Director Jin Shikai of the banking system pointed to the white-bearded old man sitting next to Mayor Liu and said with a smile, "I've invited Needle King Master He to take a look at Mayor Liu's condition!" Mayor Liu suffered from headaches, and despite visiting various major hospitals, his condition remained untreated. When this news spread, who wouldn't want to use their resources to do a favor?
Jin Shikai's move surprised everyone present. The ability to invite Needle King He Songmang was quite astonishing. The He family clinic was well-known throughout Nanbin City, with a legacy of medical expertise passed down through generations, even producing physicians for the imperial court. He Songmang had inherited the true essence of his ancestors' teachings and had earned the title of Needle King before the age of fifty.
However, He Songmang's temperament was quite peculiar. He was stern and obstinate, and after reaching his seventies, he set a rule of seeing only thirty patients per day, regardless of any attempts at persuasion. Yet, despite his strict demeanor, He Songmang's reputation in Jiangnan was quite renowned, and patients seeking his treatment had to wait for up to three months.
Most people couldn't even hope to request his services, and Jin Shikai had no idea how he managed to do so.
Shen Hong poured a glass of wine for Zhang Zhili, gesturing for him not to speak. Originally, Zhang Zhili claimed his medical skills were superior to those of an appraiser, which made Shen Hong feel a bit eager to extend a favor. However, upon reflection, Zhang Zhili was still too young, and being a doctor required both experience and knowledge, especially with Needle King He present, making Zhang Zhili's assistance unnecessary.
He Songmang had a solemn face, exuding an aura of authority and warmth as he glanced at Shen Hong and Zhang Zhili, nodding slightly as a form of greeting. After taking Mayor Liu's pulse, he frowned.
"In Western medicine, I assume you've undergone various tests, and none have shown any abnormalities?" He Songmang's question seemed doubtful, yet he spoke with certainty.
"Yes, I've undergone all kinds of tests, but nothing abnormal was found," Mayor Liu nodded.
"Each time you experience headaches, I presume you also experience eye socket swelling, dizziness, and ringing in the ears?" He Songmang continued.
"Yes, yes, yes! Master He truly is a divine doctor; just by feeling my pulse, he knows everything," Mayor Liu nodded repeatedly.
"Your condition appears to be a manifestation of excessive liver yang, and you've likely tried some traditional Chinese medicine to clear heat, with no effect, correct?"
"Yes, yes, yes! You truly are amazing!" Mayor Liu's admiration for He Songmang was evident.
Jin Shikai also looked pleased, glancing at Shen Hong. Shen Hong, feeling a bit displeased, had a good personal relationship with Jin Shikai and enjoyed competing with him. Turning his head, he saw Zhang Zhili gazing at He Songmang earnestly, like a diligent student. Shen Hong increasingly felt that there was little hope of repaying the favor with He Songmang's expertise.
Shaking his head, He Songmang replied, "Your condition is difficult to treat; it's caused by external evils invading the brain over time, resulting in bodily changes. In Western medicine terms, it's considered neuralgia. Although it doesn't affect lifespan, the pain during episodes is excruciating. Although painkillers can alleviate symptoms, they shouldn't be used frequently!"
"Can't your medical skills cure it?" Jin Shikai asked solemnly.
"Curing it is difficult. My acupuncture technique can only alleviate symptoms and reduce the frequency of attacks," Mayor Liu replied, momentarily disappointed but soon regaining composure. "Alleviating symptoms is still beneficial! Let's start by alleviating them. If in the future, Mayor Liu can find a better acupuncture master, there may still be a chance for a cure!"
"Oh? In the field of acupuncture, is there an acupuncturist better than Needle King yourself?" Jin Shikai chuckled.
"Yes, ancient medical texts record that acupuncture mastery reaches a transformative state, controlling needles with one's qi, and sealing the soul's vitality! This has been my lifelong pursuit," He Songmang's aged eyes revealed a hint of longing and mystery.
"What does it mean to control needles with one's qi, and seal the soul's vitality?" Jin Shikai couldn't help but ask.
