Chapter 269: Let Me Take a Look

Steward Lu withdrew, and before long, he carried an old man over on a stretcher.

He looked even older than Shen Hong from before, with wrinkled skin and a face full of age spots. He reclined in a lounge chair, breathing more in than out, appearing as if he could die at any moment.

No wonder the mansion was under lockdown, allowing almost no one in except physicians. In this condition, barring any surprises, he probably wouldn't last much longer.

"All of you are renowned medical masters from the Physicians' Guild. Please, treat our master!"

Steward Lu bowed to the crowd.

"Tell us in detail about the Great Medicine King's symptoms!" said the three-star physician who had spoken earlier.

"Yes!" Knowing that physicians needed to ask questions, Steward Lu didn't hesitate: "Our master was originally in good health. About half a month ago, he suddenly fell ill. He couldn't eat, his condition deteriorated day by day, and now he can't even speak. As for specific symptoms... I can't describe them. I only know that he's getting weaker, and no tonic has any effect."

"Sudden onset? Could it be poisoning?" interjected another physician.

Sudden onset without any prior signs made poisoning highly likely.

"We suspected that too. We tested with special methods, but found no signs of poisoning."

The Great Medicine King had dominated Red Lotus City for so many years and had connections with the Poison Hall. Testing for poison should be simple.

Since they said there was none, it probably wasn't poisoning.

"Let me take a look!"

The three-star physician who had spoken rose and approached the Great Medicine King. He looked down at him, and after a moment, his brow furrowed deeply.

"Pale lips, intermittent breathing, loose skin with deep age spots, vacant eyes..." After observing for a while, he couldn't help shaking his head: "These are all signs of reaching the end of one's lifespan!"

Lifespan was determined by fate. If one truly reached the end, no physician, no matter how skilled, could reverse fate and prolong life.

Unless one broke through to a higher cultivation level.

"Our master is very famous, but he only inherited the title of Great Medicine King. This year he is only... over forty, not even fifty yet," Steward Lu hesitated before saying.

The Great Medicine King of Red Lotus City was not a specific person but a title that could be passed down, like a prince. Whoever became the Great Medicine King held the dominant position in Red Lotus City.

"Not even fifty?"

Everyone was stunned. Even Zhang Xuan was slightly surprised.

This old man before them could easily pass for ninety, yet he was not even fifty...

With the strength of a Zongshi realm cultivator and under fifty, he should be in his prime, with peak power, essence, energy, and spirit. His lifespan shouldn't be ending.

"Has he taken [Strength-Giving Pill]?"

After a pause, the three-star physician asked again.

The Strength-Giving Pill could rejuvenate declining physical strength, even having some effect on the elderly.

"He has taken it, but... it was of little use," Steward Lu shook his head again.

"Even the Strength-Giving Pill was useless?"

This time, not only the three-star physician but everyone else looked grave, their brows furrowed.

The Strength-Giving Pill was a second-grade pill with remarkable effects on Zongshi realm experts.

Its ineffectiveness indicated that the Great Medicine King's body had deteriorated to an unimaginable degree.

"I have a method of acupuncture to stimulate acupoints and restore strength. I can try it."

The physician named Mu Hong, who had spoken earlier, stood up.

"Master Mu Hong's silver needle acupuncture method is renowned throughout the world. It should be effective," the others nodded.

Physician Mu Hong wasted no time. He took out silver needles and began inserting them into the Great Medicine King's acupoints one by one.

After a while,

He shook his head and stepped back.

His silver needle acupuncture method, though famous and powerful, seemed to have no effect on the Great Medicine King.

"I have a precious prescription. I can try it..."

Another person stood up.

The physicians either applied their formidable techniques or discussed what disease the Great Medicine King might have. Their various methods and medical theories were dazzling, leaving Miss Mo Yu on the side spellbound and unable to contain herself.

Those who came here were basically the most skilled medical masters from various kingdoms. Even the weakest among them was far superior to Qing Yang. She was merely an apprentice physician, never having experienced such a grand occasion. Just listening for a while, she felt her horizons broadened and her understanding of medicine deepened.

"He..."

Suppressing her excitement, she looked over at Zhang Xuan. At that glance, her face darkened.

She had thought he would be as captivated as she was by such profound theories, but instead, he sat there looking bewildered, as if dumbstruck.

She had seen that expression before—it was the look of someone completely clueless about a profession, unable to understand.

Couldn't understand this?

How was that possible?

Her heart stirred, and she couldn't help sending a telepathic message: "Zhang Xuan, Physician Mu Hong just mentioned the [Extreme Diagnosis Method]. I didn't understand it. What does it mean?"

Caught off guard by her sudden question, Zhang Xuan was taken aback.

