<h4>Chapter 500: Chapter 500: Not Taking First ce Means Losing</h4><h4></h4>


    The heavily fortified doors of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic, sealed for a decade, slowly opened.


    Majestic andmanding stone lions nked the understated gates, asserting the authority and integrity of the medicalmunity.


    Hotels near the Imperial Capital Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic were filled to the brim with young practitioners and enthusiasts of traditional Chinese medicine.


    Rooms were impossible to find!


    The ten thousand online tickets had also sold out early.


    Traditional medicine forums were buzzing, flooded byypeople.


    The hottest posts were about the yers’ support rates, with views already hitting the million mark and participation in the hundreds of thousands.


    Lu Yingxue was far in the lead with a support rate of ny-five percent, truly peerless!


    Everyone believed Lu Yingxue would be the champion!


    An unquestionable oue!


    Even if Qiao Xi was a disciple of National Doctor Cheng Han, she was just a twenty-two-year-old girl fresh off the boat!


    How could she win against Lu Yingxue, who had already imed the title of the acupuncturepetition a decade ago!


    No contest!


    Sharp at nine in the morning.


    The clinic’s adjacent parking lots were filled with cars, mix-matching ordinary sedans worth tens of thousands with luxury sports cars worth millions. Many rich second-generation youths supported Lu Yingxue.


    Even some low-profile tycoons attended the grand ceremony.


    They were well aware of the importance of the acupuncturepetition for both the Lu and Xiang families. If Lu Yingxue won again, the Lu Family’s reputation would rise even further and win public favor, greatly benefiting their ascent into the ranks of the top four influential families.


    After all, public opinion polls ounted for ten percent of the selection for the top families.


    This was not merely a traditional medicine festival; it was crucial to the bnce of power in the Imperial Capital.


    Imperial Capital TV Station and other rted media were also in position, ready to seize this opportunity to promote Chinese traditional culture and expand the influence of traditional Chinese medicine.


    At a quarter past nine.


    A Rolls-Royce appeared near the clinic, followed closely by a Maybach.


    Both luxury cars stopped side by side at the main entrance of the clinic.


    One after the other.


    Even though the people inside the cars hadn’t alighted, a tense atmosphere of swords drawn and bows bent could be felt.


    Spectators preparing to enter the venue also stopped in their tracks, looking at the two cars and started specting.


    "This Maybach’s license te looks like it belongs to the Lu family."


    "And the other one?"


    "Didn’t you see the license te on that car? That’s a vehicle from Haicheng. Who else could it be but the Huo family from Haicheng? I’ve heard that the Lu and Huo families are at odds, with Young Madam Huo’s brother crippling Young Master Lu’s leg. These two families have a deep-seated grudge! This acupuncturepetition is the Lu family’s revenge!"


    A gossip-loving rich second-generation youth squeezed through the crowd, spreading rumors.


    Clueless audience members asked, "Revenge? What do you mean?"


    "That disciple of the National Doctor, Qiao Xi, once cured Liu Zongyun. Liu Zongyun was previously treated by our ’Godly Doctor’ Lu. ording to the rules set twenty years ago, there is a North-South Division, and interference with each other was prohibited, punishable by severe penalties. However, considering the challenges of medical education, being absolved from punishment is allowed if one emerges as the winner of the acupuncturepetition of that session. This is valuing talent."


    "So that’s it! But what if they don’t win the title?"


    The rich second-generation youngster clicked his tongue, looking at the Rolls-Royce with a schadenfreude attitude and said, "They would have to gouge out the tendons in their hands and would never be allowed to practice medicine in their lifetime."


    "With medical advances these days, severed tendons can still be reattached."


    The youth frowned as he exined, "Acupuncture is a skill of precision that requires speed and stability. Tendons that have been reattached can affect the oues and never return to their peak performance, considered ruined."


    "So this is apetition that stakes one’s entire career!"


    For Qiao Xi, it was a loss if she didn’te first.


    While they were discussing,


    the doors of both the Rolls-Royce and the Maybach opened at the same time, and Old Chen respectfully opened the rear door, saying, "Young Madam, Young Master invites you to alight."


    Qiao Xi and Huo Xingzhou got out of the car together.


    Today, she didn’t wear a skirt, but rather ck and white tight jeans paired with a round-neck white blouse, looking rather like a university student.


