Cui Xiuping, the grandson of the legendary “Ghost Hand” Old Doctor Cui, is one of only two inheritors of his grandfather’s medical legacy.
Having fully mastered the medical skills passed down by his grandfather, Cui Xiuping, despite his young age, has already earned significant fame in the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) community. He is widely recognized as “Young Doctor Cui,” a title acknowledged by the entire TCM circle. Unlike Jiang Fei, who is self-proclaimed as the “King of Acupuncture,” Cui Xiuping’s reputation is well-earned and respected.
Although his skills are not yet as profound as his grandfather’s—who is considered a towering figure in TCM, capable of representing the nation on the global stage—Cui Xiuping has already surpassed renowned doctors like Qin Zhengming, Yu Qingsong, and Fang Ming. His entry into the TCM Association was not due to nepotism but a result of his genuine talent and hard work.
Recently, Yu Qingsong returned to Jin City and brought back news of what had transpired there, causing quite a stir within the TCM Association.
Several renowned doctors from the association had been repeatedly outshone by an unknown young doctor who successfully treated a patient they had struggled with.
This was nothing short of a slap in the face for the TCM Association!
The TCM Association, officially known as the “Chinese Ancient Medicine Research Association,” represents the highest level and most influential organization in the field of TCM. While it may not include every top-tier doctor, it certainly encompasses at least 80% of them. Any influential TCM practitioner in the country is invited to join, and most are more than willing to do so.
Though not an official government body, the association holds a sacred and inviolable status that, in some ways, surpasses even official organizations.
As a member of the TCM Association and a potential future leader, Cui Xiuping felt it was his duty to step forward and restore the association’s honor.
Of course, his trip to Jin City was also at his grandfather’s behest. Old Doctor Cui had instructed him to treat Old General Ye Zhennan’s legs, and Ye Zhennan’s claims about this were indeed true.
“So, you’ve heard of my grandfather?” Cui Xiuping asked Jiang Fei, a hint of curiosity in his voice.
The name “Ghost Hand” Old Doctor Cui was well-known among certain circles—those in high positions or ordinary people who had benefited from his grandfather’s miraculous skills. However, to the average person, the name meant little.
“I’ve naturally heard of Old Doctor Cui. As for his grandson… not so much,” Jiang Fei replied with a smile, deliberately emphasizing the word “grandson” in a way that sounded almost insulting.
Cui Xiuping immediately picked up on the mockery in Jiang Fei’s tone and snapped, “That’s because your knowledge is too shallow!”
Jiang Fei found the long-robed man’s reaction amusing and decided to ignore him. He walked over to Ye Zhennan’s bedside and asked, “How has your recovery training been going these past few days? No complications, I hope?”
“None at all. I’m feeling great,” Ye Zhennan replied, propping himself up slightly.
His legs, which had previously been paralyzed, now had some sensation. While he still needed occasional assistance, he could manage most daily tasks on his own—a significant improvement from his previous condition.
After adjusting his position, Ye Zhennan turned to Cui Xiuping and said, “Young Doctor Cui, please thank your grandfather for his concern. But there’s no need for you to trouble yourselves further. Jiang Fei has already treated my legs, and they’re almost fully recovered.”
Hearing this, Cui Xiuping’s expression grew serious.
It wasn’t out of fear or deference to Ye Zhennan’s status. What concerned him was the fact that Jiang Fei had successfully treated Ye Zhennan’s condition!
When Cui Xiuping first decided to come to Jin City to treat Ye Zhennan, he had heard from Yu Qingsong about Jiang Fei’s supposed mastery of the long-lost “Eight Divine Needles Technique,” which had allegedly cured Ye Zhennan’s legs.
At the time, Cui Xiuping had dismissed this as mere speculation. Even if Jiang Fei did know the technique, it didn’t necessarily mean he was skilled. And while Ye Zhennan’s condition had stumped many renowned doctors, Cui Xiuping, as one of the two inheritors of his grandfather’s “Thirteen Ghost Gate Needles,” was confident in his abilities.
