"No problem!" Ma Guotao agreed without a moment's hesitation. "Rest assured, Zhao Yuan, we will absolutely not reveal your relationship with the Great God of Witch Doctor to anyone, nor will we leak the Great God of Witch Doctor's identity!"
He wished as few people as possible knew this secret, so there was no way he'd go around spreading it.
Not only did he pound his chest and swear an oath himself, but Ma Guotao also issued a stern command to all the West Hua Medical University teachers present. "You all heard Zhao Yuan, didn't you? Keep your mouths shut! If anyone dares to leak this secret, they can pack their bags and get lost!"
Everyone chimed in with their assurances:
"Don't worry, Zhao Yuan. Our lips are sealed!"
"I'll take this secret to my grave. I won't even tell my wife and kids!"
"Same here! I'll absolutely keep the secret!"
Wang Jiasen also swore a solemn oath. He could afford to ignore Ma Guotao, but he didn't dare to ignore Zhao Yuan; after all, he was still hoping Zhao Yuan would teach him the *Wushan Medical Tales*.
After answering everyone's questions and satisfying their curiosity, Zhao Yuan said his goodbyes and left the conference room to head back to his dorm.
Ma Guotao and the others assumed he was going back to prepare for the medical duel and were very supportive. "As the old saying goes, 'Even last-minute sharpening makes the spear shine.' Zhao Yuan, for the next three days, I'm giving you special permission to skip class. Do whatever you think is best. If you need any help from the university, just say the word, and we'll do everything in our power to assist you! As for the intel on the Jinling Zhao Family, we'll send it over as soon as we've gathered it. You don't need to worry about a thing."
Zhao Yuan thanked them sincerely. "Thank you, Principal Ma. Thank you, all the teachers."
Just as he walked out of the conference room, Wang Jiasen hurried after him and said eagerly, "Zhao Yuan, let me walk you back to your dorm. On the way, I can tell you what I know about the Jinling Zhao Family's medical techniques."
Of course, Zhao Yuan wasn't going to refuse his kind offer. The two of them started chatting as they walked toward the dorms.
Wang Jiasen explained in detail, "Zhao Yuan, even though your medical heritage is formidable, you absolutely must not underestimate the Jinling Zhao Family. Their three ultimate skills are the real deal, not just empty talk! In Pulse Diagnosis, they are especially skilled in suspended silk pulse diagnosis. I estimate that in three days, they will likely propose a similar method for the duel. In Prescription Medicine, with a foundation built over hundreds of years, they have a vast collection of Wonderful Formulas and Secret Formulas that are incredibly effective. You'd best be mentally prepared. As for their Acupuncture Technique, their ability is even greater. In particular, they have a secret, unteachable Linglong Needle Technique that uses small needles to cure major illnesses. It's quite miraculous..."
Zhao Yuan nodded repeatedly as he listened, praising, "As expected of a medical Noble Family with a legacy of several hundred years. They are truly extraordinary!"
But praise was one thing; he wasn't intimidated in the slightest and remained full of confidence.
'So what if the Jinling Zhao Family has a legacy of several hundred years? I have the legacy left by Wu Peng! This legacy spans almost the entire history of Traditional Chinese Medicine. A mere few hundred years of heritage is nothing in comparison!'
As for the Jinling Zhao Family's three ultimate skills, others might worry, but Zhao Yuan certainly didn't.
He wasn't concerned about the suspended silk pulse diagnosis in the slightest; he had just acquired a complete suspended silk pulse diagnosis technique from the Information Leaf!
'This technique was invented by Wu Peng himself! When mastered to the highest level, it can even diagnose Demons, Ghosts, and Gods. The Jinling Zhao Family's suspended silk pulse diagnosis is child's play in comparison!'
In terms of Prescription Medicine, although Zhao Yuan had only learned Chinese Herbal Medicine for now and had not yet learned Prescription Science, it didn't matter. There were plenty of formulas in the medical cases on the Information Leaf.
'He was sure that in three days, the Jinling Zhao Family would arrange a clinical diagnosis and treatment duel for the Prescription Medicine section. When the time came, he would just need to use a ready-made formula from the medical cases.'
'No matter how many or how good the formulas collected by the Jinling Zhao Family are, they can't possibly be more numerous or better than those collected by Wu Peng, right?'
He was even less worried about Acupuncture Technique.
He had now mastered the Spiritual Snake Nine Probing Needle Technique, which was more than enough to go head-to-head with the Linglong Needle Technique!
'Besides, with the Information Leaf's special ability, as long as someone from the Jinling Zhao Family used the Linglong Needle Technique in front of him—even just a single move—he could acquire the complete technique. Then, he could even give them a taste of their own medicine and compete against the Jinling Zhao Family using their own Linglong Needle Technique. That would surely leave them stunned!'
Right now, Zhao Yuan was all set to be a badass... no, that's not right, he was all set for the duel. He was just waiting for the three days to be up, at which point he would march to their doorstep and topple the Jinling Zhao Family!
Wang Jiasen could feel the fighting spirit and confidence radiating from Zhao Yuan, and he couldn't help but sigh to himself. 'The fearlessness of youth! If it were me, I wouldn't have dared to issue a challenge to the Jinling Zhao Family in front of so many reporters. And I definitely couldn't be as confident and composed as he is. Compared to Zhao Yuan, I really am getting old!'
His moment of reflection over, Wang Jiasen hadn't forgotten his own goal. He said, "Zhao Yuan, about the matter of the *Wushan Medical Tales*..."
Zhao Yuan smiled and said, "I never go back on a promise! How about this: once I get back from Jinling, I'll teach you the *Wushan Medical Tales*!"
"That's wonderful! Thank you, thank you so much." Wang Jiasen was overjoyed. He said, "Let me be the first to wish you a swift victory and a triumphant return!"
Zhao Yuan nodded. "I'll hold you to those good words."
Chatting and laughing, the two of them arrived at the dormitory building.
Wang Jiasen said his goodbyes, and as Zhao Yuan was heading upstairs, he received a call from Lin Xue.
As soon as he answered, before he could even speak, Lin Xue's anxious voice came through the phone. "Zhao Yuan, are you okay? I heard you were framed by the Jinling Zhao Family? And you challenged them?"
Zhao Yuan was taken aback. He hadn't expected Lin Xue to find out about this. "Wow, news travels fast."
Lin Xue said, "It's all anyone is talking about on the school forums right now! That Jinling Zhao Family is so shameless, slinging mud at you like that. They really deserve to be taught a harsh lesson! But I heard the Jinling Zhao Family is really strong. Isn't it a bit too risky for you to challenge them?"
"What, you don't have faith in me? If I dared to issue the challenge, it means I'm confident I can beat them!" Zhao Yuan said with a laugh.
Seeing how confident he was, Lin Xue finally put her mind at ease.
Just then, the voice on the other end of the line changed to Yang Zi's.
She had probably been waiting right next to Lin Xue's phone this whole time and had finally seized her chance to speak.
Yang Zi said, "Xiaoyuanzi, in three days, we're coming to Jinling to cheer you on! Do your best and wipe the floor with them! Don't you dare embarrass your big sis!"
"Since when did I get a nickname like Xiaoyuanzi?" Zhao Yuan's face darkened. That nickname was so lame; it sounded like 'little sweet dumpling' or something. "Three days from now is a Thursday. Don't you guys have class?"
Yang Zi declared with supreme confidence, "We'll ask for a day off! And if we can't get one, we'll just skip! You've made such a huge scene, how could we not be there to cheer for you in person?"