Chapter 071: Consultation II

“Oh? He’s not dead?”
The guard shook his head. “No.”
“Then forget it, let him in.”
“Alright.”
The guard returned to the gate. “Master Qiu, you may enter now.”
“Hmph!”
Qiu He snorted, not bothering to argue, and led Zhao Feng through the gate.

As they walked inside, Qiu He whispered, “Master, what should we do next?”
Zhao Feng narrowed his eyes slightly. “Wait. Do exactly as I say.”
“How exactly?”
Zhao Feng leaned close to Qiu He’s ear. “When it’s your turn to diagnose, say this: ‘The root of your illness is a bullet lodged in your heart. If you want to survive, you must have it removed.’”
Qiu He was taken aback. “Master, are you certain Xiang Hu’s heart has a bullet?”
Zhao Feng rolled his eyes. “What else do you think?”
“Well… okay…”

Today, nearly fifty dignitaries and renowned doctors from various cities had gathered at the Xiang residence.
They waited in the living room.
After a while, a stout middle-aged man wheeled an elderly man into the room.
The old man in the wheelchair looked frail and weak, his back hunched and eyes cast down. This was Xiang Hu; the middle-aged man was Xiang Chang.

“Cough! Cough, cough!”
Xiang Hu coughed twice, his voice barely audible. “Greetings, everyone.”
The crowd rose to their feet. “Good day, Master Xiang!”
Xiang Hu waved his hand. “I invited you all here for two reasons: first, to treat my illness; second, to let you witness a famous painting.”
“A famous painting?”
“Yes.”
“What is it?”
“Well—”
Everyone began discussing among themselves.

Xiang Hu chuckled. “Originally, I called you all for a consultation. But last night, I acquired a renowned painting, so I decided to host this antique appreciation gathering.”
Applause erupted from the assembled dignitaries.
Xiang Hu smiled. “This morning, we’ll conduct the consultation. After lunch, we’ll appreciate antiques.”
“Excellent!”
“No problem!”
“Let’s begin, then,” Xiang Hu said.

“I’ll go first.”
A doctor in a white coat, about forty years old, stepped forward.
Xiang Hu looked up. “Ah, Doctor Shen from Wu’an City.”
Dr. Shen smiled. “It’s been a long time, Master Xiang.”
Xiang Hu laughed. “Indeed, it has.”

Dr. Shen smiled. “Let’s begin, Master Xiang.”
“Alright.”
Dr. Shen waved, and his assistant quickly wheeled over a cart bearing a device the size of a computer.
Dr. Shen said, “Master Xiang, this is a new instrument from America. It’s sure to find your ailment.”
Xiang Hu shot Dr. Shen a disdainful glance. “Let’s hope so.”
Dr. Shen picked up a stethoscope from the device and placed it in his ears.
He pressed the other end against Xiang Hu’s chest and listened for two minutes, his brow furrowing.
Dr. Shen drew a deep breath. “Master Xiang, you say your heart aches uncontrollably?”
Xiang Hu nodded. “That’s correct.”
Dr. Shen frowned. “But my examination shows your heart is perfectly healthy.”
Xiang Hu waved him off coldly. “Step down.”
Dr. Shen hesitated. “Master Xiang, let me check once more!”
“Hmph.”
“No need. Next!”
Xiang Hu’s tone was icy.

Before so many people, Xiang Hu showed no regard for his dignity, leaving Dr. Shen utterly humiliated.
Dr. Shen’s face darkened as he returned to his seat.
“Next!”
Xiang Chang called from behind Xiang Hu.
Everyone exchanged uneasy glances.
Dr. Shen was famous in the metropolis. If even he failed, the others surely would as well.
No one dared step forward.
Xiang Chang frowned. “Is there no one else?”
Still, the crowd remained silent.

Suddenly, a voice rang out. “I’ll give it a try!”
Everyone turned in surprise.
“Isn’t that Qiu He?”
“That obscure herbalist?”
“My goodness, he’s here too?”
“Yes, yes!”

Hearing the murmurs, Qiu He’s face flushed red.
Zhao Feng, standing behind him, patted his back.
With Zhao Feng’s encouragement, Qiu He found his resolve.

He approached Xiang Hu. “Master Xiang, allow me to try.”
“Get out!”
Xiang Chang shouted angrily from behind Xiang Hu.
Xiang Hu said nothing, merely keeping his eyes down—his meaning clear.

Qiu He, mortified, turned beet red.
Laughter erupted in the room.
“Qiu He is making a fool of himself!”
“Indeed!”

Qiu He felt utterly humiliated.
Suddenly, he remembered Zhao Feng’s words and found his courage once more.
He snorted coldly. “I ask you, Master Xiang, do you often experience heart pain?”
Xiang Hu frowned. “Everyone knows about that.”
“Hmph.”
Qiu He sneered. “Actually, there’s a bullet lodged in your heart. That’s why your health declines day by day. If this continues, I doubt you’ll live to see your seventieth birthday!”

“Outrageous!”
Xiang Chang shouted, drawing a pistol.
Qiu He felt a pang of fear and glanced at Zhao Feng, who merely closed his eyes.
Qiu He began to panic.
Without Zhao Feng, he was nothing.

Xiang Chang aimed his pistol at Qiu He. “Kneel and apologize!”
“I—”
“Put it away, Chang,” Xiang Hu said calmly.
“Father…”
“Put it away.”
“Alright.”

Xiang Hu fixed his gaze on Qiu He, as if trying to see through him.
Qiu He, though appearing calm, was actually dazed.
Xiang Hu asked, “How did you know there’s a bullet in my heart?”
Qiu He had no idea what to say. Suddenly, a voice whispered in his ear, “Just say, ‘Traditional medicine relies on observation, listening, inquiry, and palpation.’”

Qiu He glanced at Zhao Feng, who looked sleepy, his mouth unmoving.
Once again, Qiu He marveled at Zhao Feng’s methods.

Qiu He turned to Xiang Hu. “Traditional medicine emphasizes observation, listening, inquiry, and palpation.”
Xiang Hu nodded. “I’m aware. And then?”
“I—”
The voice whispered again, “Judging by your appearance, your health is failing due to depleted kidney essence and declining vital energy.”
Qiu He hurriedly repeated Zhao Feng’s words.

Xiang Hu frowned. “Is there any solution?”
The voice whispered again.
Qiu He echoed, “Yes! You just need to remove the bullet!”