Chapter 4: The Path of Poison and Medical Principles

A chill rose in Zhuang Zhou's heart as he sneered inwardly. In his previous life, this was merely the simplest “Heaven-Borrowing Finger,” yet here it had become the so-called “Three Fingers of Life Extension”? What a ridiculously common name. Still, he dared not show any sign of disrespect on his face. He nodded slightly. “Yes, it’s the Three Fingers of Life Extension. Principal Wu, the patient’s condition was quite dire at the time, so I acted without hesitation.”

The drastic shift in Wu Dongjie’s attitude was hard for Zhuang Zhou to accept, but by now, Jiang Ping’an was so furious he could barely contain himself. Before entering, he’d boasted to Officer Ye about his genius; after entering, he’d been completely forgotten, while that indestructible “cockroach” had become Wu Dongjie’s prized guest. Jiang Ping’an’s teeth ached with envy.

At thirty-five, he’d already attained the position of department head. If he wanted to rise further, he needed someone to promote him. If he could cure the old man, he might win the chance for advancement, possibly even catch the eye of that beautiful female officer—a step away from fame, fortune, and beauty, all at once.

But this damned Zhuang Zhou was about to ruin everything!

How could he possibly swallow this humiliation? A cold gleam flickered in Jiang Ping’an’s eyes. He mused darkly: So you got lucky and cheated death once, and now you think your luck has turned? You dare provoke me? As for Zhuang Zhou’s so-called Three Fingers of Life Extension, he didn’t believe it for a second—and subconsciously ignored even the words of Director Wu.

Jiang Ping’an was now set on destroying Zhuang Zhou.

He was determined to fight him for two reasons: first, he’d already accepted money from someone to make sure Zhuang Zhou never left the hospital alive, and he had no intention of returning the fee; second, Zhuang Zhou seemed to suspect something and had the audacity to challenge him medically. Very well—Jiang Ping’an would show him what a true genius was!

“Junior Zhuang, I didn’t expect you to know how to treat patients! Please, explain your method. We can discuss and perhaps it’ll help with Old Ye’s surgery.” Though Jiang Ping’an was seething inside, he spoke with a cheerful grin.

Zhuang Zhou shook his head. “Old Ye’s illness is difficult. I’m not very confident.”

Jiang Ping’an, on the other hand, had every confidence in his own medical skills. He’d handled countless tricky cases and expected this one to be no different. Now that Wu Dongjie favored this newcomer, Jiang Ping’an wanted to involve him in the treatment. If Zhuang Zhou failed, the Ye family would take care of him—without Jiang Ping’an needing to lift a finger. Two birds with one stone.

All according to plan, Jiang Ping’an thought secretly.

Wu Dongjie, meanwhile, was curious where Zhuang Zhou had learned the long-lost Three Fingers of Life Extension. With this technique, countless lives could be saved.

“Indeed, indeed. We doctors should never shy away from discussion. Zhuang, don’t worry—even if you’re wrong, it’s no great matter.” Wu Dongjie, known as the “medical fanatic,” always sought to learn others’ unique skills. Now, Zhuang Zhou’s astonishing technique had excited him greatly.

Zhuang Zhou considered. He’d already examined the old man’s illness. To put it mildly, there was only one person in the world capable of curing him: himself.

He couldn’t kill Jiang Ping’an just yet, but he could certainly ruin his reputation.

With this in mind, Zhuang Zhou smiled. “Very well. As a junior, I’m eager to learn from my seniors. If I make any mistakes, I hope Senior Jiang and Director Wu will correct me.”

Both men nodded with a laugh, though Jiang Ping’an’s smile was slightly sinister.

“Earlier, when I checked the patient’s pulse, I found it heavy, with evil stagnation within and weakness of the organs. I believe the patient suffers from an accumulation of yin poison in the viscera—a chronic condition worsened by recent consumption of potent tonics, which combined with an attack of yang poison. The two toxins, yin and yang, are now ravaging the body together.”

Before Zhuang Zhou could finish, Jiang Ping’an burst out laughing arrogantly. “I never thought you were an expert in traditional medicine! Poisoning? That’s a joke!”

The other doctors were astonished by Zhuang Zhou’s diagnosis and began whispering amongst themselves. Wu Dongjie frowned, pondering, then Liang Yi nodded and said, “Indeed, from the pulse, there is a heavy, congested evil causing organ weakness. But poisoning? That’s unheard of.”

“Director Wu, this is utter nonsense!” Jiang Ping’an scoffed. He had expected Zhuang Zhou to produce some impressive logic, but instead it was nothing but gibberish—yin poison, yang poison, who would believe such things?

