Patients with advanced cancer could experience organ failure at any moment, leading to a painful death.
Even Yao Qihuang, one of China's three most renowned traditional Chinese medicine masters, couldn't defy fate—at best, he could only ease a patient's suffering for a few more days.
But Xiao Chen made a shocking claim—he said he could extend a patient's life by at least three years. It sounded like he could truly reverse fate itself!
"Can you really prolong life by three years?" Yao Qihuang asked, eyes wide in disbelief.
Xiao Chen nodded. "Yes, but it won't be easy."
"How?" Yao asked instinctively, then quickly smiled awkwardly. Secrets like this weren't something one would casually share.
"The art of acupuncture and moxibustion," Xiao Chen replied.
"Acupuncture and moxibustion?" Yao Qihuang was stunned. Though he had studied those techniques all his life, this was the first time he'd ever heard they could treat cancer and extend life.
"Yes. Later, when I treat my aunt, I'll need your assistance, Elder Yao."
"Can I really observe?" Yao's eyes lit up with excitement.
"Of course," Xiao Chen smiled wryly. He knew why Yao was so thrilled—many masters in traditional Chinese medicine guarded their unique methods fiercely, even from their apprentices. Because of this secrecy, countless ancient techniques had vanished over the centuries.
"Alright, I'll fully cooperate," Yao said eagerly.
Li Sheng, standing nearby, finally recovered from his shock. Unlike Yao, his thoughts went straight to the implications—if Xiao Chen could truly extend a terminal patient's life by three years, it would cause a worldwide sensation! The wealthy would flock to him, and treatment fees could reach hundreds of millions—or even billions. And the patient this time was a beautiful woman!
"Brother Chen, can you really make my mother live three years longer?" Li Hanhou asked excitedly, gripping Xiao Chen's arm.
"Yes... but could you let go first? You're about to break my arm!" Xiao Chen grimaced.
"Oh! Sorry, Brother Chen! Let me rub it for you!"
"No need!" Xiao Chen quickly stopped him—knowing Dahan's strength, another squeeze might actually break it.
"Auntie, please eat the medicinal meal first to regain some strength. I'll treat you afterward," Xiao Chen said gently to Mother Li.
"Yes, Mom, eat quickly before it gets cold. Brother Chen bought it for you—it's really good!" Dahan urged.
"Mr. Xiao…"
"Auntie, no need to call me that. Dahan and I are friends. Please, just call me Xiao Chen."
"Then, Xiao Chen," Mother Li said emotionally, "you're saving my life—we have no way to repay you."
"Please don't mention repayment. I was touched by Dahan's filial piety—he hasn't eaten for two days just to save money."
Mother Li's eyes welled with tears. "Dahan, you fool! How could you go hungry?"
"Mom, don't cry, I wasn't hungry," Dahan said with a sheepish smile, wiping her tears.
"Nonsense! You'd be starving after skipping even one meal at home…"
"Really, Mom, I'm full now—Brother Chen fed me until I couldn't move!"
Mother Li looked at Xiao Chen gratefully. "Xiao Chen, thank you. Dahan meeting you must be heaven's blessing."
"Hehe, Auntie, don't say that," Xiao Chen replied with a smile. "Dahan, help your mom eat."
After more than twenty minutes, Mother Li finished her meal. Li Sheng fetched a set of silver needles as instructed.
"Xiao Chen, I'll wait by the door. Call me if you need anything," Li Sheng said.
"No need, Brother Li, stay here," Xiao Chen replied, taking the needles.
"Can I?" Li Sheng asked, surprised.
"Of course. Close the door—we'll begin."
After disinfecting the needles, Xiao Chen turned to Mother Li. "Dahan, help your mother sit up and face away from me."
"Should she remove her clothes?"
"No, that won't be necessary."
Holding two needles, Xiao Chen quickly inserted them into her back.
Yao's eyes twitched—few could skillfully manipulate two needles at once. The technique of crossing acupoints had long been lost!
Then Xiao Chen took four needles, inserting them with increasing speed. Dahan and Li Sheng stared in amazement—it didn't look like acupuncture, but some kind of miraculous art.
"Auntie, bear with it. This will hurt."
With several precise thrusts, the needles pierced points along her lungs.
"Ah…" Mother Li cried softly, her frail body trembling.
"Mom, please hold on," Dahan said, eyes red with worry.
Xiao Chen's fingers danced, making the silver needles vibrate rhythmically. His face grew pale.
Yao watched in awe—could this be the legendary Taiyi Divine Needle technique?
"Elder Yao, help me seal my pulse!" Xiao Chen said urgently as sweat dripped from his forehead.
"Got it!"
Yao swiftly inserted two needles—not into the patient, but into Xiao Chen's back.
Almost immediately, Xiao Chen's complexion improved, and his strength returned.
After about five minutes, the needles in Mother Li's back stopped trembling.
"Auntie, hold on!" Xiao Chen said as he began removing them. Each needle tip carried faint purple-black threads, like drawn-out poison.
"Dahan, lay your mother down," Xiao Chen instructed, then burned the used needles with alcohol.
"Elder Yao, help me remove mine."
Yao nodded and took out the two needles from Xiao Chen's back. The latter swayed, nearly collapsing.
"Brother Chen! Are you okay?" Dahan caught him quickly.
"I'm fine… just exhausted," Xiao Chen said weakly, forcing a smile.
Yao took his pulse, frowning. "You're not just tired—you've aggravated an old injury."
"It's alright," Xiao Chen said calmly, taking a deep breath.
Mother Li, pale but emotional, looked at him. "Son, are you really alright?"
"I'm fine, Auntie. How do you feel?"
"The pain's gone. I feel lighter."
"That's good. Rest well—you'll get stronger day by day."
Suddenly, Dahan knelt before Xiao Chen.
"Dahan! What are you doing?" Xiao Chen tried to stop him but was too weak.
"Brother Chen, my mother taught me never to forget kindness. You saved her life—my life now belongs to you! I'll serve you for the rest of my days!"
"Get up, Dahan. I didn't save her for repayment."
"Son," Mother Li said softly, "you're a good man. Let Dahan stay by your side. He may be simple, but he's skilled and loyal."
"Auntie, that's too much…"
"My child, Dahan may be rash, but he has strong martial ability. With him beside you, you'll be safer."
"Mother, I fought Brother Chen once—and I lost," Dahan admitted.
"What?" Mother Li was shocked. She knew how strong her son was, nearly at the level of a martial arts master.
"Hehe, Dahan came to challenge me when we met. I beat him," Xiao Chen said with a smile.
Mother Li gave Xiao Chen a long, thoughtful look, then said firmly, "Dahan!"
"Yes, Mother?"
"From now on, you'll follow Xiao Chen. Protect him with your life. If danger comes, he must not be harmed, even if it costs you everything. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Mother! I'll remember!"
Xiao Chen was taken aback. What was this all about?
Yao watched quietly, understanding her intentions.
"Son," Mother Li said gently, "you've fought Dahan, so you know—he practices Bajiquan and Piguaquan."
Xiao Chen nodded.
"Bajiquan's spirit lies in loyalty and courage—using one's body as a shield, sacrificing oneself to protect others. That's why many great figures in history chose Bajiquan practitioners as their personal guards."
Xiao Chen finally understood. He looked at Dahan and his mother and said solemnly, "Auntie, I'll take Dahan with me—not as a bodyguard, but as my brother."