Yang Jingbo's extre reaction startled Zhao Yuan.
'What in the world is going on? Director Yang has a short fuse, but I didn't think he'd fly off the handle and start cussing in front of so many experts and professors.'
Zhao Yuan quickly tugged at Yang Jingbo's arm and asked in a low voice, "Director Yang, what's going on?"
Yang Jingbo shot Zhao Dezhu a vicious glare before explaining, "The 'Third Grand-uncle' Zhao Dezhu ntioned is nad Zhao Yangqiu. He's already seventy years old. Don't let his age fool you. Because he's taken excellent care of his health, his eyes are sharp, his hands are steady, and he's sturdier than many middle-aged n!"
"Zhao Yangqiu showed imnse dical talent from a young age. At thirty, he traveled north to Tianjin Guard to challenge the renowned Traditional Chinese dicine master of the Northern School, the esteed Shi Moyu, who was ranked first among the ten great physicians of the city. Zhao Yangqiu returned victorious, his na echoing across the nation! At forty, he was invited to the first China-Japan dical Exchange Conference in the Capital City. There, he stunned everyone present with his miraculous suspended silk pulse diagnosis technique. The fa of the Jinling Zhao Family spread all the way to East Japan, and he earned the epithet 'The Arbiter of Qiankun'..."
As Yang Jingbo spoke, a clear picture of Zhao Yangqiu's life and accomplishnts ford in the minds of Zhao Yuan and the others.
'This guy isn't just skilled; he's a monster with a main character's aura!'
After he finished, Yang Jingbo concluded, "Zhao Yangqiu is one of the five most skilled physicians in the Jinling Zhao Family! Even on a national scale, his dical prowess is in the upper echelons of the first class! His mastery of Pulse Diagnosis, in particular, is among the absolute best! For Zhao Dezhu to bring him out to compete against you in a Pulse Diagnosis Technique competition... isn't that just blatant bullying?!"
That last sentence made Zhao Yuan's expression darken.
'What does he an, bullying? Director Yang, do you really have that little faith in ?'
In fact, it wasn't just Yang Jingbo who thought Zhao Dezhu was playing dirty and bullying him; Li Heping and the others felt the sa way.
They had originally assud the Jinling Zhao Family would send soone from the younger generation to face the challenge. They never imagined they would bring out the most senior and most skilled physician in the entire clan.
'Did they really have to go this far? Their opponent is just a college freshman. Even if he's incredibly talented, he can't possibly be better than the mbers of the Jinling Zhao Family who have studied dicine since childhood, right? To deal with soone like him, even sending out the strongest of his peers would be a hollow victory. And yet, they brought out the clan's "old demon." Aren't they afraid of becoming a laughingstock?'
'Damn it, even if they win, it'll be a blow to their reputation!'
But Zhao Dezhu didn't see it that way.
In his eyes, the fact that Zhao Yuan dared to issue a challenge in front of so many reporters ant the kid was absolutely confident. Over the past three days, he had dug up a lot of information on Zhao Yuan. His new interpretation and translation of the *Treasure of Life and Form Theory* and his victory over Kobayashi Haruo made him realize Zhao Yuan was no ordinary college student. And when he recalled the post from "A Man Who Wants to Be a Witch Doctor" in strong support of Zhao Yuan, he beca convinced: Zhao Yuan had to be the man's disciple!
'As the saying goes, a great teacher produces a brilliant student! 'A Man Who Wants to Be a Witch Doctor' was so formidable, how could his disciple be anything less? If he sent out the younger generation to compete, the odds would be 50-50 at best. But the Jinling Zhao Family had to win this competition! And it had to be a clean sweep—all three rounds! After careful consideration, he decided to have Zhao Yangqiu anchor the first round.'
'In his mind, with Zhao Yangqiu competing, there was simply no way they could lose the Pulse Diagnosis round.'
'An elder picking on a junior? Becoming a laughingstock? None of that mattered. Losing this competition—that would be the ultimate humiliation!'
"Now, Jingbo, what you're saying is a bit unreasonable."
Zhao Dezhu picked up a teacup from the nearby coffee table and took a light sip.
"Zhao Yuan's challenge was issued to our Jinling Zhao Family. He never specified an individual or a particular age group within the clan. That being the case, why can't I ask my Third Grand-uncle to co out and help West Hua dical University teach this young man a proper lesson? In fact, you should be thanking . My Third Grand-uncle's fa is known both at ho and abroad. Countless people would kill for a chance to receive his guidance on the Pulse Diagnosis Technique. You realize you're getting an incredible deal here, don't you?"
Seeing how utterly shaless Zhao Dezhu was, Yang Jingbo was so furious he could only grit his teeth.
Zhao Yuan, however, wasn't angry. He gently patted Yang Jingbo's back to calm him down and said with a smile, "Director Yang, don't be angry. The way I see it, them sending out their clan's strongest expert to fight is a good thing. That way, when they lose, they'll have no excuses!"
Yang Jingbo said anxiously, "But that's Zhao Yangqiu! When it cos to Pulse Diagnosis, his skill is among the absolute elite..."
Zhao Yuan smiled and cut him off. "An elite? I specialize in beating the elite!"
"Arrogant!" Zhao Dezhu's face darkened as he snapped.
Zhao Yuan wasn't intimidated. He shook his head. "Without the skill to back it up, it's arrogance. With skill, it's confidence."
"Skill, you say? Fine. Let's see just how much skill you actually have!" Zhao Dezhu hissed through clenched teeth.
While they were bickering, Zhao Yangqiu arrived at the competition grounds.
Just as Yang Jingbo had described, although Zhao Yangqiu was seventy years old, he still walked with a brisk, energetic stride and was full of vigor. If not for his full head of silver hair and the wrinkles on his face, one could easily believe he was in his forties.
Although Zhao Dezhu was the Clan Leader, he didn't dare put on airs in front of Zhao Yangqiu. He quickly rose to greet him, "Third Grand-uncle."
Zhao Yangqiu nodded, his gaze sweeping over everyone present. He cupped his fists. "I didn't expect so many friends to be here today. Little Brother Li, Little Brother Qiao, and to all the friends seated here, it has been a long ti. I trust you are all well?"
Even figures like Li Heping, Qiao Zhixue, and Professor Tu didn't dare to act pretentiously in front of Zhao Yangqiu. He was their senior in both age and status, which was no lower than theirs. Everyone rose to their feet to return his greeting.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Zhao Yangqiu turned and scanned the group from West Hua dical University. His gaze finally settled on Zhao Yuan. "So, you're the one who challenged my Jinling Zhao Family? It's good to be ambitious, young man, but ambition without an awareness of one's own limitations is rely foolishness. Today, I will teach you the lesson your masters clearly neglected to!"
Despite the old man's hostile tone, Zhao Yuan didn't get angry. He remained perfectly polite. "Then I thank you in advance, honored elder!"
This attitude of his earned him a secret nod of approval from Li Heping, Qiao Zhixue, Professor Tu, and the other dical experts.
Zhao Dezhu stood up and announced loudly, "The first round, the Pulse Diagnosis Technique competition, begins! Bring out the Curtain House! Bring in the patient!"
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