He had surpassed most of his predecessors and saw no reason to fear a peer.
However, after personally examining Ye Zhennan’s legs, Cui Xiuping’s perspective began to shift.
Though Ye Zhennan’s legs had improved significantly and he could now walk, a skilled doctor could still discern how severe the condition had been. This led Cui Xiuping to conclude that Jiang Fei’s skills might indeed be on par with his own, as Yu Qingsong and others had suggested.
“Old General Ye’s legs are indeed recovering well, and my intervention is no longer necessary. However, I have some questions for Jiang Fei, if you don’t mind,” Cui Xiuping said calmly but firmly.
He turned to Jiang Fei, his gaze intense, and asked coldly, “I heard you know the long-lost ‘Eight Divine Needles Technique.’ Is that true?”
“What if I do?” Jiang Fei replied with a smirk. “Did you come here today to beg me to teach you the technique? If so, I’m sorry to disappoint you—I’m not taking any disciples.”
“Beg you to teach me?” Cui Xiuping nearly lost his composure. “Who do you think you are? Even if your technique is genuine, so what? The Eight Divine Needles, the Turtle Spirit Technique, and the Thirteen Ghost Gate Needles are considered the three greatest acupuncture methods in history. As the inheritor of the ‘Thirteen Ghost Gate Needles,’ why would I need to learn from you?”
Jiang Fei was well aware of the prestige of the Eight Divine Needles Technique—after all, he had mastered it himself. However, he had never heard of the Turtle Spirit Technique or the Thirteen Ghost Gate Needles. Judging by Cui Xiuping’s reaction, though, they seemed equally formidable.
No wonder Old Doctor Cui was known as “Ghost Hand”—his signature technique was the “Thirteen Ghost Gate Needles.”
“I was just making a casual remark. No need to get so worked up,” Jiang Fei said with a shrug. “But your overreaction makes me wonder if there’s more to your motives.”
“You—!” Cui Xiuping pointed at Jiang Fei, his face turning red with anger.
Jiang Fei waved him off, tired of the back-and-forth. “What do you want from me? Are you here to challenge my title as the ‘King of Acupuncture,’ like Yu Qingsong and Qin Zhengming did? If so, you’re wasting your time. This title wasn’t self-proclaimed—it was given to me by my patients. If you try to take it away, you’re not just attacking me but also undermining my reputation. And I won’t stand for that.”
For a doctor, reputation is just as important as skill.
To challenge someone’s title is to attack their livelihood, and Jiang Fei had no intention of backing down. His clinic was still in its early stages, and he had debts to pay. He couldn’t afford to let anyone tarnish his name.
Cui Xiuping sneered. “Your so-called ‘King of Acupuncture’ title is a joke, and I have no interest in correcting your mistakes.”
“Then why are you here?” Jiang Fei asked, genuinely puzzled.
He had assumed Cui Xiuping was like the others—arrogant and narrow-minded, here to challenge his title. But it seemed there was more to it.
Cui Xiuping’s expression turned cold. “Regardless of whether you know the Eight Divine Needles Technique, the fact that you cured Old General Ye’s legs shows you have some skill. However, do you think that gives you the right to disrespect the TCM Association? The association is the highest authority in TCM, and its dignity is not to be challenged!”
“And?”
“And you must apologize to Doctors Qin Zhengming and Yu Qingsong, as well as retract your disrespectful remarks about the TCM Association!” Cui Xiuping declared, his tone leaving no room for negotiation.
Jiang Fei pretended to be frightened. “What happens if I don’t apologize?”
“If you refuse, this matter will be brought up at the next TCM Association meeting, and you will face severe consequences!” Cui Xiuping threatened.
Jiang Fei froze for a moment, then let out a sigh of relief. “Oh, I was scared for a second! I thought you were going to kill me or something. If it’s just sanctions… go ahead and sanction me!”