Li Chunfeng was greatly shocked.
When he grasped Old Master Qian’s wrist to check his pulse, he was astonished to find that the old man’s rapidly fading vital signs had completely stopped declining.
Given the current situation, Old Master Qian could not only last until tomorrow morning but might even hold on for another half year.
After his shock subsided, Li Chunfeng let out a long sigh:
“Little Ye, the three of us old fellows were helpless, yet you solved it with just two golden needles. Truly, the younger generation surpasses us!”
Nie Xue Liang, puzzled, asked, “Old Li, what are you talking about?”
“Old Qian’s condition has stabilized. His vital signs have stopped fading,” Li Chunfeng said. “In my judgment, even if we don’t find the suppression object, Old Qian can maintain this state for at least half a year.”
Hearing this, Nie Xue Liang gave Ye Qiu a deep look, his eyes unable to hide his astonishment.
As for Qian Jinglan and Qian Weidong, their faces lit up with joy.
“Ye Qiu, will this compass do?”
Qian Bowen took an ancient-looking compass from Old Master Qian’s desk drawer and handed it to Ye Qiu.
Ye Qiu took the compass, glanced at it, and smiled, “It’s actually a Song Dynasty compass. Not bad.”
“Song Dynasty?” Qian Bowen was surprised. He hadn’t paid much attention when he’d seen his father leave it casually on the desk.
Qian Weidong asked, “Ye Qiu, do we need to prepare anything else?”
“No need. This compass is enough,” Ye Qiu smiled. “It’ll help us find the suppression object.”
Everyone was somewhat amazed.
Li Chunfeng asked, “Ye Qiu, how can a compass find the suppression object?”
Ye Qiu explained, “The head of Dragon Tiger Mountain is my friend. He once taught me some methods to locate suppression objects.”
“In that case, let’s get started. The sooner we find it, the sooner Father can wake up,” Qian Bowen said.
“Alright.”
Ye Qiu held the compass, fiddling with it for show, then pushed open the door.
…
Outside the main room.
A crowd waited anxiously.
It had been nearly half an hour since Ye Qiu and the others went in, with no news, leaving them on edge.
Governor Han said worriedly, “I wonder if this divine doctor Zhang found is reliable enough to save Teacher.”
Secretary Wang replied, “Zhang wouldn’t gamble with Teacher’s life. That kid must have some skill.”
“I’m not optimistic about him,” Mayor Zhao said. “He’s too young. Even if he started learning medicine in the womb, how good could he be?”
Director Tian chimed in, “Mayor Zhao’s right. I’m worried Teacher could’ve held on a bit longer, but if that kid messes up, he might not even make it to tomorrow morning.”
“That’s a real possibility.”
Qian Rong suddenly spoke up, “Leaders, do you know who this Ye Qiu really is?”
Governor Han and the others responded:
“What’s his background?”
“Isn’t he Teacher’s grandson?”
“Zhang said he’s a divine doctor.”
“Divine doctor, my foot!” Qian Rong scoffed. “He’s just a junior doctor at Jiangzhou Hospital, only recently made permanent.”
What, just made permanent?
Governor Han and the others were furious.
“What’s wrong with Zhang Jiuling? Letting a freshly permanent doctor treat Teacher?”
“Isn’t this nonsense?”
“Calling someone like that a divine doctor—has Zhang gone senile?”
Seeing the leaders’ anger, Qian Rong felt smug and continued, “I’ll say it plain, even if you laugh: Ye Qiu’s a bastard.”
“Over twenty years ago, Qian Jinglan got tangled with some man and gave birth to Ye Qiu. Later, she was kicked out by Grandpa.”
“For over two decades, that mother and son have harbored resentment toward Grandpa. I suspect they came back this time to take revenge.”
“Ye Qiu’s treating Grandpa now—maybe he’ll use this chance to do something underhanded and hasten Grandpa’s death.”
Governor Han and the others, seasoned and sharp, could tell Qian Rong had a grudge against Ye Qiu.
But they couldn’t ignore it.
After all, the man dying inside was their mentor. Better safe than sorry.
And Ye Qiu’s age didn’t scream “divine doctor.”
Exchanging glances, they fell silent, clearly weighing their options.
Then Cao Chunmei spoke up.
“Rong’er’s right. Qian Jinglan and her son hold a deep grudge against the old man. I kindly went to greet them at the gate earlier, but that bastard slapped me and Rong’er three times.”
“The handprints on my face are proof.”
“Think about it, leaders—if that bastard hits his aunt and cousin, would he spare the old man?”
“As for calling him a divine doctor, that’s a joke. Three national medical sages couldn’t help—what can he do?”
“I’m not looking down on him, but give that bastard a hundred years, and he still wouldn’t find the cause…”
Creak!
The main room’s door swung open.
Ye Qiu stood at the threshold, holding the compass, giving Cao Chunmei a half-smile.
For some reason, that look—like an eagle’s—sent a chill through her, making her shiver involuntarily.
“Aunt, if I heard right, you just said even a hundred years wouldn’t be enough for me to find the cause, huh?”
Ye Qiu grinned, “Sorry to disappoint, but I’ve already found Grandpa’s cause.”
What!
Everyone froze.
Cao Chunmei couldn’t believe it, “How’s that possible?”
“Don’t spout nonsense,” Qian Rong sneered. “You say you found Grandpa’s cause? Then tell me, what is it?”
“Rong’er, don’t mess around,” Qian Bowen said. “Ye Qiu really did find the cause.”
Qian Weidong added, “I can vouch for it.”
“I can too.”
“Ye Qiu’s telling the truth.”
“He really found it.”
The three national medical sages spoke one after another.
Instantly, Qian Rong and Cao Chunmei felt their faces burn, as if slapped again.
Zhu Xuemiao asked Qian Weidong, “Weidong, what’s Father’s cause?”
Qian Weidong replied, “Father’s cause is…”
“Second Uncle!” Ye Qiu cut him off, “Let’s handle the main task first.”
“You’re right, business first.”
Holding the compass, Ye Qiu muttered under his breath and headed toward the back courtyard.
Qian Bowen, Qian Weidong, Qian Jinglan, and the three medical sages followed.
Governor Han and the others trailed behind, curious.
In truth, the compass was just a prop—his real tool was a tracking talisman.
A wisp of black qi, finer than a hair, floated before Ye Qiu’s eyes. He followed it, circling the Qian family estate inside and out, until it lingered in the inner courtyard, refusing to dissipate.
