Chapter 334: Master’s Fellow Disciples

**Chapter 334: Master's Senior Disciples**

**Lu Hanchuan:** "Good to get some exposure—it’s reassuring to see."

Not even an expert panel could gather such an elite group.

Many of these elders wouldn’t budge for anyone, no matter how wealthy or powerful.

Only Mr. Song had the clout to pull this off.

Ye Xiaoxiao added, "Master invited them all. Guess everyone who could make it showed up."

Although most people in the banquet hall were friendly, one table stuck out like a sore thumb.

"Xiaoxiao, do you know those people?"

Ye Changning whispered to Ye Xiaoxiao.

The reason was that the people at the opposite table had been staring at them for quite a while, glaring daggers at them.

"Maybe there's some bad blood with Master," Ye Xiaoxiao speculated. She suspected some of them might be from Master’s school—otherwise they wouldn’t be giving her such weird looks.

Once most guests had arrived, the stage was set up with chairs and tables.

Besides Song Guangjing’s seat, there were also places for Yinshi (Introducer), Baoshi (Guarantor), and Daishi (Proxy Master).

Sun Zhengyao was invited as Daishi, while Yinshi and Baoshi were two other renowned masters in the field: Mr. Li Yuchuan and Mr. Guo Congbai.

Both teachers were over sixty but remained energetic and radiant.

Ye Xiaoxiao had prepared gifts for the three other teachers as well. Though not as valuable as the one for Song Guangjing, they were still a gesture of respect.

Song Xiaoguang seated Song Guangjing, and the other teachers took their seats.

Ye Xiaoxiao bowed deeply to the three teachers and presented her gifts.

Each of them shared advice, urging her to stay true to the path of medical compassion.

Afterward, Ye Xiaoxiao bowed deeply to Song Guangjing, formally acknowledging him as her master.

At this moment, Song Guangjing was overjoyed but also lost in memories.

Previously, Song Guangjing had given Ye Xiaoxiao a seal. This time, the gift was another seal—but it looked much more official.

It bore Ye Xiaoxiao’s name, a personal name stamp.

"Thank you, Master."

Ye Xiaoxiao could only tell that it was made of high-quality jade.

Song Guangjing helped her to her feet and then addressed all the guests present: "Xiaoxiao is my closing disciple. After I’m gone, Rende Hall will be entrusted to her care."

His words sent murmurs through the crowd.

If Song Guangjing remained healthy, he could easily live another twenty or thirty years.

Choosing a successor so early felt way too soon.

But thinking about it, since Ye Xiaoxiao is Song Guangjing's final apprentice, handing over Rende Pharmacy to her makes sense.

Everyone in attendance was just there to witness the event, so no one dwelled on the matter.

Only that strange group at one table seemed to be acting even weirder now.

It wasn't exactly disapproval, but maybe resentment?

Ye Xiaoxiao hadn't expected Song Guangjing to spring this on her so suddenly either.

"Master..."

Song Guangjing: "This has been my decision for a long time. Don't worry—it's not some spur-of-the-moment thing."

Ye Xiaoxiao could only bite her tongue for now.

After the ceremony wrapped up, the rest of the evening was just food and drinks.

Song Guangjing led Ye Xiaoxiao around to greet each table.

She'd already met Sun Zhengyao and the other seniors earlier.

Now, Song Guangjing was introducing her to those she hadn't met yet—

especially that group of glowering men.

"Xiaoxiao, this is my second shixiong, your martial uncle Zhou Zhonghua.

This is your third martial uncle Wu Xuanzhong.

This is your fifth martial uncle Liu Dai.

The others are their disciples."

Zhou Zhonghua's face was the stormiest of all. "Gege, don’t forget our bet—even though you’re running Rende Pharmacy now, if you lose, you still have to give back the name."

Song Guangjing shook his head. "That’s not happening. We’ve already registered the trademark. Rende Pharmacy is officially our company's brand now."

Zhou Zhonghua: "Gege, I never thought you’d be so sneaky."

Song Guangjing: "Tch! You guys have the nerve to say that? Who was it that nearly ruined Rende Pharmacy’s reputation? Could any of you have built it up and honored it the way I did? Now that you see I've made it successful, you're jealous—but do you even have what it takes?"

Ye Xiaoxiao worried these two elders might throw down right here.

And sure enough, everyone else was already watching.

All the guests looked like they were loving the show, mentally taking notes.

They'd all heard rumors about internal conflicts in Rende Pharmacy—turns out those rumors were right on the money.

In reality, though, only Song Guangjing’s version of Rende Pharmacy remained famous. The others’ memories of it had been gone for years.

Liu Dai was the youngest among them, but he was pushing sixty.

"Gege, let’s cool it with the arguing. We didn’t come all this way to Beijing just to fight."

Song Guangjing huffed. "So you *do* want something from me. I knew you wouldn’t come here without wanting something."

Liu Dai looked somewhat awkward. "Big Brother, you're overthinking it. While we do have some things to discuss, our main purpose was just to come to the capital and visit you."

Wu Xuanzhong added, "Big Brother, everyone's watching now. This isn't a good time to talk. Let's have a proper chat after the banquet."

Song Guangjing remained unfazed. "Whatever."

Then he led Xiao Xiao to the next table.

"Look at him! He always acts like this when discussing matters. Can't he even talk properly?" Zhou Zhonghua grumbled under his breath.

The others quickly urged him to lower his voice and avoid causing a scene.

The people at the next table were also Song Guangjing’s martial brothers, though they had different masters—they were disciples of his martial uncles.

Though their relationship wasn’t particularly close, they stuck together when needed.

They treated Song Guangjing with respect, as many of them now worked at the Rende Pharmacy, while others ran branches elsewhere but still sourced their medicine from headquarters.

So in a way, they could be considered local leaders or branch heads.

After Song Guangjing introduced Xiao Xiao to everyone, the meal was nearly finished.

The initiation banquet should have ended perfectly.

Just as Xiao Xiao helped Song Guangjing sit down to eat, several people entered through the banquet hall entrance.

"What a special occasion, with all my martial brothers gathered here—how could my Big Brother not invite me?"

The newcomer was bald but not sloppy-looking, though his expression carried an air of someone not to be trifled with.

He wore a suit and looked respectable, flanked by several lackeys.

Xiao Xiao noticed Song Guangjing’s expression darken as she wondered about this man’s relationship with her master.

This scene felt straight from a novel—the villain making his grand entrance.

Characters like him usually met bad endings.

"What are you doing here? You're not welcome!"

Before Song Guangjing could speak, the already irritable Zhou Zhonghua stood up and shot back.

The bald man waved dismissively. "Second Brother, still so hot-headed. That’s not good for your health."

"I heard Big Brother took another disciple, so naturally I came to offer my congratulations. And I brought along a familiar face to join in."

He glanced behind him. "Zhang Wanqiu, aren’t you going to greet your master?"

Song Xiaoguang stepped forward, blocking Song Guangjing, and demanded sharply, "Zhang Wanqiu, you were kicked out by Master! How dare you show your face here again!"