Volume One, Chapter Seven: No Longer Valid

“What is your relationship with Ghost Doctor Yama?” Zhang Wudao couldn’t help but ask.

“He is my mentor,” Chu Lingtian replied calmly.

Ghost Doctor Yama was one of his master’s many titles. It was quite normal to have multiple identities when venturing out.

“I see.” Zhang Wudao’s expression showed sudden understanding.

“Old Zhang, you know him? Who exactly is this Ghost Doctor Yama?” Jiang Rulong asked curiously.

“An elder in the field of medicine, I suppose…” Zhang Wudao pondered for a moment, carefully choosing his words. He couldn’t reveal too much about Ghost Doctor Yama.

“Oh.” Jiang Rulong nodded thoughtfully. So, he was a doctor.

“Old Jiang, you still have a chance, as long as… young brother, what’s your name?” Zhang Wudao’s face lit up.

“Chu Lingtian,” Chu Lingtian answered.

“As long as Brother Lingtian intervenes, your life can be extended,” Zhang Wudao said to Jiang Rulong.

“What?! Is that true?” Jiang Rulong was instantly thrilled. He looked at Chu Lingtian eagerly and asked, “Boy, can you save me?”

“No,” Chu Lingtian shook his head expressionlessly.

“That figures. I foolishly placed hope in you for a moment,” Jiang Rulong waved his hand, blaming himself for thinking too much. He was like a candle burned to the wick, already knowing his fate. How could his life be prolonged?

“Old Jiang, wait a moment,” Zhang Wudao frowned. Pulling Chu Lingtian aside into a corner, he asked suspiciously, “Brother Lingtian, you clearly can save him. Why won’t you?”

The Ghost Doctor’s Nine Hands could seize the destiny of heaven and earth, regenerate flesh from bone, and restore life from death. Moreover, Jiang Rulong’s condition was not beyond hope. His spent body could easily be reactivated. Compared to that, the pure yang fate of the Ghost Doctor elder was much easier to handle.

“Those who die of natural causes do so by the will of Heaven. Forcibly extending life is to seize the fate of heaven and earth, an act against the natural order.”

“Even if it’s not good for me, I don’t want to be tainted by undeserved karmic consequences.”

The main reason was this: the man who thought to sacrifice his own granddaughter made Chu Lingtian disdain him. What use was there in saving such a person?

If I don’t want to save him, then I won’t.

“Ah.” Zhang Wudao sighed.

He understood that Chu Lingtian wasn’t telling the whole truth. The talk of karmic consequences and defying heaven was nonsense.

If that were a concern, Ghost Doctor Yama would have died countless times already.

“Brother Lingtian… can you save him once, for my sake?”

“Old Jiang has done me a favor.”

Back when Chu Lingtian worked at the National Hospital, he was ruthlessly ostracized and framed. Without Jiang Rulong’s help, he wouldn’t have risen step by step, let alone be promoted to a position in the capital. He might have been imprisoned or killed over a decade ago.

“If Brother Lingtian is unwilling, I won’t force it,” Zhang Wudao added.

After a moment of silence, Chu Lingtian finally relented.

In his master’s last years, Yang energy backfired, causing unbearable pain. To alleviate the suffering and suppress the explosive Yang energy, Zhang Wudao had secretly transported precious medicinal herbs into Phoenix Fire Prison dozens of times using his connections in the capital, enabling the old man to endure for a few more years.

When he passed away, the old man specifically mentioned Zhang Wudao.

He said that Zhang was one of their own, and if he could be useful, he should be used; if he could help, he should be helped.

Chu Lingtian did not want to save Jiang Rulong, but he owed Zhang Wudao a debt, and Zhang owed his master a debt.

So be it.

“Perhaps Jiang Rulong’s life is not meant to end just yet.”

…

“Old Jiang, lie down and relax. Brother Lingtian and I will cooperate. I need you to let go completely, without any resistance from your body,” Zhang Wudao instructed after getting Chu Lingtian’s consent, then began the treatment.

