With Su Zhantao present, the atmosphere inside the pavilion immediately transformed from what it had been moments before. Su Zhantao was lively, unafraid to speak his mind, and what he said invariably served a beneficial purpose. Under his influence, everyone felt as relaxed and cheerful as if they were attending a family gathering. Even Zhang Yang secretly admired him. In his previous life, Zhang Yang had encountered many intelligent people, but few could compare to Su Zhantao. He wasn't just smart; he was remarkably agile and sharp-witted. It was no wonder someone like this achieved such success in business right after graduation. For a person of this caliber, the probability of success was inherently higher, regardless of the path chosen.

“The medicine is here, Second Uncle, please drink it first!” With Su Zhantao around, time seemed to fly. Before long, Ah Fu returned, carrying the decocted medicine. Su Zhantao took it directly, smiling as he presented the bowl to Su Shaohua. “So bitter!” Su Shaohua frowned after just one sip. He had suffered from this illness for so many years and had consumed countless traditional Chinese medicines. He was familiar with bitter tonics, but none tasted as intensely bitter as the one Zhang Yang had prepared—it seemed to surpass even Coptis root. “Good medicine tastes bitter. Though this medicine is harsh, it targets your specific illness. Drinking it will hasten your recovery!” Zhang Yang said with a smile. His tone was far more natural now than at the beginning; this was all thanks to Su Zhantao, who had harmonized the group in such a short time. “Right, good medicine tastes bitter. I’ll drink it!” Su Shaohua let out a hearty laugh and gulped down the entire bowl. The medicine was indeed intensely bitter. After finishing it, Su Shaohua’s face puckered up like a withered gourd. Even after washing down several mouthfuls of water, his expression made the others chuckle. “Mr. Su, please extend your arm!” Zhang Yang was smiling too, but he hadn't forgotten his task. The best time for acupuncture was immediately after the medicine entered the stomach. This allowed him to use his internal energy to directly catalyze the medicinal power, which in turn amplified the effect of the needling, leading to twice the result with half the effort. His medical kit was close by. Zhang Yang took out three sterilized needles and swiftly inserted them into Su Shaohua’s Zhongquan, Waiguan, and Tienjing acupoints. Three long silver needles stood upright in a row along his arm. The surrounding onlookers fell silent, all watching Zhang Yang administer the treatment with rapt curiosity. Wu Youdao, an expert among the group, involuntarily nodded slightly upon seeing Zhang Yang needle these three points, though a hint of confusion accompanied the gesture. Of the three, Tienjing was located on the outer side of the upper arm; if the arm was bent, exposing the elbow, the point was found in the depression about an inch above the tip of the elbow. Tienjing primarily treated the sensory organs and the respiratory system; for Su Shaohua’s asthma, needling it was logical. However, Wu Youdao was less certain about Zhongquan and Waiguan. Zhongquan was located on the wrist, mainly effective for chest congestion and stomach pain. Asthma involved chest tightness, but this point’s effect seemed minimal, especially since Su Shaohua wasn't currently experiencing an attack. Waiguan was similar, located about an inch above Zhongquan, primarily used to clear heat, resolve toxicity, promote circulation, and relieve pain. Despite his uncertainty, Wu Youdao said nothing. He knew Zhang Yang’s needling often seemed wild and unrestrained, yet the results were invariably superb. Furthermore, today's treatment seemed far better than previous ones; last time, when Zhang Yang needled the Shenque acupoint directly, it nearly scared him senseless.

After inserting the three needles, Zhang Yang did not continue. Instead, he gently flicked each of the three needles. Su Shaohua stared with wide eyes at the silver needles embedded in his arm. After Zhang Yang flicked them, the needles began to hum vibrantly. Deep within his arm, he felt a warm, flowing current spreading into his viscera, bringing an indescribable sense of comfort. The three needles vibrated ceaselessly. Zhang Yang then fetched three more needles and inserted them into points on his head. As Zhang Yang flicked each new needle, Su Shaohua suddenly felt a rush of clarity and openness in his chest; his breathing seemed instantly smoother, and the world before him appeared startlingly bright. This sensation made him even more agitated. A marvel—this man was a true transcendent.

Su Shaohua suddenly recalled an old Chinese medicine doctor he had visited many years ago, back when he was at Mount Hua. He had sought him out specifically to treat his illness. That elderly doctor was indeed skilled and had significantly alleviated his suffering, but that was all. The relief was short-lived. The doctor himself had admitted that the illness was exceedingly difficult to cure, rendering most practitioners useless, suggesting that only by finding a truly secluded master might there be any hope. At the time, Su Shaohua had only listened, not truly internalizing the words. Firstly, he didn't know what a "master" was, nor did he have any understanding of such figures. Secondly, he knew his condition was hard to treat, and the relief the old doctor provided was already a source of deep gratitude. In this very moment, he experienced sudden enlightenment. The "master" the old doctor spoke of must be someone like Zhang Yang. He had consulted numerous traditional doctors and undergone acupuncture many times, yet no physician had ever given him this kind of feeling.

