Chapter 4 Please Correct Me, Mr. Carter
Whitmore turned sharply, disbelief written across his face.
The young man had recognized the Seven-Point Method at a glance. More than that, he’d known it was incomplete.
When the physician spoke again, his tone had changed.
“Even the simplified version should regulate his energy and ease his breathing. Why would it cause this?”
“Because you needed to release the pressure, not hold it back,” Ryan said. “You chose the wrong points. Instead of allowing the trapped energy to escape, you sealed it inside. When you removed the needles, it surged back.”
He glanced at the bed.
“Think of holding a ball underwater. You can keep it down as long as your hand’s on it. Let go, and it shoots to the surface.”
“I chose the wrong points?” Whitmore repeated.
Walter was still fighting for air. He looked as though he might not last another few seconds.
There was no time for a lecture.
Ryan stepped to the bedside and took a silver needle from the tray.
“The first needle belongs at Spirit Seal, not Chest Center.”
His hand moved as he spoke. The needle slipped into place, about a third of an inch deep, in one swift, precise motion.
Whitmore’s eyes widened.
A silver needle that fine was extremely flexible. Inserting it so cleanly, without the slightest hesitation, took extraordinary control.
Even he couldn’t have done it that well.
“Second needle. Covered Walkway.”
Ryan never paused. Needle after needle flashed between his fingers and settled into place.
Richard and the others moved to stop him, but Whitmore extended an arm, holding them back. His attention never left Ryan’s hands.
With each needle, his expression grew more intent.
“The Life-Restoring Method!”
The name burst out of him.
Of all the extraordinary acupuncture techniques in the world, the Life-Restoring Method ranked third. It was one of the supreme arts of his discipline.
And this young man could use it.
Ryan withdrew his hands, then pressed two points on Walter’s body.
The old man’s rigid frame relaxed. A long breath escaped him, and the purple tinge began to fade from his face.
He could breathe again.
Ryan released the pressure and helped him settle against the pillows. Then he glanced at Whitmore.
“Good eye. That’s exactly what it is.”
An uneasy silence followed.
Had Whitmore said those words to Ryan, no one would have thought anything of it. Coming from Ryan, they sounded almost absurdly familiar—as though he were the senior physician commending a promising student.
Richard knew nothing about acupuncture. The names of the techniques meant nothing to him.
But he had just watched his father come close to suffocating. Now Walter was breathing steadily, and his color was returning.
Even Richard could understand that.
And the astonishment on Whitmore’s face told him the rest. The celebrated physician had made a mistake. Ryan had stepped in and corrected it.
Relief mingled with unease as Richard studied him.
His daughter’s unexpected boyfriend had saved Walter’s life. He should have been delighted.
But how was he supposed to get rid of him now? Walter would never tolerate it.
Chloe stood speechless beside the bed.
She’d picked this guy up off the street. How the hell was he this good?
That seventy-five hundred dollars had been worth every cent.
Whitmore gave Ryan a respectful nod.
“May I ask your name?”
“Ryan Carter.”
“And who taught you, Mr. Carter?”
“My mentor’s last name is Sullivan. That’s all I know.”
Whitmore searched his memory. He couldn’t think of a renowned physician named Sullivan, but this was hardly the time to pursue it.
“It’s fortunate you were here. You prevented a grave mistake, Mr. Carter. You have my sincere thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
Whitmore glanced back at Walter.
“The acupuncture has relieved his symptoms, but the underlying condition remains. Do you have a way to treat it?”
Ryan nodded.
“Acupuncture and an herbal formula. With proper care and enough time to recover, he can get well.”
Whitmore brightened. After a moment’s thought, he asked Hayes for a pen and paper and wrote down a formula. Then he offered the sheet to Ryan.
“This is what I would prescribe. Please tell me if there’s anything I should change, Mr. Carter.”