Urban Genius Divine Doctor

Chapter 149: Chapter 149: Could It Be That I’ve Really Fallen for Him?

Zheng Guilong glared at Wang Chenning, his face frigid. "Don’t talk to us with that high-and-mighty act. If you’ve got real skills, then compete with me in needle techniques."

"Alright, I’ll compete with you in the Fire Needle Skill!" Wang Chenning wasn’t annoyed in the slightest, still wearing a cheerful grin. "Are you challenging me as an individual, or on behalf of the entire Fire Needle lineage?"

"I challenge you as the heir to the Fire Needle!" Zheng Guilong was enraged by Wang Chenning’s cheerful grin, a clear sign he wasn’t being taken seriously. "If you win, the entire Fire Needle lineage will honor you as our teacher!"

After a pause, he shouted at Wang Chenning, "And what if you lose?"

"I’ll be at your mercy. How does that sound?"

"Deal!"

The other middle-aged man nearby, the one who had just reprimanded Wang Chenning, immediately chimed in. "Kid, since you’re so arrogant, I’ll have a match with you later too."

With that, he cupped his fists toward the crowd of onlookers. "I, Wu Jianyan, heir to the Ghost Gate Thirteen Needles, ask all you seniors to bear witness today. Should I fail in my challenge, I am willing to recognize Wang Chenning as my master!"

"That’s some wishful thinking. I don’t take on disciples so easily!" Wang Chenning chuckled. "But since Senior Wu is also keen on a match, I accept your challenge. The terms are the same as with Mr. Zheng. If I lose, I’ll be at your mercy. If I win, all you have to do is publicly admit defeat."

"Fine!" Although Wu Jianyan was furious, he suppressed his anger.

"Teacher Wang, I want to challenge you too!" Wang Xingming, the director of the Acupuncture Department at Yandu Hospital who had been watching the spectacle from his seat, rushed to the front of the stage, his face flushed with excitement. He threw his hand in the air and yelled, "If I lose, I’m willing to become your disciple!"

Zhao Dahai, director of the Acupuncture Department at the First Affiliated Hospital of the University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, rushed to the front of the stage at almost the same moment, raising his hand high. "Teacher Wang, I want to challenge you too! If I lose, I’ll be your disciple from now on!"

Yandu Hospital is one of the most prestigious hospitals in all of Huaxia, and the First Affiliated Hospital of the University of Traditional Chinese Medicine is a top-tier institution in the field of traditional medicine. The directors of the acupuncture departments from these two hospitals both wielded considerable influence within the industry.

Zhao Dahai and Wang Xingming were also major figures at this annual traditional medicine conference. It wouldn’t have been strange for them to be unconvinced by Wang Chenning and want to challenge him. But their actions were clearly not normal, something that could be sensed from the respectful tone in which they called him "Teacher Wang."

A few people at the conference had heard the rumors circulating from Yandu Hospital and the First Affiliated Hospital of the University of Traditional Chinese Medicine: both Zhao Dahai and Wang Xingming had wanted to become Wang Chenning’s disciples to learn his acupuncture techniques, but Wang Chenning had refused. They immediately guessed that these two old timers weren’t actually trying to challenge Wang Chenning, but rather hoping to become his disciples by losing to him.

Things were getting interesting!

Seeing that at least seven or eight people had stood up to challenge Wang Chenning—all of them influential figures in the industry—Lu Yuanshan was pleased rather than annoyed. His voice boomed, "It’s been many years since the annual traditional medicine conference has been this lively. Everyone, please quiet down, will you? Now then, we’ve always believed that sparring over skills is a form of communication, one that is highly beneficial to the development of traditional medicine."

He gestured with his hands again, signaling for everyone to quiet down. "I have a proposal. Let’s not place any wagers and just have a friendly exchange. If someone loses, simply addressing the winner as ’teacher’ will suffice. Every practitioner has their own specialty. It doesn’t matter who wins or loses. What’s important is that we demonstrate our exquisite Acupuncture Skill to everyone and promote the development of our industry!"

The officials from the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine who were chairing today’s conference also stood up to voice their agreement with Lu Yuanshan.

However, the old-timers weren’t buying it.

After a round of squabbling, fanned by many self-appointed "extras" in the audience, Lu Yuanshan reluctantly agreed to their demands.

Once the rules were announced, staff immediately brought out a bronze acupuncture mannequin used for practice. Lu Yuanshan and a few others in charge were appointed as judges, and the organizing committee even arranged for a camera crew to record the entire event.

If needed, the video could be used to help with judging and be preserved as a historical record of the event.

The first to compete against Wang Chenning was Zheng Guilong, the authentic heir to the Thunder Fire Needle. He had his own disciple prepare his silver needles, solemnly cleansed his hands, and had the staff bring him a comfortable chair.

The conference staff complied with his requests.

Wang Chenning made no special requests, simply asking the staff to prepare a standard set of silver needles.

To Zheng Guilong, Wang Chenning’s simple request felt like a blatant sign of disrespect from the young man.

He reminded Wang Chenning with a cold expression, "Young man, don’t regret this!"

"The highest realm of acupuncture is to have a needle in your hand, but no needle in your heart. A state where no needle is superior to having one!" Wang Dahai, watching from the sidelines, said gleefully. "Old Zheng, you mustn’t underestimate him. I’ve witnessed Teacher Wang’s unique skills firsthand!"

Another old-timer in the crowd jeered at Wang Dahai, "If you’ve seen his unique skills, then why did you challenge him too?"

Wang Dahai replied without a trace of embarrassment, "Because if I lose the challenge, I can become his disciple!"

The crowd around him was left speechless. The people who had once respected him suddenly saw him in a completely different light.

In the time it took for that exchange, Wang Chenning and Zheng Guilong had taken their positions in the center of the floor. The judges were in place, and the competition was about to begin.

As she watched the spectacle unfold, Yang Xiaofei’s mind was racing. She was beginning to understand Wang Chenning’s objective.

’This guy... he might be trying to conquer the entire field.’

’And to conquer this world of traditional medicine, he’d have to reveal his ultimate skills and bring all the top figures in the industry to their knees.’

’Defeat the heavyweights, and he would naturally earn the reverence of the entire industry.’

’This conference today... it’s his chance to make a name for himself.’

As she pieced this all together, she couldn’t help but feel a knot of anxiety form in her stomach.

Her judgment was clouded by concern.

When that phrase popped into her head, Yang Xiaofei’s heart skipped a beat. ’Why am I so invested in him? ...Could it be? Have I actually fallen for him?’

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