Chen Ping spoke plainly, "At your age, you probably can't even hold a silver needle steady, yet you dare to apply for a position as an acupuncturist. Since you've come, I'll give you this chance. If you embarrass yourself, don't blame me."
This remark caused all the acupuncture masters in the recruitment room to laugh. In their eyes, Jiang Yi was too young and didn't understand acupuncture at all.
Jiang Yi paid them no mind. He believed that arguing with ignorant people would make him just as ignorant as they were.
A patient was wheeled into the recruitment room. Each acupuncturist had a patient in front of them, along with a set of silver needles and various medical equipment.
"Everyone, the time limit is three hours. During this period, I will record your performance. After three hours, only one person will be qualified to stay," Chen Ping announced.
Following this, Chen Ping called in a group of doctors and nurses. Once everything was prepared, Chen Ping called out, "Begin..."
As soon as he spoke, all the acupuncture masters began their work. Only Jiang Yi remained standing, staring at the patient in front of him.
Seeing that Jiang Yi had not started yet, they assumed he was a charlatan who knew nothing about acupuncture.
"Section Chief Chen, what are you doing? You should have sent this phony away earlier," a doctor beside him said to Chen Ping.
"I'll send him away right now!" Chen Ping declared, then shouted towards the door, "Security, come in and take this kid out, throw him outside the hospital, and don't let him step foot in our hospital again."
As soon as his words fell, two security guards entered from outside and walked directly towards Jiang Yi.
Jiang Yi completely ignored their presence. He held a silver needle between his fingers and inserted it into the patient's acupoint with a series of fluid movements. Jiang Yi's speed was astonishing, yet he made no mistakes.
The doctors' eyes widened. Even the acupuncturists who had come to apply stopped and looked at Jiang Yi.
"This... this is the Plum Blossom Thirteen Needles..." Chen Ping exclaimed in astonishment.
"That's right, this is the legendary Plum Blossom Thirteen Needles. I never expected to witness this legendary needling technique with my own eyes today," the surrounding acupuncture masters also exclaimed. These masters had dedicated their lives to studying needling techniques and had researched many lost methods, having read numerous ancient texts. At a glance, they recognized Jiang Yi was using the Plum Blossom Thirteen Needles.
Everyone watched Jiang Yi with amazement, discussing amongst themselves.
"I can't believe this kid knows the Plum Blossom Thirteen Needles at such a young age. It's truly astonishing."
"The Plum Blossom Thirteen Needles is one of the ten ancient needling techniques. This kid's background must be extraordinary if he knows such a technique."
"We, who call ourselves acupuncture masters, are nothing in front of him. We are simply a joke."
...
Chen Ping and the doctors around them also snapped back to reality. Every face was filled with surprise.
"Go find the Vice President!" Chen Ping urgently called to a nearby nurse.
The nurse acknowledged and quickly ran off to find the Vice President. Seeing Jiang Yi's remarkable skill, Chen Ping worried that his earlier words might have offended Jiang Yi, making it impossible to retain him. Hence, he had the nurse fetch the Vice President.
A few minutes later, the Vice President arrived. Upon seeing Jiang Yi's needling technique, he was also stunned. After a long while, the Vice President regained his composure and said excitedly, "I never thought I'd live to see the Plum Blossom Thirteen Needles with my own eyes."
The Plum Blossom Thirteen Needles being one of the ten ancient needling techniques, it was no wonder it astonished everyone so greatly.
"No matter what it takes, we must keep him at our hospital!" the Vice President said with a solemn expression. "Someone with such skill would be fiercely sought after by many major hospitals. If he stays with us, he can bring great fame to our hospital and also earn us a lot of money."
"Yes!" Chen Ping replied diligently.
Soon, Chen Ping recalled the earlier events. He had assumed Jiang Yi lacked skill and had called for security to remove him. Chen Ping feared he had already offended Jiang Yi, making it impossible to keep him.
"Vice President, I offended him earlier. If I try to keep him now, it definitely won't succeed," Chen Ping admitted, not daring to conceal the truth.
"What happened?" the Vice President asked, frowning.
Chen Ping recounted the entire incident. After listening, the Vice President knitted his brows, pondered for a moment, and then said to Chen Ping, "Apologize to him later. I will find a way to keep him."
Chen Ping nodded immediately.
Meanwhile, Jiang Yi stopped after inserting the final needle. The patient's complexion had fully recovered. This patient suffered from congenital anemia due to blocked blood vessels, which had been untreatable and had become a chronic condition. Jiang Yi's Plum Blossom Thirteen Needles had directly eradicated the patient's stubborn illness.
Witnessing the incredible efficacy of the Plum Blossom Thirteen Needles, everyone marveled once more.
"Master, I was blind and offended you just now. Please don't take it to heart!" Chen Ping approached Jiang Yi, his face full of respect.
Jiang Yi did not respond to Chen Ping.
"Let me introduce you. This is the Vice President of our hospital," Chen Ping said, making the introduction.
"Hello!" The Vice President proactively extended his hand to shake Jiang Yi's, his face beaming with a smile.
"Master, your needling technique is truly astonishing. It is an honor for our hospital that you came to apply. As long as Master agrees to stay with our hospital, you can name any conditions, and we will do our utmost to satisfy them," the Vice President said earnestly.
Jiang Yi remained silent, scanning the people around him. He saw everyone looking at him with respect. This made Jiang Yi feel a hint of regret. He hadn't thought much when he saw the patient and had directly used the Plum Blossom Thirteen Needles. He had come here to find that female assassin, and drawing so much attention might alert her.
Seeing Jiang Yi's silence, the Vice President grew anxious, fearing Jiang Yi wouldn't stay. He quickly said to Jiang Yi, "Master, how about this: you can be the department director, with a monthly salary of five million." The Vice President intended to entice Jiang Yi with a generous salary.
Jiang Yi was not interested.
"I am rather laid-back. If it's possible, give me a leisurely position. As for the salary, at least ten million a month. If it's a cent less, I'll leave immediately," Jiang Yi stated.
This statement made the Vice President hesitate. He hadn't expected Jiang Yi to make such an exorbitant demand, asking for a monthly salary of ten million. The highest monthly salary in the entire hospital was only one million. Jiang Yi didn't care about the amount of money. Jiang Yi was doing this deliberately; only by doing so could he legitimately join the hospital and work there. If he had appeared indifferent to material gains, it would have immediately attracted the attention of that female assassin.