Second-in-command: I don’t want to see the physician.
The atmosphere in Shimo Mountain stronghold was eerie.
The onlookers whispered to each other, casting curious glances at the two outsiders brought in by the leader. A woman with burn scars hastily covered her face and retreated into the house, while her child stood outside, sucking on their fingers, looking bewildered and scanning the surroundings, unaware of what was happening.
This child was one of the few in the stronghold with normal facial features.
Though their appearance was ordinary, it made them stand out in this place.
“Dad, what’s wrong with Mom?” the child asked, clinging to the leg of a man with a birthmark on his face, half of which appeared grotesque. He gently patted the child’s head but remained silent.
Mo Li sensed a subtle hostility in the gazes of the people in the stronghold. It was not merely an attitude towards outsiders but a strong sense of rejection.
Was it because of their appearances? Mo Li pondered.
It was highly unlikely for an entire population in one place to have various abnormal features. Even if such abnormalities existed, they would be consistent within the population, rather than encompassing a wide range of different conditions. Not to mention the presence of burn scars and congenital birthmarks.
A stronghold was formed by a gathering of bandits and outlaws.
Ning Changyuan provided a detailed map of the local powers and factions, leaving only two possibilities undisclosed.
First, if the power was too insignificant to be considered a threat.
Second, if he was unaware of the existence of such a power.
Which of these two possibilities applied to Shimo Mountain stronghold? Considering that Ning Changyuan had meticulously forged his guide, acquiring the seals of various officials from Yongzhou, it was highly unlikely that he would be unaware of a stronghold in this area. Even if he had concealed it well, there would still be subtle traces left behind.
So it seemed that the stronghold’s power was indeed too insignificant.
Mo Li surveyed the surroundings. The stronghold was in a state of decay, but the people did not appear destitute or malnourished.
There were no decent houses, perhaps due to the absence of skilled craftsmen such as masons or carpenters.
At that moment, the Shimo Mountain leader spoke up, “Make way, this is a Physician who has come to collect medicinal herbs.”
The crowd immediately fell silent.
While outsiders were generally prohibited from entering Shimo Mountain stronghold, there were exceptions, such as peddlers who brought salt, needles, and thread, as well as itinerant monks who could offer rudimentary treatment for common ailments.
Of course, they had to be blindfolded when brought in.
These people did not demand copper coins, as silver coins were useless without food and water.
Apart from that, they required dried herbs.
Regardless of wealth or social status, everyone consumed various grains and was susceptible to illness. During times of natural disasters or famine, apart from those who died of starvation, many succumbed to illness. Medicinal herbs were scarce.
Therefore, when they heard that the outsider needed herbs, the people of Shimo Mountain stronghold believed it.
The mountain was vast, and without an army of several hundred soldiers, it would be impossible to hold the territory. The government might possess such power, but this area had nothing to offer. Within a radius of one hundred li, it was desolate, devoid of human habitation, and soldiers and officers were unwilling to endure such hardships.
“Leader, can we trust such a young Physician?” someone inquired skeptically.
The Shimo Mountain leader’s eyelid twitched, and he replied sternly, “This person has abilities. Stop your nonsensical talk. Where is the Second-in-Command?”
As soon as they heard that the Physician was here to treat the Second-in-Command, the people in the stronghold immediately made way.
“Everyone, get back to work. The snow outside has melted,” the Shimo Mountain leader called out loudly.
He was worried that Mo Li and Meng Qi might have a bad temper like those martial artists from jianghu. Although the people in the stronghold had some martial arts skills, they were no match for true experts. As the leader, he naturally had to consider the lives of everyone in the stronghold.
Ah, it was all his fault.
Clearly, he had a favorable impression of the Physician before. How did it…
The stronghold was not large, and before the Shimo Mountain leader could finish his thoughts, he had already arrived in front of a stone house.
“Second Brother?” he called out.
Without waiting for a response from inside, he walked in first.
The interior of the stone house was dimly lit. Navigating past the stones serving as tables and chairs, one could vaguely see a person lying on the earthen kang at the back.
