Two old men from the Southern Border Divine Physician Sect examined him for a long time but could not find anything.
"Strange, truly strange. He clearly has symptoms, but why can't we find the cause of the illness?" the white-haired Physician Xia shook his head repeatedly.
"I also find it very peculiar, unable to find any reason!" the gray-haired Physician Zhong echoed with a sigh.
Li Mingchu couldn't help but ask, "May I ask the two divine physicians, can you truly not tell what illness my father has?"
Physician Xia stood up and turned around, apologizing, "We are ashamed. We have practiced medicine for decades, and we have never encountered such a strange illness."
"So, does that mean even you two cannot cure my father?" Li Mingchu asked.
Physician Xia remained silent. Of course, silence sometimes meant default agreement. After all, they were divine physicians from the Southern Border; they couldn't admit their medical skills were inadequate.
Seeing this, Li Mingchu sighed, "To be honest with you, esteemed physicians, in the past six months, I have sought out dozens of renowned physicians in the martial world to examine my father. Additionally, I have invited over a dozen medical experts and even used various advanced medical equipment to examine my father's body. However, all efforts were in vain, and the cause remained undiscovered."
After speaking, Li Mingchu paused and continued, "Not only my father, but the other three families in Jiangdong are also in the same situation. It seems this strange illness is truly difficult to handle, so it is understandable that even you two divine physicians cannot figure it out."
Physician Xia regained some of his composure upon hearing this. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Although I cannot treat your father, I can prescribe some calming and soothing herbs. While this will only alleviate symptoms and not cure the root cause, it can at least reduce the patient's suffering."
"If that is the case, then we shall trouble you, divine physician," Li Mingchu said, cupping his hands.
Tang Qingrong then pondered and asked, "By the way, divine physicians, do you have any way to make my husband regain consciousness, even for a moment?"
Physician Xia turned his head and asked with a frown, "What does Madam mean?"
Tang Qingrong said in a deep voice, "If only my husband had this illness alone, it might be considered an accident. However, at the same time, the elders of three other families in Jiangdong are suffering from this illness. What is even more incredible is that these few individuals who have fallen ill, including my husband, are acquaintances who often gather to play cards."
"Madam suspects that this strange illness is man-made?" Physician Xia quickly realized.
"We cannot be certain yet, but if my husband can regain consciousness, perhaps we can find some clues from him."
After speaking, Tang Qingrong looked up at her husband and asked, "Mingchu, what do you think?"
Xiao Yunlong, watching from outside, nodded subconsciously. From this, he could see that his fourth aunt had some insight, at least more decisive than those fellows from the Li family.
Li Mingchu frowned and pondered for a long time before saying, "It's feasible. Currently, making the old man wake up seems to be the only way. Divine physicians, do you have any methods to make my father regain consciousness?"
Physician Xia stroked his white beard and chuckled, "If it's just to temporarily awaken your father, that's not difficult. I can help you with that."
"Then we shall trouble Divine Physician Xia!" Li Mingchu and Tang Qingrong cupped their hands slightly.
Physician Xia wasted no more words and extended his hand, "Disciple, bring out the box!"
The medicine boy beside him bowed and quickly took a rectangular brocade box from the large medicine chest, then respectfully handed it over with both hands.
The brocade box was made of fine redwood, with an ancient and exquisite patterned design. It looked like an old item of some value.
Physician Xia flicked his finger and opened the box, revealing rows of silver needles of varying lengths.
"Remove his upper garment. Next, I will begin acupuncture. Also, please, Mr. Li, turn up the lights in the room!"
Physician Xia instructed, sitting by the bedside. He held the brocade box in one hand and picked out a silver needle from it with the other.
After Elder Li's clothes were removed and he lay flat, Physician Xia's gaze sharpened. With a flick of his wrist, the silver needle in his fingertip pierced the patient's Qishe acupuncture point.
Everyone slightly retreated and held their breath, watching Divine Physician Xia at work. The room suddenly became so quiet that one could hear a needle drop.
Next, Physician Xia picked up the second silver needle, preparing to insert it into Elder Li's Qihu acupuncture point.
Xiao Yunlong, standing outside, saw this and his eyes sharpened. He suddenly shouted in a deep voice, "Stop!"
Physician Xia was startled by the sudden cold shout, his body trembling. The hand holding the silver needle froze in mid-air. However, his face, deeply lined, became completely grim. Although he didn't speak, he was trembling with anger.
Li Mingchu immediately raised his thick eyebrows and gritted his teeth, "Young man from the Xiao family, you are presumptuous!"
