Climbing The Ranks As The Best Doctor

Chapter 10: The Heart

Shen stared at the velvet box, his senses heightened. He could see the plant inside, its color slightly off. 

He could detect no vacuum seal, and he couldn't even perceive the unique scent of the Heart of Jintai from where he sat, which was highly unusual. 

And the auctioneer was describing it as if it were some kind of miracle cure, which the Heart of Jintai never was. 

That thing didn’t give life… it stopped death, preserving what little remained.

Shen shook his head, his expression dismissive. “It’s not the one.”

Tomoe, who had been eagerly waiting for a chance to clap back at Shen and regain his lost prestige, seized the opportunity instantly.

“Of course he says that!” he laughed loudly, his voice dripping with sarcasm, garnering the attention of the other guests. “It’s because he can’t afford it!”

The guests snickered and giggled, all nodding their heads in agreement. They were eager to see Shen taken down a peg. 

Tomoe turned to Shen, smiling smugly, his eyes filled with malicious glee. “Tell you what. If you call me Daddy, I’ll buy it for you.”

Laughter exploded from the guests like a tidal wave, washing over Shen, drowning him in their ridicule. But Shen simply yawned tiredly, as if bored by the whole spectacle, then looked at Tomoe, his expression unreadable.

“The Heart of Jintai is extremely rare,” he said lazily, his voice carrying a hint of warning. “Once exposed to air, it begins to decay. That thing?” He pointed dismissively at the stage. 

“It’s fake, useless, and probably grown behind some farmer’s house in a plastic pot.”

A few more giggles could be heard, but there was now more uncertainty mixed into the voices of the guests. 

They were beginning to wonder if Shen might be right.

That was when an older man stepped forward, his presence commanding attention. He was of a slim build, with thin spectacles perched on his nose, a neatly trimmed beard, and a badge pinned to his chest. He frowned down at shen, disapproval clear in his eyes.

“I am Collector Wei, president of Ling City’s Medical Association,” he said proudly, his voice ringing with confidence. “And I’ve handled more rare and precious herbs than you’ve had meals, young man. The rarer the herb, the harsher the conditions it survives in. I find it extremely unlikely that the so-called Heart of Jintai would decay that easily.”

“Thank you!” Tomoe said, jumping at the validation like a puppy taking food from its master. 

He beamed at Collector Wei, grateful for his support.

Tomoe turned back to Shen, his eyes filled with triumph. “Sour grapes, hmm? You poor little worm.”

Without hesitation, Tomoe placed his bid and bought the heart for another three million gold, pushing his family's finances to the brink. 

No one dared bid a price higher than he, partly because of his earlier display of wealth with the diamond, and partly because there was still a lingering uncertainty about the authenticity of the herb.

Tomoe quickly walked on stage, his steps filled with purpose, and lifted the bindings to the herb. It appeared to be a perfect specimen, with not even a speck of decay. 

This herb could now be refined into a pill for consumption, although it wasn't advised to consume the herb raw, as it could be dangerous.

He turned back to Shen, his eyes gleaming with superiority. “You see? Not everyone needs to lie to feel important.”

And then Tomoe did the unexpected, an act of arrogance and stupidity that would forever define him. 

He threw the herb to the ground and crushed it beneath his foot.

Gasps and screams could be heard throughout the hall. One woman even fainted from the shock of such a senseless act.

Tomoe smirked, grinding his heel into the remains of the herb. “Go ahead, Shen. Pick up what’s left. I know you wanted it so bad.”

Shen looked at him steadily, his face remaining an unbroken mask. Tomoe had really gone beyond his expectations, surpassing even his wildest imaginings of his foolishness. 

It took all of Shen's willpower not to burst out laughing.

“Pick it up, beggar boy!” one shouted. “Someone get him a broom!” another yelled. “Maybe you can make Eternal Dust Tea!” a third jeered.

But behind him, Collector Wei wasn't happy, or smug, or superior. In fact, he was deeply unsettled, his face etched with growing horror.

“You IDIOT! How could you waste such a powerful life-saving herb?” Wei snapped, rushing forward. 

He knelt, carefully picked up a fragment of the crushed herb, examined it closely…

And froze, his expression turning to one of utter disbelief.

“This…” he whispered, his voice trembling with shock. “This is just… a common peace root. A worthless herb used for stomach cramps.”

The crowd went dead quiet, not a single sound could be heard… except for the snickering sounds made by Shen.

“What?!”

“You mean… it was a fake?!”

“Tomoe bought a stomach cramp herb for three million?!”

Tomoe’s face turned ashen white, his hands trembled uncontrollably, and his knees buckled beneath his weight. The weight of his stupidity was crushing him.

Shen leaned back in his seat, a lazy smile playing on his lips. “I told you,” he said, his voice soft but carrying clearly through the silent hall. “If you want to play expert, don’t trip over your own ego on the way in.”