    Young Master Sun rolled out of the passenger seat and said, "That’s a majestic gate for sure. Those stone lions must have cost a pretty penny, huh? One of these days I should get a pair for our house too. They look so domineering!"


    "Tsk!"


    Xiang Mingzhu, who came out of the Maybach, sneered coldly, "People from Haicheng really are bumpkins who’ve never seen the world!"


    Sun Weimeng pulled a face and cursed, "Who are you calling a bumpkin?"


    "You, that’s who!"


    Sun Weimeng, quick to retort, said, "Heh, look who’s talking, little mistress. You and Zhong..."


    Old Chen immediately took out an orange and stuffed it into Sun Weimeng’s mouth, silencing him.


    "Young Master Sun, have an orange to cool down." Old Chen smiled amiably; ’little mistress’ wasn’t a term to be thrown around lightly, it could mess up the Young Master’s and Young Master Zhong’s important affairs.


    A dark shade crossed Xiang Mingzhu’s eyes, and with slight trepidation, she nced at Lu Yingxue, who had just helped Lu Yan out of the car.


    Had her cousin heard what Sun Weimeng said just now?


    Could it be that these Haicheng people already know about her and Young Master Zhong’s affair?


    Xiang Mingzhu’s mind was in turmoil; she had to keep this secret until the acupuncturepetition was over.


    "Mingzhu."


    Lu Yingxue called out to her, her kind gaze then turning to Qiao Xi, "Miss Qiao, what a coincidence."


    Qiao Xi ignored her, taking Huo Xingzhou’s hand and walking towards the gate.


    She had nothing to say to Lu Yingxue and didn’t want to see her hypocritical face.


    "What an attitude!"


    Lu Yan’s venomous eyesnded on Qiao Xi’s retreating figure, resembling a viper sticking out its tongue.


    He had spent thest three days sending people to find opportunities to investigate Qiao Xi and sabotage her.


    But surprisingly, the woman hadn’t stepped out of her house once, foiling all his ns!


    No matter, he still had other tricks up his sleeve.


    Sun Weimeng, sensing his malice, walked over casually: "What are you looking at? Old pervert must be plotting something bad again! This Young Master will keep an eye on every move you make; don’t think you can scheme against us!"


    Lu Yan looked at him, his eyes dark and gloomy.


    "What did you call me?"


    "Whoa! I’m just stating the obvious. Is your wheelchair sturdy? Don’t fall t on your face again and damage your other leg, eh!" Sun Weimeng, quick on his feet, maliciously kicked Lu Yan’s wheelchair and ran away.


    "Bastard!"


    Lu Yan was barely containable with fury, almost tipping over from the kick.


    "h h h!"


    Sun Weimeng pulled Old Chen along and turned around to make a taunting face, incredibly irritating!


    Lu Yan was so angry he nearly fainted, but Lu Yingxue calmly ced a hand on his shoulder and said, "What skill is there in a sh of anger? Thest one tough is the true winner. Keep your cool, and don’t forget the vow you made."


    Lu Yan managed to calm his raging emotions: "I understand! Qiao Xi won’t have a chance to climb up at the expense of our Lu Family. She and the Cheng Acupuncture Technique should both vanish from history."


    Qiao Xi is thest inheritor of the Cheng Acupuncture Technique!


    Only if she’s gone, will the secret between the ghostly Thirteen Needles and the Cheng’s Plum Blossom Nine Needles be buried forever!


    Lu Yingxue nodded slightly, herposure elegant.


    She was d in aplicatedly woven long dress, its cuffs tightly bound. It did not hinder her activities nor detract from her beauty.


    Many onlookers crowded on both sides, shouting her name with infatuation and fervor.


    Jealousy flickered in Xiang Mingzhu’s eyes.


    Every time, it was Lu Yingxue surrounded by adoration, while she was merely the green leaves entuating the flower. She was not inferior in terms of looks. It’s only that she was more morous and enchanting; why couldn’t shepare to Lu Yingxue, who wore in colors every day?


    Was it really that "modesty makes a woman most charming"?


    While she felt dissatisfied, Lu Yingxue’s gentle voice came, "Mingzhu, was that Young Master Sun talking about you being the little mistress just now?"


    Xiang Mingzhu was startled abruptly!