An elderly woman who had set down a bowl clumsily approached and greeted them, “Leader, who is this?”
“He is a Physician from outside here to see the Second Brother,” the Shimo Mountain leader replied and reached for a candle.
Upon seeing the pitifully short candle on the table, Mo Li stopped him, saying, “As martial artists, our eyesight is sufficient. There’s no need to light a candle.”
The Shimo Mountain leader was momentarily taken aback, but then he begrudgingly thought that this martial artist’s claim was too biased. Only internal martial arts experts had such abilities. Someone like Mo Li, with his diverse martial arts skills, probably couldn’t see even if the candle was lit.
Meng Qi had been silent the whole time, observing the person lying on the kang.
His complexion was waxen, and his figure frail.
However, his appearance was not bad—yes, under the repeated impact from the people of Shimo Mountain, Meng Qi had started paying attention to people’s appearances. Although beauty or ugliness was all the same to him, how could he not be aware of who looked ordinary and whose appearance was unique?
The Second-in-Command of Shimo Mountain was quite a remarkable man.
His features were picturesque, and his nose was like a hanging gallbladder.
Aside from his heroic demeanor, there was also an indescribable beauty about him.
But now, he looked sickly, and his complexion had faded at least three points. The room was dimly lit, and he slightly opened his eyes, speaking softly, “An outsider Physician? Didn’t Big Brother say that Master Yuanzhi would come in February?”
“When you have an attack, your abdominal pain is unbearable, and you can’t even get out of bed. How can you endure until next month?” the Shimo Mountain leader said gruffly, then turned to explain, “Master Yuanzhi is a wandering monk who often comes here. He knows a little bit about treating internal ailments. The last time he left, my second brother hadn’t fallen ill yet.”
The Shimo Mountain leader was well-versed in human affairs and knew that some Physicians were reluctant to take over patients midway.
Mo Li didn’t mind too much. He took the bowl that the elderly woman had set down, and sniffed the remnants inside to determine the properties of the medicine.
The Second-in-Command lying on the earthen kang looked at them warily, his gaze focusing on Meng Qi, who stood further away, rather than Mo Li. Even if he had been in the dark for a long time, the average person’s eyesight was not enough to see that far.
This small gesture was enough to indicate that the Second-in-Command had likely also practiced internal martial arts.
Due to the Second-in-Command’s evident hostility and dissatisfaction, even the elderly woman felt it. She wanted to mediate, but didn’t know what to say and was sweating anxiously.
The Shimo Mountain leader was a bit perplexed. He tried to persuade, “Second Brother, this Physician came all the way into our stronghold and didn’t show any unusual reactions upon seeing us. Even if we have unconventional appearances and face prejudice from the world, there’s no need to trouble ourselves. You’re so seriously ill, and everyone in the stronghold is worried about you. We’re all brothers here, so just listen to me this time!”
Meng Qi was puzzled. In what way did he have an unconventional appearance?
Unable to resist, he glanced at the Second-in-Command’s body hidden under the blanket. The Second-in-Command sensed it and grew even more furious.
Perhaps compared to Mo Li, Meng Qi was more trustworthy. After hesitating for a while, the Second-in-Command finally didn’t say anything. He slowly uncovered the blanket and extended his left hand.
“…”
Although only one hand was extended, the person sat up, revealing the condition of his right shoulder. The remarkably handsome Second-in-Command had an abnormally swollen right shoulder, resembling a deformed drum. Below the shoulder, in addition to the normal right arm, hung a thin and weak arm.
He had three arms?
After the initial shock, Meng Qi suddenly remembered a skilled hidden weapon expert in the martial world who always wore a cloak that covered his entire body. He had extraordinary lightness skills. However, one day during a duel, he was defeated and his cloak was torn apart, revealing that this so-called expert was actually a deformed freak.
This incident caused quite a stir, and even Meng Qi, who had little knowledge of martial arts anecdotes, had heard people discussing it in teahouses.
Mo Li paused for a moment, not paying much attention to the deformed arm, and instead carefully took the pulse.
