Liu Hao, sweat pouring down his head, unable to bear the pressure, handed over ten thousand yuan to Lu Fan and left dejectedly.
Lu Fan didn't linger on the street either, not wanting to reveal his brilliance. He took the ten thousand yuan and left.
Many onlookers praised him, and word spread throughout the city and alleys that a young miracle doctor had appeared in Qingzhou.
When they were on the mountain, the old man hadn't treated him badly at all. He had taught him everything without reservation, from mysterious formations and formations to peerless medical skills. Apart from being a bit stingy, Lu Fan truly couldn't find any fault with the old man.
Just as he turned the corner, two figures appeared, one old and one young. The woman had red lips and white teeth, wore a business suit, and high heels. She smiled at Lu Fan, "May I know your esteemed surname and where you studied?"
"What business is it of yours?" Lu Fan rolled his eyes. "Don't think I don't know you were bad-mouthing me just now. I haven't settled the score with you yet!"
"Cough, cough..."
Butler Wu coughed lightly, feeling a bit awkward. He had just spoken casually and hadn't expected Lu Fan's hearing to be so exceptional.
"We were impolite just now," Bai Xue said, cupping her hands. "Your medical skills are extraordinary. I have a patient at home. I wonder if you could come over, sir? The reward will not disappoint you."
"I dare not accept such praise. I am merely a humble villager from the mountains," Lu Fan shrugged. "Healing the sick and saving people is my calling. However, I have other matters to attend to. I'll attend to them first."
"Five hundred thousand!"
Bai Xue said calmly, blurting out the amount. "You are in urgent need of money, sir. 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 true intention of a physician."
"Of course!" Lu Fan said righteously. "As a physician, I naturally have a noble spirit. I'm not agreeing because of the money!"
Butler Wu stood by the side, almost unable to contain 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 shortly after. There were several bodyguards at the entrance. The courtyard was lavishly decorated with many rare antiques and exquisite paintings, captivating Lu Fan's gaze.
Inside the courtyard, in a room, an old man with white hair lay on the bed, appearing to be on his last breath.
"Boss Bai, the old master's condition is critical, and I don't have absolute confidence. 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? Elder Zhao, you are a renowned physician in Qingzhou, a master of traditional Chinese medicine. Can't you...?"
"This condition is rare, and I only have a fifty percent chance of success!" Elder Zhao shook his head. "If I don't personally intervene, I'm afraid even the greatest of immortals couldn't save the old master from his fate."
"In that case, we shall follow Elder Zhao's suggestion," Bai Tianchen nodded, looking at the unconscious old man with white hair, his heart stirred.
Elder Zhao nodded and began to administer acupuncture.
"Dad, I have a friend who can cure Grandpa's illness!"
Bai Xue entered from outside, followed by Lu Fan, who naturally stood to the side.
"Children, don't be silly. Elder Zhao has personally rushed here from the capital for Grandpa's illness!" Bai Tianchen said. "Please don't disturb Elder Zhao's acupuncture."
Bai Xue was taken aback, her face lighting up with joy. Elder Zhao was known as a master of traditional Chinese medicine, so her grandfather might be saved.
With this thought, she quieted down. Although Lu Fan's medical skills were good, they were likely far inferior to those of a master of traditional Chinese medicine.
Lu Fan also sensibly stood to the side, at the same time observing the old man on the bed, and then frowned. This old man's illness was advanced, and ordinary physicians would likely be powerless.
Elder Zhao inserted a few needles into the old man and then needled other acupoints, his movements fluid and skillful, resembling those of an acupuncture master.
"Seven Stars Needle Technique!" Lu Fan murmured, surprise in his heart.
This acupuncture technique was extremely ancient. It was already rare for medical practitioners in modern cities to understand such a technique.
Elder Zhao suddenly turned his head and glanced at Lu Fan. "You have sharp eyes to recognize the Seven Stars Needle!"
"The Seven Stars Needle can unblock the qi circulation and prolong the patient's life. However, your needle technique is incorrect!" Lu Fan shook his head. "As the saying goes, a single mistake leads to a cascade of errors. With your current needling method, the old man likely won't survive today."
"That's utter nonsense!" Elder 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. Elder Zhao was someone he had painstakingly invited. Lu Fan, being so tactless and directly insulting a divine physician, would have been shown the door if not for being Bai Xue's friend.
"I was just making a casual remark!" Lu Fan said helplessly. "Since there is a divine physician here, I shall not disturb you further!"
He then turned to leave. Bai Xue chased after him. "Sir, please don't be angry. Divine Physician Zhao is a master of traditional Chinese medicine, he wouldn't be wrong. However, since you accompanied me, I cannot treat you poorly!"
Saying that, she took out a card. "There is a 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 accept your money!" Lu Fan waved his hand. "However, I repeat my earlier statement: with this needling path, the old man will not survive today!"
After saying this, Lu Fan left, not accepting the bank card.
"I really didn't expect this young man to have some backbone!" Butler Wu chuckled.
Bai Xue felt guilty but also a hint of worry. She entered the room, about to inquire, when she saw that the old man had already woken up.
"Elder Zhao is indeed worthy of his reputation, a true master of traditional Chinese medicine!" Bai Tianchen cupped his fists. "The old master has woken up. I am hosting a family banquet today, and I hope Elder Zhao will grace us with his presence!"
"You flatter me. It was merely a small matter, not worth mentioning," Elder Zhao waved his hand.
Bai Xue looked delighted and approached her grandfather. She sent someone to prepare plenty of pastries. "Grandpa, you scared me to death these past few days. If Elder Zhao hadn't rushed here from the capital, it would have been dangerous."
Before she could finish speaking, the pastry in the old man's hand fell to the ground. He then fell back into a coma, appearing even more critical than before, his complexion turning purple.
"What is going on?" Bai Tianchen was slightly alarmed.
Elder Zhao also panicked instantly. He had used the Seven Stars Needle Technique and displayed his utmost skill, yet the old man's condition worsened. This meant there must be a flaw in his needling.
"Quick, quick, go and invite that person from earlier!" Elder Zhao said in a panic. "If we are a step late, the old master will surely die!"
Bai Xue was filled with regret. Lu Fan had already gone far; how could she catch up?
"Old Wu, hurry and send people to search for him, even if you have to dig three feet deep!" Bai Tianchen commanded.
Suddenly, the city of Qingzhou 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. Even the slightest disturbance could cause a sensation throughout the city.