The room suddenly became quiet, the atmosphere feeling somewhat complex.
Tang Qingrong, however, was very excited and quickly asked, "Yunlong, does this mean you have a way to cure Grandpa?"
Xiao Yunlong frowned and didn't answer immediately.
Li Mingchu then pondered and asked, "Since this so-called Shenchang Gu poison only existed in ancient times, why does it still exist now? Furthermore, not only my father but also three other elders familiar with my father in Jiangdong are suffering from this Gu poison. Who is behind this poisoning, and what are their objectives?"
Xiao Yunlong simply smiled faintly and said, "Doctor Xia, since you have read relevant ancient miscellaneous records, you answer him. That way, some people won't say I'm not professional!"
Doctor Xia shook his head and smiled bitterly, then said, "Mr. Li, you may not know, but according to the ancient texts I read, this Shenchang Gu poison belongs to the Gu Poison Sect."
"Gu Poison Sect?" Li Mingchu frowned.
"Yes, precisely the Gu Poison Sect!"
Doctor Xia nodded slightly, his tone strengthening a bit, and continued, "In fact, it's normal that you haven't heard of it. This Gu Poison Sect is somewhat similar to a cult. Most of its members are deranged and wicked thugs. In fact, back in the last century, after the founding of the nation, the Gu Poison Sect was annihilated by the ancient martial forces dispatched by the state."
As he spoke, Doctor Xia shook his head and sighed, "But for some reason, this Shenchang Gu poison has reappeared in Jiangdong. Could it be that the Gu Poison Sect has made a comeback?"
While saying this, Doctor Xia turned to look at Xiao Yunlong with a puzzled expression, but Xiao Yunlong remained silent and ignored him.
Tang Qingrong frowned and asked, "Even if the Gu Poison Sect has made a comeback, it probably has nothing to do with Grandpa. Why would they target Grandpa? And why have the elders of the other three families in Jiangdong also suffered?"
Doctor Xia explained, "I said earlier that the Gu Poison Sect is mostly composed of deranged individuals who act wickedly without reason. Now that several patriarchs of prominent families in Jiangdong are poisoned, it is very clear that the Gu Poison Sect intends to gradually control the poisoned individuals through this Shenchang Gu poison, thereby manipulating their family businesses."
As soon as these words were spoken, the Li family members' expressions changed, and their demeanor became unnatural.
In fact, they knew better than anyone that a large portion of the entire Li family's assets were still in Grandpa's hands. If he were controlled, their family's assets would undoubtedly be gradually hollowed out or even secretly seized by the Gu Poison Sect without their knowledge.
The situation for the other major families was likely similar!
"What a despicable and malicious Gu Poison Sect, trying to lay their hands on our family businesses!"
Li Mingchu clenched his fist and said coldly, "Doctor Xia, since we now know that he is poisoned with Shenchang Gu, do you have a way to cure it?"
Doctor Xia quickly shook his head and waved his hands, "I'm ashamed to say, but my medical skills and knowledge are limited, and I am powerless against this Shenchang Gu poison. However, this Mr. Xiao has extraordinary insight and understands this Shenchang Gu poison so well. It is likely that he has a way to cure it."
Li Mingchu glanced at Xiao Yunlong, but ultimately did not speak, seemingly too proud to do so.
Seeing this, Tang Qingrong stepped forward and said, "Yunlong, if you have a way to cure it, please step forward and save Grandpa."
Xiao Yunlong said, "There is a way, but treating him will consume a lot of my vital energy and spirit, making me weak and even affecting myself, so..."
Before he could finish, Li Minmin pouted and said, "Cousin Yunlong, you shouldn't say that. We are cousins after all. My mother is your aunt, and my mother has always treated you very well since you were young. How can you refuse to save someone just because you're worried about affecting yourself? That would be letting my mother down."
Li Benze also said, "Exactly, Cousin Yunlong. We must have a conscience and not be ungrateful, right?"
Hearing this, Liu Ruyan couldn't stand it and immediately snorted, "How ridiculous! Just now, you all called him a good-for-nothing, a live-in son-in-law who relies on his wife, and you mocked and humiliated your cousin Yunlong to your heart's content. Where was your conscience then? Now you remember conscience and gratitude, don't you find it laughable?"
Her words immediately silenced Li Benze and Li Minmin, leaving them speechless.
At this moment, Auntie Mo Qingqing said from the doorway, "You can't say that either. After all, we are all relatives. Even if we don't talk about family ties, as the saying goes, saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda. Saving people is always the right thing to do, isn't it? Are you going to stand by and watch someone die?"
