The Seven Sisters and Their Hidden King-Chapter 172: The Master List

And Tracy? Her proficiency was above and beyond the so-called 'masters' who had treated him before. Her technique hinted at decades of practice, not days. It was hard not to be suspicious.

Holbrook, standing nearby, let out a disgruntled snort and said, "Mr. Redman, do you even know what a genius looks like? You clearly don't, so don't make assumptions."

He puffed up like an angry pufferfish, his round belly protruding, clearly still nursing a grudge.

Zoey didn't argue with him.

Tracy, smiling with quiet humility, replied, "No, my talent is average at best. Nowhere near the level of my little brother."

Zoey sighed inwardly. How exceptional must Doctor Lopez be if even she says that?

Tracy continued with a sincere tone, "Still, I really must thank you, Mr. Redman. If you hadn't volunteered as a practice model, I wouldn't have mastered this acupuncture therapy so quickly."

The technique she had been learning was incredibly complex. Practicing on models was one thing — but real patients offered valuable feedback and variables that couldn't be simulated. Progress would've been much slower otherwise.

Zoey couldn't help but feel a bit proud.

Grinning, he eagerly rolled up his trouser leg and said, "Go on, Miss Linch. Don't hold back!"

Tracy chuckled. "We need more patients like you in the medical field, Mr. Redman. Your willingness to help is exactly what inspires growth among young doctors."

Dedicated!

Holbrook, who stood silently at the side, rolled his eyes. Dedicated, my ass, he thought bitterly. Mr. Redman only agreed to be a pincushion because he offended the teacher and had to accept punishment. He's shameless!

And another thing...

Miss Linch, you call yourself the 'younger generation of medicine'? With your skill level, I should be kneeling and calling you 'Master' instead. The Association of Traditional Medicine has plenty to say about this!

Once Tracy finished the session with Zoey, she moved on to the acupuncture room to treat other patients.

Moments later, John arrived at the clinic.

Zoey immediately stepped forward, full of admiration. "Doctor Lopez, your second sister is truly a miracle worker!"

It was mind-boggling — two prodigies of traditional medicine operating out of a humble clinic in New York. If word spread, it would shake the medical world.

John smiled calmly. "I promised I would heal your leg. Do you believe me now?"

"Absolutely. I couldn't respect you more," Zoey replied reverently.

John strolled toward the acupuncture room, where Tracy was treating another patient, and said teasingly, "Second Sister, how does it feel to be called a highly-skilled doctor?"

Tracy paused her work and replied with a soft smile, "As doctors, the most fulfilling thing is watching our patients recover. Praise from them is the greatest form of recognition. Titles like 'highly-skilled doctor' are just labels."

Yet despite her modest words, a smile tugged at her lips.

John noticed.

That recognition meant something to her, no matter what she said.

And seeing her so happy made John smile, too. He believed in her — with her ability, it wouldn't be long before she became the best doctor in the country.

Scratch that — with her current level of acupuncture skill, she was already among the best.

But she was still young. Gaining the recognition of the rigid and conservative traditional medicine circles wouldn't be easy.

John shook his head at the thought, but quickly let it go.

Tracy was right. What truly mattered was the gratitude and trust of her patients. That was the essence of being a healer.

Titles and honors? Just vanity.

He left the acupuncture room and returned to the main hall.

Zoey was still lingering, and Bob and the others stood stiffly nearby, clearly intimidated by John's presence.

Holbrook, never one to hide his irritation, huffed, "Mr. Redman, your treatment's done. Why are you still hanging around? Don't get in my teacher's way."

He really had no filter.

Zoey wanted to punch the old man but restrained himself. Instead, he turned to John and asked, "Doctor Lopez, I've been wondering... why haven't you tried to join the Master List?"

The Master List — a prestigious registry established by the Martial Arts League — served as an official recognition of Heaven Masters across the nation.

To qualify, one had to pass rigorous tests and trials at the League headquarters. Upon success, they would be ranked and recorded in the annals of the League.

Those listed gained more than just prestige.

They were granted titles, privileges, and if they so chose, positions within the Martial Arts League itself.

However, most Heaven Masters were solitary and powerful. They preferred to reign in their own territory, free from the obligations that came with an official post.

Take John's seventh sister, Bertha, for instance. Ever since she became the head of the League's Central Region division, she'd barely had time to visit home. The job consumed her.

Isn't it suffocating to trade your freedom for rank?

Why tie yourself down when you already enjoy the benefits of power?

Unless, of course, one was born with an unshakable sense of justice.

That's what the Master List represented — honor without burden. It allowed Heaven Masters to retain their independence while receiving national recognition and protections.

In return, the Martial Arts League would often turn a blind eye to minor indiscretions committed by those on the list — so long as they didn't cross a line.

Because of this, even if they didn't want to work for the League, many powerful Heaven Masters still chose to get listed.

And Zoey couldn't understand why someone as accomplished as John Lopez hadn't done the same.