The Western medical elite, led by Catherine, began a comprehensive treatment of Professor Liu, with the students present watching intently.
"Exquisite Western medical treatment like this is normally impossible to witness; today, we are truly fortunate to behold it."
"Perhaps this is the only meaningful aspect of this exchange conference."
"The TCM charlatan actually did something good, allowing us the rare opportunity to witness live Western medical procedures."
Merely watching Catherine and her team perform the treatment live made the students of Jinling Medical University feel immensely honored.
Many even considered it the most memorable moment of their time at the university.
The live treatment proceeded in an orderly fashion.
Catherine's expression clearly indicated her confidence in this treatment; not just her, but the entire faculty and student body of Jinling Medical University felt the same.
Even many TCM practitioners were beginning to waver.
"Alas... we are likely to lose to Western medicine."
"After all, it is the global mainstream; losing to them is only natural, nothing to complain about."
"It's just that the matter of vindicating TCM may not be achievable."
Within the Traditional Chinese Medicine Association, sighs of dejection filled the air.
Qiao Ling's face was etched with worry. She cared deeply about the outcome of this exchange conference; if they lost, TCM would not only fail to be vindicated but would also be nailed to a pillar of shame!
They could not afford to lose.
Truly, they could not afford to lose!
But what could be done?
In terms of skill, technology, funding, connections, and equipment, in which aspect was Western medicine not vastly superior to TCM?
Qiao Ling had never felt so helpless before.
At this moment.
Lu Ming quietly stood beside her and said with a smile, "Don't worry, with me here, we won't lose."
A man's reliability is determined by whether he can stand firm during critical moments!
At Qiao Ling's moment of greatest helplessness, Lu Ming chose to stand by her side; this act alone was enough to move her.
Moreover, Lu Ming was not just speaking idly.
Lu Ming continued, "Although Western medicine's equipment is advanced, their treatment direction is flawed. After my careful analysis, Professor Liu not only has a stroke but also suffers from other ailments, which, when combined, led to his current symptoms. Treating only the stroke will not cure Professor Liu."
A single remark awakened those in a dream.
This statement was not just directed at the Western Medicine Association, but also, in fact, at Qiao Ling and her colleagues.
Just moments ago, Qiao Ling and the others had only considered the stroke.
Now, listening to Lu Ming's analysis, it was indeed true that Professor Liu's condition seemed more complex than just a stroke; he had other illnesses! But Qiao Ling and the others had not considered this.
"No wonder our previous treatments had no effect."
Qiao Ling looked at Lu Ming with even greater reverence.
Women would always admire men who were stronger than them.
As a medical genius like Qiao Ling, who had reached heights that many could not in a lifetime at such a young age, she was always in a position of superiority.
However, in front of Lu Ming, Qiao Ling felt inferior for the first time.
Lu Ming's medical expertise surpassed even Qiao Ling's!
Soon, the Western medical treatment concluded.
The entire audience turned their expectant gazes towards Professor Liu, waiting for him to stand up, anticipating the great victory of Western medicine.
However.
Things did not go as hoped.
Professor Liu remained seated in his wheelchair, his eyes vacant, his expression dazed.
Despite using various advanced equipment, Western medicine, like the TCM practitioners before them, achieved no effect. They could not cure Professor Liu's illness.
Silence fell upon the entire venue.
Not a sound could be heard.
The faculty and students of Jinling Medical University were filled with disappointment.
At this moment, Wang Daomin burst into laughter, "Oh my, the high-and-mighty Western medicine couldn't cure Professor Liu's illness either! Haha, they were boasting loudly just now, and after all that action, nothing happened!"
Faced with his schadenfreude, the entire faculty and student body became furious.
"What are you saying? Even if Western medicine couldn't cure Professor Liu, it's still not something your TCM can compare to!"
"Exactly. As if TCM cured Professor Liu; before you belittle others, take a look at yourself in the mirror. Are you worthy?"
"At the very least, Western medicine showed us the most advanced medical equipment in today's medical field. What did TCM show us? Comparing the two, Western medicine clearly crushes TCM, right?!"
Faced with the sarcasm of the entire faculty and student body, Wang Daomin was incensed. He stood up and began to retort with the students.
Finally, the university president stepped in to mediate.
He walked to the microphone and gestured with his hands, signaling for everyone to quiet down.
He then said, "The best doctors of both TCM and Western medicine could not cure Professor Liu's illness. Alas, it seems that with the current level of medical knowledge, there is no hope for Professor Liu."
TCM and Western medicine fell silent.
Only Qiao Ling cast a subtle glance at Lu Ming. If there was anyone who could still save Professor Liu, it was perhaps, probably, possibly Lu Ming.
Fortunately, Lu Ming did not disappoint Qiao Ling's expectations.
He stood up from his seat and said loudly, "Mr. President, I would like to try."
The entire faculty and student body simultaneously turned their attention to Lu Ming.
"Want to try? Didn't all of TCM fail? Is this a comeback match?"
"Heh, in my opinion, TCM just can't accept defeat!"
"Even Dr. Catherine gave up on the patient; does this charlatan dare to come out and swindle people?"
"Shameless wretch."
Lu Ming completely ignored the mockery from the faculty and students and walked onto the stage, saying, "I was contemplating the treatment plan just now, and now I have an idea. Mr. President, please let me try."
The president looked at Lu Ming, then at the dazed Professor Liu.
Trying wouldn't hurt.
"Alright."
And so, Lu Ming, enduring the insults from the entire faculty and student body, took out a set of silver needles he had prepared beforehand and began to perform acupuncture on Professor Liu.
Upon seeing the set of silver needles, the faculty and students became even more agitated.
"Stop, stop! Using needles to stab people, this isn't medicine, it's torture! We won't allow you to insult Professor Liu!"
"Still doing acupuncture? Heh, you must have read too many wuxia novels."
"When Professor Liu is still not cured later, let's see what he has to say."
"Heh, people like this are born shameless. I bet even if he fails to cure him, he'll shamelessly shift the blame to others."
The entire faculty and student body were verbally attacking Lu Ming.
As for the Western medicine practitioners, led by Catherine, they watched as a spectacle.
After the treatment they had just performed, they were certain that Professor Liu's illness was incurable.
The TCM practitioners, one by one, held their breath for Lu Ming.
Qiao Ling was so nervous that her hands trembled slightly.
Time ticked by, and the faculty and students eventually ran out of insults, watching in silence.
As the silver needles were accurately inserted into various acupoints on Professor Liu's body, a discerning TCM practitioner exclaimed, "No way, is this the long-lost Guanyin Thousand-Hand Needles!"
Guanyin Thousand-Hand Needles?
Outsiders heard the term and felt bewildered, unable to comprehend it at all.
But the TCM practitioners were utterly stunned.
Qiao Ling exclaimed even louder, "You've even mastered such divine skills; Lu Ming, who on earth are you?!"