Chapter Thirty: Something Went Wrong

“Haha, after all, the Taiyi Divine Needle isn’t truly your power. Even if I lent it to you, it continues to seek my aura, yearning to return to my hand.”

“That resistance you felt was actually the Taiyi Divine Needle struggling to break free from your control, trying to return to me. Do you understand now?”

After listening to Yan Yuanqing’s explanation, Yuan Hongyu nodded, though it was clear he only half-understood.

At that moment, the Zhao family’s group arrived, each one strutting arrogantly, making it obvious that neither Yan Yuanqing nor Yuan Hongyu was worth their notice any longer.

“What are you discussing? Are you planning how to wriggle out of this when you lose, trying to find a way not to remove your own signboard?”

“Haha, I’m sure that’s exactly what they’re doing. What else could those two possibly have to talk about?”

“You might as well save your energy. The hospital has already confirmed everything, so the final outcome will be handled just as we agreed beforehand!”

“Master, let’s finish this competition quickly. The result is already certain—no need to waste our time!”

The old man of the Zhao family stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over them all with the air of one who considered himself above the world. Anyone who met his eyes could not help but feel it.

“Well, no matter what, everything has an ending. Even if you lose this time, I haven’t asked you to give up your traditional medicine clinic.”

“You can still devote yourself to research there. If one day you defeat me, you can hang your signboard again!”

“But since you don’t have the ability, stop leaving your own territory and coming out here, willing to do anything for money!”

“That’s not right!”

Yuan Hongyu remained silent, looking as if he had been utterly cowed by the old man’s imposing presence. Seeing Yuan Hongyu’s silence, the elder snorted coldly and returned to his group of disciples, hands clasped behind his back.

Soon after, the hospital representatives finally arrived.

“Gentlemen, please proceed to the executive conference room of our Central Hospital. All decisions will be made there!”

After a short time, both parties gathered in the meeting room, which was already filled with a crowd.

“You are both pillars of the medical world, models for us all. Please, be seated!”

The Zhao family elder sat down with his head held high, while Yuan Hongyu, after modestly expressing his thanks, found a quiet corner to sit with Yan Yuanqing.

The difference in their manner was plain for all to see.

“Heh, what an act. They’re just lacking confidence, trying to avoid becoming a laughingstock when they lose!”

“Please wait a moment. Our staff is conducting examinations in the wards. When they’re finished, the results will be announced, followed by a vote. That will determine the final outcome of this competition!”

Everyone waited, expecting the matter to be resolved swiftly, but half an hour passed, then an hour, and then two—yet there was still no news.

“What’s going on? What is the hospital staff doing? How can it take so long to handle such a simple matter?”

“Master, perhaps we should go urge them along. Something seems off!”

As time dragged on, it was the Zhao family’s people who began to grow restless, even though they appeared to be the more confident side.

“What is there to see? No matter what, the result won’t change!”

“But—”

“Silence! Do you dare contradict your master’s words? Are you asking for punishment?”

“Your disciple wouldn’t dare…”

Meanwhile, Yan Yuanqing and Yuan Hongyu had begun to guess the reason for the hospital’s delay.

After another ten minutes or so, a chief physician burst in, his expression extremely peculiar.

“There’s been a major incident—everyone, please come to the ward immediately!”