Chapter Nine: Thanks to Shangjiu, Little Rabbit, Feng Jun, Taotao, and Shiyu for their gifts

“How can you say that? Xiao Chen was once my student—I watched him grow up. What’s wrong with letting him try?” Director Liu retorted.

“Director Liu, I advise you to be careful. He’s so young, and I see he’s using traditional techniques. If your leg gets worse, that won’t do at all.”

A frail, elderly voice suddenly interjected, “Can you cure it?”

“Elder Ye, you must be joking. Director Liu’s chronic cold leg has stumped nearly every renowned doctor in Jianglan City. What could I possibly do?”

“Then keep quiet,” Elder Ye said.

After that, the man fell silent, and only Director Liu and Elder Ye continued their casual conversation. Meanwhile, Luo Fancheng kept working, warming his hands over the fire and massaging Director Liu’s leg.

“There’ll be a bit of pain now. Please bear with it,” Luo Fancheng said.

Director Liu nodded. “After all these years, I’ve endured worse. Xiao Chen, do what you must!”

Luo Fancheng poured alcohol over his hands. As he passed them over the charcoal fire, a blue-violet flame ignited on his palms. He swiftly pressed his hands against several acupoints on Director Liu’s leg, his movements growing faster and stronger with each passing moment. Soon, Director Liu could barely speak from the discomfort.

Elder Ye, noticing the change, ceased his conversation with Director Liu and watched Luo Fancheng’s treatment in silence, observing both the doctor’s skill and the patient’s condition. Seeing Director Liu in such pain, the people nearby grew anxious.

“Will this really be all right?” one whispered.

The others just shook their heads, equally uncertain.

To them, Luo Fancheng’s technique was dazzling—so quick and skillful it was almost mesmerizing.

Gradually, a pale white mist began to rise from Director Liu’s leg, while his face turned ashen, as though he was about to faint.

A voice beside Elder Ye called out, “Stop at once! If anything happens to Director Liu, can you bear the responsibility?”

“How could a young man, barely a few years into his training, succeed where all of Jianglan’s famous doctors have failed? This is just reckless bravado.”

But Luo Fancheng ignored them and pressed on.

Watching Director Liu’s anguish, Elder Ye finally lost patience.

“Boy, stop! Now!”

Luo Fancheng halted, then plunged his alcohol-soaked hand into the fire. After three seconds, he withdrew it—his fingers now wrapped in a scarlet flame.

With swift precision, he pressed the blazing flame against Director Liu’s afflicted leg.

“Young man, are you trying to get yourself killed? I told you to stop!” Elder Ye shouted.

By now, the man beside Elder Ye was so shocked his jaw nearly dropped. He muttered under his breath, recognizing the technique—a legendary method spoken of in old texts: “The Finger of Fiery Exorcism.” It was said to pierce fire without fear, to draw the red flame back, and when the red flame appeared, all cold was vanquished. The last recorded use of this technique had been centuries ago—yet now, miraculously, it was before their eyes once more.

“It’s done,” Luo Fancheng said, his face lighting up with satisfaction.

“What did you do to Director Liu?” Elder Ye demanded, furious.

“Nothing much. I was simply saving him,” Luo Fancheng replied offhandedly.

“Saving him? Look at him now!” Elder Ye exclaimed, turning to examine Director Liu’s face—only to be stunned. “What’s this? Just a moment ago, he looked so pale and ill…”

He turned incredulously to Luo Fancheng, then to the middle-aged man by his side. “You saw it too, didn’t you? His face was dreadful just now.”

The man was about to speak when Luo Fancheng caught his eye, making a subtle gesture.

Understanding at once, the man replied, “You must have been mistaken, Elder Ye. Director Liu has looked just like this the entire time.”

“Oh.” Elder Ye nodded.

Soon after, Director Liu awoke, astonished to find that the persistent ache in his leg had vanished without a trace. He was overjoyed.

“Xiao Chen, how did you do it? I’m really cured!”

Seeing Director Liu’s recovery, Luo Fancheng smiled and shrugged it off. “Fire can drive out cold. Warming the leg is good for such conditions.”

Director Liu chuckled and didn’t press further. Then he introduced Elder Ye to Luo Fancheng, and the man beside Elder Ye as his private doctor, Zhang Chengan.

Elder Ye exuded authority and an imposing presence, while Zhang Chengan appeared approachable and skilled—he had even recognized the rare technique Luo Fancheng had used.

The group chatted amiably in the director’s office for the better part of the day, quickly becoming acquainted. Elder Ye, keenly perceptive, realized Luo Fancheng was no ordinary young man. After all, none of Jianglan’s renowned doctors could cure the chronic cold in Director Liu’s leg, yet this twenty-something had done it with ease. With such talent, his future was boundless. If someone with influence took notice, fame would be inevitable. More importantly, perhaps his own longstanding ailment…

As he was leaving, Elder Ye left two invitations, saying they were for his son’s wedding, and hoped that Director Liu and Luo Fancheng would attend.

Pulling Zhang Chengan aside, Luo Fancheng whispered, “Did you know? Elder Ye doesn’t have long.”

Zhang Chengan was startled. “How—how could you tell?”

Luo Fancheng said nothing. Zhang Chengan lowered his voice, “Can you treat him?”

Luo Fancheng nodded, then shook his head. “It’s difficult—very difficult! But it’s not impossible. Still, it’s extremely tricky.”

“Would you be willing to try?” Zhang Chengan pleaded.

“Not yet. Later, send me Elder Ye’s contact. I’ll visit when I have time,” Luo Fancheng replied with a smile, then took his leave.

…

In the car—

“Elder Ye, he saw through it,” Zhang Chengan said quietly.

“What? He actually noticed?” Elder Ye was amazed. “How did he know?”

“He didn’t say. But I can tell—this man is extraordinary.”

Elder Ye fell silent in thought. Zhang Chengan continued, “He said he could cure the illness—and he didn’t seem to be lying.”

“What do you know? I’ve consulted countless famous doctors, and none have succeeded. I doubt he can either…” Elder Ye sighed.

“But Director Liu—didn’t he just cure him?”

“We’ll see. I still have some time left.”

…

After bidding Director Liu farewell, Luo Fancheng headed to Shenghua Hospital.

This time, he wore casual clothes instead of his security guard uniform. Entering the hospital, he went straight to Zhao De’s office.

Pushing open the director’s office door, Luo Fancheng grinned mischievously, “Goji berries, Rehmannia pills, Fo-ti root… Director Zhao, your kidneys are all right lately, aren’t they?”