He hadn't read any medical books, and the kingdom's library had few such texts. How would he know these theories and terms?

After thinking for a moment, he shook his head: "I don't know either. I've never heard of it."

Mo Yu's vision went dark.

The Extreme Diagnosis Method was a basic diagnostic technique for physicians, using extreme assumptions to determine illness. Even apprentices had studied it. And this guy said he'd never heard of it...

"Then... what about the Observation Diagnosis Method?"

She couldn't help asking again via telepathy.

"Never heard of it either," Zhang Xuan shook his head.

Tianxuan Kingdom had only one Master Yuanyu, who was just a one-star physician. Zhang Xuan had little interaction with him, so his medical knowledge was practically nonexistent.

Mo Yu's mouth twitched.

The Observation Diagnosis Method, which involved observing patients to confirm illness, was a mandatory topic in apprentice exams. Every physician understood it. Yet he said he'd never heard of it...

He didn't even know the basics of medicine, yet he pretended to be a physician and came to treat someone...

Brother, do you really think you have too long to live, or are you just itching for trouble?

She felt frustrated and also a bit puzzled.

He didn't even know this stuff, showing he was completely ignorant of medicine. But then how had he diagnosed and treated the Howling Sky Beast and Steward Lu?

While Mo Yu was lost in thought, Zhang Xuan was also feeling helpless.

The Library of Heaven's Path only appeared when others practiced martial arts or were unconscious. The Great Medicine King, though unable to speak, was clearly conscious.

He didn't look much better than Shen Hong had. If Zhang Xuan asked him to practice martial arts, he might die before even starting.

And if he knocked him out like he did with Shen Hong, he'd probably be torn to pieces before he could read the library's contents.

Although the hall seemed quiet, many experts were hidden.

If he made a move, they would surely rush out.

"I need to find a way to knock out the Great Medicine King openly..."

Rubbing his forehead, he pondered a reason.

"I'm sorry, but this is the first time we've encountered such an illness. We are truly helpless."

"Yes, Steward Lu, we really have no solution. Apologies."

"It is our lack of skill..."

Just as Mo Yu and Zhang Xuan were each lost in thought, Mu Hong and the others stood up, shaking their heads, their faces full of embarrassment.

After half a day of diagnosis, they hadn't even figured out what disease he had, let alone treated it.

"This..."

Seeing their expressions, Steward Lu couldn't hide his deep disappointment.

Since the master fell ill, he had invited physicians. This wasn't the first group, nor the first time he had received such an answer.

"Although you couldn't cure the master, we are still very grateful. The Medicine King Manor will not treat you poorly..."

Shaking his head, Steward Lu was about to give instructions when Physician Cheng Feng stood up, a smirk on his face as he looked at Zhang Xuan.

"Steward Lu, we have all diagnosed the Great Medicine King and discussed our findings. But it seems that this Physician Bai Chan, whom you specially invited, has been sitting still the whole time. I wonder if he looks down on us, thinking we are unworthy of discussion, or if he has already made a diagnosis but is keeping it to himself, unwilling to share?"

Hearing Cheng Feng's words, everyone was first startled, then remembered that this fellow named Bai Chan had indeed not said a word from the start, as if mute.

"That guy has been sitting still!"

"Not only did he not move, he didn't say a word."

"A one-star physician is nothing. How could he possibly join our discussion?"

"Knowing his low level, he keeps quiet to avoid being scorned."

Remembering that he was only a one-star physician, everyone showed contempt.

A one-star physician might be respectable elsewhere, but here he was insignificant.

Even three-star physicians couldn't diagnose this illness. How could he?

It was right for him to stay silent.

"That's not fair. Since Steward Lu specially invited him and praised his medical insight, how could he not even dare to speak?" Cheng Feng said with a smile, looking at Zhang Xuan.

He had known this Bai Chan for a long time and knew his level.

Steward Lu had invited him and praised him publicly, a treatment even he hadn't received. Now he could make him look foolish, so he wouldn't let the opportunity pass.

"This..."

Steward Lu hesitated, then looked at Zhang Xuan: "Physician Bai Chan..."

This Physician Bai had seen through his ailment at a glance, so he had faith in his medical skill. But the fact that he hadn't spoken yet also puzzled him.

Hearing Steward Lu's call, Zhang Xuan snapped out of his reverie, looking confused: "What's the matter?"

"It's like this."

Seeing that he had been distracted while everyone else had diagnosed, Steward Lu coughed and quickly explained: "The physicians cannot confirm the master's illness and would like to hear your opinion."

"They can't even confirm the illness?"

Zhang Xuan slowly stood up, glanced at the crowd, and couldn't help shaking his head.

"Since they can't, let me take a look."