C13 I Can't Get That Much Money

These concerns had indeed been on his mind, but he had always believed that his precise technique would allow him to maintain control. However, Ye Luo's words had suddenly instilled a sense of fear in him.

Furthermore, Ye Luo's knowledge of the Xiantian realm clearly indicated his familiarity with martial cultivation. It dawned on him that he had assigned a disciple at the middle Houtian realm to guard the entrance. How then, could this young man have entered so effortlessly? Could it be?

With this realization, he could no longer underestimate Ye Luo.

"Elder Xie, is what he's saying true?" Guu Tianxiong asked, unable to contain his concern.

"There's always a bit of risk, but it's certainly better than removing the silver needle now and allowing the poison to return to the Soul Gate. If that happens, there truly would be no solution," Xie Quanzhang exclaimed, his voice tinged with hysteria.

He had always prided himself on his medical expertise, confident that within all of Huaxia, he was second to none. Yet, after his encounter with Ye Luo, he was forced to confront a bitter defeat.

"No, it's you who can't do anything. That doesn't mean I can't," Ye Luo countered.

With that, Ye Luo turned to Guu Tianxiong and proposed, "Old Gu, if you trust me, let me treat you. In half an hour, you'll see the results. If you don't trust me, I'll leave right now and let this old man continue your treatment."

Guu Tianxiong was faced with a decision.

"Fine, treat me. If you succeed, I'll give you anything you want. If you fail, I won't kill you, but I will break one of your arms. Do you dare?" Guu Tianxiong challenged.

Ye Luo simply smiled, a faint expression of amusement on his face. Guu Tianxiong was truly a force to be reckoned with, making such a decisive decision about his own life and wealth in less than three seconds. Most people would likely waver with hesitation and fear.

"Okay," Ye Luo agreed. Then, turning to Xie Quanzhang, he said, "If you're not involved, please step outside."

Xie Quanzhang was taken aback, his embarrassment palpable. He had not expected to be deemed irrelevant to the situation.

He hesitated briefly before speaking up. "Mr. Ye, I apologize for my earlier rudeness. During the treatment, may I observe and learn from you? If needed, I'm also willing to assist."

Ye Luo was taken aback by Xie Quanzhang's words. He had pegged Xie as an arrogant fool, yet here he was, apologizing swiftly and even offering to help. It was all the same to Ye Luo, though.

"Sure."

Once Liu Kun and the others had exited, Ye Luo stepped forward without hesitation and removed the silver needles from the Divine Path, Spiritual Platform, and Heart Shu acupoints on Gu Tianxiong's back.

"Ugh!"

Gu Tianxiong grunted, his body instantly drenched in sweat. Xie Quanzhang watched, his heart pounding at the sight. The poison was attacking Gu's vital energy—it was unimaginable the pain he must be enduring.

Unconcerned with Xie's reaction, Ye Luo placed his left hand on Gu's back and began the Nine Heavens Reincarnation Technique, channeling a powerful flow of energy into Gu's body.

For a tense half-hour, Liu Kun, Mrs. Gu, and the others waited anxiously outside. The disciple who had been floored by Ye Luo's punch had finally recovered. Learning that his master was inside assisting Ye Luo, he was beside himself.

At last, the room's door swung open. All eyes turned to see Ye Luo, Xie Quanzhang, and Gu Tianxiong emerging with smiles.

Most strikingly, Ye Luo led the way, with Xie Quanzhang trailing behind.

"It's nothing short of a miracle. Little Brother Ye's medical expertise is unparalleled. My years of practice pale in comparison; I might as well have been teaching a dog. I'm utterly ashamed. Had it not been for Little Brother Ye today, I could have done irreparable harm to Mr. Gu. I am truly mortified and beg for Mr. Gu's reprimand," Xie Quanzhang said, his voice heavy with remorse.

"Elder Xie, you're too modest. Without your care over the years, I might have been paralyzed long ago and never had the chance to meet Mr. Ye," Gu Tianxiong responded.

Guu Tianxiong was no fool. He knew that although Ye Luo had healed him today, he couldn't possibly keep someone of Ye Luo's caliber at his side for personal gain.