Xiao Yunlong said coldly, "Don't blame me for not warning you. If you don't want this old man Li to die on the spot, you'd better make this so-called divine physician stop!"
Before Li Mingchu could speak, Physician Xia couldn't help himself. He snorted angrily, "What do you mean by that, boy? Do you think I'm trying to harm the patient or are you doubting my acupuncture skills?"
Xiao Yunlong chuckled, "Harming the patient is unlikely; you probably don't have the guts. As for your acupuncture skills, they are evident to all. It's obvious, do I still need to doubt it?"
"Outrageous, truly outrageous!" Physician Xia, with his white hair but ruddy complexion, gnashed his teeth in anger, almost unable to speak.
Physician Zhong, standing beside him, glared and huffed, "Mr. Li, is this kid from your Li family? If not, then send him away quickly. You might not know, but Physician Xia is quite famous in the Southern Border. Not to mention Jiangdong, in the entire Southern Border, no one has ever dared to speak to him like this face to face!"
Li Mingchu raised his eyebrows and glared at Xiao Yunlong, "Did you hear that? Get lost!"
Li Minmin then secretly curled her lips, "As expected, a dog can't change its nature. It wants to cause trouble wherever it goes. At this moment, it's still thinking of showing off its presence. Truly ignorant and foolish!"
Xiao Yunlong shrugged and said calmly, "I have already warned you. I have said all I can. Whether you listen or not is up to you!"
After speaking, he turned to leave. Tang Qingrong, seeing this, quickly called out, "Wait, Yunlong, wait a moment!"
Xiao Yunlong had to stop. After all, she was his fourth aunt, and she had treated him very well when he was young, so he couldn't ignore her words.
Tang Qingrong then turned to Li Mingchu and said, "Mingchu, I know Yunlong. This child has always been steady and never speaks without reason. Since he says so, he must have some confidence. Perhaps he really knows something. Why don't we listen to his opinion first?"
Li Mingchu's face instantly darkened. He opened his mouth, about to scold him.
However, Physician Xia suddenly waved his hand and said with a cold smile, "Madam Li is absolutely right. Since this boy is speaking so boastfully, let him speak. Otherwise, if this matter is spread out today, people who don't know will really think I am a quack. I, Xia Zeyu, value my reputation!"
Physician Zhong also snorted coldly, "Indeed, let this boy speak. But if he can't say anything sensible, then don't blame us for being impolite. The reputation of our Southern Border Divine Physician Sect is not something anyone can provoke or insult!"
Xiao Yunlong nodded upon hearing this, "Alright, if that's the case, I will make you completely give up!"
With that, he strode in and walked directly to the bedside, facing Physician Xia.
Tang Wenya muttered, "What's with the big talk? Does he really think he's a divine physician? He can't even cure my cousin's leg, and he wants to treat this strange illness?"
Tang Junwen also curled his lips and sneered, "If you ask me, this kid is just putting on a show and showing off!"
"You two, be quiet and listen to him first. If he talks nonsense and can't say anything sensible, I'll break his rotten mouth. Do you really think my Li family is a marketplace where he can run wild?" Li Benzhe grinned playfully.
Xiao Yunlong ignored the mumbling of the people around him. His eyes were fixed on Physician Xia, and he asked, "Your first needle, you inserted it into the Qishe acupuncture point, and the second needle into the Qihu acupuncture point, correct?"
"That's right, but what does that prove? Boy, you're not going to recognize a few acupuncture points and try to show off in front of us, are you? Let me tell you, even a medicine boy who has been in our Southern Border Divine Physician Sect for less than half a year can recognize all 108 acupuncture points on the human body!"
Physician Xia sneered, his face full of mockery.
Xiao Yunlong's expression remained unchanged and he said, "Then let me ask you, your third needle, are you preparing to insert it into the Kufang acupuncture point?"
Physician Xia was slightly stunned and then said, "That's right, it is indeed the Kufang acupuncture point!"
"And your fourth needle should be the Taiyi acupuncture point, right?" Xiao Yunlong continued to ask.
A flicker of surprise appeared on Physician Xia's face, but he still nodded, "That's right, the fourth needle is indeed the Taiyi acupuncture point. How did you know?"
Xiao Yunlong did not answer and continued to ask, "The fifth needle, is it Tianshu?"
Physician Xia's face immediately showed extreme surprise. Even without his answer, everyone present could tell from the change in his expression that Xiao Yunlong was correct.
Xiao Yunlong intensified his tone and asked, "The sixth needle, and the last one, is it Guanmen acupuncture point?"
Physician Xia did not answer, because he was completely stunned by the shock.
