Chapter 328: My Acupuncture Needles Can't Wait

Lin Fan was a valued VIP client of the hospital. Any patient referred by him had to be treated with utmost importance. Standard procedures had to be followed.

Huang Yang felt like dying. He dreaded what methods they would use on him. He was truly terrified.

But what followed…

The hospital's actions left him utterly bewildered. He told the doctors, "My leg is broken. Just treat my leg. I don't need anything else. Why are you taking X-rays and drawing blood? What are you trying to do?"

Li Laifu entertained Lin Fan, asking curiously, "Haven't you been cultivating lately?"

This was what he was most curious about.

Why hadn't he been cultivating?

Previously, Lin Fan's problems always arose during cultivation. He'd stick his fingers in sockets, get struck by lightning, or attempt extreme ascensions. These were extreme cultivation methods, effective but highly dangerous. One slight misstep could be fatal.

Fortunately, the hospital's ambulances were fast enough.

Honed over the years, the ambulance drivers possessed exceptional driving skills. While he wouldn't exaggerate too much, they were definitely on par with, if not superior to, legendary racers like the Akina Mountain God.

"Yes, I've been cultivating. I've never given up," Lin Fan replied.

He and Old Zhang were VIP clients. They could lie on operating tables or sit in the dean's office, sipping tea and engaging in serious discussions with the dean. It was a level of interaction many medical professionals envied.

Li Laifu made a bold guess: something was amiss.

Could it be… that Hao Ren had actually cured them?

He had seen Hao Ren's social media posts, boasting about the remarkable effectiveness of Qingshan Mental Hospital's treatment methods and the significant improvement in many patients.

If not for this, he wouldn't know how to explain the current situation.

Li Laifu asked, "Before, when you cultivated, you and Old Zhang would frequently rush to the hospital for emergency treatment. It's been a while since that's happened."

It wasn't just him who missed Lin Fan. The hospital's ambulance drivers missed him too. In the past, upon receiving a call, they knew exactly what to do without further explanation: rush to Qingshan at top speed and transport the patient to the hospital.

But recently, they hadn't received any calls.

They truly missed it.

"I've become stronger. Some cultivation methods can no longer harm me," Lin Fan explained.

Li Laifu was momentarily speechless.

Stronger?

Perhaps that was a valid reason. For him, the prolonged absence of Lin Fan felt dull and bland. Perhaps people truly did take things for granted. He used to see them every day and found it annoying, praying they would leave. Now, after a long absence, he realized not only he, but others missed them dearly.

"For example?" Li Laifu inquired.

"Lightning."

Hearing this, Li Laifu thought, "Hao Ren is truly remarkable. He's actually cured him." After all, being able to avoid lightning strikes was significant progress.

"Anything else?"

"Hmm… Many methods are no longer effective. Now I commune with nature every day."

At this point, Li Laifu breathed a sigh of relief. The illness hadn't been cured; he had been overthinking. It made sense. How could he have been fooled by Hao Ren? Those social media posts were likely just boasts.

Communing with nature?

What kind of cultivation was that? It sounded strange.

Li Laifu said, "You've been quite impressive lately. There have been very few incidents of evil creatures harming people in the city. How did you manage that?"

The rooster, squatting uselessly nearby, perked up at this sensitive topic. Anything related to his brethren was of utmost importance to him.

He listened intently, hoping to glean useful information.

"Of course. Old Zhang and I patrol the streets daily. We do our best to help anyone in need," Lin Fan stated.

Li Laifu clarified, "I'm talking about evil creatures…"

"What are evil creatures?" Lin Fan asked curiously.

The conversation stalled, the atmosphere turning awkward. Li Laifu sighed. "It's my fault. I shouldn't have asked such profound questions. Our trains of thought will never be on the same track."

The evil rooster was getting agitated. "Damn it, you don't even know what evil creatures are? Then how did you end up keeping me around?"

But soon…

He realized a serious problem.

The evil rooster stealthily glanced at Lin Fan. He felt Lin Fan's gaze fixed on him, sending shivers down his spine. "He's discovered me! He knew I was a spy all along! He's just been playing along with me, keeping silent about important matters for fear of me eavesdropping."

The evil rooster's mind spiraled into delusion.

He hadn't been like this before. Although an evil rooster, he possessed decent intelligence. But now… he felt his intelligence gradually declining.

After a while, Li Laifu, having an upcoming surgery, had to end the conversation with Lin Fan. He had much to say after their long separation but would have to wait for another opportunity.

