Chapter 6: A Taste of Humiliation

Chen Zhao hurriedly handed it over.

Then, he witnessed a scene that would remain etched in his memory for the rest of his life—the little girl he had mocked relentlessly took the silver needle from his hand, and, like a masterful embroideress, began weaving through the chaotic neural tissues with extraordinary skill.

The machines beside them gradually quieted down.

Of course—why hadn’t he thought of it before? If there was anything more delicate than tweezers, it was the silver needle. Yet, for a century, with the rise of Western medicine, many had forgotten the medical arts that had been passed down through five thousand years of civilization.

This girl—she was actually proficient in such advanced traditional medicine.

And not just any technique, but the most complex and miraculous practice of acupuncture.

“Remove the retractor. The suturing and restoration are up to you now.” Yun Fu’s voice shattered Chen Zhao’s astonishment.

With that, Yun Fu deftly set aside her instruments and walked over to lean against the tool table.

Her expression suggested she was a little tired.

Step by step, Chen Zhao’s expression shifted from disdain, to tension, and finally to relief.

His initial contempt for her faded, replaced by genuine respect.

Because Yun Fu truly seemed extraordinary.

The tools in her hands seemed to become extensions of herself, perfectly obedient to her every movement. Every point she chose to pierce was flawless.

Gradually, Chen Zhao’s gaze grew fervent, his eyes growing solemn.

This single surgery was enough for him to witness her remarkable skill.

Two hours slipped by quietly.

Outside the operating room.

“I wonder how the old madam is. Just now, even Master Chen was unwilling to assist with this operation. And now, that little girl who’s barely out of childhood is expected to work miracles?”

“Exactly. If Master Chen couldn’t do anything about the illness, what could she possibly achieve? She’s young, but so arrogant.”

“If anything happens to the old madam, she’s finished!”

Lian Bingqing listened to the comments around her, a faint smile curling at her lips.

Beside her, Lian Hanqi looked down at the ring on his finger, his brow furrowed, his eyes deep and inscrutable as a well, revealing nothing of his thoughts.

Suddenly, the hospital room door flew open.

A crowd surged forward, but before they could ask anything, they were met with a scene that left them dumbstruck.

The legendary, aloof, and rarely seen Sage of Medicine was now following close behind Yun Fu, grinning obsequiously.

While pushing the hospital bed, he didn’t forget to plead, “Master, are you truly not accepting disciples? Look at me—even though I’m getting on in years, I’m wealthy and capable, a fine candidate indeed.”

“And see, I’m currently the president of the Huaxia Medical Association. If you take me as your apprentice, I’ll hand over the presidency to you.”

“Master, perhaps you could reconsider…”

“Enough!” Yun Fu shot him a cold glance over her shoulder before walking away without hesitation.

The crowd outside: “…”

They knew exactly who Chen Zhao was.

Especially those two identities—Sage of Medicine and president of the Medical Association. One brought a vast web of connections, the other tremendous influence and power.

But now, he was offering to yield one of those identities to this girl.

The key was, the girl looked utterly uninterested.

“Master Chen, this…”

“The surgery was a complete success.” Chen Zhao, hearing the inquiry, turned back briefly to reply, then strode directly toward Lian Hanqi.

Unlike before, Chen Zhao was now beaming with excitement. He looked at Lian Hanqi, his eyes shining, “Master Lian, could you possibly speak to Miss Yun and ask her to accept me as her disciple?”

For someone the Sage of Medicine wished to call teacher—how profound must her skills be? There was no need for further explanation.

Lian Bingqing’s face was pale, her steps unsteady—she nearly collapsed.

Impossible. That woman—she couldn’t possibly have cured Grandmother. It couldn’t be true!

“Master, how could she… Surely it was you who performed the surgery. You’re the Sage of Medicine, after all. If you couldn’t solve the illness, how could she—a mere pretty face—possibly succeed?”

The more she mulled it over, the more convinced she became. Gradually, her tone grew firmer, as if her guess was the only truth.

“Master, I’m your disciple. Even the medicine I prescribed for Grandmother failed, and yet she…”

Her words were cut off by the sudden chill in Chen Zhao’s gaze.

With a stern face, eagle-like eyes fixed on Lian Bingqing, Chen Zhao’s presence made her heart tremble.

“Lian Bingqing, when you became my disciple, do you remember what I told you was the most important principle for a physician, and the greatest taboo?”

Lian Bingqing bit her lip, and slowly recited the words that had once been etched into her bones—“When a great physician treats illness, he must first calm his mind and settle his will, seeking nothing for himself, but first arouse great compassion and the desire to relieve the suffering of all living beings. For a physician, the greatest taboo… the greatest taboo is shortsightedness, arrogance, and giving up in the face of difficulty.”

As she said the last three words, her face turned ashen.

She clenched her hands tightly, not daring to meet Chen Zhao’s eyes.

Seeing her like this, Chen Zhao sighed, though his expression did not soften.

“You’re too impatient for quick results, too irritable, too shortsighted. You accept only praise, never criticism.

But you must realize, in this vast world, there is always someone greater, always a higher sky above.”

He looked at her deeply. “This time, you made a fatal mistake: you were too self-assured. If not for Miss Yun, your grandmother…”

“But what’s done is done. From this day forth, the bond of master and apprentice between us is severed.”

It was like a bolt from the blue. Lian Bingqing was stunned.

She—she was being expelled from the sect?!

No, how could this be? No!

It was only because she was the Sage of Medicine’s disciple that she held any position in the Lian family, only because of that title that she was lauded in the profession. Without it…

Lian Bingqing looked at Chen Zhao in terror, unable to imagine the consequences.

“Master…” But Chen Zhao did not let her finish. He turned and left without a backward glance.

Unlike her despair, the rest of the Lian family breathed sighs of relief at the success of the old madam’s surgery, and their gazes toward Lian Bingqing were tinged with blame.

It was now clear that the medicine Yun Fu provided was highly effective. If Lian Bingqing hadn’t taken it upon herself to switch the medication, there would have been no need for this nearly impossible surgery in the first place.

If not for Yun Fu…