixiang wouldn't dare treat him this way.

To be so utterly disregarded and ignored by a young man fueled his indignation to an unimaginable degree.

"Dr. Yang, this is the ICU!"

Director Ma frowned. He was also displeased with Dr. Yang's demeanor. In truth, everyone from the provincial hospital had been rather arrogant since arriving, looking down on the Third Hospital staff and trying to seize control of the situation, which had already filled Director Ma with considerable annoyance.

"I know. I'd like to see how you plan to solve this problem that no one in the country can solve!"

Dr. Yang snorted, though his voice was considerably softer. He didn't leave out of anger; instead, he stood watching Zhang Yang, determined to witness the moment this young man's boasts shattered.

His thinking was simple: he absolutely did not believe Zhang Yang had a solution, given this was a crisis few in the nation could resolve.

Elder Wu was quick to leave and quick to return. In a short while, he re-entered the ward holding several boxes. Outside, when Zhu Zhixiang heard that Zhang Yang truly had a method, his heart was filled with surprise and delight, mixed with a touch of doubt.

He was surprised that Zhang Yang dared to speak such words; they certainly sounded arrogant, yet he didn't seem afraid of frightening anyone.

He was delighted because Zhang Yang might actually have a solution. If Zhang Yang could truly save Director Zhao's father, this bad situation could turn into a great one, potentially bringing him considerable favor with Director Zhao.

Never mind future promotions; at least his position as Director would be much more secure, and the Third Hospital would receive greater government support.

Regrettably, he still lacked complete confidence in Zhang Yang, mainly due to the young man's age. Medical experience was crucial; good doctors were products of accumulated knowledge, which was why many people instinctively trusted older physicians first.

However, Zhang Yang had finally offered him a glimmer of hope, unlike before when there had been none.

Elder Wu opened all the needle cases and placed them nearby. Looking at the silver needles within the boxes, Zhang Yang found himself nostalgically recalling the set from his previous life.

The silver needles he had used in his past life were custom-made, their materials differing from these ordinary ones. They were perfectly suited for him, requiring less effort. That single set of needles had cost him several hundred thousand, earning the nickname "The Nation's Foremost Needles."

Those needles allowed him to achieve twice the result with half the effort. Zhang Yang realized he needed to hustle to earn money quickly so he could commission a new set tailored to his use.

Before Elder Wu returned, Zhang Yang had meticulously observed the patient's condition and already formulated a treatment plan in his mind.

Picking up a needle, Zhang Yang showed no hesitation and inserted it directly into the patient's Yintang () acupoint. The needle went in one-third of its length, causing a spike of alarm in Elder Wu.

Director Ma and Dr. Yang, standing nearby, both widened their mouths in shock.

The Yintang, located between the eyebrows, is one of the most sensitive points on the human body. If someone points at this spot, the person being pointed at feels intensely uncomfortable. It is also the point felt most profoundly without physical contact on the entire body.

Even seasoned traditional Chinese medicine doctors would proceed with caution when needling this point, certainly never inserting it so deeply. The depth Zhang Yang achieved was more than three times what others usually employed.

After the Yintang, Zhang Yang took one silver needle in each hand and inserted them directly into the temples (). As before, these also penetrated one-third of their length.

Elder Wu's heartbeat quickened further. The temples—another highly sensitive location. Most practitioners wouldn't dare use needles here without absolute certainty, fearing accidents. Yet, Zhang Yang plunged them in so deeply.

Watching Zhang Yang perform the acupuncture now, Elder Wu felt he wasn't observing a lesson but witnessing a gamble with life itself.

After inserting these three needles, Zhang Yang exhaled a long, muddy breath.

These three seemingly simple needle placements were incredibly complex, requiring deep Qigong assistance. While executing them hadn't been difficult in his previous life, the inherited Qigong foundation in this life was only half as strong, making the effort quite taxing.

After catching his breath, Zhang Yang asked Elder Wu to help loosen the patient's clothes so he could resume needling.

This time, he placed over a dozen needles in quick succession, mostly across the chest. Elder Wu nodded silently. Zhang Yang's technique this time was less exaggerated and terrifying than before, and the placement of these needles was excellent. Elder Wu could sense a genuine possibility of altering the patient's condition.

This method of needling caused Elder Wu to exclaim in admiration once more, solidifying his conviction that Zhang Yang's acupuncture skills far surpassed his own.

"On your head!"

Director Ma suddenly called out toward Zhang Yang. Dr. Yang and Elder Wu both looked up to examine Zhang Yang.

With just one glance, both men froze. A faint wisp of white mist was rising from the top of Zhang Yang's head. The mist was subtle, but undeniably present, and his forehead was already beaded with sweat.

They weren't unfamiliar with this sight; television dramas sometimes depicted martial arts masters exhibiting this when their internal energy was overexerted. However, Zhang Yang’s appearance was far clearer and more vividly real than anything shown on screen.

At this point, even Dr. Yang felt a distinct sense that Zhang Yang was somewhat extraordinary.

Zhang Yang paid them no mind. His right hand picked up a slightly shorter silver needle. He glanced at the patient, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes, and he pressed the needle straight down onto the center of the patient's abdomen.

"Shenque ()? You're needling directly here?"

Elder Wu happened to turn back just as Zhang Yang drove the needle in, letting out an astonished cry. Director Ma and Dr. Yang also turned, staring blankly at Zhang Yang.

………… Thank you, old friend Yan Hui Man, for the 1888 Qidian Coin reward!

For more novels, visit storyread.net.