Chapter Four: He Is the True Master of Medicine!

The white-haired elder was Wang Zhengliang, a renowned expert in traditional medicine in Maple Leaf City, an authority in the field by any standard. His exclamation immediately drew a flurry of questions from the crowd.

“Master Wang, what is this 'Art of Sealing Acupoints'? Why have we never heard of such a thing?”

Wang Zhengliang did not keep them in suspense and explained directly, “The so-called Art of Sealing Acupoints is what legends refer to as the art of striking acupoints. By using special techniques to target precise points on the body, one can trigger specific physiological responses. But to master this art, one must not only have an intimate understanding of human acupoints, but also possess extraordinary control over the force applied. A margin of error, even by a hair's breadth, renders it ineffective; too much force, and it could be fatal.”

“That is why so few have ever learned this art. Even I have only heard of it by reputation—today is my first time witnessing it in person! But one thing is certain: anyone who can perform the Art of Sealing Acupoints must be a true master of medicine!”

With these words, Wang Zhengliang turned to Bai Qiming, bowed deeply with a grave expression, and continued, “Mr. Bai, may I ask who performed this technique? The old master's condition has deteriorated to the extreme—his organs have all failed. Even with a kidney transplant, he likely wouldn't last long. If we could persuade this expert to help, perhaps there is hope for improvement.”

At this, Bai Qiming’s face changed dramatically. He instinctively looked at Jiang Hao, his expression a mix of shock and disbelief. “You... do you really know medicine?”

Jiang Hao nodded calmly.

Bai Qiming pressed urgently, “Then, when you said you could cure my father without a kidney transplant, did you mean it?”

“Does it look like I’m joking?” With the legacy of medicine in his hands, Jiang Hao had no need for modesty.

Bai Qiming’s expression shifted again and again. After a long moment’s hesitation, he finally steeled himself and said through gritted teeth, “Very well, I’ll give you this chance. If you truly cure my father, the Bai family will reward you handsomely. But if you—”

“There’s no need for ‘if.’ Let’s not waste time—show me the way!” Jiang Hao interrupted with a smile, showing no trace of politeness.

As Bai Qiming led Jiang Hao into the sickroom, the others exchanged uncertain glances and whispered among themselves.

“He’s so young. Does he really know the Art of Sealing Acupoints?”

“Could this be a mistake? Medicine isn’t something that can be mastered quickly—even if he started in the womb, he would still be too young!”

“Maybe it was just a fluke! I find it hard to believe a man so young could be the medical master Wang spoke of.”

Jiang Hao’s youth was undeniable. Even Wang Zhengliang, for all his earlier certainty, began to doubt his own judgment.

Yet Jiang Hao remained unruffled. Upon entering the room, he saw a frail old man, hair and beard completely white, lying on the bed, barely clinging to life.

In traditional medicine, diagnosis involves observation, listening, questioning, and pulse analysis—each a skill in itself. But with the legacy of medical arts within him, Jiang Hao needed only a glance to recognize the old master Bai was in the final decline of life, his end near. Kidney failure was but one of his afflictions; without intervention, as Wang Zhengliang had said, even a kidney transplant would afford him less than a month.

But with Jiang Hao present—so long as there was breath, there was hope.

“Mr. Bai, please prepare a set of 128 silver needles for me,” Jiang Hao directed Bai Qiliang without hesitation.

Bai Qiliang immediately sent someone to fetch the needles.

With the needles ready, Jiang Hao wasted no time. He took the longest needle and inserted it into the old master’s Baihui point. Then, with both hands, he swiftly and precisely inserted each of the 128 silver needles, from top to bottom.

His movements were fast, fierce, and accurate—so quick the eye could barely follow, yet perfectly steady, not a hint of tremor as each needle found its mark.

The many medical experts present were stunned, eyes wide with disbelief. As the leading figure in Jiang Province’s world of traditional medicine, Wang Zhengliang was flushed with excitement and could not help but exclaim, “Both hands inserting needles, not a tremor at the tail—such acupuncture skills are rarely seen in this world! No wonder he is a master of the Art of Sealing Acupoints, so young and yet so accomplished!”

“We old men have spent our lives on medicine, yet we are surpassed by someone so young. To think we doubted him because of his age—how shameful.”

Hearing this, the others recalled their earlier skepticism and could only smile wryly, faces tinged with embarrassment.

As Jiang Hao completed his acupuncture, the last needle in place, the old master Bai, who had been more dead than alive, suddenly opened his eyes.

A violent fit of coughs wracked his body, and with a final heave, he spat out a mouthful of pitch-black, fetid blood. The stench was so overpowering that those present nearly fainted.

Jiang Hao, however, remained unperturbed. At the very instant the blood was expelled, he deftly withdrew the silver needles and said with a gentle smile, “The old master’s illness was caused by kidney failure, resulting in the buildup of toxins that led to organ failure. Now, I have purged the toxins from his body. With a period of medicinal treatment, he will recover.”

Just then, the old master Bai breathed a long sigh and spoke weakly, “I... I’m actually still alive?”

Bai Qiming, hearing this, had no time for questions; he rushed to the bedside, voice trembling with excitement. “Father, how do you feel?”

“I feel wonderful—better than I have in years!” The old master tested his body, then sat up slowly, his expression filled with emotion.

He turned his gaze to Jiang Hao. Though he had been unconscious, he had heard everything that happened around him.

With deep gratitude, the old master said, “Young man, I hear it was you who saved me. Thank you, truly! From now on, you are an honored guest of the Bai family. Whatever you need, we will support you with all our strength!”

Jiang Hao cared little for the Bai family’s gratitude. In fact, he could not approve of their willingness to seize another’s organs for their own kin’s sake. He had no wish to become entangled with them and replied coolly, “You’re too kind. I saved you only to save myself. As long as your family stops coveting my organs, that’s all I ask.”

The old master was momentarily puzzled. After Bai Qiming quickly explained the situation, his expression changed. He immediately turned to Jiang Hao and said, “Young man, you are right. In this, my Bai family was at fault. Please, allow us a chance to make amends.”

With that, he glared at Bai Qiming and scolded, “What are you standing there for? Hurry up and apologize to this young man!”

Bai Qiming was no fool. Having witnessed Jiang Hao’s skill, he understood his value. He set aside all airs and bowed respectfully. “Mr. Jiang, I failed to recognize your greatness and have offended you. Please forgive me.”

“Very well, let’s put this behind us,” Jiang Hao replied, satisfied with their sincerity. Since the matter was not entirely the Bai family’s doing, there was no need to dwell on it.

As the affair was settled, Jiang Hao was about to take his leave when the door to the sickroom was flung open.

“Mr. Bai, you must not trust this worthless Jiang Hao! His evil tricks will surely bring disaster to the old master—”

Having suffered greatly at the hands of the Art of Sealing Acupoints, Wang Jun’an had finally endured until the effect wore off. Eager to prove his loyalty to the Bai family, he rushed in, ignoring his still-trembling limbs.