A flash of anger crossed Zhuang Zhou’s eyes. In the other world, who would dare question the Poison Immortal? Only a fool.

“And your treatment?” Wu Dongjie couldn’t help but ask.

Zhuang Zhou glanced around at the ignorant fools and said calmly, “The poisoning runs deep, the toxins have invaded the organs. To detoxify, one must first administer poison—use poison to fight poison.”

No sooner had he finished than everyone thought Zhuang Zhou had gone mad. To cure poisoning by first poisoning the patient—no family, nor even the doctors themselves, would ever agree to such treatment!

Even Wu Dongjie found Zhuang Zhou’s proposed method too absurd.

At this moment, Ye Song glared at Zhuang Zhou with such fury that her eyes seemed to spit fire. She struggled to restrain herself, fearing that if she lost control, she might just shoot this lunatic on the spot.

“Junior Zhuang, you must have lost your mind! Poisoning is already a strange diagnosis—using poison to cure poison is pure stupidity!” Jiang Ping’an thought Zhuang Zhou’s brush with death had left his brain in pieces.

Zhuang Zhou smiled. “And what brilliant treatment does Senior Jiang propose?”

“It’s simple. Brain surgery. The patient’s nerves are damaged; with scientific methods, instruments, and a nearly perfect operation, he can recover fully!” Jiang Ping’an looked down on Zhuang Zhou, dismissing such unscientific nonsense as using poison to fight poison.

A serene smile appeared on Zhuang Zhou’s face.

He’d fallen into the trap.

Zhuang Zhou’s confidence shone through as he said seriously, “How about this—why don’t we make a wager?”

“A wager on what?” Jiang Ping’an asked eagerly.

“On who can cure the old gentleman,” Zhuang Zhou replied calmly, gesturing to the unconscious patient on the bed.

Jiang Ping’an was full of confidence. He’d been provoking Zhuang Zhou on purpose, hoping to pull this mere student into the fray. Now that the opportunity was here, how could he refuse?

“Agreed,” Jiang Ping’an said coldly.

As the conversation grew more heated, Wu Dongjie felt things were getting out of hand. This was supposed to be a discussion of treatment, not a life-or-death gamble. He coughed lightly and said sternly, “Enough! This is a hospital, not a gambling den!”

His gaze turned accusingly toward Jiang Ping’an. Zhuang Zhou was too young; why was Jiang Ping’an stooping so low? Even if he won, what honor was there in defeating a junior?

“Dr. Jiang, have some self-respect!”

Ye Song turned abruptly and said coldly to Wu Dongjie, “Director Wu, your hospital has quite the reputation, letting just anyone—interns or even strays—participate in treating my grandfather? If anything happens to him, can you bear that responsibility?” Clearly, she didn’t trust Zhuang Zhou’s intervention in her grandfather’s care, and she had no intention of being polite to Director Wu.

“Jiang, what do you think you’re doing?” Wu Dongjie snapped. Jiang Ping’an was acting recklessly, ruining the steady image Wu had just helped him build. No family would entrust their loved one to such an impetuous doctor.

As the patient’s family, Ye Song would never agree.

Jiang Ping’an’s heart skipped. He realized he’d been trapped by this wily brat.

He forced a calm smile. “Director Wu, Officer Ye, you’ve misunderstood. What I meant was, since Junior Zhuang wants to learn more clinical practice, I’m happy to teach him. As for wagers, those are just theatrics, nothing serious. Right, Zhuang?”

Zhuang Zhou merely smiled.

He’d achieved his objective; this was only the beginning. Only he could cure the old man. In the meantime, he’d use Jiang Ping’an’s reputation to bolster his own. As for Ye Song’s disdain, it was expected but irrelevant—when her grandfather’s condition changed, she’d have no choice but to come to him.

“Yes, Senior Jiang is absolutely right,” Zhuang Zhou said with a smile. He was happy to see Jiang Ping’an stumble, especially since Ye Song placed such trust in Jiang and held only contempt for himself. Since she couldn’t recognize the true master, he didn’t mind letting her suffer a setback.

Jiang Ping’an was truly furious.

“Officer Ye, rest assured, I am confident about Old Ye’s illness.”

Jiang Ping’an tried to salvage his position, hoping Wu Dongjie would speak up for him, but seeing Wu’s darkened expression, he swallowed his words.

Zhuang Zhou sneered inwardly. Confident? He wondered where Jiang Ping’an’s confidence came from.