"So, tell me, how does your traditional Chinese medicine plan to treat this asthma?" Tao Xiuming emphasized the words "traditional Chinese medicine," clearly still disbelieving that Li Se knew anything about it, and moreover, he didn't believe TCM could cure asthma.
Li Se replied, "In traditional Chinese medicine, asthma is called 'chuanzheng,' with the main symptoms being wheezing, shortness of breath, and spasms and contractions of the bronchi. The treatment methods are also simple: Tuina and acupuncture."
"Nonsense, absolute nonsense." Several Western medicine doctors shook their heads, unable to believe that acupuncture could treat illness.
Li Se ignored these individuals and asked Elder Ba to sit down. His hands began to press on the Hegu acupoints on both sides, the Neiguan acupoints, the Fengchi acupoints on both sides of the back of the neck, the Dazhui acupoint, the Yingxiang acupoints on both sides of the nostrils, and the Tanzhong acupoint on the chest. He then channeled his internal spiritual energy into them to stimulate these acupoints. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
Before long, Elder Ba felt a burning sensation emanating from these acupoints. This heat intensified, even causing his skin to redden.
"Elder Ba, endure it," Li Se said.
"Mm!" Although Elder Ba was weak, he was still a martial artist and possessed some endurance.
"Elder Ba, this is dangerous!" Tao Xiuming noticed Elder Ba's skin beginning to turn red, seeing it as a warning sign. "This isn't treating illness; it's practically taking a life!"
"Shut up!"
Li Se's sharp retort, imbued with spiritual energy, caused Tao Xiuming to feel dizzy.
After about ten minutes of Tuina, Li Se took out silver needles and said, "Elder Ba, this was to treat your asthma. Acupuncture is to counteract the cold within your body. However, to completely cure this cold, you still need to practice some more vigorous martial arts. It would be best to discontinue practicing that particular martial art in the future."
"Understood." Elder Ba could feel his condition had improved significantly.
Li Se inserted several silver needles into Elder Ba's acupoints, starting shallow and going deeper, three insertions and three withdrawals for each needle, all with a specific rhythm and technique.
"Is this... 'Shaoshanhuo'?" One of the doctors seemed to recognize Li Se's acupuncture technique.
"'Shaoshanhuo'?" Tao Xiuming furrowed his brow slightly.
The doctor, knowing Tao Xiuming wouldn't understand, explained, "Dr. Tao, I've had some prior understanding of TCM acupuncture. 'Shaoshanhuo' and 'Tiantianliang' are professional needling techniques in acupuncture. Mastering the techniques of 'heating for tonification and cooling for purgation' often signifies a TCM master. 'Shaoshanhuo' is one of the common complex tonification and purgation methods, and I don't know too much about it, but judging by his technique, I am very certain it is 'Shaoshanhuo'."
Tao Xiuming's expression became uncertain. He never expected Li Se to be skilled in such professional acupuncture techniques, but he still harbored doubt. "Are you so sure it's 'Shaoshanhuo'?"
The doctor replied, "Absolutely. 'Shaoshanhuo' is recorded in 'Quan Shen Da Quan' and 'Jin Zhen Fu.' It involves shallow then deep insertions, with nine Yang and three insertions and withdrawals, slow lifting and firm pressing. When heat is felt, the needle is immediately withdrawn. The technique the young divine doctor just used is precisely this."
Having specifically researched it, the doctor remembered the details clearly.
Tao Xiuming's complexion grew even more grim.
Li Se looked at the doctor with some surprise, not expecting a Western medicine doctor to know so much about TCM's "Shaoshanhuo." He then said, "'Shaoshanhuo' can remove cold. Three insertions and one withdrawal for heat. When needling, one must rotate the needle within five fen of depth, circulating according to the number of nine Yang, gradually advancing by one cun. Three insertions and three withdrawals, with slow lifting and firm pressing. If the needle head feels heavy and tight, when needling, the heat will regenerate, and the cold will naturally be dispelled."
This time, the doctor was thoroughly impressed. He no longer doubted Li Se's medical skills. Being able to execute the "Shaoshanhuo" acupuncture technique was enough to prove Li Se was a master of the medical arts. He sighed, thinking that with such medical skills at such a young age, his future achievements would undoubtedly be extraordinary.
"You talk a good game, but it's only truly successful if the illness is cured," Tao Xiuming scoffed, still unwilling to concede, though a hint of nervousness crept in, and his palms began to sweat.
Anyone with discerning eyes could see that after Li Se applied "Shaoshanhuo," Elder Ba's complexion was gradually improving, no longer as pale as before.
Furthermore, Elder Ba could feel a surge of warmth within his body, a sensation that filled him with renewed strength.
How many years had it been? He hadn't felt this sense of power in a long time.
Elder Ba's mood became somewhat agitated. Was his illness finally going to be cured?
An hour had passed with the acupuncture session. Li Se finally withdrew the needles and said, "Elder Ba, you can now feel your strength."
Elder Ba clenched his fist and delivered a sudden punch to the nearby table, causing it to crack.
"Divine Doctor Li, thank you!" Elder Ba expressed his gratitude, knowing that his condition was now almost completely healed.
Li Se smiled, "Elder Ba, I will prescribe you a herbal formula. Take it for a period, and then practice vigorous martial arts. Your asthma and internal cold will be completely cured."
"Someone!" Elder Ba immediately called out.
"Yes, Elder Ba," a man in a suit approached.
"Give Divine Doctor Li twenty million. This is my consultation fee!" Elder Ba was not short of money, and after being treated, his consultation fee was naturally quite substantial.
This elicited envy and jealousy from Tao Xiuming and his companions. Earning twenty million in just over an hour – money came so fast.
"Divine Doctor Li, if you don't mind, may I call you Little Li?" Elder Ba's words went beyond just the twenty million consultation fee; he was seeking to establish a closer relationship with Li Se.
Before Li Se could reply, he continued, "And you don't need to call me Elder Ba anymore. My name is Zhao Ba; you can call me Brother Zhao."
"Alright, Brother Zhao," Li Se accepted without pretense, though he still had no idea what Zhao Ba did for a living.
"Elder Ba, allow me to examine your body again," Tao Xiuming said, unwilling to accept defeat. How could this illness be cured so easily?
He refused to believe it!
Elder Ba glanced at Tao Xiuming and snorted, "No need for an examination. I know my body best. It has already recovered."
Tao Xiuming dared not say more.
"Dr. Tao, do you remember our bet just now?" Li Se asked with a half-smile.
Tao Xiuming's face turned red. He was an authority in his field, and now he was being asked to call a young man "Grandpa." He absolutely could not do it.
"Tao Xiuming, a bet is a bet," Elder Ba warned from the side.
Tao Xiuming broke out in a cold sweat and hastily called out to Li Se, "Grandpa! Grandpa! Grandpa!"
After saying it, he felt utterly mortified. He turned and fled, followed by the doctors who had accompanied him.
This time, he had truly lost face.