Chapter Twenty-Two: My Sister Is in Critical Condition!

Ye Wushang halted in his tracks.

His mother’s belongings?

He’d always thought there was nothing left but the workshop—how could there be anything else?

Had these words come from anyone else, he might have doubted them. But his grandfather’s devotion to him was as profound as a mountain—there could be no deceit.

He quickly turned back and asked, “Grandfather, you just said my mother left something else for me. What is it?”

“This prescription,” Old Master Lan took a wrinkled slip of paper from beneath his pillow, handing it to Ye Wushang as if it were a treasure. “Your mother gave it to me before she passed. She said that every time it rained, you’d fall ill and suffer excruciating pain, and only by soaking in this medicinal bath could your symptoms be relieved. When you were still in the Lan family, I could provide it for you at any time. But now that you and Ruoxue are divorced, it’s only right I return it to you. Consider it a small compensation from me.”

With trembling hands, Ye Wushang accepted the prescription.

So that was why.

Every time he fell ill, Old Master Lan would take him to bathe. He’d always thought it was just the old man’s whim, wanting company. In truth, it was for his health.

“Heavenfire Water…”

Indeed, this was a prescription for a medicinal bath, meant to soothe the blood and invigorate the spirit. But the ingredients listed were rare beyond compare, worth a fortune. Studying it closely, he found it bore an uncanny resemblance to the “Heaven and Earth Overlord Qi Method” he practiced.

Could there be a connection between the two?

“Grandfather, do you know anything else about my mother?” Ye Wushang asked excitedly. “Her origins, her background, or if she knew anyone else?”

“That I do not know.” Old Master Lan sighed, patting Ye Wushang’s hand. “Wushang, the herbs listed here are difficult to find. You’ll have to seek them out yourself. And though you and Ruoxue are no longer married, in my heart, you’ll always be my grandson-in-law. The Lan family will always welcome you. I only hope you won’t hold a grudge against us…”

“Don’t worry, Grandfather. I know what I should do.” Ye Wushang rose, tucked the prescription into his pocket, and left the room.

Lan Ruoxue escorted him to the door, her expression calm. “Ye Wushang, now that Grandfather has agreed, we have nothing to do with each other anymore. But since we were once married, and you did save me at the club, I won’t ignore the matter with Wang Jiaolong. Wait for my call—you’ll need to apologize when the time comes—”

Ye Wushang shook his head, replying coldly, “Since we have no further ties, my affairs are my own. Also, I didn’t save you for any particular reason—had it been anyone else, I’d have done the same.”

With that, he turned and walked away, soon vanishing from sight.

“Stubborn pride leads only to suffering. If I wash my hands of you, who knows how you’ll end up?” Lan Ruoxue sighed and shook her head. “Having backbone and having ability are two different things. Why can’t you understand despite all I’ve said?”

…

The next morning.

Boom.

Ye Wushang’s eyes snapped open, a flash of brilliance passing through them. Instinctively, he lashed out with his fist—a crisp crack sounded as a hundred-pound boulder in front of him shattered to dust.

“First layer of the Tempering Qi Realm!”

He couldn’t help but shout in excitement.

By refining the vine and roots of the Hanlong Herb, he had produced a Blood-Revitalizing Pill. After consuming it, his inner energy surged, breaking through the barrier of the ninth layer of the Gathering Qi Realm in one fell swoop, and stepping into the first layer of the Tempering Qi Realm. His strength was like a raging bull, his movements swift as a phantom, and his senses sharper than ever.

“My internal force has multiplied several times. Now, I should be able to clear the blocked nerves in Wu You’s brain.”

He rose, carefully storing the remainder of the Hanlong Herb in its box. Every tendril of this herb was precious; unfortunately, he lacked a proper cauldron to refine it into purest elixirs. Otherwise, it could raise his cultivation by several levels.

It seemed he’d have to find a quality cauldron for alchemy soon.

As for the other two missing ingredients, he would inquire with Anlan once he’d dealt with more pressing matters. Since the Hanlong Herb was found in his family’s medicine field, perhaps there were more surprises to be found.

…

Ye Wushang entered the orphanage and made his way to his sister’s room.

Inside, Director Su and a group of white-coated staff clustered around the bedside, their faces grave as they whispered among themselves. A gray-haired elder, nearly sixty, was examining Ye Wu You.

