The Xie family dinner was lavish, with every member, young and old, gathered together. There were no strict formalities while they ate; it was all laughter and conversation, unlike some households where mealtimes were solemn affairs where speaking was forbidden.

With so many people, they were seated at several tables, and Xie Hui and Xie Fei were with Zhang Yang. He chatted with them during the meal, gaining a clearer understanding of the entire Xie family.

The Xie family was vast, with numerous relatives. The Elder Mr.

Xie had five sons and three daughters, and Xie Fei’s generation alone counted nearly thirty cousins. In addition, there were the children of Elder Mr.

Xie’s brothers. Their fathers had all died in battle, but they survived and had lived alongside the main branch for years, holding positions and status entirely equal to Mr.

Xie’s own children. Counting these individuals, plus the generation of Xie Hui and the others, the entire clan numbered over a hundred—truly a massive family.

What was most remarkable was that these hundred people coexisted so harmoniously, without any disputes. Such a family, perhaps, could scarcely be found anywhere else in the entire country.

Furthermore, the Xie family was among the first clans to move into the mainland after the reform and opening-up. It was not easy to transition from Taiwan Island to the mainland, but fortunately, the Xie family already had many businesses operating overseas or in Hong Kong, which smoothed their entry into mainland commerce.

Currently, the Xie family's main focus in the mainland was retail and jewelry, with chain stores in many cities, including Changjing. Xie Hui managed the operations in Changjing and the entire Jiangdong province, while Xie Fei oversaw the market in Shanghai; that market was more critical, and he was currently home visiting his grandfather, having stayed here for the occasion.

The Xie family could be considered a behemoth, but Zhang Yang had seen families of this magnitude in his previous life; many of his patients were influential and highly placed individuals. In front of the entire Xie clan, he appeared quite composed.

It was Mi Xue, however, who felt a slight constraint after realizing how large the Xie family was. Dinner concluded quickly.

After the meal, Xie Hui led Zhang Yang to a side room in the back, while Mi Xue was whisked away by two young women. They were Xie Hui’s cousins, slightly younger than Mi Xue, and their task was to keep her entertained so that Zhang Yang could treat the elder Mr.

Xie with peace of mind. The entire Xie household treated Zhang Yang with genuine consideration.

“Elder, there is no need for you to be nervous. My treatment methods are not difficult, nor will they cause any pain!” Zhang Yang entered the side room with Elder Mr.

Xie. It was quiet inside.

Xie Hui escorted them in and then departed, though he didn't go far; he and Xie Fei would remain standing guard at the door. “It’s fine, proceed as you see fit.

I won’t be nervous!” The old man smiled and sat down on a chair. His body was too frail; he couldn't walk without support and could only sit in the room.

“Very well, let us prepare, and we will begin immediately!” Zhang Yang nodded. In the quiet room, there was a table and a large wooden basin filled with prepared hot water.

The elder’s body was too weak to directly withstand Zhang Yang’s Neijin (Internal Energy), so they had to use some supplementary methods. Zhang Yang helped the old man remove his outer jacket, instructing him to enter the wooden tub wearing only his underclothes, immersing his entire body in the hot water, with only his head exposed.

The wooden tub in the Xie house was excellent; the old man lay back comfortably and closed his eyes. After soaking for a while, until sweat beaded on the elder’s forehead, Zhang Yang took out a silver needle and inserted it into the Baihui acupoint on the crown of the old man's head.

As soon as the needle was set, Zhang Yang flicked it lightly with his finger, allowing his Neijin to flow slowly into the elder's body via the silver needle. “What you are using...

is that the internal martial arts of our China, perhaps!” The old man suddenly spoke, his eyes still closed. “Indeed, Elder, your knowledge is broad.

This is Neigong. Have you encountered practitioners of internal arts before?” Zhang Yang smiled slightly, showing no surprise at the question.

He took out two more needles and inserted them into two other points on the elder's head. “I have seen some, but rarely.

Including you, only two. The last time was when I was much younger!” The old man shook his head slightly, lying there with his eyes closed, seemingly lost in recollection.

“Was that person the one who administered the Snow Lotus Elixir to you?” Zhang Yang chuckled, picking up two more needles and inserting them near the elder’s ears. Mentioning the Snow Lotus Elixir reminded him of his own grandfather—specifically, his grandfather's father.

Zhang Yang’s great-grandfather had once acquired a thousand-year-old Heavenly Mountain Snow Lotus, from which he concocted twelve Heavenly Mountain Snow Lotus Elixirs. Unfortunately, most of these elixirs had been used up.

That era was filled with war and many patients needed saving. Zhang Yang’s great-grandfather was also a compassionate soul, saving anyone in mortal danger.

In the end, only two remained for Zhang Yang’s grandfather, and both were used by him; not a single one was left for Zhang Yang. This was one of the regrets of Zhang Yang’s past life—never possessing a true spiritual medicine.

“Yes, that benefactor, just like you, first inserted needles before letting me take the medicine!” The old man murmured. He had been awake when that person treated him and was fully aware of the entire process.

“Before taking the medicine, one must harmonize the body to ensure the medicinal efficacy reaches its peak. It is quite normal to needle first!” Zhang Yang smiled.