Escorting them to the hospital entrance, Li Laifu said reluctantly, "Come visit often. Not only do I miss you, but the doctors who treated you also miss you very much."

Indeed, through numerous emergency treatments, everyone had developed a deep connection with Lin Fan. They hadn't realized the depth of their affection until after a long absence.

"Okay," Lin Fan smiled.

He waved goodbye to the dean.

This was their second home, a place they would never forget. After their cultivation sessions, he and Old Zhang would often end up here. It felt truly wonderful.

Had Li Laifu known Lin Fan's inner thoughts, he would have been moved to tears. He hadn't realized they held such deep affection for Huatian Hospital.

As for Huang Yang, he was left at the hospital for treatment. 'Shadow,' the agent dispatched by One-Eyed Man to protect Lin Fan, kept a close watch on the situation.

When Huang Yang appeared, he knew something was wrong, very wrong. He suspected the involvement of the still-active Shadow Society, an organization that remained elusive and untraceable.

The members captured by the special department rarely revealed anything. The Shadow Society was adept at maintaining secrecy.

Back at the hospital, a nurse prepared an IV drip for Huang Yang. As he was brought in by a valued VIP client, the hospital treated him with care, assuming he might be a friend. Entering the ward, the nurse stared at the empty bed, bewildered.

"Where is he?"

She asked the patient in the next bed.

The patient replied in astonishment, "Just now, a mysterious person descended from the sky, opened the window, grabbed that patient like a chicken, and jumped out."

The nurse asked, "Are you telling me a story?"

"No, I'm telling the truth," the patient insisted.

The nurse went to the window and looked down, relieved he hadn't jumped. She then went to report the situation to the dean.

Outside, Lin Fan asked with a smile, "Doesn't it feel good to be back in a familiar place?"

Old Zhang replied, "Yes, it's really good. I miss that comfortable single bed."

As they chatted, a voice called out from afar, "Master Lin Fan…"

Hearing someone call their names, Lin Fan and Old Zhang turned around, looking curiously towards the source of the voice.

"Hello," Lin Fan greeted with a smile.

It was Wu Sheng. He was supposed to be in Changbai Mountain. How did he end up here? It was quite strange.

Wu Sheng approached them. "Hello."

He knew these two were particular about formalities. Greetings and pleasantries were essential, especially upon meeting. It was standard practice, a sign of respect. He couldn't afford to be casual, lest he cause unnecessary misunderstandings.

Lin Fan asked, "Aren't you in Changbai Mountain? Why are you here? Have you explored everything there and decided to come back for a visit?"

Wu Sheng sighed inwardly. Perhaps, to Lin Fan, the dangerous Changbai Mountain was merely a tourist destination.

"Something happened. I need your help, Master."

He spoke truthfully, without hiding anything. Only the master could help with this matter. They had encountered trouble in Changbai Mountain, and one of the clan elders was gravely injured, on the verge of death. The situation was dire.

Lin Fan replied seriously, "Okay, no problem. Old Zhang and I are dedicated to helping those in need. Tell me, what's the problem?"

"It's not me, but one of my clan elders. His injuries are extremely severe, beyond the reach of ordinary medicine. I can only implore you, Master, to lend your life-reviving acupuncture to save his life," Wu Sheng explained.

He was a firm believer in Old Zhang's abilities.

Old Zhang patted his chest. "Don't worry. I'm happy you have such faith in me. Someone else didn't believe me earlier, which was truly disheartening."

Wu Sheng's expression turned strange. Someone didn't believe in the master? Who would pass up such a tremendous opportunity?

Honestly, he felt sorry for such a person.

If he weren't averse to spreading the word, countless powerful individuals would be vying for the master's acupuncture. It was a pity someone didn't cherish it.

Wu Sheng continued, "Master, I'll definitely offer something in return for your help. Although it can't compare to your acupuncture's power, it's the only thing I can offer as gratitude."

Old Zhang looked at him puzzled, not understanding what he meant. It was just acupuncture. Why the need for gratitude?

He couldn't grasp it.

Lin Fan said, "No need for thanks. Although our relationship isn't as close as Old Zhang and mine, you're still a friend. Helping friends is what we do. Don't be so polite."

Wu Sheng stared at him in surprise, clearly not expecting such a response.

He knew there was no such thing as a free lunch, but Lin Fan's words truly touched him.

However, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss.

He couldn't pinpoint what it was, though.

Old Zhang urged, "Let's go and take a look. My acupuncture needles can't wait."