Chapter 167: Shi Huqing
Ji Xiong and Wu Qiuyue were already seated, and there was another man in the private room. The man looked to be in his forties, completely bald, and sported a large gold necklace around his neck and protective sleeves on his arms. Zhao Dong could tell at a glance that this man had been mixed up in the underworld. He exuded a certain fierceness, and Zhao Dong suspected his arms were covered in tattoos beneath those sleeves.
However, despite his formidable presence, the middle-aged man also emitted a sense of tranquility.
This is strange, Zhao Dong thought. The only possibility is that he's washed his hands of his old life and is now a sincere and decent person. Otherwise, he wouldn't have such a serene aura.
Seeing Zhao Dong and Ji Xueyao enter, Ji Xiong quickly stood up and said with a smile, "Xiao Dong, come and sit. Let me introduce you. This is the owner of this place, Shi Huqing. He's also a good friend of mine. We've known each other for many years."
Zhao Dong naturally didn't want to slight Ji Xiong, so he smiled at Shi Huqing. "Nice to meet you, Boss Shi."
Shi Huqing's eyebrows raised slightly. He smiled back at Zhao Dong before turning to Ji Xiong with a frown. "Old Ji, are you kidding me? The distinguished guest you mentioned is *him*?"
Ji Xiong whispered, "Yes. What's the problem?"
Shi Huqing's mouth twitched. "Old Ji, we've known each other for years. Why are you trying to pull one over on me? What's so special about this kid that you'd call him a distinguished guest? And here I was, taking out the good wine I've treasured for ages. Are you messing with me?"
Ji Xiong was instantly displeased. "Old Shi, what are you talking about? Am I that kind of person? Let me tell you, don't be fooled by Young Friend Zhao's age. His medical skills are astonishing! I brought him here for your sake!"
Shi Huqing glanced at Zhao Dong, his eyes flickering with doubt. He's so young. What kind of medical skills could he possibly have? It just doesn't seem believable.
Zhao Dong, who had naturally overheard their conversation, glanced at Shi Huqing without saying a word. I can see his problem at a glance, he thought. There's poison in his body! However, he didn't point it out. He simply exchanged a few pleasantries with Ji Xiong and Shi Huqing and began to eat quietly.
Across from him, Ji Xiong and Shi Huqing were conversing in low tones. Finally, Shi Huqing raised his cup toward Zhao Dong with a faint smile. "Young Friend Zhao, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm not much of a drinker, and I have other matters to attend to today, so I'll be using tea instead of wine. I hope you don't mind."
Ji Xiong was instantly displeased. "Old Shi, that's not right! You're drinking tea while asking Young Friend Zhao to drink wine? No way. You're drinking wine too!"
So he really doesn't take me seriously, Zhao Dong realized. His politeness and smile are just for Ji Xiong's sake. He probably thinks I'm some kind of con artist. If he actually valued me, why would he toast with tea?
Shi Huqing laughed. "Old Ji, you know my health hasn't been good recently. I really can't drink much!"
Ji Xiong said irritably, "Old Shi, stop making excuses. Weren't you the one on the phone who said we wouldn't go home until we were drunk? No, you have to drink tonight!"
Left with no choice and unwilling to disrespect Ji Xiong, Shi Huqing reluctantly poured himself a glass of wine. He turned to Zhao Dong with a smile. "Young Friend Zhao, my apologies. I really can't drink much, so please bear with me."
Zhao Dong grunted in acknowledgment but said nothing more.
Noticing the shift in Zhao Dong's mood, Ji Xiong shot a warning glance at Shi Huqing and whispered, "Old Shi, I already told you, Zhao Dong is no ordinary person! He's a VIP among VIPs. Don't waste this opportunity, or not even a god will be able to help you!"
Shi Huqing waved it off. "Old Ji, you're taking this young man far too seriously. Look at him. What abilities could someone so young possibly have? I've traveled all over for years seeking treatment for this illness, and no one could cure it. How could he possibly cure it? Drinking with him is already showing him more than enough respect."
Ji Xiong sighed. "Fine. If you don't cherish this opportunity, don't blame me later. I've brought him to you and given you my warning. Young Friend Zhao is not a simple character. It's up to you now."
Shi Huqing laughed. "I know what I'm doing, Old Ji. You're the one putting too much faith in this Zhao Dong. I refuse to believe someone so young has any real skill."
Ji Xiong let out a deep sigh and began drinking sullenly. The atmosphere in the room grew cold.
Soon after, Shi Huqing stood up with a smile. "Gentlemen, I have some things to take care of at the restaurant, so I'll be stepping out. Old Ji, Young Friend Zhao, please eat and drink your fill. It's on me today."
Zhao Dong remained silent. He knew Shi Huqing didn't take him seriously, but he didn't care. He had no need for Shi Huqing's approval.
Shi Huqing gave a nod and turned to leave. Just as he reached the door and was about to open it, his body suddenly convulsed. He stumbled and collapsed, his entire frame trembling uncontrollably. His face was deathly pale and slick with cold sweat.
Ji Xiong gasped and rushed over to help Shi Huqing up. "Old Shi, what's wrong with you?"
Shi Huqing's eyes rolled back into his head as he continued to tremble violently, frothing at the mouth and on the verge of losing consciousness.