Although the intense hostility displayed by the other party had displeased Mo Li, he had been invited to treat an illness. As long as the patient didn’t make any outrageous moves, Mo Li wouldn’t leave in a huff.
However, upon seeing this peculiar condition, half of Mo Li’s displeasure dissipated.
Rumors and gossip in the world could be deadly, and individuals like the Second-in-Command of Shimo Mountain, compared to others with ugly appearances, lived a much more difficult life.
After thoroughly examining the pulse, any remaining displeasure in Mo Li vanished.
Because he understood why the Second-in-Command of Shimo Mountain insisted on seeking treatment from a familiar itinerant monk, and he also understood the nature of this physical deformity.
“Physician, my second brother’s illness?” Shimo Mountain’s leader asked anxiously.
“… It’s an intestinal abscess, fortunately not in an urgent condition, but if it continues to be neglected, the outcome is uncertain.” Mo Li met the Second-in-Command’s wary gaze and calmly nodded, only mentioning the illness.
“Intestinal abscess?” Shimo Mountain’s leader was shocked. He had heard of this disease.
An abscess, a pus-filled sore, was troublesome if it appeared on the face or body, but if it was an intestinal abscess, it could be fatal.
“I, I’ve heard that it requires…”
Shimo Mountain’s leader gestured with his hands, indicating the need for an abdominal operation. However, Physicians who specialized in treating abscesses had little status in the medical field because many people were unwilling to deal with the filth and stench. But for an intestinal abscess, only experienced Physicians dared to wield a knife.
“It hasn’t reached that point yet, but you need to take the medicine first.” Mo Li saw that there were no pen and paper around and verbally described the prescription.
Rhubarb, moutan bark, peach kernel, and so on.
These were well-known formulas from the medical book “Jin Kui” specifically for treating intestinal abscesses.
Mo Li took the pulse again and after pondering for a moment, said, “Drink it for three days, then I will prescribe two additional heat-clearing formulas.”
This meant that he would temporarily stay in the mountain stronghold. After expressing his gratitude, Shimo Mountain’s leader led the way out. The Second-in-Command had a complicated expression and seemed to want to say something but ultimately remained silent.
“A few years ago, I visited Yongzhou, and it wasn’t as desolate as it is now.” Mo Li casually brought up a topic.
Shimo Mountain’s leader shook his head, not saying anything about the hardships of the people.
Mo Li continued to ask, “I have distant relatives living to the west of Shimo Mountain. Now that area is all abandoned. I wonder if there are any people who have escaped to the stronghold. I would like to inquire about the situation of my relatives.”
Shimo Mountain’s leader thought for a moment and didn’t see any problem with it. Moreover, he couldn’t afford to offend these two individuals, so he agreed.
The stone houses in the stronghold all looked the same, and it was hard to distinguish between good and bad.
The leader of Shimo Mountain escorted them to an empty house, exchanged a few pleasantries, and then left.
Meng Qi played with the bamboo cup on the table and smiled, “Physician, are you trying to gather information about the whereabouts of the alchemists from the people here?”
“Besides that, I am indeed in need of medicinal herbs.” Mo Li took the cup from his hand and examined it. “The diameter of this bamboo is just right to stuff you in. It seems when I leave, I should ask the leader of the stronghold to give me a cup.”
“…”
Meng Qi instinctively wanted to refute it. Sand rats weren’t that fat, and they still had fur. The fur was soft, so if you really put it in, it would roll out of the bamboo tube.
However, after looking at the Physician’s expression, Meng Qi decided not to say anything. What if the Physician tied a rope to the bamboo tube and simply hung it around his waist? He didn’t want to leave his current position on Mo Li’s shoulder.
So he changed the subject and began talking about the rumors in the martial world, specifically about the hidden weapon expert Yan Cen.
“Rumors can be misleading. He was born like that and trained tirelessly in martial arts just to avoid being humiliated. However…”
Meng Qi didn’t continue because he saw that Mo Li seemed to have something to say.
“What’s wrong, Physician?”
“Nothing.”