Everyone present, including the Li family, was equally astonished, their faces showing disbelief. They simply did not believe, or rather, could not accept, that this troublemaker from the Xiao family actually knew medicine!
After a long while, Physician Xia finally asked in a long voice, "I didn't expect you to know my acupuncture technique. This is quite surprising!"
Xiao Yunlong sneered, "I not only know the acupuncture technique, but I also know that this set of acupuncture techniques is called the 'Kaiyuan Qi Circulation Method.' May I ask Divine Physician Xia, am I correct?"
Physician Xia chuckled to himself, not answering directly, but said, "Since you know the origin of this acupuncture technique, you should also know that this is just a method aimed at stimulating the patient's spirit, energy, and vitality, and making them awaken in a short period. In other words, this acupuncture technique actually has no harm!"
Physician Zhong chimed in, "Physician Xia is absolutely right. Since this acupuncture technique has no harm, how can it kill the patient? You, surnamed Xiao, had better explain clearly, otherwise, even if you recognize this acupuncture technique, we will not let this matter go easily!"
Xiao Yunlong shook his head and smiled, "When I was at the door just now, I called you two half-baked barefoot doctors. Now it seems that was overestimating you. With your level, you're not even half-baked!"
"You... What are you talking about, you are too presumptuous!" Physician Zhong was furious and clenched his fist, looking like he was about to make a move.
Tang Qingrong quickly interjected, "Yunlong, since you recognize this acupuncture technique, then quickly explain why inserting these needles will cost the old man his life?"
Xiao Yunlong said, "Under normal circumstances, this acupuncture technique would be fine. Even if a healthy eight-year-old child were unconscious, inserting the silver needles would not have any side effects. But Elder Li is different!"
"Why is he different?" Physician Xia and Li Mingchu asked almost in unison.
"Because this old man is not suffering from a common illness. In fact, to be precise, he is not ill!" Xiao Yunlong said.
"He is not ill, then what is he suffering from?" the two divine physicians asked coldly.
"Poisoning!" Xiao Yunlong said decisively.
"What did you say, poisoning?" Physician Zhong suddenly threw his head back and burst into laughter, as if he had heard the biggest joke.
Physician Xia also sneered, "This is truly ridiculous. You claim he is poisoned? We have already thoroughly examined the patient's mouth, nose, and even throat, and found no signs of poisoning. You, boy, are truly capable of twisting words!"
"You can't detect it because your medical knowledge and skills are insufficient!" Xiao Yunlong snorted coldly.
"Good, then tell us, what poison has he been afflicted with?" Physician Xia gritted his teeth and asked.
Xiao Yunlong glanced at the emaciated old man lying on the bed and said, "He is poisoned by the legendary ancient Wu Gu poison, to be precise, the ancient Shen Chang Gu poison!"
"Ancient Shen Chang Gu poison? What is that?" Liu Ruyan couldn't help but ask.
Xiao Yunlong smiled and explained, "Perhaps everyone has heard of the idiom 'wei hu wei chang' (to help a tiger commit evil). It refers to a Chang ghost controlling a tiger to harm people. The Shen Chang Gu poison, on the other hand, is a Gu poison that the Gu poison sect cultivates specifically. After entering the host's body, it gradually affects the host's brain nerves, and finally uses this Chang Gu worm to control the host. This is similar to 'wei hu wei chang'."
"This... Does such a Chang Gu worm really exist in the world?" Liu Ruyan asked in shock.
Everyone present was also shocked. The timid ones even showed expressions of horror, clearly finding what Xiao Yunlong said hard to believe.
"Nonsense, what kind of Shen Chang worm is this? You, boy, are truly good at making things up. It's a shame you're not writing novels!" Physician Zhong said sternly.
Physician Xia, however, suddenly said solemnly, "No, he is not making things up. This Shen Chang Gu worm did exist in ancient times."
Physician Zhong was stunned and quickly turned his head to ask, "Senior Xia, are you joking with me?"
"No, I am not joking. I just remembered that more than ten years ago, I saw a record of this Shen Chang Gu worm in an ancient materia medica. Moreover, the symptoms of Elder Li's poisoning are indeed similar to what is described in that ancient materia medica. I am ashamed to say that if I hadn't heard the words 'Chang Gu,' I wouldn't have remembered it."
Saying this, he gave a bitter smile and shook his head. Physician Xia looked at Xiao Yunlong and said, "This is enough to show that Mr. Xiao is not speaking without reason!"
Upon hearing this, the surrounding people all looked at Xiao Yunlong, their eyes changing.