Ji Xiong's face turned white with fear. He looked at Zhao Dong and pleaded, "Xiao Dong, you know medicine, don't you? Can you see what's wrong with him? His life is on the line! Please, save him!"
Zhao Dong gazed at Shi Huqing, touched his own nose thoughtfully, and poured a bowl of water. Bringing two fingers together, he drew a symbol on the water's surface before tipping the bowl to pour the liquid into Shi Huqing's mouth. Then, he pressed his fingers onto several acupoints on Shi Huqing's body.
In just a few seconds, Shi Huqing's trembling stopped. His body slowly relaxed, and he opened his eyes.
As soon as he opened his eyes, he saw Ji Xiong hovering over him and asked in confusion, "Old Ji, what just happened?"
Ji Xiong replied, still shaken, "You had an attack! You scared me to death!"
Shi Huqing was startled, then looked at Ji Xiong gratefully. "Thanks to you, Old Ji. If you hadn't given me my medicine, I'd probably be a goner! I was at death's door just now!"
Ji Xiong frowned. "Old Shi, what are you talking about? I didn't save you!"
Shi Huqing was taken aback. "Didn't you give me my pill?"
"What pill? It was Young Friend Zhao who saved you!"
Struck dumb, Shi Huqing turned to stare at Zhao Dong. He frantically fumbled in his pocket and pulled out a pill! His shock was palpable as he looked back at Zhao Dong. "Young Friend Zhao... I didn't take the pill. How did you cure me?"
Zhao Dong glanced indifferently at Shi Huqing. "You're afflicted with the Ghost Centipede Poison, aren't you? It's nearing its final stage. You probably have about two months to live."
Shi Huqing stared blankly at Zhao Dong. A second later, shock dawned on his face. "Young Friend Zhao... you... you know what poison this is?"
Zhao Dong glanced at Shi Huqing but said nothing more, simply turning away to continue eating.
Ji Xiong, exasperated, snapped, "Old Shi, how can you be so dense! Young Friend Zhao just pulled you back from death's door! Of course he knows what poison it is! Your poison... he can cure it!"
Shi Huqing's mind went blank. He looked at Zhao Dong, his voice trembling. "Young Friend Zhao, the poison in my body... you can cure it?"
Zhao Dong swept his gaze over Shi Huqing, his expression impassive, and remained silent.
Realizing Zhao Dong was displeased with Shi Huqing's earlier attitude, Ji Xiong hastily shot him a meaningful look.
Understanding instantly, Shi Huqing dropped to the floor and looked up at Zhao Dong, his face a mask of bitter regret. "Young Friend Zhao, I was blind to your greatness. I implore you, please save me."
Zhao Dong remained unmoved. After all, my only connection here is to Ji Xiong. This Shi Huqing is neither kith nor kin. Why should I save him?
Seeing Zhao Dong was still unmoved, Ji Xiong sighed and pleaded, "Young Friend Zhao, please, lend him a hand. Old Shi is a friend of mine from way back, and he's extremely well-connected in East Sea. He knows a lot of influential people. If you ever need to find out anything in the future, just ask him. He may not have other talents, but when it comes to gathering information in East Sea, he's second to none."
Zhao Dong raised an eyebrow. At that moment, Shi Huqing spoke again, his tone earnest. "Young Friend Zhao, I truly know I was wrong. I never should have looked down on you for being so young. How about this... I have a top-tier ginseng in my collection, more than a hundred years old. If you can cure me of this poison, I will give it to you!"
Zhao Dong's eyes lit up instantly. A hundred-year-old ginseng? That's exactly the kind of precious material I need right now. If I get it, I can try to refine pills. My cultivation will surely advance to the next level!
With this in mind, he looked at Shi Huqing and finally spoke. "Get me a set of silver needles."
Overjoyed, Shi Huqing immediately sent someone to fetch them. He was filled with anticipation. The Ghost Bat Poison had been inflicted on him years ago by someone he'd offended. Every single night, he suffered excruciating pain, his mouth would go dry, and his entire body felt like it was being roasted in a furnace. For years, he had endured this nightly torment to the point where he longed for death.
Soon, the silver needles were brought. Zhao Dong, still sitting in his chair, looked at Shi Huqing and said casually, "Just lie on the floor."
Me? Lie on the floor? thought Shi Huqing, a prominent figure in East Sea. Still, he didn't dare say a word and obediently lay down.
Zhao Dong held a handful of silver needles and, with a flick of his wrist, scattered them through the air. In an instant, the needles fanned out like a stream of light, seeming to take on a life of their own as they streaked across the onlookers' vision and landed precisely on Shi Huqing's body.
Shi Huqing's body jolted. He was utterly amazed by the sight.
Zhao Dong's expression remained calm. To others, the Ghost Bat Poison is an incurable, fatal affliction, but for me, it's a simple matter. The Mystic Sky Technique is the foremost ancient art, and it records the cures for every poison in the world.
Zhao Dong squatted beside Shi Huqing, his fingers dancing as he manipulated the needles with an exquisitely profound technique. Soon, Shi Huqing felt an incredible sensation spread through his body, leaving him feeling indescribably comfortable.
After a moment, the silver needles embedded in Shi Huqing's body began to buzz and tremble. The next second, they all turned a deep, purple-black.