The Traditional Chinese Medicine exchange conference proceeded as scheduled, and Han Lang's group, led by Tongtong, arrived as expected!
As they neared the venue, observing the continuous stream of attendees, Han Lang couldn't help but remark to Ma Long in a low voice.
"Brother Ma, with such a lively scene, do you think that Zhao Wei will show up again?"
Ma Long also glanced around and replied.
"Hard to say, I think it's very likely! That guy loves to show off in crowded places!"
"Heh heh..."
Han Lang chuckled.
He hadn't expected Ma Long to share the same ingrained impression of Zhao Wei as he did.
As they were speaking, the group entered the venue. Before they could find their seats, they suddenly heard a yelp. One of the disciples from the Tianyi Sect bumped into a man in a suit.
"Damn it! Can't you see where you're going!"
The bodyguard next to the suited man immediately raised his hand furiously towards the Tianyi Sect disciple.
But just as his palm was about to descend, a large hand firmly grasped his wrist, rendering him immobile. At the same time, Han Lang's cold voice cut through the air.
"Mr. Zhao has quite the temper of a spoiled young master! At a corner like this, you bump into someone else first, yet you want to play the victim?"
Ma Long added dismissively, "Exactly! I'd say this isn't just arrogance, but also a haunting presence!"
Zhao Wei, looking at the two with unfriendly tones, was slightly taken aback at first.
Then, he quickly scanned the crowd for Luo Jiaying's figure.
Once he confirmed she wasn't present, he sneered sarcastically.
"I wondered who it was. It turns out fate brings enemies together! Young Master Han of Lecheng is indeed knowledgeable and talented. After listening to elegant classical music, you're now attending the profound Traditional Chinese Medicine conference. Your interests are quite broad!"
Han Lang forcefully threw the bodyguard's hand away, deliberately clapped his palms, and then responded.
"I wouldn't dare! I'm just an ordinary young man from a small town like Lecheng. How can I compare to the vast knowledge of Young Master Zhao from Xingcheng! You claim to know nothing, yet you dare to openly act as a judge. Are you perhaps impersonating a Traditional Chinese Medicine expert again today?"
If Han Lang's retort to Zhao Wei at the piano competition was considered reserved, then at the TCM conference, where he excelled, he would show no mercy!
After all, with the memories of Shennong Tianyi as his support, he was confident that no one in China today could surpass him.
"Haha..."
Unexpectedly, Zhao Wei not only didn't mind these words but burst into laughter.
"Young Master Han, have you forgotten our true identities? Whether it's Traditional Chinese Medicine or Western medicine, what use do they have for people like us? Haha..."
Han Lang scoffed at his smug expression.
Zhao Wei, a cultivator, yet he believed that cultivators didn't need to receive treatment from doctors like ordinary people.
What an ignorant thought!
Not to mention Han Lang's specialized Shennong Eighteen Needle techniques targeting cultivators, even the elixirs that cultivators eagerly sought after, in a way, weren't they also on the same path as TCM herbal theories?
Otherwise, how would the elixir ingredients be formulated? How would the efficacy of spiritual herbs and plants complement or counteract each other?
"Truly, one cannot discuss ice with a summer insect, nor the sky with a well frog. Regarding Young Master Zhao's knowledge, I can only say, there are no words!"
"Hmph!"
Zhao Wei, unaware, also sneered, even glancing at Tongtong standing beside Han Lang, and replied meaningfully.
"We shall see!"
The minor interlude did not affect the timely commencement of the TCM conference. Following the host's grand opening remarks, the first to take the stage was Zhao Wei, as the event's sponsor.
"Distinguished guests, friends, Traditional Chinese Medicine is a cultural treasure inherited by our nation for thousands of years. To witness the vigorous development of TCM here, to work together with everyone in its inheritance, and to jointly promote TCM culture is my honor, and the innate pride of every Chinese person..."
Zhao Wei, as someone accustomed to speaking on such occasions, spoke with poise and eloquence, captivating everyone and quickly igniting their passion for TCM.
After several minutes of advocacy, seeing that everyone present had resonated with their feelings for TCM, Zhao Wei's speech was nearing its end.
At this moment, he, who was supposed to step down according to the original plan, suddenly changed his tone, gesturing for everyone to look at Han Lang's group, and said.
