Bab 14: The Annual Traditional Gathering

Few weeks later....

The day of the Annual Traditional Practitioner Gathering arrived, a highly anticipated event that attracted some of the most renowned figures in the field of traditional medicine. This year, the event took place in a luxurious, open-air venue within a private estate surrounded by meticulously groomed gardens, an idyllic backdrop that gave the gathering an air of prestige. Dozens of traditional medicine enthusiasts, practitioners, and patients with rare ailments flocked to the estate, their anticipation mounting with each passing hour. The event was bustling with activity, the scent of medicinal herbs mingling with the floral fragrance carried by the breeze.

What drew such a large crowd this year was the tantalizing rumor that the elusive Master Yue, a legendary figure in traditional medicine, would be attending. A female practitioner of unparalleled skill, Master Yue was known to transform even the most hopeless cases with her expertise. It had been years since she last appeared at such a gathering, and the possibility of witnessing her in action had drawn spectators and fellow practitioners from far and wide.

Raya, standing with her circle of friends, couldn't resist the temptation to mock Alice, who had been conspicuously absent from the gathering. A gleam of satisfaction lit Raya's eyes as she leaned in closer to her friends, her voice dropping into a conspiratorial whisper.

"It's just as I said," Raya sneered, casting a smug look at the women around her. "Alice always talks big, claiming she has connections, but where is she? If she truly had any influence, she would have been here by now. I heard she tried and failed to invite Master Yue—that's why she didn't even bother showing up. A pathetic bluff... since couldn't invite Master Yue over it means I have won the bet"

She felt that if Alice had truly, invited Master Yue over she would show have shown up by now..

"Well she's just a bluffer"

Her friends snickered, their mocking laughter filling the air. But as they laughed, a sudden hush fell over the crowd, and all eyes turned to the grand entrance of the estate. A murmur of excitement rippled through the attendees, and Raya's mocking laughter abruptly died in her throat. A deep, resonant voice boomed through the speakers, announcing the arrival that no one had dared hope for.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the esteemed Master Yue!"

The crowd parted like the Red Sea, creating a wide path leading from the entrance to the main pavilion. People craned their necks, eager to catch a glimpse of the legendary figure as she made her way through the throng. Master Yue entered with graceful, measured steps, her aura commanding respect with every move she made. Five disciples, dressed in traditional robes, followed behind her in a solemn procession, their gazes downcast and respectful.

Master Yue's presence was magnetic, her figure slender and imposing. She wore flowing, white and green silk robes that spoke of elegance and authority, and her face was partially obscured by a delicate veil. Only her eyes were visible—intense and calm, the eyes of a woman who had seen much and understood even more. For years, her full face had been hidden behind the veil, preserving her mystery, but the upper half, visible now, was enough to captivate all who looked her way.

As Master Yue passed through the crowd, admiration and whispers followed her like a tide. Everyone wondered who had managed to convince the great Master Yue to attend—after all, she rarely deigned to grace such gatherings. Yet here she was, and as fate would have it, she and her disciples walked past Raya and her clique.

Raya's eyes widened, her heart racing with disbelief. Her mind worked quickly, jumping to the most convenient conclusion: although she had failed to secure Master Yue's presence through her own invitations, perhaps the master had been impressed by her efforts and chosen to come anyway. Thinking that if Alice had invited her she would be here already to take credit.

A smug smile spread across her face. This was her chance to claim the fame she had always craved.

Stepping forward, Raya boldly raised her voice, so everyone nearby could hear. "I was the one who invited Master Yue!" she declared, her words ringing with feigned confidence. Several heads turned, and murmurs of approval and surprise buzzed among the crowd. Alice—Master Yue—paused for a fraction of a second, turning her veiled face slightly towards Raya. For a moment, there was only silence, and then Alice's eyes glimmered with a faint, knowing amusement that Raya couldn't detect. Without a word, Alice continued walking, offering no response to Raya's claim.

Seeing this, Raya's confidence surged. She mistook Alice's silence for confirmation, and a wide smile spread across her lips. Raya's friends praised her, showering her with admiration for managing to bring Master Yue to the event. The praise from the crowd only bolstered Raya's belief that she had finally eclipsed Alice, and she reveled in the attention.

---

The gathering proceeded to its traditional phase: the selection of patients who would receive treatment from the various masters in attendance. Twenty individuals with rare and serious ailments were chosen, and Alice and her disciples went to work. With deft fingers, she applied silver needles, manipulated pressure points, and administered rare herbs. Every move was deliberate and fluid, her reputation as a master healer evident in her precise technique. She treated five patients in succession, moving with the efficiency and calm demeanor of someone who knew the weight of her reputation and carried it effortlessly.

But after the fifth patient, Alice stepped away, feeling the strain in her body. She signaled to her disciples to continue while she sought a moment of respite. She moved towards a shaded corner of the pavilion, the shadows providing a brief haven from the intensity of the gathering.

As she moved, Alice saw Raya approaching with a crowd of curious onlookers in tow, who she had gathered clearly eager to seize the spotlight. Raya's eyes shone with confidence as she stepped closer, her voice carrying an air of false humility.

"Master, Yue" Raya began, her voice ringing loud enough for the entire crowd to hear. "I am the one who invited you to this event. I... I would be honored if you would consider taking me as your disciple."

There was a heartbeat of silence as all eyes turned to Alice, and then, with a calm, assessing gaze, she looked at Raya. Her eyes, cold and unfathomable, settled on the young woman who stood before her, so assured of her own importance. Then Alice spoke, her tone cutting like a shard of ice.