Chapter 8

Cyrus and Zen arrived at Robert Leon’s house. The front door was opened by a lady.

“Robert’s eldest daughter, Nia.” Cyrus informed Zen.

“Mr. Cyrus, who’s this?” Nia asked, her eyes flicking over to Zen, who came with no briefcase or medical tools.

“This is Tom, the practitioner I mentioned,” Cyrus replied, his tone respectful. “He’s the one who helped me with my issue.”

Nia’s gaze softened slightly, but there was still a hint of skepticism. “Please come in. My father is in his room, but be warned, we have a team of doctors here who have been treating him.”

As they entered, Cyrus led the way and they found Robert lying on a bed, looking pale and weary. Two doctors were scattered around the room, discussing treatment options.

“Dr. Lee, Dr. Morris,” Cyrus greeted the doctors with a nod. “This is Tom. He’s here to see if he can help Robert.”

Dr. Lee, a middle-aged man with a stern demeanor, raised an eyebrow as he noticed Zen pull an acupuncture kit out of his pocket. “I see we have a new player in the field. How exactly do you plan to help?”

Zen walked towards Robert, “I specialize in traditional medicine. Acupuncture has been effective for many conditions. I’d like to assess Mr. Leon’s condition.”

Dr. Morris, a younger man with a more casual approach, chuckled. “Acupuncture? You’re joking, right? We’ve tried every modern treatment available, and nothing’s worked. Are you trying to say small needles are going to change that? Look at this idiot Miss Jane.”

Dr. Morris turned to a girl standing behind him.

Cyrus draws closer to Zen and whispers, “Robert’s younger daughter.”

Jane, Robert’s daughter, stepped forward and her frustration was evident. “You’re not seriously thinking that this… this pseudo-science will help where actual medicine has failed, are you?”

Zen remained calm. “I understand your skepticism. If you prefer, I can step aside and let you continue with your treatments. But the old man needs serious attention as soon as possible.”

Jane’s eyes narrowed. “No! I’m not going to let you get anywhere close to my father,” she said as she spread her arms, blocking his path.

Jane’s anger boiled over. “You’re not a real doctor. You’re just some charlatan who thinks sticking needles in people is a cure-all. My father’s life is on the line, and you’re wasting our time with this

“Jane, please,” Cyrus tried to calm her. “You’re being very rude to the only person who can save your family, give him a chance. He helped me when no one else could.”

“No!” Jane shouted. “We’re not going to let this fraud touch my father!”

Dr. Lee crossed his arms, glaring at Zen. “I agree. We’ve made significant progress with our treatments, and there’s no room for unproven methods.”

Zen stepped back, maintaining his composure despite the harsh words. “I’ll step aside if that’s your decision. I just hoped to offer an additional option.”

As Zen withdrew, the doctors resumed their work. They administered another round of medication and adjusted Robert’s position, but the change in his condition was subtle and unsatisfactory, they made it worse.

“Why isn’t he improving?” Jane demanded, pacing the room. “We’ve done everything!”

Dr. Morris looked over the charts with frustration in his expression. “The treatments should be working. I don’t understand why his condition isn’t stabilizing.”

Zen observed from the sidelines, as Robert’s condition seemed to deteriorate further. Cyrus approached Zen, desperation in his eyes.

Cyrus turned to Zen and held him. “Tom, please. I know they’ve refused you, but Robert is getting worse. I’m begging you—help him,” he said.

Zen sighed and began walking towards Robert.

“Hey! What are you trying to do!?” Dr. Morris called out. Despite the doctors’ protests, Zen walked over to Robert. “I’m going to try a different approach,” Zen said, positioning himself carefully.

Jane stormed over. “No! You’re not touching him. You’ve already done enough damage!”

Zen looked at Robert, then at Jane. “I’m sorry, but I need to see your father right now or he’s gonna die soon.”

Jane’s face was red with anger. “You think you can just barge in and try to save the day? You fraud! You’re a joke, and you’re endangering my father!”

“Why are you so fixated on this?” Dr. Lee asked, crossing his arms as he watched Zen. “We’re doing everything we can with modern medicine. If you have any real proof that this works, I’d like to see it.”

