Chapter 107: A Narrow Escape

He was not familiar with the old man before him, and he could not be sure what might happen next. About two hours later, escorted by Chi Long, Xue Gui arrived at the Liu family villa.

As he walked into the room, Elder Liu’s eyes widened in clear surprise before he stood up.

"And who is this?"

Though his eyes were filled with doubt, Elder Liu still stood to shake Xue Gui’s hand. He then looked toward Xiao Ye and asked for an explanation.

"This is the doctor who saved me previously. His medical skills are exceptional, and I believe he can handle Elder Liu’s condition."

Xiao Ye’s intention was simply to have Xue Gui assess the situation. He himself did not know the full extent of the illness, but he figured that if even Xue Gui could not treat it, then there was likely no one in Jianghai City who could.

Xue Gui nodded without offering any verbal explanation. He understood that Xiao Ye did not wish to reveal his own identity, so he remained silent.

Elder Liu nodded, intending to invite the guests in first before discussing the treatment. Unexpectedly, however, Xue Gui seized the opportunity to take hold of his wrist. He immediately closed his eyes to focus on the information being transmitted through the elder’s pulse.

The two bodyguards standing behind them moved to intervene, but they were stopped by a gesture from Elder Liu.

"Don't be anxious, it will be over soon!" Xue Gui said, his eyes still tightly shut, directed toward the bodyguards.

Elder Liu had seen many renowned doctors for his condition, but he had never encountered one like Xue Gui. Before even exchanging more than a few words, the man had jumped straight into the examination. Such a person was either mentally unstable or possessed extreme confidence in his own skills. Naturally, he was curious to see just how capable the doctor introduced by Xiao Ye truly was.

About three minutes later, Xue Gui opened his eyes. "Your condition is indeed quite tricky to handle."

Upon hearing these words, the expression on Elder Liu’s face froze and immediately darkened. At the same time, Xiao Ye’s heart sank. He did not care much about Elder Liu’s condition, but he had a faint suspicion that the old man would not let him off easily.

Before Elder Liu could speak, however, Xue Gui continued. "However, that only applies to mediocre, unknown doctors. For me, treating this illness is as easy as can be!"

Hearing this, a glimmer of light returned to Elder Liu’s eyes. "Doctor, if you can cure me, I am willing to pay you one hundred—no, ten million in compensation!"

Elder Liu’s manner was incredibly urgent; it was clear how desperate he was to be cured. As a man who had grown up in the business world, Xiao Ye knew that ten million was nothing—Elder Liu could easily afford a hundred million. Xiao Ye understood what was on Xue Gui’s mind and gave a slight nod, tacitly approving the arrangement.

Xue Gui’s eyes lit up with excitement. He grasped Elder Liu’s hand and said, "If you are ready, let us begin at once!"

Both men appeared highly eager, with only Liu Xia standing by, watching with cold eyes. "Two con artists. Let's see how long you can keep up this act!"

...

Following Xue Gui’s instructions, everything was quickly prepared, and Elder Liu took a moment to freshen up. When he saw the man pull silver needles from his pocket, Liu Xia suddenly shrieked.

"Wait! What is that you're holding? Grandfather, this man clearly has ill intentions toward you. I will not allow him to treat you!"

Liu Xia loudly expressed her dissatisfaction. Ultimately, she still looked down on Xiao Ye from the bottom of her heart.

"This... can we do this without using those?" Elder Liu’s throat tightened. Despite being accustomed to grand scenes, he felt a flicker of fear at the sight of the needles.

But Xue Gui’s expression remained stern. He waved his hand and said, "It doesn't hurt as much as you think. Besides, if we don't use the silver needles, I fear the condition will not only remain uncured but will deteriorate even further."

Hearing this, Elder Liu nodded and said, "Go ahead boldly. I can endure it!"

"Grandfather..."

Elder Liu merely glanced at Liu Xia, and the words she was about to speak were swallowed back.

After simple preparations, Xue Gui began the procedure, while Xiao Ye and Liu Xia waited in anxious unease.

"I’m telling you, don't try any tricks. The moment I shout, people will rush in from outside to shoot you," Liu Xia warned.

"I have no interest in your family. You can rest easy," Xiao Ye said, his tone indifferent, not even looking up.

Now it was Liu Xia’s turn to be speechless. While she might not be a celestial beauty, she was certainly attractive, and although the Liu family might not be incredibly wealthy, they were not the sort to be looked down upon by someone like him. Yet, Xiao Ye’s tone suggested their family was nothing but trash.

"Someone like you doesn't even understand what a family represents. You bumpkin, I bet you’ve never even set foot in a villa like ours before!" Liu Xia felt deeply indignant but, lacking a retort, could only stand to the side, sulking and making snide remarks.

Unwilling to waste more breath on Liu Xia, Xiao Ye turned his attention back to the treatment.

Because he had been a soldier for many years, Elder Liu possessed a sturdy constitution. Although he was now quite elderly, his physical resilience still surpassed that of most young people. Even so, Xue Gui’s brow furrowed deeper and deeper. Based on his assessment, if he did not intervene, Elder Liu would not live for another three months.

As the silver needles entered the old man’s body, Xue Gui first cleared the meridians throughout his body to allow for more unobstructed blood flow.

"Why is it so hot?" Under the influence of the needles and Xue Gui’s technique, Elder Liu was drenched in sweat, feeling an increasing sense of heat. He reached to remove his clothes, but was sternly rebuked by Xue Gui.

"Don't move. If you're hot, endure it. We are at a critical moment!"

Hearing Xue Gui’s voice, Elder Liu stiffened and silently bore the sensation.

Unconsciously, two hours passed. Elder Liu looked as if he had just taken a bath, drenched in sweat. Xue Gui was also perspiring heavily; the congestion in the lungs had been largely cleared. To honor his agreement with Xiao Ye, he delivered a single, sharp palm strike to Elder Liu’s back.

Suddenly, Elder Liu’s expression changed, and he coughed up a mouthful of black blood before fainting.

Xue Gui withdrew his hand and put away the silver needles. That black blood was the root of the problem; with it expelled, the illness was half-cured.

"Have him take some blood-nourishing medicine over the next two days, and he will be fine after a few days of recovery," Xue Gui said, wiping sweat from his forehead.

Liu Xia immediately rushed to Elder Liu’s side. "Grandfather! Grandfather! Xiao Ye, if anything happens to my grandfather, I will never forgive you!"

She shouted, but at that moment, Elder Liu stirred and opened his eyes.

"Xia, do not be rude."

Xiao Ye’s tight heart finally relaxed, and he spoke up. "Elder Liu, I’m glad you’re awake. It’s getting late, so we will be taking our leave."