Chen Feiyu cast a sidelong glance at Uncle Zhong, then walked over to Xie Zirui. He quickly retrieved and stowed his silver needles before saying coolly, "Get up. In the future, remember to watch your mouth, or you really will become the fool you claimed I was."
Xie Zirui jumped up in an immediate rage, only to exclaim in shock, "Damn, I’m actually healed."
The crowd erupted into an uproar. Even the way they looked at Chen Feiyu had shifted completely.
Han Muqing let out a sigh of relief, feeling a quiet sense of joy.
Uncle Zhong chuckled. "Zirui, don't you hurry up and thank him? If he hadn't held back, you would have been paralyzed for life."
"Uncle Zhong, are you sure you aren't joking? How could a small-time con like him be that good? It must just be a coincidence." Xie Zirui refused to believe in Chen Feiyu at all.
Chen Feiyu shook his head inwardly, cursing him as a "moron," and turned away, ignoring him entirely.
Suddenly, the door to an adjacent bedroom opened, and a middle-aged doctor in a white coat stepped out.
Xie Yongguo, ignoring Chen Feiyu, immediately rose and walked over anxiously. "Doctor Hu, how is my father?"
Doctor Hu shook his head, sighed, and said, "To be honest, the situation is not optimistic."
The expressions of everyone in the Xie family changed instantly. Even Xie Yongguo, who had seen his fair share of storms, couldn't help but go pale.
Han Muqing’s face turned grim as she muttered to herself, "Doctor Hu is one of the country's top neurology experts. If even he is helpless, does that mean there’s no hope left?"
Chen Feiyu shook his head and said, "Not necessarily. An expert is not an authority. Just because he can't cure it doesn't mean others have no way."
His voice was loud enough that everyone turned to look at him.
Hu Wenguang’s face darkened, and he frowned. "Who are you?"
"What a coincidence," Chen Feiyu said with a smile. "I'm a doctor too, and a practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine."
Hu Wenguang sneered with disdain. "TCM has long been obsolete. It can't compare to the scientific system of Western medicine. To think that someone as young as you, having learned nothing but backward, dregs of medical knowledge, would dare to show off—young people these days really don't know the meaning of humility."
Xie Yongguo and the others nodded slightly. TCM was an empirical practice; naturally, it could not be compared to modern, scientific medicine.
Chen Feiyu retorted with contempt, "For an expert, your perspective is remarkably shallow. Based on that opinion alone, I can say you know nothing about TCM."
Hu Wenguang was infuriated. "Ridiculous! I am close friends with Liang Bonan, a grandmaster of TCM, and even he wouldn't dare say such things. Which TCM college did you graduate from to dare challenge me?"
Chen Feiyu shook his head. "I never went to a TCM college, but I know that TCM is vast and profound. Only charlatans who trade on their reputations would doubt its efficacy."
These words were essentially a slap to Hu Wenguang’s face. As one of the country's top experts, who didn't treat him with the utmost courtesy?
"You're young and arrogant," Hu Wenguang barked. "If that's the case, do you dare make a bet with me? If you can't cure Elder Xie, you’ll kneel and apologize to me immediately!"
Chen Feiyu smiled playfully. "Sure. If I lose, not only will I kneel and apologize, I’ll also cut off an arm myself. But what if you lose?"
The crowd gasped. They hadn't expected Chen Feiyu to be so ruthless toward himself.
Xie Zirui mocked him, "Moron. With the old man in such critical condition, he actually dares to make a bet. He's digging his own grave!"
Hu Wenguang’s eyes lit up—this was self-inflicted. "Fine! If I lose, I will not only apologize to you, but I will publicly admit that Western medicine is inferior to TCM."
"Deal," Chen Feiyu said with a calm smile, appearing entirely confident.
Led by Xie Yongguo, Chen Feiyu arrived at Xie Anxiang’s bedside. An old man lay in a coma, his face deathly pale, his eye sockets sunken—a clear sign that his days were numbered.
Chen Feiyu frowned. "By the way, what was the illness the old man had?"
When he said this, everyone nearly fainted.
*Damn, he doesn't even know what the disease is, yet he dared to bet with Hu Wenguang? How could this guy be so reckless?*
"Pfft," Xie Xingxuan nearly laughed out loud, but realizing the gravity of the situation, she hurriedly stifled it.