Zen inserted a needle with precision, and Robert flinched slightly. “Sometimes the body needs a different kind of intervention. Modern medicine has its limits, and sometimes traditional methods can complement it.”

Jane shook her head, clearly frustrated. “I can’t believe we’re wasting time with this. I’m going to call for another consultation.”

“Jane, wait,” Cyrus said urgently. “We should give him a chance. Remember, I was in a similar situation before Zen helped me.”

Jane hesitated for a bit but walked away to make the call. As she did, the other doctors continued their discussions, but their expressions showed they were not taking Zen’s approach seriously.

Minutes ticked by as Zen worked steadily. Robert’s breathing remained shallow, and his discomfort could still be seen. Zen remained focused, carefully adjusting the needles.

“Dr. Morris, would you like to observe closely?” Zen asked, hoping to bridge the gap between traditional and modern medicine.

“Observe? I’m more inclined to question your methods,” Dr. Morris replied, crossing his arms.

“Very well,” Zen said, not perturbed by the challenge. He continued his work, inserting the final needle and adjusting the position to ensure proper alignment.

“I’ve done what I can,” Zen said, stepping back. “He’ll be fine,” Zen said.

“He’ll be fine? And you expect us to take your word for it,” Dr. Morris said as he walked closer.

Suddenly, Robert coughed.

The room fell into a tense silence as the doctors ran to him. Robert’s condition seemed to stabilize, his breathing becoming a bit more regular. The doctors exchanged uneasy glances, clearly unsure of how to react.

Dr. Lee finally approached Robert, examining him closely. “There seems to be a massive improvement,”

Cyrus seized the moment. “Robert’s been deteriorating despite our best efforts. Any positive change is worth noting.”

“Any positive changes? His vitals are already spiking back to normal, if I wasn’t here, I wouldn't have believed this was possible,” Dr. Lee said, arranging his glasses.

Dr. Morris examined the needles skeptically. “I’m not convinced this is the solution. Modern medicine is backed by research and evidence, while this is…”

Before he could finish, Robert’s eyes fluttered open. His voice was weak but clear. “Wha-what’s happening?”

Just then, Jane returned, her face pale and anxious. “The other doctors are on their way. What’s happening with Dad?”

Her eyes widened as she saw him lay on the bed with his eyes open. “Dad, are you really feeling better?” She said as she ran towards him

“I am,” Robert confirmed, albeit weakly.

Zen nodded. “I’m glad to hear that. I’ll continue to monitor and adjust the treatment as needed.”

Dr. Lee glanced at Zen, a trace of begrudging respect in his eyes. “I suppose we should consider this a partial success, if nothing else.”

Dr. Morris remained skeptical but quiet, his scientific mind clearly conflicted. Jane took a deep breath, looking between Zen and the doctors.

“Dr. Lee, Dr. Morris, thank you for saving my father,” Jane said firmly.

“Oh, you’ve got it all wrong miss,” Dr. Lee said, “it wasn’t us who healed him, it was that man,” He pointed towards Zen who had already turned and was heading out.

Jane’s expression changed, she wore a saddened expression, more of regret and self realization.

The room’s atmosphere began to shift from tense to cautiously hopeful. Cyrus, clearly relieved, put a reassuring hand on Zen’s shoulder. “Thank you, Tom. I knew you could make a difference.”

Zen gave a small nod. “Your friend is healed, I’ll take my leave and we can discuss my payment when he’s no longer on sick bed.

Dr. Lee observed the change with a skeptical frown. “I’m not sure what’s happening, but this is not what I expected.”

Dr. Morris kept his arms crossed but looked increasingly conflicted. “If there’s any improvement, I’m sure it’s minimal.”

Dr. Lee looked at Morris who didn’t seem to like the idea that Zen healed Robert.

Jane, watching her father closely, seemed to be caught between disbelief and hope. Her anger began to wane as she saw her father’s condition stabilize.

“Is this really working?” Jane asked, her voice wavering.

“It seems so,” Dr. Lee replied.

Dr. Lee and Dr. Morris exchanged glances, their professional pride clearly bruised. “We’ll continue to observe,” Dr. Morris said begrudgingly. “But I remain unconvinced.”

Tears began to roll down Jane’s cheeks as she saw her father’s eyes finally opened after so long. “I was extremely rude to my father’s savior,” she cried softly.