Xu Ke hadn't even said a word yet…

Why has Duan Chongfeng already started bowing?! And why the sudden change in how he addresses me?! Wasn't it 'Mister Xu' just a moment ago? Now it's 'Doctor Xu'?!

The reason Duan Chongfeng had changed his form of address was that Xu Ke's piercing gaze was proof enough that he possessed profound medical skill. If not 'Doctor Xu,' what else could he call him?

"Boss Duan, treating you is no problem," Xu Ke said slowly, "however, the process might be somewhat dangerous."

"Dangerous?" Duan Chongfeng was taken aback.

Xu Ke explained, "I need you to expose your heart, without any reservation."

The Blood Jade Monarch allowed one to enter the Innate Realm by using blood energy to guide True Qi, causing a massive surge in both its quantity and quality. Duan Chongfeng's complications were caused by a disturbance in his blood energy. To resolve the issues with his True Qi, the treatment had to start from the heart.

"The heart?" The faces of Duan Chongfeng's two confidants changed dramatically.

If the boss exposes his heart without reservation, wouldn't his life be entirely at Xu Ke's mercy? How can we allow this?!

Qiu Mingli's face also showed a hint of shock. Xu Ke's current relationship with Dapeng Commerce isn't nearly strong enough to warrant Duan Chongfeng exposing his heart.

"Are you certain?" Duan Chongfeng asked after a pause.

"Certain." Xu Ke nodded.

He knows what Duan Chongfeng is really asking, Xu Ke thought. He's asking if I can truly cure him once his heart is exposed.

"Alright then." Duan Chongfeng's eyes showed no hesitation as he gave a carefree smile. "Alright, I'll trust you this time."

At his words, the two confidants' expressions changed drastically. "Boss! Absolutely not!"

They didn't know the first thing about Xu Ke. To rashly expose one's own lifeline to him now was tantamount to suicide.

Xu Ke himself was somewhat stunned. He hadn't expected Duan Chongfeng to agree to such a method so easily. If I had any malicious intent, Duan Chongfeng would meet his end in his own lair today.

"Why not?" Duan Chongfeng looked at the two of them. "I've already made my decision. You don't need to say any more."

Qiu Mingli was astonished. How can Duan Chongfeng trust Xu Ke so easily?!

"But…" one of the confidants still tried to argue.

"No buts. Does my word mean nothing anymore?" Duan Chongfeng's expression turned cold instantly.

The two confidants immediately fell silent.

After settling the matter, Duan Chongfeng turned back to Xu Ke. "Doctor Xu, if you can cure me, I will reward you handsomely." His expression was earnest.

Seeing this, Xu Ke took it seriously. This sudden trust from the other man was truly unexpected. He was silent for a moment before speaking again. "Boss Duan, I have a question."

"Please, go ahead," Duan Chongfeng said.

"Why do you trust me so easily?" Xu Ke asked.

Duan Chongfeng smiled. "There are two reasons."

"Please, tell me."

"First," Duan Chongfeng said slowly, "I've searched all over Jiangnan. Of all the doctors I've seen, fewer than five were able to synthesize my condition—whether through traditional observation or modern instruments—and correctly deduce that I had used the Blood Jade Monarch. Yet you, with very little information, were able to state it as a fact. I can dare to trust that kind of medical expertise!"

Xu Ke was slightly stunned. "And the second reason?"

"The second reason is your personality. It suits my taste. Is that enough?" Duan Chongfeng finished.

Xu Ke smiled back. "It's enough!"

He had originally just wanted to use Duan Chongfeng to build a connection with the Dapeng Commerce Association. But now, seeing Duan Chongfeng agree to his request without a moment's hesitation, he was impressed. Decisive and swift. Xu Ke smiled; Duan Chongfeng's character also suited his taste.

"Let's go. We'll move to the inner room. This isn't the right place to perform the treatment," Xu Ke said earnestly.

Duan Chongfeng looked somewhat astonished. "Can we start the treatment right away?"

I thought he would need to prepare medicinal herbs or other aids for the treatment…

"Yes." Xu Ke nodded. He only needed his silver needles. Ever since the incident at the hospital, Xu Ke had started carrying his silver needles with him.

"Good!" Seeing Xu Ke's determination, Duan Chongfeng took a deep breath and turned to walk into the inner room. He was somewhat excited; the ailment that had troubled him for years might finally be resolved. The thought made his hands tremble slightly.

After Duan Chongfeng and Xu Ke left, the atmosphere in the hall suddenly turned odd. Qiu Mingli and Duan Chongfeng's two confidants stared at each other blankly.

An awkward silence ensued.

…

「The inner room.」

This was where Duan Chongfeng usually rested. However, because he didn't come here often, the place seemed somewhat desolate, though the bed was still clean.

"Please." Xu Ke took out his silver needles and gestured for Duan Chongfeng to lie down.

Duan Chongfeng complied promptly. He then began to relax his body, stopping the flow of his True Qi. Since Xu Ke wanted him to expose his heart, he assumed he was expected to be completely defenseless. Duan Chongfeng had that much courage. Besides, he believed Xu Ke wouldn't dare try anything.

But at that moment, Xu Ke said, "Boss Duan, please circulate your True Qi now."

Hearing this, Duan Chongfeng was startled. "Circulate my True Qi?"

"That's right." Xu Ke nodded. "If your True Qi isn't flowing, I won't be able to pinpoint the problem."

This was also why Xu Ke had been bold enough to ask Duan Chongfeng to expose his heart. If Duan Chongfeng had questioned him, Xu Ke would have simply told him he could remain on full alert during the treatment and not fear being killed by a single needle. But Duan Chongfeng's sudden trust was indeed something Xu Ke hadn't anticipated.

"I see." Duan Chongfeng looked at Xu Ke and chuckled. The next moment, he began to circulate his True Qi, and the mighty aura of the Innate Realm burst forth from his body.

Xu Ke's expression remained unchanged as he calmly reached out and placed his fingers on the pulse point over Duan Chongfeng's heart.

Seeing this, Duan Chongfeng was once again secretly amazed. Xu Ke is only at the Innate Middle Stage, yet he's completely unaffected by my Innate aura. Truly impressive! No wonder he was able to kill Ouyang Shuang.

Xu Ke was oblivious to Duan Chongfeng's thoughts. He was frowning, searching for the source of the obstruction in Duan Chongfeng's True Qi.

Soon, Xu Ke withdrew his fingers and let out a long breath. "Fortunately, it's not too troublesome."

"Really?" Duan Chongfeng's face lit up with joyous surprise. Does this mean my illness will be cured soon?!

"Yes," Xu Ke nodded. "The blood energy within the Blood Jade Monarch is as fierce as a raging fire. Thankfully, your own blood energy is quite strong, Boss Duan, making it a good match. That's why using the Blood Jade Monarch while you were injured didn't cause a more severe backlash."

Duan Chongfeng laughed heartily. "That's good to hear."

"Alright," Xu Ke said as he stood up. "Next, please use your True Qi to protect your heart's meridians. I'll be using my True Qi to guide the needles, and the force will be considerable. You need to be mentally prepared."

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