Chapter 56: Treating Tian Jinzhong
Lu Jin, standing nearby, wasn't a fool. From the conversation, he realized the old Celestial Master believed Wu Tong possessed the tool or power that could bring the dead back to life.
His burning gaze shifted from Zhang Huayi and locked onto Wu Tong, making the latter visibly uncomfortable.
Just as Wu Tong was about to speak up and ask about it, Rong Shan arrived, pushing Tian Jinzhong in his wheelchair.
As soon as Tian Jinzhong entered the courtyard, his gaze swept across everyone present. Only when he saw Zhang Huayi did his body relax, and a faint glimmer of tears welled up in his eyes.
"Senior Brother Tian…" Zhang Huayi looked at Tian Jinzhong—crippled and broken—and guilt filled his expression. He hadn't expected Tian Jinzhong to go this far just to protect that secret.
"Junior Brother Huayi… it's really you? I thought Rong Shan was lying to me… I never imagined…"
The moment he saw Zhang Huayi, Tian Jinzhong was overwhelmed. His eyes brimmed with tears, and his voice trembled with long-held emotion.
"Enough now. Save the sentimentality for later. If you two start crying here, it's going to turn into a full-blown drama. Since this troublemaker is back, I won't let him leave again."
Before things got too emotional, the old Celestial Master cut in, halting the reunion.
The fact that Zhang Huayi had returned from the dead had to be kept secret. If word got out, not only would old enemies come looking again, but greedy forces chasing after the secret of resurrection would swarm them.
So for Zhang Huayi's safety, the old Celestial Master had decided not to let him leave again. Even if the truth got exposed, he was confident he could protect him on Mount Longhu.
As the atmosphere gradually calmed down, Wu Tong stepped forward. "Celestial Master, since Elder Tian is already here, I'll begin the treatment."
He didn't plan to waste any more time—after all, his access pass only lasted three days.
"Treatment? What treatment? I'm not injured or sick," Tian Jinzhong said in confusion.
But then, as if realizing something, he glanced down at his own body—then looked toward the old Celestial Master.
The old master gave him a quiet nod in response, confirming his suspicions.
"You mean this crippled body… it can really be healed?" Tian Jinzhong's voice trembled with emotion. Even with all his years of cultivation, he couldn't stop the surge of hope.
Back when he lost all four limbs, he had once considered ending his life. He couldn't accept the blow. But the former Celestial Master stopped him just in time.
Though he had since let go of those thoughts, the pain and humiliation never fully faded. Watching others walk and move freely had always left a silent ache in his heart.
Who wouldn't want a whole and healthy body?
Now, just hearing that recovery was possible, even someone as calm as Tian Jinzhong couldn't hold back his excitement.
"Don't worry, Elder Tian. For me, this isn't a difficult matter," Wu Tong said confidently, patting his chest in assurance.
The old Celestial Master nodded. "Since Wu Tong is confident, let's begin. I believe Jinzhong can't wait any longer."
Wu Tong didn't delay. He moved behind the wheelchair and said, "Celestial Master, I'll need a quiet room—no interruptions."
The old master immediately instructed Rong Shan, "Rong Shan, take your martial uncle and Wu Tong to a quiet room."
"Follow me." Rong Shan didn't waste any time. He led Wu Tong and Tian Jinzhong to a separate room in the courtyard.
"Brother Wu Tong, go ahead and focus on the treatment. I'll be outside the door. No one will disturb you," Rong Shan said earnestly as Wu Tong wheeled Tian Jinzhong into the room.
Having grown up under Tian Jinzhong's care, Rong Shan was deeply moved and thrilled to see that he might recover soon.
Overwhelmed with emotion, Rong Shan couldn't keep calm. His eyes showed deep gratitude as he bowed solemnly to Wu Tong. "Also… thank you, Brother Wu Tong."
Wu Tong didn't shy away from the gesture and accepted it gracefully. "Don't worry, Brother Rong Shan. Elder Tian's condition isn't difficult for me. He'll be fine very soon."
Hearing that, Rong Shan finally relaxed. Once the two were inside, he closed the door and stood guard outside—eyes sharp, watching everything around him like a hawk.
…
Inside the room.
Wu Tong pushed Tian Jinzhong over to the bedside. Then he gently lifted him up, transferring him from the wheelchair to the bed.
"Elder Tian, I'm about to begin your treatment. First, I'll need to remove the necrotic flesh from your limbs to allow the new tissue to grow properly."
"It may hurt quite a bit, so please be prepared to endure it," Wu Tong said as he looked down at the elder lying in bed.
"Don't worry, child. What's a little pain? I've already gone through it once. Just do what you need to do," Tian Jinzhong replied with a calm smile, the kind that spoke of quiet acceptance.
"Then I'll begin now," Wu Tong responded. Without any further hesitation, he turned to prepare his tools.
One by one, he began pulling items from his Taiji soul-tool: a sharp scalpel, some disinfectant alcohol he'd bought on the way here, a lighter, a towel…
He also filled a water basin and set it on the table next to the bed.
Finally, he carefully took out a small bottle of light green liquid and placed it on the table.
This was a powerful healing potion Wu Tong had crafted himself—extracted from plant-type soul beasts and refined using rare medicinal herbs.
He called this potion Life Water, version 3.0.
The earlier versions—1.0 and 2.0—could only treat surface-level injuries. They couldn't regenerate lost limbs.
Only this third version was capable of full limb regeneration. But it was extremely rare and valuable.
Wu Tong had emptied his fortune to create nine vials. Some were sold off to powerful factions, others used to win over allies. Now, only three remained.
The one he would use today on Tian Jinzhong was one of those three.
With everything prepared, Wu Tong looked over the neatly arranged tools and wasted no time moving to the next steps.
He poured alcohol into a burner and lit it. Then he held the scalpel in the flame to sterilize it thoroughly.
Once it had been disinfected, he cooled the blade in the water basin, then wiped it down with medical gauze.
When all was ready, Wu Tong folded a thick towel and walked back to Tian Jinzhong.
"Elder Tian, be sure to bite down tight."
He was worried the pain might cause Tian Jinzhong to bite through his own tongue, so he gently placed the folded towel in his mouth.
Then, picking up the sterilized scalpel, he moved with precision.
Swish!
A flash of cold steel—clean and swift.
With a single stroke, Wu Tong sliced away the dead tissue at the ends of Tian Jinzhong's limbs.
"Mmghh—!!"
The pain hit like a lightning bolt. A wave of burning agony surged through Tian Jinzhong's body, exactly like the torment he had experienced years ago.
He couldn't hold back the moan of suffering. If the towel hadn't been in his mouth, his scream might have echoed across all of Mount Longhu.
[End of Chapter]
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