"Because he's a wandering physician! Your father and I searched for a long time to find someone like him!" Tang Yun said proudly.
Lin Shuang let out a hum, "Mom, don't get scammed. With how advanced medical technology is now, what's a mere physician?" She wasn't looking down on physicians, but she felt indifferent towards Peng Ze.
"What do you know! Having a man like this around means you can foresee any illnesses you might have and take preventive measures! For instance, when we first met Little Peng, he saw I had endocrine imbalance at a glance and prescribed some medicine that cured me. I'm in a great mood now, and it's all thanks to Little Peng!"
"Moreover... this Little Peng is a descendant of the Medical Sage Guiguzi. His hands have healed countless people among the populace, earning him the nickname 'The Hands of Katō Taka.' Not only can he heal, but his massage is also a form of enjoyment!"
"Hands this and hands that, Mom, don't say things you don't understand!" Lin Shuang, as if remembering something, quickly whispered to her mother.
"In short, you should listen to me. When choosing a man, you don't necessarily need to pick someone rich and powerful, but you must pick someone suitable! I think this young man is very suitable for you!"
"Auntie, suitability needs to pass Brother Chen's hurdle first! No rush!" Peng Ze smiled slightly at Chen Jie, "Third-generation descendant of Guiguzi the Medical Sage, Peng Ze, it's an honor!"
Chen Jie was surprised, "You're a master of Chinese medicine? What a coincidence, I also dabble a bit in it."
"He's all talk. He becomes a big boss and also knows medicine?" Tang Yun said dismissively.
"Oh, what a coincidence! How are your medical skills, Brother Chen?" Peng Ze asked, feigning surprise.
"Not very impressive, but I do think I'm a bit stronger than you."
Guiguzi has a history of hundreds or even thousands of years and is widely revered. Some say he's the progenitor of military strategy, others the progenitor of divination. In any case, this figure is shrouded in legend and mystery.
However, Chen Jie knew that Guiguzi didn't refer to a single person but rather a faction in history. It experienced a period of peak medical achievement. By now, some of Guiguzi's abilities had been lost to time. As the three hundredth descendant, Peng Ze couldn't possibly have learned Guiguzi's true teachings.
Coincidentally, Chen Jie had seen some of the secret texts left by Guiguzi from his master.
"As expected of Brother Chen, I am ashamed to be inferior!" Peng Ze didn't argue. He just said, "Meeting a master like Brother Chen today makes me eager to test my skills. Since Brother Chen believes his medical skills are slightly superior to mine, why don't we have a spar?"
"How shall we spar?" Chen Jie asked.
"Let's compete in medical skills. If I lose, I will withdraw automatically and never bother Miss Lin again."
"And if you win?"
"It's fine. If I lose, I will have no face to compete with Brother Chen. If Brother Chen loses, you don't need to fulfill any promises," Peng Ze said with a smile.
Lin Shuang was a little nervous at first, but hearing him say that, she instantly felt relieved.
The next second, Chen Jie's words made her entire being tense up.
"Then I can't let you be at a disadvantage either. If I lose, I will withdraw from the competition just like you," Chen Jie said.
"Chen Jie, no..." Lin Shuang cried out urgently.
Chen Jie waved his hand, "It's nothing, just a friendly spar."
Lin Shuang was in a panic. Was a friendly spar worth such a high stake?
Peng Ze didn't waste any more time. He pointed to Lin Li and said, "When Uncle Lin and Auntie found me that day, I saw Auntie's hidden ailment at a glance and pointed it out. In fact, that day I not only saw Auntie's hidden ailment but also saw Uncle Lin's, though I didn't mention it."
Hearing this, Lin Li exclaimed, "Little Peng, what are you saying? I have an illness too?"
"That's right, and it's quite serious. If it's not treated promptly, when the illness breaks out, it will develop into a degenerative disease. Not even the King of Heaven could cure it." Degenerative diseases are considered chronic incurable conditions, lasting a lifetime. They can be severe or not, and won't endanger life. It's just that one will suffer pain for their entire life.
"Then why didn't you point it out directly that day?" Lin Li asked instinctively.
"Heh, I knew I would meet you again, so I didn't rush to mention it. Moreover, although I knew Uncle's condition at the time, I didn't have any particularly effective methods. Uncle could also get it treated at a major hospital. Today, if I point it out and it can't be cured, Uncle can go to the hospital for treatment later." Lin Li breathed a sigh of relief. So that's how it was. As long as his illness could be treated, that was all that mattered.
"Brother Chen, can you see Uncle Lin's illness?" Peng Ze inquired.
"I can," Chen Jie nodded.
Tang Yun immediately retorted, "What did you see? You only say you saw it after Little Peng did. Why didn't you say so earlier? In the end, you're just putting on a show? And you dare claim to be better than a descendant of Guiguzi?"
Chen Jie smiled and said nothing.
"Auntie, seeing it isn't a great skill. I believe some experienced masters of Chinese medicine can also see it. I believe Brother Chen has that ability," Peng Ze said with a smile.
"See? Look at how forthright, magnanimous, and impressive Little Peng is! Unlike you, who just brags. The way Little Peng says it shows he has absolute confidence. I advise you to admit defeat early." Tang Yun couldn't help but nag Chen Jie again.
"Brother Chen, I'll make my diagnosis first, and then you can make yours. How about it?" Peng Ze said to Chen Jie again.
Chen Jie nodded.
"You actually dare to agree! Well, you can just copy what he says and pretend to analyze for a bit to call it a draw. Shameless!" Tang Yun said contemptuously.
Peng Ze didn't say much more. He carefully observed Lin Li and said, "Chinese medicine relies on observation, listening, questioning, and pulse-taking. Today, we will not listen, question, or take the pulse. We will only compete in observation!"
Observation, listening, questioning, and pulse-taking are comprehensive diagnostic methods in Chinese medicine. Some masters of Chinese medicine need to combine all four to accurately diagnose certain illnesses. Even then, there's a high probability of misdiagnosis. Peng Ze's proposal to diagnose using only observation demonstrates his confidence and conviction.
"Agreed," Chen Jie said.
"Then I'll begin!" Peng Ze observed and said, "I see a hint of fatigue on Uncle's face. When he walks, his left leg is lifted slightly lower. This illness is on the left leg!"
Lin Li's expression lit up, "Little Peng, you're amazing! These past two days, I've suddenly felt some pain in my left leg, and you've seen it!" He had only walked a couple of steps in the room. To think that Peng Ze had seen it and noticed the anomaly. Miraculous! Unbelievable! Admirable!
"No, the location I'm pointing to isn't on the left leg, but above the leg, at the root!" Peng Ze corrected.