Liu Hao, covered in sweat and unable to bear the pressure, threw ten thousand yuan at Lu Fan and left dejectedly.
Lu Fan didn't linger on the street either. He didn't want to be too conspicuous, so he took the ten thousand yuan and left.
Many onlookers praised him, and word spread through the streets and alleys that a young divine doctor had appeared in Qingzhou.
When they were on the mountain, the old man treated him well, teaching him everything from esoteric knowledge to peerless medical skills without reservation. Apart from being stingy, Lu Fan couldn't find any fault with the old man.
As they turned the corner, two figures appeared, an old man and a young woman. The woman had rosy lips and white teeth, wore a business suit, and high heels. She smiled at Lu Fan and asked, "May I know your esteemed surname and where you studied?"
"Does it concern you?" Lu Fan rolled his eyes. "Don't think I don't know you were badmouthing me just now. I haven't settled the score with you yet!"
"Ahem..."
Steward Wu coughed lightly, looking a bit awkward. He had only spoken casually and hadn't expected Lu Fan to have such exceptional hearing.
"We were impolite just now," Bai Xue said, cupping her hands. "Your medical skills are extraordinary. My family has a patient, and I wonder if you could visit. The remuneration will not disappoint you."
"I dare not accept such praise. I am merely a country bumpkin," Lu Fan shrugged. "Healing the sick and saving lives is my duty. However, I have other matters to attend to. I'll deal with them first."
"Five hundred thousand!"
Bai Xue's expression was calm as she blurted out, "You are in urgent need of money, I presume..."
"Deal!"
Lu Fan swallowed and agreed immediately.
"Then let's go now!" Bai Xue said hurriedly. "I know you are not a greedy person. Saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda, and this is the original intention of a physician."
"Of course!" Lu Fan said righteously. "As a physician, I naturally have a broad mind. I'm not agreeing because I'm after money!"
Steward Wu stood by, almost unable to suppress his laughter. However, he also knew that Lu Fan had some skills; his street practice just now was not fake.
They arrived at a courtyard in a car. There were several bodyguards at the entrance. The courtyard was filled with rare antiques and exquisite paintings, captivating Lu Fan's gaze.
Inside the courtyard, in one of the rooms, an old man with white hair lay on the bed, appearing to be on his last breath.
"Boss Bai, the old man's condition is critical, and I don't have absolute certainty. If we delay any further, his life may be in danger," the old man said, rising and sighing. "We can only resort to risky measures."
Bai Tianchen stood in the room, his gaze unfocused. "Is there no other way? Old Zhao, you are a renowned physician from the capital, a famous doctor in Qingzhou. Surely you..."
"This condition is rare, and I only have a fifty percent chance!" Old Zhao shook his head. "If I don't personally intervene, even if a celestial being came, the old man would still pass away."
"In that case, we will proceed as Old Zhao suggests," Bai Tianchen nodded, looking at the unconscious old man with white hair, his heart stirred.
Old Zhao nodded and began to administer acupuncture.
"Dad, I have a friend who can cure Grandpa's illness!"
Bai Xue entered from outside, with Lu Fan following closely behind, standing discreetly to the side.
"Children, don't be silly. Old Zhao came all the way from the capital for Grandpa's illness!" Bai Tianchen said. "Please don't disturb Old Zhao's acupuncture."
Bai Xue was taken aback and then her face lit up. Old Zhao was known as a divine physician, so her grandfather might be saved.
With that thought, she quieted down. Although Lu Fan's medical skills were good from his street practice, they were likely far inferior to those of a divine physician.
Lu Fan also stood aside knowingly, observing the old man on the bed. He then frowned. This old man's illness was advanced, and ordinary physicians would likely be powerless to save him.
Old Zhao inserted a few needles into the old man and then on other acupoints, his movements fluid and graceful, like those of a master acupuncturist.
"Seven Stars Needle Technique!" Lu Fan muttered, surprised.
This needle technique was extremely ancient. It was rare for physicians in modern cities to even know such a technique.
Old Zhao turned sharply and looked at Lu Fan. "Good eyesight. You actually know the Seven Stars Needle!"
"The Seven Stars Needle can unblock the qi circulation and extend the patient's life, but your needle technique is wrong!" Lu Fan shook his head. "As the saying goes, one wrong step leads to a cascade of errors. With your current technique, the old man likely won't survive today."
"That's utter nonsense!" Old Zhao's expression turned displeased. "The Seven Stars Needle is a secret ancestral technique. How can a junior like you understand it!"
Bai Tianchen also frowned slightly. Old Zhao was someone he had painstakingly invited. Lu Fan's lack of tact and direct insult to the divine physician was unacceptable. If not for him being Bai Xue's friend, he would have already asked him to leave.
"I was just saying!" Lu Fan said helplessly. "Since there is a divine physician here, I won't disturb you!"
With that, he started to walk out. Bai Xue chased after him. "Sir, please don't be angry. Divine Physician Zhao is a renowned physician; he won't be wrong. However, since you accompanied me, I can't treat you poorly!"
Saying that, she took out a card. "There is one hundred thousand yuan in here."
"As the saying goes, one should not accept rewards without merit. I haven't done anything, so how can I take your money!" Lu Fan waved his hand. "However, I will repeat what I said: with this acupuncture route, the old man won't survive today!"
After speaking, Lu Fan left, not taking the bank card.
"I really didn't expect this young man to have some backbone!" Steward Wu chuckled.
Bai Xue felt remorseful but also a hint of worry. She returned to the room and was about to inquire when she saw that the old man had already woken up.
"Old Zhao lives up to his reputation; he is truly a divine physician!" Bai Tianchen clasped his hands. "Grandpa has woken up. I am hosting a family banquet today and hope Old Zhao will grace us with his presence!"
"You are too kind. It was merely a small matter, not worth mentioning," Old Zhao waved his hand.
Bai Xue looked delighted and went to her grandfather's side, instructing people to prepare many pastries. "Grandpa, you scared me to death these past few days. If Old Zhao hadn't rushed from the capital, it would have been dangerous."
Before she could finish speaking, the pastries in her grandfather's hand fell to the ground. He fell back into a coma, worse than before, and his complexion began to turn purple.
"What is happening?" Bai Tianchen was slightly alarmed.
Old Zhao also panicked instantly. He had used his ultimate skill, the Seven Stars Needle Technique, and the old man's condition was worsening. This meant his needle placement must have been flawed.
"Quick, quickly go and invite that person!" Old Zhao said in a panic. "If we are a step late, the old man's life will be forfeit!"
Bai Xue was filled with regret. Lu Fan had already gone far, and she didn't know how she could catch up to him.
"Old Wu, quickly send people to search for him. Even if you have to dig three feet deep!" Bai Tianchen ordered.
Suddenly, Qingzhou city was in turmoil. Many people were searching for a young man, causing quite a stir.
The Bai family was a reclusive prominent family in Qingzhou city. Even a slight disturbance was enough to cause widespread gossip throughout the city.