Chapter 3 Joseph Died

"Andrew, do you have to be so despicably shameless?" Jessica retorted with disdain. "I've tried to woo you fairly and squarely! I’ve sent you roses, bags, and whatnot! But you wouldn’t even give me the chance to take you out for dinner or see a movie. Now, your grandfather's life hangs in my hands. It's your choice whether he lives or dies." Daniel stepped forward, assuredly telling Jessica, "I can save your grandfather's life." "You can save him? Who let this idiot in here? Didn't you know that this area is off-limits to outsiders? Get out of here, now!" Brittany, who had not noticed Daniel before and was unaware he was brought by Jessica, mistakenly thought he was trouble. "He's my newly hired assistant, Daniel," Jessica clarified. A new assistant? It clicked in Brittany's mind, and she scolded Daniel, "Are you trying to impress Ma'am Jessica by saying such nonsensical things? Even if you want to show off, you should at least know what you’re doing! If Michael has no solution, what can you do? You're not even a doctor! Only Master Christopher can save the chairman now." Daniel ignored Brittany and seriously said to Jessica, "I'm absolutely confident that I can bring your grandfather back." "Shut up!" yelled Jessica, who clearly didn’t believe Daniel. If even Michael said it was hopeless, how could this young man possibly save him? Her grandfather couldn't die! Gritting her teeth, Jessica told Andrew, "If Master Christopher can save my grandfather, I will agree to marry you!" "Great! That's more like it!" A triumphantly smug smile spread across Andrew's face. "Master Christopher, I'm counting on you. Save him, and whatever I promised you before, I'll double it." "I seldom intervene, but when I do, I can snatch life from the jaws of death! I will save Mr. Joseph for Mr. Andrew!" Christopher proclaimed. His assistant brought a sandalwood box, which sprang open with a loud bang, emitting a golden glow. Inside were nine radiant needles, each with a meticulously carved kirin—a creature of great mystical power in Eastern legends—on the tip. Christopher's hands, more delicate than a woman's and as pure as white jade, passed slowly over the needles, causing them to stand erect and buzz softly in the box. This magical display astonished everyone present. "Wow! He didn't even touch the needles and they stood up. Master Christopher is incredible!" "That's called 'energy needle control', a divine skill. Master Yin was a famous healer 30 years ago, and now he's a deity!" "Of course, he's a god; otherwise, how could he save people from death itself?" Amid the praise, Christopher waved his hand, and the nine needles zoomed into the air above Joseph, circling like eagles. "With the first needle, Ascending, rest the soul and steady the body!" He uttered a chant as a needle whizzed down, striking precisely into Joseph’s Ascending acupoint. As soon as the needle pierced the skin, Joseph's pallid visage regained some color. Brittany turned to Jessica, excitement in her voice. "Ma'am Jessica, look! The chairman can be saved. With just one needle, Master Christopher has restored your father's complexion." "Quiet." From the first needle, it seemed Christopher genuinely had skills that warranted the title of a divine healer. However, Daniel was unimpressed because he had already diagnosed the true cause of Joseph's ailment, knowing that Christopher's diagnosis was incorrect. The first needle targeted the Ascending, and Daniel knew the second would inevitably be the Spirit Ruins, followed by Noble Palace, then God’s Place. These are critical points in Eastern medicine that, with the right techniques, can save or harm a person. Once the needle hits God’s Place, Joseph would certainly face death—a false death, to be precise, from which there would be only fifteen minutes to recover. Any longer, and it would be too late; even Daniel wouldn't be able to do anything. "The second is Spirit Ruins, to replenish blood and essence," declared Christopher as Joseph's cracked lips regained moisture. "The third is Noble Palace, to revitalize the body." Joseph's fingertips twitched ever so slightly. "The fourth is God’s Place, to reignite the spirit and continue life!" Upon the fourth needle's entry, Joseph suddenly sat upright on his bed. His body seemed stiff, and his eyes lifeless, but the medical equipment showed his vitals rapidly returning to normal. Christopher froze, bewildered by the unexpected turn of events. He had revived Joseph with just four needles, something even he found unbelievable. However, the result was what mattered, and he just assumed his medical skills had improved. "With four needles to save, five will beckon the return!" The remaining five needles suspended in the air shot back into their sandalwood box. Joseph laid back down, the medical monitors steadying but still slowly improving—proof his condition was stabilizing. Christopher put away the needles and congratulated Jessica, "Miss Jessica, I've brought your grandfather back. I’ve facilitated your good fortune with Mr. Andrew. You two better invite me as your matchmaker to toast at your wedding!" "You haven't saved him; you've killed him. This is just a glaring sign before death. In less than half a minute, Mr. Joseph will be gone," Daniel stated, incensing the newly relieved Jessica. Her grandfather had barely been saved, and this scoundrel claimed he was mortally doomed! "Y-you're the one dying!" Jessica cursed. The monitors beeped rapidly, and suddenly, all the readings dropped to zero. Joseph was dead?