Li Se's smile vanished from his face as he said, "Elder Tang, I've told you, treating illness isn't about guessing. You haven't even identified the problem, yet you dare to prescribe medicine. Don't you think that's too casual?"
"How I treat illnesses is none of your business, you upstart. Even if it's not this illness, the prescription I've given will still be of some help to Chairman Lin's son. Moreover, if he continues to cry like this, it's better to try my prescription!" Tang Zhongfang didn't believe there was anything wrong with his approach. Even if other TCM practitioners came, they would likely offer the same prescription.
Li Se let out a cold snort and said, "The medicine is not for the condition, yet you say it will help? Don't you know that all medicine has a three-part toxicity?"
Tang Zhongfang grew anxious and angrily retorted, "I've treated so many people, do you think I don't know that? It's not your place to comment here!"
"If you're wrong, you're wrong. Since you know that all medicine has a three-part toxicity and the medicine is not for the condition, do you truly believe it will be alright for a child under three years old to ingest it?" Li Se said coldly.
Tang Zhongfang was momentarily speechless, but being spoken to like this by a young man truly enraged him. No matter what, he was sixty years old; how could he tolerate a mere youngster talking nonsense here?
"Very well, very well. Since you're so confident, then tell us, what is actually going on? If you have the ability, then treat him!" Tang Zhongfang sneered.
He refused to believe that if even he couldn't diagnose the illness, a young man could.
"Master Li, why is my son like this?" Lin Hu also asked anxiously, as his son's incessant crying was becoming a serious concern.
"Bring a bowl of clear water and a pair of chopsticks," Li Se said.
"Alright!" Lin Hu immediately complied.
After the clear water and chopsticks were brought, Li Se instructed Lin Hu, "Stand the chopsticks upright in the middle of the water and then recite the names of your deceased family members, asking them to stop lingering around your son."
"Alright!" Lin Hu did not hesitate. As Li Se spoke, he had already a good idea of his child's condition.
The Black Dragon Society had recruited many capable individuals, including those who practiced Feng Shui and metaphysics. Therefore, despite the seemingly superstitious method, he believed it without question.
"Ridiculous!" Tang Zhongfang interjected coldly. "Are you a doctor or a charlatan? This can cure illnesses? That's the biggest joke in the world, haha. You're a disgrace to TCM. No wonder so many people call it unorthodox; it's people like you who ruin it!"
He paused and then looked at Lin Hu, saying, "Chairman Lin, it's best to stick to my prescription. If his method can cure the illness, then we should all learn it, and what need would there be to learn medicine?"
Li Se did not get angry, stating calmly, "Tang Zhongfang, since you practice TCM, you should know about shamanistic medicine, shouldn't you?"
"So what if I know?" Tang Zhongfang was extremely displeased that Li Se addressed him by name.
"Then what's the problem with me using shamanistic medicine to treat illnesses?" Li Se retorted sarcastically.
"Nonsense!" Tang Zhongfang shouted. "Even if shamanistic medicine existed, it would have been lost long ago. How could you, at such a young age, possibly know it? I think you're a fraud!"
His emotions were agitated and furious. In his eyes, Li Se was nothing but a complete swindler.
Being questioned and slandered by a fraud, Tang Zhongfang felt extremely uncomfortable, wishing he could slap Li Se.
"Tang Zhongfang, my method doesn't require medicine or acupuncture. What harm is there in trying? There's no loss involved. If it doesn't work, then you can criticize me again, alright?" Li Se's tone finally carried a hint of impatience.
"What's the point of trying something fraudulent? Do you think Chairman Lin would believe you?" Tang Zhongfang had barely finished speaking when his eyes widened, as Lin Hu was already following Li Se's instructions.
"Unreasonable, utterly unreasonable!" Tang Zhongfang was exasperated. He truly couldn't fathom how the chairman of the Black Dragon Society could believe such hogwash.
Li Se exuded confidence, saying, "Tang Zhongfang, just watch. See if my method is effective."
"At such a young age, instead of diligently studying medicine, you've delved into these unorthodox practices that cause great harm. Truly, it causes immense harm. No wonder everyone says our TCM is in decline and no one believes in it; it's people like you who are responsible." Tang Zhongfang said in a fit of rage.
"Tang Zhongfang, aren't you going too far with your words?" Li Se frowned. This old man was simply relentless. "I've already said, there's no loss in trying. If you don't believe it, you can wait."
"Wait for what? If this works, I'll call you Father!" Tang Zhongfang cursed.
"Tang Zhongfang, you said it yourself. If it works, you'll call me Father." Li Se was finally displeased by Tang Zhongfang's words.
"Alright, if it can be cured, I'll call you Father!" Similarly, Tang Zhongfang's mind had become irrational with anger.
Time ticked by. Lin Hu had recited many names of deceased family members, but the baby's crying had not stopped.
"Master Li, is this useful?" Lin Hu was beginning to have his doubts.
Li Se said, "Continue reciting. Don't miss anyone."
"Do I still need to recite?" Tang Zhongfang sneered. "How could it possibly work? This is utter nonsense. Why not use my prescription? Perhaps he would have already recovered by now."
Li Se decided not to argue with Tang Zhongfang anymore. If facts didn't slap him in the face, the old man wouldn't change his mind.
Just as Lin Hu was reciting the name of a deceased family member, he seemed to sense something. He loosened his grip on the chopsticks, and the chopsticks stood upright in the water. Simultaneously, the infant on the bed stopped crying.
"It's over?" Lin Hu exclaimed with great joy.
The child on the bed had stopped crying. Due to crying for so long, he slowly drifted off to sleep, sleeping soundly.
"Finally, it's over!" Lin Hu was on the verge of tears. He said solemnly to Li Se, "Master Li, thank you!"
Tang Zhongfang was stunned. How was this possible? A method he had never even heard of, how could it possibly work? It was too bizarre. If he hadn't witnessed it himself, he wouldn't have believed such a thing could happen.
At that moment, Li Se's voice echoed in his ears, "Tang Zhongfang, call me Father, won't you?"