Everything Bernard and the others had imagined was fueled by doubt.
The truth was simple—he didn't trust Tracy.
And everything he'd just said made it painfully obvious.
Without a shred of subtlety, he was putting the blame squarely on Holbrook, accusing him of ignorance. It was clear Bernard was even considering expelling him from the Traditional Medicine Association altogether.
Holbrook, once a respected elder in the world of traditional medicine, hadn't planned on re-entering the professional scene. If not for his visit to Feazer Medical Clinic for a personal diagnosis, he would've continued enjoying the twilight of his life in peace.
Given his years of contributions and accolades, the Traditional Medicine Association could have easily reserved an honorary title for him. In an academic setting, he would be treated like a distinguished professor—honored, respected, and unchallenged.
But now, the reckless choices he'd made in recent days had tarnished everything.
Bernard would not allow someone so sullied to maintain any stature within the Association.
Holbrook understood the unspoken message all too well. Disappointment weighed heavily in his expression as he shook his head and muttered, "Mr. Luker, since you've made your stance so clear, there's nothing left for me to say. I won't stay in the Association any longer."
He still had pride.
Never before had he realized how arrogant, petty, and foolish these people were. If they could turn their backs on him so easily, then there was no reason to remain among them.
No wonder so many brilliant traditional medicine experts chose to stay among the common people rather than join the Association. That place no longer existed to cultivate medical skill—it was simply a playground for egos.
They weren't worthy.
Just then, Jasper turned to Tracy with a glint in his eyes and said, "Miss Linch, since you're known as a genius in acupuncture, and this foreigner just openly challenged you, don't you think it's time to respond?"
Jeff followed his gaze and fixed his sharp, scrutinizing eyes on Tracy. "You're the so-called 'Magic Doctor of New York'?"
He snorted.
So young.
He couldn't tell if the title was earned or fabricated for public appeal.
Tracy's brows furrowed slightly. "Whether it's the Traditional Medicine Association of the U.S. or foreign practitioners like you, I will say this—I practice medicine to heal people, not to fight battles. You can leave now."
"Ha! Just as I thought—your reputation is a complete sham." Jeff scoffed. "Young people like you are blind to the realities of the world. At this rate, traditional medicine in your country will die at the hands of frauds like you."
Humiliated earlier by Jeff, Jasper didn't dare lash out at him. Instead, he turned his bitterness toward Tracy.
It was both petty—and pathetic.
Tracy said nothing. Her silence was her rejection of the circus around her.
She just wanted all these people to get the hell out of her clinic.
Jeff's sneer deepened. "So this is what passes for the 'Magic Doctor of New York'? What a joke. Is the U.S. so desperate it has to fabricate figures of greatness to keep the public entertained?"
Bernard's eyes darkened. "That's just one person's ignorance. Don't you dare generalize and insult the entire country."
"Hmph," Jeff grunted. "No matter who invented the title, I'm not leaving empty-handed. You—girl—admit it. Your acupuncture isn't on my level, and traditional medicine in the U.S. can't compare to what we have in Canada."
As the words echoed through the clinic, all eyes fell on Tracy.
If she admitted to Jeff's claim, she'd be spitting on everything the U.S. traditional medicine community stood for. Her vanity had earned her the title of 'magic doctor,' and the others might criticize her for it—but publicly submitting to Jeff would make her the sinner of the entire industry.
Tracy's eyes were cold as ice.
She thought these people were truly relentless. Still, as Bernard and the others suspected, she could never stoop so low as to disgrace the traditional medicine of her homeland.
She wasn't one to seek confrontation, but that didn't mean she was weak.
She took a breath, lifted her chin, and said, "I'm sorry, but I don't agree with what you just said. Traditional medicine in our country has a long and rich history—yours doesn't even come close. And as for my technique, I'll let you say what you want, but I know I'm not weaker than you."
Bernard finally let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. Vanity aside, at least Tracy had a backbone. She wasn't completely hopeless.
Jeff, however, was not pleased. "If you really think your skills are better than mine, then prove it. Compete with me!"
He had been waiting for this moment.
Tracy hesitated. Then she nodded. "Fine. But after this match, you and your people will leave Feazer Medical Clinic immediately. I never want to see your face again."
Better to grant their wish than let this drag on.
Let the battle decide it, and send them packing.
Jeff's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Perfect. The rules remain the same—each of us chooses a volunteer as a model. All acupuncture points are fair game, except for those in the precordial region and other high-risk areas. Needle depth must not exceed half an inch. The winner will be whoever causes their model unbearable pain using the fewest needles."
It was a true test of technique.
In traditional Chinese medicine, pain stemmed from two causes: a deficiency of nourishment or a blockage of blood flow.
Pain due to deficiency came from the loss of vitality, blood, and fluid—an internal lack that disrupted the nourishment of organs and meridians.
Blockage-induced pain, however, was a result of poor blood and energy circulation in the meridians.
The kind of duel Jeff proposed focused on the latter.
By targeting specific acupoints and disrupting the smooth flow of blood and energy within the body, a skilled practitioner could induce sharp, localized pain. It was a brutal but effective way to measure precision and mastery of acupuncture.
Because—
Restoring flow in blocked meridians was easy enough. It was, after all, the foundational principle behind acupuncture therapy.
But to reverse that flow in a healthy, functional body—to cause pain without harming the patient—that required absolute control.
It was the mark of a true acupuncture master.
And Jeff had just laid down the ultimate challenge.