For Xue Shuheng, every second he remained felt like an eternity.

He desperately wanted to turn and leave,

but he was even more curious about how this was possible.

He was too embarrassed to ask.

But others weren’t.

Amid the joyful atmosphere, Lin Guorui humbly asked Li Xu to explain the principle behind it.

Li Xu didn’t hold anything back. He combined the explanation provided by his intelligence system with his own understanding and began to explain in a calm, measured voice:

"In truth, this formula may seem simple, but it’s an elegant combination of interconnected parts, where no single ingredient can be omitted. I used four medicinal components: Mangxiao, Magnet, lard, and honey."

"First, there’s Mangxiao, which is also known as potassium nitrate. In traditional medicine, its nature is considered salty and cold, and it has the effects of softening hardened masses, dispersing nodules, and acting as a purgative laxative. But its most important function, as recorded in *Shennong’s Materia Medica*, is that it ’fears iron.’ It can soften and coat the surface of the iron nail, making it less sharp."

"However, Mangxiao alone is not enough. It can’t precisely target the iron nail on its own. That’s why the second ingredient is necessary—the Living Magnet Stone."

"The Magnet, also salty and cold in nature, attracts iron. It acts as a ’guide.’ With its help, the Mangxiao is firmly drawn to and coats the surface of the iron nail, forming a protective layer."

"Once the ’coating’ problem is solved, the next issue is ’expulsion,’" Li Xu continued. "While Mangxiao does have a laxative effect, it isn’t sufficient. That’s where the two ’lubricants’ come in: lard and honey."

"Lard and honey are sweet and lubricating in nature. They significantly lubricate the intestinal tract, reducing friction as the nail passes through, allowing it to travel through the winding intestines more smoothly and safely. Furthermore, the sweetness of the honey makes the medicine palatable for a child."

"Therefore, these four ingredients work in concert; not one can be missing. The Magnet acts as the guide, drawing the Mangxiao to coat the nail. The Mangxiao softens the nail and provides a laxative effect. The lard and honey lubricate the intestines to aid its passage. Ultimately, this is how the dangerous nail was transformed into a harmless, smooth ’pellet’ and safely expelled from the body."

His explanation brought a wave of understanding over the crowd, leaving them in absolute awe.

They finally understood that behind that seemingly simple bowl of Black Ointment lay such a profound and elegant principle of medical formulation.

Dean Song stood to one side, looking at the perfectly coated nail that had been safely expelled.

Then he looked at Li Xu, who had defused a fatal crisis with such ease, and his heart swelled with emotion.

Now, more than ever, he wanted to bring Li Xu, this ’true god,’ into their City Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

With him there, their hospital’s prestige and performance would undoubtedly reach a whole new level.

Amid the murmurs of awe and admiration, work in the emergency department continued in an orderly fashion.

Xiao Momo was sent for further tests. After confirming there was no damage to his digestive tract, he was admitted to the pediatric ward.

Barring any complications, he would be well enough to be discharged the next day.

After their emotional roller coaster from hell to heaven, Wang Jianhao and Liu Lanlan’s gratitude toward Li Xu was beyond words.

Wang Jianhao took out his phone, ready to transfer money to Li Xu.

"Divine Physician Li, your payment QR code is..."

Li Xu shook his head and said gently, "There’s no need for money. I’m a doctor; saving lives is my duty. But please, remember to be more careful when watching your child from now on. Don’t let something so dangerous happen again."

"We will, we will."

Wang Jianhao and his wife nodded repeatedly.

The ordeal had nearly scared them to death; they wouldn’t dare let their guard down again.

Seeing that the situation had been resolved, Dean Song warmly approached Li Xu.

"Doctor Li, you’ve given all of us here at the City Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine a truly stunning practical lesson today!"

He said with sincerity, "Once again, on behalf of our hospital, I formally extend an invitation to you. We hope you will accept our offer to become a specially-appointed expert at our City Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Your salary, your terms—everything is negotiable. We will absolutely give you the utmost freedom and support!"

Facing Dean Song’s eager gaze, Li Xu, though grateful, politely declined.

"Dean Song, I appreciate your kind offer. However, I’ve already promised Professor Gao that I would go study with him for a while. I simply don’t have the bandwidth for anything else right now."

He thought for a moment before adding, "After I return from the Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, if the hospital still has a need for me, we can discuss it then. How does that sound?"

He left the door open, both for himself and for the dean.

"Good! Good! Good!"

Dean Song nodded repeatedly. "Your studies are what’s important. Then it’s settled. When you return, I will come and extend the invitation in person."

...

「University Alumni Group Chat」

Hu Qiming posted another "battle report."

[Hu Qiming: Guys, I hereby declare that from this day forward, Li Xu is no longer just my classmate. He’s my hero, my idol! My one and only god! You will never believe this, but with that bowl of black gunk, he actually... actually got the nail out! Safe and sound! (Attached: a photo of the perfectly coated nail)]

When the clear photo appeared in the group chat, everyone was stunned into silence.

After a full thirty seconds of silence, the entire group chat

instantly exploded with shocked messages.

[Li Baojie: HOLY SHIT!!!!!!!!!! Is this for real?! Hu Qiming, you didn’t photoshop this, did you?!]

[Jiang Peng: Oh my god... What am I seeing? Is this magic? This... this is completely unscientific! Can someone please tell me the principle behind this?]

[Miaoli: @Hu Qiming, Quick! Tell us, how on earth did Li Xu do it?!]

Hu Qiming didn’t leave them hanging.

He relayed the elegant principle Li Xu had explained to Lin Guorui and the others—"the Magnet guides, the Mangxiao coats the nail, the lard and honey lubricate"—repeating it word-for-word in the group chat.

After everyone read the explanation, the chat fell silent once more.

’So that’s how it works?’

’Behind a simple bowl of ointment was such a rigorous, interconnected medical principle.’

...

「Guanghe District Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine」

Miaoli also informed Director Guo Yu of the recent developments.

After listening, Guo Yu was stunned for a long time before finally letting out a long breath and muttering to himself, "So that’s how it was... So the records in the ancient texts were actually true! The *Cixiao San*... it really is that miraculous! I... I’ve truly been a frog in a well."

Miaoli then told him about the City Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine’s offer to specially appoint Li Xu.

As soon as Guo Yu heard this, he grew tense. "No, that’s not acceptable," he said, worried. "Li Xu is a huge asset. We absolutely cannot let the City Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine poach him!"

The more he thought about it, the more anxious he became. He shot up from his seat and rushed frantically to the dean’s office to report the situation to Dean Sun.

Upon hearing the news, Dean Sun didn’t hesitate for a second. He immediately picked up the phone and dialed Dean Song at the City Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine.