Although Gong Yong believed Zhang Yang was certainly his superior, Chairman Mao had once said: we must hold the strategic view of disdain for our enemies but adopt tactical vigilance.

As the vice dean of Changjing University's Medical School and one of the chief organizers of this Sino-foreign medical exchange in Changjing, Zhu Daoqi received a special call from Guo Yong to specifically inquire about Park Young-jun, that outstanding graduate from South Korea's Eshan Hospital.

Guo Yong was eagerly anticipating Zhang Yang's performance at the upcoming international medical conference. After hanging up, he pondered for a moment before calling again: "Send Xiao Yan to my office."

No one in the hospital knew Guo Yong had evicted Yan Liangfei from his home and secretly housed him in Zhang Yang's villa - where Yan had become Zhang's disciple. With Zhang having mysteriously disappeared (his phone remained permanently switched off), tracing Zhang now depended entirely on Yan.

Regardless, Guo needed to inform Zhang that a Korean Eshan Hospital prodigy intended a challenge. Meanwhile, Park Young-jun hailed a taxi back to Jingyang Sihua Hotel - the designated accommodation for Korea's delegation participants in this medical exchange.

Though only four-star and relatively obscure in Changjing, the hotel's Korean ownership made it their natural choice. The receptionist greeted Park with an exaggerated bow that instantly lifted his spirits after the cold shoulder at Jinghe Hospital.

"Oppa!!!"

A slim girl suddenly rushed toward him from the lobby.

"Little sister~"

Park smiled warmly as she approached - only to freeze when she urgently said, "Brother! Our master is waiting in your room and seems very angry!"

The moment Park returned to his suite, Master Kim Hyun-sen waited on a couch facing away. The Korean leader, also Park's first mentor at Eshan Hospital, radiated palpable pressure.

"Master," Park closed the door quietly as instructed.

Kim turned sharply with a cold glare: "Where were you?"

"I visited Jinghe Hospital to meet Zhang Yang." Park answered truthfully.

"And?"

"No luck. That celebrated young doctor in Changjing appears quite privileged - according to their principal, he only works half-days weekly."

Slamming the table, Kim stood abruptly: "Do you remember why we came here under medical exchange pretenses? Your recklessness might have already exposed our true objectives!"

Park lowered his head further as Kim continued scolding: "Winning is expected, but losing would be catastrophic. You think this Zhang Yang deserves acclaim for working at a mere private clinic?"

"Student understands..." Park finally raised his eyes, "But consider - anyone with such influence must have noble connections. This Zhang Yang drives an expensive Mercedes to and from work daily."

As the second son of Korea's Park Group and Eshan Hospital's youngest star physician, Park had grown accustomed to acclaim. Yet Master Kim's sudden focus on this mysterious intern named Zhang Yang now fueled his resentment.

"Student believes," Park said confidently, "his fame is undeserved..."

"He's not just a doctor," Kim scoffed suddenly. "You think we're investigating him merely for being China's rising star? This Zhang Yang - he's an internal energy cultivator."

Park gaped: "Three spirit beasts follow him! That's no ordinary man!"

"Exactly why I focused on this intern!" Kim's eyes gleamed with something between greed and envy.

"Student admits fault," Park bowed, though his own resentment burned hotter than ever.

"Now calm down," Kim finally said. "Japan's delegation arrived yesterday. Let them probe Zhang first - we'll watch from the shadows."

Later, as Park sent Master Kim away, his eyes blazed with suppressed fury at the words: "Three spirit beasts..."

Back in Changjing, Guo Yong had relayed the conference news to Zhang through Yan Liangfei. As a Jinghe Hospital intern, Zhang naturally agreed to participate.

This was nothing new - in his past life he'd attended countless such events. Now reincarnated with enhanced confidence, Zhang welcomed the opportunity to showcase China's ancient medical wisdom and put those arrogant foreign doctors in their place.