Chapter 6 Ice Physique

• "*sshole! What nonsense are you spouting?" Howard slammed his fist on the table and glared at Wallace.
• Even Joshua couldn't help but frown.
• However, Wallace didn't spare them a glance, though a hint of mockery gleamed in his eyes.
• "Young man, what do you mean by that? I've diagnosed Miss Swift's condition, and now you're condemning her to death?" Mikael snorted, and he seethed with anger.
• Wallace responded calmly, "I'm just stating the facts."
• "Young man, you can't just say whatever comes to mind," Mikael retorted. "Why do you insist my medicine isn't right for Miss Swift? Alternative medicine is based on careful observation and diagnosis. You haven't examined her or understood her condition. What gives you the right to claim that my medicine will harm her?"
• He was livid and glared at Wallace like a cat with its tail stepped on. As a renowned figure in the field of alternative medicine, he found it intolerable that someone so young would publicly challenge him.
• "Exactly, this kid doesn't know his place. How dare he speak out like this? Joshua, you're really taking Rachel's life too lightly," Howard remarked disdainfully. He even included his brother in his criticism.
• "Tuberculosis, or TB, is a common disease, but Miss Swift doesn't have it," Wallace began. "If I'm not mistaken, her coughing began just six months ago. She feels extremely cold and coughs regardless of the temperature or her level of fatigue. This has been affecting her eating and sleeping patterns. Therefore, the problem is with her bronchi, not Tuberculosis."
• Rachel's eyes widened as she stared at Wallace. Her hand discreetly placed the small porcelain bottle on her wheelchair. His description was spot on.
• Her relentless cough had compelled her family to consult doctors from near and far. It felt as though her lungs were being ripped apart, which turned every moment into an agonizing eternity.
• "Mr. Fender," she murmured weakly with her imploring gaze as she turned to him. "Is there anything you can do? Even if it's not a cure, any alleviation of this pain would mean everything to me."
• Howard and Mikael exchanged astonished glances at her plea. Could Wallace truly possess medical expertise?
• Noticing their reactions, Joshua finally exhaled a sigh of relief.
• However, Gareth seemed the most surprised. He regarded Wallace with a prolonged, contemplative stare.
• "I can give it a try." Wallace nodded slightly.
• In truth, he had been bluffing. Rachel's ailment didn't stem from her bronchi, as he led them to believe. If it had been the case, the Swift family's resources could have easily remedied it at any reputable hospital. Then, the frantic quest for a cure was unnecessary.
• When she was wheeled out earlier, Wallace had noticed something unusual. Upon closer examination, he became convinced that her illness was linked to her rare physique. She possessed what was termed the Ice Physique, an exceedingly uncommon condition.
• It might have gone unnoticed during childhood, but as she matured, the symptoms manifested: persistent chills, constant coughing, and difficulty eating or sleeping. These were the initial symptoms. If left unchecked, as he had previously indicated, reaching the age of 20 would be considered fortunate.
• "Great! This is good news! Mr. Fender, just tell me what I need to do," Rachel exclaimed as she trembled with anticipation.
• She endured intense suffering as the illness mercilessly preyed upon her for six months. This resulted in a significant weight loss of twenty pounds, which left her utterly depleted and devoid of energy. She was willing to do anything to be cured.
• Wallace didn't speak, but he was secretly overjoyed. Initially, he had agreed to treat her just to help the Williams family. But now, he had an additional reason.
• Six years ago, his training took a disastrous turn, which led to an overflow of energy that caused his cultivation to go awry. While he had since recuperated, the damage to his eight vital meridians significantly diminished his strength, which was only a fraction of its former peak.
• Rachel's unique constitution, infused with ice energy, offered a potential remedy capable of restoring balance and healing his damaged meridians. Thus, even if it weren't for the Williams family, he had to cure her. He knew that saving her was akin to saving himself. With that in mind, he walked toward her.
• "What are you doing?" Howard shouted as he blocked Wallace. "Kid, I think you're a fraud. Do you even have a medical license?"
• "Did Hippocrates have a medical license?" Wallace retorted. He grabbed a case of silver needles from Mikael's medical kit with such speed that neither Howard nor Mikael could respond in time.
• "You're using acupuncture?" Mikael scoffed. "I've dedicated almost twenty years to studying acupuncture, and even I'm cautious with its application. And Miss Swift's ailment isn't something acupuncture can cure."
• As soon as he finished talking, his eyes widened in shock. "What?" His expression shifted from doubt to wonder. "Could this be... the legendary Thirteen Needles technique?"
