Chapter 9: It Works

Two middle-aged men in dark blue work uniforms appeared at the doorway. The slightly younger one was supporting the older, more frail man. The younger one was Uncle Xu, their neighbor and Chen Xian’s father’s coworker, though in truth, he was a few years older than Chen Xian’s father. The paler, older man was none other than Chen Changhe.

“Changhe, what happened to you?!” Xu Lanhua’s face was etched with worry and tenderness when she saw her husband in this state, tears brimming in her eyes as she choked out her words.

Chen Changhe was the pillar of the family. If anything happened to him, it would be as if the sky had fallen. With the pillar toppled, one child in college and the other not yet grown, what would they do?

“Dad, what’s wrong?” Chen Xian hurriedly stood up and rushed to the doorway to help support his father.

“Your dad’s thrown out his back,” Uncle Xu explained.

The family helped Chen Changhe to a chair. “Dad, let me take a look,” Chen Xian offered.

“Lanhua, Xian, Ni, don’t worry. It’s nothing serious. Just rub some medicated oil on it and rest a day or two—I’ll be fine,” Chen Changhe said, trying to sound relaxed as he glanced at his tearful wife and anxious children.

“Changhe, you need to get that back checked at the hospital! You hurt it a few days ago and didn’t say anything, still working all these days. Now the pain’s gotten worse. How can we rest easy if you don’t let a doctor see it?” Uncle Xu urged.

Upon hearing this, Chen Xian realized his father had kept working despite his injury, all to earn more money and support the family. His eyes reddened at the thought.

“It’s not that serious, Old Xu,” Chen Changhe replied.

But before he could finish, a cry of pain escaped him—Chen Xian’s palm had pressed gently against his lower back.

“Dad, bear with it for a moment. I’ve learned some therapeutic massage techniques from an old doctor—they’re very effective for back pain.” As Chen Xian spoke, he silently drew upon a wisp of spiritual energy from his inner world, channeling it into his father’s back.

After a few seconds, Chen Changhe’s tightly furrowed brow eased. The pain in his back quickly subsided, replaced by a soothing warmth.

Soon, Chen Xian withdrew his hand. “Dad, try walking a few steps. Does it still hurt?”

At his son’s prompting, Chen Changhe stood up and took a few tentative steps, then strode back and forth with no sign of discomfort. His wrinkled face was filled with astonishment. “Not a bit! Xian, your technique is truly miraculous.”

Having already helped Zhang Xin with her foot injury, Chen Xian wasn’t surprised by the result. He’d used a wisp of spiritual energy to heal his father’s back.

“Xian, your technique is wonderful. If I ever hurt my back, you’ll help me too, right?” Uncle Xu said.

Chen Xian nodded. “Of course! Dad, Uncle Xu, Mom, Ni, now that Dad’s back is better, let’s all sit down to eat before the food gets cold!”

Relieved, Xu Lanhua and Chen Ni took their seats, and the family gathered around the table.

That meal lasted a full two hours. A bottle of yellow wine was shared between Chen Changhe and Uncle Xu, and every dish was finished. Everyone was joyful and content.

After seeing Uncle Xu off, Chen Xian took out the bank card Zhang Xin’s family had given him and handed it to his mother.

At first, his parents and sister were all startled—one hundred thousand yuan was no small sum. They knew Chen Xian worked part-time while studying, but there was no way he could have earned that much. They feared the money came from some illicit source.

Chen Xian told them the whole story of saving Zhang Xiaohan and how the Zhang family had thanked him. Only then did his family’s worries subside, and they all rejoiced at this sudden windfall.

“Dad, your back just recovered, and with this money, our finances won’t be tight for a while. You should really rest for a few days,” Chen Xian urged, looking at his father’s graying hair and aged face.

Chen Changhe’s wrinkled face trembled, full of comfort and pride. “Xian, your dad understands!”

That night, Chen Xian used his spiritual energy to help his mother with the aftereffects of polio. The treatment had some effect, but it couldn’t be cured in one go—mainly because his spiritual energy was limited. After treating both his parents, he had only a thin wisp of energy left, about the thickness of a strand of hair.

Still, he was delighted with the results and resolved to return every week to continue treating his mother. Chen Xian was confident that in time, his mother would recover and walk like a healthy person again; even her diabetes might improve.

With everything settled, he went to his room to rest. The house was small, so he shared a bunk bed with his sister—she slept below and he above.

So much had happened that night, and his little sister chattered away, full of questions like a curious child. The siblings talked until midnight before she finally fell asleep.

Chen Xian checked that she was asleep, then sat cross-legged and began to cultivate the Supreme Chaotic Art. Ever since the mysterious tree had fused with his mind, he’d felt energetic even without sleep, and cultivation only made him more vigorous.

Time slipped by. At dawn, with the first faint light in the sky, Chen Xian heard sounds outside the room. He opened the door and saw his father, already in his work uniform and about to leave.

“Dad, didn’t I tell you to rest for a few days? Why are you up so early, going to work again?” he said, a hint of reproach in his voice.

A kind, honest smile spread over Chen Changhe’s weathered face. “Xian, even though we have a hundred thousand yuan now, your sister will go to college, and we’ll need money for your future—buying a house, getting married—all that costs a fortune. While I’m still able, I want to earn as much as I can, so you won’t have so much pressure later. Now, go back to sleep—it’s still early.”

With that, Chen Changhe opened the door and headed out.

Watching his father’s graying hair, stooped back, and not-so-broad shoulders, Chen Xian felt a pang in his heart.

Such is the love of parents in this world!

He clenched his fists and silently vowed, “Dad, don’t worry. Your son will soon earn plenty of money, so you can finally enjoy a life of ease!”

With the mysterious tree and the Supreme Chaotic Art, Chen Xian was full of confidence about the future. He, too, left the house, hopped on his electric scooter, and headed back to school, pondering ways to make his fortune.

It was only 5:45 a.m., well before the morning rush hour. The roads were empty, allowing him to ride quickly. The brisk autumn wind, tinged with chill, blew against his face, refreshing his mind.

As he rode, his thoughts were in motion. “Now I have the ability to absorb external attacks and this mysterious spiritual energy. How can I use these to make money?”

“Maybe I could work as a bodyguard, a human punching bag, or help the police catch fugitives for reward…”

Bang!

“Stop! Don’t run!”

His train of thought was abruptly interrupted by a sharp, firecracker-like noise and a shout. He slammed on the brakes and turned toward the sound.

In an old alley of the demolition district nearby, several people were in a frantic chase. Two men and a woman pursued two other men, who were fleeing with backpacks in panic.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Both sides fired guns as they ran, exchanging shots in a scene as perilous as any crime thriller.