Chapter 444 443: No Chance

Ling Qiao narrowed her eyes. After a moment of consideration, she said, "It's true that the lightning energy from Thunderstruck Wood can be used to remove the evil energy in your meridians. However, the power of lightning energy is far too tyrannical; it would likely cause immeasurable damage to the meridians themselves."

"No offense intended, but given your advanced age, your body can't withstand such an aggressive method. Using lightning energy to purge the evil energy is simply too risky. It's really not a suitable approach for you."

Pei Zhenjun was taken aback. "Is it really impossible? Is there no hope at all?"

Ling Qiao replied, "Of course there's hope, and it's not insignificant. If a sufficiently precise operation could be performed while protecting the vital meridians, many things could indeed be removed. However, I am not capable of it."

"In the entire world, only my master possesses the refined skill to perform such a procedure. No one else can."

Pei Zhenjun sighed. He wasn't overly upset. He had spent years seeking out doctors and remedies, with far more failures than successes. Today was just another ordinary disappointment.

"Thank you, Divine Doctor Ling, for making a special trip for this old bag of bones. I wasn't holding out much hope to begin with; my son and daughter-in-law were the ones who insisted I try again. Now that we have the result, I suppose they can finally let the matter rest."

Pei Zhenjun's daughter-in-law, Li Sujuan, said, "Father, don't give up just yet. Isn't Yu Liang still on his way? We can ask him. Didn't his friend say he knew how to use the Thunderstruck Wood? Perhaps it's his specialty."

Pei Zhenjun's son considered this. A flicker of hope ignited within him, but he immediately extinguished it himself.

"Weren't you listening to Dr. Ling? She said only her master can do it. It's not that simple!"

"If it were that easy, one of the many doctors I've found for Father over the years would have cured him long ago."

"I've surely already sought out any doctor Yu Liang could possibly find. It makes no difference!"

Ling Qiao added, "I know of every doctor in the East Sea, and not a single one possesses this level of skill. So, there's no need to dwell on it."

Li Sujuan sighed. The entire family, from top to bottom, had been striving for so long for the patriarch's sake.

The elder had said that if he could be cured, his power would be enough to ascend to the rank of Grandmaster.

And now, it seemed all that hope was about to go up in smoke again.

An atmosphere of disappointment descended upon the entire family.

Just then, a call came in from Pei Yuliang. Pei Jianhua picked up his phone. "It's Yu Liang."

"Dad, I'm almost home! Has Sun the Saint Hand's disciple arrived?"

"She's here. Hasn't left yet."

"Then how's Grandpa? Has he already recovered his strength?"

Pei Jianhua let out a long sigh, glanced at Ling Qiao, and lowered his voice slightly. "No. Dr. Ling says she can't cure your grandfather's condition. There's nothing she can do."

"What?!" Pei Yuliang was dumbfounded. "Isn't she the disciple of Sun the Saint Hand? Didn't you say she was confident she could cure him the moment she arrived? How could she..."

"How could she what?! Watch your mouth!" Pei Jianhua snapped, terrified that his son would say something careless and offend Ling Qiao.

His father's words left Pei Yuliang dejected. "Then what about the Thunderstruck Wood? Would that work? I'll bring it home right away!"

Pei Jianhua said, "The Thunderstruck Wood is useless. Completely useless."

Pei Yuliang was stunned. "How can you say that? Dad, are you messing with me? Why did I go through all the trouble of getting the Thunderstruck Wood from the East Sea then?"

Pei Jianhua knew his son and his father shared an unusually close bond, so he could only let out another long sigh and explain.

"The lightning energy is too powerful; it would easily damage the meridians. Grandfather is old, and his meridians aren't as resilient as they used to be. If something were to go wrong, it would be a catastrophe."

Pei Yuliang was dazed. "Is... is that true?"

He was so emotional that several other passengers were shooting him reproachful glances, but he didn't notice in the slightest.

He was completely lost in his own despair.

Mu Lin gently shook his head and said to Pei Yuliang, "Don't worry. I can perform the treatment. Just tell them to rest easy and wait for me."

Pei Yuliang was astonished. "Mr. Mu, are you serious? You can really cure my grandfather? But the disciple of Sun the Saint Hand just said it was incurable."

Mu Lin smiled. "What Ling Qiao said is reasonable, but there are techniques to resolve this issue. It's not as mystical as it sounds."

Pei Yuliang heard the name Ling Qiao, but he barely registered it. His attention was focused on something far more important.

