Chapter 220 Self-Taught
As soon as everyone saw him like this, they thought he was feeling guilty and trying to deceive them. Their impression of him worsened, and Octavius's face darkened immediately. "What, you can't even tell us your mentor's name?"
James scratched his head, unsure of how to respond.
In fact, it wasn't that he didn't want to say it; he didn't have a mentor. Most of his medical skills were self-taught from books.
Edwin, watching from the side, grew anxious.
'He used to be quite clever; how did he become so foolish now? Since they asked who your mentor is, answer them.' He thought.
He couldn't help but look at James and say, "Mr. Smith, since Dr. Murphy asked about your mentor, just tell everyone. We're all colleagues in the field of traditional medicine; maybe we've heard of him."
In fact, Edwin was also curious about who could have taught such an outstanding student like James.
James chuckled awkwardly. "Strictly speaking, I don't have a mentor."
He had already guessed the crowd's reaction before he even finished speaking.
Sure enough, Octavius's mouth twitched twice, and he had the urge to hit someone!
He laughed angrily, "No mentor? So, you mean you're self-taught?"
"Strictly speaking, I am self-taught," James said with a bitter smile.
Indeed, since he started reading at the age of five, his family had left him a pile of medical books to read on his own. If he didn't understand something, he couldn't ask anyone; he had to find the answers himself because he only had two opportunities to ask questions each week.
All his medical skills were learned through his talent and perseverance.
Hearing this, Derrick couldn't hold back any longer and burst into laughter, leading the applause. "Impressive, impressive, self-taught. So you're a genius, huh? No wonder you have such an attitude, making over a dozen renowned medicine experts wait for you for nearly an hour!"
He mocked on the surface but felt quite pleased inside.
'Fool, you are such an idiot. You even dared to say you are self-taught!' he thought.
Edwin's lips moved, wanting to defend James, but he couldn't find the words. James's behavior today was indeed too much. Being late for over half an hour and making many seniors wait was bad enough, but now claiming to be self-taught was asking for trouble.
"Where did Dr. Wheeler find such an arrogant person who dares to claim he's self-taught?"
"That's not arrogance; it's just idiotic behavior!"
"No wonder traditional medicine has been struggling so much; it's because of people like him."
"It's because of people like him that traditional medicine is declining, and society's misunderstandings are deepening. He's a disgrace!"
"I don't agree with him representing us at the exchange conference! It's a disgrace to traditional medicine!"
"I don't agree either. Traditional medicine is already in decline, and having someone like him represent us is just too embarrassing."
"I support Dr. Murphy."
For a moment, James's words caused a huge reaction among the group. They united in opposition to James participating in the exchange conference, believing he would embarrass them.
Edwin hadn't anticipated this outcome and felt a bit troubled.
Meanwhile, Derrick couldn't hide his smile, almost laughing out loud. When he learned that Edwin strongly recommended James for the exchange conference, he was against it, but Edwin ignored him, making him feel like a thorn was stuck in his heart.
Now, seeing James become everyone's enemy, he was overjoyed, thinking James was an idiot for saying he was self-taught.
Seeing the mocking faces, James's mood soured, not because of the ridicule but because these so-called leaders of traditional medicine were so arrogant and short-sighted. They felt insulted because James was late and spoke to him condescendingly, thinking his tardiness was an insult to them.
James saw the skepticism in their eyes, the dismissal of his skills based solely on his age. It was a common prejudice, one he was used to overcoming.
He didn't believe their medical skills could be that impressive with such behavior. At this moment, he truly understood why traditional medicine was in such decline. The main reason was the field's lack of talent, as well as the arrogance and closed-mindedness of those who were supposed to be leading it.
As a member of the traditional medicine community, James felt a deep sense of desolation looking at them.
He didn't bother to argue with them. He had come to the exchange conference at Edwin's enthusiastic invitation, but now it seemed unnecessary.
With a sigh, James didn't leave impulsively but said to Edwin, "Dr. Wheeler, I'm sorry to have embarrassed you. Since the seniors have such strong opinions about me, there's no need for me to stay."
Edwin frowned. Before today, he hadn't expected things to turn out this way.
He knew how skilled James was.
At over eighty years old and with more than half a century of medical practice, James was the most skilled traditional medicine practitioner he had ever met, including himself.
He anticipated that his colleagues would be skeptical of James because of his age, which was fine. As long as James performed well at the exchange conference, he would naturally dispel all doubts. But he never expected James to be so late, offending his colleagues, and even more so, to claim he was self-taught.
For a moment, he felt a strong aversion to James.
Now, seeing James's calm yet disappointed expression, he quickly regained his composure.
Regardless of James's character, he knew his medical skills were undeniable. The upcoming exchange conference needed someone highly skilled to restore honor to traditional medicine.
That was why Edwin had invited James so earnestly in the first place!
Understanding this, he smiled again and said to James, "Mr. Smith, you're wrong. How could you embarrass me? If anyone should be embarrassed, it's you, not me."
Edwin's humor made James, a smart person, immediately understand his meaning, reducing his guilt significantly. He also admired Edwin more for his magnanimity, which was truly worthy of respect.
Then Edwin said seriously, "Mr. Smith, please stay. We need you."
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