Chapter 58: Above the Law

“Traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes observation, listening, questioning, and pulse-taking. Judging by your mother’s complexion, it seems she has a serious lung condition. Xiaobai, if you trust me, I can try to treat your mother,” Chen Dabao said.

“Dabao, you know medicine?” Bai Yu asked excitedly.

“A little. I once treated the son of Zhang Wei, the town’s wealthy boss,” Chen Dabao nodded modestly.

“That’s wonderful, Dabao!” Bai Yu stood up, filled with hope. Her mother’s lung cancer had reached a stage where hospitals refused further treatment. Over the years, their family funds were completely drained, leaving them deeply in debt.

Bai Yu’s younger sister had just graduated high school and was about to start university in the fall. To keep her sister in school, Bai Yu worked part-time, and her sister found jobs as well.

They had done everything they could for their mother’s treatment, but the hospital had sent her home, saying she should eat whatever she wanted and no longer return.

Now, hearing Chen Dabao say he could treat her mother, Bai Yu was overwhelmed with emotion.

“Dabao, don’t waste your efforts. I know my illness well. We’ve spent all the money we had. It’s fate!” Bai Yu’s mother sighed softly, murmuring.

Who didn’t want to live? But life was harsh for ordinary people nowadays. The money was gone; she couldn’t burden her family further or risk losing their home.

If they continued treatment, they’d have to sell the house.

“Auntie, I don’t charge for treatment. I’ll start with acupuncture, then prescribe herbal medicine. It won’t cost much. Think of it as a last-ditch effort—you’ve got nothing to lose,” Chen Dabao reassured her, understanding the middle-aged woman’s worries about expenses.

“Really?” The woman’s eyes gleamed with hope.

“Really,” Chen Dabao nodded, then followed Bai Yu to a back room and began acupuncture on her mother. In his previous life, Chen Dabao was a master of the Celestial Dao, excelling in medicine, martial arts, and Daoist magic.

His medical skills were unparalleled, and he now used the Celestial Divine Needles, silver needles that, upon insertion, infused the patient with strands of celestial energy.

Half an hour later, Bai Yu’s mother’s complexion visibly improved.

This was only the beginning—Chen Dabao had just started cultivating the Celestial Divine Art and couldn’t yet unleash the needles’ full power; otherwise, the effect would have been even more remarkable.

“Mom, you look so much better!” Bai Yu wiped tears from her reddened eyes, overjoyed.

“Silly child, don’t cry. I do feel better. Dabao, thank you—you truly are a divine healer!” Bai Yu’s mother said gratefully.

After the treatment, her breathing was smoother, and she felt stronger. If this wasn’t a last flicker of life, it meant her condition was genuinely improving.

“Auntie, this is just the first step. Your illness is severe; you’ll need long-term herbal medicine. I’ll write a prescription. Xiaobai, you’ll go get the herbs. Take this medicine for a month first,” Chen Dabao exhaled heavily.

Such treatment consumed a great deal of his celestial energy. Healing this illness relied half on the needles, half on the divine energy; otherwise, such rapid results were impossible.

“Thank you, Dabao!” Bai Yu nodded gently, taking out a tissue to wipe the sweat from his brow. Her delicate, jade-like face was so close that Chen Dabao could distinctly feel her warmth and softness pressing against his chest.

“Xiaobai, I can wipe it myself. You go get the herbs; I’ll teach you how to prepare them,” Chen Dabao said awkwardly, stepping back.

No, before completing foundation formation, he must not fall for temptation.

“Okay, Dabao. I’ll go get the herbs,” Bai Yu’s expression dimmed slightly as she sighed softly and turned to leave for the town clinic.

She thought Chen Dabao’s avoidance meant he didn’t like her—after all, her family was poor, and she hadn’t attended university. Chen Dabao had been admitted to a prestigious school and studied there for years; they were different.

“Auntie, rest for a bit. When Xiaobai brings the medicine, you’ll take it,” Chen Dabao said, turning to the middle-aged woman.

“Aren’t you fond of our Bai Yu?” the woman suddenly asked. “Actually, Bai Yu is quite a catch. We’ve had many suitors over the years, but I haven’t approved any. But I think you’re quite good!”

“Auntie, no, the thing is...” Chen Dabao was helpless and scratched his head awkwardly.

His Celestial Divine Art was not yet fully formed; he couldn’t get close to women, or else he would never master it to its peak.

Until he completed foundation formation, he had to keep his distance from Bai Yu, lest he lose control given her charms.

“Do you have some hidden ailment?” Bai Yu’s mother looked at Chen Dabao suspiciously.

At that moment, voices came from outside where Bai Yu was.

“Oh, the beauty’s home? Tell your dad to cook us a few dishes and come keep me company!” a lecherous male voice called out.

“Sir, my dad’s not home. We only have noodles, no cooked dishes!” Bai Yu replied nervously.

“Your dad’s not home? Perfect. Go buy two cold dishes and have a drink with Brother Zhao!” another lazy voice rang out.

Chen Dabao’s face darkened as he hurried outside.

He saw three men in the Industrial and Commercial Bureau uniforms surrounding Bai Yu. One, seeing no one else around, reached to touch her shoulder.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Chen Dabao strode forward and slapped the man’s hand away with a sharp clap.

“Who the hell are you?” a man in his thirties glared at Chen Dabao, displeased.

“Brother Dabao, don’t mind them. Let’s go—they’re not worth it. We’re not cooking lunch today!” Bai Yu quickly pulled Chen Dabao back.

These men worked for the government; common folks like them dared not offend them.

But Chen Dabao paid them no heed. Qing Shan Town was remote and lawless; those assigned there had little future. These men had grown brazen, bullying country bumpkins as if it were nothing.

“What I do is none of your business. Get lost!” Chen Dabao said coldly.

They thought Bai Yu’s father was timid, so they felt emboldened to harass her.

“Heh, kid, how dare you talk to me like that? Even Zhang Biao here in Qing Shan Town shows me respect. Who do you think you are?” Brother Zhao rolled up his sleeves, reeking of alcohol, and slapped at Chen Dabao.

The confrontation was about to escalate.