Soon, following Physician Hao to the study, he produced a wooden box and placed it on the table.
"Kid, if you can help me uncover this secret, I'll grant you one wish."
"What is this?" Ye Fan asked, his gaze fixed on the lustrously polished box.
Jiang Zhitao, standing nearby, chuckled, covering his mouth.
"This old man's sect left behind a great treasure. It's said that if it can be opened without damaging the box, one can obtain a top-tier medical text inheritance. But this wooden box has no visible seams, and even modern instruments couldn't detect anything. So, it's been left here for years. Brother Ye, you're a master appraiser with incredible foresight; perhaps you can find some clue. As long as you can open this box, this old man can't refuse to help you."
Upon hearing Jiang Zhitao's explanation, Ye Fan's expression cleared with understanding. "So that's how it is. If that's the case, this will be easier to handle."
"Kid, if you damage my precious item, I'll hunt you down to the ends of the earth and poison you," Physician Hao warned as Ye Fan slowly stepped forward.
Ye Fan ignored him, his mind as calm as still water. He stared intently at the box, crafted from a scant inch of Huanghuali wood, with layered sides. Inside, eighteen silver needles of varying lengths were neatly arranged. The surface of these layers was coated with a metallic powder, effectively blocking detection devices. In the very center of the box lay a medical book, inscribed with four characters: Qian Jin Yi An.
To ordinary people, this might hold little value, but to a physician, it was a priceless treasure. Qian Jin Yi An, Ye Fan had heard of it in his previous life. It was said to be a treasure passed down for millennia, not only documenting cases of difficult and rare illnesses but also containing unknown secrets. No wonder it was preserved so meticulously.
A moment later, Ye Fan turned to Physician Hao. "I have a way to open this box. However, after it's opened, I ask that Elder Hao treat my sister."
Physician Hao abruptly stood up and grabbed Ye Fan's collar. "You, you're sure you can open this box?" Compared to healing people, which was a simple matter, this box was the utmost priority.
Gently pushing Physician Hao's hand away, Ye Fan nodded indifferently.
"Fine, as long as you can open this box, your sister's illness is on me. I can pull her back even from the gates of hell," Physician Hao vowed, patting his chest.
Satisfied with Physician Hao's assurance, Ye Fan nodded and then instructed, "Bring a basin of white vinegar, a candle, and a knife."
Physician Hao looked puzzled, not understanding the request. Jiang Zhitao, however, chimed in, "Hurry up and get what he asked for. Do you still want the box opened?" He believed Ye Fan could open it with absolute certainty; Ye Fan's words were like imperial decrees to him.
Chided by Jiang Zhitao, Physician Hao quickly ordered Ah Shui to prepare the items.
Ten minutes later, a large basin of white vinegar, a red candle, and an art knife were brought over. Ye Fan directly dropped the box into the basin of white vinegar.
Seeing this, Physician Hao was aghast and rushed to retrieve it, but Jiang Zhitao grabbed him. "Old geezer, you know nothing! If you disturb Brother Ye and the box can't be opened, who will bear the consequences?"
Angered by Jiang Zhitao's scolding, Physician Hao retorted, "You brat, you..." Before he could finish, the box began to emit a large number of bubbles. The swirling cloud patterns on the surface gradually disappeared, revealing a series of lines.
At this moment, Ye Fan took the box out, lit the candle, and began to gently heat it. As the candle heated the box, a seam on its surface started to drip with a viscous substance that landed on the tabletop, emitting a faint fragrance.
"This is pine resin, used by ancients to seal seams. It's similar in effect to modern strong adhesives," Ye Fan explained calmly, observing the fragrant, pine-scented liquid.
This series of events utterly stunned Physician Hao; the problem that had troubled him for years was solved so easily. After ten minutes, with no more resin dripping, Ye Fan placed the box on the table. A clear seam was now visible on its surface. He took the art knife from the side and meticulously inserted it along the seam, working from top to bottom until there was no resistance. Ye Fan then smiled, "The rest is up to Elder Hao." After all, this was Physician Hao's long-cherished treasure; the most crucial part naturally had to be handled by him.
Physician Hao's body trembled, his hands shaking uncontrollably. He slowly approached the box. One step, two steps, three steps… Each step seemed to narrate the hardships and suffering he had endured over the years. The moment his hands touched the box, Physician Hao burst into laughter. "The sect's inheritance has finally been found by a unworthy disciple! Master, your spirit can now rest in peace." With that, he exerted force with both hands, and the box opened, revealing the Qian Jin Yi An within.
Gazing at the Qian Jin Yi An in archaic script, Physician Hao seemed to have acquired the greatest treasure. He tremblingly took it out. "It's truly Qian Jin Yi An! I never expected this inheritance to be so profound." His voice quivered, and in his excitement, he nearly collapsed.
"Elder Hao, don't be too hasty. This inheritance isn't just this one book; there's more," Ye Fan said, taking the art knife and swiftly scraping the surface of the box. His movements were careful and gentle. After a good ten minutes, he managed to create a seam. Then, with a gentle pry, five silver needles were revealed. "This box contains a total of eighteen silver needles, including these. Elder Hao can retrieve them later; I have already demonstrated the method."
Upon seeing the silver needles, Physician Hao's eyes widened in astonishment. "What a treasure! It truly is a treasure!" He was so excited he danced like a child.
Seeing Physician Hao's ecstatic state, Ye Fan gave a helpless wry smile and then signaled to Jiang Zhitian. The two of them temporarily withdrew, sensing that Physician Hao would need some time to revel in his excitement, and their presence might be intrusive.
They went to the living room, where Ah Shui had already served tea. The two sipped their tea, awaiting Physician Hao. A full half hour later, Physician Hao finally emerged with light, springy steps.
"Kid, let's go. Since you've helped me, I'll never go back on my word. No matter what serious illness your sister has, I can definitely cure her." Watching Physician Hao's boisterous demeanor, Ye Fan repeatedly frowned. If Jiang Zhitao hadn't known his capabilities, Ye Fan would never have believed him. His current appearance bore no resemblance to that of a divine physician.
Sighing inwardly, Ye Fan could only say, "In that case, I'll trouble you, Divine Physician Hao."
...