“Doctor Tang, how is Wu You doing?” Director Su asked anxiously.

Doctor Tang sighed and shook his head. “This child is beyond saving. I’m afraid there’s nothing more we can do. Director Su, you should prepare for her final arrangements.”

“Sister!” At these words, Ye Wushang’s heart leapt in alarm. He quickly pushed through the crowd and rushed to her side.

Ye Wu You lay quietly on the bed, her face pale, lips cracked. Her eyes were closed, her breathing barely perceptible. The monitor nearby showed a flat line—her life was at its end.

“Mr. Ye, I’m sorry. I failed to take good care of Wu You and let you down,” Director Su said with shame.

Three years ago, he had entrusted his sister to Director Su, asking her to look after Wu You well. She had done her best, but Wu You’s condition only worsened. Today, she had suddenly suffered a seizure—her whole body convulsed, foam at her lips. In desperation, Director Su had called in the renowned Doctor Tang from the city hospital. She had hoped for improvement, but after a brief glance, he had declared there was nothing to be done.

Facing Ye Wushang, she felt only guilt.

“My sister isn’t dead!”

Having just broken through to the Tempering Qi Realm, this was the very moment he could save her. He was still waiting to reunite with his sister, and from her, learn the whereabouts of their father and the truth about his own origins.

“Director Su, please, bring me a set of silver needles.”

After quickly taking Wu You’s pulse, Ye Wushang’s tense expression relaxed. She still had a pulse—weak, but present. As long as he infused her with spiritual energy, he could revive her, perhaps even cure her entirely.

“Young man,” Doctor Tang, discerning their sibling bond, tried to comfort him. “You must accept the truth—your sister can’t be saved.”

“I said, my sister isn’t dead! She’ll be fine!” Ye Wushang shouted, urging Director Su to fetch the needles.

But Director Su hesitated. “We don’t have silver needles here, and besides, Wu You—”

“As long as there’s a breath left in her, I can save my sister! If you don’t have any, please go buy a set—quickly!”

He gently propped his sister up, preparing for acupuncture.

Director Su looked troubled.

Doctor Tang shook his head. “Young man, I’ve practiced medicine for over twenty years. I can tell at a glance—your sister is beyond hope. It’s better to let the deceased rest in peace…”

“Enough!” Ye Wushang’s eyes were icy. “Just because you can’t heal her doesn’t mean no one can. I said my sister isn’t dead—so she isn’t! If you won’t give me the needles, I’ll get them myself!”

Doctor Tang’s expression shifted, suspicion in his eyes. “You want silver needles? Don’t tell me you plan to perform acupuncture?”

“Exactly!” Ye Wushang nodded emphatically.

Doctor Tang could only give a wry smile. This young man, at his age, claimed to know acupuncture? His grief was understandable, but acting recklessly would only dishonor the dead. Even if he truly had medical skills, the girl’s condition was so dire, not even a deity could save her.

“Fine, I’ll buy them for you.” Director Su relented. She knew Ye Wushang simply refused to accept reality. Having failed his sister, she had to try to make amends.

As she moved to leave, Doctor Tang stopped her. “I have a set of silver needles. He can use them.”

Ye Wushang looked up at him.

Doctor Tang immediately instructed, “Go fetch my set of ancestral silver needles from the medical kit.”

“Doctor Tang!” protested a young man at his side. “She’s already dead—what’s the point in trying to save her?”

“She’s his sister. If he wants to say his final goodbyes with acupuncture, what’s wrong with that?”

The young man, cowed, said nothing further. Though disgruntled, he quickly retrieved the set of needles from the kit.

Handing them to Ye Wushang, he warned, “Hey, these are Doctor Tang’s personal, ancestral silver needles. Use them carefully—if you break them, you’ll never be able to pay for the loss!”

Ye Wushang said nothing. As soon as he touched the needle case, he felt a weighty, gentle aura—an air of righteousness. Clearly, these needles had saved many lives.

“Careful! Don’t break them,” the young man continued, but Doctor Tang cut him off with a stern look.

Though he doubted Ye Wushang could bring the dead back to life, he admired the young man’s stubbornness and devotion. Such loyalty and sentiment were rare among the youth of today. He only feared the deeper he tried, the harder it would be to let go. Perhaps, after he tried, he could move on.

…