Apparently the Tan family patriarch had fainted during the gathering, and he did not seem to be doing well.
Churong's father approached Linghu and explained that his uncle's condition was worsening, and that they urgently needed a skilled doctor. Linghu stood there sweating, while the doctor noted that he understood the assignment and started by checking the old man's pulse.
Beichuan, standing not far away, overheard their conversation and thought that this time Linghu was finished.
The patriarch's son helped his father sit up, noting with relief that he had finally regained consciousness. He explained his father's illness, adding that numerous doctors had examined him, and yet none of them had identified the cause. Even worse, treatments that had once worked were no longer effective. Desperate, he pleaded for help, urging anyone with a solution not to hold back, and vowing that the Tan family would remember their kindness.
At that moment Mao Xiaojun turned to Beichuan and pointed out that this man was none other than the head of the Tan family. The main protagonist was asked how confident he was of improving the elder's condition.
He immediately saw through the scheme. This was clearly an attempt to use him to gain favour with the Tan family. Still, he decided to go along with it, since their goals aligned.
Calmly, he stated that he could examine the pulse, but that based on the old man's appearance alone, the chances of a full recovery were no more than fifty per cent.
Mao Xiaojun was overjoyed regardless, praising his decision and reminding him to share the credit if the treatment succeeded. Although Beichuan was irritated by the familiar gesture, he suppressed his annoyance for now, remembering that he was merely a bodyguard.
So when Mao Xiaojun urged him to step forward and begin the diagnosis, Beichuan stopped him, leaving him confused.
He then explained his plan. If he cured the old man now, it wouldn't have as much impact. When someone else tried and failed — especially the doctor the Shao family had brought — it would create a far stronger impression.
Mao Xiaojun hesitated, pointing out the risk, and asked what would happen if the doctor managed to cure the disease first. Beichuan reassured him with confidence, claiming that the man was nothing more than a fraud. If the doctor failed, their later intervention would appear even more impressive.
After thinking it through, Mao Xiaojun agreed, impressed by the plan.
Seizing the moment, Mao Xiaojun dragged the divine doctor forward and presented him to the crowd, urging him to treat the Tan family patriarch. Relief spread among the family members, especially the patriarch's son, who expressed his gratitude that help had arrived. Though hesitant, the doctor agreed to examine the patient, while receiving quiet encouragement from behind.
Linghu, however, felt a growing sense of dread, convinced that this entire situation would somehow fall back on him.
Meanwhile Churong's father passionately praised the doctor's lineage, exaggerating his reputation as an unmatched healer, even comparing him to a legendary figure. Linghu could only complain internally, knowing that such overblown expectations would only make things worse if anything went wrong.
As the examination began, the doctor analysed the pulse and declared that the illness originated in the liver, with blocked meridians and an internal imbalance causing the condition to worsen. Despite the grim diagnosis, he confidently assured everyone that his special acupuncture technique would resolve everything.
From the side, Beichuan watched with a smirk, dismissing the method as inferior to his own. In his mind this was merely the setup. Once the doctor failed, it would be the perfect opportunity to step in and take control of the situation.
Just as the doctor began preparing his needles, he suddenly called Linghu forward.
The request caught him completely off guard, and he panicked. He had no knowledge of medicine and could not understand why he was being dragged into this. Yet the doctor insisted, even praising him in front of everyone, claiming that Linghu had once demonstrated exceptional medical talent by relieving pain with precise acupuncture. To Linghu it was painfully obvious that this was nothing more than blatant flattery.
Ignoring his hesitation, the doctor handed him a needle and instructed him to disinfect it before proceeding with the treatment, explaining each acupuncture point as he went. Linghu could only follow silently, unsure of what else to do.
While this unfolded, Beichuan watched with a faint smile. Then, without warning, he interrupted, pointing out that although the sequence of treatment was correct, the execution lacked sufficient strength.
The comment immediately provoked the doctor, who angrily demanded to know who dared question him. Unshaken, Beichuan challenged him directly. The tension rose instantly, drawing the attention of everyone present.
The patriarch's son prepared to throw Beichuan out, but Beichuan stopped him, warning that removing him would mean losing their only chance to save his father.
The doctor, clearly offended, insisted that he was fully capable and did not need any interference.
Meanwhile Linghu silently observed the situation, already sensing where this was heading. As usual, both Churong and Kiwa heard his internal rant.
Sure enough, the confrontation escalated into a challenge. The doctor proposed a wager. Whoever successfully cured the Tan patriarch would prove his superiority. If he succeeded, Beichuan would have to kneel and apologise publicly, including to Linghu.
Caught in the middle once again, Linghu was completely at a loss, unable to understand why he kept getting dragged into these things.
Beichuan accepted the bet without hesitation, but raised the stakes. If the doctor failed, both he and Linghu would have to kneel before him instead.
The thought alone filled Linghu with dread, because he could already imagine the humiliating outcome. According to the plot, the doctor was destined to fail. His acupuncture technique was incomplete. He was missing a crucial step that involved releasing a small amount of blood, something he was entirely unaware of. With that flaw, the outcome seemed inevitable. And if things continued this way, Beichuan's plan would succeed completely, leaving Linghu to bear the consequences.
At first it did not seem like the worst outcome. Kneeling and bowing wasn't exactly a big deal. The real problem was that this bastard would get one step closer to collecting more beautiful women as concubines.
Unfortunately for him, the girls who overheard this had absolutely no intention of becoming part of Beichuan's harem.
Meanwhile the doctor inserted the final needle and calmly announced that all that remained was to remove it.