Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Wang Yao was about to leave after having a chat with Song Ruiping and her husband, but Song Ruiping stopped him.

“Just a moment, Dr. Wang,” said Song Ruiping.

“What is it?” asked Wang Yao.

“Could you treat Xiaoxue’s ulcers on her face next time?” asked Song Ruiping anxiously.

“Face?” Wang Yao was surprised, but he immediately got what Song Ruiping meant.

What did a young person care about most? Not his or her career or job—it was their image, or face, to be precise. A young girl would care about her looks even more. That was why most girls would spend hours dressing themselves up or putting on makeup.

The girl lying in the bed was no exception. She had hoped to see her beautiful face in the mirror again many times. She would be happy if she could see that image just once.

“Sure, I’ll try,” said Wang Yao.

He had tried the decoction on Su Xiaoxue’s palm, and it proved to be effective. Therefore, it should be fine to apply the decoction on her face.

“Thank you,” said Song Ruiping.

She and her husband walked Wang Yao out of the house. Dr. Chen and Dr. Li also left afterwards.

“Did you see the decoction?” asked Dr. Chen.

“Yes, it’s magical!” said Dr. Li.

“I’ve tasted that decoction and applied some on my skin,” said Dr. Chen.

“Really? What does it consist of?” asked Dr. Li eagerly.

“I could only figure out a few herbs in it. I still can’t tell what the main ones are, and can’t think of what herbs would have such a magical effect,” said Dr. Chen.

“Where on earth did that young man learn medicine to become such an extraordinary doctor?” wondered Dr. Li.

“I’ve asked him, but he won’t tell me,” said Dr. Chen.

“I would be surprised if he had told you,” said Dr. Li.

“What a shame it is to allow such a good doctor to hide in such a small town,” said Dr. Chen.

“Why not? I think it is pretty good to have a quiet life in a small town. Haven’t you had enough in recent years?” said Dr. Li.

“The young doctor’s knowledge of herbs is probably what had failed to be handed down through the generations,” said Dr. Chen.

“So what? You want everyone to know about it? Your own knowledge would probably be failed to pass to the next generation!” said Dr. Li.

The two of them were arguing while walking, then went back to their homes.

Wang Yao and Chen Ying found someone waiting at the door of the cottage when they arrived at the front of the cottage. It was an elegant girl standing under the bright light.

The girl was as pretty as a flower or a picture.

“How come you didn’t tell me you were visiting Beijing,” said the girl who had a beautiful smile.

“I didn’t want to disrupt you,” said Wang Yao.

The visitor was Miss Guo, Guo Sirou.

“Please come in.” Wang Yao invited Guo Sirou into the cottage.

The three of them went into the front yard then entered the living room.

“Did you go to Xiaoxue’s house just now?” asked Guo Sirou.

“Yes, I just went to see her,” said Wang Yao.

“Has she gotten better?” asked Guo Sirou.

“Yes,” replied Wang Yao.

“How long are you going to stay in Beijing this time?” asked Guo Sirou.

“It depends on Xiaoxue’s condition. I want to improve her condition significantly,” said Wang Yao.

“When are you available to come to my house?” asked Guo Sirou.

“How about tomorrow?” replied Wang Yao after thinking for a while. He really couldn’t turn Guo Sirou down.

“Okay,” said Guo Sirou.

The purpose of her visit was to establish a good working relationship with Wang Yao as she wanted Wang Yao to see her grandpa.

“Call me if you need me whenever you are in Beijing,” said Guo Sirou.

“Sure, thank you,” said Wang Yao.

Guo Sirou left after staying for more than ten minutes.

After she had left, Wang Yao returned to his room. He documented the treatment process and Su Xiaoxue’s progress in his notebook. He also analyzed areas he could improve. Although Muscle Revitalizing powder had worked on Su Xiaoxue—it had healed some of the ulcers and made new muscles grow—it wouldn’t solve all of Su Xiaoxue’s problems. Su Xiaoxue had other issues requiring attention. He needed to address them as well.

