Chapter 23: Blood Is Thicker Than Water

As Shen Feng pushed open the door, the eyes of many people turned toward him, their gazes a mixture of emotions. Hu Sihai, seeing Zhang Shen arrive, hurried forward.

"Divine Doctor, you’re finally here! I was just praising your medical skills to my family."

"Chairman Hu, you flatter me. I merely know a little bit, hardly worthy of such praise."

Hu Sihai waved his hand, and Shen Feng nodded understandingly, then turned and left the room.

"Brother, who is this?" The speaker was Hu Sihai’s younger brother, Hu Xiong.

"Don’t be rude, Little Brother. This is the divine doctor Zhang Shen who cured Nan Nan’s illness."

Hu Xiong nodded, casting a scrutinizing glance at Zhang Shen, but said nothing more. Although Hu Xiong was not as wealthy as his elder brother, he held a key position in the Yuehu city government, and whenever outsiders spoke of the two sons of the Hu family, they could not help but feel envious.

"Nan Nan, come here. This is the big brother who helped cure you."

In truth, Hu Nan had wanted to approach Zhang Shen as soon as she saw him, but in this family gathering, without permission from her elders, she dared not go over; after all, families like Hu Sihai’s had many rules.

She ran over, calling out, "Big brother, why are you only now arriving?"

Seeing Hu Nan greet Zhang Shen so warmly, Hu Xiong could not help but protest.

"Brother, why does Nan Nan seem closer to this outsider than to me, her own uncle?"

Hu Sihai understood that his brother was being emotional, but seeing Nan Nan and Zhang Shen interact, his heart was filled with joy.

"Little Brother, after all, he healed Nan Nan completely. If you spent less time socializing and more time with Nan Nan, I’m sure she’d be just as close to you as she is to the divine doctor."

Hu Xiong listened in silence.

Zhang Shen felt a bit embarrassed as Hu Sihai praised him so highly in front of his family.

"Chairman Hu, I came in such a hurry today, I didn’t bring any suitable gifts. How about this—if I’m not mistaken, Mr. Hu here seems to have some toxins in his body. I could remove them with silver needles. What do you think?"

Before Hu Sihai could reply, Hu Xiong, hearing mention of toxins in his body, exploded in anger. Clearly, he felt insulted.

"Brother, look at the person you brought! How can he say such things?"

Hu Sihai, unsure of the situation, tried to calm his brother. "Little Brother, don’t be impatient. Let’s hear what the divine doctor has to say."

Zhang Shen spoke, "Chairman Hu, I heard you advised your brother to cut down on social engagements—is that right?"

Hu Sihai nodded repeatedly.

"I made a preliminary observation just now. The toxins in your brother’s body have accumulated over time and are beginning to spread toward his heart. If not treated soon, the consequences could be dire."

Hu Sihai became anxious upon hearing this. Hu Xiong was his own younger brother; if anything happened to him, what would he do?

"Brother, don’t listen to this nonsense. I’m not sick, and there’s no toxin. If anything, it’s you who has a tumor in your head."

Despite Hu Xiong’s agitation, Zhang Shen remained calm. He understood that anyone would react with disbelief upon hearing such news. The fact that Hu Xiong hadn’t resorted to violence was already a gesture of respect for Hu Sihai.

"Mr. Hu, please don’t be angry. Allow me to ask you a few questions."

Seeing the situation shift, Hu Sihai urged his brother to answer earnestly.

"Ask away!"

"Mr. Hu, how was your health in the past?"

"Very good!"

Hu Sihai quickly confirmed this. "Divine Doctor, my brother is telling the truth. He even won the Yuehu city swimming championship before."

"But recently, have you suffered from night sweats, frequent insomnia, and mental fatigue?"

At these words, Hu Xiong’s angry expression softened. After all, this man had only just met him, and his brother wouldn’t have told him such details.

"That’s true."

"Would you like to know the cause, Mr. Hu?"

"I’d like to hear it."

Hu Sihai and Hu Xiong spoke almost in unison.

"It’s quite simple. Mr. Hu, where did you get the jade pendant around your neck?"

Hu Xiong pointed to his necklace. "Divine Doctor, do you mean this?"

"Yes, that’s it."

"It was a gift from a friend. I didn’t think much of it at the time and started wearing it. Is there something wrong with the jade?"

Hu Xiong was bewildered. What could be wrong with the jade?

"The jade itself is harmless, but your constitution is particularly robust, and this jade pendant happens to be an artifact buried with the dead in the previous dynasty. After years away from sunlight, it has grown dark. When it found a new owner, it began to absorb vital energy from the body."

Upon hearing this, Hu Xiong hurriedly yanked the jade from his neck.

"The divine doctor makes sense. This jade was gifted to me two years ago, and since then, my health has felt off. I’ve seen many doctors, but none could diagnose it. Today, finally, I learn the reason. I am truly grateful."

Zhang Shen shook his head. "Mr. Hu, don’t thank me yet. Removing the pendant only relieves your symptoms temporarily, but does not cure the root cause."

"Ah? Throwing it away won’t help?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because the jade has already absorbed a great deal of your vital energy and has adapted to this environment. Even if you throw it away, it will find its way back to you through its spiritual bond."

Hu Xiong collapsed to the ground in alarm.

"Is there a solution, divine doctor?"

At that moment, Zhang Shen looked at Hu Nan.

Hu Sihai, puzzled and anxious, pondered for a long time before finally speaking.

"Is it possible that Nan Nan can cure my brother?"

"What, Nan Nan?"

Zhang Shen nodded again.

"Hu Nan’s blood is exceptionally pure and clear, and can neutralize the jade’s effects."

"Do you mean to draw Nan Nan’s blood?"

"Draw blood?" Zhang Shen quickly shook his head. Only a drop or two would suffice.

Yet even a drop or two made Hu Sihai’s heart ache. After all, his daughter had just undergone acupuncture yesterday, and now her blood was needed to save his brother. Feelings of guilt toward Nan Nan overwhelmed him, and tears sprang to his eyes.

"I am willing to save Uncle!"