Qin Ju trusted Xu Mu completely—there was no reason for him to boast or pretend.
If the treatment truly couldn't work, Xu Mu would have simply said so. Why would he risk his reputation for nothing?
Qin Qiaoqiao glanced at her grandfather's calm expression, bit her lip, and finally released Xu Mu.
Tears, however, were already welling in her eyes.
"Don't be so nervous. I still have one last step," Xu Mu said lightly.
He took out another silver needle and pricked the Hegu acupoint on Qin Wu's hand.
After twisting it gently a few times, Qin Wu's body began to tremble.
Then, his entire frame shook violently, his brows furrowed—and in the next instant, his eyes opened.
Qin Ju froze in disbelief, then tears streamed down his wrinkled face.
He had only hoped for a miracle—he never imagined it would truly work.
"Son… you're awake?" Qin Ju's voice quivered.
"Dad… what happened to me?" Qin Wu muttered, frowning as he tried to sit up, only to realize he had no strength at all.
"Dad!"
Qin Qiaoqiao burst into sobs, throwing herself into his arms. "You're finally awake! Finally!"
Qin Yanzi looked at Xu Mu in astonishment. She had never imagined this young man's medical skill could be so profound. Just moments ago, he'd said he only "knew a little."
They had invited so many renowned doctors, all of whom failed—yet he cured it with a few needles.
[Fate Power -10]
Chen Xuan was stunned. What had this guy done?
It made no sense! He knew there were gu worms inside—how could silver needles kill them?
"Humph! And you were mocking him just now!"
Qin Qiaoqiao turned and pointed at Chen Xuan furiously. "You needed heavenly treasures and even wanted me to be your servant—what an ego!"
Chen Xuan's expression darkened. He hadn't expected to be humiliated the moment he descended the mountain.
"This brother's method would have worked too," Xu Mu said kindly, patting Chen Xuan's shoulder. "It just would've been a bit more troublesome."
Chen Xuan shot him a look. That only made it worse. Wasn't that basically saying, you're just not as good as me?
He took a deep breath and turned to Qin Yanzi. "Miss Qin, do I still need to refund the payment?"
"No," Qin Yanzi replied with a smile. "I'm in a good mood today—consider it a red envelope for you."
"Then I'll gladly accept."
Chen Xuan turned away. "Since the patient's awake, I'll be leaving."
"Why not stay for dinner?" Qin Yanzi offered politely.
"No need," he said flatly—his face burning.
He'd made a grand show of confidence, claimed few could cure the illness, demanded conditions—
only for another man to fix it in minutes.
Best to leave before the shame deepened.
Qin Ju clapped Xu Mu heartily on the shoulder. One divine medicine for his son's life—worth every bit.
"Young man, you didn't disappoint me! Tell me what you want—it'll be your reward."
"Didn't I owe you a favor?" Xu Mu smiled.
"The favor was just to get you here. That's separate from your reward," Qin Ju chuckled, throwing an arm over his shoulder. "How about letting my granddaughter serve you for a few days?"
"Grandpa! What are you saying!"
Qin Qiaoqiao's face turned scarlet. She glared at him, then shot a quick look at Xu Mu. "I—I'm not doing that!"
After all, this guy had mocked her chest earlier—she hadn't forgotten.
"Senior," Xu Mu said, chuckling, "actually, I do need some help. I'm looking for Fifth-Grade Black Angelica. Do you have any?"
"We do! How many?" Qin Ju asked.
"Three will do. I can trade three Stone Flowers for them." Xu Mu smiled.
He'd come to the right place indeed—the Qin family truly was a powerful ancient clan with plenty of rare treasures.
"Two are enough—I'll give you one extra," Qin Ju said warmly. "Anything else you need?"
"Do you have any Blackleaf Grass? Just one stalk. I'll trade another Stone Flower."
Xu Mu still had three Blue Sunflowers left—originally four, but he'd used one to save Dai Xingluo.
Three Blue Sunflowers, plus three Black Angelicas and two Blackleaf Grasses—along with other herbs—would yield about seven or eight pills.
"We have plenty of Blackleaf Grass," Qin Ju said. "I once explored a ruin full of them. You can have it for free."
He turned to Qin Yanzi. "Yanzi, go fetch them."
"Alright." She nodded gently.
"Here are the Stone Flowers," Xu Mu said, taking two from his pocket.
"You keep heavenly treasures in your pocket?" Qin Yanzi laughed softly. "You're something else."
She left with a smile.
Xu Mu turned to Qin Ju. "Senior, your son's awake, but his body's still weak. I'll prescribe a tonic to nourish his Qi and blood. After ten days, he should fully recover."
"Thank you," Qin Ju said sincerely, eyes filled with gratitude.
He'd been right not to kill that woman back then—it had brought him fortune indeed.
He recalled how he had hesitated to kill Xu Ningbing. Her body had perfectly absorbed the divine medicine at the Internal Force stage—a sign of great talent.
And then Xu Mu had appeared, resolving his doubts and changing his fate.
"By the way," Qin Ju said suddenly, "are you married?"
"I am," Xu Mu replied, typing a message to send Qin Ju the list of herbs.
"Would you mind… adding one more?"
"Huh?" Xu Mu froze.
Qin Qiaoqiao's eyes widened too—she instantly guessed what her grandfather meant. Surely he didn't plan to marry her off to this guy!
"My granddaughter's about twenty, a sect disciple—surely a good match for you?" Qin Ju said with a grin.
Truth be told, the old man was tempted.
Even without medical skill, Xu Mu's alchemy alone made him worth keeping close. He wasn't bad-looking either—and his strength…
If they could become in-laws, the Qin family's standing would soar.
"Grandpa! I'm done talking to you!"
Qin Qiaoqiao shouted and ran outside.
"Senior, that's… a bit fast," Xu Mu said awkwardly, scratching his head. "Maybe we should, uh, get to know each other first."
No wonder hidden clans were so direct—straight to 'mind adding one more wife?' left him utterly speechless.
Still, he understood. Qin Ju was after his ability, nothing more.
After obtaining the herbs, Xu Mu excused himself and left. Before he went, Qin Ju made sure Qiaoqiao exchanged contact info with him.
Meanwhile...
On the border between Jiangbei and Jiangnan, a man stepped out of a mountain cave, smiling.
It was Fang Chu.
He raised his head toward the sky, grinning, and clenched his fist. "Three years have passed! I shall endure no longer. Power and beauty—all shall belong to me!"
His first task: make his wife's family see his true worth.
Then he would gather Li Yun, Zhao Yingying, and Lu Xueyao—all into his harem.
Xu Mu?
How could that trash compare to him?
Above Fang Chu, a plane thundered across the sky.
Inside, Xu Mu sneezed, rubbing his nose as he looked out the window. "Who's thinking about me?"