Chapter 4: First Show Of Skill

Words : 1845 Updated : Sep 24th, 2025

Eugene was furious. Ramon was his junior in the sect. Reverence for teachers and elders was sacred to him. His son, seeing how young Ramon looked and buoyed by his own high rank, couldn't swallow his pride and refused to address him as Master Ramon. Eugene had no say in how others addressed Ramon, but his son calling Ramon by name was intolerable. Daniel stood speechless under his father's scolding. Even if he was Leaville's top official, taking a tongue-lashing from his father was only right. "It's fine," Ramon said with a smile. "To each their own. Times have changed. Let's take care of Mr. Louis first." Eugene shot his son a glare and gave a cold snort. He turned to Louis, face solemn. "Sorry you had to see that. Let my junior treat you first." "All right," Louis said. He sensed the friction between father and son and had no idea how to smooth it over. Ramon stepped to Louis's side, dropped into a crouch, and reached for his wrist. Louis's eyes warmed with gratitude. "Thank you." "You're welcome." Ramon smiled. Silence settled as he took the pulse. All eyes tracked his hands. He didn't linger as long as Eugene usually did. After a short moment, he lifted his hand, looked up, and said, "Eugene, lend me your silver needles." Eugene hurried to pass them over. Ramon took the case, then, in one fluid motion, drove in seven needles at once. The seven needles were arranged like the Big Dipper. Eugene's eyes nearly popped. "This... this is Life-Restoring Acupuncture. You've mastered it?" Others couldn't read Ramon's technique, but Eugene could. With Life-Restoring Acupuncture, even one missing needle could ruin the effect. Six needles were considered useless. Only when all seven were mastered to perfection would it work. Even Alistair had reached only the sixth needle. That was why Eugene was aghast. Seeing Eugene's startled reaction, the others felt not only curiosity but dawning conviction about Ramon's skill. Even untrained eyes could tell from that seamless needling that he was on a different level. Hope seemed to take shape, Louis included. Heat bloomed where the needles bit his legs, like a drop of water spreading across white paper in widening ripples. Comfort flooded his limbs, a warm current spreading outward. After about an hour, sweat beaded on Louis's brow as the warmth from the silver needles coursed through his whole body. The body's meridians are all interconnected. His stroke had left him paralyzed below the waist because those pathways were blocked. The brain had lost command of the nerves beneath. To the eye, it looked like ordinary acupuncture, but the needles carried Ramon's cultivation. Only then could they clear the meridians and restore the neural connection to the lower body. Catching Eugene's stunned look, Ramon nodded with a smile. Eugene, reassured, thought, "No wonder our mentor chose him as successor." "How do you feel, sir?" Ramon asked when he judged the time right. "I can feel it. I can feel a burning warmth in my legs," Louis blurted, his joy spilling out. "Then I'll take the needles out," Ramon said. He closed his hand, and the seven silver needles snapped into his palm. The room drew a collective breath. Even Daniel stared, dazed. Was Ramon really this good? With the needles out, Ramon pressed a few acupoints along Louis's legs in quick succession. Then he rose and smiled. "Mr. Louis, try standing." Louis was already eager. Sensation thrummed in his legs. Even lying down, he could feel them vividly there. Before this, it had been as if his legs no longer existed. As he pushed himself up, two members of the medical staff hurried over to steady him. Louis threw back his head and laughed. "Doc, your skill is second to none." The joy of getting back what he thought he had lost could not be put into words. He had resigned to life in a wheelchair, yet he had run into a miracle worker. How could he not be thrilled? While Louis exulted, everyone marveled at Ramon's medical skills. Despite his youth, he was of a caliber you'd expect from the best in the country. The Chandlers watched Louis stand, and they were genuinely happy. Especially Eugene, Ramon possessed such skill that it filled him with pride. "Doctor, how much do I owe you?" Louis asked, still alight with excitement. "No charge," Ramon said, waving it off. He had stepped in mainly for Eugene's sake. Besides, he could tell Louis was the kind of public servant who truly looked out for ordinary people. Some things are just meant to be. It was simply the right place at the right time. "That won't do. I pay for treatment outside as well. If you won't accept a fee, I'll feel uneasy," Louis insisted. As the two batted the matter back and forth, Eugene spoke up. "Sir, then pay my usual fee." "Mr. Chandler, how much do you charge?" Louis asked quickly. "Fifty dollars," Eugene said. Louis hesitated. Fifty dollars was a steal. For this illness alone, he had already spent thousands of dollars on tests and procedures. The state reimbursed some of it, but the money had truly gone. If he had gone abroad, even a successful treatment would have cost tens of thousands of dollars. "That's my policy. Please don't insist," Eugene said, seeing Louis on the verge of arguing again. "All right, Mr. Chandler, Mr. Baxter, I'll remember this kindness," Louis said gratefully. He asked one of the staffs who came with him to hand Ramon fifty dollars in cash. This time, Ramon did not refuse. He took the money. Pushing it away again would only put Louis in a bind. He happened to be broke. Yesterday's five hundred dollars had already gone to Camilla. Today's fifty wasn't much, but at least it would cover his meals. He needed to find work soon and support himself. He possessed many skills, but he would not utilize them to earn a living. Alistair had sent him out for mortal mind practice, and he intended to stick to it.

Chapter 4: First Show Of Skill

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