Chapter 614 The Medicine King Championship Begins!
Chen Xuan looked up and saw an old man had walked in without him realizing it.
The old man was wearing cloth shoes and a grey robe. His greyish-white hair was meticulously combed, neat and tidy. His eyes were particularly sharp, making him look more like a martial artist than a doctor.
As the old man entered, the faces of the surrounding TCM doctors changed. Many of them shook their heads, groaning repeatedly. It was evident that this grey-robed elder was deeply feared by all the TCM doctors present.
"Second Master Huang!"
"Long time no see!"
"Second Master Huang, we're in the same competition zone. You'll have to go easy on me later."
"The Huang family is indeed impressive, not only having the Medicine King, Old Master Huang, but also a divine doctor like Second Master Huang. Could it be that we'll see a scenario of one family producing two Medicine Kings today?"
Chen Xuan finally understood that Second Master Huang was the biological younger brother of the Jiangnan Medicine King, Old Master Huang.
Second Master Huang was quite adept at swaying people. He smiled and said, "You are all too kind. If I am fortunate enough to successfully challenge my brother today and achieve the feat of one family producing two Medicine Kings, I will invite you all to the Huang family for drinks!"
Those who had long since given up on the title of Medicine King applauded enthusiastically. As for the TCM doctors who still held a sliver of hope for the title, they gritted their teeth secretly, though they maintained smiles on their faces.
After all, the Huang family held a significant position in the medical community of Jiangnan Province, and it was absolutely not to be offended.
Suddenly, Second Master Huang looked at Chen Xuan and frowned, "Where did this young punk come from? Have you come to the wrong place?"
After speaking, before Chen Xuan could explain, Second Master Huang turned to a staff member and sternly rebuked, "The competition is about to begin, why aren't you quickly kicking this fellow out!"
The surrounding staff members blushed, not knowing how to explain. After a moment, they stammered, "Second Master Huang, this gentleman is also here to participate in the important Medicine King Championship."
Second Master Huang blinked and said, "Oh? Is that so? How come I didn't notice? Does someone like him deserve to be here?"
Chen Xuan's brow furrowed as he looked at Second Master Huang.
From his expression, it was clear that Second Master Huang knew his identity but was deliberately trying to humiliate him.
However, Chen Xuan soon realized that this was likely related to Du Ziqiang.
"Then take a good look." Chen Xuan took out his credentials and placed them in front of Second Master Huang.
In fact, after Du Ziqiang made the call, Second Master Huang had briefly investigated Chen Xuan. He was already well aware of the channel through which Chen Xuan had entered the Medicine King Championship.
However, he still pretended to examine Chen Xuan's credentials and said lightly, "I didn't expect you to be recommended by the Renxin Medical Hall. Why isn't Old Master Lu here? He sent you? Don't tell me he was scared away by me and dared not come?"
Upon hearing this, the other doctors looked at Chen Xuan pityingly. Old Master Lu had sent a young man to take the blame. While it might have been fine on other occasions, now that they were in the same competition zone as the Huang family, this was not a gilded opportunity but rather an invitation for humiliation.
Tomorrow, this scandal would surely spread throughout the entire provincial medical community!
At such a young age, to bear such a notorious reputation, his path in medicine was effectively cut off.
Chen Xuan narrowed his eyes, a smile mixed with amusement in them. He deliberately said, "Old Master Lu said that the title of Jiangnan Medicine King is merely a small honor. I can take it back myself, so why would Old Master Lu need to come in person?"
Second Master Huang's face darkened. He scanned the crowd and said, "Everyone, listen to this. How arrogant are his words? That old fellow clearly doesn't have any of you in his eyes!"
This Second Master Huang was quite good at inciting people. With a few words, he immediately made Chen Xuan, Old Master Lu, and the entire Renxin Medical Hall targets of everyone's attack.
"Old Master Lu is truly too arrogant!"
"How detestable! I treated him to tea just a few days ago, and this is how he thinks of us!"
Hearing the surrounding voices, Second Master Huang narrowed his eyes, revealing a smug smile.
He stared at Chen Xuan and said coldly, with a sense of righteous indignation, "Young man, since you represent Old Master Lu, I will treat you as a peer. If you lose, don't blame others!"
Chen Xuan instantly understood. Second Master Huang had gone through all this trouble to put him in an unfavorable position, intending to find a reason to suppress him while maintaining his own image.
He smiled lightly, "Just bring it on!"
Soon, the Medicine King Championship officially began.
According to the rules, the Medicine King Championship consisted of five rounds. In each round, half of the participants would be eliminated. In the final round, only one person would remain, and all others would be eliminated.
After four rounds of competition, which all tested the fundamental skills of Traditional Chinese Medicine, only Chen Xuan, Second Master Huang, an old woman, and a lame man remained.
All eyes were on Chen Xuan as they exchanged glances.
No one had expected Chen Xuan to last until the final round!
It must be luck!
Second Master Huang looked at Chen Xuan and sneered, "This fellow has really struck it lucky!"
Similarly, Second Master Huang believed Chen Xuan's success was due to luck, as Chen Xuan had advanced in the last position in every previous round.
At this moment, a staff member announced, "The next stage of the competition is sparring. You can freely choose your opponents for sparring."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's gaze towards Chen Xuan was filled with greed.
Clearly, everyone believed Chen Xuan's climb to this point was entirely due to luck, and that his actual strength was the weakest. Everyone wanted to pick on a soft target.
Second Master Huang did not hesitate and said, "Chen Xuan, do you dare to accept my challenge?"
Seeing this, the old woman and the lame man cursed Second Master Huang for being shameless, but they said nothing. They could not afford to offend the Huang family.
Chen Xuan guessed Second Master Huang's intentions and smiled, "Very well, I accept your challenge!"
Upon hearing this, everyone couldn't help but shake their heads.
Among these four individuals, Second Master Huang was the strongest, and Chen Xuan was the weakest. According to the rules, if Chen Xuan refused the challenge, it would have been understandable. Yet, Chen Xuan had agreed, which was akin to seeking his own demise.
Second Master Huang's eyes narrowed, and he stared at Chen Xuan with a cold sneer, "Young man, don't worry, I'll make sure your defeat is quick."
"Second Master Huang, my luck is very good. You'd best be careful."
Facing the threat, Chen Xuan remained composed and warned him.
Second Master Huang paused, then chuckled, "Hahaha, luck won't always be on your side. Moreover, what does it matter in the face of absolute strength?"
He, Second Master Huang, never believed in things like luck.
Besides, he possessed absolute strength.
"Please draw lots!"
At this moment, a beautiful woman in a qipao walked over, carrying a tray covered with red silk.
On the tray was a bamboo tube for drawing lots, filled with bamboo slips.
The bamboo slips inside the tube contained the competition details. Random drawing was the fairest method.
"Young man, you're not lucky, are you? Then you draw first, so no one can say I'm bullying you," Second Master Huang said proudly.
"Then I'll do it!"
Chen Xuan agreed immediately.
Without hesitation, he reached into the lot-drawing tube, quickly selected a bamboo slip, and handed it to a staff member.
The staff member saw the competition details on the bamboo slip and cast a pitiful glance at Chen Xuan...