The patriarch's son encouraged his father to stand, and, to everyone's surprise, the old man said he felt significantly better. The pressure in his chest had eased, and even his mind felt clearer.
The crowd immediately erupted in praise, hailing the man as a true divine doctor.
Linghu, however, was puzzled. According to how things were supposed to unfold, this was the exact moment when the old man should cough up blood.
Predictably, he did.
Beichuan immediately seized the moment, pointing out that the treatment clearly had not been successful and declaring that the so-called divine doctor was nothing more than a fraud. The patriarch's son panicked and begged for help, but Beichuan only sneered, becoming arrogant. He blamed them for trusting the wrong person. If they had relied on him from the beginning, he claimed, none of this would have happened.
Then, without hesitation, he raised the stakes. Now, if they lost, Linghu and the doctor wouldn't just kneel — they would have to lick his shoe.
The shocking demand left everyone stunned, especially the two women nearby, who exchanged a glance and realised they were thinking exactly the same thing. Churong burned with anger, especially after noticing that Kiwa actually seemed worried about Linghu.
Meanwhile Beichuan stepped in to comfort Churong, telling her not to waste her emotions on someone unworthy. As Kiwa moved straight toward Linghu, Beichuan coldly declared that this was the prize for toying with the hearts of beautiful women.
Kiwa fired back just as coldly. She questioned who he thought he was, and pointed out that even Churong did not need him.
Then Churong herself stepped forward, expressing confidence in the doctor. She recalled a similar case he had once treated, mentioning a finishing technique that involved letting a point bleed. It sounded convincing, but Kiwa could tell she was clearly making it up. Still, she played along, claiming that she had also seen the doctor use a similar technique.
Ironically, the doctor himself was confused, muttering that he had never used such a technique before.
As the old man continued coughing blood, panic spread, but the doctor quickly regained his composure, claiming that the blood was simply impurities being expelled. According to him, releasing the final drop would complete the treatment.
Beichuan grew uneasy, because that actually was the correct solution.
Moments later the doctor pressed a point at the back of the old man's neck. Instantly the old man sat upright, full of energy, claiming he felt as strong as he had in his younger days. The Tan patriarch thanked him, and Linghu as well, for their help, noting that the doctor was truly remarkable.
Meanwhile Beichuan was left stunned. That exact method should have been known only to him, and yet somehow it had been replicated perfectly.
Seizing the advantage, the doctor turned to him and demanded that he kneel and admit defeat. He even pushed Linghu forward, insisting that Beichuan kneel before both of them.
Beichuan refused outright, dismissing the doctor as a second-rate physician and belittling his method. He insisted that the result did not prove anything, and mocked everyone for their ignorance.
The doctor fired back immediately, pointing out that he was the one who had successfully healed the old man, while Beichuan had done nothing but talk.
Linghu, on the other hand, just wanted to stay out of it, hoping the conflict would burn itself out without dragging him in any further.
However, the crowd began whispering. From their perspective, Beichuan had made bold claims but failed to deliver, while the doctor had achieved results. Just like that, the tide of opinion quickly turned against him.
Furious, Beichuan decided to act. Given his current situation, he decided to use a little of his heavenly technique, confident that afterwards Churong would happily choose to become his wife.
Because of this he channelled his energy, and a powerful aura began to swirl around him. The crowd gasped in surprise, recognising that this was no ordinary display. A smarter man among them recognised it as a rare and powerful technique called the Heavenly Flower Spirit-Gathering Needles. He had never expected to see a user of it in his lifetime.
Meanwhile Linghu, watching this, could only grind his teeth. It was obvious that this flashy display was meant to distract everyone from the fact that he had lost. Still, it was undeniably effective. Anyone watching should have been impressed.
Yet, strangely, when he looked toward the two women, they weren't focused on Beichuan at all. They were staring at him.
Before he could make sense of it, the two of them locked eyes, seemingly realising that they could both hear his thoughts.
Suddenly Kiwa clung to Linghu, teasing him for constantly looking her way. Churong immediately snapped back, calling her shameless.
Meanwhile the doctor and Beichuan began glaring at each other. Just as the tension started to escalate, Mao Xiaojun stepped in, praising both Beichuan's and the doctor's abilities and suggesting that there was no need to continue the argument. Surely, he said, the doctor would let this slide.
But the doctor refused to back down, insisting that Beichuan should not be allowed to walk away after acting so arrogantly.
Mao Xiaojun laughed it off, treating the whole situation like entertainment and suggesting they drop it altogether.
Before things could spiral any further, the Tan patriarch himself interrupted, thanking everyone for their efforts and expressing his gratitude, which effectively brought the conflict to a halt.
In the background, Linghu reflected that Beichuan had managed to escape the consequences thanks to a timely intervention. If the roles had been reversed, things would have ended far worse.