Chapter 147: The Medical Duel

Everyone instinctively looked toward the hunter lying on the bed. He was still covered in blood, yet the dark demonic aura that had surrounded him was indeed gone.

Chang Ping stepped forward to take his pulse, and after a moment, his eyes widened in astonishment. He turned to the others, voice full of disbelief.

“Hall Master, the demonic energy in his body is completely gone—and his life force is gradually recovering.”

He looked back at Qu Qiuming, shock written across his face. He hadn’t expected the man’s healing ability to be this remarkable—he had done in half a quarter-hour what three trained healers together could barely accomplish after exhausting all their strength. “This Daoist’s medical skill is truly extraordinary!”

“Hmph. It was only a bit of demonic qi,” Qu Qiuming said coolly, a trace of arrogance on his lips. “I don’t even consider such minor ailments worth my attention.”

His eyes swept the group dismissively before landing on Yun Jiao. His expression turned mocking.

“And what does this so-called healer have to say about my methods?”

Yun Jiao’s expression didn’t change. She calmly stepped forward and glanced at the patient. Her gaze fell on the still-bleeding wounds, and her face darkened slightly. “Why didn’t you stop the bleeding?” she asked coldly. “The demonic qi is gone, but with wounds that deep, continued blood loss is still life-threatening.”

Chang Ping blinked, only now realizing the oversight. “Right, right—stop the bleeding!” he exclaimed, immediately pulling out silver needles from the medical chest to seal the bleeding points and wrapping the wounds with practiced precision. He even added a healing talisman for faster recovery.

Qu Qiuming’s face twitched, his eyes flashing with something unreadable. He quickly retorted,

“I’ve already purged the demonic qi—that alone is proof enough of my skill. As for bandaging and stopping blood flow, those are trivial matters. I hardly need to handle every small detail myself.”

“‘Trivial matters?’” Yun Jiao’s tone dropped several degrees. Her eyes turned sharp as she faced him squarely.

“Do you know the consequences of excessive blood loss? In severe cases, it causes shock—death from hemorrhage. What good is purging demonic qi if the patient still dies afterward? As a healer, how can you dismiss such things as minor? In medicine, nothing is ever minor!”

“You—!” Qu Qiuming froze for an instant, then his anger flared. Feeling cornered and humiliated, he shouted, “You’re just nitpicking! You can’t stand that someone else’s skill surpasses your own, can you?”

“Who are you calling unskilled?!” Before Yun Jiao could speak, the old man beside her slammed the table and shouted back, “So you can drive out a bit of demonic energy—big deal! This girl has healed demons themselves! And you dare act like this makes you superior? You’re obviously someone who hasn’t taken enough exams—you’re itching for a test!”

Qu Qiuming sneered. “I’ve healed this man in front of all of you! And she’s making a fuss over a bit of bandaging just to find fault. Isn’t that deliberate hostility? If you don’t want me to become an elder, just say so—no need for all this scheming. So this is the so-called Celestial Masters Hall, leader of the Celestial Sect? Looks like you’re nothing but frauds hiding behind reputation.”

“Mind your tongue, Fellow Daoist Qu!” the sect leaders’ faces darkened at once. The accusation was absurd—Yun Jiao’s only remark had been a normal reminder for proper care! How did he twist that into political conspiracy?

“I’m only speaking the truth,” Qu Qiuming said, still bristling with indignation. He turned to Yun Jiao with a sneer.

“If you disagree, why not prove it? Let’s compete. Whatever the ailment, I’ll cure it right before your eyes—until you admit defeat.”

The room fell silent, everyone’s expressions darkening further. Hall Master Xu was just about to speak when Yun Jiao exhaled softly and said, utterly serious,

“Very well.”

“……”

Everyone froze.

The old man gaped. She can’t seriously be taking him up on this, can she?

Qu Qiuming’s smirk widened, dripping with disdain. “Since you agree, choose any patient you like. I’ll treat anyone—no matter who it is—so you won’t have an excuse to back down.”

“Anyone?” Yun Jiao’s eyes narrowed slightly as she confirmed, her tone measured.

“Of course!” he said confidently.

“You’re sure?”

“No more talking—just bring the patient,” he snapped impatiently.

“Good.” Yun Jiao nodded once. “Since you insist on proving your skill, there’s no need to look far.”

She turned her gaze, her tone as even as ever.

“Let’s start with the one beside you—your little sister, Miss Caidie.”

“……”

Her words hit like a thunderclap. Not only Qu Qiuming but even Hall Master Xu and the gathered sect leaders were stunned. Caidie herself froze—but a spark of wild joy flickered in her eyes.

“What… what did you say?” Qu Qiuming finally reacted, turning to Caidie and then back to Yun Jiao, his voice rising with anger. “Don’t talk nonsense! Caidie isn’t—”

“She’s dying,” Yun Jiao interrupted flatly. “Her meridians are completely severed, her cultivation destroyed, and her soul unstable. Though she seems fine now, her spirit could disperse at any moment.”

Qu Qiuming and Caidie both turned pale—his from shock, hers from fear.

“Impossible! She’s been with me all this time—how could I not—” Qu Qiuming blurted out before cutting himself short, as though realizing he’d revealed too much. Caidie’s expression darkened, suspicion flashing in her eyes.

“Miss Caidie,” Chang Ping interjected, curiosity piqued, “may I examine your pulse?” He stepped forward gently. As a healer himself, he knew Yun Jiao wouldn’t say such words lightly; if the condition was real, it should show in her pulse.

He placed his fingers on her wrist—and after only a moment, his face drained of color. His eyes widened in disbelief. “It’s true! Her meridians are all broken—and it’s been this way for a long time! How are you even alive?”

Her condition was worse than Yun Jiao had described. An ordinary person with such injuries wouldn’t even be able to breathe, much less move around. Yet this girl appeared perfectly healthy.

Qu Qiuming’s face shifted from shock to bewilderment as he stared at her. “Caidie… you really…”

Before Chang Ping could continue examining, Caidie yanked her hand back violently. She turned and clung to Qu Qiuming, her voice trembling but filled with desperate trust. “Brother Ming, you’re such a brilliant healer—you must have known about my illness long ago, right? You can cure me, can’t you?” Her tone carried an almost expectant relief, as if she had been waiting for this moment.

Qu Qiuming froze. His face twitched, eyes darting nervously. He looked around, clearly unsettled, and for once offered no gentle reassurance. His face had gone pale. “Caidie, I…”

“Let’s begin,” Yun Jiao said calmly, cutting him off. Her tone remained grave and composed. “Since you’re close, you can go first. Would you like us to leave again to give you some privacy?”

“……”

(End of Chapter)