As Li Se’s words fell, everyone’s eyes widened. They all unanimously thought that Li Se was too arrogant, to an immeasurable degree.
First, he slapped Ji Chun, then he told Wen Heqia to get lost. This was incredibly arrogant.
“You dare to hit me?” Ji Chun roared. He had come with his teacher, yet this fellow dared to hit him in front of his teacher, showing no regard for his teacher at all.
“So what if I hit you?” Li Se said dismissively.
Ji Chun trembled with rage. This was too much, utterly infuriating. He looked at his teacher and said, “Teacher, you must make this arrogant brat pay a price, so he knows there are people in the capital he cannot afford to offend!”
Wen Heqia’s aged face was filled with displeasure. He said sternly, “You claim my miraculous needle technique has flaws. If that’s the case, do you dare to have a medical duel with me?”
“What is there to fear?” Li Se sneered.
Many were startled by this, but soon they began to mock him.
“Has this kid lost his mind? Daring to duel with Old Man Wen? Isn’t he just asking for trouble?”
“Could it be he actually thinks he’s a divine doctor?”
“Utterly laughable. To publicly claim Imperial Physician Wen’s miraculous needle technique has flaws, and now to dare to duel – doesn’t he know his own limits?”
“What utter nonsense. How can he compare his medical skills to Imperial Physician Wen’s?”
“…”
All sorts of unpleasant remarks followed, clearly indicating no one had any faith in Li Se.
Even some patients who had previously been critical and thought Li Se’s medical skills were acceptable didn’t believe he could match Wen Heqia. Honestly, if it weren’t for the exorbitant consultation fees at Miaoshoutang, they wouldn’t have come to this Jishi Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic.
“Young man, don’t be impulsive. I think an apology would suffice. After all, this is Old Man Wen, a former Imperial Physician. His medical skills are beyond your reach,” a patient advised.
Li Se smiled but said nothing. Instead, he looked at Wen Heqia and asked, “Tell me, how do you want to compete?”
“We’ll have a free clinic and see three patients. We’ll see whose treatment plan is better!” Wen Heqia said confidently.
“Agreed!” Li Se nodded.
“Idiot, still daring to compete with my teacher in medical skills. Truly, a horse doesn’t know its own face is long,” Ji Chun scoffed.
“If I win, Old Man Wen, you’ll have to practice at my clinic for a year. What do you think?” Li Se smiled.
“You win?” Wen Heqia was amused. Where did this kid get such confidence, to think he could win against him? He felt this was simply an insult.
“Pfft…” Ji Chun couldn’t help but sneer. “Even with another fifty years to study TCM, you still wouldn’t beat my teacher. To utter such rebellious words, if I were you, I’d surrender with both hands. How dare you humiliate yourself like this.”
“That’s why you’re not me. You can only be a lapdog,” Li Se retorted unceremoniously.
“You!” Ji Chun was furious. This kid had hit him and now dared to be so arrogant. Once his teacher won, he would surely teach him a lesson.
The onlookers couldn’t help but chuckle. For Li Se to win would be as difficult as climbing to heaven. Who was Wen Heqia? He was a former Imperial Physician. Although retired, Miaoshoutang’s reputation was renowned throughout the capital. Countless officials and dignitaries came here for treatment.
Previously, Wen Heqia, as an Imperial Physician, treated either top leaders or members of first-tier aristocratic families. Now, he presided over Miaoshoutang, giving even wealthy individuals a chance. Thus, despite Miaoshoutang’s exorbitant consultation fees, it was always crowded with patients daily. Appointments with Wen Heqia were even booked a year in advance.
When Li Se and Wen Heqia arrived at the entrance for the free clinic, it was naturally a huge draw, though this was due to Wen Heqia’s fame.
A middle-aged woman soon stepped forward, her face showing obvious pain. Her posture was peculiar as she walked. She first glanced at Li Se, then at Wen Heqia, and proactively approached Wen Heqia.
Seeing this, Ji Chun and Yang Wen sneered. Even strangers could tell that Wen Heqia’s medical skills were superior.
Many from Miaoshoutang had come to watch. At this moment, they were immensely proud and contemptuous. How could Li Se have the courage to compete with Wen Heqia?
Wen Heqia glanced at Li Se and said with a smile, “Don’t say I’m bullying you. I’ll let you see this patient first.”
“No need,” Li Se waved his hand.
“What, you disdain my teacher letting you go first? Or are you perhaps worried you won’t be able to diagnose any illness?” Ji Chun taunted.
Li Se said calmly, “I already know what her illness is.”
Everyone was stunned. But soon, mocking voices erupted. This was too unreliable. He claimed to know the illness without even taking her pulse. Naturally, no one believed him.
“You already know what illness she has without even taking her pulse?” Wen Heqia sneered. In his opinion, Li Se was just spouting nonsense.
Li Se looked at Wen Heqia and said, “As a practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine, don’t you know that TCM emphasizes observation, listening, inquiry, and pulse-taking? Pulse-taking is the last step. I can tell her illness just through observation.”
“Then tell us, what is her illness?” Wen Heqia was somewhat annoyed. He felt that competing with someone like this lowered his status.
“Old Man Wen, if you don’t take her pulse, then I won’t be polite,” Li Se said with a smile.
“If you can say something sensible and treat her, then this first round will be yours!” Wen Heqia said dismissively.
To know an illness just by looking was not impossible, but it was difficult. Even Wen Heqia himself hadn’t figured out the problem and needed further observation. Yet, this Li Se claimed to know the condition at a glance – that was pure fabrication!
“Utterly ridiculous. To know an illness just by looking, does he think his eyes have radar?”
“Heh, he’s probably just given up and is going all out.”
“Exactly. Young people nowadays, just to gain fame, don’t follow any proper path.”
“Could this kid be trying to become an internet celebrity?”
“I suspect someone nearby might be filming a live stream.”
“How hateful. He’s using Old Man Wen to build his reputation!”
“…”
Many dissatisfied voices arose.
Many people already believed Li Se was purely seeking fame, as there were many such internet celebrities online nowadays.
Li Se paid no heed to the surrounding remarks and slowly said, “Madam, if I’m not mistaken, you have hemorrhoids, don’t you?”