Chapter 25: Do You Submit?

As the renowned physician Liu Wenjing began to examine the elderly Mr. Zhao, Ye Feng turned to Hua Guodong with a curious look. "Is this Dr. Liu truly as exceptional as they say?"

Having spent five years in prison, and rarely visiting hospitals even before his incarceration, Ye Feng had never heard of such a figure.

"Exceptional? 'Exceptional' is an understatement! He is legendary!" Hua Guodong’s weariness vanished at the mention of the doctor, his admiration flowing like an endless river. "I won't speak for others, but take my father’s chronic arthritis, for example. His knees were in such agony that he could barely walk, and he was nearly reliant on a cane. We saw countless doctors, but nothing worked. Then, we were fortunate enough to meet Dr. Liu. And guess what? One needle, and my father was cured! To this day, he walks with a brisk, steady stride—better than my own!"

Ye Feng chuckled. "If he’s that miraculous, why haven't you had a needle yourself?"

"Haha, you're joking, Master," Hua Guodong replied with a sheepish grin. "I’m not sick, so why would I need a needle? But believe me, I’ve heard from my father that many high-ranking officials have sought his care. His reputation is beyond reproach. However, Dr. Liu is elderly now and rarely practices. It’s only because of the great respect held for the Zhao family that he agreed to come."

As they spoke, Liu Wenjing finished taking the pulse and began to expound on the cause of the illness. To those around him, it sounded like gibberish, yet they managed to glean the diagnosis: a "chill and fever" condition.

Zhao Tiancong asked in confusion, "My father is so critically ill; how could it be caused by a simple chill?"

Liu Wenjing smiled patiently. "A chill may seem minor, but it can be fatal. In traditional medicine, it is the root of a hundred ailments. Depending on the season, it merges with the energy of the time to manifest in different symptoms. Observing the elder, I see fever, headaches, body aches, a thin white coating on the tongue, and a tense, floating pulse. Coupled with his advanced age and frailty, this chill has caused his sudden collapse."

Zhao Tianming hurriedly asked, "Can you treat it, Doctor?"

"Heh!" Liu Wenjing chuckled again. "People call me 'Liu of the Single Needle' because, for most ailments, one needle is all it takes. Though your father is quite ill, I am confident that within three needles, I will restore him to health."

The Zhao family was overcome with joy, showering the doctor with such profuse gratitude that they nearly knelt before him.

"Heh..."

In the midst of the jubilant atmosphere, a sudden, discordant chuckle pierced the air.

Ye Feng shook his head with a wry, helpless smile. Having heard Hua Guodong’s lofty claims, he had expected to meet a peerless master. Instead, he found the doctor’s analysis of Mr. Zhao’s condition to be utterly incompetent.

"What are you laughing at?" Zhao Tiancong, spotting the source, flew into a rage. "Why are you still here? Are you trying to cause trouble?"

Just as he was about to have his men throw Ye Feng out, Liu Wenjing interrupted. "I wonder if this young friend has a different perspective? Since we are both men of medicine, why not speak up and discuss it?"

Ye Feng replied sternly, "I am laughing because you, Doctor, are poorly learned in the craft. You cannot even distinguish between a mere chill and an evil affliction, yet you dare to boast about curing the patient?"

The room fell silent in shock. To openly challenge the master’s medical skill? To mock him for a lack of expertise? What audacity! Hua Guodong frantically tugged at Ye Feng’s sleeve, signaling him to stop.

Even the composed Liu Wenjing could not help but grow angry. "Then, in your opinion, what is the cause of the elder’s condition?"

"It is an evil spirit," Ye Feng stated. "It is the presence of this malevolent energy that has caused the elder's condition to spiral out of control. A chill and an evil spirit may present similar symptoms, but they are worlds apart in nature."

Seeing Ye Feng mention the evil spirit, Zhao Wanting recalled something. She scanned the room and spotted the jade Buddha, which had been brought along and placed on the cabinet by the bedside. "Mr. Ye, is it this?" She picked up the jade Buddha and handed it to him. "If we get rid of this, will my grandfather recover?"

Ye Feng shook his head and set the jade aside. "The evil energy within this jade has already fully invaded the elder's body. It is too late."

"Nonsense!" Liu Wenjing roared. "What evil spirits? We are doctors, not charlatans performing sorcery! Do not use these non-medical gimmicks to deceive people. It is precisely because of frauds like you that the reputation of traditional medicine is ruined! You have repeatedly questioned my skills; today, I will show you that my title is not merely for show. If I cannot cure Mr. Zhao within three needles, I am willing to become your student and follow your commands!"

Ye Feng responded, "Very well. If you can cure him in three needles, then I will..." He paused, shaking his head. "No, you aren't qualified to be my master." After all, his own hundred-plus masters were all titans in their respective fields. A hack like Liu Wenjing could never hope to join their ranks.

"Then I shall be at your mercy, to do with as you please!" Ye Feng added.

Liu Wenjing was livid. "You may wish to be my student, but I would never accept the likes of you!"

With a huff, Liu Wenjing pulled out his silver needles to reclaim his honor. With the needle in hand, his aura shifted, the hostility replaced by a sense of calm. He held the needle for a moment, and a wisp of white smoke began to rise from the tip.

"Directing energy through the needle?" Ye Feng nodded to himself. He realized that while the doctor’s diagnosis was disastrously wrong, his skill in acupuncture was genuinely impressive.

The onlookers gasped in awe. "A true master! His technique is extraordinary!" "That brat is blind! How dare he mock the doctor? Where does he get the nerve?" "We'll deal with him once the doctor has finished the cure!"

Under the expectant gaze of the Zhao family, Liu Wenjing struck with the first needle. Instantly, the unconscious Mr. Zhao’s eyes snapped open. He exhaled a breath of stale air, and the deathly pallor on his face began to return to a healthy tone.

"He’s awake! The elder has woken up!" "A miracle! A single needle has cured him!" "Father, how do you feel?"

Mr. Zhao nodded slightly. "Mmm... much better..."

Liu Wenjing, basking in his success, looked smugly at Ye Feng. "Well? Are you convinced now?"