Chapter Forty-Eight: A Contest of Medical Skills

Ma Wu let out a mocking laugh and said, "Doctor Li, I'm really beginning to doubt your qualifications as a physician. As doctors, we deal with precise data—every minute, every second counts. If the records say half a minute, then it is half a minute. Within that time, nothing will happen. Where do these so-called 'what ifs' and fears of accidents come from?"

His words rang with conviction. Lying beside him, Wu Xin's eyes gleamed with a trace of approval, as if satisfied with Ma Wu's performance.

The Wu family members, who had little knowledge of medicinal herbs, began to waver in their support of Li Li. Clearly, Ma Wu was more precise in matters of timing. He had accurately measured the seconds from opening to closing the freezer, while Li Li, despite the records stating issues would only arise after half a minute, still insisted on the possibility of unforeseen accidents, which made him seem unprofessional.

A few younger members of the Wu family whispered among themselves:

"It seems Doctor Li isn't as professional as Ma Wu after all."

"I think so too. Doctors should be precise. Ma Wu just said it took him a bit over ten seconds to open and close the freezer—so precise. I think he's quite professional."

"Yes, I agree. Maybe Ma Wu really can cure the head of the Wu family. He might bring us a surprise."

The young man standing nearby, whose expression was gentle, also smiled at Ma Wu. Yet Ma Wu, sensitive as he was, caught a trace of unfathomable chill beneath that smile.

Li Li, too, overheard the whispers of the Wu family's younger generation. He had always been treated with respect and high regard in the Wu household, regarded as an honored guest—few spoke to him without deference. When had he ever suffered such humiliation?

He flung his broad sleeves with indignation and snapped, "You youngsters are ignorant! Even if Ma Wu is right. But Ma Wu, how do you intend to use both the Icy Cold Fruit and the Golden Branch at the same time? In traditional medicine, we emphasize the properties of herbs. Those with opposing properties must never be combined."

"The Golden Branch is fiery, the Icy Cold Fruit is cold. These two medicines must not touch, or they'll instantly turn to dust. Tell me—how do you intend to refine them into a potion?"

The crowd swayed once more. Although Ma Wu had seemed more professional before, it was obvious, even to the uninitiated, that these two herbs had incompatible properties. Why, then, had Ma Wu insisted on using both?

Everyone gazed at Ma Wu, their doubts lessened, but confusion still evident.

Ma Wu looked calmly at Li Li, his eyes free of anger. Suddenly, he asked a seemingly unrelated question, "Tell me, Li Li, were you invited here by that young master?"

He gestured toward the gentle-faced youth standing beside Wu Ting.

Li Li froze, saying nothing. The young man, however, nodded cordially at Ma Wu and replied with a smile, "Yes, I invited him. I hope the head of the Wu family recovers soon, so he can manage the family well."

Ma Wu merely smiled, neither confirming nor denying anything. Then, turning abruptly to the young master, he asked, "If I may, sir, is your name Wu Di?"

The young man hesitated, his brows furrowing slightly, but answered honestly, "Yes, that's me."

Ma Wu gazed deeply at Wu Di, taking a long, steady breath.

Wu Di was cunning indeed.

When Ma Wu had left the Wu family, he had been ambushed by a group of professional killers wielding iron rods. According to their confessions, it was Wu Di who had ordered the attack. Clearly, Wu Di harbored hostility toward him. Since Ma Wu was invited by Wu Ting, it meant Wu Di was on the opposing side.

Yet Wu Di now acted especially friendly, showing no trace of enmity, and had even invited the physician who had been treating the head of the family.

It was obvious that this physician was likely not there to cure the family head. It was one thing if he merely did nothing, but it was entirely possible he had secretly been worsening Wu Xin's condition.

Ma Wu glanced at Wu Ting out of the corner of his eye and saw her giving Wu Di a grateful look, as if especially thankful for his efforts in finding a good doctor for Wu Xin.

Li Li could not be allowed to remain and continue as a hidden threat.

Ma Wu understood this in an instant. He feigned anger and shouted at Li Li, "Old man, aren’t you displeased with me? Don’t you question my credentials? Then let’s make a wager!"

Li Li blinked in surprise. "What kind of wager?"

Ma Wu stroked his chin and smiled. "In front of everyone, I will prepare the medicine for Wu Xin, using the Icy Cold Fruit and Golden Branch as the main ingredients. If I succeed, you will leave the Wu family at once. If I fail, or if the medicine is ineffective, I’ll pack my things and go."

"Well, do you dare, esteemed Doctor Li?" Ma Wu looked at him provocatively, emphasizing "esteemed" with biting sarcasm.

Li Li was at a loss, instinctively looking to Wu Di for guidance, since Wu Di had brought him here. In this predicament, he didn't know what to do.

To his dismay, Wu Di avoided his gaze, pretending to chat amiably with Wu Ting, as if unwilling to let anyone suspect they were secretly communicating.

Ma Wu, seeing Li Li's hesitation, laughed boldly. "Doctor Li, it seems you lack confidence in your own judgment and skills. Why? Didn’t you insist I couldn’t possibly succeed? If so, wouldn’t making me leave the Wu family be just what you want?"

Li Li gritted his teeth, goaded beyond endurance, and turned to Wu Xin, hoping he would intervene.

As Wu Xin’s long-standing physician, and with Ma Wu as the newly trusted doctor, both should have been responsible for Wu Xin's survival. Wu Xin would never let them come to conflict; losing either would be detrimental.

Everyone present now turned to Wu Xin, silently urging him to step in and stop Ma Wu’s wager.

To their surprise, Wu Xin let out a hoarse, delighted chuckle. "I accept the wager. Let the capable one stay; the other must go."

Li Li stared at Ma Wu in disbelief, but after a long pause, he clenched his teeth and agreed, "Very well."

With the wager set before all, and the crowd watching either expectantly or skeptically, Ma Wu wasted no time and ordered the servants to bring out all the auxiliary herbs.

In this modern age, refining medicine no longer required alchemical furnaces; there were all sorts of roasting, boiling, decocting, and juicing machines. Wu Xin, ever considerate, had everything arranged for Ma Wu.

Ma Wu smiled at Li Li. "Watch and learn!"

He then seized a handful of auxiliary herbs with seeming randomness, tossing them straight into the juicer. The sharp blades quickly reduced them to pulp—without any water added.

Then, he opened the freezer containing the Icy Cold Fruit and reached in with his bare hand. Li Li’s eyes narrowed, a hint of mockery flashing across his face.

Li Li knew well that the Icy Cold Fruit was extremely potent and should never be touched by hand; only special tools could be used. Touching it would instantly freeze and possibly destroy one’s hand, and the fruit itself would lose potency upon contact with human skin.

Sneakily, Li Li sidled up to Wu Di and whispered the information in a fawning manner.

Wu Di’s eyes brightened, amused, and he leaned over to share the joke with Wu Ting. "Wu Ting, let me tell you something funny. That Ma Wu is a brute—he’s touching the Icy Cold Fruit with his bare hand! His hand will be frozen stiff in an instant!"

As Wu Di leaned in, Wu Ting’s brow furrowed and she quietly took a step back. But his next words left her stunned: Ma Wu’s hand might be destroyed by the Icy Cold Fruit!

Startled by this revelation, Wu Ting could no longer sit still. She called out, "Ma Wu, don’t touch the Icy Cold Fruit!"