As he walked, his body swayed slightly, lacking its former steadiness; the exertion from this treatment had depleted too much of his internal energy, and a short rest was far from enough.

"I don't believe it, I refuse to believe that just a few needles could cure such a complicated, superimposed acute illness. It’s impossible! Director Zhao, let me examine the Old Master again, what do you say?"

Just as Zhang Yang reached the door, Dr. Yang called out again, his face still agitated.

Old Master Zhao had indeed woken up just moments ago, which Dr. Yang had witnessed with his own eyes. However, he simply could not accept that Zhang Yang had managed to pull him back from the brink, let alone cured his illness.

Curing this condition was something very few practitioners in the entire country would dare claim certainty over; this young man who had seemingly sprung from nowhere could absolutely not have done it.

"I think perhaps it isn't necessary!"

Director Zhao hesitated slightly. He had seen his father wake up with his own eyes, and observed that the Old Master’s breathing was now steady, his heartbeat calm, and all vital signs excellent, as if he were merely in a deep sleep.

"Director Zhao, they just said that young man is an intern, maybe hasn't even been formally admitted to the hospital yet. Are you really that confident in the diagnosis from someone like that? A quick examination won't harm the Old Master regardless of the results!"

Dr. Yang pressed on, trying to persuade Director Zhao.

If Director Zhao didn't agree, even if he wanted to examine the patient, he couldn't. This wasn't the Provincial People's Hospital; it wasn't his territory. To truly ascertain the outcome and clarify the patient's current condition required Director Zhao's consent.

Director Zhao wavered again. Dr. Yang's words held merit; Zhang Yang was undeniably young—frighteningly so. No one seeing him could believe he possessed such profound medical skill. An examination would cost nothing and change nothing.

"Elder Wu, remove the needles in half an hour, let them examine whatever they wish!"

Zhang Yang turned back with a faint smile, uttered these words, and walked straight out the door.

Wu Youdao and Zhu Zhixiang, along with Director Zhao, bade farewell to those remaining and followed him out. Before leaving, Wu Youdao sternly cautioned Director Zhao not to touch the needles on the patient under any circumstances, or bear the consequences himself.

The crowd waiting outside watched intently as Zhang Yang emerged, many craning their necks to peer inside.

Mi Xue was seated outside as well. Upon seeing Zhang Yang’s ashen complexion, she immediately stood up and rushed to his side.

"Zhang Yang, are you alright?"

Mi Xue supported him, her face etched with concern. Zhang Yang was significantly paler than when he went in. The recent exertion had caused him to sweat, leaving his lips dry and cracked; he looked utterly drained.

"I'm fine, let's go back," Zhang Yang smiled faintly, shaking his head gently. Wu Youdao had already followed them out and instructed Wang Guohai to take Zhang Yang home.

He himself could not leave the hospital yet; the other doctors also needed to remain for the extensive follow-up work.

Zhang Yang was truly exhausted. After Wang Guohai dropped him off, he collapsed onto the bed and fell asleep without even showering. Such a massive expenditure of energy required at least three days to recover fully. Furthermore, he still had to continue needling Director Zhao's father during those three days, meaning his recovery would be incomplete for five or six days. The only benefit was that subsequent treatments would not demand such immense effort; he could recover while treating.

…………

"Impossible, this is impossible!"

Two hours later, Dr. Yang and several specialists from the Provincial People's Hospital stared at the freshly generated test results in stunned disbelief. Dr. Yang looked vacant-eyed, muttering continuously.

Standing beside them were Director Zhu, Director Ma, and Elder Wu Youdao. These individuals' expressions were the polar opposite of Dr. Yang’s group; every face was alight with sheer elation. The examination performed immediately after removing the needles from Director Zhao’s father showed results even they could hardly credit.

The Old Master's previously obstructed blood clots were entirely cleared, including those few areas that were deemed inoperable. This had been achieved without a single incision, using nothing more than a few silver needles.

With the clots gone, the pathways were clear. The symptoms of cerebral ischemia had vanished. Now, all that remained was recuperation and waiting for him to wake up. After all, the brain had suffered oxygen deprivation for so long; a rapid awakening was unrealistic.

"Elder Wu, you should have suggested bringing Zhang Yang in sooner!"

Zhu Zhixiang suddenly slapped his thigh, exclaiming with a touch of regret.

Director Ma nodded in strong agreement. Cerebral thrombosis patients feared prolonged cerebral ischemia; brain cells deprived of adequate supply easily led to lingering sequelae, complications that were not only difficult to treat but would affect the patient's quality of life thereafter.

"If I had called him earlier, would you have dared let him try?"

Wu Youdao managed a wry smile. He genuinely wished he could have summoned Zhang Yang sooner, but back then, his word held no weight. In the end, it was only when the situation became dire and the Director decided to gamble that such a concession became remotely possible.

Zhu Zhixiang paused, realizing the truth of the matter, and subsequently shook his head. Wu Youdao was right; bringing Zhang Yang in earlier would have been useless, as he wouldn't have permitted Zhang Yang to attempt treatment at that time. Now, regretting it was futile; all he could do was pray that Director Zhao's father suffered minimal after-effects.

"Is this kid really a university student?"

Director Ma suddenly voiced the thought. Zhu Zhixiang turned to Wu Youdao, admitting frankly that Zhang Yang's performance today made him seem like a renowned veteran TCM doctor, not a student. Director Ma had voiced his own underlying question.

Wu Youdao smiled helplessly and said softly, "You’ve all seen his file; he is unequivocally a university student. As for this medical skill of his, truthfully, I am just as curious!"

"Indeed, how could someone so young possess such formidable medical skill!"

Zhu Zhixiang couldn't help but nod along. He had witnessed Zhang Yang’s needling process firsthand today, and the feeling it evoked in him defied description. Zhang Yang's technique left him utterly awestruck. Among all the TCM practitioners he knew, none could rival Zhang Yang.

"Director, what is your current assessment of this young man?"

Wu Youdao asked again, a slight smile playing on his lips. He was confident that after today’s events, everyone in the hospital would alter their perception of Zhang Yang, and agreeing to Zhang Yang's 'demanding' conditions would no longer be an issue. These were conditions Zhang Yang himself had set, and Wu Youdao would not be able to refuse them later. This meant that sooner rather than later, Zhang Yang would be affiliated with the Third Hospital, affording him the opportunity for closer observation. Unfortunately, Zhang Yang only planned to visit the hospital one day a week, split into two sessions—a treatment schedule better than his own. Yet, recalling the needlework that commanded his profound admiration, Wu Youdao felt Zhang Yang deserved such privileges. That mastery of acupuncture made him seriously contemplate becoming a student himself.

…………

Chapter One: Gratitude to friends Jiyuqing, ssso345, Fenghong Yiren, and others for their tips. Special thanks to 'Baby Opens Airplane' and 'Ashes Everywhere' friends for their 1888 Qidian Coin tips. Xiaoyu thanks everyone for their support! C