Crack!

The cup shattered.

Mai Jiacheng shuddered and quickly nodded. "Okay, okay, I'll call, I'll call! I'll call right now. My grandfather loves me the most. If I threaten to die, he'll definitely agree!"

Then, trembling, he took out his phone and dialed Mai Gu's number.

After a short while, the call connected.

"Grandpa, it's Jiacheng. I'm... I'm going to die!" As soon as the call connected, Mai Jiacheng burst into tears.

Mai Gu was startled on the other end and hurriedly asked, "What happened? Jiacheng, you..."

"I-I was kidnapped." Mai Jiacheng knew that if it involved his life, Mai Gu would be thrown into a panic and agree to anything. He stammered, "I was driving on the road when some people suddenly blocked my car and tied me up. They've broken one of my hands and told me to tell you that if you don't publicly admit defeat to the Sunset People, they'll kill me!"

Mai Jiacheng added more dramatic details, making it all the more vivid.

Mai Gu was stunned for a long time before he spoke. "Let them take the call."

Mai Jiacheng quickly handed the phone to Matsui Ichiro.

"Mr. Matsui?" Mai Gu tentatively asked.

Hearing that Mai Jiacheng had been kidnapped, Mai Gu naturally thought of Matsui Ichiro first thing.

Matsui Ichiro didn't bother to deny it, as it was more or less true.

Moreover, after this period of interaction, Matsui Ichiro had a good grasp of Mai Gu's character. Forcing him to admit defeat would be challenging.

But the Matsui family was anxious, demanding that Mai Gu concede within three days. Using public opinion to elevate the Matsui family's status would help them break into the Hua Country market.

Seeing the deadline was near, and with Mai Jiacheng delivering himself to them, Matsui Ichiro wouldn't miss such a golden opportunity.

"That's right. Heh heh. President Mai, I really didn't want things to come to this, but you clearly lost and won't admit it." Matsui Ichiro's demeanor was one of feigned magnanimity. "I'm out of options. Of course, if you can refine the Ascension Pill or defeat me in medical skills, I'll have nothing to say. But you've lost and won't acknowledge it. Isn't that unreasonable?"

Mai Gu was at a loss for words.

Indeed!

Failing in medical skills yet refusing to concede—a discredit to the great nation.

But admitting defeat also meant losing face and still dealing a blow to national pride.

Mai Gu was deeply conflicted, regretting that his medical skills weren't better. Otherwise, he wouldn't be in this situation.

"Why aren't you saying anything?" Matsui Ichiro coldly smiled when Mai Gu remained silent. "If that's the case, we won't be polite to your grandson."

He nodded at Yamamoto. "Mr. Yamamoto, break the other hand of President Mai's grandson."

"No, no, please don't!" Mai Jiacheng was terrified, crying out desperately. "Grandpa, Grandpa, please concede! I'm your only grandson. They'll really kill me. Hurry up!"

"Fine!" Mai Gu finally buckled under the pressure.

Dragging this out was indeed pointless.

The most critical factor was that Mai Jiacheng was his only grandson. He couldn't just watch him die, could he?

"Haha, good! That's more like it!" Matsui Ichiro burst into satisfied laughter. "One hour later, we'll meet at the association's first-floor lobby. Don't be late!"

Slam!

With that, Matsui Ichiro hung up the phone.

A smug smile spread across his face.

On the other side, Mai Gu looked like a storm cloud.

Mai Lang noticed his father's dark expression and quickly asked, "Dad, are you okay?"

Mai Gu shook his head and roughly recounted what had happened.

Mai Lang was alarmed. "What? Those damn Japanese dared to touch Jiacheng? Damn it, I'll gather some people and kill them, get Jiacheng out!"

Mai Gu gave a bitter smile. "And then what? Even if you rescue Jiacheng, Matsui Ichiro will take this opportunity to exaggerate and spread rumors, saying we can't afford to lose and resorted to violence. Then, it won't just be our Mai Family that lose face; they'll say all Hua Country people are petty."

"So, are we just going to admit defeat?" Mai Lang was frantic, pacing back and forth.

Su Tong, hearing this, furrowed his brows. "Let Ye try."

"Ye?" Mai Gu looked at Ye Guichen, then forced a smile. "Su Tong, don't console me. Matsui Ichiro is a medical genius, possibly even surpassing our master back then. Even if Ye is talented, he's just in his twenties. What can he do?"

His implication was clear: even if Ye had great medical talents, how could he possibly surpass Matsui Ichiro?

Ye Guichen knew words were useless now, but national pride was at stake, and he had to step forward. "Master Mai, since you think I'm young, then even if I lose, we won't suffer much. But if I win, wouldn't that solve everything?"

"Hm?" Mai Gu raised his head, examining Ye Guichen.

Yes, Ye Guichen was young. Even if he lost, no one could make a big deal out of it.

If this was a dead end, they might as well take one last gamble.

And, as Li Fengxian's disciple, maybe he did have some extraordinary skills.

"Alright," Mai Gu finally relented.

Though he didn't believe Ye Guichen could win, he still went to the Chinese Herbal Medicine Association building with Ye Guichen and Su Tong, supported by Mai Lang.

Matsui Ichiro had been eagerly waiting for this moment.

He had contacted the media immediately after the phone call, even having his own people set up a live broadcast to inform the Matsui family.

When Mai Gu's group arrived, the media swarmed them.

"President Mai, are you really going to concede?"

"President Mai, is Hua Country really that helpless? Are you truly willing to give up?"

"President Mai, is it true that you've been hiding to avoid Mr. Matsui?"

Most of these reporters were arranged by Matsui Ichiro, each question hitting Mai Gu's sore spots.

Mai Gu had no idea how to respond.

At this moment, Ye Guichen stepped in front of Mai Gu, smiling calmly at the reporters. "Everyone, I think there's a misunderstanding! Master Mai isn't here to concede. Hua Country's medical knowledge is profound and extensive, far surpassing the minor skills of the Sunset Country. Last time, Master Mai was just off his game. Competing with the Sunset People doesn't even require Master Mai to personally step in!"

Ye Guichen smiled confidently, an indescribable charm emanating from him. "Master Mai said that to defeat the insignificant Sunset People, it's enough for me, his young disciple, to challenge them. Therefore, we're here to reissue a challenge!"

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.