"Brother Mu, are you serious? You're not pulling my leg, are you?"

"I'm serious. Go ahead and tell your family."

Pei Yuliang excitedly shouted into the phone, "Dad! My friend says he can cure Grandpa!"

On the other end, Pei Jianhua's eyes went wide, and his entire body trembled with shock.

"Yu Liang, you need to be certain about this. Your grandfather has already been disappointed once today. We can't let him go through that again!"

Pei Yuliang's tone was resolute. "I'm absolutely sure. Just tell Grandpa. Tell him I said so. If I'm wrong, I'll take full responsibility!"

Pei Yuliang's words filled Pei Jianhua with excitement. His son wasn't the type to make a scene or speak rashly. If he was this confident, then there was probably something to it.

That alone was enough for him.

Pei Jianhua hung up the phone and looked up. "Yu Liang's friend says he can cure the elder's condition."

Ling Qiao's expression turned stern. 'I already said that no one in the world could cure the elder,' she thought. 'And yet someone just has to come along and claim otherwise.'

'Are they implying my skills are subpar?'

'I'd like to see just who is so arrogant.'

Pei Jianhua looked at Ling Qiao awkwardly. They had invited her by calling in a favor with the head of the province. Offending her would be the same as embarrassing the provincial head.

That would be a terrible outcome.

Pei Zhenjun said, "Yu Liang is still young; it's normal for him to be too trusting. Dr. Ling, please don't take it to heart. I accept your diagnosis."

His words extinguished Ling Qiao's anger, replacing it with a pang of guilt.

'My arrival gave Pei Zhenjun so much hope, only for the final result to be disappointment.'

'This might have been Pei Zhenjun's last chance in this lifetime.'

'It was also the last chance for the Pei Family.'

'If the Pei Family could produce a Grandmaster to watch over them, their entire standing would change.'

She said, "The world is vast and full of extraordinary people. The person Young Master Pei has met isn't necessarily a fraud. Perhaps he's a hidden gem, a great expert that I've simply never had the chance to meet."

Pei Jianhua replied, "He's already on his way. His true colors will be revealed soon enough. When he arrives, I hope Dr. Ling can help us get a measure of him."

"Our family has made its share of enemies over the years. It's possible some malicious person is trying to use this opportunity to harm him."

Ling Qiao replied solemnly, "I understand. As a member of the Military Suppression Bureau, my sensitivity to such matters is unquestionable."

Her words greatly reassured Pei Jianhua. This Miss Ling was clearly no decorative vase; she definitely had real ability.

「Some time later」

Mu Lin and Pei Yuliang arrived at the Pei residence.

Pei Yuliang rushed eagerly into the main hall, where the rest of the Pei Family were keeping Ling Qiao company.

"I'm back!"

Pei Zhenjun looked at Pei Yuliang with affection. "Yu Liang, you are so good to your grandfather. You get a vacation and don't even enjoy it yourself. You just run around taking care of this old man. I haven't seen you rest at all."

Pei Yuliang said earnestly, "Grandpa, what are you talking about! How could a vacation be more important than taking care of you? You're my grandfather!"

Pei Jianhua cut in, "Yu Liang, never mind that. Where is this doctor who can cure your grandfather?"

Pei Yuliang waved to the person behind him. "Brother Mu, hurry and come in! It's so hot outside, and there's air conditioning in here!"

Mu Lin walked in slowly, his expression perfectly calm.

Ling Qiao looked toward the door, wanting to see just who could make such an outrageous claim, challenging her diagnosis so casually.

But when she saw Mu Lin walk in, her eyes widened in disbelief.

"Mr. Mu, it's you!" Ling Qiao exclaimed, her eyes wide with shock.

Mu Lin, on the other hand, wasn't surprised in the least. When he heard the title "Dr. Ling," combined with her being a disciple of Sun the Saint Hand, it was easy for him to deduce it was Ling Qiao.

He smiled. "Miss Ling, I didn't expect we'd meet again so soon."

Ling Qiao turned to Pei Zhenjun. "I'm sorry, Elder Pei. I spoke too boastfully. In truth, there are people in Nanjiang Province more capable than I."

Pei Jianhua's gaze sharpened as he said, "Miss Ling, you're referring to Mr. Mu!"

Ling Qiao lowered her head, not daring to even look at Mu Lin.

Pei Zhenjun also walked up. "I never expected to see Mu Xiaoyou here again! This must be fate!"