A Healer’s Journey (Finnegan and Nuthana)

Chapter 2

Meanwhile, in Xendale, one of the richest neighborhoods in Jadeborough, a scholar in his sixties walked out of a room. “What’s the result, Dr. Cooper?” Bernice’s parents asked anxiously. With a puzzled look, Alexander Cooper replied, “Ms. Zimmerman’s bodily functions are all normal. It’s as if she’s sleeping, but we can’t pinpoint the cause of her illness. It’s really strange.” Upon hearing that there were no results, Bernice’s mother, Jennifer Chance, felt her vision turn dark. Fortunately, Bernice’s father, Patrick Zimmerman, managed to steady her in time. “Isn’t there anyone else who can find out what’s wrong with Bernice?” Despite spending a significant amount of money to hire the best doctors and even resorting to hiring a shaman, none of them could determine the cause of Bernice’s unconsciousness, let alone wake her up. “Even I can’t seem to find a logical explanation, and I doubt anyone else will have a different answer. At this point, all we can do is hope for a miracle,” Alexander Cooper said, shaking his head. Right then, a housekeeper came in and announced, “Mr. Zimmerman, Mrs. Zimmerman, there’s a young man named Finnegan Larkin outside claiming that he can cure Ms. Zimmerman.” Patrick, who was exasperated, waved his hands and said, “Tell him to leave! Even a medical expert like Dr. Cooper can’t do anything about it. What can a young man like him do? I think he’s only here to try his luck, but Bernie is not going to be his lab rat!” “Wait a minute!” Jennifer stopped the housekeeper. “Darling, since he’s already here, maybe he does have a way.” Patrick knew that Jennifer wouldn’t give up on even a glimmer of hope to save Bernice. Hesitantly, he nodded and asked the housekeeper to lead Finnegan into the house. Shortly after, Finnegan came into the living room. A cold glint fleeted across Patrick’s eyes when he saw Finnegan. Similarly, Jennifer couldn’t help but feel disappointed. Finnegan appeared too young, with fair and delicate features that gave the impression of a celebrity rather than a skilled doctor. Patrick and Jennifer found it difficult to place their trust in him or believe he was truly competent. Patrick had already assumed that Finnegan was incompetent. He looked away and summoned the housekeeper. “Give this kid five thousand and send him off.” Jennifer didn’t stop him this time, for she was of the same mind and doubted Finnegan’s capabilities. Finnegan, who was just about to introduce himself, was stunned. “What do you mean by that? I’m a doctor! I’m here to treat Ms. Zimmerman!” Do they take me for a beggar they can get rid of with five thousand?

Patrick held back his urge to berate Finnegan for being a quack and instead said, “No need for that. Take the five thousand as compensation for your troubles and leave.” Finnegan finally realized that Patrick didn’t trust him. According to his ten non-treatment rules, he wouldn’t treat disbelievers, so he should have turned around to leave right then. However, Finnegan suppressed his annoyance, knowing how grateful and kind Bernice was. “Mr. Zimmerman, you may think less of me because of my youth, but I can really wake Ms. Zimmerman up.” Patrick’s face darkened at Finnegan’s insolence. “Really? You are quite confident, aren’t you? he challenged. “Sure, I’m fairly confident that I can wake her up.” Finnegan replied. As a matter of fact, Finnegan was a hundred percent certain that he could cure Bernice. The Primordial Pharmacopoeia that he had inherited from his master contained legendary medical techniques. He had only said he was fairly certain to be humble. Alexander snorted in derision. “Don’t get so cocky, young man!” Despite Alexander’s impressive credentials as the director of General Hospital in Jadeborough, the president of Jadeborough Medical Association, and a member of Loang Medical Council, he still could not determine the cause of Bernice’s condition. Finnegan’s proclamation was essentially a slap across Alexander’s face. Patrick thought Finnegan was being too arrogant. He said in a low voice, “He’s the director of General Hospital, Alexander Cooper. Are you claiming that you’re more capable than Dr. Cooper?” Finnegan hadn’t thought that Patrick would judge a book by its cover and look down on him. He resisted the temptation to leave and said, “In medicine, it’s the ability that counts, not age. Is there a problem with me being more capable than him?” Alexander’s interest was piqued by Finnegan’s confidence. “Who did you learn from? Where did you graduate?” “An old traditional medicine practitioner. I never attended medical school,” Finnegan replied plainly. “What?! Are you kidding me?” Given Finnegan’s young age and lack of formal medical training, Alexander, who had dedicated decades of his life to the practice of medicine, was skeptical of him. He saw Finnegan as an impostor who took patients’ lives lightly. Turning to Patrick, he said, “Mr. Zimmerman, I’m positive that he knows nothing. Please ask him to leave!” Patrick was seething when he saw how annoyed Alexander was. “Please leave.” Two bodyguards slowly approached Finnegan in tacit understanding. Finnegan knew they wouldn’t believe him if he didn’t prove himself. He shifted his gaze to Alexander and retorted, “You can’t even cure the headache you’ve had for years. Who are you to judge myCòntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

medical expertise?” He then looked at Patrick. “And you, as the chairman of Firebird Group, do you always make judgments based on appearance?” At that moment, he exuded an intangible sense of oppression, as if he was a different person. Alexander paled. “How did you know about my headache?” He had never told anyone about that. Likewise, Patrick and Jennifer were shocked. They signaled the bodyguards to back down. “Come. I can cure your headache.” Finnegan was not in the mood to yak with him. “Can you really cure it?” “Cut the crap!” Alexander’s lips twitched slightly. He stepped forward to try his luck. “If you can really cure my headache, then I’ll believe you can cure Ms. Zimmerman.” Finnegan swiftly turned his palm and retrieved a set of gold needles. In a flash, he inserted seven needles into various spots on Alexander’s head. Alexander was taken aback by Finnegan’s speed. Administering acupuncture on the head should be done meticulously. He had never seen anyone do it in such a reckless manner. However, before he could wrap his head around what Finnegan was doing, the latter had already retrieved his gold needles and declared, “All done!” The whole treatment lasted less than twenty seconds. Alexander still held reservations about the young man. However, he soon realized that his mild headache had disappeared, and he felt relaxed like never before. Overjoyed, Alexander exclaimed, “It’s really cured! The headache that’s been plaguing me for decades is finally gone!” Finnegan turned around and looked at Patrick coolly. “Are you going to continue questioning me?” Patrick’s attitude took a one-eighty when he saw that even Alexander had to rely on the young man to cure his headache. “I’ll have to trouble you, then.” Finnegan snickered. “I volunteered to treat your daughter, but you didn’t even show me basic respect. Instead, you looked down on me and gave me a hard time. Now, you expect me to help you? Do you really think I’m just here to be nice?” Finnegan was known as the Mischievous Doctor. He was not only famed for his ten non-treatment rules but also for his way of doing things. Since Patrick had the audacity to disparage him, he would have to pay the price for his demeaning manners. Patrick’s face was drained of colors as he asked, “What do I have to do for you to treat my daughter?” “Please forgive us for our behavior earlier,” Jennifer said, her eyes turning red. “If you can wake our daughter, we will agree to any demand you have.” Finnegan didn’t want to leave without treating Bernice, as it was his purpose for heading to the Zimmerman

residence in the first place. “Never take medical practitioners lightly! I’ll treat Ms. Zimmerman on one condition: kneel and apologize to me!”