In the afternoon, Li Se was in the clinic dispensing medicine with Huang Shanshan. The consultations were left to Elder Huang and the others, as it was important to give these experienced TCM doctors an opportunity to showcase their skills.
"Shanshan, the Nine Needles of Heavenly Doctors is divided into three parts: the upper three needles for life, the middle three needles for death, and the lower three needles for bone regeneration..." While dispensing herbs, Li Se explained the Nine Needles of Heavenly Doctors to Huang Shanshan. This needle technique was a family inheritance, passed down through the Li family, and not taught to outsiders.
However, Li Se had already imparted this technique to Elder Huang. To him, no matter how profound a needle technique was, it was useless if not passed on. Furthermore, the decline of TCM was partly due to many prominent TCM families hoarding their knowledge, leading to the loss of many legendary medical arts.
"Se, are you saying that the Nine Needles of Heavenly Doctors can truly reverse life and death?" Huang Shanshan asked.
Li Se shook his head. "That's just an exaggeration. We are doctors, not immortals. There are times when we are helpless. However, to fully unleash the potential of the Nine Needles of Heavenly Doctors, one must cultivate Qi Gong. With the assistance of Qi Gong, techniques like 'Qi Guiding Needles' and 'Qi Flying Needles' become effortless."
"Then... can I still cultivate Qi Gong?" Huang Shanshan asked, a hint of excitement in her voice.
Li Se shook his head. "Shanshan, your aptitude for Qi Gong is not great. Even if it were, you've missed the prime time for cultivation..."
Huang Shanshan felt a pang of regret. After studying medicine with Li Se for some time, she began to understand why TCM was in decline. To maximize the effectiveness of TCM, one needed to cultivate Qi Gong, a requirement completely absent in Western medicine.
Moreover, many legendary needle techniques and medical texts in TCM had already been lost, making the challenge even greater.
"Miracle Doctor Li, we have a difficult patient here," Elder Huang said as he approached.
"Alright!" Li Se nodded and followed Elder Huang to a consultation area.
A beautiful young woman in her thirties was holding a child, who looked to be about four or five years old.
"This is bronchial asthma, a reversible, obstructive airway disease characterized by recurrent paroxysmal cough, wheezing, and dyspnea, accompanied by airway hyperresponsiveness," Elder Huang stated with a grave expression.
Although he had learned the Nine Needles of Heavenly Doctors and his medical skills had improved significantly, the truth remained that without the aid of Qi Gong, the Nine Needles of Heavenly Doctors were difficult to wield to their fullest potential. Furthermore, Elder Huang had only just mastered the first three needles.
"Miracle Doctor Li, could you please treat my child?" the young woman pleaded.
Li Se nodded and walked up to the young woman. The child in her arms was still coughing incessantly, accompanied by symptoms of shortness of breath and chest tightness – a clear case of pediatric asthma.
Li Se pressed the Shoushang acupoint, gently tapping the points on both sides with his thumb. The child's symptoms began to improve. He then took out silver needles and performed acupuncture on the child. Afterward, he said, "I will prescribe a medicinal diet. After consuming it for a period, your child will be completely cured."
"Thank you, Miracle Doctor Li!" the young woman said gratefully.
"Miracle Doctor Li, there are some illnesses that we truly cannot handle," Elder Huang said with a touch of shame.
Li Se smiled. "Pediatric asthma is quite challenging even for Western medicine, but our TCM can easily cure it!"
The elderly TCM practitioners nodded in agreement. It was true; Li Se had just effortlessly cured the pediatric asthma, and it seemed to have cost very little. If treated by Western medicine, it would likely have been a long and costly process.
"Everyone, get out of the way!"
"Enforcement Department is here on official business, clear the way!"
Just then, a group of people in police uniforms barged in.
They roughly pushed the patients aside. The leader of this group was naturally Sun Yuqiu.
"Enforcement Department?" Li Se was slightly taken aback. He was quite familiar with the Enforcement Department, having met Tang Xi and the Minister Kong Yongnian. Why were the Enforcement Department personnel here at his clinic?
"Who is Li Se?" Sun Yuqiu asked coldly.
"I am!" Li Se replied.
"You'll have to come with us!" Sun Yuqiu said indifferently.
"May I ask what crime I've committed?" Li Se asked, frowning.
"You've committed a grave offense, intentional injury. Arrest him!" Sun Yuqiu commanded.
Several members of the Enforcement Department advanced towards Li Se, one even taking out handcuffs, intending to restrain him.
"Do you have any evidence?" Li Se dodged the approaching handcuffs and asked coldly.
Sun Yuqiu's eyes held a cold glint. "Come with us, and the evidence will be presented. Or do you intend to resist arrest?"
"You better behave yourself!" One of the Enforcement Department members, the one holding the handcuffs, threw a punch at Li Se. Seeing that Li Se dared to dodge, he became enraged.
*Bang!*
The punch missed its target, and Li Se, in turn, landed a counter-punch on the member.
"Ugh..." The man cried out in pain and stumbled backward, but was caught by Sun Yuqiu.
"Li Se, how dare you?!" Sun Yuqiu roared in anger, drawing his gun and pointing it directly at Li Se.
*Swish, swish, swish...*
The other members, also armed, aimed their guns at Li Se.
At that moment, all the patients in the clinic were terrified.
Li Se's expression turned grim. "I detest it when people point guns at me."
"What are you going to do about it?" Sun Yuqiu sneered. "If you dare to resist again, do you believe I'll shoot you dead?"
"Alright, I'll go with you. But I don't need handcuffs!" Li Se knew he had no choice but to comply. After all, they were from the Enforcement Department, and he couldn't truly fight back. Moreover, they were armed, and he wasn't confident he could handle so many armed individuals at such close range. Even if he could, Huang Shanshan and the others were nearby, and he couldn't risk it.
"Li Se..." Huang Shanshan said anxiously.
"Shanshan, I'm fine," Li Se replied. As he walked away with Sun Yuqiu, he sent a text message to Tang Xi.
In the interrogation room.
Li Se sat there for over ten minutes before someone entered. First came Sun Yuqiu, followed by Shen Yan.
"It's you." Li Se smiled. It was indeed related to Shen Yan, but he was surprised. Since when did this second-rate noble family control the power of the Enforcement Department?
"I said I would tear you to shreds. Did you think I was joking with you?" Shen Yan's face was bandaged, and his eyes were filled with malice.
"Xiao Yan, you decide how you want to deal with him now," Sun Yuqiu said.
"No need to rush." Shen Yan grinned. "I've already sent for Meimei. When she gets here, I want her to see just how miserable you are under my hands!"