The bald man lowered his voice and continued, “Uncle, our village is the closest to the military camp and the first to suffer the mountain god’s punishment.”
“Most of our villagers are patients like Bernard. We can’t just watch them die without trying to save them, can we?”
The village chief hesitated, “But…”
“Uncle, you don’t need to consider outsiders. If they can cure Bernard, we’ll acknowledge their ability to treat this strange disease. If they can’t, we’ll sacrifice that boy to the mountain god!”
The bald man’s words were earnest.
“Alright, we’ll do it your way this time. But let me be clear, no one makes a move until I say so!” The old village chief agreed after a brief hesitation.
“Of course, we all listen to you!” The bald man nodded obsequiously.
The old village chief waved his hand, signaling the bald man to speak.
The bald man looked at Leo and said coldly, “Stop with the useless talk. Our patient is here. Start the treatment!”
“But let me warn you, if anything happens to our people because of your treatment, don’t blame us for being rude!”
Monica glanced at the silent old village chief and retorted, “This is unreasonable. We have the right to refuse to treat such patients!”
“Hmph, you want to back out because you can’t cure him? Too late!” The bald man rolled up his sleeves, looking fierce. “Believe it or not, we’ll sacrifice you to the mountain god right now! Villagers, they’re frauds! Get them!”
As soon as he finished speaking, the crowd stirred and moved towards Monica and the others.
The captain ordered his soldiers sternly, “Anyone who steps forward will be shot immediately!”
“You think you can kill us all?” The bald man showed no fear and stepped forward. “I’ve already sent someone to inform the nearby villages. When they see you’ve killed our people, they’ll fight you to the death. Let’s see if you can kill them all!”
Leo took a deep breath and shouted over the noise, “Everyone quiet! I agree to treat Bernard! If there’s no improvement after my treatment, you can capture us then!”
Monica’s face changed drastically upon hearing Leo’s words. She said urgently, “Dr. Bloomer, are you crazy?”
Monica knew that Bernard’s immune system had completely collapsed. Even if the virus miraculously disappeared now, Bernard would still die from other infections.
“Don’t worry, it’ll be fine!” Leo smiled faintly at Monica’s worried face. “You forget that traditional medicine is far more miraculous than you think!”
Although Leo couldn’t completely cure Bernard, he could at least temporarily improve his condition.
Seeing Leo agree, the villagers calmed down and stepped back to give him space.
Leo walked over to the barely breathing Bernard on the makeshift stretcher and squatted down.
“Dr. Bloomer…” Monica called out softly, her face tense with worry.
Leo raised his hand to stop her, took out a mask and gloves from his medical kit, and then a new pack of silver needles for acupuncture.
Since the virus was transmitted through blood, Leo had prepared several sets of silver needles to prevent cross-infection.
After unbuttoning Bernard’s shirt, Leo began inserting auxiliary needles into his chest and abdomen.
The surrounding villagers, members of the United States Medical Research Association, and Clotho Syndicate’s Dante and the mixed-race man all watched curiously.
Most of them were filled with doubt and ridicule.
They were certain that no matter how skilled Leo was, he couldn’t possibly save a dying man.
Leo remained calm and steady as he precisely inserted each auxiliary needle.
The mixed-race man in the crowd sneered inwardly at Leo’s serious demeanor.
He had studied traditional medicine and knew that acupuncture on a dying person was very risky; one wrong move could kill the patient.
Monica’s face was grim as she clenched her fists tightly, watching Leo with extreme tension.
After finishing with the auxiliary needles, Leo took out a long silver needle, measured Bernard’s emaciated chest, then swiftly and decisively inserted it into his chest.
A muffled gasp was heard as Bernard’s body jerked violently. He gasped for air, his body trembling uncontrollably.
Everyone’s expressions changed as they stared at Bernard on the stretcher, unsure if he was getting better or dying.
Bernard’s abdomen slowly relaxed, and his chest began to rise and fall steadily. His breathing became smoother.
His previously purplish-red face also eased considerably. His tightly furrowed brows relaxed, and his face no longer showed signs of pain.
Everyone was astonished. It was clear that Bernard was improving!
“Oh my god, it’s a miracle! He couldn’t breathe just now!”
“Yes, I thought Bernard was going to die when he jerked like that!”
“This young doctor is amazing! Like a god! He saved a dying man!”
The villagers were ignorant but impressed by Leo’s miraculous methods. They began discussing among themselves, looking at Leo with newfound respect.
Members of the United States Medical Research Association led by Monica were overjoyed and amazed. They hadn’t expected Atraria’s traditional medicine to be so miraculous!
Eugene and the sharp young man were shocked and panicked.
They never imagined that Leo would actually save the dying Bernard.
Similar expressions were seen on Clotho Syndicate members Dante and the mixed-race man.
To them, Leo’s methods were medically inexplicable!
After a brief moment of surprise, the mixed-race man quickly spoke up loudly, “Don’t be too quick to believe it. Traditional medicine is full of tricks. The patient’s symptoms might only be temporarily relieved! Let’s wait and see; he might not last long!”
“Yes, let’s wait and see!” Eugene echoed immediately. “Let’s see if Bernard’s improvement is real or fake!”
“Exactly! Don’t think we’re easy to fool just because we’re mountain villagers!” The sharp young man agreed.