Chapter Twenty-Five: Challenging the Dojo

This group entered the Hall of Traditional Medicine with an imposing air, letting their aggressive presence spill outward, affecting many patients who were in the midst of their consultations.

“Gentlemen who just came in, this is a medical clinic. There are many patients being treated here. Please lower your voices, as you might disturb the doctors,” a staff member stepped forward, attempting to restrain these unruly individuals.

But before he could finish, one of them rudely shoved him aside. Caught off guard, the staff member fell to the ground, knocking over a nearby table in the process. The loud crash immediately drew the attention of everyone in the hall.

Yuan Hongyu frowned slightly. This clinic was his joint venture with the hospital—his own undertaking—so naturally, he could not ignore such a disturbance. Moreover, if other patients were affected and word got out, it would certainly damage the reputation of the clinic.

“Gentlemen, what are you doing? Are you unaware that silence must be maintained in a place of healing?” Yuan Hongyu kept his composure, assuming these people were merely ignorant of decorum, and tried to reason with them.

But his good intentions were met with scorn. A young man in uniform, standing beside the white-haired elder, stepped forward.

“So you’re Yuan Hongyu? The famed healer from Liangzhou who’s been making waves here in Cangzhou?”

Yuan Hongyu’s brow furrowed even deeper. If he still couldn’t sense that something was amiss, his years would have been lived in vain. “Indeed, I am Yuan Hongyu. May I ask what brings you here? If you have not come seeking medical aid, I must ask you to leave. Many patients are waiting—please do not waste their precious time.”

Throughout, Yuan Hongyu remained courteous, hoping not to disrupt the clinic’s normal operations.

The young man sneered and then turned respectfully to the white-haired elder. “Master, we’ve found the place—this is the man!”

“A renowned healer from Liangzhou, yet instead of remaining in your own region, you come meddling in Cangzhou?”

“A physician should care for all under heaven. I established this clinic not for profit, but to exchange knowledge with the esteemed doctors of Cangzhou, so that we might all grow together. Is that so wrong?” Yuan Hongyu replied earnestly.

The white-haired elder, stroking his beard, laughed arrogantly. “Well said, well said! Truly worthy of your reputation as the famous healer from Liangzhou!”

“You’ve spoken at length, yet not introduced yourselves. Disciple, tell Dr. Yuan why we are here!”

The young man stepped forward, chest puffed out, his manner utterly dismissive of Yuan Hongyu—though he was no older than Yan Yuanqing.

“We’re here to issue a challenge!”

His voice rang out clearly, and at once, every patient and doctor in the hall stopped whatever they were doing. A stunned silence swept through the room, followed by a murmur of whispered conversations.

“What’s going on? Did I hear that right? That kid said they’re here to challenge the clinic?”

“That’s right. And they know full well the famous healer from Liangzhou is practicing here. How could they have such nerve?”

“Hah, that’s like an egg striking a stone! Dr. Yuan’s reputation is well-known, and his skill acknowledged by all. These people truly have no sense of their own limits!”

“Who are these people anyway? I’ve never heard of such an arrogant bunch in Cangzhou before. But they certainly have guts, I’ll give them that!”