Briar’s performance in the open ss was broadcast in real–time on therge screen in Marvin’s office.
From the moment Briar began answering questions, Marvin’s eyes lit up. Although he wasn’t an expert <b>in </b>traditional <b>medicine</b><b>, </b><b>he </b><b>had </b><b>a </b>decent understanding of it. Briar’s skills were clearly the result of years <b>of </b>rigorous training, steady and solid.
Seeing her being courted by the masters <b>of </b>traditional medicine, Marvin couldn’t hide his smile.
No matter which master Briar chose to follow, she would still be a talent recruited by Shoneport University.
However, when he heard Briar reject the offers without hesitation and state that she had already found a mentor, Marvin nodded <b>in </b>understanding. With such solid skills, she must have had a distinguished teacher guiding her from a young age.
‘Briar has always lived in Qathana. When has Qathana produced such a remarkable master of traditional medicine?<b>‘ </b>he wondered.
Marvin turned his piercing gaze to Ashton, his interest piqued <b><i>“</i></b>Acton, you brought Briar to Shoneport University. You must have <b>done </b><b>your </b>
homework on her background, right? Do you know who her master is?”
Ashton was straightforward. “I checked. I don’t know.”
“How could that be?” Marvin’s voice rose in disbelief. “Is there something you can’t find out? Did you even bother to check<b>?</b><b>” </b>
Ashton replied irritably, “I did check, but the information I found was clearly tampered with. Briar’s background is definitely <b>not </b>ordinary<b>. </b><b>You </b>can give up trying to dig deeper; it’s impossible.”
Marvin was skeptical. “Really? Briar is just an ordinary girl from the Jennings family. Do they have that kind of influence?”
It wasn’t that Marvin underestimated the Jennings family. He knew a bit about Briar’s father, Edgar. The man had no real talent. The only reason the Jennings Group was still standing was due to the support from thepany’s veteran shareholders.
Marvin had even heard rumors that Edgar had been removed from his position as president recently, though he wasn’t sure if it was true.
Ashton kept his eyes on Briar on the screen. “Mr. Goodwin, don’t forget that Briar’s grandpa is the head of the Grant family from Qathana. Just because the Jennings family has no power doesn’t mean the Grant family is the same.”
Marvin winced. “You’re right. Back in the day, Mr. Grant saved the Jennings Group from bankruptcy.”
Suddenly, Ashton made a shh gesture, signaling Marvin to look at the screen.
Marvin’s eyes widened the next moment, and he jumped up from the sofa in excitement, pointing at Briar’s actions on the screen. “This is the Golden 81 Needles?”
Ashton had no idea what the Golden 81 Needles were. He had just wanted Marvin to pay attention to Briar’s acupuncture skills, but <b>Marvin’s </b>reaction was extreme.
Marvin wasn’t the only one excited. In the room<b>, </b>Joshua and the other masters of traditional <b>medicine </b><b>all stood </b><b>ur </b>eximing in unison, “This is the Golden 81 Needles?”
“Goodness me. I never thought i’d see the Golden 81 Needles in my lifetime.”
“The Golden 81 Needles are Tristan’s exclusive technique. Could it be that Briar’s master is Tristan<b>?</b><b>” </b>
<b>their </b><b>seats</b><b>, </b>
Joshua’s lips trembled, and his eyes behind his reading sses misted over. <b>No </b><b>one </b>understood <b>better </b><b>than </b><b>him </b><b>the </b><b>sheer </b><b>impact </b><b>of </b><b>Briar’s </b>demonstration of the Golden 81 Needles.
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<b>10:37 </b>Tue<b>, </b><b>12 </b><b>Aug </b>
‘Is <b>Tristan </b>still alive? He is. He must still be alive,‘ wondered Joshua.
Joshua’s moist gaze shifted toward a camera. Marvin in his office caught the look and felt both shocked and delighted.
With Joshua’s confirmation<b>, </b>Marvin was certain that the familiar acupuncture technique Briar was using was indeed Tristan’s exclusive <b>skill</b>.
The influence of the Golden 81 Needles back in Dasmieca was so great that even the top leaders had to personally visit to invite <b>him</b>.
Tristan had once said that if he didn’t find a truly talented apprentice in his lifetime, he would take the technique to his grave.
After Tristan left Dasmieca, the technique vanished without a trace. They had been searching for him privately for years<b>, </b>but hope after <b>hope </b>was dashed. Even Joshua had given up on finding Tristan.
But now, the Golden 81 Needles had resurfaced, and in the hands of an 18–year–old girl.
Judging by her skillful technique, she must have been with Tristan for quite some time.
That was to say, they had the whereabouts of Tristan. So Tristan was alive.
As if realizing something, Marvin’s expression changed abruptly. He grabbed Ashton’s arm frantically. “Ashton, quickly, get someone to block the live broadcast video. It can’t be allowed to spread. Hurry.”
He was so anxious that he was almost incoherent.
Ashton looked at the usually calm principal with surprise. Seeing Marvin so flustered was a first. Without asking any questions, Ashton took out his phone and made two calls.
“Mr. Goodwin, I’ve had the video intercepted before it could spread further<i>,</i>” Ashton said. “But this exclusive technique of the Golden <b>81 </b>Needles you mentioned? It’s going to be hard to keep it a secret.
“With so many students at Shoneport University having seen it, it’s not easy to silence thousands of people.”
Ashton voiced Marvin’s greatest concern. “Moreover, if Briar is indeed using the Golden 81 Needles, the news that she might be Tristan’s apprentice has probably already spread like wildfire.”
Tristan’s whereabouts were something even Ashton was willing to spend a fortune <i>to </i>find. He believed that in Dasmieca, there were more than just him searching for Tristan.
“Ashton, no matter whether Briar is Tristan’s apprentice or not, you have to find a way to protect her,” Marvin said, his face pale with regret.
ss?” “How could I have let her participate in this open
Ashton watched Briar, who was intently treating the patient, her deep eyes filled with contemtion. “Mr. Goodwin, perhaps Briar intended to showcase the Golden 81 Needles during this open ss.”
Marvin suddenly realized. “You mean she did it on purpose? Why?”
Ashton’s deep eyes remained fixed on Briar, a slight smile ying on his lips. “The reason is probably something only she knows.”
Marvin fell silent, watching Briar’s figure thoughtfully.