"Saving people is the right thing to do, but it also depends on the situation. Didn't you hear Yunlong say that if he intervenes, he himself will be affected and become very weak? If he has to risk his life to save someone, then your persuasion is moral coercion!"
Liu Ruyan said with a stern face, arguing word by word.
She had long been displeased with the hypocrisy of these people. Yunlong had to consider the feelings of his relatives and couldn't retort directly, but she didn't care about that. After all, he was her man, and if she didn't protect him, who would?
This time, even Mo Qingqing was left speechless, and the room fell silent again, the atmosphere becoming very awkward.
However, at this moment, the emaciated Grandpa Li, lying on the bed, suddenly convulsed all over, letting out low, beast-like growls from his throat.
Then, he struggled frantically. Due to the severe pain in his head, he repeatedly punched his own head, looking as if he wanted to smash his skull open.
"Not good, quickly restrain Grandpa, quickly give him the injection and medicine!" Li Mingchu roared.
Two martial artist attendants behind him immediately leaped forward and quickly subdued Grandpa, but it was evident that Grandpa Li was still in considerable pain, convulsing uncontrollably and grinding his teeth.
Li Benze had already skillfully taken out a syringe and walked over, ready to administer the injection.
Seeing this, Xiao Yunlong said in a deep voice, "His body is about to run out of oil and light. If this needle continues to be administered, even if the Gu poison in his body is cured, he won't live much longer!"
"I know this needle can't be given every day, but..."
Before Li Benze could finish, Xiao Yunlong flashed over, gently tapped Grandpa Li's neck, and the old man immediately fell unconscious.
Li Benze, seeing this, froze with the syringe in his hand.
"What are you standing there for? This place is too small. Let's move him to a larger bedroom first!"
Xiao Yunlong instructed, then turned and walked out with Liu Ruyan.
Li Benze was still bewildered and turned to ask his mother for guidance.
"What are you still standing there for? Do as Yunlong said and move your grandfather to his usual bedroom first!" Tang Qingrong said.
After carrying the emaciated Grandpa Li into the bedroom, Tang Qingrong thought for a moment and called out, "Benze, Minmin, you two come here. I have something to tell you!"
The two obediently followed their mother. As for what the mother and son discussed, only they knew.
Xiao Yunlong and Liu Ruyan sat on the living room sofa. Finally, a servant came to pour tea.
However, Tang Qingrong soon arrived with Li Benze and Li Minmin, and then stood before Xiao Yunlong.
"Cousin Yunlong, we were wrong. We were wrong just now. We shouldn't have treated you like that. We formally apologize to you now. Please don't hold it against us and help save our Grandpa!"
Li Benze and Li Minmin said with their heads bowed. It seemed Tang Qingrong had instructed them to do so when she called them over.
Xiao Yunlong nodded slightly. Before he could speak, Li Mingchu also walked over.
"Yunlong, I was wrong just now. I shouldn't have judged you by your appearance. As long as you agree to cure my father, you can name any condition!" Li Mingchu said.
Xiao Yunlong grinned and asked playfully, "If I say I want all of your Li family's assets, would you agree to that condition?"
Li Mingchu was stunned and didn't know how to respond for a moment.
Li Benze and Li Minmin's faces showed displeasure again, but at this moment, they dared not speak up to scold or mock.
Seeing this, Xiao Yunlong chuckled and said, "I'm just kidding. Did you really think I wanted your Li family's assets? Forget the conditions. If nothing else, for the sake of my fourth aunt, I cannot stand by and watch someone die."
Liu Ruyan couldn't help but ask, "But Yunlong, if you intervene to treat him, will you be in mortal danger?"
Xiao Yunlong waved his hand and said, "Ruyan, don't worry. Although curing this Gu poison is a bit tricky, it's not life-threatening for me. It's just that I will be very weak afterward, as it requires a great deal of my vital energy and spirit!"
"If that's the case, then I'm relieved," Liu Ruyan nodded.
Tang Qingrong then said, "Yunlong, I am very grateful that you are willing to help, and the entire Li family will be grateful to you. By the way, do you need any preparations before you start detoxifying? If so, please tell us, and we will prepare in advance."
"No need, I can treat him now!" Xiao Yunlong said, standing up and walking towards the bedroom.
Tang Qingrong, Li Mingchu, and the others exchanged glances, perhaps feeling a little apprehensive.
"Qingrong, do you think he can really cure it?" Li Mingchu asked in a low voice.
"I'm not sure either, but from what I know of him, he's not someone who would act recklessly. Besides, we have no other options right now," Tang Qingrong said.
"That's true, we really have no other options. Let's just try our best, like treating a dead horse as if it were alive!" Li Mingchu shook his head and followed them in.
