Chapter 148: Chapter 148 - Healing Demonstration
When Woods Walters tensed up, everyone around took a step back in surprise.
The Gold Chain Man’s face turned pale instantly. For people like them, Woods Walters was untouchable, someone no one dared to cross.
"So that young man brought these people," someone whispered.
"No wonder he’s so confident. He must have powerful connections," another voice added.
The crowd grew chatty and retreated several steps.
I glanced at the Gold Chain Man and said, "This man is yours to deal with now."
Woods nodded quickly. "No problem."
With a wave of his hand, Woods’s men swarmed the Gold Chain Man, who soon found himself sprawled on the ground.
"Brother Woods, I had no idea he was your associate... I... I apologize," stammered the Gold Chain Man, terror evident on his face.
Woods snapped harshly, "My associate? This is Mr. Mason Raymond! Disrespect him again and I’ll make sure you regret it forever!"
At the mention of my name, the crowd erupted in whispers.
"That’s Mason Raymond! No wonder he carries himself with such authority!"
"Didn’t he just defeat the Lewis Family in South City?"
"They say his medical skills are extraordinary!"
Not far away, Lucian River narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
He looked at me and laughed coldly. "So you’re Mason Raymond. Your reputation precedes you. I heard the Soul Nourishment Pill was your creation."
I gave him a brief glance. "Sorry, your name doesn’t ring any bells."
Lucian’s face hardened as he squinted. "Mason Raymond, we’re colleagues in the same field. Why create conflict over some peasant woman?"
"Same field?" I laughed coldly.
"Someone who values money above people and steps on others to elevate himself dares compare himself to me?" My words cut without mercy, turning Lucian’s face crimson with fury.
Lucian spoke through gritted teeth, "Mason Raymond, curb your arrogance. You’ll come begging for my help sooner or later."
"Sorry, I’ll never need someone like you in my entire lifetime," I fired back.
Just as Lucian prepared to explode with anger, a well-dressed middle-aged man hurried toward us.
This man was none other than the dean of the Traditional Medicine Hospital.
Looking flustered, the dean approached us and awkwardly asked, "What... what’s happening here?"
Lucian huffed. "Dr. Cobbett, I traveled all the way from Shiglance City to River City to treat your patients. Is this how you welcome me?"
Dr. Cobbett quickly responded, "Doctor River, perhaps there’s... there’s some misunderstanding?"
"Misunderstanding?" Lucian raised his eyebrows, pointed at me, and snarled, "I come here out of goodwill to treat patients, and this person sabotages my work. Dr. Cobbett, what kind of security are you running in this hospital?"
Dr. Cobbett glanced my way, clearly troubled.
I had recently gained considerable fame, and Dr. Cobbett couldn’t afford to alienate either of us.
"Mr... Mr. Raymond, what exactly happened here?" Dr. Cobbett mustered the courage to ask.
I looked him straight in the eye. "Aren’t you concerned about your hospital’s reputation by inviting someone like him?"
"Dr. Cobbett, did you hear that? Regardless of anything, I am still his senior, yet he speaks to me with such disrespect!" Lucian snorted coldly.
"I demand you remove him immediately, or I’ll cancel today’s consultations!" Lucian threatened.
The crowd instantly descended into panic; most had waited in line all day. Many had even taken time off work specifically for Lucian’s consultation.
Dr. Cobbett looked even more worried, having spent considerable money to bring Lucian here. If he left now, all their efforts would be wasted!
Lucian gave me a triumphant look, sneering, "Kid, aren’t you supposed to be the good Samaritan? Better leave now, or these people won’t get their treatments."
"Nowhere to go?" I raised my eyebrows.
"You really think highly of yourself. You believe no one else can treat patients besides you?" I laughed coldly.
Lucian sneered, "What are you implying?"
I ignored Lucian and turned to Dr. Cobbett. "Dr. Cobbett, if you don’t mind, I’d like to take Lucian’s place and provide free consultations and treatment."
"Hahaha!" The moment my words left my mouth, Lucian erupted in laughter.
"Mason Raymond, do you think creating the Soul Nourishment Pill makes you some kind of medical genius?" Lucian bellowed.
"I, Lucian River, began studying medicine at eight, gained recognition by nineteen, and mastered the integration of Chinese and Western medicine by twenty-seven! People call me the Medicine God! Who do you think you are?" Lucian sneered.
Dr. Cobbett remained conflicted, knowing nothing about my medical abilities.
Moreover, I truly had no established reputation in the medical community.
"Mr. Raymond, you’re a person of high standing, why would you treat patients for us?" someone nearby whispered.
"Yeah, Mr. Raymond, why not just leave and let us pay for treatment..."
"Mr. Raymond, we appreciate your intention, but..."
The crowd gathered to persuade me, clearly showing their lack of confidence in my abilities.
I turned to Dr. Cobbett and asked, "Dr. Cobbett, what’s your opinion?"
After considering briefly, Dr. Cobbett summoned his courage and said, "Mr. Raymond, we recognize your excellent reputation, but we’ve only heard about your medical skills secondhand. Could you perhaps demonstrate them for us?"
"Yes, Mr. Raymond, it’s not that we distrust you, but... our lives are at stake, and we can’t afford to take chances..." someone added.
I nodded and looked at the peasant woman beside me, saying politely, "Sister, I just promised to treat your daughter. Do you trust me?"
The peasant woman’s expression revealed her inner struggle. She looked at the crying child in her arms, then back at me.
Finally, she clenched her teeth and declared, "Mr. Raymond, since you’re willing to stand against Lucian River for a village woman like me, I believe in you!"
"Good." I immediately approached the little girl.
I slowly raised my hand and placed it on the little girl’s forehead.
A stream of qi flowed from my palm into the little girl’s forehead.
Within thirty seconds, the little girl’s crying stopped!
The peasant woman stared in amazement. She quickly touched her daughter’s forehead and exclaimed, "The fever’s gone! It’s really gone!"
Dr. Cobbett rushed forward to examine the little girl.
"Indeed, the fever has subsided completely!" Dr. Cobbett announced, visibly shocked.
"Thank you so much, Mr. Raymond!" The peasant woman immediately tried to bow to me in gratitude.
I raised my hand, and a gentle force prevented her from bowing.
"Sister, no need for that. I made you a promise, and I never go back on my word."
