Urban Genius Divine Doctor

"It's not out of the question for you to study under me," Wang Chenning said, returning their bow with a chuckle. "But you'll have to agree to two conditions."

Tian Zhongxin nodded. "Mr. Wang, please feel free to state your terms."

"First, if you truly wish to study under me, you must make a public declaration for the whole world to see. Second," Wang Chenning pointed to Wu Jingyi, "your grandson will study under my disciple. He will follow us and work with us until his training is complete."

Wu Jingyi had been watching with great amusement as Wang Chenning and the old men put on their show. When she suddenly heard his words, she was shocked into disbelief.

She had only just become Wang Chenning's disciple herself. She'd learned a few techniques from him, but nothing of real substance. And now, Wang Chenning wanted her to take on a disciple of her own—the grandson of a renowned traditional medicine master from Japan, no less.

'How did I suddenly become a master?'

'If I really take on a disciple, what am I supposed to teach him?'

Besides, Wang Chenning had already agreed to take on Pu Zhiyun. If he now accepted Tian Zhongxin as well, wouldn't the Japanese feel this was an insult?

'And if Tian Zhongxin becomes Wang Chenning's disciple while Tian Zhiheng becomes my disciple... wouldn't that make the family hierarchy a complete mess?'

She couldn't fathom Wang Chenning's motive for this.

Yang Xiaofu, along with Wu Jianyan and Zheng Guilong beside her, couldn't understand Wang Chenning's reasoning either. Their gut reaction was that Wang Chenning was doing this to humiliate the world of Japanese traditional medicine.

Tian Zhongxin was also baffled. He, too, failed to grasp Wang Chenning's intentions.

Seeing the baffled expressions on everyone's faces, Wang Chenning smiled and added, "I know you must think I'm trying to insult you, and that this would make the family hierarchy a bit messy. But my thinking is, if you genuinely want to learn, you shouldn't get hung up on such things."

He paused, then continued, "There's one other thing I must make clear. If any disciple of mine fails to learn at least one of my unique arts, I will expel them from my tutelage and no longer acknowledge them as my student."

Wang Chenning's words left everyone even more bewildered.

"Of course, we could try another approach," Wang Chenning said with a sly grin, looking at the slightly dejected Tian Zhongxin. "I'll take your grandson as my disciple, and if you wish to learn my skills, I will accommodate you. That way, you won't have to worry about being thrown out for not learning well enough."

Although Tian Zhongxin still couldn't figure out Wang Chenning's true motive, he breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this new proposal.

But he also knew Wang Chenning must have some other objective in mind. After a moment's thought, he asked hesitantly, "What arrangement does Mr. Wang believe is best?"

"The best solution is one that makes everyone happy!" Wang Chenning laughed. "Back in Seoul, I took Pu Zhiyun as my disciple and also agreed to give Pu Zhengyang pointers on his medical techniques. That way, everyone saves face, and there's no awkwardness over age or seniority."

Tian Zhongxin seemed to understand. Wang Chenning had gone around in circles just to demand something from him.

When Pu Zhengyang sent his grandson to study under Wang Chenning, he surely must have given Wang Chenning something in return.

And it wouldn't have been a small gift, either.

He wanted to know what Wang Chenning was really thinking, what he truly wanted.

"Since you are all so interested in my medical skills, how about I demonstrate some other needling techniques?" Seeing that Tian Zhongxin still looked completely lost, Wang Chenning was quite satisfied. He said with a chuckle, "I've heard that Mr. Tian has an antique acupuncture bronze man in his collection. Why don't we have it brought out? I can use it to demonstrate my techniques for everyone!"

At these words, Tian Zhongxin's mind cleared in an instant.

'So that's it. The man is after his prized Song Dynasty acupuncture bronze man.'

Acupuncture bronze men were made throughout the dynasties, but the most famous are the Tiansheng bronze men from the Song Dynasty.

The ones commissioned by the renowned Song Dynasty physician Wang Weiyi are the earliest known in history. Two such bronze men were created at the time.

These two bronze men were exquisitely crafted. Their outer shells could be removed, revealing the thoracic and abdominal cavities within.

What was most incredible was that Wang Weiyi had even installed a full set of internal organs, with their positions, sizes, and proportions being largely accurate.

The fourteen meridian pathways of the human body were engraved on the bronze man's surface, with the names of all the acupoints clearly marked, allowing a scholar to understand them at a glance.

Leaving aside its medical value, its worth as a historical artifact alone made it a priceless treasure.

The Tian family had come into possession of this particular acupuncture bronze man through a chance encounter.

During an era of war and chaos, Tian Zhongxin's father chanced upon the bronze man and spent a fortune to acquire it. It had been the Tian family's most treasured heirloom ever since.

Tian Zhongxin had never imagined Wang Chenning would have his sights set on the bronze man. For a moment, he was at a loss for words.

Few people knew the Tian family possessed such an artifact. Tian Zhongxin couldn't fathom how Wang Chenning had found out.

In fact, he was mistaken. Wang Chenning didn't actually know the Tian family owned a Song Dynasty bronze man. The background information he'd been given hadn't mentioned it at all.

But Wang Chenning had once read a report that a Song Dynasty acupuncture bronze man had surfaced in a Japanese museum during the 1920s or 30s.

Wang Chenning had simply made a wild guess that the bronze man might have ended up with the Tian family.

And so, he had made his request.

Tian Zhongxin's reaction had just confirmed his suspicion.

Wang Chenning made an instant decision: he had to bring this priceless artifact back to Huaxia, no matter the cost.

After a moment of consideration, Tian Zhongxin finally clenched his jaw and had Tian Zhiheng bring people to fetch the acupuncture bronze man.

About ten minutes later, Tian Zhiheng and three of his men carried out the bronze man, which was draped in cloth.

As Tian Zhiheng and Tian Zhongxin slowly lifted the cloth from the bronze man, Wang Chenning's eyes went wide.

Wu Jianyan, Zheng Guilong, Wu Jingyi, and Yang Xiaofu, all of whom understood the statue's value, shot to their feet.

The Tian family clearly cherished this Song Dynasty artifact. It was polished until it was spotless, without a single scratch or sign of damage.

"It's a shame the people of the Song Dynasty didn't understand anatomy as well as we do now. Modern acupuncture bronze men have more acupoints marked on them, and with greater precision." Wang Chenning took the white gloves Tian Zhiheng offered, put them on, and gently caressed the bronze figure. "This one... its value is purely as a historical artifact now."

"This is a priceless artifact!" Tian Zhongxin forced an unnatural smile. "And it is our family's most treasured heirloom!"

Hearing this, the hearts of those who had come with Wang Chenning leaped into their throats.

Tian Zhongxin's words were a clear refusal of Wang Chenning's unspoken request for the bronze man.

They were desperate to see how Wang Chenning would manage to walk away with it.

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