Chapter 618 Old Thing?
Upon hearing this, Elder Zhang said in shock, "Chen Xuan, how do you know I have a hidden illness?"
Chen Xuan had neither taken his pulse nor examined him, so how could he know about his hidden illness?
Chen Xuan smiled slightly and said, "Elder Zhang, as a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner, you should know that TCM emphasizes 'looking, listening, asking, and feeling.' Although I haven't taken your pulse, I've looked at your face."
"You could tell?"
Elder Zhang's eyes widened even further.
"Precisely!"
Hearing Chen Xuan's affirmative answer, Elder Zhang could no longer remain calm.
He said excitedly, "Tell me more, what is my illness?"
Chen Xuan said, "If I'm not mistaken, Elder Zhang should have suffered from a lung infectious disease. Although the illness was cured, it caused permanent damage to your lungs. You often experience palpitations, shortness of breath, and difficulty breathing."
Elder Zhang nodded vigorously, saying, "Yes! Exactly!"
He had initially thought Chen Xuan only had a unique talent for acupuncture, but he never expected Chen Xuan to be able to accurately diagnose his condition based on his facial appearance. This was not something ordinary TCM practitioners could achieve.
After all, even a TCM practitioner with twenty years of experience might not be able to do this, let alone with his unusual condition.
"Elder Zhang, how did you get your illness?" Chen Xuan asked curiously.
Upon hearing this, Elder Zhang's expression darkened. He glanced at Chen Xuan and, out of trust, slowly began to speak, "It's like this..."
Back then, infectious diseases were rampant in the African continent. Elder Zhang personally led a team to support Africa and treated countless people there. In the local tribes of Africa, Elder Zhang was known as a priest!
The support mission to Africa was for two years and was about to end. However, for some unknown reason, Elder Zhang's protective suit was torn, and he became infected with the virus, which led to lung problems.
Although Elder Zhang's illness was cured, his lungs suffered permanent damage.
As he aged, Elder Zhang's lung infection became more severe. Once, while seeing patients, he fainted on the spot, nearly causing a medical accident. Under public pressure, Elder Zhang was forced into retirement.
Upon hearing Elder Zhang's words, Chen Xuan looked at him with admiration.
In his youth, he traveled far and wide to save lives and treat the injured. In his old age, he retired to his hometown only to be plagued by illness. The spirit of sacrifice was fully displayed in Elder Zhang.
This was the demeanor of a great physician!
Deeply moved, he took a deep breath and said, "Elder Zhang, have you ever thought about curing your lung injury?"
Elder Zhang gave a wry smile and shook his head, "I thought about it before, but I don't dare to think about it now."
He had sought treatment everywhere but found no cure, and had become disheartened.
Chen Xuan saw Elder Zhang's thoughts and said, "Elder Zhang, if I said I could cure your illness, would you believe me?"
"What?"
Upon hearing this, Elder Zhang shot up from his seat, looking at Chen Xuan with utter astonishment.
As a renowned physician himself, he knew many famous doctors. However, every doctor who examined his condition could only sigh. Yet, Chen Xuan confidently claimed he could cure it.
"Elder Zhang, are you willing to believe me?" Chen Xuan said.
"I am willing to believe you," Elder Zhang said, taking a breath and looking at Chen Xuan.
"Then Elder Zhang, wait for me to finish the competition, and I'll find time to see you," Chen Xuan said with a smile.
"It's a deal!" Elder Zhang said.
At this moment, a sarcastic voice suddenly rang out, "Chen Xuan, you're truly shameless. You've clearly been eliminated, yet you're still hanging around in someone else's lounge today. Are you trying to become an apprentice?"
Chen Xuan followed the sound and saw Li Jiajia walking in from outside, staring at him with disdain.
Li Jiajia was participating in the youth division. Thanks to her medical skills, she had also reached the finals.
Her lounge was next door. She had gone to the restroom but accidentally took a wrong turn, coincidentally seeing Chen Xuan talking with the old man.