“Don’t move, close your eyes, and relax your body!” Zhang Yang suddenly commanded. Su Shaohua had been watching him excitedly, causing significant emotional fluctuations that could interfere with the internal energy Zhang Yang had channeled into his body, thereby affecting the treatment’s efficacy. “Yes!” Su Shaohua immediately nodded, obediently closing his eyes. He now held complete trust in Zhang Yang; the latter’s words, during the treatment, were akin to imperial decree. From initial indifference and distrust, to tentative hope, then great hope, and finally absolute trust—Su Shaohua’s attitude toward Zhang Yang had undergone a seismic shift today. This was Zhang Yang’s charisma, earned through tangible capability.

On Su Shaohua’s upper body—head, chest, shoulders, and arms—Zhang Yang inserted a total of twenty-one needles. When he placed the final one, the initial three needles were still faintly vibrating. This sight caused Su Zhantao’s eyes to widen as well. He dealt in medicinal herbs, many of which were Chinese remedies, and he had some familiarity and study in acupuncture. He had never witnessed needles vibrate for such an extended duration after insertion. This technique alone completely awed him, making him realize that Zhang Yang was no ordinary doctor. No wonder they claimed Zhang Yang held the hope of curing Second Uncle’s illness. Now, even Su Zhantao’s confidence in Zhang Yang had greatly increased.

“Hoo!” Having finished needling, Zhang Yang let out a long breath and rested with his eyes closed. Su Shaohua’s case was less complicated than Bureau Chief Zhao’s father’s, requiring less internal energy expenditure, but it was still substantial. Zhang Yang had already depleted nearly half of his internal reserves and needed a period of rest. Fortunately, Su Shaohua required only this one session today; the next would be in three days, giving Zhang Yang ample time to recover.

“Shaohua, how do you feel now?” While Zhang Yang rested with his eyes closed, Wu Youdao carefully examined the needles covering his body before leaning in close to Su Shaohua’s ear and asking softly. “My arm feels like it can’t exert force, but my mind is very clear. My vision and hearing seem better than before. Oh, and my breathing is very smooth now, without that blocked feeling I usually have!” Su Shaohua carefully observed his body and spoke slowly. Mentioning his breathing brought a fresh wave of excitement. Due to his asthma, he typically felt a constant, uncomfortable sensation as if phlegm were lodged in his airways. Over time, he had simply adapted to this chronic discomfort. To suddenly experience the sensation of unimpeded breathing was incredibly liberating. He intensely hoped this feeling would last, that he wouldn't have to endure the previous discomfort again.

“So fast, so obvious!” A trace of shock flashed in Wu Youdao’s eyes. He subtly glanced toward Zhang Yang, who was resting with his eyes shut. He knew Zhang Yang was capable, and his needling skills were magical, but he never expected the effect to be this immediate—providing his old friend with tangible benefit on the very first session. “Yes, it’s this evident. Now I truly believe Dr. Zhang can cure my illness!” Su Shaohua nodded heavily. No one else could fathom the feeling surging within him. Afflicted since his early twenties, he had endured thirty-plus years of torment, coming close to death several times because of this ailment. No one could truly understand the revulsion and hatred he felt for this disease. Now, possessing the hope of a cure was tantamount to being granted a new life. It explained his intense agitation. Over the decades, he had ridden waves of hope and despair many times, but none had been as profound or violent as the one he felt today. “Second Uncle, you will certainly recover, and Dr. Zhang will surely heal you!” Su Zhantao added. “Haha, I believe it too! This time, I must thank you, Uncle Wu, and thank Dr. Zhang!” Su Shaohua looked somewhat frightening covered in needles, yet he was ecstatic. If not for the needles, he might have wanted to dance and drink wine. Even so, he roared with laughter to vent the sheer excitement in his heart.

Although Zhang Yang’s eyes were closed, he was perfectly aware of everything happening outside. A faint smile gradually curved his lips. Su Shaohua’s condition was indeed identical to a case he had treated in Germany in his past life. That was the first time he and Parker had successfully treated this type of disease. This time, perhaps he was working alone, but the individuals who truly conquered this illness—he would never forget that it was he and Parker.

An hour later, Zhang Yang concluded his rest and personally removed the needles for Su Shaohua. After dressing, Su Shaohua immediately took a few bouncy steps in the courtyard, feeling an indescribable lightness in his body. After leaving behind the prescription and scheduling the next treatment for three days later, Zhang Yang and Wu Youdao departed the villa. Su Shaohua tried repeatedly to persuade them to stay, but Zhang Yang insisted he had other patients waiting at the hospital. Wu Youdao understood this perfectly, knowing that Mi Xue was waiting for Zhang Yang back at the clinic. Only after Wu Youdao interceded did Su Shaohua cease his insistent requests. Finally, he presented Zhang Yang with a gift before allowing Su Zhantao to personally escort them back to the hospital. The reception upon their departure was entirely different from their arrival.

………… Chapter One C