Chapter Sixty-Eight: The National Forum

As soon as they stepped inside, someone immediately guided the two of them to the forum’s venue, where only a handful of people had arrived. Not everyone was a local like Yan Yuanqing and Yuan Hongyu; some attendees had traveled thousands of kilometers by plane to be there. Nevertheless, the number of participants was visibly increasing, and as the crowd grew, more and more people began to recognize Yuan Hongyu.

“Master Yuan, what an honor! One of my greatest motivations for coming here today was the hope of meeting you in person. Your speech at last year’s forum benefited me immensely!”

“Master Yuan, I’m delighted you’ve come again this year. My trip is already worthwhile! I believe your medical skills must have advanced greatly compared to a year ago!”

“I look forward to listening closely to your insights today!”

“Master Yuan, this is my first time attending the conference with my own master—could I have your autograph?”

The crowd around Yuan Hongyu grew ever larger, eventually blocking the entire passageway. It was only when the forum was about to begin that the people finally dispersed, though some still kept their attention fixed on Yuan Hongyu. Witnessing the scene firsthand, Yan Yuanqing now had a much clearer sense of the popularity enjoyed by his “disciple in name only.”

“Welcome, everyone, to the National Traditional Chinese Medicine Forum. Today, we are privileged to gather in Cangzhou, Lion City—a city brimming with vitality. Hosting our forum here is certain to be a meaningful experience for all.”

As the forum officially commenced, renowned experts took the stage one after another, presenting the fruits of their research and sharing significant new insights gained over the past year. Though Yan Yuanqing had already mastered the Supreme Harmony Divine Needle and the Outer Canon of the Yellow Emperor—skills so advanced that few in the world could rival his medical prowess—he still found himself constantly learning from the wisdom shared by these eminent physicians. Some of their insights could even be applied to the two great techniques he had already mastered, allowing his medical knowledge to progress even further.

“It truly deserves to be called the National Traditional Chinese Medicine Forum,” Yan Yuanqing observed, speaking quietly with Yuan Hongyu as they listened from the audience. “If we make good use of what’s presented here, a single day could be worth months, even years, of advancement.”

“Indeed,” Yuan Hongyu agreed. “All the ideas discussed are extremely valuable, many of them the result of years of accumulation and practice.”

“And now, let us welcome from Liang City, currently practicing medicine here in Cangzhou—Divine Physician Yuan!”

The host didn’t even need to say Yuan Hongyu’s full name; merely mentioning his surname was enough to set the entire auditorium abuzz with excitement. Many who had not yet seen Yuan Hongyu craned their necks, eager to witness what new insights this already legendary healer would present.

The apprentice’s honor is the master’s honor as well.

Yuan Hongyu’s popularity and the respect he received filled Yan Yuanqing with genuine joy and pride. Although he had not formally taught Yuan Hongyu, even allowing him to observe and use the Supreme Harmony Divine Needle had provided invaluable guidance.

No one could have predicted that as soon as Yuan Hongyu stepped onto the stage, he did not begin his speech but instead addressed everyone with utmost seriousness.

“Today, I want to express my special gratitude to one person—my master, Yan Yuanqing!”

The entire hall erupted with astonishment.

What? Yuan Hongyu, the famed Divine Physician Yuan, actually had a master? Who could possibly be qualified to teach such a healer? And since Yuan Hongyu himself was already of advanced age, just how old must his master be—could he be over a hundred?

Everyone present was filled with questions, utterly perplexed by this revelation. When did Yuan Hongyu acquire a master?