Philip let out a disdainful snort and resumed his seat at the bedside. He proceeded to insert the remaining three needles. After Philip’s six needles were in place, it seemed like they were having some effect, as Grace’s complexion gained a touch of healthy color. Dr. Davy’s eyes were filled with hopeful anticipation, yearning for a miraculous transformation.
“Next, building upon the foundation of the six returning blood needles, I’m going to employ the Six Extreme Mystical Needles technique,” Philip announced as he stood up. He turned his gaze to Leo and added, “This is a secret technique of my master. According to the rules, outsiders are not allowed to witness it. Now, please step outside.”
“Philip, do I need to leave?” Dr. Davy inquired.
“Mr. Davy, you don’t need to step out. Only this guy named Leo needs to. Then I can proceed with the needle insertion,” Philip’s message was clear – Leo had to leave for the treatment to continue.
Leo offered a playful grin, “Philip, what’s this Six Extreme Mystical Needles you’re talking about? It couldn’t be something you suddenly came up with, right? It sounds like you stole it from Dr. Lee, didn’t you?”
“Stole it? What ridiculous logic! Dr. Lee is my master! Stop blabbering and just get out,” Philip waved his hand impatiently.
“Leo, get out quickly! Don’t interfere with Philip’s treatment,” Fanny chimed in with annoyance.
Renee seemed on the verge of losing her patience but was restrained by a tug from Leo, accompanied by a meaningful look.
“Since Philip intends to perform an exclusive needle technique, I naturally need to step aside. However, before I leave, for Miss Davy’s safety, I have a couple of reminders,” Leo spoke calmly.
“First, when inserting the needle into the Dumb-bell and Zusanli points, only one-third of the needle’s length should go in.”
“Second, you must avoid the Xuehai point; otherwise, it might cause issues with Miss Davy’s leg skin.”
Hearing Leo’s words, Philip froze, his hand still clutching the needle.
“How… How do you know that I’ll be needling the Dumb-bell and Zusanli points? Do you also know the Six Extreme Mystical Needles technique?” Philip demanded. “That’s not right. You can’t possibly know the Six Extreme Mystical Needles. You must have stolen it. Come clean, where did you steal it from?” Philip’s voice turned cold.
“You little brat! How dare you speak to Leo in such a manner!” Suddenly, Dr. Lee’s voice rang from outside the door.
And then, Dr. Lee entered the room, his palm landing squarely on Philip’s cheek.
Philip dropped the needle he was holding and covered his cheek, appearing utterly wronged. He couldn’t fathom that his master would suddenly appear here and slap him over a stranger.
“Master, he stole the Six Extreme Mystical Needles from our clinic. Why did you hit me?” Philip protested with a touch of bitterness.
“I’m hitting you precisely because you’re a troublemaker! How dare you try to show off in front of Leo?” Dr. Lee’s stern voice echoed.
“Apologize?” Philip’s reluctance was evident.
Dr. Lee raised his right hand once again.
Fear flickered in Philip’s eyes – fear of his stern master, fear of his master’s character. As the leader among the disciples, he understood well that the consequences of not apologizing could be fatal under his master’s severe gaze.
With haste, Philip stepped up to Leo, uttering, “I’m sorry.”
“Say it louder and more sincerely!” Dr. Lee barked.
“I’m sorry! I was wrong!” Philip bowed apologetically, looking like a child reprimanded by a parent.
With that, Dr. Lee finally lowered his hand, turning to Leo with a regretful expression. “Leo, I apologize for this. It’s my disciple’s fault. He’s disrespectful.”
Dr. Davy, Grace, and Fanny were all left stunned by the scene before them.
What was going on?
Dr. Lee, a renowned figure, had actually apologized to a young man!
If news of this were to spread, it would undoubtedly shock the entire traditional Chinese medicine community.
“You little brat, who told you that our clinic had the Six Extreme Mystical Needles? I gained some insights into Leo’s Nine Extreme Mystical Needles, which I learned from him. You came here to deceive people with your imitation. When you return, you’ll be confined to your room for three days to reflect on your behavior, and you’ll copy the entire ‘Difficult Classic’ for me,” Dr. Lee scolded.
Clutching his cheek, Philip’s mouth gaped in disbelief. “Master, you… you learned his Nine Extreme Mystical Needles? Is there such a technique? Weren’t there only Six Extreme Mystical Needles recorded in the medical texts?”
Hearing this, Dr. Lee was almost ready to hit him again. Annoyed, he scolded, “Useless fool, have you even thoroughly studied all the ancient texts? You dare to show off with just superficial knowledge!”
With such a disciple, Dr. Lee was truly embarrassed.
Dr. Lee had returned from seeing patients today and learned from Peter that Philip had gone out with a woman, supposedly to treat Dr. Davy’s daughter’s leg ailment. Dr. Lee himself had attempted to treat Dr. Davy’s daughter’s leg problem but to no avail. He was concerned that Philip might cause trouble, so he rushed over urgently.
Once he entered the courtyard and reached the upper floor, he overheard the conversation between Leo and Philip. Upon hearing Philip accusing Leo of stealing the Six Extreme Mystical Needles, Dr. Lee couldn’t contain his anger any longer and entered the room to deliver a slap.
Dr. Lee’s unexpected appearance caused Dr. Davy to gain a deeper understanding of Leo. At this point, Dr. Davy had lost all interest in Philip; his attention was entirely focused on Leo.
“Dr. Lee, calm down. Getting upset isn’t good for your health,” Leo intervened with a conciliatory smile.
Dr. Lee glared at Philip and growled, “You scoundrel! What are you looking at? Get out of here!”
Hearing this, Philip felt as though he had been granted a reprieve. He grabbed his medical kit and hurriedly rushed out the door.
As for Fanny, she could hardly believe what she had just witnessed. She had hoped to use Philip’s abilities to win the medical clinic over to her side. Now, it seemed that everything had gone up in smoke.
She couldn’t bear to stay here any longer and promptly followed Philip out.
With things having reached this point, Dr. Davy’s last hope rested entirely on Leo. He stepped forward, seizing Leo’s hand, and spoke with a pleading tone, “Leo, please save my poor daughter!”
“Dr. Davy, don’t forget, I came here to claim your clinic. I’ll definitely cure Miss Davy’s legs,” Leo assured with determination.
Hearing this, Dr. Davy let go of Leo’s hand and stepped back. Leo pulled a chair up to the bedside and retrieved his needle case.
Leo settled onto the chair by the bedside and pulled out a silver needle case he carried with him.
“Miss Davy, no avoiding the sensitive areas here. The spots where I’ll be needlin’ are quite specific. I need your lower legs and thighs fully exposed,” Leo stated frankly.
Grace felt a hint of shyness in her heart, but compared to baring her legs, that modesty was a mere trifle.
She reached down and lifted her long skirt, completely revealing her painfully thin legs.
Leo retrieved the silver needles. He started by inserting six needles along Grace’s right lower leg, followed by three on her right thigh. Then he repeated the process, placing six needles along her left lower leg and three on her left thigh.