“Old Jiang, you will feel a burning heat in your meridians shortly. Please don’t resist it,” Zhang warned again.

“Brother Lingtian, please begin the acupuncture,” he said, handing Chu Lingtian a pouch of needles.

His eyes were full of hope but also anxiety.

The Ghost Doctor’s Nine Hands, the life-seizing nine needles!

Within these nine hands, they wrestle fate with Yama.

Within these nine needles, even a transcendent immortal can be destroyed!

First, the nine lethal needles were used to block the body’s forty thousand meridians, creating a state of apparent death. Then, the Ghost Doctor’s Nine Hands transmitted Yang energy, fully activating the dying body’s potential, igniting its last reserves, and ushering in a second spring!

With this, one could defy heaven and change fate.

Swish! Swish!

At an invisible speed, Chu Lingtian flicked his fingers and nine silver needles pierced nine major acupoints.

Just as Jiang Rulong was about to die, he changed hand seals with exquisite technique, using the injected Yang energy to fully awaken his potential.

The process lasted only two minutes.

Buzz!

Jiang Rulong, who had been closing his eyes, suddenly opened them wide, bright and spirited.

“I’m alive again?”

Jiang Rulong rejoiced, feeling his once broken body now full of strength.

“Congratulations, Old Jiang! You can live at least ten more years!” Zhang Wudao sincerely congratulated him.

“Ten years!”

“Ten years! Hahaha!”

“Good, good, Old Zhang, thanks to you, your kindness will never be forgotten!” Jiang Rulong laughed heartily.

“I was just the assistant; the main credit goes to Brother Lingtian,” Zhang Wudao said awkwardly.

“You’ve worked hard too,” Jiang Rulong glanced at Chu Lingtian and nodded.

“Tonight, we shall hold a grand banquet! I want every member of the Jiang family to attend! No one is to be absent! Everyone must come!” Jiang Rulong declared generously.

…

News that Jiang Rulong’s life had been prolonged spread quickly among the Jiang family.

Everyone was overjoyed.

After all, if Jiang Rulong had truly died, the family might have fallen under the control of the fourth brother.

Originally, everyone was content playing their roles as sons and juniors; suddenly, one riding over siblings was unbearable.

Fortunately, the old man was alive again.

Although Jiang Limin felt some disappointment at first, he was ultimately glad. He wasn’t sure if he could maintain the family’s current standing if it fell to him.

Thus, the Jiang household was filled with joy. Within three hours, dozens of banquet tables were set up on the sprawling estate lawn.

Under the gaze of hundreds of onlookers, Jiang Rulong appeared with a vigorous stride.

“Congratulations to the old master on his second spring!” everyone shouted.

“It’s all thanks to Old Zhang,” Jiang Rulong said, glancing at Zhang Wudao seated at the head table.

“The National Medical Master, his reputation is well deserved! Long live Old Zhang, the divine doctor!” the crowd praised again.

“Not at all, not at all,” Zhang Wudao replied, embarrassed.

It was really all Chu Lingtian’s doing, but Jiang Rulong insisted on elevating him.

“Tonight’s banquet has two purposes.”

“First, to thank Old Zhang.”

“Second, to discuss Jiang Wan’s matter.”

Jiang Rulong cleared his throat and said, “At the brink of death, I was confused and did something shameful—planning to sacrifice my granddaughter. I have deeply wronged our ancestors. Fortunately, Heaven gave me a chance to make amends.”

“Grandpa, it’s alright,” Jiang Wan smiled knowingly.

“My dear granddaughter, grandpa was wrong. When one errs, one must admit it. So, your farcical marriage to Chu Lingtian ends here. I will find you a suitable groom.”

“As for you…” Jiang Rulong looked at Chu Lingtian. “To compensate you, name your price. In South China, you can choose any position you want if you wish to serve in the government.”

“Hm?” Chu Lingtian’s brow slowly furrowed.