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nTranslator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

nEh? Wang Yao was momentarily astonished, and then he looked intently at Wang Mingbao.

n“What’s the matter?” Wang Mingbao was stunned too.

n“Seems your stomach is unwell. Did you have diarrhea this morning?”

n“Damn! You even know this!” Wang Mingbao was dumbstruck. It was true that he was not feeling well in the stomach and had diarrhea in the morning. This was because the night before, he might have eaten something dirty in the dinner he had with his friends and he started to have diarrhea when he got home. In the morning his condition improved only after he had taken some medicine.

n“Give me your hand.” Wang Yao took his pulse.

n“Seems like food poisoning. The next few days, eat less oily food and drink more water. Wait here; I’ll decoct you something.”

nAfter that, Wang Yao got up and went to the part of the cottage where he decocted the medicine. First, he used water to clean the multifunctional pot that was just used for a decoction and then added an appropriate amount of ancient spring water. He placed it on the stand and lit the firewood. He took some wild glossy ganoderma from the system, then shredded a small portion of it into small pieces and put it into the pot.

n“Glossy ganoderma? What are you decocting?” Wang Mingbao walked over and asked curiously.

n“Yesterday, the food you took had toxins and was further stimulated by liquor. An unwell stomach is secondary; the toxins that harmed your liver are the main concern,” Wang Yao explained while decocting.

n“Is it that serious?”

n“It’s more serious than you think,” Wang Yao said.

nSometimes people were like this. In their daily lives, they might not take care of their food consumption and mistakenly take food that they should not have. For example, food that had gone bad or food that could cause allergies. People might assume that this was not a big deal. However, such food would harm the body’s health and might even threaten a person’s life.

nGlossy ganoderma, matrimony vine, licorice—simple herbs, paired with ancient spring.

nWithin a few minutes, another herbal scent wafted out of the cottage. These herbs were decocted for some time. When the heat was sufficient, Wang Yao added some green leaves. This was the antidote herb that was an antidote for all sorts of poison. It melted as soon as it was dropped into the water and turned the herbal water to a light green color.

nAfter the decoction was complete, Wang Yao poured it into a porcelain bottle.

n“Drink it within two days. Don’t smoke or drink or take anything stimulating.”

n“Okay, thank you.” Wang Mingbao took the decoction and took a sip. It was slightly bitter, yet it was also slightly sweet.

n“Hmm, it’s not bad.”

n“This is a medicine. If you can avoid drinking it, all the better.”

nWhile they were chatting, the dog’s barks outside were heard. It was Zhou Xiong and son coming up the hill. They were here to bid goodbye and to take the medicine.

n“Doctor Wang, I have paid the fees, please check.”

n“Already got it. Here’s the decoction; please take it as usual.”

nWang Yao took Zhou Wukang’s pulse. Before the father and son left, Wang Yao reminded them once more of the things they should take note of.

n“Thank you for your treatment so far,” before leaving, Zhou Xiang thanked him again.

n“It’s what I should do. Kang, remember the things I told you about.”

n“I’ll remember them. Thank you, Doctor Wang,” Zhou Wukang answered thoughtfully

n“Okay, have a safe journey.”

n“Sure. When my things at Cangzhou are settled, I’ll come back as soon as I can,” Zhou Xiong said.

nThe father and son did not stay long. After taking the decoction, they left quickly.

n“Want to come to my grandpa’s house for lunch this afternoon?” Wang Mingbao asked.

n“I don’t want to trouble anyone. My sis is still at home; why not come to my house instead?”

n“No thanks. I told Grandma and Grandpa that I’m heading home for lunch.”

n“Wait a while for me; let’s go down the hill together.”

nThe two of them headed down the hill, walking and chatting at the same time.

n“So, Zhou Xiong and his son went back?” Mingbao asked.

n“Yes, he had to return as he has matters at home to settle. He will come back.”

n“I see the child’s complexion has improved. His illness is more or less treated?”

n“Still a long way to go.” Wang Yao shook his head. The boy’s various ailments had indeed been treated. However treatment had yet to begin for the arm, and it was the hardest to treat.

n“So much suffering at such a young age.”

nOn the way home, they met a person. His complexion was pale, and his expression was gloomy. His gait was unsteady. Wang Yao halted and wanted to say something, but he did not.

n“What’s wrong?” Wang Mingbao who was beside him enquired.

n“That is?”

n“Uncle Fengming,” Wang Mingbao took a good look and responded.

n“If I recall correctly, his father passed away not too long ago, right?” Wang Yao remembered that not long ago, Fengming had come to his house, discussing with his father on exchanging land. Wang Yao had even helped bury Fengming’s deceased father.

n“Yes, that was less than two months ago,” Wang Mingbao pondered and said.

n“Their family is decent. He and his wife are very filial and honest. When their old man got bedridden for many years, both of them took care of him,” Wang Mingbao said. For Wang Mingbao to praise them, it meant that they were indeed a decent family. Otherwise, he would not have addressed Fengming as “Uncle” in such an intimate manner.

n“He has no siblings?” All these years, Wang Yao’s attention was on the herbal field on Nanshan hill. He knew little of the village’s news and did not bother to find out.

n“He has an older brother in Lianshan County. He’s a lousy guy.”

