Chapter 4: Soul Returned

Words : 1883 Updated : Jun 12th, 2025

Hudson gazed at Aiden with a haughty expression. "Kid, did you just say I'm a quack?" "Aren't you?" Aiden replied coolly, looking at him without any emotion. "How dare you! A nobody dares to mock Mr. Sullivan!" "Mr. Sullivan is a highly respected doctor. Who are you, some country bumpkin?" "Kneel and apologize to Mr. Sullivan!" The Larson family all started yelling at Aiden. Hudson's arrogant face also showed a hint of anger, his eyes turning cold. "I'd like to know, where did you get the nerve to mock me?" "Mr. Wade could still be saved, but you said he would die. Giving up on a life so easily. How are you better?" "If you're not the quack here, then who is?" Aiden stepped forward, his limp subtle but obvious to everyone. "Mr. Sullivan said my father was beyond saving, so it must be true. We believe in Mr. Sullivan!" "And you, a cripple, think you have the right to mock Mr. Sullivan?" "If you're a doctor, fix your limp first! It's embarrassing, hobbling around here pretending to be something you're not." The Larson family got even angrier, scolding Aiden while still sucking up to Hudson. They'd rather believe Hudson and accept that Wade was beyond saving than listen to a word from Aiden. Hudson motioned for everyone to quiet down, a smirk on his face. "Since you say I'm a quack and claim you can save Mr. Wade, show us what you've got. Let's see what you can do." Aiden opened his hand. "Got any silver needles? Lend me a set." "You even have to borrow Mr. Sullivan's needles?" "What a joke!" The mocking voices rose again. Hudson handed over the needle pouch, face cold as ice. Aiden walked to Wade's bedside, just about to administer the needles, when Wade suddenly lifted his arm, groping blindly in the air, his eyes remaining closed. "See? He's fumbling around. That means he's at death's door!" "Kid, you want to torture Mr. Wade in his last moments?" Hudson said coldly. Upon hearing this, Dustin stepped forward, glaring at Aiden. "Stop right there!" "We'll do as Mr. Sullivan says and start making arrangements for my father's funeral." "My father worked hard his whole life. The least he deserves is peace at the end, not to be messed with by some fake doctor!" Aiden snorted, "You'd rather suck up to a quack than care about your own father's life. How pathetic." "You little punk!" Dustin's face turned bright red. He turned to Hudson and bowed. "Mr. Sullivan is the most respected person in our family. I won't let you keep insulting him!" "Somebody, get this ungrateful brat out of here!" A few men stepped forward to throw Aiden out, but Amelia quickly blocked their way. "Uncle, I think Aiden might have a point." "Does it hurt to let him try? What if he can save Grandpa?" Hudson waved his hand dismissively. "Fine, let him try!" "I don't believe anyone can save someone I've declared beyond help!" Aiden gave him a cool glance. "What if I do save him?" "If you can save Mr. Wade, I'll kneel and call you my master! I'll do whatever you say from now on!" Aiden didn't say a word. He took out seven silver needles, each a different length. Hudson cut in coldly as Aiden was about to start, saying, "And what if you can't save him?" "At your disposal," Aiden replied coldly, taking a deep breath to calm himself. All the Larson family members watched him intently. Dustin decided that if Aiden couldn't save Wade and were merely wasting time, he would make sure Aiden's other leg was crippled. Amelia's heart was in her throat. Although she knew the chances of Aiden saving her grandfather were slim, she still prayed he could succeed. Aiden's hand moved. The seven silver needles left his hands almost simultaneously, piercing into Wade's key acupoints. Immediately afterward, Aiden's fingers, pressed together, touched Wade's forehead. A surge of Primordial Energy flowed into Wade's body. "Return, soul!" A low voice emerged from Aiden's mouth. The next moment, the seven silver needles embedded in Wade's body began to tremble. Expressions on the faces of all the Larson family members changed. Hudson's eyes widened in shock. It wasn't until now that he noticed the seven silver needles were arranged in the shape of the Big Dipper. Hudson's breathing intensified, his expression shifting from shock to admiration. "Mr. Sullivan, are you alright?" Dustin asked, noticing Hudson's strange behavior. The response was Hudson falling to his knees. His action left all the Larsons dumbfounded. "Mr. Sullivan, what's wrong?" Dustin asked, bewildered. "The Nine Needles Technique!" "Seven Stars Needle!" "This... This is the long-lost Nine Needles Technique!" "My God! I never thought I would witness the Nine Needles Technique in my lifetime!" Hudson was so excited he couldn't speak coherently. "Retrieve!" Aiden opened his hand, and the seven silver needles simultaneously withdrew from Wade's body. Looking at Wade again, though still unconscious, his breathing was steady and audible, and a slight flush appeared on his previously gaunt face. Aiden handed the needle pouch back to Hudson, saying calmly, "Mr. Sullivan, you can now reassess and see if the Larson family should prepare a funeral for Mr. Wade." There was no need for reassessment. Everyone knew Wade had escaped danger and would not die anytime soon. Hudson remained kneeling on the ground, his face full of shame. "In the realm of traditional medicine, the skilled take precedence. I must show my respect." "Mr. Smith, I am unworthy of the title. You are the true healer!" "I lost the bet and willingly accept the consequences. I wish to acknowledge you as my mentor and follow your lead from now on!" Before Aiden could respond, Hudson started bowing. He had made up his mind that, regardless of whether Aiden accepted him as a disciple, he would persist in learning the Nine Needles Technique. The Larson family was left in a stupor. The doctor they had tried so hard to flatter, even to the point of losing their dignity, was now kneeling and acknowledging the person they had looked down upon the most. "Stop kneeling. I won't take you as my disciple," Aiden said with a dismissive wave. Hudson stood up, smiling awkwardly. "Mr. Smith, even if you don't accept me, here's my name card. If you ever need anything, ask." He handed over his business card with both hands, showing utmost respect. Aiden didn't embarrass Hudson further and accepted the name card. Hudson left contentedly, not even acknowledging the Larson family as he departed. Dustin, who had invited Hudson, felt deeply humiliated. His expression was one of utter embarrassment. "You! Look at what you've done!" Dustin glared coldly at Aiden. Several men, their faces filled with anger, began advancing toward Aiden.

Chapter 4: Soul Returned

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