**Clang!**

  The shop owner’s small red clay teapot fell to the ground and shattered into pieces.

  After hanging up the phone, he didn’t even bother with his eldest and third brothers. Instead, he rushed to the back room to pack up his belongings.

  If the eldest brother had been arrested and the third brother was wanted, then he was surely next.

  The shop owner regretted his actions so much he could’ve died on the spot. *How could that brat have such power?*

  The empire his three brothers had built over a decade had been utterly destroyed by that kid in just half an afternoon.

  **"Hands up!"**

  Before he could finish packing, a sharp shout came from outside. He turned to see the doorway already filled with police.

  With a **thud**, he collapsed to the floor, his face pale and drenched in sweat.

  After picking up Lin Yu from the police station, Wei Gongxun kept apologizing, saying it was his negligence that had allowed his subordinates to act so recklessly. From today onward, he vowed to thoroughly investigate Qingyuan City and clean up its corruption.

  Lin Yu never expected that an accidental encounter of his would shake up the entire city of Qinghai.

  Wei Gongxun’s wife, Zheng Yunxia, had a kind and gentle appearance, the very image of a refined lady from a respectable family—the epitome of a virtuous wife and loving mother. She was warm and hospitable to others.

  After taking her pulse, Lin Yu began acupuncture using the silver needles Wei Gongxun had prepared.

  Half an hour later, the treatment was complete. Zheng Yunxia moved her waist slightly and immediately exclaimed in amazement, **"My back doesn’t hurt anymore!"**

  **"A few more sessions, and you’ll be fully recovered,"** Lin Yu said with a smile.

  **"Young man, thank you so much. To have such remarkable medical skills at such a young age—you’re truly exceptional. I haven’t even had the chance to thank you for treating my father last time,"** Zheng Yunxia said, holding Lin Yu’s hand with a beaming smile. **"By the way, do you have a girlfriend?"**

  **"Young man, I’m not bragging, but my daughter is around your age. Her looks and figure are impeccable—she has a line of suitors. If you’re interested, I’d love to introduce you two."**

  Before Lin Yu could respond, Zheng Yunxia eagerly began promoting her daughter. She couldn’t help it—she liked Lin Yu too much. She’d only heard of him before, but now, meeting him in person, she found him far more mature, steady, humble, and reserved than the average young man.

  The way she looked at Lin Yu was practically the adoring gaze of a mother-in-law sizing up her future son-in-law.

  **"Auntie, I—I’m alr—"**

  **"Oh, come on!"** Wei Gongxun couldn’t help but scold his wife. **"Brother He came here to treat you, and you’re talking about this?"**

  Then, with a sly grin, he turned to Lin Yu and added, **"But, Brother He, my daughter really is something—beautiful and capable. She’d be a good match for you. You should seriously consider it."**

  He sounded like a crafty old fox.

  **"N-no, that’s alright. Um, Auntie Zheng’s condition still needs some medicinal adjustments. If it’s convenient, Director Wei, could you come with me to the pharmacy to pick up a few prescriptions?"**

  Lin Yu’s face flushed slightly. He couldn’t stay here any longer.

  Wei Gongxun drove Lin Yu to the pharmacy. On the way, Lin Yu’s phone buzzed—a text from Wei Gongxun containing a phone number.

  **"My daughter’s contact info. You youngsters should chat more often,"** Wei Gongxun said with a chuckle.

  Lin Yu smiled helplessly. He couldn’t help but feel a little wronged. Jiang Yan was He Jiarong’s wife, but in reality, *he* was still single. Yet he was stuck with the label of a married man. But what could he do? He was borrowing someone else’s body to live.

  **"Brother He, look! A new Jishi Hall just opened here!"** Wei Gongxun suddenly exclaimed in surprise.

  At the intersection ahead, a new pharmacy had opened. Flower baskets and an archway decorated the entrance, while a pair of red and white embroidered lions danced joyfully to the beat of drums and gongs, surrounded by a crowd of onlookers.

