Top Soldier Pursued by a Beauty

Han Qingtian's face took on a serious expression. "Young friend Zhao, feel free to speak your mind."

Zhao Dong was silent for a moment before saying, "I suspect that your incident this time, Family Head Han, wasn't due to illness, but... poison."

"What?!"

For a moment, the hospital room fell deathly silent. Han Chuxue looked at Zhao Dong in shock, her voice trembling slightly. "Zhao Dong... what do you mean? Are you saying someone poisoned Grandfather?"

Zhao Dong nodded. "Yes, the Old Master's symptoms are very similar to poisoning."

Han Chuxue asked in confusion, "But if it was poison, why didn't the previous doctors detect it? They drew his blood."

Beside them, Han Jianping and Han Jian'an also wore grave expressions. Han Qingtian narrowed his eyes, his aged gaze filled with inscrutable emotions. Soon, he asked hoarsely, "Young friend Zhao Dong, can you determine what kind of poison it might be?"

Zhao Dong pondered for a moment. "Old Master, has the food you ate earlier been tested?"

Han Qingtian was taken aback and shook his head. "No."

From the side, Han Jianping said, "Young friend Zhao Dong, could you be mistaken? If it was a problem with the food, then we all should have been poisoned."

Zhao Dong said calmly, "No. Some substances can undergo specific reactions, yet pose no issue when consumed or tested individually."

Everyone was stunned. Indeed, that was a possibility.

Han Jianping slapped his forehead and shouted to the servants at the door, "Quick! Was this morning's meal thrown in the trash? Send someone to secure the trash can!"

Upon hearing the command, a servant hurried off. However, just a moment later, he rushed back in and said, "Family Head, Masters, this morning's food has already been completely disposed of. It can't be found..."

Han Jianping's mouth twitched, and he said in frustration, "What do we do now? Are there any other clues?"

Just then, Han Qingtian said cheerfully, "Alright, our young friend Zhao Dong has raised the issue, and I will be more careful myself. Let's let this matter go for now. Everyone, just be more vigilant in the future!"

His words settled the matter, but Han Qingtian regarded Zhao Dong thoughtfully.

Zhao Dong also caught that look and, after a second's pause, understood Han Qingtian's intention. The reason he's stopping this topic now is that he fears the culprit might be among the people right in front of them!

At this moment, Zhao Shiren let out a long sigh, his face heavy with shame.

Zhao Dong was startled, only then noticing that Zhao Shiren was still kneeling before him. He immediately said, "Dr. Zhao, what is this?"

Zhao Shiren looked at Zhao Dong, his expression full of sorrow and shame. He sighed heavily. "Young friend Zhao Dong, this old man is ashamed! I wish I could slap myself a few times!"

No sooner had he spoken than he slapped his own face with a loud SMACK. He then sighed, "Young friend Zhao Dong, I, Zhao Shiren, am kneeling to apologize to you. I was blind and failed to recognize your greatness. I am deeply ashamed!"

The Han family was stunned. Although Miracle Doctor Zhao had not succeeded today, it didn't change the fact that he was a famous physician in East Sea. Only the most influential figures could secure his services, making his status truly extraordinary. Yet he was... kneeling and apologizing to Zhao Dong?

Zhao Dong was also puzzled. "Dr. Zhao, if there's an issue, let's discuss it. What are you doing?"

Zhao Shiren said guiltily, "Young friend Zhao, I, Zhao Shiren, was once arrogant and self-righteous. I always believed my medical skills were unmatched and gradually grew conceited. But seeing you today, I realize how ridiculous I was! Young friend Zhao, if I'm not mistaken, the technique you used earlier was the Soul Reviving Seven Absolute Needles, correct?"

Zhao Dong arched an eyebrow and smiled. "Indeed."

Zhao Shiren's eyes instantly filled with intense excitement, and his voice trembled. "Young friend Zhao, you... you actually know the Soul Reviving Seven Absolute Needles! It's incredible!"

From the side, Han Qingtian exclaimed in surprise, "Miracle Doctor Zhao, is this Soul Reviving Seven Absolute Needles technique you speak of very powerful?"

Still shaken, Zhao Shiren said, "The Soul Reviving Seven Absolute Needles is one of the eighty-one top-tier acupuncture techniques. As the name implies, the Seven Absolute Needles consist of seven crucial needles. If one masters them all, it's said that they could even pull someone who has already drawn their last breath back from the gates of hell! This shows just how formidable the Seven Absolute Needles are!

"And I... have been studying them for nearly forty years and have only deciphered the third needle! Even my mentor only managed to decipher the fourth. His lifelong wish was to master these Seven Absolute Needles, but..."

Hearing Zhao Shiren's description, the members of the Han family were also stunned. Han Chuxue asked in amazement, "Dr. Zhao, you don't mean that Zhao Dong... he knows the seventh needle, do you?"

