Chapter 136: Unveiling the Edge
"This young man has true kindness in addition to his competence. Your prior study in Mr. Walker's situation made perfect sense, and I entirely agree with your findings.
Unfortunately, given my current constraints, I'm limited to using daily treatment to gradually realign the bullet fragment in Mr. Walker's brain, which isn't making much of a difference."
Francis's expression changed into one of defeat at this. With a sigh, he repeatedly shook his head.
Francis, try not to be hard on yourself. It's already a bonus that I'm still alive.
Before coming here, the best physicians and hospitals in the country were at their wits' end. My life was 80 percent at risk on the operation table!
It's an unexpected blessing to be able to spend a few months in this gorgeous place!" Mr. Walker interrupted, chuckling as though he didn't really care about his own life. "It'd probably be nice for me to meet my old friends sooner rather than later. I'd be less lonely then."
Ethan couldn't help but be in respect for Mr. Walker's open-mindedness, as well as for those real warriors and heroes who had given their lives during war for their nation and people!
"Why so sad, gentlemen? There's no doubt that Mr. Walker needs the bullet fragment in his brain removed immediately. Even though there are significant hazards associated with standard surgery procedures, we still have other options.
Francis, did you mention moving the bullet around with therapy? Why not try to disassemble the piece and get rid of it completely?"
With a serious interjection, Ethan asked Francis a question.
Francis seemed shocked at this; he obviously hadn't anticipated Ethan asking such a thing.
"What do you even know? Have you any idea how hard it is to adjust the bullet's position? Not to mention disassembling it! Even my master, who is skilled, understands that attempting to break down the bullet may harm other areas of Mr. Walker's brain. Moreover, if something goes wrong, who could bear the consequences?"
Infuriated, Jerome started berating Ethan.
"Jerome! Be mindful of what you say!" Francis shot Jerome an angry glance right away before turning to face Ethan and asking, "Young man, what is your name?"
"My name is Wilson Ethan. If you can trust me, then I'm willing to remove that nuisance from Mr. Walker's brain, Francis. Naturally, Mr. Walker's consent would also be required," Ethan said with certainty.
"Can you really remove that bullet from my head?" asked Mr. Walker.
A surge of emotion appeared on his wrinkled face at Ethan's words.
Even with his previous show of his acceptance, the reality was obvious. Who, in the end, would really choose to accept death if given the opportunity?
Francis asked, his look unchanging, "Ethan, what are your chances?"
"I don't want you to think I'm bragging, and it would seem boastful to say I'm 100% certain. However, I can estimate between 80 and 90 percent. However, this process is going to take a while; I need complete silence, and it'll take at least a few hours," Ethan stated assuredly.
"Francis, what do you think?"
Naturally, Mr. Walker was open to the possibility of recovery. Nobody wants an early death.
"Personal views vary based on the person you ask," Francis grinned wryly and laughed. "I wouldn't dare make assertions since I don't have the same level of competence as Mr. Ethan. As he said himself, 'Master leads the path of medicine.' Why would you need my advice if you already have a master here?"
The others gave Francis's statement a weird look. Had the elderly man been listening in before coming in?
Mr. Walker was shocked since he didn't anticipate Francis praising Ethan to such an extent.
However, Jerome was unable to cover up his suspicion; his eyes darting in Ethan's direction, giving away that he had some doubts about the man's talents.
Even Ethan was taken aback by Francis's support, questioning why the elderly guy, who he had just met, placed such faith in him. Wasn't Francis worried he may be a liar and could endanger Mr. Walker's life?
"Mr. Walker, the choice is yours to make." Francis said, changing Jerome's expression, "If you'd like my opinion, I'd agree with Ethan—there's no harm in having a try."
"Master, we shouldn't dive right in," Jerome said. "Ethan is a young man, and not much is known about him. Merely diagnosing Mr. Walker's illness doesn't verify his ability."
Actually, Mr. Walker's main concern was reflected in Jerome's doubts. Still, Ethan had proven to be just as adept at diagnosing and treating as Francis, indicating that his medical abilities were on par.
Could Ethan truly do something Francis wasn't even certain he could?
"I can prove myself right here! Could I maybe borrow one of your silver needles, Francis? I never use them during regular times," Ethan casually smiled.
"Of course!" Francis answered immediately. He took out a set of silver needles from a leather bag stashed inside his blazer pocket, laying them down on the wooden table.
Ethan casually chose a needle from the set and picked up a walnut from the fruit bowl on the table, placing it in his palm.
With curiosity on everyone's faces, he flicked his wrist and the needle went through the walnut, which stayed in his hand. Aside from the needle piercing through, the walnut's surface appeared unaffected; in fact, it was pierced as easily as tofu, a sight that stunned those watching.
While Francis was unfazed, surprise crossed the faces of the other three.
"Don't be so shocked—Francis could definitely do this as well! What happens next is the actual trick. I'll take out this walnut's flesh without breaking its shell." With a faint smile, Ethan said before inhaling and directing the needle straight into the walnut.
He moved the needle gently between his fingers, causing drops of light yellow liquid to start falling from his hands as the needle's exposed section slowly glistened.
When he took the needle out a minute or so later, a small pool of pale yellow liquid had formed on the ground.
Sarah asked, "Where did this yellow liquid come from?" with curiosity.
Francis laughed and stroked his white beard, explaining, "That's the walnut's meat, dear! It's been liquified by Ethan's clever technique and drained out using the needle!"
"Impossible! How did you accomplish that?" Sarah glanced to Ethan for answers, her disbelief evident in her question.
"If you don't trust me, just open this walnut and see for yourself!" he smiled slightly in response. When he opened his hands after gently pressing them together, the tough walnut had split into two pieces.
Examining the inside of the shell halves showed nothing but emptiness; there wasn't a speck of its meat to be seen.
"Brilliant, absolutely brilliant!" Mr. Walker was compelled to express his amazement at Ethan's performance.
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