Chapter 706: Just Crazy

Chapter 706: Chapter 706: Just Crazy

(Chapter Eight. Today’s updates have ended; the continuation will be tomorrow, with one more day of additional updates.)

Seeing Gu Jian’an’s demeanor, Luo Ziling lightly counterattacked, “I always thought that older people were supposed to be open-minded, just like my grandfather. But today, when I saw that plaque, I realized I was wrong. After listening to what you just said, I’m even more convinced that my previous belief that all elderly people are open-minded is incorrect.”

Gu Jian’an immediately stopped smiling and, word by word, asked Luo Ziling, “If Luo Liansheng thinks his acupuncture skill is so good, why doesn’t he dare to compete with me? Since he wants to act like a shrinking turtle, I can only assume his acupuncture skill isn’t much to speak of, and he doesn’t dare to challenge me.”

“My grandfather simply disdains such pointless acts,” Luo Ziling said with a face full of scorn as he looked at Gu Jian’an, “In my grandfather’s eyes, medical skill is for treating illnesses and saving lives, not for competing with others. Fame is completely unimportant; what matters is being able to cure the sick and to promote the cause of traditional medicine.”

Luo Ziling’s words took Wu Hongwei and Wang Tongshan by surprise; they had been hesitating over whether to stand up and mediate and were moved by what they heard.

Medical skill is for treating illnesses and saving lives, not for competing with others. Fame is completely unimportant; what matters is being able to cure the sick and to promote the cause of traditional medicine—what statement could better reflect the noble integrity of a healer?

Even Gu Changwei, who was quite angry about Luo Ziling’s disrespect towards his grandfather, felt similar admiration; he thought that what Luo Ziling had said was truly noble and impressive.

Yang Qingyin, of course, agreed with what Luo Ziling said. She had heard him express similar sentiments many times; to her, this was simply Luo Ziling’s personality. Unafraid of anyone, he dared to say anything, always speaking his mind—this was the trait she admired most about Luo Ziling.

However, Gu Jian’an expressed contempt for Luo Ziling’s views, “Don’t you think that mutual learning and comparison could better improve medical skill? Doctors may not always agree on a patient’s diagnosis, and by exchanging different methods of treatment, a better approach could be chosen. Competition is also a motivation; practitioners behind in skill will, after losing, be spurred on to study hard and ultimately achieve greatness. What right do you have to claim others don’t want to promote the cause of traditional medicine?”

The people present, except for Gu Jian’an himself, didn’t know that the reasoning behind Luo Ziling’s words was almost the same as the reason why Luo Liansheng had refused to compete in acupuncture skill with him years before. Hence, upon hearing this, he became angry and retorted rudely.

Gu Jian’an’s rebuttal surprised Gu Changwei.

In his memory, his grandfather had never argued about these matters with anyone, not even with his peers.

Those of Gu Jian’an’s generation had always been respectful towards Old Sir Gu and never spoke arrogantly. Old Sir Gu also rarely spoke so much, let alone in a tone filled with resentment. It seemed that Luo Ziling’s grandfather had truly left a deep impression on Old Sir Gu, and seeing Luo Ziling today evoked a sense of seeing a nemesis which heightened the animosity.

“Sir Gu does have a point,” Luo Ziling didn’t refute Gu Jian’an’s words but instead nodded, “So, did Sir Gu invite Mr. Wang to ask me here today because you want to test my acupuncture skill against yours?”

Wang Tongshan and Wu Hongwei, who originally wanted to interject a few words, kept their mouths shut when they heard what Luo Ziling said and continued to listen attentively. They too were very eager to see the elder and the young man compete, to witness the style of true masters.

Gu Jian’an considered himself the foremost acupuncturist in Huaxia and no one had managed to take down his medical hall’s plaque, proving that his acupuncture skill was indeed remarkable. Luo Ziling’s ability to save Wang Tongshan with his acupuncture also indicated great skill, so they were keen to see whose acupuncture skill was superior.

Especially Wu Hongwei, who taught traditional medicine, had learned a lot from his interactions with Gu Jian’an over the past few years.

However, since Gu Jian’an had passed on the acupuncture skill to his son and grandson, he hardly ever performed it himself anymore, and it was difficult to see his needle technique in action. Therefore, Wu Hongwei was even more excited today than the others.

“You’re not qualified to challenge me,” Gu Jian’an said disdainfully to Luo Ziling, “The only one qualified to challenge me or compete with me is Sir Luo.”

“That’s fine,” Luo Ziling didn’t mind and chuckled, “When Mr. Wang invited me to see Old Sir Gu, I made it clear that I don’t want to compare medical skills or acupuncture skill, because they’re not meant for showing off. Now that Old Sir Gu has also refused to compete, I can rest easy. There’s nothing else then, right? We’ll be on our way.”

Luo Ziling’s words stunned everyone present.

Especially Wu Hongwei, Wang Tongshan, and Gu Changwei, who were looking forward to witnessing the needle skills of the two masters, felt even more disappointed.

Even Gu Changwei was hoping to see his own grandfather compete with Luo Ziling.

The unique acupuncture skill of the Gu Family was extraordinary, and Gu Changwei didn’t believe there was another needle technique that could surpass the “Gu Family Acupuncture,” but from his grandfather’s reaction, he felt that the needle technique Luo Ziling’s grandfather knew might be even more formidable than the “Gu Family Acupuncture.”

Therefore, he was very curious about what Luo Ziling’s needle technique was like.

Gu Jian’an had not expected Luo Ziling to propose leaving so soon, and anger immediately showed on his face, “You came here to challenge us, pointing fingers at the signboard of our Guoying National Medical Hall; that’s an insult to our Gu Family. Unless you apologize, it’s not possible for you to just leave. Do you know the origin of the name ‘Guoying National Medical Hall’?”

“I don’t know; I just find it quite a mouthful,” Luo Ziling chuckled, “A name with two repeating characters, don’t you find it awkward?”

“Ignorant boy, spewing nonsense,” Gu Jian’an fumed. “‘Guoying’ is a National Hero. Have you seen who inscribed these words? Do you know who wrote them?”

“I don’t know,” Luo Ziling shook his head firmly, “The name is mediocre, and the handwriting is even more so, nothing impressive.”

Gu Jian’an was nearly spitting blood with rage. The sign “Guoying National Medical Hall,” which he regarded as a treasure of their hall, was so belittled by Luo Ziling. He truly wanted to kick Luo Ziling out. The person who provided the inscription was of an incredibly high status.

Gu Jian’an was usually very composed and rarely got angry, but after encountering Luo Ziling today and seeing his arrogant demeanor and the sardonic tone of his speech, he just couldn’t help feeling angry.

“Truly an ignorant child,” Gu Jian’an finally just sneered several times, “Too naive to understand the gravity of your words, daring to speak in such a manner.”

“There’s nothing I’m afraid to say,” Luo Ziling was not at all intimidated by Gu Jian’an’s anger, “My calligraphy is definitely more outstanding than the one who inscribed the plaque, so I can look down on him; I now believe that my medical skill, including my acupuncture skill, is better than yours, so I can also look down on you!”

Luo Ziling’s words even startled Yang Qingyin.