Chapter 49 – Visit the Pioneer

The technique John used was the reverse version of the legendary Nine Restoring Yang Needles.

Ordinarily, this needle method was designed to save patients on the brink of death by restoring their Yang energy—bringing them back from the edge of collapse and even brushing against the boundary between life and death.

But when reversed?

It became a terrifying technique used for soul transfer.

Each insertion became not an act of salvation—but one of torment. It was a cruel art, one that tortured both the body and the soul.

When all twelve needles were reversed, even the strongest of men would be scared out of their wits.

John held Quin down with one hand, deftly inserting needles with the other. In the blink of an eye, the tenth needle struck home.

Quin's body convulsed violently.

The pain didn't just tear through his flesh—it ravaged his soul. It felt as though the needles were piercing straight into his brain, twisting through his consciousness like icy daggers.

The crowd stood paralyzed in shock.

Part of their disbelief stemmed from John's sheer ruthlessness. But more than that, they were stunned by the existence of a tenth needle in the Nine Restoring Yang Needles.

Had everything they learned over decades of study... been wrong?

Perhaps only one man could answer that question—Holbrook. But right now, the old master was too overwhelmed to speak. His weathered face flushed red with excitement, eyes shining with uncontainable emotion.

"Death holds no regrets for those who glimpse the truth," he muttered reverently.

He never expected to witness the complete Nine Restoring Yang Needles in his lifetime—especially not in his twilight years. Even if John refused to take him as a disciple, just seeing this legendary technique in its entirety would be enough.

Only two more needles left...

He couldn't wait to witness the twelfth needle—the one spoken of only in whispers and legends.

But Holbrook seemed to forget: if John truly finished all twelve needles on Quin, the man would almost certainly die.

"AAARGH! I'LL TALK! I'LL TALK! PLEASE—NO MORE!" Quin finally broke.

He confessed to everything: from the day he had falsely diagnosed the little girl, to his recent attempt to smear the name of Feazer Clinic. He admitted Tracy's innocence, as well as that of the woman involved.

Gasps swept through the crowd.

And then... silence.

A silence filled with swelling rage.

They had trusted Quin.

They had respected him.

To realize he was nothing more than a shameless fraud—an absolute disgrace—filled the onlookers with disgust. Pity for Quin evaporated instantly. Moments ago, they had felt sorry watching him writhe in agony. Now, they wished John had pushed him even further.

John exhaled softly, finally satisfied. He turned to Tracy, his voice gentle but resolute.

"My sister... I told you—so long as I'm here, no one will dare to bully you."

Killing Quin outright would have been easy. But John never intended to simply silence him—he wanted the truth. Without it, even if Quin were dead, rumors would have lingered, leaving Feazer Clinic under a cloud.

"My little brother..." Tracy whispered.

Overcome by emotion, she rushed into John's arms, tears streaming down her face.

John chuckled lightly, brushing her cheek.

"Tracy, everyone's watching. Your makeup is a mess."

Through her tears, she laughed. "Alright, alright. I won't cry anymore."

Their heartfelt reunion cast a warm light over the grim proceedings. But it was soon interrupted by Holbrook's low, grumbling voice.

"Mr. Lopez... will you accept me as your disciple?"

He regretted nothing more than Quin's weakness. Only two needles left! The complete Nine Restoring Yang Needles were within reach—even if reversed, it was still a miraculous sight.

If only that fool Quin had held out a little longer!

Holbrook gritted his teeth in frustration. Can't that idiot contribute just a little more to medical advancement?

John turned to Holbrook, seeing the seriousness in the old master's eyes.

"I'll accept you as my apprentice," he said. "And I'll teach you the Nine Restoring Yang Needles—but on one condition. You must serve as an attending physician at my sister's Feazer Clinic for three years."

Reputation was everything in traditional medicine. And in the entire state of New York, there was no one more renowned than Holbrook Davis.

With Holbrook stationed at the Feazer Clinic, John knew the clinic's name would spread like wildfire—perhaps even within two weeks.

Holbrook's face lit up.

"I accept! If Mr. Lopez agrees to teach me, I'd be willing to work at the Feazer Clinic until the day I die, let alone for three years!"

Julian, standing nearby, reminded him tactfully, "Mr. Davis, you should address him as your teacher."

Holbrook snapped out of his excitement and immediately bowed, correcting himself,

"I am the student Holbrook Davis. I greet my respected teacher, Mr. Lopez."

He was about to kneel when John quickly stepped forward to stop him. The old man might break something if he tried that!

Julian, ever astute, saw the opportunity and immediately followed suit.

He dropped to one knee, declaring, "I am Julian White. It is my honor to meet you, Mr. Lopez!"

What a clever man.

And he didn't stop there—he subtly tugged on Marvin and another peer beside him. They immediately understood and dropped to their knees as well.

"Mr. Lopez!" they echoed in unison.

Across from them, Fred and his group looked thoroughly embarrassed.

They finally understood why their teacher Holbrook had been so insistent on taking John as a mentor.

Mr. Lopez is clearly a master beyond compare!

Fred stepped forward, face strained with guilt.

"Mr. Davis, we were deceived by Quin Lynn. Please forgive us."

Holbrook snorted.

"Don't ask me for forgiveness. You should ask your master teacher."

Fred's eyes lit up.

That meant... Holbrook acknowledged they were still his students—and that John was now their grandmaster teacher!

They all quickly knelt and shouted in unison, "Please forgive us!"

John gave a faint wave of his hand.

"That depends on my sister. You can get up when she forgives you."