The book’s description of melanoma was so detailed that Zhao Zhi grew increasingly alarmed as he read; many of the symptoms matched his own exactly. According to the text, he was a textbook case of melanoma.

Melanoma. Skin cancer. Any ailment saddled with the word ‘cancer’ is enough to terrify anyone.

Fear of cancer is pervasive; it wasn't just a modern fear, but one that spanned across all time.

“Old Zhao, what’s going on over there?”

Zhao Zhi was engrossed in the book when a loud shout came from behind him. It was Fatty Niu, whom he had called earlier, and he had rushed over immediately.

Not only had he come, but he had brought more than a dozen bodyguards. When he received the call, hearing how distinctly abnormal Zhao Zhi sounded, Fatty Niu had instantly understood the gravity of the situation and quickly gathered the bodyguards around him.

In retrospect, he hadn’t even arrived that late.

Wealthy men like them, those who traded futures, usually traveled with bodyguards as a matter of course. Zhao Zhi had merely stepped out for a casual stroll with two employees, so he hadn't bothered summoning his own detail that day.

“Don’t bother me, wait a moment!”

Zhao Zhi didn't even turn his head, just waved a hand dismissively toward the commotion behind him. He was now reading a second book.

One book wasn’t enough to convince him, but there were others here. Zhang Yang had handed him another one, and this one also contained a description of melanoma.

“What in the world are you up to?”

Fatty Niu was completely bewildered, but seeing that Zhao Zhi was physically unharmed, he felt a measure of relief. He decided to stand back and wait.

In front of him, Zhao Zhi’s heart rate began to accelerate.

Melanoma. He was no longer unfamiliar with the term. After reading so much, he knew exactly what kind of illness it was—it wasn't an exaggeration to say this was a life-threatening disease.

That wasn't the crucial point; what terrified him most was his large, dark mole. It perfectly matched the description of a melanoma manifestation in the book.

Combined with what Zhang Yang had just said, the realization that he might have melanoma caused his legs to weaken. The excitement he felt earlier from witnessing the booming Sanqi market had vanished completely. Earning a certain amount of money meant nothing to him now.

It made sense, after all. If a man was about to die, what good was earning fortunes?

After finishing the fourth book, Zhao Zhi stopped reading. He pulled out his phone and began dialing a number.

The call was answered shortly after. He directly asked several questions about melanoma, then related some of his symptoms, and as he spoke, his complexion turned utterly ashen.

Before the person on the other end had even hung up, his mobile phone slipped from his grasp and clattered onto the floor.

The call he made was to a doctor he trusted implicitly. Magnates like them usually kept several esteemed physicians on retainer who were more than willing to cater to the wealthy, as the consultation fees from such clients were significantly higher. This was precisely how Zhang Yang had operated in his previous life.

Zhao Zhi was a wealthy man and naturally paid more attention to his health; securing a renowned doctor to serve him was no difficult feat. The physician he contacted was a famous specialist in Beijing.

He briefly described his symptoms. The doctor urged him to come to Beijing for an examination as quickly as possible. The doctor didn't explicitly confirm the diagnosis, but his tone and demeanor already conveyed the answer.

“Old Zhao, what’s wrong with you?”

Fatty Niu rushed to support Zhao Zhi. While they were business partners, this was a critical juncture for their closely aligned venture, and any trouble with Zhao Zhi would significantly impact their business dealings.

“I... I might be dying soon!”

Zhao Zhi managed to utter the words bitterly, his face pale, his eyes bloodshot. He was only in his early forties; he had finally managed to amass an immense fortune, yet before he could even begin to enjoy it, he was shattered by this unexpected news.

He was rich, yes, but he knew that no amount of money could cure a terminal illness.

“What? You’re dying?”

Fatty Niu gasped in shock. He didn't understand what had transpired earlier, but hearing Zhao Zhi say that suddenly left him stunned.

Supporting Zhao Zhi, a thought seemed to strike him, and he immediately pulled out his phone to make a call. Zhang Yang noticed that Fatty Niu’s phone, like his own, was the latest Nokia model.

Zhang Yang glanced at the phone briefly before turning back to Zhao Zhi, speaking softly, “Sir, do you believe what I told you now?”

Zhang Yang had not forgotten his objective. He intended to cure Zhao Zhi to win this contest, but only if Zhao Zhi agreed to let him help with the treatment.

Zhao Zhi’s body stiffened sharply. He suddenly spun around, grabbed Zhang Yang’s hand, and exclaimed with agitation, “Yes, right, young man, what you said earlier—you said you could treat me, that you could help me escape danger?”

At this moment, he finally recalled the words Zhang Yang had spoken when he intercepted him.

He remembered that upon first approaching him, Zhang Yang had immediately declared him ill, which had made him furious then. However, he distinctly remembered the crucial part: Zhang Yang had said that early treatment could avert danger.

“Yes, but only if you trust me, trust that I can help you!”

Zhang Yang nodded. He realized for the first time that persuading a patient wasn't easy; if the patient already knew their symptoms, he wouldn't have to exert so much effort.

“I believe you, I believe everything!”