Wang Yao didn’t go to sleep until it was past 10 pm.

He got up early in the morning the next day and started to practice Chinese boxing in the front yard. While he was practicing, he felt the Qi inside him running like a dragon, and he had only one meridian left in his body to unblock.

As soon as the last meridian was unblocked, his internal Qi could run throughout his body. It was the so-called large circle of vital energy which would go on and on and never stop.

He almost unblocked the meridian.

Wang Yao didn’t exert himself to unblock the meridians. He stopped practicing and went to have breakfast.

While he was having breakfast, he had a distinguished guest, a young man with a shiny smile. It was Guo Sirou’s brother, Guo Zhenghe, who was saved by Wang Yao once.

“Hello, Mr. Guo,” greeted Chen Ying with a smile.

“Hello. I’ve told you many times, just call me Zhenghe. I’m not gonna be happy if you keep calling me Mr. Guo, Ying,” said Guo Zhenghe with a smile.

As he was speaking, he entered the living room where Wang Yao was having breakfast.

“When did you come to Beijing, Dr. Wang?” asked Guo Zhenghe.

“Two days ago,” replied Wang Yao.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were here? I wouldn’t have known you were here if I hadn’t had bumped into my sister,” said Guo Zhenghe with a smile.

“I didn’t want to disrupt you,” said Wang Yao honestly.

“You aren’t disrupting at all! You traveled thousands of miles to Beijing. You are our distinguished guest. We should welcome you. How long are you going to stay here this time?” asked Guo Zhenghe.

“It will depend on Su Xiaoxue’s condition,” said Wang Yao.

“Since you are already here, why not stay longer so that I can show you around,” said Guo Zhenghe.

“I’m fine. You don’t need to worry about me,” said Wang Yao.

“Do you have any arrangements today?” asked Guo Zhenghe.

“Yes,” said Wang Yao.

“That’s fine. Let’s catch up on another day,” said Guo Zhenghe.

“Thank you, but you really don’t need to take the time to show me around.” Wang Yao shook his head with a smile.

“Anyway, I’ll wait for you to call me.” Guo Zhenghe didn’t insist. He stood up and left the cottage. He only took one sip of the cup of tea on the table.

“Mr. Guo rarely gets turned down by people,” said Chen Ying after Guo Zhenghe had left.

“Then he should start to learn to accept no as an answer,” said Wang Yao.

“I don’t think Mr. Guo was happy, although he had the biggest smile on his face…” Chen Ying didn’t continue, but what she meant was obvious.

It was a kind prompt from Chen Ying.

“I see, thank you,” said Wang Yao.

Guo Sirou came back after a short while. She and Wang Yao went to her grandpa’s house.

“Your brother just came,” said Wang Yao.

“Really? What did he come to you for? He’s going to show you around?” said Guo Sirou.

“I think so. But I declined,” said Wang Yao.

“Why? I think he means well,” said Guo Sirou.

“As I have told you, I don’t want to bother people,” said Wang Yao.

While they were chatting, they had arrived at Guo Sirou’s grandpa’s house which was not too far from the cottage Wang Yao stayed at. But, Wang Yao had to go through a number of security checks before getting into the house, which indicated that Guo Sirou’s grandpa’s social status was very special.

The car stopped outside a small courtyard.

“Am I at the imperial place?” joked Wang Yao as he got out of the car.

“Haha,” laughed Guo Sirou.

After Wang Yao had entered the courtyard, he saw Guo Sirou’s grandpa again, an elderly man, lying in a chair staring blankly at the trees in the courtyard.

“Hi, Grandpa,” said Guo Sirou.

“Oh, hi, Dr. Wang, welcome!” The old man was very glad to see Wang Yao. He got up with the assistance of a middle-aged man.

“Hello, Head Elder,” said Wang Yao.

Guo Sirou’s grandpa had shallow breath, and his look was bleak. He was like a candle in the wind that could be extinguished at any time.

