Chapter Twelve: Ancestor Above, Please Forgive Our Sins!

Luo Huichun's sudden kneeling startled everyone present.

Even though the Li family harbored resentment toward him, none had truly intended for him to fulfill the wager. Luo Huichun, renowned across the land for his medical skill and decades of practice, was now willingly kneeling before Su Zheng!

“Master above, your humble disciple Luo Huichun begs forgiveness!”

With utmost solemnity, Luo Huichun spoke, bowing deeply until his forehead touched the floor.

For a moment, the room fell silent.

All knew Luo Huichun as a physician of icy pride, never willing to admit being outmatched in his art. Yet today, he knelt to a young man, confessed his inferiority, and called himself a junior. If this news were to spread, it would surely send shockwaves through the medical world.

“Very well, rise. The art of the Huichun Needle is endlessly variable—devote yourself to further study.”

Su Zheng's calm demeanor and gentle tone made his words resemble those of a teacher instructing his pupil.

Others might have misunderstood Su Zheng’s words, but Luo Huichun did not. During Su Zheng’s treatment, Luo had gained insights into techniques he’d never before comprehended—an indirect imparting of knowledge, a gift for which he was truly grateful, hence his willing kneeling and acknowledgment.

“Feng, bring the items here!” Rising to his feet, he took the bank card and gift box from Nie Feng.

He then offered them to Li Yanze with a guilty heart. “My skills were lacking. Had it not been for the master’s intervention, I would have made a grave mistake. These... I cannot accept.”

Li Yanze’s expression shifted several times before he finally smiled, exchanging a few polite words with Luo Huichun and allowing him to place the items back on the tea table.

Now that Luo Huichun had become the grand-disciple of the little miracle doctor, Li Yanze was willing to let the matter rest for the sake of this new relationship.

Time passed swiftly, and soon it was noon.

As the hour struck, all members of the Li family rose, their eyes fixed expectantly on Su Zheng, who sat serenely drinking tea.

“Miracle Doctor, it’s time,” Li Yanze said softly, his face filled with anxious reverence, fearful of disturbing Su Zheng’s mood.

“Very well, let’s remove the needles.”

Su Zheng stood and approached the bedside once more.

Luo Huichun remained, having rescheduled his flight to the capital just to witness Su Zheng’s needlework again. His disciple, Nie Feng, kept his head lowered all morning, mortified, feeling every glance directed at him was laden with ridicule.

At that moment, Su Zheng steadied his breath, pinched a silver needle, and placed the first needle.

Luo Huichun’s brows immediately knit together. This time, Su Zheng’s opening move was not from the Huichun Needle Technique.

“Swish! Swish! Swish!”

Su Zheng's hands moved like lightning, his wrist flicking with such precision and subtlety that the needles seemed to appear from nowhere—light as a breeze, deft and agile, swift as falling snow, gentle as drifting petals.

“This... this is the Snowfall Petal Needle?!”

Luo Huichun was stunned once more. His old eyes bulged with disbelief, his breath coming in rapid gasps. Others might not recognize it, but he had once seen a scant description of it in a rare manual. Now, witnessing Su Zheng perform it firsthand, his excitement was overwhelming.

Su Zheng paid him no mind, focusing wholly on the treatment. After four or five minutes, he withdrew his hand.

Luo Huichun trembled. He had never believed anyone alive could perform the Snowfall Petal Needle. His eyes had been opened.

Yet there were others more anxious than he.

Li Yanze and Li Yanjun quickly pushed past Luo to check on their father.

At first glance, Li Jiangcheng seemed unchanged, but upon closer inspection, his breathing was even weaker, as if he might expire at any moment.

“This is...?” Li Yanjun was about to lose his temper, but Luo Huichun interrupted him.

“Don’t be alarmed. This is a sign of recovery. Only by fully harmonizing the yin and yang energies within can he begin to truly heal. The master’s methods are extraordinary!”

Only then did Li Yanze and Li Yanjun understand, showering Su Zheng with further praise.

“No need to thank me yet. Elder Li’s illness requires three consecutive days of treatment to be completely cured.”

Su Zheng spoke calmly.

“Of course, no problem! Quickly, prepare accommodations for the miracle doctor. Please, endure a few days’ inconvenience and cure my father!” Li Yanze replied joyfully, issuing orders to the servants and whispering additional instructions.

Soon, a servant returned, carrying a tray with another bank card and a larger gift box filled with even more crimson medicinal herbs.

Li Yanze gathered the previous box as well and, with great ceremony, said to Su Zheng:

“Miracle Doctor, it’s a small token of our gratitude. Please accept it!”

Su Zheng glanced at the offerings and pointed to the herbs. “Exchange all the money for medicinal herbs. I only need these.”

Li Yanze was momentarily stunned. No money? Then he’d have to procure more herbs, lest he feel uneasy.

Qiao Lan was also puzzled, not understanding why Su Zheng refused payment. Still, her keen instincts told her not to ask. She simply watched silently, her beautiful eyes shining with a curious light.

Su Zheng agreed to stay, partly because it allowed him to refine Scarlet Cloud Grass here—something he could not do at his father-in-law’s house.

About half an hour later, Li Jiangcheng awoke. Though still weak, upon hearing his illness was under control thanks to Su Zheng, he was moved and expressed deep gratitude.

Thus, Su Zheng decided to remain and use the Scarlet Cloud Grass to strengthen his own constitution.

Luo Huichun and Nie Feng also stayed, shamelessly lingering in hopes of further learning. Luo stood respectfully behind Su Zheng, assuming the role of a servant.

Qiao Lan, needing to attend to matters at her company, decided to leave first.

However, as she stepped out the gates of the Li estate, she saw a group of anxious people gathered outside.

They were none other than Chen Jianguo and several members of the Chen family, waiting to glean any news they could—unable even to enter the gate.

“That’s the woman who left with Su Zheng. I couldn’t mistake her,” Chen Jianguo whispered to his cousin, Chen Xiong.

“Quiet! Do you know who she is? That’s Qiao Lan, the owner of Longevity Pavilion!”

Chen Xiong, tasked by the family matriarch to handle the matter, stood awkwardly outside the gates, feeling thoroughly disgruntled.

Seeing Qiao Lan exit, with no sign of his cousin’s “useless son-in-law,” he felt a chill down his spine.

Damn it, could that fool really have gotten himself into trouble and been detained inside?

“Ahem… Miss Qiao, I am Chen Xiong of Wohe Trading. Might I have a moment of your time? Just a few minutes will do.”

Having scolded Chen Jianguo, Chen Xiong approached Qiao Lan with utmost humility and caution.

“What is it?” Qiao Lan frowned, her gaze cold and impatient.

“Miss Qiao, are you aware of my cousin’s… ahem, Jianguo, what’s that useless fellow’s name? Quickly, report to Miss Qiao!”

Chen Xiong realized mid-sentence that he hadn’t even remembered the man’s name.

Chen Jianguo hurried forward. “Su Zheng, his name is Su Zheng. Miss Qiao, he hasn’t caused any trouble inside, has he?”