Chapter Nine: In Terms of Seniority, I Am Your Grandmaster!

The middle-aged man was named Li Yanjun, the second son of the Li family.

"But, Su Zheng..."

"Su Zheng, is it? My father is getting on in years, and he doesn't wish to waste time with unnecessary people. Do you understand what I'm saying? By the way, since you're also a practitioner of traditional medicine, you should know Dr. Luo, the Divine Healer, shouldn't you?"

The middle-aged man's tone grew sharper, barely short of saying something unpleasant outright.

Su Zheng met his gaze and replied calmly, "I don't know him."

"How dare you!" The man shot to his feet. "You claim not to know Luo, the Divine Healer, the famed Healing Hand? I don't even know what to say to you!"

"Enough. Take your consultation fee and leave," he demanded.

"Jun, don't be angry. He misspoke, surely. Su Zheng must have made a mistake. How could he not know Dr. Luo, right?" Qiao Lan, caught between them, tried to appease Li Yanjun and then turned to Su Zheng, winking anxiously.

"I truly don't know him," Su Zheng answered once more, his voice steady and unyielding, showing no sign of embarrassment.

Qiao Lan sighed, pressing her hand to her forehead, at a loss for how to smooth things over.

The faces of the Li family members turned cold, and Li Jiangcheng even furrowed his brow.

"But I do recognize your illness," Su Zheng said, looking at the bedridden Li Jiangcheng. "The symptoms rarely show themselves, but always strike at noon. When they do, the pain is unbearable, capillaries rupture, yet after the episode passes, you feel invigorated, full of energy. Am I correct?"

The Li family: "..."

"You must've heard all this from Lan," Li Jiangcheng replied, his brows still knit, unimpressed by Su Zheng's accurate description.

"This illness is called Burning Yang Syndrome. Acupuncture must be performed at a precise time; otherwise, it's like pouring oil onto a raging fire, making things worse," Su Zheng continued calmly, his demeanor composed.

Li Jiangcheng fell silent, eyes lowered, as if lost in thought.

At that moment, the door opened and three people entered.

Leading the way was Li Yanze, the eldest son, followed by a spirited elder and a young man.

"Father, Dr. Luo is here!" Li Yanze announced cheerfully as he entered, eager not to slight the healer. As the eldest son, escorting the guest himself was the highest courtesy the family could offer.

"Welcome, Dr. Luo!"

"Please, Dr. Luo, this way!"

"Quick, serve tea to Dr. Luo!"

The Li family rose one after another, their faces brimming with hope and gratitude, as if Dr. Luo Huichun had already cured their father's mysterious illness.

"No need for formalities. My time is limited—I must soon leave for the capital. Let us begin the consultation," Luo Huichun said, setting down his medicine chest and moving straight to the bedside.

Li Jiangcheng smiled, "Dr. Luo, I entrust my illness to you."

Luo Huichun began checking Li Jiangcheng's pulse, while the young man stood silently behind him.

After three or four minutes, Luo Huichun's brow grew increasingly furrowed, and the Li family grew anxious.

Could it be that even the Divine Healer was powerless?

"Fortunately, it's not too late; it can be treated," Luo Huichun said, withdrawing his hand and taking a towel from the young man to wipe it, smiling as he spoke.

His words sparked excitement among the Li family. If the Divine Healer said so, it must be true.

Luo Huichun's medical skill was renowned throughout Jiangnan, reputed to revive the dying. As long as a breath remained, he could save a life!

"Dr. Luo, what exactly is my father's illness?" Li Yanjun pressed, glancing meaningfully at Su Zheng.

"Well... how shall I put it? Your father's body is suffused with vigorous yang energy, causing an imbalance between yin and yang, with the yang burning the meridians. This results in intermittent spasms. I have not encountered such a case elsewhere," Luo Huichun explained.

"But luckily I've come across it. I have my Rejuvenation Acupuncture method, which is highly effective for unblocking meridians and regulating yin and yang. After treatment, I believe Mr. Li's symptoms will gradually disappear," he added proudly.

"That's wonderful! Thank you, Divine Healer!" Li Yanjun exclaimed joyfully, echoed by smiles from the other family members.

Only Li Jiangcheng, after hearing this, glanced deliberately at Su Zheng, a trace of hesitation in his eyes.

He remembered clearly—Su Zheng had said something similar earlier, though he had not checked the pulse!

Could this young man truly possess such medical talent?

"Dr. Luo, are you familiar with Burning Yang Syndrome?" Li Jiangcheng asked with a smile.

"Burning Yang Syndrome? There are countless maladies in the world; forgive my ignorance. Haha... but rest assured, Mr. Li, I am confident I can cure your illness!" Luo Huichun laughed, signaling the young man to open the medicine chest and prepare the silver needles.

Su Zheng, who had watched quietly, now spoke to Luo Huichun: "Sir, perhaps waiting another hour before beginning the acupuncture might yield better results."

"Hmm? And who are you?" Luo Huichun frowned slightly.

"He's just a servant in the family, Dr. Luo. Please pay him no mind," Li Yanjun answered dismissively, motioning for Qiao Lan to take Su Zheng away.

"That's incorrect. I am also a doctor, here to treat Mr. Li. Since I agreed to this, I don't wish to see the patient misdiagnosed," Su Zheng replied.

"What do you mean by that?" Luo Huichun's hand paused, his gaze turning hostile.

Li Yanjun was about to rebuke Su Zheng, fearing Luo Huichun would be offended, but before he could speak, his father's stern glance silenced him.

"Just as I said earlier," Su Zheng replied calmly.

"You're Su Zheng, aren't you? Are you questioning my master's medical skill? How ridiculous! You must be desperate for fame!" the young man behind Luo Huichun retorted, showing no mercy.

"Feng, don't speak out of turn!" Luo Huichun stopped his apprentice, though his anger was barely contained.

"Who is your mentor? Regardless of your medical skill, your attitude disappoints me. Is it now customary for the younger generation to ignore their elders?" he rebuked sternly.

Su Zheng shook his head in resignation. "If we speak of seniority, I might actually be your master's master."

His words stunned the entire Li family, and even Li Jiangcheng showed rare anger.

Such arrogance!

Qiao Lan, who had remained silent, was utterly shocked. She never imagined Su Zheng would dare say such a thing.

To claim to be Luo Huichun's master's master… that would be someone from ages past!

But Su Zheng felt no unease. He had inherited the medical arts of his ancestors, and in terms of seniority, being Luo Huichun's master was no exaggeration!

Especially since Luo Huichun mentioned the Rejuvenation Acupuncture—the very technique his ancestors had created.

"Silence! How dare you disrespect Dr. Luo! Someone, throw him out!" Li Yanze, the eldest son, spoke angrily, shouting toward the door.

"Let's go, Zheng," Qiao Lan said, head lowered, unable to stay any longer. She pulled Su Zheng toward the exit.