Chapter 40: Can’t a Person Even Eat in Peace? (Please Recommend)

Old Wang chose the teleportation location: a parking lot near the Roxen Power Plant, where Robbie’s Dodge Charger was parked nearby.

Robbie drove, taking Old Wang and Skye, and soon they arrived at Fifth Street Hospital, not far from the repair shop.

There, they met Robbie’s younger brother, “Gab.”

He was a cheerful high school boy, a bit thin, half-reclining on the hospital bed, reading a book. He didn’t look very energetic, yawning from time to time. It was already late at night. Normally, patients should rest more, but Gab had been forcing himself to stay awake, waiting for his brother.

When he saw Robbie, Gab immediately broke into a smile.

“Robbie, Dr. Cumberbatch said I’m doing pretty well. Just a few more days of observation and I can be discharged. Luckily I’ve always studied on my own, so I haven’t fallen behind. What do you think about me applying to Stanford or Berkeley… Are those your friends?”

Noticing Old Wang and Skye, Robbie took the initiative to introduce them.

“Hi, Gab.”

Skye walked over carrying a bag, giving Gab a bright smile. “I’m Skye, Robbie’s classmate from high school. This is Wang, my friend. Robbie said you like durian, jackfruit, and pickled herring, but unfortunately you can’t have those here, or no one in the entire hospital would be able to sleep… You’ll have to bear with it for now.”

Skye clearly had a soft spot for Gab, who, like herself, was an orphan.

“Thank you.” Gab thanked her politely, then glanced at Robbie, blinking meaningfully:

How come I didn’t know you had such a pretty… female classmate in high school?

What’s your relationship? With your blockheaded ways, I thought you’d never find a girlfriend in this lifetime…

“It’s not what you think, Gab…” Robbie glanced at Old Wang.

Seeing Old Wang’s calm expression, with no sign of wanting to beat him up, Robbie finally relaxed. He leaned closer to Gab and whispered, “No need for further observation. We’re leaving the hospital today… This is Mr. Wang from China, a kung fu master. He can cure you.”

A master from China?

Like those charlatans in LA’s Chinatown pretending to have mystical powers?

Using so-called “inner strength” and “chi” to cheat people?

Gab instantly felt some dislike.

Robbie, that fool, could he have been scammed? He’s always been gullible ever since he was a kid…

Wait, Robbie withdrew money a few hours ago—a lot of money, almost all their savings.

Could he have given it all to this so-called “Master Wang”?

Gab looked at Old Wang, feeling that this previously kind-looking young man suddenly seemed most disagreeable.

He also gave Skye a suspicious glance.

They’re friends? Could they be working together to scam Robbie?

Still, getting discharged early wasn’t a bad thing—it would save them money. Robbie’s an adult now; he’ll need money for marriage and children. Every bit counts…

“Alright,” Gab decided to wait and see.

He’d find a chance to talk with Robbie, and if things went wrong, he’d call the police.

Why would Robbie believe in this so-called master?

You weren’t like this before—you always believed in science, that only science could explain the world, and only modern medicine could heal my legs.

Robbie, you’ve changed!

Of course, Dr. Cumberbatch recommended further observation, but the patient had the final say.

That night, while Old Wang and Skye were out, Gab pulled Robbie aside for a heart-to-heart.

“Robbie, a broken leg is nothing—look at Hawking, he had it even worse! He became a world-famous scientist, and so can I! I’ve got it all planned out. I’ll go to Stanford or Berkeley, then intern at Stark Industries or Hammer Industries. I’ll focus on exoskeleton technology. One day, I’ll stand up on my own!”

Gab was tough, but Robbie was equally determined.

“Don’t worry, Gab. Mr. Wang isn’t a fraud. His abilities are beyond your imagination. I’ve seen them myself. And the money I withdrew will be put to good use, not wasted…” Robbie suddenly trailed off.

Because, in truth, Old Wang really had taken the money.

And didn’t plan on returning it.

So, it was actually true—they’d paid him to heal Gab’s leg, just as Gab had guessed…

But Robbie wasn’t worried about being scammed.

After seeing Old Wang in action, he knew this wasn’t some two-bit “master,” but a genuine master—like the kung fu masters in Kung Fu Panda, Po’s mentor.

No, he was even more impressive—like an immortal from Chinese mythology!

A chubby immortal.

Didn’t really look like Po’s master, more like… Po himself.

The next morning, they went to Robbie’s house—

Technically, it was Eli’s house, but Robbie and Gab had lived there since childhood.

It wasn’t large, but it was cozy.

