Chapter 169: Treating the Illness

Zhao Yang and Zhao Ling'er rushed over, quite touched that they were the first people Mu Lin thought of.

Zhao Yang was especially moved. 'All his faith in Mu Lin hadn't been for naught.'

Zhao Ling'er ran over and took over supporting Wei Jianjun from Wei Nianru.

Wei Nianru had little experience caring for the elderly. She held Wei Jianjun stiffly, forcing him to adjust to her awkward posture, which made him extremely uncomfortable.

Half of his foul temper came from having to put up with Wei Nianru.

Now that Zhao Ling'er had taken over, the difference was night and day. 'So much more comfortable and smooth!'

Mu Lin looked at Jiang Lan. "So, are they still 'people from questionable backgrounds'?"

Jiang Lan was so furious she wanted to claw her own teeth out. Zhao Yang was, at the very least, a famous doctor renowned throughout the province—a respectable connection by any measure.

Except this Divine Doctor Zhao was actually playing second fiddle to Mu Lin. How was she supposed to accept a reality like that?

'Could someone who makes Zhao Yang willingly play second fiddle truly be weak?'

'If he were, how could this be possible?'

All she could do was watch helplessly as Mu Lin ushered the others into the room, shutting the door and leaving Wei Nianru outside.

She bit her lip, her expression grim. This whole situation had put her in an extremely awkward position.

Mu Lin had Ling'Er remove Wei Jianjun's jacket, then told Wei Jianjun to sit cross-legged on the coffee table.

Wei Jianjun quickly complied, though he felt this was all a bit unorthodox.

'Proper treatments are done on a meditation cushion. You've got me on a coffee table—what am I, a teacup?'

But when he saw the utterly serious and focused expression on Mu Lin's face, he kept his thoughts to himself.

Zhao Yang asked from the side, "You said Elder Wei is afflicted by cold poison. Is it the same as the cold poison Miss Liu had?"

Mu Lin slowly shook his head. "It's not the same. In fact, this situation is likely far worse."

"Miss Liu likely encountered her cold poison by chance. While it would have been severe at its final stage, its progression was very slow—like a frog in slowly boiling water, making it hard to detect. It probably wasn't a deliberate attack."

"Elder Wei's, however, was definitely inflicted by someone. It attacked his flesh right from the start, impeding his movement, then went for his heart meridians to control the flow of his energy. I hear Elder Wei's accomplishments on the Martial Dao are considerable, but there's no sign of it now. This must be the reason, correct?"

Wei Jianjun nodded repeatedly. "You've got real skill, kid! Everything you said is spot on! I got this ailment after I was ambushed. That very day, my hands went numb and my movements became sluggish. I suppressed it with my internal energy and forced my body to move, so no one on the outside noticed."

"But the moment I got back, it was a different story. A draining, agonizing pain washed over my whole body—it felt like it was going to kill me! I retired in a hurry and dedicated myself to finding a cure, seeking out doctors and remedies, but my desperate search was fruitless."

"My condition has worsened recently. Someone told me there would be an unrefined stone here that might contain a 'warm jade.' I was out of options, so I came to the auction to try my luck..."

Mu Lin sighed. 'How desperate must a person be to search for hope in a place like this.'

"Don't worry, Elder Wei," he said. "My master always said that a hero who has shed blood shouldn't also be made to shed tears. I will cure you."

Elder Wei was moved. The one making this confident declaration was Mu Lin, not the older Divine Doctor Zhao standing beside him.

'The student has truly surpassed the master!'

As he spoke, Mu Lin lifted the back of Elder Wei's shirt. "Look at this."

Zhao Ling'er gasped. "Heavens, what is that!"

A purplish-black bruise covered Elder Wei's lower back, stretching all the way up his spine. The sight of it made even Mu Lin suck in a sharp breath.

"This is a symptom of the cold poison," Mu Lin said. "And if I'm not mistaken, this is where your opponent struck."

Elder Wei thought for a moment, then said quickly, "Yes, that's right! That's exactly it! I felt a sharp pain in my lower back, and then the circulation in my meridians felt restricted! I tried to defend myself, but it was formless and intangible—impossible to block. By the time I recovered my senses, my entire body was in agony!"

'A genius! This kid is an absolute genius! No wonder Zhao Yang is willing to be his assistant.'

"I understand," Mu Lin said with a faint nod. "Alright then. I'm starting."

Several silver needles materialized between Mu Lin's fingers, then settled into his palm.

