Chapter 2 The Wandering Fire Cup

• He's breathing?!
• All eyes turned to the ventilator.
• Yes, he's really breathing!
• Just moments ago, John's vital signs had plummeted. His breathing had become almost imperceptible, and his heartbeat had nearly faded away.
• They had lost precious minutes informing the family, and now, logically, he should have been beyond resuscitation. How had Jayce's seemingly casual touch managed to revive his breathing?
• Everyone stood in stunned silence, hesitant to approach.
• The mark of an expert lies in their effortless actions.
• That seemingly nonchalant acupressure required profound medical knowledge and exceptional physical ability—none of the alternative medicine specialists present could replicate such a feat.
• Jayce turned his gaze towards Aiken with a cool detachment.
• "When I'm attending to a patient, it's best if unrelated personnel shut up."
• "How dare you … "
• Aiken's immediate reaction was fury. Unrelated personnel? I am the chief physician! How dare he dismiss me and call me 'unrelated personnel'!
• Before Aiken could retaliate, James entered and spoke icily,
• "Dr. Chavez, this young man is treating my father. It would be wise not to intervene."
• At James's subtly threatening tone, Aiken clenched his fists but ultimately restrained himself, shooting daggers at Jayce.
• Fine, if you fail, I'll hold you accountable!
• Jayce had used acupressure to clear John's airways. Next, he retrieved a transparent glass jar, a small pair of tongs, and an alcohol-soaked cotton ball from his bag. Igniting the cotton, he sterilized the jar's interior.
• With a swift motion, he placed the jar on John's left chest.
• A fire cup?
• Among the Chanaea people, cupping therapy was commonplace, used for health maintenance in hospitals and even bathhouses.
• However, it was primarily for general wellness and not typically employed in treating severe conditions.
• John had a condition that required surgery, so Aiken was highly doubtful how cupping therapy would help with the situation.
• "What a hoax!" Aiken sneered under his breath.
• Can cupping therapy succeed where Western surgical techniques have failed?
• Jayce positioned the jar on the patient's chest and waited momentarily.
• Then, he slowly released his grip.
• Astoundingly, white mist began to rise inside the transparent glass jar.
• Next, the jar began to move across the patient's body!
• Without any apparent external force, the fire cup began to ‘walk' on the patient's skin!
• This spectacle left everyone dumbfounded.
• The alternative medicine specialists widened their eyes, exchanging bewildered glances.
• "Is this ... "
• "The Wandering Fire Cup?!"
• Throughout history, alternative medicine boasted various treatment methods, including cupping, acupuncture, and massage.
• Yet, due to incomplete ancient texts, information about cupping techniques had been lost in time, and most practitioners focused on acupuncture and herbal remedies.
• Knowledge of advanced cupping techniques like the Wandering Fire Cup had only been briefly referenced in ancient manuscripts, with no practical implementation details.
• The previous acupressure had silenced the doctors, compelling them to silently observe Jayce's treatment.
• And now, the Wandering Fire Cup technique truly astonished everyone, rendering them speechless and cautious not to disrupt the process.
• The cup moved slowly over the patient's body, tracing unpredictable patterns.
• Jayce then extracted a cloth pouch from his bag. As he unfurled it slowly, a line of shiny silver needles caught the light.
• With a swift movement of his fingers, Jayce skillfully selected three needles.
• Gripping them between the gaps of his right fingers, he swiftly pierced John's acupoints with the ease and accuracy of slicing through soft tofu.
• "What remarkable acupoint techniques!"
• The effectiveness of acupuncture hinges on the force, precision, and speed of needle insertion.
• Jayce employed quick and precise needlework to treat this acute condition. His skills were something the experienced practitioners of alternative medicine could comprehend but not replicate.
• Furthermore, Jayce's movements flowed smoothly and effortlessly.
• He inserted five needles one by one.
• As the fifth needle was inserted, the fire cup ceased and released its pressure.
• "Cough, cough ... "
• Suddenly, John began to cough.
• Simultaneously, the nurse monitoring the equipment exclaimed, "His heartbeat is normal!"
• All heads turned to look at the monitors. Indeed, John's heartbeat had returned to normal!
• The elderly alternative medicine doctors were wide-eyed with amazement.
• "The Five Element Needling! These must be the Five Element Needling mentioned in the texts!"
• The combination of the Wandering Fire Cup and the Five Element Needling was truly miraculous.
• The veteran doctors felt tingles on their scalps; they had never imagined witnessing such marvels ever in their lives, especially performed by someone so young!
• The younger generation is truly remarkable!
• Jayce removed the needles and lifted away the cup before wiping his hands with a white cloth from his bag.
• "Old Mr. Eden's life has been saved, but for complete recovery, he will require ongoing treatment.
• "I will read out a prescription for you. Write it down."
• Jayce addressed a nearby doctor.
• "Of course, please proceed."
• This doctor, esteemed in alternative medicine, now stood humbly like a mere assistant. He did not seem upset; instead, he was ready to take notes like a pupil.
• "Three grams of feeceflower, two grams of white mustard seed, five grams of nightshade ... "
• Upon completing the prescription, Jayce said, "In addition to the herbal decoction, Old Mr. Eden needs monthly hospital check-ups. Regular Western medical tests are essential, alongside alternative medicine pulse diagnosis.
• "During pulse diagnosis, observe his deep and solid pulses. If symptoms improve, adjust the dosage accordingly."
• Jayce glanced at the alternative medicine doctors.
• "Do you understand everything I've said?"
• "Yes, we understand!"
• These respected doctors now appeared obedient, resembling students in front of Jayce.
• Jayce then packed his bag and swung it over his shoulder.
• "Uncle James, I'll take my leave now. I'll visit again another day."
• With that, Jayce turned to depart.
• "Hey! Wonder Doctor—"
• James began to halt Jayce for further questions, but John coughed several times more, showing signs of waking. Seeing that, James hurried over to attend to his father.
• Meanwhile, Aiken stood by, his face as red as a beetroot.
• Earlier, he had dismissed Jayce as just a young man, a fraud.
• He had boasted that if he could not cure the illness, then no one could.
• Yet, this young doctor had entered, applied acupressure, cupping, and acupuncture, and revived John in under ten minutes.
• Adding to the injury, Jayce had not even glanced at Aiken once, not even when leaving.
• Without uttering a single taunting word, Jayce's actions conveyed that Aiken was insignificant in his eyes. Aiken really had overestimated himself.
• He felt like he had been slapped repeatedly, his face burning with shame and humiliation.