Chapter 194: Real Secret Manual?
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“But, doctor…”
Su Xinghe’s gaze shifted back and forth between the “miracle doctor” and Xiao Huo, her lips moving slightly, wanting to say something but hesitating.
Seeing her like this, Xiao Huo immediately guessed what she was thinking, and a trace of dissatisfaction flashed through his heart.
‘This girl is still very cautious of him.’
Though he grumbled inwardly, his face showed no sign of it. He simply spoke in a deliberately casual manner.
“You two chat first, I still have some matters to handle.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Xiao Huo turned and left the shabby little house, his footsteps light as he disappeared into the shadows of the alley, his figure quickly vanishing from sight.
With only the two of them left in the room, the “miracle doctor” cleared his throat, stroked his sparse beard with an air of profundity, and spoke with an impatient tone.
“Now that no one’s interrupting, just say what you need to say. This old man’s time is quite precious.”
Su Xinghe clenched her fists, deliberately putting on an expression of urgency mixed with hope as she asked.
“Doctor, do you… do you truly have complete confidence that you can save my sister?”
“Naturally!”
The “miracle doctor” answered without a second thought, even though he hadn’t even seen the patient’s face, his tone was still full of confidence.
“As long as you provide sufficient payment, forget about your sister’s illness, there’s no ailment in this world that this old man cannot cure!”
Hearing this, the last shred of hope in Su Xinghe’s heart was completely extinguished.
Actually, before this, she had held onto a sliver of hope regarding Xiao Huo.
Perhaps he had just been blinded by greed and wasn’t truly rotten to the core, maybe things could still be salvaged.
But now, the person he had brought couldn’t even maintain a physician’s cautious attitude. How could this be someone capable of treating illness? He was nothing but a fraud.
To save her sister, even before their parents passed away, she had traveled far and wide with them, visiting many renowned physicians.
But even those with the highest medical skills never dared claim they could cure “all ailments in the world.”
Yet this “miracle doctor” before her spoke so brazenly, he probably hadn’t even thoroughly understood her sister’s condition.
Suppressing the disappointment in her heart, Su Xinghe knew the plan couldn’t be abandoned halfway, so she continued to play along with his words, her voice somewhat uncertain.
“But… I only have one precious item. I don’t know if it can cover the payment you require.”
“Oh?”
The “miracle doctor’s” eyes immediately lit up, secretly delighted, though he still maintained his composure on the surface, guiding her without revealing his thoughts.
“Since it’s a precious item, why not take it out and let this old man have a look?”
“But you haven’t even seen my sister yet. You haven’t even confirmed whether her illness can be treated…”
Su Xinghe showed a conflicted expression again, as if worried about her sister’s safety and hesitating whether to take out that item.
“Are you doubting this old man?”
The “miracle doctor” immediately darkened his face, deliberately putting on an authoritative posture, his tone carrying a hint of pressure.
“This old man is a famous miracle doctor in this area. What difficult and complicated illness haven’t I seen? Hurry and take out that valuable item! As long as the item is good enough, this old man will definitely be able to cure your sister!”
“Alright, alright then…”
Su Xinghe seemed intimidated by his imposing manner and obediently turned around, walked to the corner, squatted down and carefully pried open an inconspicuous brick.
She carefully took out a yellowed ancient book from the hidden compartment behind the brick. The cover was covered with some dust, clearly it had some years to it.
“This is my family’s ancestral movement technique secret manual.”
Su Xinghe held the secret manual and handed it over, her eyes full of earnestness, like someone who had no choice but to stake everything on this last desperate gamble.
“I only hope this secret manual can save my sister’s life.”
“Rest assured, this old man keeps his word. I definitely have the ability to cure her.”
The “miracle doctor” forcibly suppressed his inner ecstasy, reaching out to receive the secret manual. When his fingertips touched the rough cover, the corners of his mouth couldn’t help but curl up slightly, though he still maintained composure on his face.
He felt somewhat smug. The employer had specifically warned him earlier that this woman was shrewd and quite cautious, telling him to be extra careful.
But now it seemed women were still the easiest to deceive. As long as her sister was used as bait, wouldn’t she be willing to hand over anything?
