Chapter 26: Brazen Provocation
The crowd was abuzz with discussion. While the arrival of these people might have indeed disrupted their quest for medical consultation, the excitement and rarity of such a spectacle was undeniable. Everyone was in high spirits, eager to witness how the challenger and the owner of the Traditional Medicine Hall, Yuan Hongyu, would resolve the situation.
As the target of this confrontation, Yuan Hongyu’s expression gradually darkened. He had sensed from the start that these visitors were not here for pure intentions, likely to stir up trouble, but he hadn’t expected that, in front of the public, someone would brazenly shout out their intent to challenge his clinic. There was no way to handle this quietly anymore. Everyone had seen it happen; some were even recording videos or streaming live. It would not be long before the events here spread throughout Cangzhou, and even across the nation.
“Well, what’s wrong, Master Yuan? Why are you silent? Don’t tell me you’re afraid?”
“Hahaha, the renowned physician from Liangzhou—I thought you’d be more impressive! No wonder you’ve come to Cangzhou to practice. Perhaps you couldn’t prove your skills in your hometown and no one dared to seek you out anymore?”
“If you don’t dare accept this challenge, then your Traditional Medicine Hall might as well close down. If you continue, who knows how many people you will mislead!”
At this moment, the elderly man with white hair and beard wore a mocking smile. Suddenly, he waved his sleeve.
“Someone, take down the Yuan Family Traditional Medicine Hall’s signboard for me!”
“Throw it out from here!”
With those words, the scene reached a new fever pitch.
“This old man is fierce! He’s tearing off all pretenses right from the start!”
“And he hasn’t even revealed who he is, yet he’s demanding they take down the signboard!”
“If it were me, I wouldn’t stand for it!”
Sure enough, several young men were about to make a move. Yuan Hongyu shouted, “Stop! This is my Traditional Medicine Hall—let’s see who dares to lay a hand on anything!”
At this point, the veins on his forehead were bulging. This venerable elder was clearly incensed, perhaps more so than he had been in decades.
“Oh? Then accept the challenge. Folks, do you see these uniforms we’re wearing?”
“We are from the local Cangzhou Zhao Family Traditional Medicine Hall, a century-old clinic with deep roots here. We invite everyone to visit us for medical consultations!”
“Don’t let yourselves be deceived by this old man. If he truly had skills, why would he come to an unfamiliar place to practice?”
The doctors and apprentices from Zhao Family Traditional Medicine Hall seized the moment to distribute flyers to the watching crowd, blatantly disregarding the actual name of the current clinic.
“Utter nonsense! As healers, you should hone your craft, not scheme like this…”
“I accept your challenge! However you wish to compete, bring it on!”
Yuan Hongyu’s demeanor returned to calm; he seated himself at the very center of the hall, his aura shifting dramatically in an instant. The hall quieted, and every gaze fell upon him.
“Haha, good. It seems you do have some courage. As for how we should compare—well, I’ve heard that Cangzhou Central Hospital recently received a patient.”
“The illness is extremely complex, and even the hospital’s top specialists are at a loss. Why not use this case as our benchmark?”
“Whoever can cure this patient, whose method proves superior, will have their results judged by all the renowned doctors at Central Hospital. The director will announce the outcome and declare the final victor!”
“Well? Do you dare accept?”
The elder from Zhao Family Traditional Medicine Hall stared into Yuan Hongyu’s eyes, full of confidence. Clearly, he had prepared for this moment long ago.