  **"Jishi Hall actually opened a branch in Qinghai? Their medicine is excellent. Let’s get the prescriptions filled there,"** Lin Yu suggested.

  **"Sure."** Wei Gongxun couldn’t help but admire Lin Yu’s magnanimity. Despite the recent unpleasantness with Song Zheng, Lin Yu was still willing to visit Jishi Hall.

  This was Jishi Hall’s first branch in Qinghai, marking their official entry into the city. As such, its location, scale, and decor were all top-notch.

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  Song Zheng’s grandfather, Song Minghui—the current head of Jishi Hall—was personally presiding over the opening ceremony, flanked by his disciples and descendants.

  As the eldest grandson of the Song family, Song Zheng was naturally present.

  **"For today only, all consultations and prescriptions are half-price!"**

  Song Minghui’s voice boomed with vigor as he cut the red ribbon, officially opening the doors to customers.

  **"He Jiarong?"**

  Song Zheng was visibly surprised to see Lin Yu.

  **"I’m here to pick up some medicine. What, not welcome?"** Lin Yu smiled.

  **"You are."** Song Zheng’s tone was cold.

  **"Xiao Zheng, who is this?"** Song Minghui walked over just then.

  **"Oh, Grandpa, this is the He Jiarong I told you about—the one who cured Old Man Zheng’s strange illness,"** Song Zheng said, shooting Lin Yu a glance, still clearly resentful.

  Song Minghui’s eyes lit up. **"Young man, my grandson told me about your exceptional medical skills—especially your ability to perform the Life-Asking Needle Technique. This old man has long admired you. Would you be willing to demonstrate your skills today and let me witness them firsthand?"**

  Song Minghui’s words were carefully crafted. On the surface, they sounded like praise, but beneath them lay a hint of challenge.

  For years, Jishi Hall had been a benchmark in the field of traditional Chinese medicine, never once bested by anyone. Yet now, his most talented grandson had been overshadowed by Lin Yu. Naturally, Song Minghui felt a twinge of competitiveness.

  Despite being nearly seventy, he still had a strong competitive streak—especially when it came to medicine.

  **"You flatter me, Elder Song. I only know a little about medicine—how could I dare show off in front of you?"** Lin Yu hastily declined.

  Little did he know, his humble words only sounded like arrogance to Song Minghui.

  **"Young people these days are so full of vigor. Coincidentally, our clinic has many patients today. Why don’t we take this opportunity to spar a little and learn from each other?"**

  With that, Song Minghui extended his hand, gesturing for Lin Yu to enter the clinic’s consultation room.

  **"This…"** Lin Yu hesitated. If he lost, he’d be ridiculed by Song Zheng and the others. If he won, he’d embarrass Elder Song on his opening day.

  But Song Minghui’s firm tone left no room for refusal.

  **"Brother He, show them what you’ve got,"** Wei Gongxun urged, clearly eager to see the showdown.

  He had witnessed Lin Yu’s medical skills firsthand—the young man was a prodigy, truly deserving of the title "Divine Physician." Meanwhile, Song Minghui was a universally recognized giant in the field of traditional Chinese medicine. A match between the two would undoubtedly be a spectacle!

  The crowd, hearing that Elder Song was about to compete with a young upstart, also buzzed with anticipation—though in their minds, Elder Song was sure to win.

  **"What’s wrong, He Jiarong? Scared? My grandfather competing with you would indeed be bullying you. How about this—I’ll take his place. If you still refuse, then you’re nothing but a fraud who should quit the medical field and stop harming people!"** Song Zheng stepped forward, his tone aggressive.

  Ever since losing to Lin Yu last time, he’d been seething with resentment. This was his chance to redeem himself.

  Song Minghui didn’t stop him—his silence was tacit approval. He was confident Song Zheng could win. From his grandson’s description of how Lin Yu had treated Old Man Zheng, he suspected Lin Yu was more of a charlatan than a real doctor.

  **"Fine, I’ll spar with you."** Provoked, Lin Yu accepted the challenge.

  If it were Song Minghui, Lin Yu would’ve held back out of respect. But with an arrogant fool like Song Zheng? No need for courtesy. If he wanted a match, Lin Yu would give him one!