• Howard frowned in confusion. "Mr. Lynch, what exactly is the Thirteen Needles technique?"
• "Quiet!" Mikael silenced him, and his gaze was intensely fixed on Wallace's every action.
• Wallace's movements were skilled and practiced. After sterilizing the silver needles, he started inserting them into Rachel, who was seated in her wheelchair.
• The needles, of assorted lengths, caught the sunlight with a menacing glint, almost mesmerizing to behold. Yet, in Wallace's capable hands, these potentially hazardous instruments seemed to awaken as each motion was executed with precision and clear intent.
• "GB10, GB7, ST25, ST17 acupoints..." Mikael muttered to himself. His astonishment heightened with each needle's insertion.
• Performing acupuncture at this level posed significant risks. It demanded not just a thorough grasp of human anatomy but also meticulous control over insertion depth.
• Despite that, Wallace exhibited unwavering composure, as though executing a mundane chore. His focus was unwavering.
• To him, the needles were merely a tool. His ultimate aim was to harmonize the overflowing energy within himself with the ice energy within Rachel. Only by achieving this balance could they both benefit and recover.
• Within seconds, all the needles were expertly positioned. The Swift family observed with amazement, and their hearts raced as they saw the needles on her body.
• Even Mikael, with his limited knowledge of acupuncture, could see that Wallace's technique was exceptionally advanced. While others might spend an hour meticulously placing these needles, Wallace had accomplished it in mere seconds.
• With a flick of his fingers, Wallace channeled his overflow of energy through the needles into Rachel, who reciprocated by channeling her ice energy back to him. The intertwining of these energies created a sensation of alternating heat and cold.
• Wallace's face remained stoic, though she suppressed any noise by biting her lip. Despite her efforts, occasional soft moans escaped from her lips. The Swift family members felt awkward and averted their gaze while Mikael's amazement only deepened.
• The thirteen needles, attuned to the energy exchange, began to pulsate rhythmically. Their hues transition from fiery red to icy blue.
• "This is incredible! How is this even possible?" Mikael marveled at the sight. Wallace's mastery of acupuncture surpassed anything he had ever imagined.
• Ten minutes later, Wallace made a gesture, and the needles retracted instantly.
• "Miss Swift, how do you feel now?" he asked calmly while returning the needles to their case.
• Rachel, who had kept her eyes shut throughout, let out a deep exhale. Everyone could see that she was sweating profusely as her garments clung to her body. Upon closer observation, the sweat bore traces of impurities, which indicated a deep cleansing process.
• "Wow, I feel amazing! It's been ages since I felt this good," she exclaimed. She wiped the sweat from her forehead with a towel.
• "Thank you, Mr. Fender," Joshua said. His face lit up with gratitude as he turned to him.
• Wallace simply waved it off and said nothing.
• "Mr. Fender, thank you for saving Rachel," Gareth, the usually reserved elder of the Swift family, approached Wallace. "Please do not hesitate to ask for anything. If it's within our means, we'll make it so. We do wield some influence in Rosetown."
• "Dad, aren't you overreacting?" Howard said irritably. "The kid merely inserted a few needles. We won't know if it actually worked until we've observed her for a while."
• He had brought in Mikael to treat Rachel and hoped to gain favor with his father. Gareth, who had always showered attention on her, relinquished his duties as family patriarch to Joshua in order to personally tend to his sick granddaughter.
• Howard was skeptical that his brother had brought Wallace and ruined his plan. Naturally, Howard was furious.
• "Nope," Gareth replied. As he observed Rachel's healthy complexion and noticed her lack of coughing, a satisfied smile crossed his face. "The debt of life must be repaid generously."
• "Please reconsider, Dad," Howard protested. "We can't be sure she's cured, and this kid isn't qualified to say she is. For safety, let's have Mr. Lynch conduct a thorough examination." He looked at Mikael. "Mr. Lynch, please say something."
• But Mikael, who had been skeptical moments earlier, was now looking at Wallace with awe. "Mr. Fender, I apologize for my earlier rudeness. Please, forgive me," he said with a gesture of utmost respect.
• Everyone was stunned. Mikael was old enough to be Wallace's grandfather and had a stellar reputation. Many influential people sought his expertise. Yet, he was showing deference to Wallace?
• "It's okay," Wallace replied with a slight wave.
• "Thank you, Mr. Fender." Mikael's face lit up with relief.
• Everyone was shocked when he said, "Mr. Fender, would you consider taking me as your disciple?"