As the words left his lips, tears began to pool in his eyes.
“For years, traditional medicine has been branded as fraud. The field itself has dwindled into obscurity, one of the least pursued professions. Hardly any young people are willing to study it anymore. But you… you are different. So young, yet so incredibly gifted. I believe you are the one who can bring new life to Seclela’s traditional medicine. Let the world see that our traditional medicine is not just relevant-it’s a priceless treasure!”
Eugene’s impassioned speech was stirring and uplifting. Any Seclela native who heard it would feel their blood boil with pride.
Even Daphne, who had rarely paid attention to such matters, now looked at Eugene with deep respect. Her admiration was written all over her face.
Memphis also nodded earnestly, chiming in, “Exactly! Traditional medicine has always been an unshakable pillar of our heritage. And now, seeing someone like Dr. Scott rise to prominence, it’s clear the revival of our traditional medicine is just around the corner. I’m certain that after this, your name will spread far and wide, Dr. Scott!”
However, Kayden’s previously stoic face suddenly furrowed into a frown. His sharp gaze shifted to Memphis.
For most, fame and recognition might hold great allure. And yes, as a native of Seclela, promoting their culture was undeniably important. But for Kayden, such fame or praises were hollow. He had no interest in glory.
With a hint of reproach in his tone, he questioned Memphis, “What’s so worthy of fanfare here?”
Memphis hadn’t expected Kayden’s response. His expression faltered, and after a moment’s hesitation, he forced a strained smile and said, “But… isn’t this about showcasing your extraordinary talent? It’s not just for you, but also to promote the greatness of Seclela’s traditional medicine! Dr. Scott, don’t you want to make a name for yourself across the world? And as a doctor, shouldn’t you prove our traditional medicine’s worth to those who doubt it?”
“Yes, exactly!” Eugene chimed in. “You should dispel the younger generation’s skepticism about our traditional medicine!”
“Enough!” Kayden’s voice rang out like a thunderclap, silencing the room. His piercing gaze locked onto Eugene as he asked coldly, “Who told you that our traditional medicine is in decline? And who told you it needs to compete with modern medicine? Medicine, no matter its form, exists to save lives. Why must it become a contest for fame?”
The questions fell like hammer blows, leaving Eugene momentarily dumbfounded.
“If our traditional medicine has stooped so low as to chase after fame, it has already lost its soul!” Kayden continued. His eyes narrowed as he turned back to Eugene and said in a tone of disdain, “Dr. Whitehead, do you know why you’ll never measure up to Maverick or Cael?”
Eugene shrank under the weight of these words, his pride completely gone. He lowered his head, crestfallen. The truth was undeniable-he was no match for Maverick and Cael.
His reputation wasn’t built on genuine skill but on years of courting the wealthy and powerful. It was their influence, coupled with his modest understanding of traditional medicine, that had inflated his standing to a level where he could be mentioned together with Maverick and Cael.
Seeing Eugene remain silent, Kayden pressed on without hesitation, “Because they truly embody the spirit of selflessness and compassion. They focus only on saving lives. They’ve grasped the very essence of traditional medicine, something you have yet to understand. Do you know why people often say that truly cultivated individuals can maintain inner peace even in the bustling city and focus on self-improvement? Do you know why other nations are so eager to compare themselves to us?”
“It’s because they’re curious, because they envy the brilliance of our culture. They pit themselves against us not out of contempt but out of jealousy. And yet, we don’t rush to respond-not because we fear confrontation, but because true masters never care about such petty competition.”
Eugene’s head dipped even lower. In all his years, he had never been so directly reprimanded-least of all by someone barely in his twenties.
Nonetheless, each of the young man’s words pierced straight to the core. Eugene now realized why traditional medicine had “lost some of its luster” in the modern world.
His face softened into a look of profound remorse, like a child caught red-handed in a mistake too grave to deny.
Noticing the shift, Kayden fell silent and held back the rest of his words. It was Eugene who eventually broke the stillness. He released a deep sigh and spoke with the weight of newfound insight, “I never grasped such a simple, yet vital truth. And yet you-young as you are-have laid it bare with just a few words. Dr. Scott, you’ve truly humbled me. You made me realize how blind and shortsighted I am!”
Kayden pressed on unreservedly, “A true master, a true traditional medicine inheritor, understands the essence of traditional medicine. Our traditional medicine doesn’t need to be measured against any other system-it stands apart, beyond comparison.”
Eugene’s face flushed, shame spreading through him like wildfire. He could only sigh in regret. Years of learning still left him blind to this fundamental truth. Yet Kayden, barely in his twenties, lived with such clarity and wisdom. It was humbling, even awe-inspiring.
At that moment, Eugene understood why he had always been no match for Maverick and Cael. His heart had been shackled by a relentless pursuit of fame and recognition, his mind ensnared by the need to defend traditional medicine’s reputation. He was chasing shadows while ignoring what actually mattered.
True strength, he realized, is not born of comparison. Take Kayden for example-his actions alone were a declaration of traditional medicine’s superiority. There was no need for arguments or validation. Traditional medicine did not need to lower itself to stand alongside modern techniques.
Those reclusive masters had already grasped this truth, so they chose to live in seclusion to search for their inner peace.
Figures like Maverick and Cael were titans of the field. They had never held any doubts or worries about Seclela’s traditional medicine. Their worlds were as vast and infinite as the heavens themselves.
Those who love to argue are like half-filled bottles that rattle noisily. Truly capable individuals are like full bottles-silent, but their strength is evident through the clear glass that reveals how full they truly are.
Eugene lowered his head and spoke with unreserved respect, “Dr. Scott, you are a true genius. At such a young age, you embody a wisdom that ordinary mortals like myself could never fathom. Your words have solved the puzzles in my mind and illuminated a path that I’ve been blind to for years. Please allow me to kneel in gratitude for your enlightenment!”
Just as Eugene prepared to drop to his knees, Kayden stopped him mid-motion!
“No need for that,” Kayden said. “You acted out of a desire to safeguard our traditional medical heritage. You bear no blame for that.”
Eugene nodded fervently, his voice filled with admiration. “Yes, yes! But I can’t help but wonder-when will I ever attain the deep insight into life that you possess?”
The deep insight into life!
Kayden indeed gained a profound insight into life, and he gained it through countless battles, through taking so many lives.
To kill one is a sin; to kill ten thousand is a legend; to kill millions is to ascend beyond heroism. Kayden had taken so many lives that he was hailed as War God.
For a man who had stared into the abyss of death without flinching, the complexities of the world unraveled into simplicity.
The crowd listened to their conversations with confusion. Their words were beyond their comprehension. Yet, one thing was clear-Eugene had been completely awed by Kayden’s unparalleled medical skill.
Gathering his courage, Eugene asked earnestly, “Dr. Scott, may I be so bold as to ask, who was your master?”
Realizing his own audacity, he quickly added, “Of course, I know I’m not in a position to ask.”