Chapter 260: Back in the Day, My Grandfather Drove a Tank into Seoul

Chapter 260: Chapter 260: Back in the Day, My Grandfather Drove a Tank into Seoul

Pu Zhengyang’s words once again sent an uproar through the crowd.

Many people were still feeling dejected over the senior doctor, Li Xizhuang, conceding defeat. The moment they heard Pu Zhengyang step forward to challenge Wang Chenning, a wave of excitement washed over them.

Pu Zhengyang was a top expert in South Korea’s traditional medicine. While many didn’t acknowledge him as the undisputed number one, they knew that if he claimed to be number two, no one else would dare claim to be number one.

With Li Xizhuang’s loss, they naturally hoped Pu Zhengyang would step up for a fair and square match against Wang Chenning. A victory would restore some honor for the South Korean traditional medicine community.

Pu Zhengyang stepped forward just as they had wished, and they were naturally delighted.

But to Li Xizhuang, Pu Zhengyang’s words were a clear case of someone kicking him while he was down.

’It isn’t just about kicking a man when he’s down, that old man Pu is trying to kill several birds with one stone. If everyone accepts his claim of "representing South Korea in a match against Wang Chenning," then whether he wins or loses, it will solidify his position as the number one figure in South Korean traditional medicine. With my loss as a precedent, as long as Pu Zhengyang gives it his all against Wang Chenning, he won’t lose too much face even if he’s defeated. That cunning old fox! His schemes run deep!’

Li Xizhuang was now regretting his decision to step forward and challenge Wang Chenning.

When he had decided to challenge Wang Chenning, Li Xizhuang had thought that no matter how skilled the young man was, he couldn’t possibly be that much better.

It was understandable for a young man to be quick with his hands, but his diagnostic and treatment experience surely couldn’t compare to that of seasoned veterans like them.

Who would have thought that Wang Chenning was a complete monster? His medical skills, especially his Acupuncture Skill, were far superior to his own. Not wanting to lose two rounds in a row, he had chosen to concede.

Conceding gracefully would at least demonstrate his magnanimity.

Besides, conceding would also bring him closer to Wang Chenning, creating an opportunity to learn about the profound acupuncture techniques they had yet to master.

Indeed, the moment Li Xizhuang conceded, he was already thinking about studying under Wang Chenning himself, or perhaps sending one of his disciples to do so.

’If Pu Zhengyang wins his match against Wang Chenning, my own plans will go up in smoke. In that scenario, our reputations will diverge to opposite extremes, and I’d never be able to surpass him. The only favorable outcome for me now is for Pu Zhengyang to also suffer a crushing defeat at the hands of Wang Chenning. If Pu Zhengyang is defeated too, then my own loss will seem insignificant by comparison.’

Wang Chenning had a good idea of what Pu Zhengyang was thinking, but that was none of his business. Besides, he could use the infighting among these elders of the South Korean traditional medicine community to his own advantage—and to the advantage of Huaxia.

The two discussed for a moment and agreed to hold the match after lunch.

After the host announced that their match would be held in the afternoon, Wang Chenning smiled at the assembled guests and said, "If any other seniors would like to have a match with me, I will gladly oblige!"

Many people were displeased by his remark, but no one else dared to step forward and challenge him.

Those people knew better. Li Xizhuang had already conceded, and Pu Zhengyang was about to face him. Wouldn’t it be better to just watch the drama unfold? Why would they step up just to humiliate themselves?

If Pu Zhengyang also fell to Wang Chenning, then the entire South Korean traditional medicine community would have no choice but to concede defeat.

The conference then broke for a recess.

A few scholars from South Korea came over to greet Wang Chenning, and he responded politely, his earlier arrogance gone.

A short while later, a reporter from the South Korea TV Station came over for an interview.

After introducing herself, a beautiful female reporter held a microphone out to Wang Chenning. She asked him a few questions about medicine before inquiring if he had visited many countries for academic exchanges, whether he had competed against traditional medicine scholars from other nations, and what the outcomes of those competitions were.

Wang Chenning smiled and shook his head. "This is my first time traveling abroad!"

"Oh? So this is your first time in Seoul, Mr. Wang?" The beautiful South Korean reporter was all smiles, but her next question was a bit underhanded. "Seoul is a beautiful city with a long and storied history, and its infrastructure is excellent. I’m sure you’ll grow to love it here, won’t you?"

"Yes, this is indeed my first time in Seoul," Wang Chenning affirmed. "It is certainly a beautiful city. I’ll be sure to visit often in the future, as I’ve made some new friends here. I’m sure they’ll welcome me back!"

The beautiful South Korean reporter pressed, "In your opinion, Mr. Wang, is Seoul more beautiful than Yandu? Is its urban planning more logical?"

"Both cities are beautiful, and their urban development is excellent." Though Wang Chenning was rather annoyed by this reporter, who had clearly had work done, he maintained his composure. "As for which city is more beautiful or grander... well, in my heart, our ancient capital of Yanjing is undoubtedly the grander and more beautiful of the two. After all, it preserves countless historical sites, including the world’s largest surviving ancient palace complex."

Seeing that Wang Chenning hadn’t fallen for her trap, the reporter quickly changed the subject. She asked him which of the many beautiful women surrounding him was his girlfriend.

Wang Chenning pulled Zhao Xiao’an to his side and introduced her with a smile. "This is my friend, Ms. Zhao Xiao’an. She’s also a reporter—a very outstanding one from our national television station."

"Hello!" Zhao Xiao’an picked up the conversation with a smile, extending her hand to the South Korean reporter. "Zhao Xiao’an, a reporter with Huaxia Central TV. It’s a pleasure."

"Hello," the South Korean reporter replied, echoing the pleasantry, before asking Zhao Xiao’an if she came to Seoul often.

"This is my first time in Seoul as well," Zhao Xiao’an said with a laugh. "My family comes here often, though. I’ve heard them talk about it."

The reporter’s face lit up. "Then your family must really love the city of Seoul!"

"They only come to Seoul for work. To be honest, I don’t really like traveling abroad; it’s too much of a hassle." Zhao Xiao’an, looking down on the reporter’s lack of professionalism, dropped the polite pretense. "Last night, I was telling my grandfather about my trip here, and he told me that he’d also been to Seoul when he was young. He said it was very simple for him back then. He just drove right in. No customs, no passport needed."

"That’s impossible!" the South Korean reporter immediately retorted, shaking her head. "Foreigners have always needed a passport and have always had to go through customs to enter Seoul. You can’t just drive right in!"

Another South Korean standing nearby immediately chimed in, mocking Zhao Xiao’an. "Miss, don’t just make things up. Unless your grandfather was a defector from North Korea, there’s no way he could have just driven across the South Korean border."

"I’m not lying," Zhao Xiao’an said calmly, looking at the mocking faces of the South Koreans. She spoke slowly and deliberately. "It was in the 1950s. To be precise, on January 4th, 1951, my grandfather drove a tank across the frozen Han River and entered Seoul!"

Zhao Xiao’an’s words instantly froze the atmosphere. Every South Korean’s face was frozen in place...