The bedroom was very spacious, and it didn't feel crowded with everyone inside. Xiao Yunlong didn't ask anyone to leave. He walked directly to Doctor Xia and asked, "Doctor Xia, may I borrow your acupuncture needles?"
Doctor Xia was stunned for a moment, then nodded, "Of course, Mr. Xiao, please use them freely!"
Saying that, he took the brocade box from the young attendant and handed it to Xiao Yunlong with both hands. Doctor Xia's attitude had changed significantly from before.
"Thank you!" Xiao Yunlong smiled, then walked to the bedside and casually opened the brocade box.
Several Li family disciples nearby saw this and couldn't help but murmur, "Looking at this, is he preparing to give acupuncture? Didn't he just say that no more acupuncture could be performed?"
"I don't know. Do you think this kid is just putting on a show? He looks only in his early twenties. Is he really a divine doctor?"
"There are countless ways to perform acupuncture, and different techniques yield different results. These are all wisdom left by our ancestors."
Xiao Yunlong said faintly, then suddenly emphasized, "Listen carefully, for the treatment that follows, you must maintain silence. If anything goes wrong, you will be responsible for the consequences!"
Li Mingchu then snorted, "As the saying goes, trust those you employ, and don't employ those you distrust. Since we have decided to ask Mr. Xiao to treat him, everyone should stop talking and just watch quietly, or please leave!"
No one moved, but at this moment, no one dared to speak again.
Xiao Yunlong's eyebrows suddenly shot up, and holding an acupuncture needle, he flashed it into the patient's body with incredible speed.
Doctor Xia and Doctor Zhong's expressions changed. They instinctively looked at each other, their eyes revealing admiration, as if to say: This kid's needling technique is too skillful, he really has something!
Xiao Yunlong continued to apply needles single-mindedly, and in the blink of an eye, he had inserted more than ten needles, his technique flowing like water.
However, beads of sweat had already appeared on his forehead, and even his breathing had become heavy, indicating that this needling technique was extremely taxing for him.
Xiao Yunlong showed no signs of stopping, continuing to apply needles. Before long, the emaciated old man's body was covered with dense acupuncture needles.
"Doctor Xia, can you discern anything from this needling technique?" Doctor Zhong asked in a low voice.
Doctor Xia shook his head and smiled bitterly, "I'm ashamed to say, but Mr. Xiao's technique is truly unheard of and unseen. If I hadn't witnessed it with my own eyes today, I would never have known that such an incredible acupuncture method existed in the world!"
At this time, Xiao Yunlong's forehead was covered with dense, pearl-like sweat, and even his complexion was extremely pale.
After inserting the last needle, he stopped and exhaled deeply.
Liu Ruyan then asked in a low voice, "Yunlong, is it over?"
Xiao Yunlong shook his head and gave a wry smile, "It's only half done, it's not that easy!"
Saying that, he slowly stood up, his gaze fixed, his aura suddenly sinking. Under his control, streams of qi flowed from his dantian, coursing through his meridians to his arms.
Then, Xiao Yunlong extended his hand, or rather, his right index and middle fingers, and gently flicked the acupuncture needles inserted into the patient.
The movements were very subtle, but invisible streams of qi flowed from his fingertips to the needles, and then into the patient's body.
Seeing this, everyone was very confused, not understanding why he was flicking them like this.
"What technique is this?" Doctor Zhong asked.
"I know this. This is the legendary needle-flicking technique. I never imagined that this young man, at such a young age, would know this extremely difficult needle-flicking technique," Doctor Xia said.
"Is this needle-flicking difficult?" Doctor Zhong asked in a low voice.
"Difficult? It's more than difficult; it's as hard as ascending to heaven. Let me tell you, in the entire Southern Border, there are probably only a handful of people who know this needle-flicking technique, but those who can perform it freely are probably none. Even the sect leader of our Southern Border Divine Doctor Sect probably only knows half of it!" Doctor Xia said with a bitter smile.
Doctor Zhong was immediately shocked and speechless.
However, at this moment, faint, sharp buzzing sounds suddenly echoed in the quiet bedroom.
It turned out that this was caused by the trembling of the acupuncture needles.
But then, the white-haired Doctor Xia became extremely excited, even trembling all over.
"Could this... could this be the legendary, ancient 'Nine Heavens Dragon Roar Returning to Life Technique'?"
Doctor Xia was extremely excited. He leaned closer to listen and exclaimed, "That's right, this is the heaven-defying divine needle technique from the ancient era, the Nine Heavens Dragon Roar Returning to Life Technique. My heavens, wasn't it said to be lost? This is too shocking!"