Chapter 4: My Sister Truly Is a Divine Healer

Chu Jiutian gave a bitter smile. "Ninth Sister, let it be. All the best physicians have already examined me, and there is little hope for a turnaround. Don't waste your efforts on me. Perhaps there are reclusive masters in this world capable of bringing the dead back to life, but in this vast sea of humanity, where would one even begin to search?"

His words were heavy with deep despair, the faint glimmer of expectation smothered by endless resignation.

Chu Jiuli lifted her chin slightly, her eyes filled with unmistakable confidence. "Brother, the miracle-working physician you seek may not be as far as you think. Is there not one standing right before you?"

Chu Jiutian froze, his eyes widening with surprise and doubt. He scrutinized her closely, finding it difficult to believe her claim.

"Ninth Sister, you... you must not jest. Even the Chief Physician of the Imperial Medical Academy could do nothing for my injuries. Even if you have studied medicine, how could you possibly...?"

Chu Jiuli smiled faintly, her lips curving into a graceful arc. "Brother, do not underestimate the years I spent training in the remote mountain temples. My master taught me not only martial arts but also the profound depths of medicine. I have encountered countless illnesses and studied endless medical theories. While I dare not claim I can raise the dead, my medical skills are far from ordinary. I am confident I can treat your leg. It will simply require time and patience. I will never let you spend the rest of your life confined to a wheelchair; I will surely see you stand once more and reclaim your former heroism."

Watching the resolute expression on her face, the deadened heart of Chu Jiutian felt a ripple of hope.

He knew little of her master—he had never even met the person—but for some reason, as she spoke, a strange sense of trust welled up within him. Perhaps it was the firmness in her gaze, or perhaps the composed demeanor she had displayed earlier before the memorial altar.

Whatever the reason, this flicker of hope was like a candle in the darkness; though dim, it was enough to stir his all-but-hopeless heart.

Chu Jiutian’s lips trembled. He wanted to say something, but complex emotions choked his throat. After a long silence, he spoke with difficulty: "Ninth Sister, if this can truly be done, then nothing could be better. But I cannot bear to see you toil so hard for my sake. You already carry the heavy burden of restoring the Marquis’s estate; if you were to be distracted by my condition, how could I ever forgive myself?"

Chu Jiuli shook her head gently and said in a soft voice, "Brother, we are siblings, bound by blood. Do not speak such words again. The revival of the Marquis’s estate depends on you; if you can stand again, that will be the greatest contribution to the household. Besides, healing your legs is my own heartfelt wish. I will certainly give it my all."

Having said this, she knelt down and placed her fingers gently on his legs to check his pulse. After a moment, she took a deep breath to steady herself and drew an exquisite silver needle case from her sleeve. With slender fingers, she deftly and precisely inserted the needles into the acupuncture points on his legs.

She closed her eyes, channeling her internal energy and guiding it slowly through the silver needles into his meridians. She was entirely focused, the needles in her hands shifting positions—each one seemingly carrying a spark of hope.

As time passed, the stagnant blood in Chu Jiutian’s meridians began to loosen under the force of her energy. Wisps of black toxin seeped out along the needles, and his previously lifeless leg muscles began to twitch faintly.

The autumn wind outside the courtyard seemed to sense the tension, blowing more fiercely and rustling the leaves, as if cheering the siblings on.

Although he still lacked clear sensation in his legs, Chu Jiutian was utterly shocked. The energy flowing through his body was like a surging torrent—so domineering and powerful that he struggled to withstand it. He could clearly perceive that force rampaging through his body, galloping wildly as if to shatter every obstacle in its path. Each movement of her energy carried an indescribable pressure. Had it not been for his sister’s presence, he might have been crying out in agony.

He thought to himself, "I have practiced martial arts for years and have seen many battles in the army, earning great merit with my skills. While my martial attainments might not compare to those of legendary warriors, I am no mere amateur. Yet, compared to Ninth Sister, the gap seems like heaven and earth."

"Is this really my sister? I couldn't beat her even if there were ten of me!"

"If my legs truly recover, I must ask her to spar with me someday!"

Just as his thoughts wandered, Chu Jiuli grabbed the remaining eight needles and plunged them all at once into specific points on his legs.

In an instant, Chu Jiutian felt as if his legs had been struck by lightning. A sensation of intense numbness and swelling flooded his entire body. The areas of his legs that had been numb and cold for so long began to glow with warmth, as if a faint electric current were flowing through his meridians.

That long-lost sensation stirred an irrepressible excitement in his heart.

"Ninth Sister, I... I think I can feel it. My legs..." His voice trembled, his eyes filling with tears as the moving sight of his rekindled hope appeared on his face.

Chu Jiuli felt a surge of joy, but she dared not slacken her focus, her slender hands trembling slightly as she adjusted the depth of the needles.

The treatment was incredibly draining. Her face grew paler, and beads of sweat the size of peas rolled down her forehead, drenching her clothes, yet she remained oblivious.

Chu Jiutian watched with a pained heart. With a trembling hand, he wiped the sweat from her brow and urged, "Ninth Sister, do not push yourself too hard. Rest for a moment; my legs do not need to be healed in this single instant."

Chu Jiuli shook her head slightly, biting her lip in persistence. "Brother, I am fine. This is a critical moment; there is no room for error. It is no small feat that your legs have regained sensation; if we do not strike while the iron is hot, all our previous efforts might go to waste."

With that, she took a deep breath and returned her focus to the needles.

As her energy continued to surge into his meridians, the warmth spread, and the muscles in his legs began to twitch more noticeably. Though Chu Jiuli’s face was as pale as paper, her eyes grew increasingly determined, as if she could already see her brother standing tall, ready to charge across the battlefield once more.

Finally, near the point of total exhaustion, she slowly withdrew the needles.

Chu Jiutian felt a sudden lightness in his legs. The long-lost sensation surged back like a rising tide. Although still somewhat weak, he could clearly feel the presence of his legs.

This sensation of recovery left him filled with shock and gratitude. He looked at Chu Jiuli’s exhausted yet relieved face; his lips moved, but he was choked by tears.

Chu Jiuli gently supported his arm, her voice weak but filled with joy. "Brother, the toxins have been completely purged from your body, and the blocked meridians have been cleared. However, your leg muscles have atrophied from long disuse. It will require a long period of recuperation and training before you can recover as you once were."

Chu Jiutian nodded heavily, gripping Chu Jiuli’s hand tightly.

"My sister... truly is a miracle physician!"