Medical Sage

”Alright then, let’s leave it at that. I’m hanging up now.” Hearing Old Brad’s words, Chen Fei couldn’t help but grin broadly and laugh out loud before hanging up the phone.

As he disconnected the call, almost everyone present stared at him with an inexplicably strange gaze because the jarring words he had just spoken still reverberated in their ears.

Could it be... Could it be that he actually knows someone from the Brad Family? How is that possible?!

After all, they were the uncrowned kings of Italy’s underworld. Even a powerhouse like the Saint Laurent Family paled in comparison, not to mention that the Brad Family was an entity in Italy that stood completely above the law and the government, with influence that reached across the globe.

But now, this young man in his twenties from Huaxia of the East had just used such a casual tone with a major figure from Italy’s Brad Family. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have referred to the noble Earl of Szekendov so casually. Wait, what? The Earl of Szekendov?!

Thinking of this, even Pierce Earl wore a strange expression. Old Tuqi was even more dazed, stuttering, ”Chen... Chen, my dear Chen, you... you know people from the Brad Family?” He was clearly stunned.

If that’s the case, then I’ll have to reassess Chen Fei. In my eyes, he was just an ordinary man from Huaxia with exceptionally miraculous medical skills. Otherwise, how could he possibly have come into contact with the Brad Family?

After all, they were one of the Three Mafia Families, the most powerful among the Eleven Major Mafia Families of Europe! How could any ordinary person possibly come into contact with them? It’s just not realistic.

”Yes, I know them,” Chen Fei said, his eyes narrowing into a slight smile. I didn’t intend to reveal this connection, as there was no real need to. But now... with someone here daring to insult traditional Chinese medicine, I can’t be bothered to hide it anymore. Whether it’s exposed or not, it doesn’t really matter.

”You—you—you’re full of it!” However, a panicked, trembling voice interrupted him. Doctor George’s eyes darted about as he blustered, ”Who do you think you are? You think you can fool me just by making a phone call? How naive. The Brad Family is a noble and great institution! How could an Easterner—an Eastern con man like you—possibly be qualified to interact with such high-level figures? Stop joking. Seriously, you’re quite the scammer. Do all of you from the East enjoy this? Oh, this is just ridiculous...”

Doctor George prattled on, but anyone could hear the insecurity in his voice.

After all, if Chen Fei was truly acquainted with a major figure from the great and noble Brad Family, then what would George Anthony Lias be worth?

He’d be worth nothing!

Suddenly, his mobile phone shrilly pierced the silence, startling him into an involuntary shiver.

Seeing this, both Pierce Earl and Old Tuqi exchanged perplexed glances.

At that moment, a trembling Doctor George took out his phone. When he saw the number on the screen, however, his hand began to shake even more violently, and he drew a sharp, involuntary breath. The caller ID showed it was the very man he had just mentioned: the Earl of Szekendov, a member of the great and noble Brad Family.

”A... a call from the Earl of Szekendov?” he stammered, his voice trembling. At his words, both Pierce Earl and Old Tuqi started, their gazes snapping back to Chen Fei with expressions of utter shock.

Because... because... A single phone call... a single damn phone call, and it actually summoned the Earl of Szekendov himself. Who in the world did he call? How powerful is that person?

While the two of them were still reeling from shock, Doctor George had already shakily answered the call, his heart pounding in his throat. He stammered respectfully, ”Honorable... Honorable Earl of Szekendov, g-good after—”

An enraged roar blasted from the phone, so loud that even the nearby Pierce Earl and Old Tuqi could hear it clearly. ”You idiot! George, you fool, who gave you permission to use my name to swindle people?! I’m telling you, you’re finished! Utterly finished! If I were you, I’d get on my knees and lick that man’s toes to beg for his forgiveness! Otherwise, I swear, not only I, but the entire Brad Family behind me, will never let you off the hook!”

Moreover, they thought they detected a trace of fear in the Earl’s voice, which made them exchange another, even more shocked, glance.

”That... that really sounds like Szekendov,” Pierce Earl muttered. But... but... In terms of rank, he was on par with the man—both were Earls. He was only inferior in terms of his family’s name and legacy.

But now, he had actually heard fear in the man’s voice, which left him baffled. His gaze toward Chen Fei, that young Eastern Lad, was now filled with a strange new light.

