With a muffled groan, Chu Jingtian retreated three steps, more incredulously, as Lu Fan's displayed strength far surpassed his own.
To cultivate both medicine and martial arts required immense perseverance and talent, with few achieving success. Those who did were invariably outstanding individuals.
"Presumptuous!" Lu Fan said coldly, "Practicing medicine in such a manner will ultimately lead to mistakes. I advise you not to harm yourself and others."
The employees of the Divine Doctor's Clinic also sensed something was amiss and hurried towards the back courtyard.
Meanwhile, Lu Fan and Lin Ke's group had already moved away, leaving only Chu Jingtian standing there, his heart filled with considerable dissatisfaction.
In both art and martial arts, he was no match for Lu Fan, which made him grit his teeth in hatred. After all, within his social circle, he was considered top-tier, with no one surpassing him. He had even earned the title of Divine Doctor at such a young age.
"Xiao Tian, what happened?" Chu Guodong arrived in the hall. "Why was there such a commotion just now?"
"Someone came to challenge us!" Chu Jingtian replied. "They were too presumptuous and I sent them away. However, their medical skills were indeed impressive, and the leader had some substance."
"Was it one man and two women?" Chu Guodong frowned.
"Dad, how did you know?" Chu Jingtian was surprised. "Did you send those people to test me?"
"That man's medical skills are extraordinary; even I might not be able to defeat him!" Chu Guodong stated frankly. "I suffered a loss at his hands!"
"Something like that!" Chu Jingtian was astonished. "That person looks young. How could his medical skills be superior to yours?"
"There are always people better than you, and heavens beyond heavens," Chu Guodong shook his head. "I wonder whose disciple that person is. It's a pity we have a past grievance; otherwise, we could have sparred."
"If that person's medical skills are truly that remarkable, does that mean what he said is true!" Chu Jingtian exclaimed. "Am I truly a dying person?"
Chu Guodong trembled violently. "Tian'er, don't speak nonsense!"
"I'm not speaking nonsense. That's exactly what he said," Chu Jingtian nodded. "But I suppose he was just trying to fool me, to scare me."
"Did that person really say that?" Chu Guodong trembled. "What else did he say?"
"He didn't say much specifically, just that I am a dying person," Chu Jingtian said with a laugh. "If that were true, how could I not know? It's laughable!"
Chu Guodong remained silent, his face growing more somber. He had never imagined that the secret of the past decade would be revealed by Lu Fan with a single sentence.
"Old man, what he said, could it be true? You look so serious." Chu Jingtian rolled his eyes. "If that's the case, I'm running out of time!"
"Don't talk nonsense!" Chu Guodong said directly. "I will handle this matter. You don't need to worry too much about it. Since that person could diagnose your condition, he must have a way to treat it!"
"Dad, what do you mean by that?" Chu Jingtian frowned. "Am I really a dying person?"
"More than ten years ago, I discovered your peculiar constitution, with a mysterious coldness that has always existed within your body," Chu Guodong stated frankly. "For the past ten years, I have been constantly searching for a cure, and even the headquarters of the Divine Doctor's Clinic was helpless!"
"Dad, are you saying this coldness can kill me?" Chu Jingtian retreated three steps. "Since childhood, you've said my constitution was cold and made me take medicine. Was it to suppress this coldness?"
"This coldness is no trivial matter. As you've grown, it can no longer be suppressed by medication," Chu Guodong said helplessly. "I didn't want to tell you this, to let you live a happy life. But since someone has exposed it, I will tell you everything. Your time is running out. If you don't expel the coldness from your body soon, your blood will stagnate, and there will be no cure."
Chu Jingtian's face was filled with disbelief. He was a young man with a bright future. Learning this news was like a bolt from the blue, leaving him restless.
After all, he was a favored son of heaven, someone who cultivated both medicine and martial arts, yet now he had to face death. How could he accept it calmly?
"I don't believe any of this is true," Chu Jingtian said repeatedly. "Dad, you must be lying to me, deliberately fabricating a story to make me study medicine diligently."
"If it were possible, I would wish to use other lies instead," Chu Guodong said with a wry smile. "To extend your life, I have tried every method, but now I am helpless, watching the coldness in your body rage until your meridians stagnate."
Chu Jingtian looked unconvinced, but the facts were laid out before him, and he had no choice but to believe. If Chu Guodong said so, it meant everything.
"Originally, I was helpless. However, since the gentleman just now could see your condition at a glance, he must have a method of treatment," Chu Guodong said. "This may be our only chance, and we absolutely cannot miss it."
"But I already offended him just now, and Dad, you also said earlier that you had some grievances with him," Chu Jingtian shook his head. "How will he help us!"
"Even if it means sacrificing my old face, I will save your life!" Chu Guodong's eyes were serious. "Even if I have to beg for forgiveness, even if I am ashamed and unworthy!"
"Dad!" Chu Jingtian's eyes reddened. He had never been so moved before.
Meanwhile, Lu Fan and his group had arrived at another herbal medicine shop. After purchasing the herbs, they headed towards their residence, as Lu Fan would not break his promise to Yang Xiaofei. Besides refining ordinary healing herbs, Lu Fan had also bought other medicinal ingredients to prepare several pills to send to Uncle Fu. After all, Uncle Fu had worked diligently for the Lu family his entire life, and now his lifespan was nearing its end. Lu Fan naturally would not stand by and watch Uncle Fu depart.
However, they had not taken many steps when an old man ran down from a car, appearing breathless. "Mr. Lu, I finally found you. I thought I had missed you!"
"Isn't this Divine Doctor Chu?" Lu Fan smiled. "Why are you in such a hurry? Is something the matter?"
"Xiao Tian was wrong before, and he offended Mr. Lu," Chu Guodong said with a fawning smile. "I am here to apologize on his behalf. I hope Mr. Lu can overlook his transgressions!"
"It's alright, I don't mind!" Lu Fan adjusted the herbs he was carrying. "If there's nothing else, we'll be going now. I'm in a hurry to get back and stew the medicine!"
Chu Guodong looked embarrassed. Chu Jingtian had driven Lu Fan and his group out of the clinic, a fact he was aware of. Now, with Lu Fan's behavior, he likely still harbored resentment.
"Mr. Lu, it's all my fault!" Chu Guodong said repeatedly. "As long as you can cure Xiao Tian's illness, I am willing to hand over the branch of the Divine Doctor's Clinic and let Mr. Lu be the馆主 (Guǎnzhǔ - Head/Manager)! What do you think, Mr. Lu?"