After saying that, the man sneered. "If you can't tell us what's wrong, then you're just a hooligan too! You're just here to take advantage of the situation!"
However, Liu Ergou sneered in response. "Don't lump me in with freeloading scammers like you. I can't afford to lose face like that!"
The man clearly didn't understand Liu Ergou's retort, but the surrounding crowd did and burst into laughter. He stood there stunned for several seconds before finally catching on.
Liu Ergou couldn't be bothered with him and bowed his head, seriously taking the woman's pulse.
Liu Ergou's expression turned grave.
A stroke?! My luck today is really something else. First, someone with a congenital heart disease, and now a woman having a stroke. I really don't know what to think.
The man who had been watching the commotion saw Liu Ergou's furrowed brow and assumed he hadn't figured anything out. He jeered, "We're all hooligans here, so what's with the act?"
No sooner had he finished speaking than Liu Ergou looked up and uttered a single word. "Stroke."
The word hung in the air for a moment of stunned silence, which was then shattered by an uproar from the crowd. Everyone started talking at once. The latest_epɪ_sodes are on_the Nov3lFɪre.ɴet
"No way! How could he tell so quickly? Is he for real?"
"It's definitely fake! He's obviously in cahoots with that other guy!"
Liu Ergou paid no attention to their chatter. Just as he was about to speak, the man who had been mocking him started up again.
"Hahaha, a stroke? Do you really think you're Hua Tuo reincarnated? You can't just say whatever you want and be right! If you're so amazing, and it's a stroke, why don't you hurry up and treat her? Hahaha!"
Watching the man's mocking expression, Liu Ergou stood up calmly and addressed the crowd. "If you don't believe me, any medical professionals here are welcome to step forward. Let a professional take a look!"
Within minutes of him speaking, a young woman in light, summery clothes stepped out of the crowd. She first took an ID card from her purse and flashed it for everyone to see.
"I'm Qian Xiaoling, the head of the neurology department at the county hospital," she explained quickly. "Let me check the patient's condition."
Immediately, Qian Xiaoling knelt and performed a quick examination of the woman on the ground.
After her check, Qian Xiaoling stood up. "The preliminary diagnosis is a stroke. Has anyone called an ambulance?"
At her words, the crowd erupted. The man had actually been right.
As for the heckler who had bragged about doing a handstand and eating feces, he heard Qian Xiaoling confirm the diagnosis and slinked away, not daring to utter another word.
Liu Ergou saw the man leave but said nothing. Now wasn't the time to settle scores.
Qian Xiaoling continued, "It's already been three or four minutes since the onset. If we delay any longer…"
Someone immediately replied, "We called! But the ambulance will take about fifteen minutes to get here!"
Qian Xiaoling frowned. "No, fifteen minutes is too long. We don't have that much time!"
Hearing this, Liu Ergou said to her, "I practice traditional Chinese medicine. I can try something."
But when Qian Xiaoling heard him mention traditional Chinese medicine, she couldn't help but frown. "Traditional Chinese medicine? Don't you dare be reckless with that antiquated quackery! If you delay her emergency treatment, can you bear the responsibility?"
Liu Ergou's brow furrowed at her words.
What is wrong with this woman? What's so bad about traditional Chinese medicine? Does it have to be considered outdated?
Suppressing his anger, Liu Ergou said, "You're a doctor. You know this woman's condition. By the time an ambulance gets here and takes her back to the hospital, at least half an hour will have passed! Do you really think she can hold on that long? It's better to let me try. My acupuncture has a decent chance of success; I guarantee I can save her!"
Qian Xiaoling shouted angrily before he even finished. "You damn swindler, are you insane? Treating a stroke with acupuncture? I've never heard of anything so ridiculous! I actually thought you had some real skill, but it turns out you're nothing but a complete fraud! A damn swindler!"
Her words thoroughly infuriated Liu Ergou. "I'm not a swindler," he said coldly. "If you don't believe me, how about we make a bet?"
Hearing this, Qian Xiaoling lifted her chin, exposing her snow-white neck like a proud swan. "Fine. What's the bet? I'm not afraid of you, swindler!"
Liu Ergou sneered. "I won't make it difficult for you. If I save this woman, I want you to say, 'Big Brother, I was wrong; traditional Chinese medicine isn't a scam,' three times in front of everyone."
Qian Xiaoling nodded without a moment's hesitation. "Fine!"
Seeing her agree, Liu Ergou moved to begin treatment, but she stopped him.
"Wait. You've only said what happens if you win. What about if you lose?"
Without looking up, Liu Ergou replied, "I won't lose. Just you wait."
He gave her no chance to argue, turning to retrieve a wooden box from the wicker basket on his back. Opening it revealed a dense array of gleaming silver needles.
These were the needles passed down through his family, which he always carried with him. He had already grasped the woman's condition when he took her pulse, so there was no more time to waste.
Liu Ergou plucked a single silver needle from the box. With a forceful flick of his finger—SWOOSH!—the needle shot out as if it had eyes, piercing the crown of the woman's head.
This incredible sight drew gasps of astonishment from the onlookers.
Though Qian Xiaoling was also surprised, she crossed her arms and snorted. "Hmph. Just smoke and mirrors. Damn swindler!"
Liu Ergou heard her but didn't spare her a glance. He took out five more needles and inserted them all into the top of the woman's head. Then, he reached out and lightly flicked the needles.
The six needles began to vibrate in perfect unison, emitting waves of a low hum.
This magical sight once again stunned the crowd.
A bead of sweat appeared on Qian Xiaoling's forehead.
Did I misjudge him? Could it be that this brute isn't a swindler after all? His acupuncture skills are incredible… I've never seen such a technique, not even from the old masters in the county!