Henry Zeng's status was not low, but that was only within the confines of Jinhai. Once expanded to a global scale, Henry Zeng was merely a successful businessman.
Dr. Paul Lin was able to treat poisoned martial artists whom even Tianhuang District Hospital could not cure, clearly demonstrating his medical skills had reached a remarkable level. Now, with the world's attention focused on Tianhuang District, how could someone like Dr. Paul Lin escape the public eye? Henry Zeng's wish for Dr. Paul Lin to come exclusively to the Zeng Family was overestimating his own status.
Now that Dr. Paul Lin was holding a press conference, not only were mainstream media outlets attending, but also influential leaders from various factions. These leaders, besides wanting to learn about Dr. Paul Lin's abilities, also hoped to meet him personally. But with so many attendees, it was impossible for them to meet Dr. Paul Lin before the press conference.
......
As the Jinhai elites gathered, Dr. Paul Lin was so excited that he trembled slightly. Although he had anticipated this, the reality far exceeded his expectations.
He hadn’t expected such a sensation; the number of influential figures requesting to meet him privately had already surpassed ten. Previously, he was only qualified to hear these names, but now, they were lining up to see Dr. Paul Lin.
Dr. Paul Lin was well aware of his advantage—it was the vial of medicine in his hand. He also understood that he could not meet with anyone at this moment, because meeting one meant offending many others. So, when Dr. Charles Fu, the director of Jinhai Hospital, almost pleadingly suggested he hold a press conference, Dr. Paul Lin agreed immediately.
On October 21st, the Jinhai Hospital Grand Auditorium was packed to capacity. Nearly everyone was there for the rising star of the medical world, Dr. Paul Lin.
At exactly nine o’clock, Dr. Paul Lin entered the Grand Auditorium accompanied by two security guards.
A reporter impatiently tried to interview Dr. Paul Lin at the entrance, but was immediately stopped and pulled aside by a security guard.
Dr. Paul Lin looked at the packed auditorium, noticing that many of those seated up front were faces he often saw on television and in the news. Suddenly, a sense of fear welled up inside him.
From excitement to fear—perhaps only he could truly understand this transition.
"Everyone, please quiet down. Now, let us invite Dr. Paul Lin, Jinhai Hospital's toxicology and detoxification specialist, to say a few words." The host of the conference was a beautiful anchorwoman from Jinhai Television.
After she finished speaking, she looked at Dr. Paul Lin with admiration and respect, then handed him the microphone.
Forcing himself to calm down, Dr. Paul Lin took a deep breath before speaking: "Honored elders and guests from all corners of the world, I am both excited and anxious to have disturbed you all to come to Jinhai Hospital. I am anxious because I am neither a detoxification expert nor a top medical authority. So, I sincerely apologize and express my utmost respect to everyone here…"
With that, Dr. Paul Lin bowed deeply. His opening remarks were not what he had originally prepared, but now, faced with such a grand scene, he found himself unable to control his nerves. If he truly possessed such skills, it would be one thing, but the fact was, he did not.
"Dr. Lin, is it true you saved a poisoned patient from Tianhuang District?" A blonde reporter couldn’t wait for Dr. Paul Lin to continue or for the Q&A session to begin, and blurted out the question.
No one thought him rude—every reporter was eager to know the answer.
Dr. Paul Lin coughed lightly, finally regaining his composure. "Yes, I did save a poisoned martial artist from Tianhuang District, and it took only an hour. But if you asked me to save another poisoned martial artist in an hour now, I can tell you honestly—I couldn't do it…"
Dr. Paul Lin’s words caused a stir. Some of the influential figures who had come specifically for him frowned. They thought, 'We came all this way for your medical expertise, and now you say you can't do it—what does that mean?'
"So, Dr. Lin, are you saying you just got lucky saving that poisoned patient?" The reporter's question was rather blunt.
Dr. Paul Lin simply let go, laughing heartily. "That's an interesting way to put it. Do you really think a poisoned martial artist from Tianhuang District can be saved by luck? The reason I was able to save that patient in an hour was because my master left me two rare medicinal herbs. Please forgive me, but I cannot reveal what those herbs are. I used one of them, combined with other ingredients, to brew a vial of medicine. The other herb was administered directly to the patient."
"So, you can't save any more poisoned martial artists from Tianhuang District because you no longer have your master's herbs?" a female reporter asked, not mincing words.
"Wrong," Dr. Paul Lin snorted. "I used two herbs, but that vial of medicine hasn't been used up yet. The previous patient was cured in an hour because I administered one herb directly to him. That doesn't mean I can't save more patients; I still have a vial of medicine left. This vial can save at least eight more people—just not as quickly. If you ask me, it would probably take about a month to cure a poisoned patient now."
To be cautious, Joe Di said the medicine could save nine people, but Dr. Paul Lin deliberately understated it by one.
"Dr. Lin, do you mean that after saving eight more poisoned patients, you won’t be able to help anyone else if another comes along?" The reporter didn’t give Dr. Paul Lin a moment to breathe.
Dr. Paul Lin put on a helpless expression. "I really wish it weren’t so, but that’s the truth. Without those herbs, I can save at most eight more people. After that, if more poisoned patients appear, there’s nothing I can do."
"So, Dr. Lin, are you also skilled in treating other illnesses?"
......
From this point on, the reporters' questions became varied and scattered, but Dr. Paul Lin's answers disappointed many of the influential guests. He explained that his expertise was limited to detoxification, and in other areas, he was far less accomplished.
The press conference ended with a strong start but a weak finish; in the end, many were dissatisfied. Still, Dr. Paul Lin had at least provided hope—he could save eight more poisoned patients.
Families of poisoned martial artists from Tianhuang District were already scheming to secure a spot at any cost. Eight antidote slots were a drop in the bucket for the countless warriors of Tianhuang District.
Henry Zeng returned home exhausted from the chaotic press conference, deeply disappointed. According to Dr. Paul Lin, he had no expertise in other illnesses.
Regardless of his expertise, Henry Zeng still wanted to invite Dr. Paul Lin to the Zeng Family to examine his daughter.
After pondering for three hours, Henry Zeng decided to send his people to handle the matter. No matter the cost, he was determined to bring Dr. Paul Lin in.
Before Henry Zeng could announce his decision, Sharon Xiao hurried in. "Uncle, something’s happened!"
Henry Zeng looked at Sharon Xiao in confusion. "What is it?"
In a low voice, Sharon Xiao said, "Dr. Paul Lin has been killed, right in the best room of Jinhai Hospital."
Henry Zeng abruptly stood up, then sighed and shook his head as he sat back down. Without any background, yet holding a vial that could save eight poisoned martial artists from Tianhuang District, Dr. Paul Lin was doomed from the start.
......
After treating the young man, Joe Di was utterly exhausted, so he found a place to rest for the night. Once he was refreshed, he headed to Jinhai Martial Arts Academy the next afternoon.
Standing at the entrance of Jinhai Martial Arts Academy, Joe Di was stunned by the newspaper the nearby shop owner had just put out. The headline was glaring: 'Jinhai's Detoxification Genius Dr. Paul Lin Murdered—Who Is the Killer?'
Joe Di shivered. If he had stayed at Jinhai Hospital, wouldn’t he be the one dead now?
Should he remain at Jinhai Martial Arts Academy? Joe Di gazed at the academy’s grand signboard, feeling a chill in his heart.