Xie Quanzhang's medical expertise was truly unparalleled, and Guu Tianxiong anticipated future situations where he might need his services, so he made sure to speak highly of him.

"Master Guu, are you feeling better?" The woman and Liu Kun were quick to approach with concern.

Guu Tianxiong nodded in appreciation. "All thanks to Doctor Ye."

With a look of excitement, Guu Tianxiong turned to Ye Luo and beamed, "Divine Doctor Ye, as I said before, cure me and whatever you ask for is yours. Now, name your reward. I, Guu, am a man of my word."

"It was a minor effort. Besides, today I found myself in the police station, and you, Old Guu, came to my aid. Let's consider it settled," Ye Luo replied nonchalantly.

"Settled?" Guu Tianxiong, Xie Quanzhang, and the others were taken aback, especially Guu Tianxiong, who was clueless about the recent events.

Liu Kun filled them in on the incident with Zhu Jian and how he had helped secure his release.

Hearing this, Xie Quanzhang and Guu Tianxiong were astounded. Ye Luo, with his formidable strength and miraculous medical abilities, was still a student?

A wry smile crossed Guu Tianxiong's face. With his status, bailing someone out was hardly a noteworthy deed.

Yet here was Ye Luo, having saved his life, suggesting they were even. Did Ye Luo truly deem his life, Guu Tianxiong's life, so trivial?

"Mr. Ye, this cannot be considered even. I insist on showing my gratitude properly. Otherwise, I won't be able to live with myself," Guu Tianxiong earnestly implored.

Guu Tianxiong might not have been the most virtuous of men, but he was shrewd. Recognizing that Ye Luo was no ordinary individual, he couldn't fathom letting such a person slip away after their paths had crossed.

Ye Luo had a clear understanding of Guu Tianxiong's intentions, yet he chose not to confront them directly. In truth, Ye Luo's earlier decision to bring up Guu Tianxiong's illness to Liu Kun was partly motivated by the prospect of leveraging Guu Tianxiong's situation to his advantage.

Despite his rebirth, Ye Luo was still just a student, alone and with limited capacity. Taking on everything single-handedly was simply not feasible.

Guu Tianxiong was a tough character with considerable power and influence. He wasn't entirely without scruples, maintaining a basic moral code in his dealings. Therefore, Ye Luo saw no issue in giving him a helping hand when necessary.

"Alright then, I'll be counting on your assistance in the future, Old Gu," Ye Luo stated.

"Certainly," Guu Tianxiong replied, clearly pleased with Ye Luo's words.

"Mr. Gu, Mrs. Gu, Mr. Ye, I have some matters to attend to at the hospital tonight, so I must be going. If you need anything down the line, feel free to reach out to me anytime," Xie Quanzhang said as he handed Ye Luo his business card.

"Sure, I'll arrange transportation for you to the People's Hospital," Guu Tianxiong offered.

"The People's Hospital?" Ye Luo was momentarily surprised.

"Yes, I've been invited by the People's Hospital here in Linhai to conduct a lecture," Xie Quanzhang explained, a hint of pride in his voice. After all, his medical expertise was renowned throughout Huaxia.

"Oh, I was actually planning to visit the People's Hospital myself. Why don't we go together?" Ye Luo suggested, recalling that Ann Xin's mother was there and he had already promised to visit her. It seemed like a fitting opportunity to go together.

...

At the People's Hospital:

In a standard hospital room, a gaunt middle-aged woman lay with a nasal tube, her appearance the epitome of frailty.

Next to her stood a strikingly beautiful woman, her face etched with worry. As she faced the doctor before her, tears threatened to spill from her eyes.

"Ann Xin, if you can't come up with the money, your aunt will have to be discharged," the young doctor expressed with genuine concern.

"I'll find a way, I promise. Please, just don't make my mom leave the hospital. If she's discharged, she won't make it," Ann Xin pleaded, her lips quivering as she fought back tears.

"Ann Xin, deep down you know it's impossible for you to come up with that kind of money," the young doctor said, a sly twinkle in his eye as he regarded her. "But it's not entirely hopeless, Ann Xin. There might be a way, if you're open to it. Are you willing to work with us?"