C9 He Had Gotten a Peach!

Who is Old Immortal Zhao?

In the villages surrounding Xianghe Town, his name is known to all. Just hearing the clinic's doctors and nurses respectfully address him as "teacher" says it all.

Moreover, some still recall how, in recent years, city officials in unfamiliar cars would come to coax Elder Zhao down from his mountain retreat. Rumor had it they were top brass from the provincial hospitals.

Why Elder Zhao chose to remain in this humble mountain village was a mystery, but that never diminished the deep respect the villagers held for him.

Around Xianghe Town, the roads were notoriously poor, making travel difficult. Minor ailments were one thing, but a serious illness could mean a death sentence, as emergency care was virtually nonexistent.

Thankfully, Elder Zhao was there. Time and again, he had wrestled lives from the grip of death. For the villagers, nothing was more precious than life, and their reverence for Elder Zhao bordered on the divine.

So when Xiao Ming spoke out of turn, the anger of the crowd was palpable. Many, quick to anger, were ready to show this insolent youth a harsh lesson.

But Elder Zhao's response was more surprising still.

How could the revered Elder Zhao, always so esteemed, show such vulnerability?

He even agreed with the young man's assertions, a notion that seemed utterly preposterous.

"Teacher, what in the world is happening?" asked the clinic's lead doctor, unable to fathom the scene before him. His esteemed mentor admitting to such a thing?

Elder Zhao glanced at Elder Lee, lying lifeless on the ground, and said, "Xiao Liu, the fault is mine. I used a technique I hadn't fully mastered in an attempt to save a life. The line between saving and taking a life is thin, and sadly, I failed to grasp that truth."

"Hey, what are you doing?"

In the midst of Elder Zhao's lament, a furious shout interrupted.

Turning around, they saw Xiao Ming bending over Elder Lee, tapping and prodding his body, then pressing on the silver needle embedded in his chest.

"Kid, step aside. He's dead. What's the point now?"

"Show some respect for the deceased."

The villagers, with their deep-seated superstitions about death, were already incensed by Xiao Ming's earlier disrespect. Seeing him handle Elder Lee's body now, their anger knew no bounds.

Elder Zhao initially wore a look of confusion, but as he took in Xiao Ming's actions, he froze in sudden amazement and cried out, "Young man, can he, can he really be saved?"

His words sent a wave of astonishment through the crowd.

What did he mean by 'can still be saved'?

Wasn't Elder Lee gone for good?

How could there be any hope of saving him when he wasn't even breathing?

Xiao Ming ignored the commotion, continuing to pat Elder Lee's body with a steady rhythm, reminiscent of someone kneading dough at home.

Under normal circumstances, such behavior would have been swiftly interrupted, but Elder Zhao's presence gave pause, and no one dared to interfere.

Indeed, Elder Lee's condition was dire. He exhibited symptoms of blood failing to clot—a problem with his platelets from a medical standpoint—but it wasn't considered severe under ordinary circumstances.

It typically wasn't a major issue, but his recent injury turned this minor problem into a critical one. Although Elder Lee's injury appeared life-threatening, with proper care, it wouldn't have been too serious.

However, the clinic's doctor and Elder Zhao had overlooked the clotting issue. Coupled with the use of impure techniques for acupuncture, irreversible damage had been done.

Elder Zhao was consumed with guilt over this oversight.

The difference between taking a life and saving one can hinge on a single thought.

In that moment, Xiao Ming channeled the scant spiritual energy within him into Elder Lee's body to stem the bleeding. This act would undoubtedly harm him, but with a life hanging in the balance, he saw no alternative.

"Look, Elder Li is moving!"

"Good heavens, am I seeing things? Wasn't he breathless a moment ago?"

"What exactly did he do?"

The villagers trust what they see, and there before their eyes, Elder Lee, previously lifeless, began to breathe again under Xiao Ming's ministrations. His chest rose and fell subtly, the clearest proof of his revival.

The attending physician, standing by, could hardly believe his eyes, witnessing a technique he had never imagined possible. Even Liuzi, rendered immobile by Xiao Ming's touch, grew still.

Though not the sharpest, Liuzi could see that the young man before him was saving his father's life.

"Young man, what is this you're doing...?"

Elder Zhao was the only one present who sensed the undercurrents at play. Deeply versed in traditional Chinese medicine and steeped in the study of ancient texts, he recognized the silver needle technique as one he had pieced together from fragments of medical manuscripts.

Observing Xiao Ming's technique, he surmised that it must be a long-lost method chronicled in ancient texts, leaving him utterly astonished.

Xiao Ming, deeply engrossed, had already grown weary of the surrounding clamor. In a moment of exasperation, he bellowed, "Enough! Silence, everyone."

"You..."

The clinic's doctor was about to confront him when Elder Zhao gestured emphatically for quiet, and the room hushed in deference to his authority.

All eyes were riveted on Xiao Ming's technique, including the attending physician, who watched with a mix of respect and skepticism.

Who was this young man? What mysterious technique was he employing that commanded such respect from the usually unimpressed Elder Zhao?

Once Elder Lee's breathing steadied, Xiao Ming relaxed and stood up, declaring, "I'll hand it over to you now, but I'll be here to guide you."

Xiao Ming assumed command with such natural authority that, despite his irritation, the attending physician acquiesced, recognizing both the gravity of the situation and the young man's undeniable skill.

But as he prepared to take over, Xiao Ming clarified, "I wasn't referring to you."

Caught off guard, the physician watched as Elder Zhao stepped forward, crouched down, and asked, "Little brother, where should I begin?"

"The vital signs are stable now. Continue with the technique as before, but be mindful of the pressure," Xiao Ming instructed.

"Understood. I'd appreciate any further guidance, little brother."

The attending physician and the rest were dumbfounded by the scene before them. This young man was commanding Elder Zhao as if it were his due, and Elder Zhao was not only complying but doing so eagerly, as a student would. What was happening here?

"Ming, what's going on here?" Chen Xiaoxiao whispered, her confusion palpable as she tried to make sense of the sudden shift in everyone's demeanor.

Xiao Ming simply shook his head, offering no explanation. With the wisdom of two lifetimes, he understood these dynamics all too well.

That's why he took it upon himself to point out Elder Zhao's mistake, compelling the venerable elder to admit his error before stepping in to help.

Otherwise, he feared he might not get the chance to intervene at all.

Such is human nature.

More than ten minutes had passed, and Elder Zhao had finished all necessary follow-up actions, while Elder Lee's breathing had returned to normal.

"Young man, the patient is no longer in critical condition. However, the journey to the city is rough—do you have any other solutions?" Elder Zhao inquired with respect.

With a slight smile, Xiao Ming turned to Chen Xiaoxiao and said, "Fetch a peach, please."

Once more, everyone was left in stunned silence.

What possible connection could there be between a peach and the situation at hand?