“Traditional medicine is based on the theory of Yin and Yang and the Five Elements. It views the human body as a unified entity of Qi, form, and spirit, and uses the four diagnostic methods of ‘inspection, auscultation and olfaction, inquiry, and palpation’ to explore the causes, nature, and location of diseases, analyze the pathogenesis, and understand changes in the internal organs, meridians, joints, Qi, blood, and body fluids…”
“Nonsense! Traditional medicine is not something from Atraria; it belongs to us, the Korean People!”
Before Joshua could finish his speech, an angry shout interrupted him.
This discordant voice caused everyone’s expressions to change as they turned towards the source of the sound.
Two men in suits entered through one of the doors.
Upon seeing these men, Leo’s expression changed slightly because they were the same Koreans he had bumped into at the school gate.
Both men were in their thirties, with short, neat hair, broad faces, and narrow eyes-typical features of genuine Koreans.
Seeing everyone looking their way, the Korean who had interrupted Joshua pointed at the guest on the podium and said coldly, “You Atrarians are nothing but a bunch of thieves!”
This statement was like throwing a stone into a pond, causing an uproar.
The students were stunned for a moment before they started cursing.
“Bullshit! You Koreans are the real thieves!”
“Where did these idiots come from? Not only do they steal our Atrarian festivals, but now they want to steal traditional medicine too!”
“Throw them out! Get these fools out of here!”
The Koreans’ words greatly offended the students’ national pride, inciting their anger. Several students near the Koreans stood up, ready to fight.
Fortunately, security arrived quickly; otherwise, those Koreans would have been beaten.
Leo admired the Koreans’ courage. In such a setting, saying what they did without fear of being beaten to death was bold.
Seeing the students getting more agitated and knowing that the situation might get out of control, the head of security coldly told the two Koreans, “Please leave!”
The two Koreans seemed unafraid of the impulsive students. They continued shouting towards the podium, “You Atrarians are guilty! Your so-called traditional medicine is stolen from our Korean Medicine!”
Their words added fuel to the fire. As the scene was about to spiral out of control, Ty Chan grabbed a microphone and shouted, “Quiet! Everyone calm down!”
Ty Chan had to shout several times before the enraged students suppressed their anger and quieted down temporarily.
“Security, escort these two out!” Ty Chan ordered.
“Atrarian traditional medicine is a fraud. When I return home, I will expose your lies in the media!” The two men continued shouting even as security escorted them out.
Joshua, the Medicine King of South Mountain, stood up from his seat with a livid face and said coldly, “Let them in!”
Ty Chan was surprised by Joshua’s words and quickly tried to dissuade him to avoid unnecessary trouble. “Master Joshua, those two Koreans are just trying to attract attention. We should ignore them.”
If those Koreans were allowed to continue attacking traditional medicine here, today’s seminar would be ruined.
“Whether they are seeking attention or not, any Atrarian cannot tolerate them insulting our traditional medicine!” Joshua said angrily. His agitation caused him to cough repeatedly.
The fighting spirit inherent in Atrarian intellectuals had never disappeared.
With Joshua taking a stand, Ty Chan knew that if he pretended nothing had happened, he might be pelted with bricks by the students.
Stimulated by Joshua’s words, Ty Chan’s face alternated between red and white as he struggled to find words.
Leo stood up from his seat with a stern face and supported Joshua. “I support Master Joshua. The Koreans insulted our traditional medicine. As Atrarians, we cannot let this go!”
Joshua looked at Leo with approval in his eyes.
“Principal Chan, those Koreans insulted traditional medicine. If we throw them out now, it will seem like we are guilty and give them an excuse. Let them come in and clarify their words face-to-face!”
“Yes, let them come in and clarify who is stealing from whom!”
“Shameless Koreans! How dare they bite back? Let them explain themselves!”
Other invited guests, led by Brennen, also expressed their opinions.
Given the situation, Ty Chan had no choice but to follow everyone’s wishes. He instructed security, “Let them in!”
The security guards stepped aside from blocking the two Koreans.
The two Koreans walked towards the podium with arrogant expressions under everyone’s angry gaze.
When they got closer, Joshua suppressed his anger and asked coldly, “You claim that Atrarian traditional medicine plagiarized your Korean Medicine. Show us your evidence or we will sue you for defamation!”
“You want evidence?” The leading Korean man sneered. “Any book on Atrarian traditional medicine contains content from our ‘The Mirror of Eastern Medicine’!”
“Your so-called ‘Internal Classic,’ ‘Materia Medica,’ ‘Treatise on Cold Damage,’ ‘Diagnostics,’ ‘Formulas,’ and ‘Four-Element Medicine’ all plagiarized from ‘The Mirror of Eastern Medicine’!”
“If you don’t believe me, you can compare them yourselves!”
“Bullshit!” Brennen couldn’t stand it anymore. He slammed the table and stood up abruptly. “Your so-called ‘The Mirror of Eastern Medicine’ is clearly plagiarized from various Atrarian medical books!
“Claiming others’ work as your own-shameless! Koreans are truly shameless!”
“When people lose their shame, even ghosts fear them. Besides stealing our festivals and traditional medicine, what else can you Koreans do?”
Several other invited guests couldn’t help but voice their anger.
Korean Medicine primarily learned from traditional medicine and Indian traditional medicine.
Its treatment methods and techniques largely fall within the scope of traditional medicine.
During the Joseon Dynasty, Korean Medicine developed significantly.
A few years ago, when ‘The Mirror of Eastern Medicine’ was proposed for UNESCO heritage status under Korean Medicine instead of traditional medicine, it caused considerable controversy in Atraria.
The Korean side later explained that it was only applying for heritage status for a book. However, their true intentions remained ambiguous.