Chapter 48: The Reverse Version of the Nine Restoring Yang Needles

Marvin stood silently in the direction of Feazer Medical Clinic. He didn't utter a word, but his actions made his stance clear.

Although Tracy was bewildered, she wasn't in the mood to question him. Her thoughts were consumed with worry for the Harmony Clinic.

What troubled her most was the overwhelming number of people on the opposing side—all of them influential figures. Even with Marvin's support, it felt like trying to stop a flood with a single sandbag.

Moments later, another man arrived. Upon seeing Marvin, he approached quickly and asked, "How's it going? Hasn't Julian arrived yet?"

Marvin shook his head with a bitter smile. "No. I still have no idea what this so-called 'opportunity' he mentioned is. He's being mysterious, as usual."

"You know how he is—he enjoys being cryptic. We'll just have to wait and see. But tell me, why is Harmony Clinic so packed today?"

"Quin Lynn brought half of his fellow disciples here to support him. With that kind of manpower, how could it not be crowded?"

"Well… we're truly outnumbered. I hope Julian isn't pulling our leg."

The two of them had agreed to support their old friend Julian in aiding the medical staff at Feazer Clinic. The three of them had once been roommates, sharing a deep bond. They trusted that Julian had a reason for asking them to come.

Yet, the pressure was mounting.

Even if those on the other side weren't more skilled, their unity and numbers made them intimidating.

And compared to that... well, they didn't exactly inspire confidence.

Quin Lynn's expression turned grim as he noticed the two men standing on the opposing side.

Drawn by the noise outside, Fred and Charlie came out. Their faces darkened upon seeing Marvin and his companion.

Fred stepped forward and said sternly, "Marvin, I know you and Quin don't get along, but showing up to sabotage the opening of his clinic? That's going too far."

To him, it looked like they were here to cause trouble.

"If you still consider us fellow disciples, then come join us at Harmony Clinic right now!"

Being the earliest students under Holbrook Davis, Fred and Charlie held seniority. Their words carried weight.

Suddenly, Marvin and his companion felt tremendous pressure. Inwardly, they cried out:

Julian, damn it! Where are you? We can't hold on much longer!

Just then, a thunderous voice rang out from afar:

"Hmph! Fred, Charlie—you're acting so high and mighty. Did you think I was dead!?"

Everyone turned toward the source of the voice, and a wave of shock rippled through the crowd.

An elderly man in white strode swiftly toward them, Julian at his side.

It was none other than Holbrook Davis, the revered master of traditional medicine.

"Mr. Davis!"

Fred and the others blanched with fear, rushing to greet him respectfully. But Holbrook angrily brushed off their hands and snapped, "Get out of my sight! I, Holbrook Davis, have never taught disciples like you!"

"Mr. Davis, what's going on?"

Fred and the others were stunned. They had never seen their teacher so enraged.

Holbrook didn't bother answering. He moved through the crowd and stopped before John.

Then, to everyone's astonishment, he bowed deeply and declared:

"Mr. Lopez, I humbly ask you to accept me as your disciple."

Boom!

It was like a pail of ice water thrown into a pot of boiling oil. Chaos erupted in everyone's minds.

Did they hear that right?

Holbrook Davis—their teacher, a master of traditional medicine—was asking this young man to become his teacher?

He must be insane!

Fred's eyes bulged. "Mr. Davis, what are you doing?! How can you take him as your teacher?!"

If Holbrook acknowledged John as his teacher, then logically, they would have to call John teacher too.

Unacceptable!

Before Fred could finish voicing his outrage, Holbrook slapped him hard across the face.

"How dare you interrupt? I'm speaking to Mr. Lopez. What gives you the right to butt in?!"

Fred clutched his burning cheek, too terrified to speak.

Though he was the director of the New York People's Hospital and held considerable status, before Holbrook, he was nothing more than a student.

A slap from Holbrook wasn't negotiable.

Once again, Holbrook bowed to John with utmost sincerity and pleaded, "Mr. Lopez, please accept me as your disciple."

John's expression remained cold. "Now's not the time for that. Let's deal with the situation at hand first. We'll talk about discipleship later."

He exhaled heavily.

Finally... you noticed me, didn't you? I couldn't hold back any longer!

John's long-restrained fury erupted. He charged forward, grabbed Quin by the collar, and slammed him to the ground.

"You bastard! Kowtow to my sister—twenty times, now!"

Bang! Bang! Bang!

He forced Quin's head down, again and again, eyes blazing with fury.

"My sister is one of the kindest people you'll ever meet. And you dared to bully her? Tell me, how the hell am I supposed to swallow this rage?!"

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Quin's head began to bleed, but John didn't stop. After twenty kowtows, he dragged Quin over to a woman and her daughter and pressed his head down once more.

"These twenty kowtows are for this woman and her daughter. You didn't just wrong them—you owe them a life. How do you plan to repay that debt?"

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Another twenty kowtows followed. Quin's head was a mess of blood and bruises.

He passed out from the pain.

But John wasn't done.

He took out a silver needle and jabbed it into Quin's Baihui acupoint, barking, "Did I say you could faint?"

A sharp jolt of agony surged through Quin's body, snapping him awake.

The torment continued.

Though the pain was excruciating, Quin had no choice but to remain conscious and endure.

His forehead was a crimson ruin.

Would John show mercy?

Not a chance.

Quin was a murderer. He didn't deserve sympathy.

"I made you kowtow forty times. Are you convinced now?" John growled.

Quin, bloodied and barely able to lift his head, still shook it.

He knew that if he admitted defeat today, his reputation—and his life—would be over.

"Fine. You want to die? Then I'll grant your wish."

John's gaze turned icy. With a flick of his hand, more than ten silver needles appeared between his fingers and pierced into Quin's acupoints in a bizarre, complex sequence.

The onlookers—Fred and the other disciples of Holbrook—stared in disbelief.

The needlework seemed awkward, even twisted.

And yet… something about it was familiar.

Suddenly, someone trembled violently and gasped, "Wait… Is that the reverse version of the Nine Restoring Yang Needles?!"