Han Muqing was startled. *I forgot to tell Chen Feiyu such crucial information—we're done for.*
Hu Wenguang said triumphantly, "Brain cancer, and in the terminal stage. Well? Can you cure this?"
For the first time, Chen Feiyu’s expression turned serious. He took a deep breath and said, "I am going to begin treatment. The techniques of TCM are not to be shared; those who are not involved should leave."
Hu Wenguang’s expression shifted, then he sneered, "I’ll see what kind of tricks you can pull."
After everyone left, Chen Feiyu checked Xie Anxiang's condition. It was grim; the tumor in his brain was already large and pressing against his nerves, which was why surgery was impossible.
However, Chen Feiyu was not without options.
He pulled a yellow box from his pocket containing nine silver needles of varying lengths and sizes. Had any true master of TCM been present, they would have been utterly shocked.
*Above, the Nine Heavens!*
*Below, the Nine Provinces!*
*In man, the Nine Orifices!*
*In medicine, the Nine Needles!*
The *Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon* states, "The Nine Needles: small, they have no interior; large, they have no exterior. They are boundless and inexhaustible, harmonizing with the Dao of Heaven, human affairs, and the changes of the four seasons."
What Chen Feiyu had mastered was the "Nine Needles of Heaven," said to have been passed down by the Yellow Emperor Xuanyuan himself. At its highest level, the use of all nine needles could revive the soul and remake the bones, possessing infinite mystery.
Chen Feiyu had found a partial volume of the "Nine Needles of Heaven" in his master's collection by pure chance. Because of this, he had only mastered the third needle, but treating Xie Anxiang’s brain cancer was not a significant problem.
Chen Feiyu stilled his mind, pinched a needle, and inserted it into the *Baihui* acupoint on Xie Anxiang’s head.
In acupuncture, "For the deficient, supplement; for the excess, drain." The essence of the Nine Needles lies in the balance of emptiness and fullness.
Chen Feiyu used the silver needles to target the acupoints in the old man's brain. He channeled his internal *Qi* through the needles to slowly stimulate and dissolve the tumor, forcing it to be expelled.
The method sounded simple, but the operation was exceptionally difficult, requiring the practitioner to have profound cultivation. It could be said that in all the world, Chen Feiyu was the only one capable of curing Xie Anxiang.
Had someone been watching, they would have seen a faint layer of green *Qi* covering the needles, emitting a soft glow. Slowly, color began to return to Xie Anxiang’s face.
***
The Xie family waited together outside the room. As time passed, the look of triumph in Hu Wenguang’s eyes grew more intense. He sneered, "It’s been almost an hour. Is Chen Feiyu hiding inside because he doesn't dare come out? Him cutting off his own arm is a small matter, but delaying the Elder's condition is a major one. Head of the Xie family, you must be careful."
"Shut your mouth!" Han Muqing glared at him, though she had little confidence herself.
She had brought Chen Feiyu here on a whim, never expecting the situation to become this dire. Had she known, she would never have brought him.
Xie Zirui chimed in, "Sister Qing, I think Doctor Hu is right. The old man doesn't have a common illness. Unless Chen Feiyu started learning medicine in his mother's womb, he couldn't possibly cure him."
Suddenly, the door opened. Chen Feiyu stepped out slowly and smiled. "What’s this? Are you all waiting for me at the door, hoping to recruit me as a son-in-law? Let me just say, I don't want anyone uglier than Sister Qing."
Xie Xingxuan was the princess of the Xie family. Being teased about being a "son-in-law" felt like he was mocking her. She immediately blushed, feeling secretly annoyed.
Hu Wenguang sneered, "You dare to come out after delaying the Elder's condition? Cut off your own arm and apologize to the Xie family; you might just keep your life."
Chen Feiyu looked surprised. "I was wondering what dog was barking—so it’s you, the quack. Why would I cut off my arm?"
"You're still posturing at a time like this?" Hu Wenguang said triumphantly. "Have you forgotten our bet? If you couldn't cure the Elder, you were to cut off your arm. Everyone here heard it!"
Xie Yongguo’s face was dark. "Doctor Hu is right. Chen Feiyu, tell me, have you cured my father?"
Chen Feiyu rubbed his nose and smiled. "I haven't cured him completely yet."
Han Muqing’s face turned deathly pale; despair filled her eyes. Uncle Zhong sighed to himself, shaking his head in disappointment as he prepared to leave.
Hu Wenguang laughed loudly, excited. "In that case, hurry up and cut off your arm. Do it yourself!"