Potent elixirs distilled from rare natural treasures should not simply be swallowed; generally, auxiliary methods are employed—ideally with Neijin support. Doctors lacking Neijin would administer preparatory medicines first before taking the spirit medicine.

After all, heavenly treasures are rare. Chinese civilization spans five thousand years, but finding precious medicinal materials that are thousands of years old is genuinely difficult.

Furthermore, humans are not the only ones who understand these spiritual medicines; many animals possess an instinct for them. Some spiritual herbs, while growing, are prematurely consumed by certain creatures.

It is not without reason that ancient lore often depicts guardian spirit beasts near ancient precious herbs. While reality isn't quite that exaggerated, for a true spiritual medicine to survive for several millennia is indeed hard-won.

Soon, there were more than ten needles inserted into the elder’s head. Zhang Yang gently adjusted the elder’s position, beginning to needle the neck area.

What Zhang Yang used were acupuncture techniques meant to repair Yuanqi (Vital Essence), using his Neijin to first condition the elder’s body before administering the medicine. “The technique used by the person who saved me before is very similar to yours, and that warm current inside the body—the feeling you both gave me is identical.

I never imagined I would meet someone like that again before I died!” The old man remarked again, his voice heavy with emotion. The old man then smiled again and continued, “In fact, when I saw you today, I felt you resembled that benefactor so much.

Not in appearance, but in that temperament, that bearing—it was very similar. I had a feeling then that I had met my benefactor again!” “Is that so?

What was your benefactor’s name? Perhaps I have heard of him!” Zhang Yang said lightly, still transmitting Neijin into the elder’s body.

The old man’s condition was currently very poor; while not completely depleted of life force, he was close. Without this intervention, even with high-quality ginseng sustaining him, the elder likely wouldn't last more than a few years—good ginseng might stretch it to one or two years at best.

It was no wonder the Xie family was so anxious; they understood this point clearly. The old man slowly opened his eyes and looked at Zhang Yang, quietly stating, “His surname was also Zhang!” “Surname Zhang?” Zhang Yang frowned slightly, looking at the elder with surprise.

The development of modern technology has caused many people to neglect ancient martial studies, and practicing them is exceptionally difficult; achieving success in cultivating Neijin requires starting from childhood, resulting in very few practitioners today. Zhang Yang knew of some reclusive sects and martial arts families, but there were very few surnamed Zhang among them.

That Zhang surnamed person was also a doctor. An internal arts master surnamed Zhang who also understood medicine was even rarer.

In Zhang Yang’s experience, only the Zhang family he knew in the mainland fit this description; there were no others. The old man nodded again, “Yes, his name was Zhang Daoqian.

When I knew him, he was as young as you are now!” Zhang Yang’s hand suddenly trembled; his motion stopped as he stared at the old man in shock. Inside, his very organs felt like they were tumbling.

Zhang Daoqian—that name was profoundly familiar to him. It was his grandfather's father, his great-grandfather.

There could be no mistake about that name. As a child, his grandfather often took him to burn incense before his great-grandfather's memorial tablet.

The first three characters Zhang Yang learned to read, after his own name, were those three. The name Zhang Daoqian, high medical skill, possession of Neijin similar to Zhang Yang’s, the presence of Snow Lotus Elixirs, and the age—this was clearly his great-grandfather.

But according to that System, everyone connected to him should have vanished. How could his great-grandfather, such a direct relative, suddenly appear?

Unfortunately, that damned System had vanished after its initial appearance and never returned, leaving Zhang Yang unable even to summon it to ask for an explanation. “Back then, I was fighting the Japanese devils with my troops.

We were later scattered, and I led many men into the mountains. The devils were sweeping the area, and life in the mountains was harsh.

We tried to break out several times but failed; in the end, only a few dozen of us remained!” The old man, unaware of Zhang Yang’s distress, continued his narrative. “One time, I was shot by a Japanese devil and fell down a cliff.

I was lucky; Dr. Zhang happened to be gathering herbs at the bottom of the cliff and found me.

Dr. Zhang saved my life; his medical skills were superb.

Without him, I would have died long ago, and all the men with me would have perished too!” The old man spoke slowly. Zhang Yang forcefully suppressed his wildly beating heart and quietly asked, “And then?” “Then?” The old man opened his eyes, but his expression was even sadder, “Then Dr.

Zhang said we couldn't all remain trapped in the mountains, or we would eventually all die. He said we were heroes, brave men fighting the devils, and since he had saved us, he needed to save us completely!” He paused, then continued, “Later, he single-handedly infiltrated the devil's encampment, lured away most of the soldiers, and killed quite a few of them, ultimately creating an opportunity for us to escape.

But he… sacrificed himself!” As he spoke these words, a tear traced a line down the old man’s cheek. He didn't notice that Zhang Yang, who was currently needling him, was completely stunned into silence.

Third update, thank you friends for your support, 43 votes! Five chapters at least today.

Two more chapters below, Little Yu will continue to work hard. If you still have monthly votes, I hope you can continue to support Little Yu; I absolutely will not disappoint you!

Continuing to write, more to come!

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