  Excited by the prospect of a showdown, the crowd inside the pharmacy abandoned their purchases and squeezed into the clinic.

  With limited space, many had to crane their necks from outside to catch a glimpse.

  Song Zheng and Lin Yu sat at opposite ends of a consultation table and began diagnosing patients.

  The first patient was a man in his thirties. Without speaking, he opened his mouth and pointed to his throat, emitting only **"ah-ah"** sounds.

  After a single glance, Lin Yu lowered his head and began writing a prescription.

  Song Zheng, still taking the man’s pulse, frowned and said coldly, **"You can diagnose without taking a pulse? Do you think you’re some kind of god?"**

  **"For such a minor ailment, you still need to take a pulse? Are you an idiot?"** Lin Yu replied calmly.

  The crowd burst into laughter.

  **"You—!"** Song Zheng glared at Lin Yu. **"Then tell me, what’s his illness, and what prescription would you use?"**

  **"Ulcerated throat sores, rendering him unable to speak. The throat shows localized redness, swelling, ulceration, and discharge—likely caused by prior scalding or puncture wounds,"** Lin Yu said matter-of-factly.

  Hearing this, the patient yanked his hand back from Song Zheng, nodding vigorously while giving Lin Yu a thumbs-up.

  Song Zheng’s face darkened. Lin Yu was right.

  Initially, he’d suspected the same, but to be safe, he’d taken the man’s pulse—just in case it was a case of **"Shaoyin guest heat"** causing the sore throat, as the two conditions were easily confused.

  Yet Lin Yu’s sharp eyes had discerned the issue without even needing to check the pulse.

  Song Zheng didn’t dare delay. He quickly wrote out a **"Bitter Wine Decoction"** prescription and pushed it forward—only to find the patient had already taken Lin Yu’s prescription, which was identical to his.

  The patient stood up, giving Lin Yu repeated thumbs-ups as he left.

  **"Again!"** Song Zheng gritted his teeth.

  The next patient was a middle-aged man—thin, sallow-faced, and clutching his stomach. Weakly, he said, **"Doctor, I haven’t eaten properly in half a month. A while ago, I had stomach discomfort and constipation, so I took some laxatives. But then my stomach started bloating and hurting, and I couldn’t eat at all. I’ve tried many traditional medicines, but nothing worked."**

  After listening, Lin Yu and Song Zheng each took his pulse and began writing prescriptions.

  Song Zheng wrote:

  **"Cinnamon Twig (3 liang), Licorice (2 liang), Peony Root (6 liang), Jujube (12 pieces), Fresh Ginger (3 liang, sliced). Boil the five ingredients in 7 sheng of water, reduce to 3 sheng, strain, and take warm in three doses."**

  Lin Yu’s prescription was nearly identical—except it included an extra ingredient: **"Rhubarb (2 liang)."**

  **"Are you trying to kill someone?"** Song Zheng glanced at Lin Yu’s prescription and sneered. **"My Cinnamon Twig and Peony Decoction is more than enough. Why add rhubarb? Such a heavy dose—do you know this could be fatal?"**

  Song Zheng was exaggerating. While prolonged use of rhubarb could indeed harm the spleen and stomach, potentially causing nausea, vomiting, or dizziness, it wasn’t lethal.

  But having finally caught Lin Yu in a mistake, Song Zheng naturally played up the consequences. And his argument wasn’t entirely baseless—for a patient with an already weakened spleen and stomach, adding rhubarb could indeed exacerbate the condition.

  The crowd in the clinic immediately erupted in murmurs. Upon hearing that rhubarb could **"kill people,"** they began criticizing Lin Yu.

  **"So irresponsible!"**

  **"What kind of doctor prescribes the wrong medicine? Do you know how dangerous that is?"**

  **"If you don’t even know the basics, why bother practicing medicine?"**

  Seeing that he’d successfully stirred up public outrage, Song Zheng smirked triumphantly at Lin Yu. *You got complacent—never thought you’d slip up, did you?*