Zhao Zhi nodded excitedly. How could he not believe? The contents of several books had already confirmed it, and now the doctor’s words backed it up. He was already feeling despair without even going to the hospital.

Just moments ago, after describing his symptoms to the doctor, the physician’s tone had become tense. Moreover, his doctor had told him he would contact the best dermatologist in Beijing and urged him to come immediately. Even someone as slow-witted as him knew his situation was grim.

And Zhang Yang was the first person to tell him this, to recognize these signs. At this point, he instinctively saw Zhang Yang as a lifeline, and he naturally believed everything Zhang Yang said.

“It’s good that you believe me. This isn't the place to talk. Let’s find somewhere else!”

Zhang Yang breathed a slight sigh of relief. The sky was darkening; the area near the bookstore on the street was certainly not suitable for discussions, much less for treatment.

“Right, Sir, please follow me!”

Zhao Zhi nodded hurriedly. His form of address toward Zhang Yang had undergone a significant shift.

Initially, he had used the informal ‘you’ for everyone, then shifted to ‘young man,’ and now he had upgraded to ‘Sir.’ In truth, for someone who could save his life, he would agree to call him anything.

Zhao Zhi owned a residence nearby, and he escorted Zhang Yang there with great deference.

Upon arriving, Fatty Niu finally understood the situation and quickly made another call on his phone, his face etched with tension.

The three of them had prepared for a long time to corner the market, investing heavily. The capital was jointly funded by the three partners, and if anything were to happen to Zhao Zhi, his funds would certainly be jeopardized.

This could very well affect their entire grand plan.

Zhao Zhi's residence was a modest three-story building with a courtyard. The living room on the first floor was quite spacious, and the entire party moved inside.

“You don’t need to be nervous. I’ll say it again: you only have early-stage melanoma. Follow the method I prescribe, and there will definitely be no problem!”

Sitting opposite Zhao Zhi, Zhang Yang took his canvas bag and retrieved his needle case.

Seeing the needle case, Qin Yong was momentarily stunned. He was the one who had given Zhang Yang this case, and he hadn't expected Zhang Yang to carry it everywhere; it gave him a slight surprise.

“I’m not nervous, Sir. I entrust everything to you!”

Zhao Zhi nodded, but his expression betrayed his words even as he claimed not to be nervous. However, Zhao Zhi’s attitude toward Zhang Yang was worlds apart from before.

Zhang Yang said no more and immediately took out his silver needles.

Melanoma is a form of skin cancer. Under normal circumstances, the diseased tissue should be surgically excised. However, Zhang Yang lacked the appropriate conditions right now and could only rely on his most proficient method to help him temporarily.

Zhang Yang’s most proficient technique was the combination of his Neijin (Internal Energy) and silver needles.

He drove the first needle straight into the Tianrong acupoint on the neck. The needle, nearly ten centimeters long, was inserted halfway by Zhang Yang, causing a visible shock among the onlookers.

Qin Yong also noticed that the depth of this insertion was far greater than the one used for his grandfather last time.

Severe cases require stronger techniques. To Zhang Yang, Zhao Zhi’s melanoma was far more complicated than Qin Zheng’s poisoning. While Qin Zheng’s heart condition was dangerous, the root cause wasn't purely cardiac, and moreover, Qin Zheng had already taken medication, which was already having a significant effect.

Zhang Yang then only needed to contain the toxins, and under the influence of the medicine, Qin Zheng could have slowly recovered on his own.

But melanoma is different. Even in its early stages, it is a form of cancer. Treating such an illness is naturally much more troublesome than the previous case, perhaps even more difficult than Su Shaohua’s asthma.

With the long needle inserted, Zhao Zhi merely looked up blankly, showing no reaction whatsoever.

His composure amazed those around him. Many of the onlookers looked at Zhang Yang differently now; successfully inserting a needle so deeply without the patient showing any distress was proof enough that Zhang Yang possessed genuine skill.

Inserting the needle so deeply was also a test for Zhang Yang.

He let out a soft breath and gently flicked the tip of the needle. The entire silver needle began to hum audibly, and his Neijin slowly flowed into Zhao Zhi’s body, synchronized with the needle’s vibration.

As the silver needle vibrated, Zhao Zhi felt a rush of heat. He looked up at Zhang Yang in astonishment, his faith in him deepening immensely.

Once the first needle was fully set, Zhang Yang took out the second one.

This time, he inserted it into the Tianchuang acupoint, also halfway in. With several centimeters of metal sticking out of his neck, Zhao Zhi remained utterly unaffected.

Sending his Neijin into this needle, Zhang Yang then applied needles to over a dozen other acupoints, including Zhongfu, Tianchi, and Taiyi. Seeing more than ten needles vibrating simultaneously made everyone present widen their eyes.

Witnessing this scene, Qin Yong quietly stepped out and made a call outside, relaying everything that was happening to Qin Zheng. From Qin Zheng, he also received news that Ji Hongguang had found his patient as well and was currently treating them… Somewhat disappointed with only two monthly tickets for the entire day, but Little Yu will keep striving. After the guaranteed two chapters today, there will be an extra chapter released as well… RQ