"Wait," Chen Feiyu said with a cold smile. "I haven't cured him completely because he was already at death's door; it’s hard to heal him in one go. However, I have already alleviated his condition. A few more treatments, and he will fully recover."
"What did you say?"
The crowd was stunned, nearly petrified on the spot. The Elder had terminal brain cancer. Even the top national experts couldn't do anything—adding a few years to his life would be a miracle. Chen Feiyu claimed he could ensure a full recovery?
Uncle Zhong stopped in his tracks, turning to stare at Chen Feiyu in shock.
Han Muqing was stunned and overjoyed. "You... are you telling the truth?"
Xie Yongguo said in a deep voice, "Chen Feiyu, this is no joke. Lying to me, Xie Yongguo, has serious consequences."
Chen Feiyu rolled his eyes and stepped aside. "You people are strange. Instead of spouting nonsense questioning me, why don't you go inside and see for yourself? Then you'll know if it's true or false."
No sooner had he finished speaking than a figure rushed inside—it was Uncle Zhong.
Immediately after, a voice filled with surprise and excitement echoed from the room: "Brother Xie, you... you’re really awake?"
Xie Yongguo and the others rushed in, shocked and happy. Just as Chen Feiyu had said, the old man was sitting up, leaning against the headboard with a smile, his complexion looking much healthier.
Xie Yongguo asked excitedly, "Father, how are you feeling?"
Xie Anxiang laughed. "Thanks to young friend Chen Feiyu, I’ve picked up my life again. He truly is a man of great skill."
Hu Wenguang’s face turned ashen; he nearly collapsed, muttering, "Impossible, impossible... terminal brain cancer, even surgery was impossible. How could the backward TCM cure it? This can't be real..."
Although Han Muqing hadn't gone in, she heard Xie Anxiang’s voice. Overjoyed, she rushed over and hugged Chen Feiyu. Like a young girl, she exclaimed excitedly, "Feiyu, I never thought you’d be so amazing! You were inside for so long without coming out, you scared me to death."
She was the one who had brought Chen Feiyu. If he had worsened the Elder's condition, even with the support of the eldest Xie master, she would not have escaped responsibility. The pressure had been immense. Now, seeing the old man’s improvement and the hope for a full recovery—all thanks to Chen Feiyu—the pressure vanished, replaced by sheer excitement.
With the warmth and softness of her body in his arms, Chen Feiyu looked intoxicated. He couldn't help but hug her slender waist, giving it a light squeeze, and laughed, "Strictly speaking, the Elder woke up a quarter of an hour after I went in. We just spent the rest of the time chatting. I didn't think you’d be so worried."
"What? You cured him in a quarter of an hour?" Han Muqing nearly fainted. So many famous experts had been helpless, yet in Chen Feiyu’s hands, it was so simple? How magical was his medical skill?
*It seems I stumbled upon a treasure by accident,* she thought excitedly.
***
Suddenly, Han Muqing realized they were in an intimate embrace. This was her first time being so close to a man, and she blushed, immediately pulling away.
"Cough, cough. Chen Feiyu, my grandfather wants you to come in," Xie Xingxuan said, walking over. Her beautiful eyes curiously studied Chen Feiyu, as if trying to see through him.
Realizing they had been seen, Han Muqing’s face burned, and her heart raced.
Chen Feiyu nodded with a smile and walked inside.
Xie Anxiang’s eyes lit up. He waved his hand and said with a smile, "Young friend Chen, come sit here."
The crowd was moved. Among those present, only Uncle Zhong was seated on the bed. Everyone else, including Xie Yongguo, was standing to the side—there was no room for them to sit. Now, Xie Anxiang inviting Chen Feiyu to sit beside him carried deep significance. Many in the room were already doing some mental calculations, and the way they looked at Chen Feiyu changed once more.
Han Muqing was even happier; without realizing it, she had already placed Chen Feiyu on her side.
Unexpectedly, Chen Feiyu shook his head and said with a smile, "Wait a moment. I have something else to do first."
The crowd’s eyes widened in disbelief. Xie Anxiang was a military titan, powerful and prestigious; his words were law. Being in his favor was a ticket to walk sideways through Mingji City—a privilege countless people dreamt of. Yet Chen Feiyu dared to reject his invitation in public? He truly didn't know what was good for him.
Many shook their heads secretly; young success often led to arrogance.