This was how Wang Yao felt about the old man.

Someone made Wang Yao a cup of tea after he had sat down. The tea smelled nice.

Guo Sirou’s grandpa had a brief chat with Wang Yao. He asked Wang Yao a few questions about Wang Yao’s family. He was very nice. If he were not in Beijing and not of high social status, Wang Yao would think that he was just an elder from the neighborhood.

Wang Yao checked Guo Sirou’s grandpa’s pulse. It was not in good condition. He was aging naturally. No one could resist aging except for God.

“You are fine,” said Wang Yao after thinking for a moment.

Guo Sirou’s grandpa smiled.

“I’ve told them I’m just getting old. Nothing could stop it,” said Guo Sirou’s grandpa with a smile. He was taking it better than his family.

“You can’t do anything for my grandpa?” asked Guo Sirou anxiously.

“I’m sorry,” said Wang Yao.

If time was a long river, human life would be the ship traveling in the river which would not stop.

Regather soup could consolidate one’s corporeity and delay aging. That was all its effect. Prolongation pill was wonderful, but Wang Yao didn’t want to give it to people of high social status yet.

“Nothing to apologize for. No one can live forever!” said Guo Sirou’s grandpa with a smile.

He chatted with Wang Yao for some time but soon became tired as his energy was fading.

“Grandpa, you should rest now. I’ll take Dr. Wang back,” said Guo Sirou.

“Okay, thank you for spending time talking with me,” said Guo Sirou’s grandpa.

“You are welcome. Bye for now,” said Wang Yao.

“Bye,” said Guo Sirou’s grandpa.

Wang Yao turned around and took a last look at the courtyard after he had gotten out.

I’m afraid this elderly man won’t live for more than three months, he will pass away anytime now, thought Wang Yao.

“Dr. Wang, can I have a word?” asked Guo Sirou before they got into the car.

“Sure,” said Wang Yao.

The car took them to a building that looked like a private club. The owner of the club was a middle-aged woman in her 30’s. She looked younger than her age. As soon as she saw Guo Sirou, she went ahead to welcome them. It was obvious she had known Guo Sirou for a long time. She guided Guo Sirou and Wang Yao to a private room on the second floor. She took a few more glances at Wang Yao while they were walking upstairs.

“Coffee?” The middle-aged woman asked Wang Yao.

“No, thanks, I’ll just have green tea,” said Wang Yao.

Soon, tea was served, and the middle-aged woman left the room right way, leaving Wang Yao and Guo Sirou in the room.

“Dr. Wang, I’ll cut the crap and talk straight,” said Guo Sirou.

“Sure,” said Wang Yao.

“Is Regather soup helpful to my grandpa’s health?” asked Guo Sirou.

“It is helpful but with limited effect,” said Wang Yao.

It was the power of time, the biggest power in this world. Regather soup was wonderful, but it wouldn’t do much for Guo Sirou’s grandpa.

“I heard that Dr. Wang has a wonderful pill that can almost bring a dead person back to life!” said Guo Sirou, who was staring at Wang Yao.

“Well…” Wang Yao smiled. “Where could I get such wonderful pills?”

“Can you give some to my grandpa?” asked Guo Sirou.

“Sorry, I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Wang Yao shook his head.

“Why not?” asked Guo Sirou.

“It’s not suitable to your grandpa’s condition,” said Wang Yao.

Guo Sirou kept silent. She couldn’t do anything since Wang Yao said no.

“Miss Guo, no one can resist natural aging. Your grandpa is in his 90’s. He has had a long and rich life and doesn’t worry about death anymore,” said Wang Yao.

“My grandpa has always treated me very well since I was a child. I’m his favorite grandchild,” said Guo Sirou softly while watching through the window. “I wish he could live forever.”

Wang Yao didn’t know what to say.

Is it possible for someone to live forever? Wang Yao wasn’t sure.

Those first-class licorice roots documented in the Catalogue of Magic Herbs could possibly make people immortal.