Chapter 615 What Would I Ask You?
"Tell me, what is the content of the competition?"
Old Master Huang was secretly pleased, but feigned nonchalance and said calmly.
"Basic Acupuncture!"
The staff member took a breath, looked around at everyone, and spoke slowly.
As he spoke, for fairness, the staff member showed the bamboo slips to Chen Xuan, Old Master Huang, and all the spectators.
Basic Acupuncture!
The small golden characters on the bamboo slip were very conspicuous.
Upon hearing this, everyone shook their heads.
"This kid is finished!"
"Acupuncture is a niche field! It requires the most foundational skill!"
Old Master Huang couldn't help but burst into laughter and said, "Kid, it seems your good luck has run out!"
Others nodded in agreement.
As everyone knew, acupuncture was the most difficult discipline in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
For a TCM practitioner to independently perform acupuncture on a patient, they needed at least three years of basic training and to pass their master's assessment before they could practice.
More importantly, basic acupuncture required a profound foundation. Chen Xuan was so young; he likely hadn't studied acupuncture for more than a few years. In contrast, Old Master Huang had at least twenty years of experience in acupuncture, far beyond what Chen Xuan could compare to.
The old woman and the cripple stomped their feet in anger. If they had known Chen Xuan would choose basic acupuncture, they would have shamelessly vied with Old Master Huang for it.
"Kid, why aren't you speaking? Are you going to concede?" Old Master Huang looked at Chen Xuan and said sarcastically.
Unexpectedly, Chen Xuan slapped his thigh and laughed, "I didn't expect it to be basic acupuncture! I'm truly lucky. If it were too complex, I might not be able to do it. I have no other strengths, except for a solid foundation."
Hearing this, not only Old Master Huang but also the other TCM practitioners shook their heads.
They thought that this young man truly didn't know the immensity of heaven and earth!
"Hurry up and bring out the items," Old Master Huang said impatiently.
He couldn't wait to crush Chen Xuan under his feet.
Before he finished speaking, several staff members came forward. Besides bringing out two sets of silver needles of the same quality, they also brought four props for needle manipulation.
The first prop was a life-sized dummy made of silicone, somewhat resembling certain special toys manufactured in Japan. However, this dummy was marked with acupoints.
The remaining items were pigskin, toothpicks, and an iron plate!
The staff members placed all the items on the table in front of the two contestants and then left.
Old Master Huang smiled slightly and arrogantly said:
"Kid, it seems your teacher didn't teach you the rules well. Let me teach you. Acupuncture emphasizes stability, accuracy, and precision. These four props are mainly to test the practitioner's force. They are arranged from easy to difficult: the silicone dummy, pigskin, toothpicks, and the iron plate!"
"So that's how it is," Chen Xuan blinked, cooperating very well.
Old Master Huang continued, "Those who have studied medicine for five years and can accurately perform acupuncture on the dummy are considered qualified to practice."
"Those who have studied medicine for fifteen years and can perform acupuncture on pigskin are already considered independent practitioners and worthy of being TCM professors."
"Those who have studied medicine for thirty years and can perform acupuncture on toothpicks can be called a generation of medical giants, respected by thousands."
"Those who have studied medicine for fifty years and can perform acupuncture on an iron plate are considered divine doctors and will be recorded in medical history!"
After finishing, Old Master Huang looked at Chen Xuan, then glanced mockingly at the four props on the table, and finally his gaze landed on the dummy: "Which dummy do you think you can perform acupuncture on?"
Clearly, Old Master Huang believed that Chen Xuan could at best perform acupuncture on the dummy.
Chen Xuan glanced at them, frowned, and thought, "Is there anything more challenging?"
He decided to choose the iron plate.
"I choose..."
As Chen Xuan was about to speak.
"You can only choose the dummy, right?"
But Old Master Huang rudely interrupted Chen Xuan and said proudly, "Today, I will show you what it means to have the demeanor of a medical giant! Bring me the toothpick!"
"Toothpick!"
"Old Master Huang is indeed Old Master Huang! He's going to perform acupuncture on a toothpick! Toothpicks are so thin, performing acupuncture on them requires great skill and patience from the doctor!"
"Honestly, I can't even perform acupuncture on a toothpick myself!"
Many people craned their necks to watch, their eyes filled with excitement.
It seemed that performing acupuncture on a toothpick was already a rare skill.
The staff members nearby heard this and straightened up, respectfully handing the toothpick to Old Master Huang.
As staff members of the Medical Association, they naturally knew the skill required to perform acupuncture on a toothpick.
Old Master Huang skillfully took out a medium-sized silver needle.
If it were a size smaller, the needle would be too soft; if it were a size larger, it would be too thick and unsuitable. A medium-sized silver needle was just right!
Holding the silver needle between his fingers, Old Master Huang concentrated, as if gathering his strength.
Suddenly, his gaze sharpened, and a white light shot from his eyes!
"Hah!"
Old Master Huang let out a fierce shout, flicked his wrist, and the silver needle fell with the sound, piercing the toothpick steadily.
He slowly raised his hand, the tail of the silver needle still vibrating at a high frequency.
It seemed that the previous action had drained all of Old Master Huang's energy. His face turned pale, and he looked several years older.
But it was all worth it.
There was a moment of silence around them, followed by an uproar. Many eager eyes were focused on the toothpick.
"It's stuck!"
"Amazing!"
"Old Master Huang truly lives up to his reputation as a medical giant! I think he has a great chance of challenging Old Master Huang this year!"
Hearing the surrounding compliments, Old Master Huang stood tall and proud, his face full of arrogance.
Chen Xuan, however, stared at the silver needle Old Master Huang had inserted into the toothpick, his brow furrowed.
Although Old Master Huang's silver needle had pierced the toothpick, it was too crooked. It was like writing a crooked, unsightly word.
From this perspective, Old Master Huang could at best perform acupuncture on a toothpick, but he wasn't particularly skilled.
Old Master Huang was excited and didn't know what to do. Suddenly, he saw Chen Xuan staring intently at the toothpick with the inserted needle, which made him even more smug.
Kid, are you stunned by this?
Old Master Huang said in a condescending tone, "Kid, gaze upon it properly! Let me show you what the demeanor of a master looks like!"
Saying that, Old Master Huang placed the toothpick with the inserted silver needle in front of Chen Xuan. After that, he remained silent, waiting for Chen Xuan to flatter him.
To be honest, he felt that humiliating Chen Xuan wasn't satisfying enough. He was already prepared for Chen Xuan to shower him with praise, or even beg him tearfully, and then he would teach Chen Xuan a lesson.
But Old Master Huang had clearly thought too much...
Chen Xuan picked up the silver needle, examined it for a few seconds, shook his head, sighed, and said with disdain, "Old Master Huang, your silver needle is inserted crookedly, it's really ugly. I'd be embarrassed to even show it!"
Saying that, Chen Xuan looked up at Old Master Huang again, his eyes filled with admiration for Old Master Huang's thick skin.
"What did you say?"
Old Master Huang's face changed, and he said incredulously.
This guy was saying his acupuncture was ugly?
Everyone was also stunned!
"Are you asking me for advice?" Chen Xuan looked at Old Master Huang.
Old Master Huang's face darkened.
Advice?
What would I ask you for advice for?