Initially, they assumed that even if Xie Anxiang wasn't angry, he wouldn't be pleased. Yet, Xie Anxiang merely smiled and said politely, "Very well. Do what you must; I will wait."
The crowd gasped. In all of Mingji City, who could make Xie Anxiang wait? And who was worth waiting for?
Chen Feiyu.
In that moment, many recorded this name deep in their hearts.
Among them, Hu Wenguang was the most miserable. This unknown kid had really cured terminal brain cancer using the very TCM he despised. If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he wouldn't have believed it. No, even now, his heart refused to accept it.
His eyes darted around, looking for a way to slip out unnoticed to avoid the embarrassment of apologizing.
"Doctor Hu, Master Expert... what’s wrong? Lost the bet and now you want to run?"
Suddenly, Chen Feiyu walked up to Hu Wenguang with a smile.
Cold sweat broke out on Hu Wenguang’s forehead. He forced a laugh, "How could that be? I was just thinking of going to the restroom."
"There’s no rush for the restroom. Now, isn't it time to fulfill your wager?" Chen Feiyu squinted at him.
Many cast playful looks at Hu Wenguang. Han Muqing, in particular, felt a sense of justice being served; she had despised his cold sarcasm from the start, and seeing him suffer was incredibly satisfying.
Hu Wenguang’s expression grew ugly. "Young man, I am a well-known expert, after all. To force me to apologize publicly... isn't that a bit harsh?"
"Ha! What a joke!" Chen Feiyu sneered. "You asked me to cut off my arm earlier—wasn't that harsh? A bet is a bet. Apologize publicly and admit that Western medicine is inferior to TCM. If you don't even have that much integrity, what kind of 'expert' are you?"
Hu Wenguang looked at Xie Yongguo for help, but Xie Yongguo looked away, pretending not to see. Hu Wenguang’s face changed; he knew the Xie family had abandoned him.
But as a renowned expert, apologizing in front of so many people was worse than death. If word got out, how would he ever show his face in the medical community again? He stood there, hesitant, unable to speak.
Chen Feiyu’s expression grew cold. He stood before Hu Wenguang, looming over him with an air of superiority. "For thousands of years, TCM has been profound and vast, producing countless legendary doctors and treating millions. Just because it is in a period of decline doesn't mean it's backward! Now that I have cured the 'terminal' disease you couldn't, what do you have to say?
"Summer insects cannot discuss ice; well frogs cannot discuss the sea. In my view, in the world of medicine, you are short-sighted and arrogant—worse than the summer insect or the well frog. As a fellow doctor, I am ashamed to be associated with you.
"Ancient wisdom says: 'One who does not master the past and present, who does not understand the heavens and man, who lacks the talent of a sage and the heart of a Buddha, should stick to farming and weaving. One must never practice medicine to mislead the world.'
"Given your level of insight, I advise you to go home and farm. Don't ruin lives with your quackery!"
Chen Feiyu flicked his sleeves and turned away, not bothering to look at Hu Wenguang again.
His words were resonant and powerful. Hu Wenguang’s face cycled through shades of green and white, unable to utter a single rebuttal.
The onlookers reacted with strange expressions. Hu Wenguang, despite failing to cure the Elder, was still a nationally renowned expert whose competence was generally unquestioned—yet he had been reprimanded into silence by Chen Feiyu. It was hard to believe.
***
Xie Anxiang nodded to himself. *This youth’s medical skill is divine, his insight deep. His future is bound to be limitless.* His estimation of Chen Feiyu rose even higher, deepening his resolve to build a relationship with him.
Han Muqing felt a surge of excitement. The more impressive Chen Feiyu was, the better her judgment seemed, and she took pride in it.
Xie Xingxuan looked at Chen Feiyu with curiosity. She couldn't understand how someone at most twenty years old could possess such profound skill. In the end, she concluded that Chen Feiyu must be a medical genius seen only once in a century.
Eventually, Hu Wenguang sighed and fled in a panic, like a stray dog.
Chen Feiyu didn't stop him. He walked over to Xie Zirui, looking at him coldly. "Now, are you convinced?"
Xie Zirui’s expression changed. He couldn't help but step back, stuttering, "You... what are you doing?"
Chen Feiyu looked at him, shook his head, and said, "For those whose brains are ruined, there is no medicine." He then walked to Xie Anxiang’s side and sat down.
Xie Zirui’s face burned red and white, but he couldn't offer a rebuttal, for Chen Feiyu had proven with cold facts that the true fool was himself.