"Youngster... no, Young Divine Doctor... please forgive my earlier rudeness."
After the intense shock, Song Donglou's knees buckled, and he knelt heavily before Shen Lang, saying, "I am convinced, utterly and completely. I wish to apprentice myself to the Young Divine Doctor. Please accept me as your disciple."
As he spoke, Song Donglou took out a bank card from his pocket and presented it to Shen Lang with both hands, respectfully stating, "This card holds ten million. The PIN is six sixes. It is my apprenticeship fee. Please, I implore you, accept it."
"What?"
Faced with Song Donglou's sudden action, not only were the several doctors present astonished, but even Nan Qingyao and Ye Shishi looked on in disbelief.
In Nanling, Song Donglou's name was as well-known as that of Prince Yang Ce, the ruler of Nanling.
Song Donglou was known as Nanling's foremost Divine Doctor. In his forty years of practice, he had saved countless patients, and many wealthy and powerful figures owed him their lives.
No one had expected that someone of Song Donglou's stature would argue with Shen Lang, a mere youth.
Even more astonishing was that after losing the wager, Song Donglou immediately knelt and apologized, as promised, to seek apprenticeship.
"Elder Song, you mustn't."
A middle-aged doctor wearing glasses immediately stepped forward to intervene, saying, "With your status and reputation, how can you possibly apprentice yourself to a young boy? What will others think of you if this gets out?"
"Yes, Elder Song, you cannot."
Although they were also deeply shocked by Shen Lang's miraculous medical skills that could bring people back from the brink of death, they could not bring themselves to accept that the esteemed Elder Song would become Shen Lang's disciple.
"What are you people trying to do?"
Facing everyone's obstruction, Song Donglou roared, "I have always kept my word. Are you trying to put me in a position of dishonor and faithlessness?"
"Today, I am becoming a disciple, no matter what. No one can stop me. I mean it."
"This..."
Seeing Song Donglou's anger, the middle-aged doctor and the other doctors dared not speak further and merely stood aside obediently.
"Hmm, you keep your word. You're not bad."
Just then, Shen Lang, the person in question, spoke.
He looked at Song Donglou kneeling on the ground, a commendable smile appearing on his face, and said, "In this day and age, there are few who truly keep their word. For the sake of the money... no, for the sake of your sincere devotion, I will reluctantly accept you."
"What?"
Hearing Shen Lang's words, not only did the eyes of the doctors present widen, but even Nan Qingyao and Ye Shishi looked utterly incredulous.
They had all expected Shen Lang to be flustered, help Song Donglou up, and utter some humble words about it all being a joke, to save everyone's face and maintain a harmonious atmosphere.
They never imagined that Shen Lang, without batting an eyelid, would directly accept Song Donglou as his disciple.
Shen Lang was in his early twenties, while Song Donglou was sixty-seven or sixty-eight, a difference of over forty years.
An old man in his sixties kneeling to apprentice himself to a young man in his twenties, and this old man was none other than Song Donglou.
If this news were to spread, it would undoubtedly cause an immense sensation.
"Youngster, you've gone too far! While Elder Song sincerely seeks apprenticeship, how dare you accept him as your disciple?"
The middle-aged doctor with glasses, upon hearing this, was furious and shouted at Shen Lang, "You, a young brat of twenty, asking Elder Song, an elder of sixty-eight, to be your disciple? Boy, aren't you afraid of divine retribution?"
"What is a teacher?"
Shen Lang chuckled upon hearing this. "A teacher is one who imparts the Way, imparts knowledge, and resolves doubts. Thus, disciples are not necessarily inferior to their masters, nor are masters necessarily wiser than their disciples. The understanding of the Way has its precedence, and skills in any field have their specialization. It is as simple as that."
"My medical skills are superior to his. Things he cannot achieve, I have achieved. People he could not save, I have saved. By what right can I not be his teacher?"
"You..."
Hearing Shen Lang's words, the middle-aged doctor with glasses was instantly struck speechless, unable to utter a single word.
There was nothing he could do. Shen Lang's medical prowess was truly extraordinary, and his words were, in fact, unassailable.
The other doctors, seeing this, wore similar expressions. They wanted to say something but remained silent for a long time.
"Disciple, quickly rise."
After silencing everyone with his reasoning, Shen Lang bent down and, with both hands, helped Song Donglou to his feet. He also took the opportunity to slip the bank card from Song Donglou's hand into his own pocket.
With this kneel and this help, the master-disciple relationship was now sealed.
Since the man had sought apprenticeship and paid the fee, Shen Lang naturally had to give him a congratulatory gift.
Shen Lang took a book from his pocket and handed it to Song Donglou, saying, "I'll give you this 'Tian Hui Medical Classic.' Study it well. Within three years, you will not only be Nanling's foremost Divine Doctor but also the world's greatest."
"What?"
Looking at the medical book in Shen Lang's hand, Song Donglou's pupils dilated, and his hands trembled.
The shock Song Donglou felt now surpassed even his astonishment when he had witnessed Shen Lang save a life.
The 'Tian Hui Medical Classic' was a treasured medical text, on par with the lost 'Tai Yi Divine Needle' and 'Qing Nang Shu.'
The 'Tian Hui Medical Classic' was a clinical diagnostic and treatment manual. The medical techniques within were all for emergency care, encompassing a systematic and complete medical theory from diagnosis to clinical treatment. This theory's level far surpassed current medical understanding.
Song Donglou knew of the 'Tian Hui Medical Classic' because he had once seen a few fragments of its records in a museum during an archaeological excavation.
Song Donglou could never have imagined that he would one day truly see this unparalleled medical masterpiece, and that Shen Lang would be the one giving it to him.
"Master, how... how do you possess this medical book?"
Song Donglou was bewildered as to why Shen Lang, a young man, would have such a book in his possession, and was momentarily overcome with awe.
"This book was written by Bian Que. After Bian Que's death, it was lost to later generations."
"Five years ago, a group of tomb robbers, by chance, discovered the tomb of Bian Que's deceased wife. They unearthed a pile of antiques and several hundred bamboo slips. They did not know that these bamboo slips were the long-lost 'Tian Hui Medical Classic,' an item of immeasurable value."
Shen Lang explained, "I bought these bamboo slips for two hundred yuan. I then reorganized the contents and finally wrote them down, creating the 'Tian Hui Medical Classic' you now hold."
As he spoke, Shen Lang placed a hand on Song Donglou's shoulder and said, "Study it diligently. Do not disappoint me. However, until your mastery is complete, do not reveal that you are my disciple."
"Thank you, Master. Your disciple will study with utmost dedication and will not betray your expectations."
Song Donglou took the 'Tian Hui Medical Classic,' his hands trembling with excitement.
If this book were to be sold, its value would be at least a billion yuan. Holding it, Song Donglou felt an immense weight.
He secretly vowed that he would achieve complete mastery, so as to be worthy of Shen Lang's earnest efforts.