Qin Ji'an was clearly puzzled by Ling Feng's words.
"Kid, don't think you can fool me with vague nonsense!"
He assumed Ling Feng was just throwing out shocking statements to impress or deceive him. However, something in what Ling Feng said started to make a bit of sense.
"I've seen my wife's study materials. Your work was in them." Ling Feng continued, his tone steady. "While your theories are innovative and have inspired the medical field, you've gone down the wrong path without even realizing it."
"Your method is ultimately a deviation from the right way. It won't lead to anything lasting."
Ling Feng didn't mince words. He was direct and cut deep with his critique. Even Dr. Li, who was standing nearby, was shocked, his mouth hanging open, as he considered stepping in to stop Ling Feng from going further.
But Ling Feng pressed on, ignoring Li's reaction, and calmly finished what he had to say. He then looked back at Qin Ji'an, who was now alternating between pale and flushed with fury.
"You arrogant brat!" Qin Ji'an snapped. "How could my theory be wrong?"
"This theory was inspired by a great master and refined through countless experiences of saving lives!" His chest heaved with emotion, his face reddened to the point where it seemed he might collapse at any moment. "You may question me, but how dare you question the master who enlightened me!"
Qin Ji'an's voice quivered as he spoke, trying to calm himself down.
Ling Feng smiled, unfazed. "Oh, I wouldn't dare question that master."
"But you," he added, with a slight shake of his head, "you misunderstood their teachings."
"You've been walking down a mistaken path ever since, which only takes you farther from the truth as you go along."
What Qin Ji'an didn't realize was that the "great master" he was referring to was Ling Feng's own teacher. It was by chance that Qin Ji'an had once received some guidance from him and then created his own theory.
However, the theory stemmed from something far more profound—Medical Martial Art Mastery, a supreme system of knowledge that encompassed vast and mysterious principles. Even its basic ideas were far beyond what an ordinary person could fully comprehend.
That was one reason Ling Feng had chosen to suppress his abilities for so long, becoming the so-called "useless son-in-law" of the Zheng family. It wasn't just humility; it was because he needed time to fully grasp the Medical Martial Art Mastery. If used recklessly, it could easily lead someone astray.
As the saying goes, "Ninety miles of a hundred-mile journey is the hardest stretch." Only through years of restraint and relentless study could Ling Feng even begin to touch the true depths of the knowledge. Even now, he wouldn't claim to have mastered its mysteries.
So how could Qin Ji'an, who had only scratched the surface, understand?
That said, Qin Ji'an had misunderstood Ling Feng's critique, thinking it was an attack on the master rather than himself. Given his respect for the master, Ling Feng considered it worth offering him some guidance.
"What do you mean by that? Are you saying I've been wrong all this time?"
Though Qin Ji'an grasped what Ling Feng was implying, he still refused to believe it.
"Your theory of balancing yin and yang energy in the human body has a major flaw," Ling Feng explained calmly. "If you don't correct it, your method of treatment will leave patients with serious aftereffects."
"It may not show up immediately," Ling Feng continued, "but in time, their health will deteriorate, and they'll meet an unfortunate end."
Qin Ji'an's face tightened, and a deep frown formed as he fell into silence, processing the critique. The more Ling Feng spoke, the more a chill crept down Qin Ji'an's spine.
In just a few seconds, his body began to tremble, sweat forming on his brow as if he had just been hit by a serious illness.
"Heh, but of course, enough time has passed. No one will connect those results to you, so you can rest easy, right?"
Ling Feng's words, delivered with a cold chuckle, hit Qin Ji'an like a bolt of lightning.
Suddenly, memories flooded his mind—several patients from years past, elderly ones, had indeed succumbed to mysterious ailments. Others who survived were left incredibly frail, with no apparent cause that even he could diagnose.
His entire body went cold as the realization hit him. Could it be that...
Had he really been wrong all along?
"What... what should I do?"
Qin Ji'an, overwhelmed and unable to find a solution, asked in a hoarse voice. It wasn't until he spoke that he realized how shaken he was.
Seeing the older man finally ask for guidance, Ling Feng nodded in approval. There was hope yet for Qin Ji'an—at least he hadn't stubbornly chosen to go down this path with no turning back.
"It's quite simple, really. You need to adjust your method so that yin and yang energies complement and enhance each other, rather than canceling each other out," Ling Feng explained lightly.
Qin Ji'an fell into deep thought again, pondering the new approach. After a while, he spoke up.
"I've actually tried that before," Qin Ji'an admitted, "but it never worked. In the end, I could only conclude that yin and yang must oppose each other. What do you say to that?"
Ling Feng chuckled. "That just means your skills weren't up to the task."
Raising his hand, Ling Feng continued, "Yin cannot exist without yang, and yang without yin. They are two sides of the same hand. Separate them, and neither the palm nor the back of the hand will be whole."
He grabbed a cup of water with one hand and a lighter with the other. Activating his inner power, the water and flame began to rise and swirl out of the cup and lighter.
Qin Ji'an and Dr. Li stared in disbelief as water and fire intertwined in midair.
Eventually, the water and fire fused together. Neither did the fire extinguish, nor did the water evaporate. It was like witnessing a miracle.
With a flick of his hands, the fire went out and the water turned into a mist, vanishing into the air.
"I see now," Qin Ji'an said with a look of sudden understanding. "I've been guilty of dividing what should be unified."
He clasped his hands in respect and bowed to Ling Feng. "Thank you for your guidance! I will immediately revise my flawed theory."
The fear and anger that had once dominated Qin Ji'an's face had now been replaced with a peaceful smile. His attitude towards Ling Feng had undergone a complete change.
"May I ask where you learned all this? From whom?" Qin Ji'an asked cautiously, trying to probe further. He had a strong suspicion that Ling Feng must have been the disciple of the same master who had once enlightened him.
Ling Feng simply smiled in response, saying nothing.
"I understand," Qin Ji'an nodded, now more certain than ever of his theory. He bowed again. "Thank you, truly."
"As for Mrs. Ling's spot at the conference, I'll make sure she's added back in," Qin Ji'an assured.
"But when it comes to the committee members you mentioned, I'm afraid my hands are tied unless you can provide some proof."
Ling Feng nodded. "That's fine. Just make sure my wife can attend the conference."
After a few polite exchanges, Qin Ji'an finally left, feeling as if he were riding a grand stallion rather than just walking in his slippers.
"Dr. Li, thank you so much for your help!" Ling Feng said, watching Qin Ji'an disappear into the distance.
"Haha, Ling, my friend, you're the one who deserves thanks!" Dr. Li laughed heartily, leaving Ling Feng a bit puzzled.