Everyone stared at Ye Qiu, captivated by his bold words and the aura radiating from him.
One man challenging an entire nation—how much courage did that require?
A long moment passed.
Finally, Zhang Jiuling spoke, “Little Ye, this is too reckless. One slip, and it could lead to disaster.”
He nearly added, *If you lose, it could cost your life.*
Ye Qiu smiled, “Elder Zhang, don’t worry. I never act without certainty.”
Li Chunfeng said, “How can we let you face this alone? We’ll stand with you.”
Nie Xueliang echoed, “We advance and retreat together.”
“Thank you, seniors. I appreciate your kindness, but I’ll handle this myself,” Ye Qiu replied, his tone resolute.
He wasn’t seeking the spotlight. He wanted to shield these National Medical Sages from the fight.
The four Sages were like pillars, embodying the zenith of Chinese medicine in Hua Country. If they fell to Li Zhengxi, the blow to the field would be devastating.
That’s why Ye Qiu chose to confront Li Zhengxi alone—taking on all of Korea’s renowned doctors single-handedly!
Zhang Jiuling mulled it over, then said, “Little Ye, if you’re set on this, we’ll support you fully.”
“Old Zhang…” Li Chunfeng began, but a look from Zhang Jiuling hushed him.
Zhang Jiuling continued, “It’s nearly a month until the Mid-Autumn Festival. Little Ye, prepare thoroughly. We three will arrange the challenge details. I’ll call you once the plan’s finalized. How’s that?”
Ye Qiu had no qualms. “Thank you, seniors, for your efforts.”
“No need for thanks,” Zhang Jiuling said. “Facing Li Zhengxi and challenging Korean medicine is a monumental event for our field. Focus on preparing—leave the rest to us.”
He turned to Elder Qian, “Elder Qian, we won’t stay longer. Farewell.”
Elder Qian replied politely, “You three Sages have worked hard. Visit when you have time.”
“Will do,” the trio nodded.
Qian Weidong jumped in, “Elder Zhang, I’ll arrange a car.”
“No need,” Zhang Jiuling whispered to him. “It’s a turbulent time. Don’t waste energy on us old folks. Handle your family matters—keep Ye Qiu focused.”
“Yes,” Qian Weidong agreed.
The three Sages departed the Qian residence.
Outside, Li Chunfeng couldn’t hold back, “Old Zhang, why’d you stop me? I wanted to say Ye Qiu taking on Li Zhengxi and all of Korea’s doctors alone is too risky.”
Nie Xueliang fretted, “Little Ye’s young, his skills exceptional. A few more years, and he could claim the Medical Sage title, leading the revival of Chinese medicine. But if this challenge fails…”
Zhang Jiuling raised a hand, silencing him.
“You think I’m not worried?”
“But what’s worry worth?”
“I’ve never tested my skills against Korea’s Medical Sage Li Zhengxi, but I’m certain we three can’t beat him.”
“If Xu Liu joined, we might have a shot—though victory’s still uncertain.”
“If we four fought and lost, we’d die.”
“Death’s not the fear. The terror is we’re National Medical Sages. Our defeat would let Western and Korean medicine pounce, trampling Chinese medicine.”
“Young learners would lose all faith.”
“Imagine—four Sages fall to Korean medicine. Who’d study it after that?”
“Little Ye knows this. That’s why he’s going alone. He’s not a Sage—his loss won’t uproot Chinese medicine.”
Zhang Jiuling sighed, “He’s protecting us old-timers and the field’s future.”
“But what if he’s a genius and loses? That’s still a massive loss,” Li Chunfeng said, worry creasing his face.
“I’ve got absolute faith in Little Ye.”
Zhang Jiuling paused, then said, “Old Li, Old Nie, we’re colleagues and close friends. I’ll share a secret—swear it stays with us forever.”
“What secret?” Li Chunfeng asked.
Nie Xueliang watched him, intrigued.
Zhang Jiuling said, “I told you Ye Qiu cured General Bai, but not the details.”
“General Bai was at death’s edge—worse than Elder Qian by a hundredfold.”
“Guess how Ye Qiu saved him?”
Li Chunfeng and Nie Xueliang, hooked, asked together, “How?”
“Little Ye used the Heaven-Lighting Technique—defying fate to extend life. He gave General Bai a year.”
What?
Li Chunfeng and Nie Xueliang froze, jaws dropping.
After a long pause, Li Chunfeng stammered, “Old Zhang, you’re not kidding? Little Ye knows how to defy fate?”
“I wouldn’t believe it without seeing it myself. Keep this under wraps—it could trouble him.”
Zhang Jiuling added, “I’ve watched him heal repeatedly. He knows countless lost acupuncture techniques. Old Li says he’s got the Heaven-Mending Hand. With fate-defying skills too, I think he can face Li Zhengxi and win big.”
“When he does, we’ll crown him Medical Sage.”
He sighed, “No Sage has risen in Chinese medicine for centuries. At his age, with his charm, looks, and skill, he’d draw attention to the field.”
“Especially the young—they’d idolize him, flood TCM schools.”
“Then, reviving Chinese medicine won’t be empty words.”
Li Chunfeng hadn’t grasped Zhang Jiuling’s long view. “I’ve been shallow,” he admitted.
Nie Xueliang said, “We’ve talked revival for years, done plenty, but nothing’s changed. This challenge might be our shot.”
Zhang Jiuling nodded, “I’m heading to the capital now, linking with the TCM Association to set it up.”
“Old Li, Old Nie, I need you to visit Laoshan—convince Xu Liu to join.”
“Then we four cheer Little Ye on-site. Agreed?”
Both nodded, “Agreed!”
“Let’s move out!”
