Chapter 13: Astonishment and the Miracle of Healing Hands

On the bustling street, the footsteps of the crowd flowed like a swift, fragmented stream. Li Chao was lost in his thoughts, moving forward step by step.

Suddenly,

A shrill shout pierced the calm like an arrow tearing through the air:

“Someone’s fainted!”

A jolt struck Li Chao’s heart, as if smashed by an unseen weight. He stopped, turning his gaze toward the sound.

Dozens of meters away, on the sidewalk, an elderly man with silver hair lay curled upon himself, his face pale as paper. Beneath his short jacket, his frail body shivered in the breeze.

In that instant, the air seemed to freeze. People halted in their tracks, gathering around. A wave of anxious voices crashed over the scene:

“Hurry, call an ambulance!”

“Look at his breathing—it’s so weak. I don’t know if he’ll last until help arrives.”

“Is there anyone who knows medicine? Someone, please check on him!”

Amid the crowd, a middle-aged man in a white shirt and glasses frowned, his gaze flickering over the old man’s form. He hesitated, as though about to step forward.

But just as his foot began to move, a burly man with a hard face seized his arm:

“Don’t get involved, brother!”

“Judging from his condition, he’s probably suffering from something serious. If he dies, you’ll be the one blamed!”

The middle-aged man flinched at the warning, his resolve instantly wavering. After a pause, he withdrew his foot and retreated back into the crowd.

Indeed, in this society, good deeds are not always rewarded.

Watching the scene unfold, Li Chao was overcome by a surge of complex emotions. He knew well that in an era driven by desire and suspicion, acting bravely often meant inviting enormous risk. Stories of people being extorted or misunderstood for helping others had long made everyone cautious and hesitant.

And yet,

If everyone chose to stand by, seeking only their own safety, wouldn’t society become colder and more unfeeling?

Li Chao drew a deep breath, as if making a firm decision. He pushed through the throng, heading toward the elderly man. In that moment, there was no fear or uncertainty in his heart—only resolve and courage.

Because he knew, regardless of the outcome, he could not allow himself to become a cold, indifferent bystander.

“Is there anyone who can lend a hand?”

This call echoed through the clamor of the marketplace, tinged with urgency and helplessness. Countless eyes turned to the old man on the ground—his face ashen, pain barely visible at the corner of his lips. Among the onlookers, a few kind-hearted souls wore anxious expressions but were at a loss as to what to do.

The old man’s breathing grew ever weaker, his chest rising and falling more and more gently, as if it might cease at any moment.

This scene weighed heavily on every witness.

Just then,

A young man squeezed out from the crowd, clad in a simple blue shirt, his expression composed and resolute.

He knelt beside the old man, gently placing a hand on the frail wrist.

This young man was Li Chao.

“Young man, are you a doctor?” a middle-aged woman nearby couldn’t help but ask.

Without turning, Li Chao replied calmly, “I’m the village doctor.”

“Village doctor?”

Those around exchanged uncertain glances, doubt flickering in their eyes. In their minds, a village doctor’s skills might be insufficient to handle such a critical situation.

But Li Chao was undeterred. Ever since he had acquired the mysterious “Xuantian Medical Canon,” his medical abilities had soared to new heights. He was no longer the simple country practitioner who could only treat minor ailments.

Closing his eyes, he felt the pulse, analyzing the condition in his heart. After several tense seconds, his brow furrowed slightly and determination flashed in his eyes.

“It’s an acute heart attack!”

Though his voice was low, it carried unshakable confidence.

He stood, surveying the anxious faces around him before drawing a deep breath and announcing, “Please step back—I need space to administer acupuncture.”

With that, he withdrew a silver needle from his pocket and gently inserted it into the old man’s chest.

As the needle slid in, color slowly returned to the old man’s cheeks, his breathing steadied. The crowd watched in awe and admiration, surprised that this young village doctor could handle such a dire situation.

Li Chao, however, showed no pride. He stood quietly aside, observing the old man’s condition, fully aware that this was only temporary relief. True recovery would require further treatment.

But he was no longer helpless.

With the guidance of the “Xuantian Medical Canon,” he had the confidence and skill to save lives.

Calmly, Li Chao organized the crowd, ensuring ample space around the patient. He gently laid the old man flat, carefully removed his shirt, revealing a thin chest.

He inhaled deeply, closed his eyes, and silently recited the treatment methods from the “Xuantian Medical Canon.”

Then, he extended his fingers, lightly touching the acupoint known as Heavenly Pool.

Though not as deft as a seasoned physician, each touch landed with uncanny precision, as if guided by some mysterious force.

Heavenly Pool, Heavenly Spring, Crooked Marsh, Gate of Cleft—

One by one, he massaged each point, as though imbuing them with magical energy.

To their astonishment, with each touch, a faint white glow appeared within the old man’s body.

Li Chao’s movements grew ever more practiced, his fingers dancing over the old man’s form like a pianist playing a silent symphony.

His eyes were focused and unwavering, as though he and the old man were now one.

At last, his hand paused over the Central Rush acupoint.

In that instant, nine white dots lit up along the old man’s body, stretching from his chest to the tip of his right middle finger. They formed a sinuous line, winding across his frame like a luminous thread.

This spectacle left the onlookers stunned—even the bespectacled man in the distance stared, dumbfounded.

As the white line appeared, the pallor faded from the old man’s face, replaced by a healthy flush. His breathing became steady and regular. Though he had not yet awakened, he was clearly much improved.

Li Chao exhaled a long breath, a weary but satisfied smile playing on his lips.

He knew he had succeeded.

He had used the skills from the “Xuantian Medical Canon” to save a life.

At that moment,

His heart brimmed with joy and pride.

Li Chao relaxed, not yet fully risen, when an ambulance sped toward them, screeching to a halt beside the crowd.

The doors flung open. A doctor in a white coat emerged, flanked by two nurses, their faces tense and grave.

Seeing the old man on the ground, the doctor’s brow furrowed immediately.

Li Chao straightened, clapped his hands to attract their attention, and said calmly,

“The patient suffered an acute heart attack. I’ve given emergency treatment to the best of my ability. Please take over from here.”

However,

On hearing Li Chao’s words, the doctor’s expression turned frosty. He regarded Li Chao with a sharp, skeptical gaze, his tone laced with disdain and challenge:

“A heart attack? Emergency treatment? Who do you think you are, Hua Tuo reborn? Or Bian Que come again?”

His words dripped with disbelief, even provocation.

He went on, coldly, “We are professional medical personnel, bound by strict protocols and regulations. If your actions made the patient worse, that’s premeditated harm—do you understand?”

Undaunted, Li Chao met the doctor’s challenge head-on. He knew his methods were unorthodox, but their efficacy was undeniable.

He smiled faintly and replied, “I know my identity and my responsibility. But I also know our foremost duty as doctors is to save lives.”

“I’ve done all I can for this elderly gentleman. Now I only hope you’ll continue his care.”

The doctor, meeting Li Chao’s unwavering gaze, felt his skepticism slowly ebb. He took a deep breath, nodded, and signaled the nurses to examine the patient.

Li Chao quietly stepped aside, silently watching as the medical team took over.