Gu Tianhe, having once been an imperial physician, knew well the golden needles in Li Se’s hands. These were the Returning Yang Golden Needles, a set of immense value. While he wasn't short of money, such needles were incredibly rare, even more precious than his life-saving Phoenix Needles. If he could obtain this set, his needle technique would reach new heights.
“Teacher, are those the Returning Yang Golden Needles in his hand?” Yu Tianran asked with some confusion.
“Yes,” Gu Tianhe nodded. “This kid must have stumbled upon some incredible luck to get such a set of golden needles. These precious needles falling into the hands of someone like him is simply a waste of heaven’s bounty!”
Under Li Se’s rescue efforts, Huangpu Ze gradually regained consciousness. He looked bewildered and instinctively reached out to thank Gu Tianhe. However, as the words left his lips, he realized it was Li Se who had performed the acupuncture.
“You… you saved me?” Huangpu Ze asked weakly, his expression incredibly complex. After all, he had previously held this young man in utter disdain, believing him to be a charlatan.
Before Li Se could answer, Yu Tianran interjected, “Mr. Huang, how could it possibly be him? Of course, it was my teacher who saved you!”
Shamelessness, truly, can make one invincible.
What’s more, Gu Tianhe wore an arrogant expression and stated, “It must have been my life-saving Phoenix Needle technique that allowed Mr. Huang to survive. As for this barefoot doctor, laughable. I can tell he was also performing acupuncture. He claims to be a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner. Who has ever seen such a young TCM doctor? At such a young age, does he even understand medicine?”
The reasoning was sound and irrefutable.
“You’re an imperial physician, do you really need to steal credit?” Yao Shiqing asked, annoyed. Gu Tianhe was too shameless.
“Steal credit?” Gu Tianhe sneered. “Do I need to steal credit from a barefoot doctor? If I hadn’t used my life-saving Phoenix Needle technique, how could Mr. Huang have recovered? And speaking of stealing credit, who can compare to this barefoot doctor? He’s not even present, yet he’s stealing my credit. Truly remarkable, remote treatment!”
Yao Shiqing’s delicate face turned red with anger. This Gu Tianhe was truly the epitome of shamelessness.
“Gu Tianhe, you declared him dead moments ago. Now that I’ve saved him, it’s become your credit?” Li Se was truly surprised that an imperial physician could be so utterly shameless. It was no wonder he had retired early; it was likely related to his character.
Yu Tianran retorted sarcastically, “If it wasn’t my teacher’s life-saving Phoenix Needle technique that healed him, then tell me, how was he saved? Was it you? What a joke! At your age, do you even understand medicine? You saw my teacher perform the life-saving Phoenix Needle technique, knew Mr. Huang would be saved, and then you pretended to perform acupuncture just to steal credit. Young people today don’t follow the right path!”
Huangpu Ze was still somewhat weak. He wasn’t entirely sure what had happened after he vomited blood. Now, both Li Se and Gu Tianhe claimed responsibility for his rescue. Fundamentally, he was more inclined to believe Gu Tianhe, but he wasn’t a fool. Ever since Yu Tianran had treated him, he had been coughing up blood incessantly. He then turned to his secretary and asked, “Tell me, what happened just now?”
The secretary recounted everything that had transpired, from beginning to end.
Huangpu Ze had basically reached a conclusion. He turned to Gu Tianhe and said, “Thank you, Imperial Physician Gu, for saving my life!”
“Uncle Huang, you…” Yao Shiqing was somewhat incredulous. According to the secretary, Li Se had treated him. Even if Huangpu Ze was disoriented, he shouldn’t have thanked Gu Tianhe first.
Huangpu Ze waved his hand, “Although I was unconscious, I could feel that Imperial Physician Gu’s life-saving Phoenix Needle technique saved me.”
“As I said, this kid is just a barefoot doctor!” Gu Tianhe glanced triumphantly at Li Se, his aged face beaming with a smile.
“You’re no longer needed here. Get out!” Zhang Yi also felt a sense of satisfaction. He was actually puzzled, as it seemed Li Se had indeed saved Huangpu Ze. Why was Huangpu Ze thanking Gu Tianhe? For the sake of prudence, thanking both would be the most correct approach.
But he soon understood, a smile appearing at the corner of his lips. It was all because of Li Se’s lowly status.
Li Se’s expression darkened, “You’re all birds of a feather. Are you sure you want me to leave?”
Huangpu Ze frowned slightly.
“Otherwise, what use do I have for you?” Gu Tianhe said disdainfully.
“I didn’t say I had saved your life completely. Even if the resuscitation is successful, you still have at most three days to live!” Li Se stated calmly.
Huangpu Ze’s expression shifted slightly. He glanced at Gu Tianhe.
“Heh, with me here, I can easily cure you. Besides, you didn’t save me just now. Don’t take credit for everything yourself. Do you really think you’re a divine doctor?” Gu Tianhe said contemptuously.
“With Imperial Physician Gu here, you don’t need to worry about me,” Huangpu Ze replied coldly.
“Farewell!” Li Se sneered, preparing to leave.
“Stop!” Gu Tianhe, however, called out to him.
“Is there something?” Whether it was Gu Tianhe or Huangpu Ze, Li Se’s impression of them was extremely poor. Therefore, his attitude towards them was also very bad, his tone even laced with anger.
“Leave the Returning Yang Golden Needles, and you can scram!” Gu Tianhe commanded, his tone leaving no room for doubt.
“Why should I leave my golden needles for you?” Li Se found it somewhat amusing. This Gu Tianhe was truly overbearing.
“One million!” Gu Tianhe held up a finger.
Li Se coldly retorted, “You are truly shameless. These needles of mine, if thrown onto the market, would fetch at least ten million. Yet you expect to buy them for a million?”
Gu Tianhe was unfazed. “Do you know who you’re talking to? I am an imperial physician. If you sell me this set of needles, I will remember this favor. Who knows, I might even teach you some medical skills.”
“Do I need your favor?” Li Se mocked.
“Kid, do you know who you’re speaking to?” Gu Tianhe frowned. “Do you know what an imperial physician represents? It means connections. With a single word from me, I can make you disappear. Do you believe me?”
Yu Tianran spoke with extreme arrogance, “Did you hear that? Leave the golden needles. Giving you a million is already showing you respect. Do you really think you’re a divine doctor? Moreover, these golden needles in your hands are a complete waste. Only with my teacher can the needles reach their full potential!”
“Furthermore, my teacher wanting these golden needles is your honor. Don’t refuse a good offer!”