With two light flicks of his fingers, the needles shot out and embedded themselves in Wei Jianjun's body with unerring accuracy.

"ARGH..." Wei Jianjun's head snapped back, beads of sweat breaking out across his forehead.

Hearing the commotion from inside, Wei Nianru grew frantic and started banging on the door. "What's wrong! What's happening in there!"

Mu Lin glanced at Zhao Ling'er, who ran to the door and called out, "Miss Wei, don't worry! The treatment has begun! It will be quite painful, but we will cure your grandfather! Please, rest assured!"

Wei Nianru paced back and forth anxiously. She had been vehemently against letting Mu Lin perform the treatment, but there was nothing she could do when her grandfather was so insistent.

Now, however, she couldn't stand it any longer!

She lifted a slender leg and, with a few swift kicks, broke the flimsy lock on the door.

Normally, Jiang Lan should have stopped her, but instead, she stood with Wei Nianru, and they burst in together.

'A lock wasn't worth much, but if something were to happen to Elder Wei, it would be a major disaster.'

Not only would the Wei Family come demanding answers, but countless other families would start to see Hidden Sword Manor as an unreliable place. It wasn't out of the question that they would stop attending the auctions altogether.

'One could not underestimate public opinion!'

The moment they burst into the room, Wei Nianru charged toward her grandfather.

Mu Lin frowned at the sight and, with a flick of his wrist, sent a silver needle flying.

A tingling numbness suddenly shot through Wei Nianru's legs. She pitched forward helplessly.

"Why the hurry?" Mu Lin said coolly. "Your grandfather is perfectly fine."

Wei Nianru pointed at her legs, exclaiming, "What did you do to my legs?"

"I just immobilized you. No need to make a fuss," Mu Lin said. With a grasping motion of his hand, the silver needle that had embedded itself in Wei Nianru's lower back flew back to his palm.

"Do you get it now? Don't challenge my professional skills with your uninformed opinions. You'll only embarrass yourself."

Wei Nianru was stunned by Mu Lin's display of skill.

She could feel her legs again!

Wei Jianjun also spoke to Wei Nianru. "Nianru, I'm fine! I cried out in excitement! I haven't had any feeling in my lower back for years. Mu Lin is the first person to make me feel alive again!"

Wei Nianru was dumbfounded. Her grandfather actually had such high praise for him.

Since her grandfather said he was fine, Wei Nianru wasn't so worried anymore.

As long as her grandfather felt it was okay, she wouldn't say any more.

"Get out. Don't disturb Divine Doctor Mu's treatment!" Wei Jianjun said with a wave of his hand.

Jiang Lan was in a delicate position. Unlike Wei Nianru, she couldn't claim she'd burst in for the sake of her grandfather's safety.

Furthermore, she was the manager of the manor; her every word and deed represented the manor itself.

If Wei Jianjun turned around and accused her of disrupting the treatment, she would face a reprimand from the Manor Master.

But she reacted quickly. She immediately went to Wei Nianru's side, took her by the shoulders, and helped her up.

"Miss Wei, come, let's go outside."

Wiping away her tears, Wei Nianru allowed Jiang Lan to help her to her feet.

"Granddaughter, I'm fine! Nothing is going to happen, so don't you worry!" Wei Jianjun waved to Wei Nianru. "Just wait for the good news. Things are going to get much better from now on!"

Mu Lin produced another row of silver needles and inserted them all over Wei Jianjun's body, causing the old man to cry out in agony once more.

But having learned her lesson, no matter how agonizing his cries were, Wei Nianru didn't dare go back inside. She could only stand outside the door, worrying in secret.

Mu Lin made a grasping motion in the air, and all the needles quivered, standing on end.

Wei Jianjun gritted his teeth and endured. Both doctor and patient were persisting, giving it their all.

Finally, Wei Jianjun spat out a mouthful of thick, black blood. A cloud of purplish-black mist erupted from his eyes, ears, nostrils, and mouth before vanishing completely.

With that, Wei Jianjun slumped against Zhao Yang, his eyes shut tight. He had passed out.

Zhao Yang's heart sank. 'What's happened? Is this good or bad?'

He asked, "Mu Lin, is it over? Why did Elder Wei pass out?"

Mu Lin glanced at Zhao Yang. "He's exhausted. Fainting is normal. It's also a sign that the cold poison has been completely purged from his body, allowing him to finally relax and fall asleep."

It was as if a light had dawned on Zhao Yang. He nodded slowly. 'This is a fascinating case. I'll have to study it in detail later.'