Seeing the old man Chen Xuan was earnestly conversing with, Li Jiajia immediately realized that this old man was a renowned physician participating in the finals. Chen Xuan had been eliminated and was likely fawning over this old man, hoping to learn medicine from him.
Their ages were similar, and Chen Xuan was participating in the Medicine King Competition. When Li Jiajia received this news, she was naturally unhappy.
Therefore, she jumped out to mock Chen Xuan.
Chen Xuan looked at Li Jiajia and said with a playful smile, "How do you know I've been eliminated?"
"As if you've reached the finals! You should look at yourself in the urine, who do you think you are! Everyone who participates in the Medicine King Competition is a renowned physician from Jiangnan Province! Who do you think you are!" Li Jiajia said disdainfully.
"I'm very sorry to have caused this misunderstanding, but I have indeed reached the finals," Chen Xuan said calmly.
"Nonsense! You're just bragging."
Li Jiajia said dismissively.
Although Li Jiajia knew Chen Xuan's medical skills were not simple, she still didn't believe that Chen Xuan could defeat so many unfathomable renowned physicians and reach the finals.
Chen Xuan was about to say something more, but Elder Zhang couldn't hold back. He stared at Li Jiajia and said coldly, "Who are you?"
Elder Zhang highly praised Chen Xuan's acupuncture techniques and had also said he would cure Elder Zhang's stubborn illness. Naturally, Elder Zhang would not allow Li Jiajia to slander Chen Xuan.
Li Jiajia, mistaking Elder Zhang for a renowned physician participating in the finals, somewhat restrained her arrogant demeanor and said,
"My name is Li Jiajia, and I'm a participant in the youth division. I know Chen Xuan thoroughly. Sir, I'm telling you, don't listen to this fellow's nonsense. This guy knows nothing, he's just trying to deceive people. He has a terrible character, so you must not take him as your disciple."
After speaking, Li Jiajia cast a mocking glance at Chen Xuan, "Chen Xuan, oh Chen Xuan, now that your true colors are exposed by me, your hope of becoming an apprentice is dashed!"
But!
"How dare you slander Chen Xuan! From now on, you are disqualified!"
Elder Zhang was furious and said coldly.
"Disqualified?"
Li Jiajia's expression changed, and she looked at Elder Zhang in terror.
"Yes, you are disqualified. Hurry up and get out! The Youth Medical Competition will not select someone like you!" Elder Zhang said.
Li Jiajia's face turned uglier than if she had eaten feces, and she trembled all over.
But suddenly, Li Jiajia remembered something and sneered, "You old thing, what right do you have to stop me from participating in the competition?"
Although the old man in front of her was a renowned physician, he was merely a participant, just like her. There was no significant conflict of interest between them. Moreover, in Li Jiajia's view, she was sure to win the youth division competition.
And with her aunt Li Hongyan's presence, the old man Chen Xuan was trying to curry favor with might not even win the Medicine King title.
Why should she be afraid of this old man?
It was precisely for this reason that Li Jiajia spoke to Elder Zhang so recklessly.
Hearing Li Jiajia's nonsensical words, Chen Xuan couldn't help but chuckle, looking at Li Jiajia with amusement.
Elder Zhang was a member of the Medical Association. The fact that he could serve as a judge for the Medicine King Competition showed his high status. Li Jiajia had clearly kicked a steel plate, and a very hard one at that.
"How dare you call me an old thing?!"
Elder Zhang was completely enraged, gritting his teeth.
"So what if I call you an old thing? I'm only doing so because you're old. If you were younger, I'd have slapped you!" Li Jiajia said dismissively.
Elder Zhang's fury intensified, and he trembled with anger, "You're seeking death!"
Li Jiajia said triumphantly, "You'd better take care of yourself. I'll be winning the championship in the youth division soon. My future is limitless, and in the future, you old things will have to fawn over me."
"Elder Zhang, Elder Zhang!"
Just then, an urgent voice sounded, followed by a staff member rushing in as if their pants were on fire.