Robbie helped Gab onto the bed, then looked at Old Wang with pleading eyes. “Wang, Gab’s leg…”

Old Wang was exasperated.

Not letting a man eat before working—Robbie, at this rate you’ll never find a girlfriend in your life.

He put down his instant noodles and chili sauce, and walked over to Gab.

A promise is a promise, especially since Old Wang had long planned to bring Robbie aboard the path toward the Purple Sweet Potato Spirit.

Gab was a good kid too; always top of his class, or he wouldn’t have the confidence to aim for Stanford or Berkeley. Interning at Stark or the worthless Hammer wasn’t necessary—Puerto Rico’s Dark Grimoire Laboratory would welcome him…

He raised his hand, placing it on Gab’s leg.

A wisp of true energy flowed in, probing the situation.

Hmm, the bone’s set, blood vessels reconnected, the main problem was nerve necrosis—nothing major… Old Wang guessed.

No major issues, at least no need for resetting bones. American doctors weren’t half bad.

Old Wang’s fingers twitched.

A faint green mist appeared, seeping into Gab’s body.

Mist of Restoration + Mist of Comfort: healing wounds, soothing a young wounded soul.

Done.

Old Wang clapped his hands and stood up.

“Wang, how is it?” Robbie, thinking Old Wang was still examining Gab, quickly asked.

“Treatment’s done. He’ll be fine soon.”

Old Wang fished an Eternal Water Bottle from his pocket, then picked up a cup from the table and carefully dripped in a tiny drop.

After a moment’s thought, he added another drop.

“Pour in some water and drink it.”

Old Wang handed the cup to Robbie. “This is a bonus… a major loss for me.”

A real loss.

Though it was only two drops, the Eternal Well essence inside was at least… 0.001 grams, that’s one milligram, a hundred micrograms.

Equivalent to dozens of quantum battery boxes.

He’d checked with Eli before.

Quantum batteries were expensive—each one cost tens of thousands of dollars.

A hundred micrograms of Eternal Well essence was worth at least a million dollars—enough to buy a house.

The Monk Grandmaster’s Mist of Restoration plus Mist of Comfort—healing Gab would be no problem.

Those two drops of essence wine were indeed a bonus…

“Thank you, Wang!” Robbie quickly thanked him.

He’d seen Old Wang sip this wine before, just a little at a time, so he knew it was precious. The Spirit of Vengeance in his head had grumbled several times, saying Old Wang was wasting it—one drop at a time was enough, not a whole mouthful.

Seeing Wang’s pained expression as he dripped those two drops, it had to be more expensive than Remy Martin or Moutai—probably some secret tiger bone wine or ginseng liquor.

A few hundred bucks for a tiny bottle, at least?

Gab looked at Old Wang skeptically, not believing for a second that this charlatan could heal his leg.

I’ve seen Hong Kong movies!

If you’re going to play the master, at least make it look convincing!

Gab sneered, about to unmask Master Wang’s true colors and show Robbie the truth.

Suddenly, he felt a warmth in his legs—warmer than home.

So comfortable!

Wait, now it’s itchy.

So itchy, I want to scratch!

A few seconds later, it turned to soreness, then pain.

A whole slew of sensations tormented Gab’s nerves—

Wait, I can feel something?

My leg nerves are working again?

Impossible, this isn’t scientific!

Gab was shocked and delighted, thrilled and terrified—afraid it was all an illusion.

He tried moving his leg.

It moved.

He pinched himself.

Ouch!

He hurriedly tried to stand, his legs trembling.

He fell, not used to it.

He waved off Robbie’s help, and tried again.

This time, he stood firm.

Then took a few steps.

Then several more.

He really could walk—he could even run!

How was this possible?

Gab turned to Old Wang.

Could there really be such wondrous powers, such miraculous people in the world?

“Here, drink this.”

Old Wang took the cup filled with water from Robbie and handed it to Gab. “Don’t worry, there’s no price to pay.”

Gab glanced at Robbie.

Robbie smiled encouragingly, nodding.

Gab hesitated no longer, and drank it all in one gulp, almost choking.

Powerful arcane energy, infused with life-giving vitality, coursed through Gab’s body.

He became healthier than ninety-nine percent of the world’s population.

And over time, as he continued to absorb the Eternal Well essence, his constitution would only improve.

“You could compete in the Olympics now.”

Old Wang smiled, picked up his instant noodles, and tore open the lid.

Suddenly, his brows furrowed and he sighed.

Would they never let him eat?

Ten seconds later, there was a knock at the door.