"The inheritance and development of Traditional Chinese Medicine require our unremitting efforts from generation to generation. In this regard, I believe our friends from Lecheng are doing a great job. Please look, a child around ten years old is leading the delegation to participate in our TCM exchange conference. This is enough to show how much effort and determination they have put into TCM inheritance! For this, I have taken the liberty to invite the young leader from Lecheng to come on stage and share his experience in studying medicine. Let's welcome him with applause!"
"Wow!"
Thunderous applause instantly filled the entire conference hall.
Seeing this, Zhao Wei felt a surge of pride.
At that moment,
everyone present wore expressions of schadenfreude, looking forward to the spectacle;
simultaneously, Wang Fang and Sun Liansheng's faces turned grim;
only Tongtong, due to his young age, had no particular thoughts about adults speaking sarcastic words cloaked in praise.
He walked onto the stage with neither humility nor haste, politely accepted the microphone from the staff, and calmly said.
"Studying medicine is a passion, and even more so, a faith! My medical sentiment was instilled by my mother; my medical skills and the faith of a benevolent physician to heal the world were inherited from my master; my medical ethics were taught by Grandpa Sun, the head instructor of the Tianyi Sect. I am young, and my vocabulary is limited. I don't know what to say to everyone on this stage. I only know that as the senior disciple of the Tianyi Sect, and as the leader representing the Tianyi Sect at this exchange conference, I have the obligation and responsibility to uphold the promotion of TCM, benefit the people, bring glory to China, and vindicate TCM!"
"Wow!"
As soon as Tongtong finished speaking, thunderous applause erupted from the audience again.
Han Lang and Sun Liansheng were filled with pride; Ma Long looked proud; Wang Fang's eyes welled up with tears as she looked at Tongtong on stage;
Only Zhao Wei looked at Tongtong with disbelief.
He truly hadn't expected a ten-year-old boy to withstand the pressure in such a setting and deliver such a speech.
However, Zhao Wei, with his vast experience, unyieldingly snatched another microphone from the host and, feigning a smile, said to Tongtong.
"Good! Good! Very well said, child! But I have a question for you. At your age, you focus on studying medicine. Don't you need to participate in compulsory education?"
Tongtong shook his head. "I do! It's just that I don't attend school. To ensure I cherish my time and focus on studying medicine, my mother and master hired private tutors for every subject to teach me at home! Although my mother told me the cost is not small, if I can receive my master's true teachings and become a benevolent physician like my master when I grow up, with fees based on ability to pay, then it is all worthwhile for anyone!"
Zhao Wei was somewhat speechless. He hadn't expected Tongtong to answer so flawlessly.
However, still unwilling to give up, he immediately asked again, "You mentioned the Tianyi Sect earlier. What is that? Is it a TCM sect you established yourselves?"
Tongtong replied without hesitation, "Yes! Grandpa Sun said that the Tianyi Sect was founded by him and my master, and it will be propagated by my generation. Furthermore, they firmly believe that as long as the Tianyi Sect develops and grows, it will inevitably achieve the goal of promoting TCM! It will also strengthen the TCM community and vindicate TCM! This is also our fundamental purpose for attending this Traditional Chinese Medicine exchange conference!"
"Tch!"
Zhao Wei couldn't help but scoff upon hearing this.
"Child, are you joking? Everyone present here is a prominent figure in the TCM community! Not to mention that establishing a so-called sect in this era is somewhat laughable, but your ambition to promote TCM and vindicate it single-handedly, isn't that a bit too fantastical? Moreover, by doing so, are you looking down on other TCM colleagues?"
With Zhao Wei's instigation, many in the audience began to look at Han Lang's group with a hint of anger.
Tongtong, hearing these words, couldn't help but furrow his small brows, clearly displeased.
Therefore, he looked at Zhao Wei indignantly yet politely and said, "Uncle, by speaking like this, are you trying to incite animosity between our Tianyi Sect and other TCM colleagues?"
"Uh..."
Zhao Wei was speechless. He hadn't expected such a young child to directly expose his intentions.
Just as he was at a loss for words, Tongtong continued nonchalantly.
