Chen Xiaobei was outraged.
After he mastered the Compendium of Materia Medica, The King of Medicine's Journal and Nine Dragon Acupuncture, he knew better than anyone that Chinese traditional medicine was both effective and supernatural.
Those three books were a pride for the Chinese people. Though Chen Xiaobei knew that common folk might not always grasp the essence of traditional approaches, he would never allow anyone insult those teachings.
Wu Shihao and Gu Caozhuo were speechless after his scolding. Both were overachievers in their respective fields; this was the first time they had received such a severe scolding from an outsider.
The two of them were more than eager to beat him up. However, Third Elder interjected abruptly just when they were about lunge at him.
"You people don't have to argue over me. I'm willing to let Xiaobei treat me…" The Third Elder's voice was both soft and weak, yet there was firm determination within. He clearly wanted Chen Xiaobei to prove himself.
"I know I'm going to die soon. I'll be grateful if Chen Xiaobei could heal me; I have nothing to lose either even if he fails …"
"Fine. I will not argue with Chen anymore since Third Elder has already made up his mind! I'll let everyone know."
Gu Caozhuo opened the door and gathered the core members to announce that Chen Xiaobei was going to help the Third Elder.
"Is that even possible? The specialist said that Third Elder could only live for another three hours! Is Chen Xiaobei trying to make our Third Elder suffer? This must be some kind of joke!"
"You're right. Just look at him, he's a brat! I really don't think he's an expert in medicine, even though he might know a thing or two about treatment!"
"More importantly, Third Elder's illness is beyond treatment! Why can't he just let Third Elder leave this world peacefully?"
"Stop messing around! We can't agree to this crap!"
...
The brotherhood elite simply had no faith in Chen Xiaobei's abilities in medicine. None of them agreed to his proposal.
"Everyone! Quiet, please! It's Third Elder's wish to let Chen Xiaobei heal him!" Murong Xiaoyao walked out of the ICU room and said gravely. "At least there's hope now that someno's trying to cure Third Elder! It's better than lying in bed and wait for the grim reaper!"
"What…" Everyone was stunned, and then nodded. "Lady Murong, you're right! But how sure are you that Chen Xiaobei could cure Third Elder?"
"A hundred percent!" Chen Xiaobei said sonorously and confidently.
"Bastard! Where's your humility? Not even doctors like me who studied overseas have the guts to say that! Do you really think that you're some kind of God?" Doctor Wong yelled.
"Actually, I'm a very humble person – I'm merely confident that the traditional treatments that I've learned can definitely cure Third Elder!" Chen Xiaobei said with a who-else-but-me tone and lifted eyebrows. "As a doctor, how could your patients believe in you when you yourself are not confident about your own skills?"
"I…" Wong Shihao was speechless.
The people around them quickly changed their mindset towards Chen Xiaobei; his confident expression afforded them the belief that his traditional approach might just prove to be effective.
"Since you're so confident about your medicine, are you going to bear the consequences if anything bad happens to Third Elder?" Gu Caozhuo's tone was out of the ordinary – as if he had something planned.
"I will bear all consequences! Happy? Now, get lost!" Chen Xiaobei glared at them coldly, before pushing both Gu Caozhuo and Wong Shihao out of the ICU room and slamming the door behind them.
"What sort of attitude is that? Such an arrogant son of a bitch!" Wong Shihao said furiously.
On the other hand, Gu Caozhuo was not angry at all; an ice-cold smile formed on his face.
He believed that it was impossible for Chen Xiaobei to cure Third Elder, and he would blame him when Third Elder dies. Everyone would then start to hate the brat's guts, and none would be able to challenge his position as the top dog of the faction!
Inside the ICU room.
Chen Xiaobei put his hands into his pocket, tapped on his cellphone without looking and drew a bottle of Hundred Herbs Potion from his treasure chest. "Third Elder, please drink this first." He handed it to Third Elder and took out the silver needles that he brought along last time.
"Xiaobei! What did you just give me? I feel so lively right now!" Third Elder said in shock.
"Wow! Third Elder looks so much better already! Is he cured? It's a miracle!" Murong Xiaoyao uttered in wonder, her beautiful eyes widened.
"The potion is my secret formula, it simply helps replenish lost vitality." Chen Xiaobei shook his head humbly. "Acupuncture is still needed to cure Third Elder's illness."
"So, you do know the art of acupuncture?" Xiaoyao's face turned crimson immediately, recalling the breast enlarging favor that Chen had offered her not too long ago.
"Hmmm. So, Chen Xiaobei wasn't lying to me. I wonder how good his acupuncture skill is? Should I really ask him to enlarge my breasts after he cures Third Elder?" She thought, her face blushing redder by the minute.
Meanwhile, Chen Xiaobei focused intensely.
He unlocked his needle packet and took out one silver needle. Moving it with his finger, he positioned it over Third Elder. In that moment, his acupuncture treatment was completely different from before.
Puncturing Third Elder's chest with the needle, Chen Xiaobei then held on to it. His movement was subtle, slow and appear almost motionless to others, but in truth his fingers twirled around the needles, adjusting it.
"Hot! The needle is burning hot!" Third Elder felt nothing for at least three minutes, before he felt the burning sensation flow from the needle into his body.
"Third Elder, please endure this. I'm using my Qi to eliminate your typhoid toxins; it would get even hotter. It's my desire to ensure that this illness does not recur!" Chen Xiaobei explained as he kept shifting the needle.
"How do you know that I was diagnosed with typhoid toxins?" The third Elder asked in surprise.
"Chinese traditional medication is all about observing, smelling, asking, and touching. One can observe the patient's Qi after mastering those methods. That's how I could tell." Chen Xiaobei answered.
"I wouldn't say that western medicine is completely useless, but they rely too much on technology and mechanical diagnosis. They tend to be lost without those assistants, and it's impossible for them to examine anything else without the help of their tools."
"Additionally, the typhoid toxin within your body is simply a flow of stagnant cold Qi! It can't be examined with their machines, which was why they told you quickly that you can't be cured!"
"Such a talented young man! I never expected a man your age to know so much about healing techniques!" Third Elder was genuinely impressed.
"Third Elder, you flatter me…" Chen Xiaobei's finger twitched, and he warned the elderly man. "The silver needle will get hotter now. Please hang on!"
"Alright!" Third Elder nodded. At first, the heat was bearable; it turned flame-hot after a few minutes.
"Argh… Ouch…" Third Elder screamed in agony!
Outside the ICU room.
"Why is Third Elder screaming in pain?! That Chen Xiaobei is a quack!" Gu Caozhuo seized the opportunity to make a fuss amongst the core members.
"Brothers! I will not forgive that Chen Xiaobei if he makes our Third Elder suffer before his death! I will make him suffer in turn and bury him alive with Third Elder!"
"Gu Caozhuo! Who are you going bury alive?"
The door flung open. Both Third Elder and Chen Xiaobei walked out of the ICU room together with a strong gust of wind, their eyes glaring at Gu Caozhuo icily.