"You're not medical professionals, so explaining in detail would be futile. Just know that at this stage of acupuncture mastery, it's possible to manipulate life and death, even snatching lives from the hands of the King of Hell!" He Songmang's words conveyed an air of ancient wisdom.
Such mastery was considered a lost secret! In a lifetime devoted to the medical profession, He Songmang had indeed never encountered anyone who had reached such a level.
"If it weren't for records in ancient medical texts and my master's firm assertion that such divine physicians exist, I would doubt whether such a realm truly exists!" He chuckled, taking out his acupuncture needles to treat Mayor Liu.
At that moment, Zhang Zhili spoke up: "Precise diagnosis, extensive knowledge of acupuncture."
"But since it can't be cured, why bother?"
"Can you cure it then?"
"Yes!"
All eyes turned to Zhang Zhili. If not for saving face for Shen Hong, someone might have spoken out against him.
Shen Hong blushed. This kid dared to speak out despite what Dr. He said about the incurable illness. It was all because of his earlier unnecessary remark about asking for help.
He quickly shot Zhang Zhili a questioning look.
However, Zhang Zhili remained calm, patting Shen Hong on the shoulder, and smiled, "Coincidentally, I happen to know a little about using qi to control needles and lock souls."
Dr. He's mouth twitched. This kid dared to say that.
"Young man, did you just hear Dr. He talk about divine healing and thought you could play the wise guy? Don't you see who's here? Do you think you can impress everyone just because of Shen Hong's influence? Ridiculous!"
Jin Shikai burst out, unable to contain his temper. Others nodded in agreement, feeling that Zhang Zhili lacked tact. Even Liu Shou, the city leader, frowned.
But Zhang Zhili didn't mind. He pointed at Jin Shikai and said, "Do you often have a bitter taste in your mouth and have trouble sleeping at night, with shallow sleep and easy waking?"
Jin Shikai was stunned, hitting the nail on the head.
Zhang Zhili then pointed to another person. "And you, you underwent lung cancer surgery a year ago. Although the early symptoms were not bad without chemotherapy, you must be nervous lately with symptoms of dry cough due to lung dryness?"
"???"
"And you, with an enlarged liver, sometimes experience pain in the upper right abdomen. If you don't lose weight and quit drinking, liver cirrhosis is probably just a matter of time!"
Zhang Zhili accurately identified three people in a row, leaving everyone astonished. Their gaze once again turned to Shen Hong. Shen Hong instinctively shook his head, "It wasn't me who said it."
Then he rolled his eyes, "I didn't know about Lao Cheng's liver enlargement either!"
Lao Cheng nodded, "That's right. I found out myself when I went to the hospital yesterday."
This statement surprised everyone, and they looked at Zhang Zhili with some amazement. Dr. He couldn't hide his astonishment. "To accurately diagnose through observation alone, is this the legendary insight and diagnosis?"
"Hehe, Dr. He is indeed knowledgeable! Knows quite a lot!" Zhang Zhili smiled.
Dr. He also put away his disdain and asked, "So, how would you treat Liu Shou's illness?"
Zhang Zhili said, "Dr. He's diagnosis is correct. Liu Shou's illness is caused by an invasion of external pathogenic factors, specifically heat evil, which may be misdiagnosed by traditional Chinese medicine practitioners as hyperactivity of liver yang. The heat evil is mixed with dampness evil, which together should be called yin evil. The spleen governs transportation and transformation, so it should be treated with acupuncture and supplemented with a spleen-tonifying, fire-draining, and yang-raising decoction."
Finishing his explanation, Zhang Zhili pointed to Dr. He's acupuncture needle, "May I borrow this?"
"Of course!" Dr. He readily agreed, eager to see if Zhang Zhili's acupuncture technique matched his diagnostic ability.
Zhang Zhili looked at Liu Shou with a smile, "Please take off your shirt!"
Liu Shou was already convinced and didn't hesitate to take off his shirt.
"Kid, are you sure you know what you're doing? Don't mess up!" Jin Shikai said sarcastically, but before he finished, Zhang Zhili's needle had already landed on Liu Shou's Zhongwan acupoint.