Li Gui understood social graces well.

He knew that for someone of Elder Wu’s status, inviting a doctor for a consultation required a great deal of propriety.

If he were to contact Li Xu directly and ask him to treat the patient, it would be incredibly abrupt. It would be a show of disrespect to both Li Xu and Elder Wu.

The invitation had to come personally from Elder Wu’s end.

"Alright, alright."

Hearing his old comrade’s miraculous tale, a sliver of hope ignited in Elder Wu’s heart, and he agreed.

...

That morning, Dean Zhang arrived promptly at Elder Wu’s residence.

He began by asking, "Elder Wu, how are you feeling today?"

Wu Jingmei, standing by his side, quickly said, "Dean Zhang, it’s not good. My father had another attack this morning. His wheezing was much worse than the past few days."

Upon hearing this, a look of helplessness crossed Dean Zhang’s face.

He explained, "It’s likely because the morning air was cool. Inhaling it irritated his airways and triggered the asthma. I suggest it would be best for Elder Wu to avoid going out in the mornings."

Wu Jingmei sighed. "You know my father’s temperament, Dean Zhang. For him, being cooped up in the house is worse than death."

Dean Zhang fell silent.

He knew he had already exhausted all his methods.

But for a deep-rooted and stubborn illness like Elder Wu’s, the results were still minimal.

After a moment of thought, he decided to concede defeat. "Elder Wu, I’m truly sorry. My abilities are limited. Your illness can’t be resolved with acupuncture. It would be best for you to seek help from someone more capable."

Elder Wu waved a hand dismissively. "It’s not your fault. My body is just failing me..."

Wu Jingmei grew anxious. They had already consulted so many doctors, all to no avail.

’Now Dean Zhang is giving up too. What are we going to do?’

Suddenly, she remembered the doctor Elder Li had recommended. "Dad," she suggested, "why don’t we call that Doctor Li Xu that Uncle Li mentioned? We could ask him to come and give it a try."

Dean Zhang, who was in the middle of packing his acupuncture tools, snapped his head up at her words, staring at Wu Jingmei with a look of utter astonishment.

"Who? Li Xu? You... How do you know about Li Xu?"

Now it was Wu Jingmei’s turn to be surprised.

"What? Dean Zhang, you know Doctor Li Xu, too?"

She hadn’t expected this acupuncture master to also know the young doctor her father’s old comrade had recommended.

Dean Zhang didn’t hide anything. "I do more than just know him. In fact, I just met Doctor Li Xu yesterday."

He briefly recounted how Professor Gao Guanghui had recommended Li Xu to him yesterday at the Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and how he himself had hesitated to mention him to Elder Wu, feeling that Li Xu was far too young.

"To be honest,"

Dean Zhang said frankly, "Although Professor Gao praised his skills as if they were divine, I just felt that he was too young. And your illness, Elder Wu, is so complex and intractable. That’s why I didn’t dare bring him up."

Now that Elder Wu had learned of Li Xu through other channels, Dean Zhang took the opportunity to recommend him as well.

"According to Professor Gao, Doctor Li Xu’s skills are truly on another level; he’s worked miracles time and again. Perhaps if he gives it a try, there really could be an unexpected breakthrough."

Hearing even Dean Zhang say this, the last trace of hesitation in Elder Wu’s heart vanished.

"Alright," he said to his daughter. "Jingmei, give Doctor Li Xu a call. Ask him if he has time, and if it’s convenient, invite him to come over."

...

When Wu Jingmei made the call, Li Xu was in the lobby of the Exit and Entry Administration Bureau, submitting his passport application materials.

"Hello, good day. May I ask if this is Doctor Li Xu?"

"Speaking. And you are?"

"Oh, hello, Doctor Li! My name is Wu Jingmei, Wu Yong’s daughter. It was Elder Li Gui of Feng City who recommended you to us. In addition, Dean Zhang Yanquan was just speaking very highly of you as well. My father suffers from intractable asthma that has resisted all treatment, and we’d like to ask you to come and see if you can diagnose him. I was hoping to ask if you might be available?"

Wu Jingmei asked politely.

Hearing that the call was from Elder Wu’s family, Li Xu understood.

’So, the call finally came.’

He thought to himself, ’Even if I rush over right now, I can’t cure Elder Wu’s illness without the core ingredient, Yabulu.’

Still, Li Xu agreed.

’I’ll go check on the situation first.’

’Once I have the herbs prepared, I can solve it all in one go.’

"Of course, Ms. Wu. I’m out running an errand at the moment, but I’m nearly finished. I can come over to take Elder Wu’s pulse afterward."

Just then, the clerk at the window finished reviewing his documents. With expedited service, he would be able to get his passport in seven days. All Li Xu had to do now was wait.

Wu Jingmei confirmed Li Xu’s location. "Doctor Li, please wait right where you are. I’ll send a driver to pick you up immediately."

A little over ten minutes later, a low-profile luxury sedan pulled up in front of Li Xu.

The driver took Li Xu to the quiet, secluded courtyard where Elder Wu resided.

Dean Zhang hadn’t left yet.

He was sitting in the living room, drinking tea and chatting with Elder Wu and his daughter.

Curious about Li Xu’s diagnosis, he had decided to stay.

"Doctor Li, welcome!"

Wu Jingmei warmly welcomed Li Xu inside.

After introductions and pleasantries were exchanged, Li Xu sat down.

Meanwhile, Elder Wu and Wu Jingmei were still reeling.

They had heard both Elder Li and Dean Zhang say that this Doctor Li was "a bit young," and while they had mentally prepared themselves, they never expected him to be... *this* young.

Li Xu had refined features and a clean, fresh-faced air about him. He looked like an intern who had just graduated from college.

If they hadn’t seen him with their own eyes, they would have found it impossible to associate Li Xu with terms like "Divine Physician" or "expert master."

However, Elder Wu was, after all, a man who had lived a long life and weathered countless storms.

He didn’t let the surprise in his heart show on his face.

On the contrary, he showed Li Xu ample respect and courtesy.

Without much small talk, Li Xu got straight to the point.

He walked over to Elder Wu. "Elder Wu, I’ll start by taking your pulse."

He extended three fingers and rested them on Elder Wu’s gaunt wrist.

He closed his eyes, his focus absolute as he carefully felt the pulse.

Elder Wu’s illness had already been examined by top experts like Professor Gao and Dean Zhang.

Naturally, the conclusions Li Xu drew from his pulse diagnosis were much the same as theirs.

’Kidney-water deficiency, preventing it from grasping the qi. Latent phlegm in the lungs, with a mix of cold and heat. Unstable Chong and Ren meridians, causing qi to flow upward rebelliously...’

He now had a clearer understanding of the pathogenesis of Elder Wu’s illness.

As he withdrew his hand, a slightly nervous Wu Jingmei leaned forward. "Doctor Li, how is it? My father’s illness... do you think it can be cured?"

Li Xu looked at her, then at the resolute old man on the sofa.

He calmly spoke two words.

"It’s curable."

Though it was only two words, his tone was filled with confidence.

"Really?!" Wu Jingmei was overjoyed.

Dean Zhang, who was standing to the side, was quite astonished.

’It can really be cured?’

However, Li Xu’s tone shifted. "But, to completely cure Elder Wu’s illness, I need a very special medicinal herb. I’ll need some time to go and find it. It will probably take a little over ten days."