Du Heng took this opportunity to ask quietly, "Uncle, what's the background of this Professor Wang?"

Wu Shengnan's father answered without changing his expression, "He's a tumor expert invited from Yangcheng. He brought the special medicine as well. Besides him, the others are all experts from our Provincial Health Group and the Provincial Oncology Hospital."

Du Heng murmured a soft "Oh." So that's why he acts so important and doesn't show Wu Shengnan's father any respect—he's a big shot from outside our province.

Wu Shengnan's father knew what Du Heng's "Oh" implied, but he didn't concern himself with it. Looking at Old Bai lying on the bed, at the mercy of others, his heart was filled with mixed feelings. "Xiao Heng, are you confident?"

Du Heng nodded gently. "From my observations just now, Uncle Bai appears emaciated, even showing signs of severe physical deterioration. However, his gaze is steady when he looks at people, and his mind is clear and sharp. Although his breathing is shallow when he speaks, it is long and steady.

This indicates that although Uncle Bai is critically ill, his original qi is still present. If the examination later reveals no other issues, then he should be treatable."

Listening to Du Heng, Wu Shengnan's father nodded gently, but the worry in his brow didn't lessen in the slightest. "After the examination later, if you're not absolutely certain, don't take any risks. Besides, so many experts couldn't figure it out, and surgery is no longer an option for the patient. It's no disgrace if we can't help either. Speak your mind freely; I'll take responsibility for everything."

"Don't worry, Uncle, I won't act recklessly."

"Hmm."

Various expensive medical instruments, usually found only in hospitals, were now being arranged in the spacious bedroom. Amidst the flurry of activity from those around him, the patient gradually began to relax. Once everyone by the bedside had finished their tasks and stepped back, Du Heng slowly approached.

After extending his hand for the examination, all the findings were mostly as Du Heng had anticipated. The only deviations were a reddish-purple discoloration on the patient's left flank and a bluish tinge to his tongue.

However, overall, the situation was still within Du Heng's grasp.

Especially after asking some questions and receiving answers similar to those provided by Wu Shengnan's father, Du Heng felt even more assured.

Seeing Du Heng slowly straighten up, the traditional Chinese medicine doctor who had spoken earlier hurriedly asked in a low voice, "Doctor Du, how is it?"

He was so anxious for two reasons. Firstly, the traditional Chinese medicine treatment they had administered seemed to have caused problems, making him feel flustered and guilty, especially in front of Professor Wang and the group of Western medicine doctors. Secondly, facing the overbearing Professor Wang, he was eager to prove the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine.

Du Heng, however, nodded steadily and answered with just two words, "Treatable."

Instantly, a smile spread across the speaking doctor's face. He knew that in this environment, Du Heng wouldn't lie. Coupled with Du Heng's past successes, he immediately believed him.

However, Du Heng's two words made Professor Wang furrow his brows once more. "Doctor Du, this is liver cancer, one of the most dangerous diseases. You need to think carefully before you speak. Every word you say concerns the patient's life and health."

Du Heng turned his head and offered a faint smile. "Professor Wang, I presume you are aware that the theories of traditional Chinese medicine were formulated much earlier than those of Western medicine, and they differ in perspective. Therefore, in traditional Chinese medicine theory, there's no concept of 'cancer.'

We refer to such conditions as 'yong' or 'zhengji'." 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

Seeing Du Heng's calm expression, Professor Wang's eyebrows twitched. "What it's called isn't important. When the traditional Chinese medicine experts from your Health Group were prescribing medicine earlier, I heard them discussing something like 'breaking the tumor and inducing purulence.' You've seen the patient's current condition, so I still hope you will consider carefully, Doctor Du."

With Wu Shengnan's father's support, and the patient himself preferring traditional Chinese medicine treatment, Professor Wang, acting on his medical instincts, still urged Du Heng to be cautious. Given the patient's current state, just one incorrect dose of medicine could prove fatal.

Or, it might cause the patient to lose the chance for other treatment methods.

Hearing Professor Wang's words, Du Heng glanced quietly at the doctor beside him who had spoken earlier. He didn't know what medication had been previously administered, so he couldn't respond to Professor Wang.

Seeing Du Heng's glance, the doctor who had spoken earlier immediately understood his meaning. He quickly walked to the living room, retrieved the previous prescription from his bag, and handed it to Du Heng.

Du Heng merely glanced at it and instantly understood the problem.

Wrong approach!

Or, it could be said this was another typical case of applying Western medical thought to traditional Chinese medicine treatment. The rationale behind the combination of herbs was incorrect. Although it bore a resemblance to the potent anti-cancer formulas he had previously devised, the highly toxic substances had either been omitted or their dosages significantly reduced. This type of treatment could accurately be described as 'pretentious therapy.'

However, upon reflection, it became clear. When treating common illnesses, traditional Chinese medicine practitioners can often maintain their principles. However, when dealing with so-called terminal illnesses, especially diseases like cancer, the conviction of most traditional Chinese medicine doctors is, frankly, shattered. They may appear to be using traditional Chinese medicine, but their thinking is actually guided by Western medicine. Even Professor Lan Changhua from the Capital hadn't avoided this pitfall, let alone doctors from a small, remote place like Jinzhou.

But in the current situation, Du Heng couldn't possibly say his colleagues were wrong.

Moreover, Professor Wang was an influential figure from out of province, and there was a hint of condescension in his attitude. This made Du Heng even less inclined to point out his colleagues' errors.

Behind closed doors, they could argue or even come to blows, but in front of an outsider, they had to maintain a united front.

Moreover, after looking at the prescription, Du Heng also understood: the fundamental reason the patient's condition had suddenly worsened so rapidly was *truly not* because of this prescription. From this deduction, the problem became obvious. "Professor Wang, I've reviewed the prescription from my senior colleagues. I can now be certain that the exacerbation of the patient's condition is likely due to an issue with that special medicine you mentioned, not this prescription."

As Du Heng said this, he was actually a little angry.

It wasn't that he was angry about the incorrect prescription, but rather at these senior colleagues. Why, when using a traditional Chinese medicine prescription, would they still allow the patient to take that so-called special medicine? He truly couldn't understand. Had their principles been so thoroughly shattered?

Upon hearing Du Heng's words, Professor Wang first glanced at the patient and his family, then immediately glared at Du Heng and said, "Doctor Du, you must be responsible for your words. In my clinical experience at my hospital, this special medicine has shown very clear effects against liver cancer, especially in inhibiting cancer cells."

Du Heng's lips twitched slightly. "If Professor Wang chooses not to believe me, there's nothing I can do. Especially since, on this occasion, the special medicine you mentioned was administered concurrently with Chinese herbal medicine, I imagine my words carry even less weight for you.

However, if I am to proceed with the treatment, I refuse to use it in conjunction with that special medicine. And I am confident that the patient's condition will show marked improvement after just four doses of my decoction medicine."

This statement was quite bold. Not only were Professor Wang and the doctors from the Provincial Oncology Hospital astonished, but even Wu Shengnan's father couldn't help exclaiming, "Xiao Heng, don't be reckless!"

Du Heng smiled at Wu Shengnan's father and said softly, "Uncle, please rest assured. I know what I'm doing."