Chapter 74: Wait and See...

With a cold and indifferent remark from Chu Tian, the entire hall fell silent, all present struck dumb. For a brief moment, the clinic was enveloped in stillness.

“Did your teacher never instruct you on the signs of external cold with internal heat?” Chu Tian paid no further heed to the crowd, striding directly toward Tang Long.

As he approached, step by step, Tang Long instinctively retreated two paces. Of course, he knew what the symptoms of external cold with internal heat were—but could this young woman truly possess such a constitution?

If she really did have external cold with internal heat, then Tang Long had indeed made a misdiagnosis.

“You… You’re spouting utter nonsense!”

“This lady is suffering from uterine cold, not what you call external cold with internal heat. If you don’t understand, don’t speak carelessly.” Tang Long flung his hand in a sudden gesture, masking the flicker of panic on his face.

Recalling the pulse he had read from the young woman, his confidence wavered even more.

“So it wasn’t external cold with internal heat after all. When that young man spoke so convincingly just now, I almost thought Doctor Tang had made a mistake.”

“How could that be possible? Doctor Tang is the disciple of a master physician. Even if anyone else were wrong, Doctor Tang couldn’t possibly misdiagnose.”

“Exactly, that boy is just talking nonsense.”

A quiet buzz of conversation rose among the crowd, with opinion once more shifting in Tang Long’s favor.

Hearing the supportive voices, Tang Long’s confidence returned. No matter the woman’s constitution, as long as he stuck to his diagnosis, no one could challenge him.

“Tang Long, not only did you misdiagnose, but you also lack a shred of medical ethics!” Chu Tian’s expression darkened, disappointment flashing in his eyes.

“What did you say?” Tang Long’s face changed, stung by the insult.

“As a disciple of a master physician, you should know what happens to a patient with uterine heat if she takes a month’s worth of blood-activating, cold-dispelling decoction. If this lady were to take your prescription for a month, her condition would become incurable, and she would never be able to conceive for the rest of her life.”

“To do such a thing, severing a person’s lineage—do you still call yourself a man of medicine?” Chu Tian’s tone grew harsher, leaving Tang Long no room to save face.

Tang Long’s face flushed deep red. He was beginning to realize that Chu Tian’s words might indeed be true. But now, with the situation already so tense, he could not possibly admit his mistake in front of everyone and destroy his own reputation.

“I don’t know what kind of madness you’re spouting, but I am the resident physician of the Spring Renewal Hall. We have no need for an apprentice who speaks such nonsense. Get out of this clinic at once!” Tang Long, nearly beside himself with anger, reached out to grab Chu Tian by the collar.

Chu Tian, however, seized Tang Long’s wrist and, with a quick squeeze, twisted it.

“Aah!” Tang Long’s scream was like that of a pig being slaughtered.

Faced with an ordinary man like Tang Long, Chu Tian did not use excessive force—he didn’t even break his wrist bone. Yet what was a gentle squeeze for Chu Tian was a crushing grip for Tang Long, as if his wrist were caught in an iron vice, sending waves of excruciating pain through him, his cries echoing throughout the room.

Chu Tian then released Tang Long’s wrist and, with a swift motion, slapped him across the face.

Smack!

With that slap, Tang Long was sent flying.

Such a quack, devoid of medical ethics, cared only for his own reputation, never for the lives of his patients. If he were allowed to remain at the Spring Renewal Hall, he would only bring disgrace to the hall and to Third Senior Sister’s name.

How could Chu Tian tolerate him?

“You dare strike me? Even Lin Qinghan wouldn’t treat me like this! Who do you think you are?” Tang Long held his cheek, his face a mask of disbelief.

“If you have any complaints about me, feel free to call Third Senior Sister and report me to her face,” Chu Tian replied indifferently. He believed that Third Senior Sister was a person of discernment and would not be deceived by Tang Long.

“Do you think I won’t?” Tang Long, his anger boiling over, pulled out his phone.

Chu Tian’s face remained expressionless as he watched silently while Tang Long made his call.

Just then, Chu Tian’s own phone began to ring. He took it out and pressed the answer button.

“Mr. Chu, I hope this isn’t an inconvenience?” The voice of Wei Yuansheng came through the line, sounding unusually respectful.

Though Chu Tian and Wei Qingqiu had already established their relationship, in Wei Yuansheng’s heart, he still did not dare to treat Chu Tian as a junior.

“What’s the matter?” Chu Tian asked.

“It’s like this: I have a friend in the medical field who, upon hearing that you cured my cancer, wishes to meet you. Do you have any time?” Wei Yuansheng’s tone was cautious. If Chu Tian refused, he could only politely decline Wu Liang.

“A friend?” Chu Tian’s brow furrowed.

“Elder Wu is a titan of traditional medicine. He was the one who treated my cancer before. If not for him extending my life, I would never have had the chance to meet you, Mr. Chu,” Wei Yuansheng said with emotion, explaining the relationship between himself and Wu Liang.

Although Chu Tian was his true savior, without Wu Liang’s careful treatment in those earlier days, Wei Yuansheng would likely have died long before meeting Chu Tian. In a sense, Wu Liang was half a benefactor to him as well.

“I’m at Third Senior Sister’s Spring Renewal Hall. If he’s available, let him come here. I happen to have a case that requires his opinion,” Chu Tian said, after a brief pause, making his decision.

“A case you wish Elder Wu to diagnose?” Wei Yuansheng was slightly taken aback. Unaware of the details, he was surprised that with Chu Tian’s skill someone else’s help would even be required.

“I have time now, I’ll come immediately,” came Wu Liang’s voice from the side, before Wei Yuansheng could respond.

Though Wu Liang was not speaking directly into the phone, Chu Tian heard him clearly.

“Very well, I’ll be waiting.” Chu Tian said no more and hung up.

Meanwhile, Tang Long had already reached Lin Qinghan on the phone.

“Lin Qinghan, come back to the clinic immediately!” Tang Long was nearly hysterical, as if he meant to vent all his fury on Lin Qinghan.

“Doctor Tang, who has upset you?” Lin Qinghan’s tone was concerned.

“That boy you brought back had the audacity to hit me! If you don’t give me an explanation today, I’ll never let this go!” Tang Long roared, his words suffused with rage.

“Chu Tian hit you? How is that possible? I’ll be back right away!” Lin Qinghan replied, her voice turning cold with urgency.

“Lin Qinghan will be back soon. We’ll see then if she’ll still protect you, and whether she even can!” Tang Long sneered, his gaze fixed on Chu Tian.

“Then let this lady remain for now. When Third Senior Sister returns, she can render her judgment,” Chu Tian said calmly.