CHAPTER 43: CHAPTER 0043: A JANUARY PROMISE_1

"Grandpa Liu, there’s no need to be so formal. I’m Zhang Bin, Sister Lan’s friend, which makes me your junior," Zhang Bin said with a smile, helping Elder Master Liu to his feet.

Elder Master Liu got out of bed and stood steadily, a joyous smile spreading across his face. "It feels so good to be healthy. Zhang Bin, you’re impressive. You’re the most miraculous doctor I’ve met in my eighty-plus years."

Although he had appeared to be in a coma just moments ago, he had actually heard everything and knew how the miracle occurred.

Zhang Bin responded modestly, "Grandpa Liu, you flatter me. In truth, I’m just a humble farmer."

"Grandpa, don’t praise him, or he’ll get a big head." Liu Ruolan had dried her tears and now gestured as if to support Elder Master Liu, but he refused.

"I feel great now, I don’t need any help," he said. "Let’s go. We’re going home. I don’t want to stay in this hospital for another minute."

However, Doctor Tang blocked Zhang Bin’s path. He stared at him with a fervent gaze and asked, "Mr. Zhang, how exactly did you cure Elder Master Liu’s nasal cancer? Could you tell us? Our hospital has many other cancer patients."

All eyes fixed on Zhang Bin’s face, and everyone listened intently. They all hoped that from this day forward, incurable diseases like cancer would become a thing of the past, finally vanquished by Zhang Bin.

Zhang Bin sighed. "Doctor Tang, I’m afraid I have to disappoint you. My method for treating cancer is special and cannot be widely replicated. It was due to a fortuitous encounter that I was able to cultivate True Qi with the ability to destroy cancer cells. Other cultivators’ True Qi doesn’t have this power. And what is True Qi? You can think of it as my army’s soldiers in a war, where the cancer cells are the enemy forces. Every time a major battle is fought, my own forces are greatly diminished. That’s why I can’t cure very many cancer patients. Right now, I don’t even have the strength to cure a second one."

Deep disappointment clouded Doctor Tang’s face, but he still asked hopefully, "Since the True Qi you’ve cultivated has such a miraculous ability, perhaps we can use scientific methods to study it and unlock the secret to curing cancer. Are you conducting any research?"

"Doctor Tang, while I may be a farmer, I am also a doctor. Of course I hope to put an end to cancer," Zhang Bin said. "So yes, I am researching it. I’m looking for a common method or an ordinary medicine that can cure cancer. As soon as I succeed, I will naturally make it public. But until then, please keep what happened today a secret, so as not to interfere with my research."

"This matter must be kept confidential. It is of the utmost importance, do you all understand?" Liu Qian’s expression turned stern, his eyes flashing as he scanned the doctors and nurses.

The medical staff all nodded solemnly and gave their assurances.

About an hour later, the overjoyed Liu family of four and Zhang Bin returned to the Liu residence.

Thanks to the Spiritual Water, Elder Master Liu was in high spirits. After returning home and taking a bath, he received Zhang Bin in the living room. Liu Qian and Liu Ruolan’s father were also present.

Zhang Bin sat obediently, answering Elder Master Liu’s questions, while Liu Ruolan flitted about like a butterfly, refilling their tea.

"Xiao Bin, was what you said at the hospital true?" Elder Master Liu asked solemnly.

"It’s true. I haven’t told a single lie," Zhang Bin replied sincerely.

"Then your True Qi was almost completely depleted because of me?" Gratitude was written all over Elder Master Liu’s face.

"Most of it was consumed, but I can cultivate it back," Zhang Bin said.

"How long will it take to cultivate it back?" Elder Master Liu asked after a moment of contemplation.

Having been a high-ranking official in his youth, he had met many extraordinary individuals. He suspected it might take Zhang Bin more than a decade to recover.

"About a year or so," Zhang Bin said vaguely.

Any other cultivator would indeed need more than ten years to recover. However, Zhang Bin knew Qi gathering techniques and had brought Spiritual Water with him. He only needed a single night. The reason he didn’t want this to become public knowledge was that he feared an endless stream of patients would seek him out, and he would be worked to death before he could treat them all.

"I owe you a great debt," Elder Master Liu said gratefully.

"Grandpa Liu, if you’re truly grateful, then please give Ruolan and me your blessing. I like her very much, and she likes me too," Zhang Bin said directly.

"You and Ruolan?" Elder Master Liu was stunned.

Liu Qian’s expression shifted, and beads of sweat formed on his forehead. Even Father Liu, who was already aware of the situation, felt a little nervous.

"Grandpa, Zhang Bin is my boyfriend," Liu Ruolan added shyly, her face blushing. "Otherwise, why would he have saved you? Doing so was like crippling his own martial arts."

"Zhang Bin, how much longer do you think I can live?" Elder Master Liu asked, changing the subject with a serious tone.

"If you rest and recuperate well, living another ten years won’t be a problem. If you take the medicine I give you, you can live for another sixty years," Zhang Bin replied.

He was no fool and naturally understood the implication of Elder Master Liu’s question. If the Elder Master could live for many more years, he could continue to protect the Liu Family, making the marriage arrangement between Ruolan and the Diao Clan irrelevant. If not, then the engagement could not be broken.

"I’m eighty-eight this year. Another sixty years? That would make me nearly one hundred and fifty! What kind of Divine Medicine could have such miraculous power?" Elder Master Liu shook his head, unable to believe it.

Liu Qian and Father Liu were also astonished, not expecting Zhang Bin to make such an outlandish claim. Liu Ruolan was dumbfounded as well and shot Zhang Bin a fierce glare.

Zhang Bin took out a large bottle, more than half full of highly concentrated Spiritual Water, and placed it on the coffee table. "This is a bottle of Spiritual Medicine," he said calmly. "Grandpa Liu, drink ten drops every day. After a month, you will know the answer for yourself."

"Very well. I will give you my answer in one month," Elder Master Liu said sternly. This matter concerned the fate of the Liu Family; how could he not treat it with the utmost seriousness?

"Then it’s a deal." Zhang Bin was delighted and admired Elder Master Liu’s prudence.

After they chatted a while longer, Zhang Bin’s phone rang. It was Tian Bingbing. He stepped aside to answer the call.

"Head Coach, the martial arts banquet being held in your honor will officially begin at 6 p.m. tomorrow. We’ve sent out invitations to martial artists from all circles. There might be some sparring, so don’t let your guard down," Tian Bingbing said seriously.

"Alright, I’ll be there before 6 p.m. tomorrow," Zhang Bin said. He felt a sense of anticipation. This meant he could meet many martial arts masters and was officially stepping into the circle of the Martial World.

When Zhang Bin put his phone away, Liu Ruolan walked over. "Was that a call from Bingbing?" she asked in surprise.

"Yes. There’s some kind of martial arts banquet for me tomorrow evening," Zhang Bin explained.

"What are we going to do?" Liu Ruolan instantly grew frantic, practically hopping with anxiety. Zhang Bin had used so much True Qi today; how could he possibly compete with powerful masters tomorrow? Besides, she knew that some people were planning to cause trouble for Zhang Bin at the banquet.

"Ruolan, what’s wrong?" Elder Master Liu asked sternly.