"If Uncle thinks this way, then you underestimate our Tianyi Sect too much. I can tell you very clearly that the medical skills of the Tianyi Sect can withstand the test of time! Our medical skills are enough to stand tall in the entire Chinese TCM community! As long as we develop and grow, promote TCM, and make the entire medical field follow TCM's lead, it will be absolutely no problem!"
"Boom!"
This statement caused an uproar in the venue!
Everyone began to whisper indignantly.
"Damn! This little brat has too big a mouth!"
"Who says not? A country bumpkin from the remote Lecheng actually dares to speak so wildly!"
"He actually wants to be superior to all of us! This is too much!"
...
Listening to the discussions,
a hint of smugness flashed across Zhao Wei's lips.
Wang Fang, Ma Long, and the others were suddenly filled with worry.
Only Han Lang looked at Tongtong, who remained unfazed on stage, with admiration.
What kind of mindset is this!
With such a gifted disciple in the Shennong Tianyi Sect, why worry about the sect not prospering?
As he was thinking this, Zhao Wei on stage spoke again, attempting to further fuel the flames.
"So, your Tianyi Sect looks down on the entire TCM community? Then what is your purpose in attending this TCM exchange conference?"
"To find like-minded individuals and jointly create the revival of TCM!"
Tongtong then explained, "TCM is declining, and it cannot be saved by ordinary people! The Tianyi Sect is willing to take on this responsibility, but even the most skilled cook cannot cook without ingredients! The Tianyi Pavilion needs to use this TCM conference to network with aspiring and passionate medical friends from all over the world to jointly accomplish the great task of promoting TCM. Of course, for other TCM groups that are somewhat renowned or have achieved some success, if they do not submit, the Tianyi Sect can provide some technical support. However, we have a fundamental requirement: we only impart knowledge to those with benevolent hearts! Otherwise, we will surely purge our ranks!"
"Wow!"
The crowd was once again in an uproar.
"Damn it! Too arrogant! If I don't teach him a lesson today, how can I establish myself in the TCM community in the future!"
"Exactly! I'd like to see what capabilities this little kid has, to dare to speak so wildly in such a setting!"
"Indeed! He must be taught a lesson by society and shown the immensity of the world!"
...
Seeing everyone eager to step forward, Zhao Wei knew his mission was essentially accomplished.
He returned the microphone to the host, quietly instructed the host to continue fanning the flames of hatred towards the Tianyi Sect, and then returned to his seat to leisurely watch the show!
Before long, a thin man resembling a Taoist priest stood up from the crowd, pointed at Tongtong, and shouted.
"You arrogant brat! I must compete with you today to maintain the harmony and stability of the TCM community over these years!"
Tongtong, neither arrogant nor impatient, asked, "May I ask how Uncle wishes to compete?"
The thin Taoist priest thought for a moment and replied, "Let's compete in acupuncture! I don't believe you, a little kid, have even memorized the human acupoint chart, have you? Haha..."
Tongtong nodded calmly and replied with an innocent expression, "It's possible, but may I ask Uncle, do you know Shenxi Hand? If not, then you are not qualified to compete with me!"
Shenxi Hand?
After a brief moment of shock, the crowd became even more enraged.
"This little brat is too boastful at such a young age! That's the Shenxi Hand, a needle technique that is the pinnacle of the TCM world!"
"Yes! Not to mention that Shenxi Hand is already lost, but even if it still existed, it's not something a child like him could learn!"
"Brother, you are mistaken! Learning Shenxi Hand is as difficult as ascending to heaven. Let alone him, even if all of us here combined, we might not be able to grasp even a fraction of it!"
...
The thin Taoist priest became even more furious and cursed, "You brat! You speak so boldly, aren't you afraid of biting your tongue! If you know such a top-tier technique as Shenxi Hand, let alone me leading my disciples to submit to your Tianyi Sect, I would even kneel down and beg to be your disciple without a second thought!"
Tongtong still had an innocent expression. "No, no! I can't accept you as my disciple!"
Just as everyone thought Tongtong had a moment of conscience and finally showed a trace of respect for elders, his next words shocked everyone again.
"The Tianyi Sect has very strict requirements for accepting disciples! If you want to become my disciple, you must first see if you are qualified by Grandpa Sun!"
Upon hearing this, the thin Taoist priest staggered, almost falling. Before he could curse again, Tongtong continued.
"I can demonstrate Shenxi Hand for you, but are you sure you can recognize its value?"