Zhao Shiren said with deep emotion, "Young friend Zhao has not only mastered all seven needles but applies them with an exquisite finesse that can only be described as masterful. In all my years, I have never seen a young man with such talent. Not even my mentor's skills could compare to his!"

The Han family was completely dumbfounded. Han Chuxue's mouth was slightly agape, her face a picture of pure shock. Is Zhao Dong... really that incredible?

The next second, Zhao Shiren dropped to his knees with a THUD and kowtowed to Zhao Dong. "Mr. Zhao! I, Zhao Shiren, have an audacious request. Would you take me as your disciple? I am willing to serve you like an ox or a horse!"

The room fell into dead silence; everyone was stunned. Zhao Dong smiled and helped Zhao Shiren up.

He had a fairly good impression of Zhao Shiren, as he had heard about some of his deeds. Although Zhao Shiren had a somewhat proud disposition, he had earned a fine reputation over his many years of practice. He never fawned on the powerful and would even waive medical fees for the poor who couldn't afford to pay. Over the years, Zhao Shiren had built an excellent reputation among the common people.

"Miracle Doctor Zhao, you're too kind. I am still young; it wouldn't be appropriate for me to take you as a disciple. However, if you wish to learn, I can teach you the final four needles. I have only one condition: that you perform good deeds and use your skills to help the people. Can you do that?"

Tears welled up in Zhao Shiren's eyes. He kowtowed heavily three times. "Thank you, Mr. Zhao! I, Zhao Shiren, vow to spend my life doing good deeds, never fawning on the powerful or chasing profit. If any of the common people are in hardship, I will help them without charge!"

Zhao Dong smiled. "Good. We'll find a time later, and I will pass on the remaining needles to you."

Overcome with emotion, tears streaming down his face, Zhao Shiren exchanged contact information with Zhao Dong and then left.

The members of the Han family looked at each other, marveling in silence. Han Qingshan, in particular, had a look of pure delight in his eyes. I've found a real treasure!

Han Qingtian coughed. "Chuxue, our young friend Zhao will be having dinner with us today. Why don't you show him around the Han Family estate for a while before we eat?"

Han Chuxue was reluctant. "Grandfather, let someone else show him around. I... I don't really want to."

Han Qingtian immediately broke into a coughing fit. "Chuxue," he said between coughs, "your grandfather is old and useless now. Are you going to disobey me?"

Han Chuxue's face turned pale, and she was on the verge of tears. "Grandfather, I'll listen... I'll listen to you!"

Han Qingtian instantly stopped coughing and said cheerfully, "Good. Then take Zhao Dong for a walk."

Zhao Dong was helpless. Neither he nor Han Chuxue were fools; they could clearly see that Han Qingtian was trying to set them up. He glanced at Han Chuxue and smiled. "Let's go for a walk."

Han Chuxue glared at Zhao Dong before turning and walking out the door. Zhao Dong glanced at Han Qingtian, who winked back at him with a broad smile.

Zhao Dong shrugged helplessly and followed Han Chuxue out of the room.

The two of them left the villa and began walking along the shore of the man-made lake on the Han Family estate, one in front of the other.

As Han Chuxue walked ahead, Zhao Dong followed behind, admiring her with amazement. Han Chuxue's figure was simply top-tier. Especially in that black, hip-hugging camisole dress and white tall boots, her legs looked long, shapely, and straight, stirring an impulse to take liberties. Her slender willow waist looked as if it could be encircled by a single grasp, and her long black hair, cascading to her lower back, added to her unique charm. It had to be said, Han Chuxue was indeed a peerless beauty!

Perhaps sensing his gaze, Han Chuxue suddenly stopped and turned to face him. A blush crept up her face, and a hint of angry embarrassment showed in her eyes. "What are you looking at?"

Zhao Dong was startled and touched his nose. "Nothing. What's up?"

"I feel like you're staring at me."

"Where was I staring?"

Han Chuxue bit her lip, sat down on a park bench by the lake, and glared at Zhao Dong. "You can sit, too."

Zhao Dong glanced at her and sat down beside her. Finally, Han Chuxue said, "I should thank you for saving my grandfather today. But don't think for a second that I'm going to be nice to you."

Zhao Dong gave a wry smile. "Why?"

Han Chuxue said coldly, "You know why. I'll remember what you did forever. It's a scar on my heart! I will always hate you. And another thing, don't take anything my grandfather said later seriously. There's no way I could ever be with you."

Zhao Dong shrugged. "I wasn't planning on getting involved with you, either."

Han Chuxue froze, her embarrassment quickly turning to rage. She pounded her fist on Zhao Dong's shoulder. "Zhao Dong, you bastard! Only I get to reject you! You don't get to reject me!"

"Why not? It's called gender equality," Zhao Dong said earnestly.

Han Chuxue was so furious she felt her vision darken and stood up to leave.

But in the next instant, her face turned deathly pale, losing all color. Then, as if losing consciousness, she crumpled and fell straight toward the ground.