CHAPTER 1354: CHAPTER 1388: TAKING ADVANTAGE OF WANG XIAOMIN

"Haha... Old Wang, Old Zhang, we’ve been waiting for you two for quite some time. Now that you’re finally here, we’ve taken a lot of flak on your behalf!"

The ones who greeted them were none other than Gu Tianjiao, the Medicine King hosting this Medicine King Hall competition, and the Holy Hand Huo Chunqiu.

"Hehe, didn’t I just find Old Wang? I wanted to bring him over, but seeing that he wasn’t in the best of moods, I spent quite some time convincing him in his room before I managed to bring him here." The speaker was Zhang Sanfeng, an old rascal who loved to tease Wang Chongyang.

"Oh, Old Wang, what’s wrong with your mood? Could this Medicine King Hall competition have put pressure on you?" Gu Tianjiao chuckled. He held a respectable, eminent position within the four major Chinese Medicine Families and was highly respected. Every year, it was he who invited the other three families to participate in the competition.

"Old Gu, don’t laugh at me. It’s just been a while since I last saw Old Zhang, so I’m a bit emotional. As one gets older, it’s natural to have mood swings." Wang Chongyang’s expression changed slightly as he slowly started to adapt to the environment.

"By the way, Old Wang, I’ve heard you have a young disciple who knows the miraculous ’Skin Film Technique’ and is here to participate in the Medicine King Hall competition today. Do you know where he is now? The Holy Hand and I are keen to meet him, if we may have the honor?"

"Uh... "

Wang Chongyang’s face stiffened, and he started to feel apprehensive.

"Old Wang, since your disciple is already here, why not introduce him to everyone? This era is where the waves of the Yangtze River push forward, and we old folks should see what all the fuss is about."

The speaker was the Holy Hand Huo Chunqiu.

He hailed from a Chinese Medicine Family in Jiangzhou, and his most impressive medical skill was his pair of miraculous Holy Hands.

If a patient suffered any internal harm or illness, his Holy Hands could cure it with just a gentle touch.

The gathering of the four major Chinese Medicine Family leaders caused quite a sensation throughout Dragon City.

"I’m only afraid that this so-called disciple might turn out to be a dud!"

Zhang Sanfeng, in front of everyone, ruthlessly criticized Wang Chongyang.

"Old Zhang, it’s fine to joke around, but don’t go too far. We’ve been old friends for many years; it’s no harm to talk about other matters, but on this one, I think you should know to show some restraint!"

Wang Chongyang furrowed his broad brows, finally angered; he’d tolerated Zhang Sanfeng for long enough.

He hadn’t expected this fellow to be so aggressive.

"Ahem... well, since the four of us old folks are all here, what else is there to say? Come on, let’s all take our seats. The Medicine King Hall competition is about to start, and it’s the younger generation’s stage, nothing to do with us old chaps. Their effort levels will be revealed by their performance today."

Medicine King Gu Tianjiao hurriedly played the Peacemaker, quickly smoothing over the tension between the two.

The four of them entered a place resembling a large open-air courtyard. The area was already bustling with people from all walks of life, including many elite Western medicine figures. For nothing else, being able to witness the birth of new Chinese Medicine Kings from the four great families was worth it.

"Did you see those two up there? They’re some plainclothes leaders from the central government. If you two can win the title of Medicine King in the competition, naturally these people will come to connect with you. What you’ll gain won’t just be power; it’s a reputation – making a name for yourself depends on this moment. Don’t let me lose face!"

Zhang Sanfeng’s eyes flickered with intense greed. Today’s competition was no ordinary event; it concerned their Discontinued Lineage King’s standing in society.

"Yes! We definitely won’t let Father down!"

"Good, just do your best. I believe you’ll both achieve success!"

At that moment, more and more people gathered in the arena, including quite a few foreigners. In their view, Chinese medicine used to be quite powerful, but incidents of fatal outcomes and extremely slow effects in recent years had tarnished its reputation at home. The high cost of Chinese medicine also deterred many.

However, just as Wang Chongyang settled into his seat, seven or eight journalists swarmed him with cameras, as if premeditated.

The barrage of outrageous questions almost made Wang Chongyang spit blood.

"Dr. Wang, is it true that there’s a disciple who knows the ’Skin Touching Technique’?"

"Dr. Wang, when did a disciple skilled in the Skin Touching Technique emerge from your Divine Needle Sect? And what’s their connection to your sect?"

"Dr. Wang, Dr. Wang, is your disciple here today? Shouldn’t he be participating in the Medicine King Hall competition? Why haven’t we seen him yet?"

"..."

A string of outrageous questions bombarded Wang Chongyang, leaving him incredibly embarrassed. He didn’t know how to handle these absurd inquiries, especially since there was no news from Lin Zifeng yet, and he didn’t dare to claim whether he’d show up.

"Hmph, I’d like to see when exactly the Divine Needle Sect produced a disciple proficient in the Skin Touching Technique."

Beside him, Zhang Sanfeng smirked, casually sipping his tea, relishing in Wang Chongyang’s embarrassment.

"Xiaomin, have you been comfortable staying here these past few days?"

Gu Yimeng, with a graceful demeanor, walked over courteously.

He held two glasses of red wine, handing one to Wang Xiaomin.

"Thank you, I’ve been fine." As she took the wine, Wang Xiaomin, too, was anxious, her brain churning.

If Lin Zifeng doesn’t show up soon, the competition will start. At that point, her father’s Divine Needle King reputation would crumble.

Her father had sought nothing in life but to preserve the Divine Needle King’s legacy. If today’s events tarnished that, within half a year, the Divine Needle King would likely vanish from Zhonghai...

"Xiaomin, you look a bit unwell. What’s the matter?" At this time, Gu Yimeng reached out to touch her face.

"Hey, with so many people around, what do you think you’re doing?"

Wang Xiaomin’s slender figure quickly dodged, evading his dirty hands.

"Sorry, I was too impulsive." Gu Yimeng shrugged, smiling wryly, "By the way, why hasn’t Mr. Lin arrived yet? Is he not coming?"

"I’m not sure, he probably ran into something urgent." Wang Xiaomin’s eyes flickered.

"Hehe, I believe in Mr. Lin. He’ll definitely show up today. I’m also sure your Divine Needle Sect will secure a place in the Medicine King Hall competition."

"Let’s hope so."

Wang Xiaomin took a small sip of red wine, deep in thought.