Medical Sage

What kind of person was Muf Longkun, Master Muf? He was a grandmaster of the Traditional Medicine of the Republic, whose fame had spread back when Elder Du was a young man. Even though he had gradually faded from the public eye to work behind the scenes, his influence and status within the Traditional Medicine Community of Huaxia remained unshakeable. Every expert and grandmaster who met him had to respectfully call him Master Muf, or even Elder Muf. Not to mention, Muf Longkun was also a distinguished member of the Medical Sage Hall.

The Medical Sage Hall. Despite its name sounding somewhat plain in this ostentatious Hyundai era, in the ancient dynasties, it would have been on par with the King Sealing Hall. In other words, every member of the hall was qualified to be ’crowned a king’ in the world of Huaxia’s traditional medicine!

But now? Such an eminent figure was apologizing to a man in his twenties for a mistake made by his disciples.

What does this mean? Does it mean that Master Muf not only knows Chen Fei but also holds him in extremely high regard? Otherwise, why would a man of his stature do something so astonishing?

Silence. Dead silence.

The quiet was broken by the sound of heavy, ragged breathing from all around. Zhou Zhengping was so startled by the actions of his grand-master, Muf Longkun, that his legs trembled and cold sweat poured down his back. Li Dongsheng, meanwhile, stared at his master with a face as white as a sheet, never imagining things would escalate this far. His lips were blue and pale, and his whole body shivered uncontrollably.

Even Chen Fei, Young Master Chen, one of the central figures in this drama, was a bit stunned. He hesitated before speaking, ”Master Muf, you’re too polite. But… do you know me?” He truly hadn’t expected the man to apologize to him.

”I’ve heard a little about you from Elder Xunn and Elder Quan. I’ve admired you from afar for a long time,” Master Muf said with a gentle smile. But his words sent another shockwave through the crowd, setting their hearts pounding wildly.

Elder Xunn? Elder Quan? They actually know this kid? And Master Muf himself said he’s long admired him?

Instantly, many people in the crowd, including even a veteran like Principal Song Bing, felt cold sweat trickle down their foreheads. They were immensely relieved they hadn’t been swayed by that old scoundrel Li Dongshen into conflict with Chen Fei. If they had, it would be far too late for regrets.

How simple could the status of a young man connected to both Elder Xunn and Elder Quan possibly be? He had thought before that the young man had powerful backing—after all, he was personally recommended by Minister Xuu Peiyi and was clearly held in high regard—but he had never imagined Chen Fei’s background was this astonishing. To be able to associate with figures like Elder Xunn and Elder Quan, who were titans like Mount Tai Beidou in their field, at such a young age was incredible.

”I see. I wonder how Elder Xunn and Elder Quan are doing these days. Are they in good health?” Chen Fei asked with an enlightened smile, nodding at Muf Longkun’s words.

”Elder Xunn and Elder Quan are doing quite well. They’re collaborating on an experiment and are full of spirit…” Master Muf replied.

Just then, a young man who appeared to be a staff member rushed over and whispered a few words into Principal Song Bing’s ear. The principal hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said, ”Master Muf, Mr. Chen, I’m sorry to interrupt. The final match is about to begin. Perhaps we should...”

”Then I’ll head over now.” Chen Fei nodded immediately, cast an apologetic glance at Master Muf, and turned to follow the staff member away from the backstage area toward the stage for the final battle.

”Master, I…” Only then did Li Dongshen dare to summon the courage to speak.

However, before he could finish his sentence, Master Muf, his expression having returned to one of cold indifference, shot him an impatient glance and cut him off. ”We’ll talk later.”

「The Stadium of Capital University」

The venue, which should have been dark and empty as night fell, was once again buzzing with energy for the final match. It had become the liveliest place at Capital University and on online streaming platforms, with countless eyes from across the Republic focused upon it.

The outcome of this battle was under unprecedented scrutiny.

These South Koreans, these so-called Korean Medicine practitioners, had become arrogant and pushed them too far. If they didn’t respond in kind and defend their final line, the Traditional Medicine Community of Huaxia would become an absolute laughingstock before the world’s media, open to mockery from all. That was something the proud practitioners of Traditional Huaxia Medicine could never tolerate.

In the vast, roaring stadium, over ninety percent of the crowd were people of Huaxia. Only one small group, near the edge of the competition area, stood out like a sore thumb. This was the Korean Medicine Team, representing South Korea for the exchange, along with their students.

They were clustered together, their expressions haughty as they gazed coldly at the immense crowd of Huaxia people in the stadium.

What use is a large crowd? If their medical skills can’t beat our country’s Korean Medicine Team, it’s destined that after this exchange, the Republic of Korea’s Korean Medicine will make a name for itself worldwide and rightfully break away as a discipline separate from traditional medicine! And isn’t this the self-respect and glory our Republic of Korea has long craved?

”Che Engui-xi, you can do it! As long as you win this match, let’s see what those face-obsessed Huaxia people have left to say. Our Korean Medicine is the strongest, you must defeat them!”

