Chapter 72

"Ha ha ha, who am I? I am naturally the master of this place!" Zhao Shenluo didn't mind Zhang Tianyuan's rudeness. He had a good impression of this young man who was only three years younger than him.

Not to mention that Zhang Tianyuan had once saved his daughter, but even this time, he sensed an extraordinary aura from Zhang Tianyuan, as if they had never met before but felt very close, like old friends who hadn't seen each other for years.

This was probably because Zhao Shenluo had been influenced by the local qi for a long time, and Zhang Tianyuan had absorbed the local qi.

"Could you be Mr. Zhao?" Zhang Tianyuan was somewhat surprised. Although he had heard from Zhao Liangde that his father was not long for this world, seeing him in such a state still made him somewhat disbelieving.

"I am Zhao Shenluo, the father of Liangde and Wenya. Although they are not my biological children, I adopted them as infants, and they are as good as my own flesh and blood." Zhao Shenluo saw the shock in Zhang Tianyuan's eyes and said with a bitter smile, "Do you find it hard to believe? I'm only twenty-eight, but I look so old, like I'm in my sixties or seventies?"

Zhang Tianyuan didn't know what to say. He indeed thought so, but saying it outright seemed disrespectful.

So he changed the subject and introduced himself, "My name is Zhang Tianyuan. I accidentally stumbled upon this place. If I have offended you, please forgive me."

No matter what, barging into someone's home was always wrong, and as a guest, he should apologize.

"Don't be so formal. You are a distinguished guest I invited. Since I let you wander around here, I'm not afraid of you entering this place. The fact that you found it suggests that we have some connection," Zhao Shenluo waved his hand.

He seemed to have difficulty waving his hand, as if he was holding something heavy.

Zhang Tianyuan couldn't bear to see this and frowned slightly.

Zhao Shenluo laughed, "Brother Zhang, I apologize... By the way, is it okay for me to call you brother?"

"No problem, no problem. How could there be a problem? Brother Zhao, you are a celebrity in Nandu, and even a big figure nationwide. Being able to call you brother is a blessing I've earned in many lifetimes." Zhang Tianyuan's words were sincere. Zhao Shenluo's name was known to almost everyone in the country, and he was among the top ten on the list of the richest people, not to mention his collection of treasures.

"Apologies," Zhao Shenluo said with a touch of sadness, "Even with vast wealth, I am alone!"

"Brother, I have some medical knowledge. Perhaps I can take a look at you?" Zhang Tianyuan now knew that Zhao Shenluo was Zhao Danfeng's father. He couldn't let the little girl lose her father again so soon after finding him; it would be too cruel. So, even if it meant using the local qi, he would help Zhao Shenluo.

Moreover, realistically speaking, if he could connect with someone like Zhao Shenluo, it would make things much easier for him in the future. Zhang Tianyuan needed to develop and form such friendships.

Zhao Wenya looked at Zhang Tianyuan and said, "Brother Zhang, we've invited many famous doctors over the years, both traditional and Western, but none of them have been effective."

Zhang Tianyuan understood that Zhao Wenya didn't trust him, but he wasn't angry. After all, who would believe someone without a medical license who claimed to treat people?

He smiled and said, "Famous doctors aren't always effective. Maybe my unconventional methods will work. As the saying goes, treat a dead horse as if it were alive..."

Realizing he had misspoken, Zhang Tianyuan quickly added with a bitter smile, "Look at me, I've said the wrong thing again."

"Brother Zhang, you're right. My body is already in bad shape. It's fine for you to take a look," Zhao Shenluo didn't really believe Zhang Tianyuan had any special skills, but he didn't want to refuse him, so he decided to let Zhang Tianyuan try.

Zhang Tianyuan, of course, understood the great man's thoughts, but he didn't care. The method he used to treat illness was unique, and today, with the Golden Dragon formed and his qi realm significantly improved, he could test his skills.

He stepped forward, held Zhao Shenluo's wrist, and input a thread of qi into his body. He began to use the透视 (penetrating vision) and 查微 (microscopic examination) techniques from the 鉴字诀 (Jianzi Jue) to diagnose the illness. To treat, he needed to find the cause first.

"You... Miss Zhao, can you step outside for a moment?" Zhang Tianyuan suddenly looked up at Zhao Wenya.

"Why?" Zhao Wenya was puzzled.

At this moment, Zhao Shenluo seemed to sense something and waved at Zhao Wenya, "Go wait outside. When your brother comes, stop him from entering. Don't let anyone in."

Zhao Wenya was even more puzzled, but since it was her father's order, she couldn't refuse. She reluctantly left the cave and waited outside.

Zhang Tianyuan still seemed uneasy and gave a nod to the divine eagle. The intelligent bird understood and flew to the cave entrance, blocking the way. Even if it couldn't stop anyone, it could at least give an early warning.

After Zhao Wenya left, Zhang Tianyuan released Zhao Shenluo's wrist and looked at him, "Brother Zhao, have you ever eaten human flesh?"

Zhao Shenluo trembled violently and, after a long pause, slowly nodded, "That damned liar forced my wife and me to eat it. I will never forget it, but how did you know?"

Zhang Tianyuan could guess that the liar Zhao Shenluo referred to was the one who led them out of Shenluo Valley. He didn't care much about who it was, as it didn't concern him.

He looked at Zhao Shenluo and said, "How I know is complicated. If I say I can communicate with spirits, would you believe me? Of course not, so don't ask. Since I know you have eaten human flesh, I understand your illness. In superstitious terms, it's called being possessed. In scientific terms, it's a severe bacterial infection. It's a miracle you're still alive, probably thanks to the good environment here."

"Can it be cured?" Zhao Shenluo, who initially didn't believe Zhang Tianyuan, now realized he was not an ordinary person and asked excitedly.

"Of course, but it's a bit complicated. I'll start by clearing the bacteria in your body. The rest of the treatment you can handle yourself. Just remember, what happens here today must not be told to anyone, not even your daughter or son." Zhang Tianyuan found Zhao Shenluo's condition very serious. If not treated promptly, he might die in a few days. If he wanted to keep it a secret, he had to take a risk, betting that Zhao Shenluo wouldn't reveal his secret.

"I can swear to the heavens!" Zhao Shenluo said solemnly, "I can swear to the Three Pure Ones. If I reveal what happens here today, I will die a terrible death and never be reborn."

For ordinary people, such an oath might mean nothing, but for someone like Zhao Shenluo, who believed in deities, it was different. Since he could say such a thing, Zhang Tianyuan was willing to trust him.

PS: A small extra chapter on Monday. Thanks for the favorites and recommendations.

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