The Almighty Martial Arts System - Chapter 296

The arrival of Du Zikang and his group caused quite a stir, rivaling even the attention Jiang Fei had received. Many were visibly surprised by their appearance, as if they had never expected these individuals to show up.

Moreover, this group clearly held significant status.

“Why are the Du family here? Didn’t they say they’d have nothing to do with the Traditional Chinese Medicine Association from now on?”

“Could it be that the recent changes in the Association have helped mend relations?”

“Perhaps Old Master Cui personally invited them.”

“Tsk tsk. The Cui and Du families—the two most prestigious, long-standing TCM dynasties; Old Master Cui and Old Master Du, the revered pillars of the TCM world; the Ghost Point Thirteen Needles and the Spirit Turtle Eight Methods, both among the top three acupuncture techniques. What a pity that some unknown event in the past drove these two families apart, with the Du family storming out of the TCM Association and cutting ties completely. If these two great families could reconcile, it would be a tremendous blessing for the world of TCM!”

As the crowd buzzed with discussion, Du Zikang and his party strode confidently forward.

Though Du Zikang was seething with rage, his eyes glaring daggers at Jiang Fei as if he wanted to devour him, he was clearly not the main figure in this group—merely a supporting character. That’s why, despite his temperament, he held back for now, clenching his fists and biding his time.

“What’s going on?” asked a young man in the center of the group, also dressed in a long robe. He carried himself with an imposing yet steady demeanor, his features sharp and deeply defined—high nose bridge, sculpted face, though the severity of his lines made him seem somewhat unapproachable.

It was like encountering a stunning beauty who was too aloof, whose smile felt piercing—the kind that made ordinary people keep their distance.

Du Zikang suppressed his anger, not daring to act out in front of this man. He muttered resentfully, “Brother, this is the bastard who attacked me the day before yesterday!”

Jiang Fei hadn’t held back when he struck Du Zikang—he’d put real force into it. Even after struggling to his feet that day, Du Zikang had felt intense discomfort in his abdomen. It took his elder brother, Du Ziliang, personally applying massage and manipulation to fully relieve the pain.

In this world, there was little Du Zikang feared. He stirred up trouble without a care, unafraid of any consequences—except when it came to his half-brother, Du Ziliang.

It wasn’t so much fear as deep respect. Du Ziliang was the eldest grandson of the Du family’s younger generation—the most capable, the most gifted in medicine, the leader in every way. Since childhood, he had been the one others looked up to and emulated.

Du Zikang was no exception. Especially since Du Ziliang often stood up for him when they were young, helping him out and cleaning up his messes. His loyalty to his older brother was absolute.

In a large family like the Du’s, half-siblings often battled over inheritance and power—but not these two. Du Zikang would never dream of competing with his brother for the family leadership, no matter how much his birth mother pushed him.

He knew his own limitations. As a scion of a TCM dynasty, his medical skills were inferior to even ordinary doctors—he was essentially a pampered playboy. What right did he have to challenge a genius like his brother?

So Du Zikang had chosen his path: he would live contentedly as his brother’s loyal follower, a carefree, ambitionless heir. No need to make life complicated.

“Him?” Du Ziliang narrowed his eyes, studying Jiang Fei carefully before sighing at his half-brother. “You certainly know how to pick your enemies. This one is far trickier than your usual targets. Do you even know who he is?”

“Who is he?” Du Zikang asked, still indignant but now curious.

“He’s the current rising star chairman of the TCM Association—the ‘Modern Hua Tuo’ who single-handedly defeated the Western medicine exchange team. Many call him the top master of TCM today: Jiang Fei.” Du Ziliang spoke calmly, his expression unreadable.

“What?!” Du Zikang was genuinely shocked.

Though he was a ne’er-do-well who spent his days causing trouble, as a member of the Du family, he still heard about major events in the TCM world. The name Jiang Fei had been everywhere lately—impossible to miss.

Du Ziliang patted his half-brother’s shoulder with his usual indulgent tolerance. “Don’t worry. Even if he is the chairman of the TCM Association and heir to the Divine Needle Eight Methods, if he dared bully you, I’ll make sure he pays. But… not today. Today we’re here for Old Master Cui’s birthday. We must respect the occasion and not make a scene at his celebration.”

Tears of gratitude welled in Du Zikang’s eyes. Though he hated Jiang Fei to the core—wanting to skin him alive and humiliate Bai Ruoxi—he nodded obediently. “Brother, since this guy has such a background… maybe we should just let it go.”

Du Ziliang smiled. “No need. The chairman of the TCM Association may be untouchable to most, but our Du family doesn’t play by those rules. Even he is nothing special in our eyes.”

How could we let it go? I’ve been looking for an opportunity to engage with the new chairman. Thank you, ‘dear brother,’ for giving me the perfect excuse…

Jiang Fei’s hearing was sharp—especially when it came to praise or insults directed his way. He immediately pinpointed the source of the angry voice and spotted Du Zikang’s furious face.

Watching the two approach, Jiang Fei chuckled. “You’ve got nerve. I said I’d hit you every time I saw you, and here you are, back for more in just two days. Since you’re asking for it, I’d be rude to refuse…”

As Jiang Fei cracked his knuckles, looking ready to strike, Du Zikang instinctively backed away. The memory of that punch and kick had left him both furious and genuinely afraid.

“What are you doing? I’m here for Old Master Cui’s birthday!” Du Zikang hurriedly explained.

Du Ziliang stepped forward with a smile, extending his hand. “Hello, I’m Du Ziliang, Du Zikang’s older brother. My younger brother is immature and has offended you. I hope you won’t take it to heart.”

Jiang Fei shifted his gaze to Du Ziliang.

From the crowd’s murmurs, he already knew who this was: the heir of the Du family, rival to the Cui family; inheritor of the Spirit Turtle Eight Methods—Du Ziliang.

“Hello.” Jiang Fei shook his hand, silently wondering what the Du family’s presence meant today and what deeper intentions they might have.

Glancing back at Du Zikang, Jiang Fei said lightly, “I wasn’t really taking it seriously. Last time was just me joking around with him.”

Du Zikang nearly choked on his anger.

Joking?! You nearly crushed my hand and kicked me to death! Since when is that a joke? Are you mocking me?!

Keeping up appearances, the group soon entered the hotel. The elegantly decorated hall was already filled with socialites chatting cheerfully. VIPs like Jiang Fei and Du Ziliang were escorted directly to a large, luxurious private room.

There, Old Master Cui sat spiritedly in the place of honor, dressed in a traditional long robe.

Du Ziliang, as the future heir of the Du family, immediately bowed respectfully. “Junior Du Ziliang pays his respects to Elder Cui. I wish you boundless happiness and longevity! I also bring greetings from my grandfather.”

After paying his own respects to Old Master Cui, Jiang Fei pulled Cui Xiuping aside. “I thought the Du family didn’t get along with yours. Why invite them?”

Cui Xiuping sneered. “We didn’t. They came uninvited.”

“What are they after?”

Cui Xiuping’s face turned serious and displeased. “I meant to tell you after the banquet, but now I’ll say it early. I received news yesterday that the Du family has reemerged and is actively contacting and poaching many members of our TCM Association…”

“Poaching our members? What are they trying to do?” Jiang Fei frowned. “Return to the Association?”

“Their goals are far more ambitious than that!” Cui Xiuping shook his head gravely. “According to my sources, this Du Ziliang is trying to split our ranks—he wants to form a new organization separate from the TCM Association and draw away our key members!”