”That’s right, Che Engui-xi! Your acupuncture has been perfected under Grandmaster Song’s tutelage. You must show those Traditional Huaxia Medicine practitioners what you’re made of! Make them accept their defeat completely!”

”As long as we win this last battle, our Korean Medicine from the Republic of Korea will finally have its proper recognition! Che Engui-xi, no matter who they send up today, you must send them off the stage in disgrace and bring glory to our Republic of Korea, understand?”

The derisive laughter from the Korean Medicine Team echoed openly, drawing furious glares from the many patriots and Traditional Huaxia Medicine practitioners in the audience. Since the Koreans had won the second round, their arrogance had become unbearable. But with their own side’s decline so obvious, they could only bottle up their rage for the time being.

At that moment, on the competition stage in the center of the stadium, a short man in a gray suit was already standing there, a smirk on his face. He was the picture of arrogance, and there was something odd about his lips and the bridge of his nose. His mocking gaze swept over the furious Huaxia crowd below, the cold smirk on his face widening.

”Don’t waste any more time. Let’s begin,” he said impatiently in English to the staff nearby, as if his victory was already assured and he couldn’t be bothered to waste another second in such a place.

Hearing this, the staff members looked displeased but could do nothing about it. They could only clear the stage and check if the traditional medicine team was ready.

However, just then, the somewhat noisy stadium suddenly fell silent. A young man dressed in black was slowly walking onto the competition stage. When he reached the top and saw a face unfamiliar to him, he couldn’t help but frown slightly and ask coolly, ”Where is Jin Bingying?”

This person was, of course, none other than Chen Fei, Young Master Chen. He had also spoken in English, with a fluent, native-like accent.

”It’s him!?”

Upon seeing Chen Fei’s face clearly on the stage, Song Jinhu, seated in the spectator stands, had a sudden, drastic change in expression. His face turned ugly, and a hint of panic was deeply hidden in his eyes. He certainly hadn’t forgotten the ’humiliation’ Chen Fei had inflicted upon him on the plane. Even more, he hadn’t forgotten Elder Du’s words.

Could this kid’s medical skills really be greater than that old man’s? No, that’s absolutely impossible!

”Heh.”

Elder Du, sitting not far from him, clearly noticed Song Jinhu’s change in demeanor and let out a disdainful chuckle, his old face filled with playful mockery.

He admitted that the Korean medical prodigy Jin Bingying was indeed a rare medical genius, the kind seen only once in decades. But compared to Doctor Chen, what was he? Nothing but a clay chicken and a pottery dog—utterly worthless.

”You…” At that moment on the stage, Che Engui, representing Korean Medicine, heard Chen Fei’s provocative words and flew into a rage. He sneered, ”A bunch of losers like you dare ask for Doctor Jin to compete? You’re truly overestimating yourselves! I, Che Engui, am more than enough to defeat you all easily.”

”FUCK!”

”Damn, this Korean is so arrogant!”

”Beat him! Send him back to Korea! Damn Korean bastard!”

”This is the last round, you have to win!”

”No kidding! If we don’t win this one, the whole world’s media will be waiting to laugh at us.”

The internet exploded. The live chat was a waterfall of scrolling comments and virtual bombs.

”You?” Hearing Che Engui’s words, Chen Fei couldn’t help but shake his head with a helpless air. Then he said coolly, ”You’ll do. We have to win three matches to settle this anyway. Shall we begin? How shall we compete, and on what?”

Seeing Chen Fei’s casual, dismissive arrogance, not only did worried messages start to fill the live stream chat, but even Che Engui began to sneer mockingly. ”Not very old, but you talk big,” he said with contempt. ”Since you put it that way… how about we compete in acupuncture?”

”Acupuncture!? No way!”

A few of the Traditional Huaxia Medicine practitioners who had heard of the Republic of Korea’s Che Engui paled and shouted, ”Don’t! His specialty is acupuncture, and his sect’s ’Mystic Crane Acupuncture’ is peerless. We absolutely cannot compete with him in that!”

”Hiss! Mystic Crane Acupuncture? Isn’t that a long-lost art from Ancient Huaxia…?”

”Damn it, to think a technique like that was passed down in Korea.”

”It seems we really can’t compete with him in acupuncture. The Mystic Crane Acupuncture is incredibly profound. I’m afraid even that Korean prodigy, Jin Bingying, is no match for him in this area.”

A buzz of discussion erupted through the crowd.

On the stage, Che Engui heard the gasps and whispers of astonishment from the audience, and a self-satisfied, arrogant smirk spread across his face.

He looked down at Chen Fei haughtily and said with disdain, ”So? Do you dare? If you don’t have the guts…”

”Fine, let’s do acupuncture.”

Before he could finish, Chen Fei cut him off with a casual expression. He then said coolly, ”Alright, let’s get started. You can choose how we compete, because I really don’t have the patience to dawdle with you. Are the patients ready?”

At his words, Che Engui’s expression froze. The crowd couldn’t help but stare, dumbfounded.

This guy… he’s just too arrogant, isn’t he?