Chapter 148: Challenging the Entire World of Traditional Medicine

Chapter 148: Chapter 148: Challenging the Entire World of Traditional Medicine

Wang Chenning paid no mind to the crowd’s fury. He took the microphone and walked toward the front of the stage, speaking as he went. "Today, I’ll dare to say it in front of everyone: my acupuncture skills are better than anyone’s here. If anyone isn’t convinced, you can challenge me to a contest of skill!"

"Who the hell do you think you are? How dare you be so insolent in front of us?" An old man nearby was livid. He shot to his feet, pointing at Wang Chenning and cursing, "So young, yet so arrogant! Didn’t your elders teach you any basic manners?"

Another old man, this one with a long beard and wearing a traditional magua, looking every bit the venerable master, also rebuked Wang Chenning angrily. "The world has truly gone downhill! It’s because of brats like you, pretending to be masters, that traditional medicine’s reputation is being ruined!"

The grandfather-grandson duo of Chang Hongwei and Chang Qingfeng were also attending the annual conference today. They had noticed Wang Chenning and Yang Xiaofei the moment they walked in.

They hadn’t expected Lu Yuanshan to introduce Wang Chenning in such a manner. What they expected even less was for Wang Chenning to not only lack humility but to be so brazen as to provoke countless guests.

Seeing this, both Chang Hongwei and Chang Qingfeng felt a surge of vindictive satisfaction.

If Wang Chenning started a conflict with so many luminaries of traditional medicine at a conference of this caliber, he could forget about ever making a name for himself in the field.

Lu Yuanshan’s reputation would be damaged as well. Someone was bound to stand up and take him to task over this.

If he didn’t handle this well, Lu Yuanshan would become a public pariah.

Ever since learning that Lu Yuanshan was Wang Chongjiu’s direct disciple, Chang Hongwei had lost all goodwill toward him. He had even been scheming of ways to oust him from his positions as Vice President of the University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Director of its First Affiliated Hospital.

"I can compete against you using the very techniques you specialize in!" Amidst the growing uproar, Wang Chenning’s expression remained calm as he continued, "If I lose, I’ll leave this place immediately and never touch an acupuncture needle again. And of course, you can do with me whatever you wish. If I win, the loser simply has to publicly say, ’I concede.’ That’s all!"

Wang Chenning’s words sent the room into complete chaos. Many people looked like they wanted to stand up and beat him.

The kid was certainly handsome, but he had a truly punchable face!

An old man sitting beside Chang Hongwei, after sputtering a few curses at Wang Chenning, turned to Chang Qingfeng. "Qingfeng, do you know this person?"

Chang Qingfeng wanted to shake his head, but after a glance at his grandfather, he ended up nodding.

"He’s Wang Chongjiu’s grandson," Chang Qingfeng said resentfully. "He thinks he’s all that just because he learned a few tricks from Wang Chongjiu, and now he’s unbelievably arrogant. To spout such nonsense in front of so many elders today... it’s outrageous!"

"So he’s Wang Chongjiu’s grandson!" The man was slightly surprised, but then he stroked his beard and chuckled. "Don’t tell me Wang Chongjiu sent him here to crash the party?"

"Probably," Chang Qingfeng nodded, seeing that his grandfather wasn’t responding.

The man sneered. "That old bastard Wang Chongjiu is truly detestable. He humiliated so many people back in the day, became a pariah in the world of traditional medicine. I can’t believe he’s still not resigned to his fate even on his deathbed. Now he’s actually sent his grandson to stir up trouble. Let’s just see how everyone puts this brat in his place!"

Chang Qingfeng immediately fanned the flames. "Elder Wu, you must personally take action today and teach that Wang family brat a good lesson!"

While they were speaking, Wang Chenning had already strode to the front of the stage.

"Don’t be so arrogant, young man!" A middle-aged man in his fifties stood up to block Wang Chenning’s path. "Is there anyone in this hall who isn’t your senior? Is there anyone here who isn’t a master of their craft? Don’t think you can look down on everyone just because you know a few amateurish needle tricks."

Others joined in, condemning Wang Chenning. Some even shouted for him to be thrown out.

Seeing the situation spiraling out of control, the Deputy Secretary-General of the Traditional Medicine Association, who was presiding over the meeting, hurried over to ask Lu Yuanshan what was happening.

Lu Yuanshan just chuckled and said, "Don’t mind them. Just watch the show. It’s going to be a good one."

Then, he added meaningfully, "Today is destined to be an eye-opening day for many people!"

Yang Xiaofei also stood up, frowning as she stared toward the front.

Though no one was targeting her, she was still simmering with frustration.

She just couldn’t understand why Wang Chenning was acting so ostentatiously today, completely disregarding the fact that he was offending the most influential figures in the world of traditional medicine.

She knew that most of the attendees were pillars of the traditional medicine community. If Wang Chenning made enemies of them, it would be impossible for his future career not to be affected.

"I am Wang Chenning, and I currently teach at the University of Traditional Chinese Medicine." Wang Chenning wasn’t the least bit annoyed, looking at the man with a cheerful smile. "May I have your name, senior?"

"My name is Zheng! Zheng Guilong!" the middle-aged man declared proudly. "I am the orthodox successor of the Fire Needle technique, and I receive a special government stipend for my contributions!"

"The successor to the Fire Needle, yet you can’t even treat your own high blood pressure or control your own temper!" Wang Chenning’s cheerful smile never wavered. "It seems there’s a good reason the Fire Needle school is looked down upon!"

"You!" Zheng Guilong raged. "How dare you—"

Before he could finish his rebuke, Wang Chenning cut him off. "I’m guessing you’ve only used the ’heat’ properties of the Fire Needle to treat your high blood pressure, without considering supplementary methods. On top of that, you’re not careful about your diet, which is why your pressure remains high. Of course, completely curing hereditary hypertension isn’t easy, but keeping it within a normal range shouldn’t be that difficult, should it?"

Without waiting for a reaction, Wang Chenning’s gaze shifted to the other old man who had been shouting so fiercely. "And you, senior. I can see your vitality is poor, likely from lack of sleep. The northern climate is dry and cold; it’s certainly not easy for a southerner to acclimate to Yandu. I suggest you try the Heaven-Piercing Cool Needle Skill. Perhaps your symptoms might be alleviated quite quickly!"

Wang Chenning’s words left the two aggressive men completely speechless...