The Almighty Martial Arts System - Chapter 298

Watching Jiang Fei speak without any restraint or regard for saving face, openly exposing his recent actions, Du Ziliang finally lost his composure.

Before coming here, he had thoroughly investigated Jiang Fei’s background—including Jiang’s Medical Clinic, Jiang Fei’s medical skills, his relationship with the Ye family, and even Jiang Fei’s combat abilities. He thought he had a clear picture.

But some things on paper, no matter how detailed, can be completely different from reality once you meet in person. For instance, a person’s character and way of handling matters are hard to truly understand without direct interaction.

Jiang Fei’s personality had taken Du Ziliang—who prided himself on being meticulous and shrewd—completely by surprise. He hadn’t expected Jiang Fei to be so direct and unconventional.

Seeing Du Ziliang’s fluctuating expression, Jiang Fei said calmly, “Whatever schemes you’re plotting are your business. Even if they’re unethical, as long as they’re not illegal, there’s nothing I can do about it. But if you sneak around doing shady things and then have the nerve to act all innocent as if no one knows what you’re up to—well, don’t blame me for calling you out! It’s like you’re asking to be slapped. If you stick your face out, shouldn’t I oblige?”

“Your words are rather offensive,” Du Ziliang said, his anger beginning to simmer.

For the first time in his life, he found himself somewhat understanding his good-for-nothing brother, Du Zikang. Dealing with someone like Jiang Fei really tested one’s patience.

“Why don’t you reflect on how ugly your actions are?” Jiang Fei replied with a smile.

It was laughable. Someone who did wrong and got called out for it had the nerve to complain about the language. Did he expect to be praised instead?

The smile completely vanished from Du Ziliang’s face. He held back his furious brother, Du Zikang, who was ready to lash out, and dropped his pretence. “You’re right. I am trying to poach members from the Chinese Medicine Association and establish a similar organization. What’s wrong with that?”

Since he’d been found out, there was no point hiding it. He might as well admit it openly.

Du Ziliang was smart. If he tried to deny it now, it would only make him look guilty, as if he had ulterior motives. By admitting it outright, he was turning the tables on Jiang Fei. So what if I’m poaching your members? What can you do about it? It was a somewhat shameless tactic.

I’m openly challenging your authority. Let’s see who comes out on top. It’s still too early to tell!

Just as Du Ziliang thought Jiang Fei would be left speechless, Jiang Fei responded even more bluntly: “You’re right. Poaching my members and trying to compete with me is your prerogative. But cursing you out is mine. What’s wrong with that? I haven’t even started insulting your female relatives yet…”

When it came to thick skin and shamelessness, Jiang Fei wasn’t afraid of hypocrites like Du Ziliang, who hid knives behind their smiles. People like him, who always worried about saving face and acting like gentlemen—Jiang Fei felt he could take on ten of them!

Du Ziliang’s facial muscles twitched. He wanted to retaliate with insults of his own, but he had an image to maintain. So he shifted his gaze to Bai Ruoxi, who stood beside Jiang Fei, looking like an angel who had descended to earth. “Is this your girlfriend?” he said coldly. “You might not care about how vulgar you sound, but don’t you think you’re embarrassing her?”

If Jiang Fei was thick-skinned, surely his girlfriend wouldn’t be. Du Ziliang, unable to find a better way to retaliate, decided to try this indirect approach.

But before Jiang Fei could even respond, Bai Ruoxi tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear and said calmly, “Do I look embarrassed? I don’t think so. When dealing with civilized people, we use civilized methods. But when dealing with those who aren’t, there’s no need to hold back. I think Jiang Fei put it perfectly.”

Bai Ruoxi wasn’t just a pretty face. Back in her student days, she’d been class monitor and student council president. She was used to dealing with all kinds of people—teachers and difficult students alike. She had plenty of experience handling situations like this.

Du Ziliang had mistaken her for some naive, easily flustered girl. He was wrong.

Jiang Fei looked at Bai Ruoxi with pride and satisfaction. Now that’s a good partner! He then turned back to Du Ziliang with a mocking smile, waiting to see what else he could try.

Du Ziliang’s eyes turned cold. “Fine. It seems there’s no point in further discussion. Let’s settle this through action. We’ll see who truly represents traditional Chinese medicine and who comes out on top!”

Jiang Fei shrugged confidently. “No need to wait. It’ll be me. You don’t stand a chance.”

“We’ll see about that!” Du Ziliang said coldly. Even a clay figure has a temper. He’d had enough of Jiang Fei’s arrogance and provocations. Did they think he was a pushover just because he usually held back? As the top talent among the Du family’s younger generation, he had plenty of pride and skill.

Now that things were out in the open, it might not be exactly what he’d initially planned, but it would work.

The Chinese Medicine Association wouldn’t last much longer anyway.

“Then leave now!” An elderly but firm voice interrupted. Old Master Cui walked over, his face stern.

At first, he’d been pleased to see Du Ziliang at his birthday banquet, thinking it might signal the Du family’s return to the Chinese Medicine Association after more than a decade. If that were the case, he would’ve gladly let bygones be bygones and welcomed them back. After all, the Du family was on par with the Cui family in influence.

The Du family’s unique “Turtle Spirit Eight Techniques,” one of the three great acupuncture methods, was a treasure that would be lost to the world if the Du family remained in seclusion. Its return would be a great boon to traditional Chinese medicine.

But after his grandson, Cui Xiuping, informed him of the Du family’s true intentions, his attitude changed completely. They weren’t here to reconcile—they were here to sabotage the association he’d worked so hard to rebuild!

That was something Old Master Cui could not tolerate.

Seeing Du Ziliang now arguing with Jiang Fei, he didn’t hesitate to kick him out.

Du Ziliang and his companions twitched at the corners of their mouths, feeling utterly humiliated.

“Elder Cui—” Du Ziliang began.

But Old Master Cui cut him off, even more decisively than Jiang Fei. “Don’t bother. My humble birthday banquet isn’t worthy of the Du family’s presence. You are not welcome here. Leave.”

Du Ziliang’s face darkened completely. To salvage some dignity, he clasped his hands and said, “In that case, I’ll take my leave. Another time, Elder Cui.”

With that, Du Ziliang and the other Du family members left under the astonished gazes of the guests, their exit nothing short of embarrassed.

First, Jiang Fei had shamelessly insulted him, leaving him no room to retaliate. Then, the host of the banquet had publicly kicked him out. No matter how deep his patience or cunning, there was no way he could stay after that.

Old Master Cui watched them leave without an ounce of regret, only indignation. He turned to Jiang Fei and said, “Jiang Fei, come with me to the private room. There are things we need to discuss.”

Jiang Fei nodded and followed him into the room, along with the leaders of the three millennial schools—the former heads of the Chinese Medicine Association. This was, in effect, a small summit of the association’s leadership.

The discussion was straightforward: the Du family was making a move, and they were not to be taken lightly. Since Du Ziliang had openly admitted to poaching members, it meant they were well-prepared and confident in their ability to threaten the association. They had to be on guard.

Jiang Fei listened and nodded, but he wasn’t overly concerned.

In his view, the Chinese Medicine Association was now stable and secure under his leadership. Few of its members would be swayed by Du Ziliang’s offers, making his efforts futile. If the association could withstand pressure from Western medicine, why should they fear the Du family?