“Is this really a complete secret manual?”
Of course, he still needed to ensure the authenticity of this secret manual.
“It’s real. I don’t know if it’s enough…”
Su Xinghe said quietly, her tone lacking any confidence.
After obtaining the secret manual, the “miracle doctor” didn’t linger any longer. He casually pulled out a crumpled medicine packet from his chest and tossed it to Su Xinghe, then turned and walked toward the door.
“Not bad, it’s enough. This is medicine for your sister.”
“Doctor, don’t leave!”
Su Xinghe hurriedly stepped forward, her tone full of urgency.
“You haven’t even examined my sister yet! How can you prescribe medicine already!”
“Hmph, your sister’s illness, this old man already knows what it is. Isn’t it just Red Beauty Life-Devouring Physique?”
The “miracle doctor” waved his hand without looking back, his tone carrying some impatience.
“This medicine is sufficient to treat her illness. Don’t ask any more questions!”
Hearing these five words, Su Xinghe’s outstretched hand froze in mid-air, instantly falling silent.
She stood in place, her gaze falling on the “miracle doctor’s” hurriedly departing figure, her eyes deep and unreadable.
As expected, Xiao Huo knew about her sister’s condition, but even though he clearly knew, he still found such an unreliable “miracle doctor” to deceive her…
Since he showed no mercy, then she wouldn’t blame herself for being ruthless. She would swindle everything back!
The “miracle doctor” paid no attention to Su Xinghe’s unusual behavior behind him. He only felt that he had struck her painful spot, growing increasingly smug in his heart.
The task was already completed. As long as he handed this secret manual to Xiao Huo, that generous payment would be his, and he wouldn’t have to worry about living in luxury for the rest of his life!
In the shadows, Xiao Huo had been quietly watching the movements inside the little house. Seeing the “miracle doctor” come out so quickly, he immediately frowned, his heart involuntarily skipping a beat.
Had the plan failed? Did she refuse to hand over the secret manual?
Just as he was puzzled, the “miracle doctor” had already quickly walked to the shadows, his face wearing an ingratiating smile as he raised the secret manual in his hand and said excitedly.
“Success, Young Master Xiao! I’ve obtained what you wanted!”
Xiao Huo’s anxious heart immediately settled, and his face instantly showed great joy as he hurried forward.
“Quickly, let me see!”
He eagerly took the secret manual from the “miracle doctor’s” hands. As soon as he held it, his gaze was drawn to the ancient seal script characters on the cover.
The calligraphy was vigorous and powerful, carrying an ancient charm. It clearly read “Dream-Treading Cloud Steps.”
What made him even more delighted was that this secret manual faintly emanated an ancient aura, and his fingertips could even sense a trace of pure spiritual energy slowly circulating within.
He immediately circulated his unique secret technique to examine it carefully. After a moment, the joy in his eyes grew even stronger.
That’s right, this was indeed a genuine artifact left behind from that era!
“Excellent, this is truly excellent!”
Xiao Huo nodded satisfactorily and patted the “miracle doctor’s” shoulder, his tone full of approval.
“Well done. I’ll add another 10% to your payment!”
At this moment, in the little house, Su Xinghe stood alone in place, gazing through the open door at the departing figures of Xiao Huo and the “miracle doctor,” just standing there quietly, lost in thought.
……
On the other side, after dismissing the “miracle doctor,” Xiao Huo couldn’t wait to find a secluded corner and carefully opened the first page of the “secret manual.”
But when he clearly saw the first line of text on the page, the smile on his face instantly froze, and he was completely stunned.
That line clearly read: “To practice this technique, one must first castrate oneself.”
“This… this can’t be right?”
Xiao Huo’s hand holding the secret manual began to tremble slightly, and he was instantly plunged into enormous internal conflict.
For a movement technique secret manual, did he really have to give up his happiness for the rest of his life?
From beginning to end, he had never doubted that this secret manual was fake.
His secret technique examination couldn’t be wrong. That spiritual energy and ancient aura couldn’t be faked.
Indeed, this book truly was a secret manual left behind from that era, but it wasn’t quite as authentic as it seemed…