n“How come?” Wang Yao halted his steps.

n“His older brother found a job in the city and did pretty well. He is the chief of a department. By right, in taking care of elderly parents, whoever can contribute efforts should do so, and those who can contribute money should do so too.

n“However, all these years, that brother hardly came home to see his father. The money that went towards the treatment of the old man’s illness all came from Uncle Fengming. Even during their father’s funeral, the older brother showed up briefly and then left.

n“The whole village is aware and is disdainful of the elder brother, and many have been talking about it,” Wang Mingbao explained. “Why ask this all of a sudden?”

n“Fengming’s sick and quite seriously too,” Wang Yao said.

n“Oh really? It may be because of his father.”

n“Let’s go to his house to take a look,” Wang Yao turned and said.

nTo this filial and kind person, since they were of the same village, Wang Yao felt that he should help wherever he could.

nThe blue door of the house was left ajar, and it was painted halfway. Some areas were rusted. The courtyard had a few chickens and looked messy. The windows of the houses were made of wood and were quite old.

n“Uncle Fengming?” Wang Mingbao shouted.

n“Coming.” Hearing his shout, Wang Fengming came out of the house. He was wearing a set of old clothes.

n“Mingbao, Yao, quick come into the house,” he warmly invited them into the house.

nThe decor inside the house was simple and could be described as shabby. The furniture was old, as were the electrical appliances. At a glance, there were hardly any new items in the house.

nLooking at the greying haired man with his tired and ill body and still being warmly hospitable to them, Wang Yao felt that the old saying was right.

nA kind family may not have good fortune; an evil family may not have misfortune.

nIn this society, sometimes being kind might not get rewarded, and doing good might not bring good fortune. Similarly, doing evil might not bring comeuppance, and the evil would continue to enjoy life.

n“Uncle, you don’t have to serve us anything. We will leave shortly,” Wang Yao commented.

n“Here, drink some water. Have you had anything to eat?”

n“We’ve already informed our families; will be going home soon,” Wang Mingbao said.

n“Uncle, please sit. I have something to tell you.”

n“Go on.” Wang Fenghua smiled and sat down.

n“Uncle, are you feeling unwell lately?” Wang Yao asked.

nAt such close proximity, Wang Yao could sense that Wang Fengming’s breathing was erratic and there was an obvious odor. The body also had a strong odor, and his eyes had no energy.

n“Eh, a little. I am probably too tired.”

n“Can I take your pulse?” asked Wang Yao.

n“Ah, you have medical skills?” Wang Fengming was surprised.

n“A little.”

n“Alright, I’ll let you take a look.” He rolled up his sleeves and extended his skinny arm.

nWow! In taking the pulse, Wang Yao discovered that the body’s problems were more serious than the outcome of the “smell” diagnosis.

nHis pulse was superficial, his internal organs were weak, the collaterals and channels were clogged, and his vital essence was flagging. His body’s vitality was seriously impacted. This was not merely a result of overworking—it was a result of being too tired, depression and excessive anger.

nThis illness had entered the internal organs. If it dragged on further, he would become critically ill, and even a deity would not be able to save him!

n“Uncle Fengming, your illness is quite serious. You need to treat it immediately!” Wang Yao said seriously.

nThis illness was not easily treatable by western medicine. As there was no western medicine that could cure this directly. Getting injections and operations were not suitable either. The best method of treatment would be via Traditional Chinese Medicine.

n“I have seen a doctor, and I have some prescriptions; I’m currently taking them,” said Wang Fengming.

n“No wonder I smelled a whiff of Chinese medicine. How long have you been taking them?”

n“Around seven to eight days. This is a 10-day course.”

n“Do you think it’s effective?”

n“I’m sure there is some improvement.”

n“Can I see the medicine?” asked Wang Yao.

n“Sure.” Taking out the herbs that were not yet decocted, he showed them to Wang Yao.

nWang Yao recognized the herbs.

nThere was thistle, licorice, poria cocos, matrimony vine—these herbs were mainly for driving away heatiness, cooling the blood and restoring vitality.

nHowever, currently his energy was flagging, and the internal organs were weak. His internal organs needed to recuperate and his corporeity needed to be consolidated. His Yang energy was lacking, and so were his Qi and blood. He should take less of the herbs that cooled the blood.

n“Uncle Fengming, these medicines do not treat the problem; they won’t be effective,” Wang Yao took a look at the medicine and said. “Where did you get them?”

n“From Physician Li in the lower village.”

n“Physician Li?” Wang Yao was a little surprised; he had never heard of this person.

n“The barefooted doctor?” Wang Mingbao who was on the side was shocked.

n“Yes, that’s him.”

n“Barefooted doctor?” Wang Yao asked.

n“Yes, whether it was cupping or treating pains in the hips or legs, that guy is quite odd,” Wang Mingbao said. “Uncle Fengming, why did you go to his place?

n“I heard others say that the medicine he prescribes is effective.”

n“Effective my foot! My grandma was unwell last year and went to see him. She got worse the more he treated her. Luckily, she went to the hospital in time. Otherwise there would have been more trouble.” It was evident from Wang Mingbao’s tone that he was discontented and unhappy with the barefooted doctor.

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