Although Gu Chen had only recently arrived in Zhou City, he had long heard of Xiang Linde. This was not only because he was a leading authority in the world of traditional Chinese medicine and the head of the Xiang Family, but also because he was a "Go fanatic" obsessed with the game, setting up boards and playing wherever he went.
Rumor had it that Xiang Linde's obsession with Go was almost pathological, and the younger members of the Xiang Family did not dare say much about it. Yet Gu Chen had not expected that, at such an important banquet hosted by the Zhou Family, Xiang Linde would not only stay outside but also gather so many people to solve a puzzle. His obsession was clearly extraordinary.
"Doesn't he just like playing Go? Why are so many people crowding around him?" Gu Chen asked again, puzzled.
"What do you know?!"
The young man scolded him. "Elder Xiang didn't make his name through Go, but through his medical skills! Zhou City has a Traditional Chinese Medicine Association, and Elder Xiang isn't just the head of the Xiang Family, he's also the association's president! Even in Huaxia, his status is beyond ordinary! You know how it is these days: you can go without food or water, but people are bound to get sick and injured, right? How could anyone do without doctors?"
Gu Chen nodded to show he understood, but then asked, "There's still something I don't understand. Since Elder Xiang isn't offering free consultations here, why have you all stopped to watch?"
The young man looked at Gu Chen as though frustrated that iron would not turn into steel. "Which family are you a junior from? How can you be so far behind on the news? A month ago, Elder Xiang created this Go puzzle and announced that whoever solved it would become his final disciple, and he would pass on all his medical skills without holding anything back!"
"Oh," Gu Chen replied mildly.
"What do you mean, 'oh'?"
The young man was highly dissatisfied. "Couldn't you at least look a little excited? Do you know that when this news came out, the whole of Zhou City was shaken? Countless young members of families and businesses, even members of the older generation, flocked here in droves to watch the game, all hoping to solve this endgame and gain Elder Xiang's skills."
Gu Chen smiled faintly. "I'm afraid you don't actually want his medical skills. You want to become his final disciple and gain the Xiang Family's support, right? After all, Elder Xiang's disciple would have the entire Xiang Family behind him."
The young man's thoughts had been exposed, but he was not embarrassed. Instead, he said without a care, "Those two things don't conflict in the first place, so what does it matter? But in this past month or so, no one has managed to solve this Zhenlong Go Puzzle. This time, Boss Zhou of the Zhou Family is holding a birthday banquet for his daughter, and Elder Xiang actually brought the puzzle along."
After learning the whole story, Gu Chen came up with a plan.
He smiled faintly and said, "I took a look. This puzzle is actually easy to solve, but being Elder Xiang's final disciple holds no appeal for me. I'm not interested in wasting my time."
The young man was shocked by these words. This kid really isn't afraid his bragging will burst like a cowhide and the cow will fall on him and crush him to death!
The young man had seen people put on airs, but never anyone who could put on a show like Gu Chen. Which family did this lunatic belong to? Had his brain short-circuited? Was there something wrong with him? Who in Zhou City didn't want to curry favor with Elder Xiang?! After all, he was a big shot with medical skills. Even the other two major families probably wouldn't dare say such a thing!
Just then, a low, muffled shout rang out. "Who just said they could solve it?"
At some point, Elder Xiang, who had been looking down all this time, had suddenly raised his head. A piercing light flashed in the old man's clouded eyes as he looked in the young man's direction.
The area around the pond fell silent at once, and everyone followed Elder Xiang's gaze to the young man.
Under those gazes, the young man felt as though thorns were pricking his back. He was not a young master from some major family. Though he usually liked to run his mouth, facing so many people's stares, especially Elder Xiang's piercing gaze, his confidence immediately shrank.
He hurriedly pulled Gu Chen over. "He said it!"
In an instant, all eyes shifted to Gu Chen.
"Was it you who said that?" Elder Xiang looked Gu Chen over repeatedly before asking in a deep voice.
Gu Chen's expression remained indifferent as he admitted it openly. "I said it."
Everyone around them was also studying Gu Chen, and none of them recognized him. Hearing that he had actually dared to admit it, they shook their heads. Where had this kid who knew neither the height of heaven nor the depth of earth come from? Even seasoned veterans like them, who had immersed themselves in Go for decades, could not solve this puzzle. What made a young man in his twenties think he could?
"Which family are you a junior from?" Elder Xiang did not seem particularly excited. Others had talked big before, claiming they could solve it, only to leave him disappointed all the same.
Gu Chen said in a deep voice, "Elder Xiang, my name is Gu Chen."
"Gu Chen?" someone exclaimed upon hearing the name. "Gu Beichi's son?"
"That castoff of the Gu Family from Shangjing?"
"The castoff the Zhou Family arranged a marriage alliance with, then wanted to break it off?"
Upon learning Gu Chen's identity, the onlookers erupted into a clamor, whispering among themselves. Some looked at him with contempt, some with regret, and some with sympathy, but most were disdainful.
After all, Gu Chen and his father had come to Zhou City under the halo of the Gu Family, only to fall to rock bottom. Even though Gu Beichi had built himself up from nothing, a net worth of tens of millions could hardly make a splash here!
He was completely beneath notice.
"I've heard of you." Elder Xiang was slightly surprised, but quickly recovered and sneered. "However, it doesn't matter who you are. You said this old man's puzzle was easy to solve. Do you dare step forward and try?"
Gu Chen shrugged. "I can solve it, but I have a condition too."
Elder Xiang narrowed his eyes. "If you can solve it, I'll provide medical treatment for you once, free of charge! It can be for anyone, with no time limit!"
At those words, everyone around them began breathing rapidly!
One free treatment?!
With Xiang Linde's current status, he rarely treated patients himself anymore, leaving it to his disciples and their disciples. It was said that a leader-level figure from Shangjing had once come in person seeking treatment, only to be turned away at the door!
And now, as long as Gu Chen could solve this puzzle, he had actually agreed to provide one free treatment! What was more, it could be for anyone, at any time! This could practically be used as a favor!
Yet faced with the offer that had everyone itching to try, Gu Chen shook his head. "I don't need it."
He didn't need it?!
Everyone wanted to smash Gu Chen's head open. He was putting on far too much of a show!
"Then what is your condition?" Elder Xiang asked.
"My condition is simple," Gu Chen said. "I can solve the puzzle, but if you want me to become your disciple, forget it."
Everyone was stunned, thinking they had misheard!
Wasn't the reason everyone had been fretting over this puzzle to receive Elder Xiang's personal instruction, or to latch onto the great tree that was the Xiang Family? What was this kid saying? He wouldn't become his disciple? Then what did he want?
Even Elder Xiang was slightly taken aback. He had not expected Gu Chen to say that. "Why?"
Gu Chen found it a little difficult to say. "Your medical skills aren't worthy of my attention."
Hiss...
The surrounding onlookers drew a sharp breath. This kid's arrogance knew no bounds!