What is this Eastern Lad’s background? Could the person he called be someone that even a man like Szekendov fears? But Szekendov himself is an Earl... Don’t tell me this Eastern Lad called a great and respected Marquis? If that were true... Pierce Earl shuddered at the thought.

A great and respected Marquis was no joke. Even he would have to bow his head and show the utmost humility and respect in such a person’s presence. Those were the rules of their world!

George was stunned, his face a mask of terror. ”No, wait! Respected Earl of Szekendov, please, listen to my explanation! It’s not like that, you have to listen to me—”

”Explain? Explain my ass!” Earl Szekendov cut him off and spat viciously, ”George, I’m warning you. You’d better swallow every last shred of your dignity right now and beg for that great man’s forgiveness. Do it meekly, humbly. Otherwise, I promise you will regret this more than anything. I give you my word. That’s all!” With that, the line went dead.

”But... I... This... Earl Szekendov...” As the call ended, Doctor George was left completely dumbfounded. He mumbled incoherently, unable to comprehend what had just happened.

Why is this happening? He’s clearly just a con man from the East, some bottom-feeder from a backward country. On what grounds did he suddenly transform into someone the respected, noble Earl of Szekendov called a ’great man’? On what grounds?! He couldn’t accept it, and his heart began to pound with immense fear and dread. He had just acted so arrogantly in front of such a terrifying figure... Th-this... Isn’t this just courting death?

”No... D-distinguished sir, I... just now...” SMACK! ”Please forgive my offense!” SMACK! ”Distinguished Mr. Chen, please forgive my ignorant and impolite transgression! I truly had no idea...” Doctor George looked at Chen Fei, his hands trembling as he struck his own face. His complexion was deathly pale as he begged for forgiveness.

Seeing this, both Pierce Earl and Old Tuqi could hardly suppress a laugh.

After all, the memory of George’s earlier stubbornness was still fresh in their minds. But now that his backing was gone, he instantly caved... How pathetic.

Chen Fei looked at him mockingly, a faint smile playing on his lips. ”Oh, Doctor George, there’s no need for that. We people of Huaxia have always believed in persuading through reason. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have bothered wasting my breath on you. Don’t you agree?”

”Yes, yes, distinguished sir! It was wrong of me to be so arrogant. It was wrong of me to discriminate against traditional Chinese medicine. I was wrong!” Doctor George said through clenched teeth, his voice trembling as the fear on his face deepened. ”I... I will immediately publish an article in the Global Times Medical Weekly admitting that Western medicine is inferior to traditional Chinese medicine.”

He obviously knew which was more severe: losing his reputation in his circle, or losing his life. After all, if the great and terrifying Brad Family wanted him dead, not even applying for asylum in America as a highly-skilled talent would save him. He would never even live long enough to file the paperwork.

”But I think it’s better if you’re genuinely convinced; otherwise, this is meaningless,” Chen Fei said calmly. ”I just want you to understand that what you call ’deceptive’ traditional Chinese medicine is, in some respects—and certainly in my personal opinion—superior to Western medicine. Now then, respected Pierce Earl, I believe we should go see your wife. Don’t worry. Since I agreed to this wager, it means I have a fair amount of confidence.”

”Oh, all right... very well. Respected Mr. Chen, please come with me,” Pierce Earl said, finally snapping out of his daze as he led Chen Fei into the hospital. ”I pray my wife will be alright, just as you say. She is my one and only, my most cherished wife. I love her.” Old Tuqi and a trembling Doctor George quickly followed.

「A short while later, they arrived at one of the most exclusive VIP rooms in the hospital.」

On the bed lay a middle-aged, brown-haired woman, her face pale. Her body was connected to a web of tubes from various machines. Apart from her breathing, all her vital signs seemed to be in terrible condition. Seeing this, Pierce Earl’s expression filled with pain. ”Rosa... my dearest Rosa...” he murmured, his voice trailing off into a helpless sigh.

Chen Fei’s expression turned stoic as he took in the scene. He spoke slowly, ”Get me a set of silver needles for acupuncture. Golden needles would be better, but they must be pure gold, or there will be side effects. I will also write a prescription. Get the medicinal herbs ready; we’ll need them shortly.”