Mo Li’s answer was straightforward, but Meng Qi could see through it. Perhaps there were other secrets about Yan Cen, and as a Physician, Mo Li thought it was inappropriate to disclose them to others.
Even though they could discuss everything, the Physician still had his principles.
Helplessly, Meng Qi thought to himself that he had voluntarily ignored the matter. He got up and said, “You prepare the medicine, and I’ll go inquire about whether the alchemist has been to Shimo Mountain.”
The medicine that Mo Li was brewing was for Meng Qi.
Naturally, the people in the stronghold had taken the trouble to gather the necessary ingredients for Yan Cen, the second-in-command of Shimo Mountain.
Mo Li wouldn’t let others handle the imported medicinal decoction. After working for a while, he suddenly heard very light footsteps outside. He turned his head and saw Yan Cen, his complexion waxen.
Mo Li anticipated his arrival and wasn’t surprised. He simply gestured for Yan Cen to sit down before speaking.
Yan Cen silently bowed and then slowly supported himself on the table as he sat down.
“Is it really a case of intestinal abscess?” Yan Cen asked with a pained expression.
“When you have an episode, is there pain when the lower right abdomen is pressed?” Mo Li asked in a gentle tone.
“…Physician, you only took my pulse, and you didn’t…”
After placing the medicine jar in its proper place, Mo Li sat across from Yan Cen and spoke in a warm tone, “I have internal strength. When I took your pulse earlier, you also sensed it.”
Yan Cen’s expression fluctuated. He wanted to say something more, but Mo Li already understood and directly said, “You do indeed have an intestinal abscess. I won’t let the patient randomly drink medicine. This is a condition that can’t be delayed. I understand your predicament, but you almost risked your own life.”
Yan Cen grasped his deformed arm hidden under his cloak, looking distressed.
Unable to bear seeing his pitiful state, Mo Li couldn’t help but say, “Your concerns are unfounded. Although you have two hearts and your organs differ from those of ordinary people, that extra organ… it’s not a female organ.”
Yan Cen looked up at him, shocked.
Mo Li gestured, but Yan Cen didn’t respond. So Mo Li moved aside his cloak and lifted up that deformed arm, saying to Yan Cen, “The skeletal structure of men and women is different. Although it’s not apparent in the arm bones, the internal organs can prove it. Ordinary Physicians can only diagnose that you have two heartbeats but can’t see your internal organs, which often leads to misjudgments. Although your condition is rare, it does exist. My master has encountered it before.”
Yan Cen trembled, and although his abdominal pain hadn’t subsided, he sat up straight.
Mo Li continued to ask, “Have you consulted renowned Physicians?”
“In my youth, I once invited renowned Physicians and alchemists,” Yan Cen said hoarsely. “They said I was an evil spirit who devoured my siblings in my mother’s… womb. My father threw me to the ground, and though I narrowly escaped death, there were those in the family who owed my mother a great favor and couldn’t bear it. They secretly entrusted me to a virtuous and esteemed monk. But as I grew older, this arm grew more grotesque. Because my appearance resembles my mother, people said we weren’t siblings but rather sisters. They feared I was neither male nor female, a true freak.”
“Last year when you had an episode, did you believe it was… your sister causing trouble?” Mo Li asked again.
Yan Cen said absentmindedly, “I dreamt of a blood clot with an unidentifiable face, burrowing through my intestines and stomach. I believed it was heaven’s will.”
Mo Li fell silent. After contemplating for a moment, he comforted Yan Cen, saying, “Your physique is frail, and your life expectancy isn’t long to begin with. However, after practicing internal cultivation, it has improved significantly. Your trouble only arises when you fall ill, as prescribing medicine is more complicated than for ordinary people. If you don’t mind that arm, it’s inconsequential. Intestinal abscesses can be treated, but heart troubles are difficult to cure. The leader of Shimo Mountain probably has no idea about your martial arts skills!”
As Yan Cen regained his composure, he regained some of his noble demeanor. He smiled bitterly and said, “They call us bandits, but we are simply peculiar individuals tormented by the world. It’s not entirely accurate to say that we have never done anything wrong. Before coming to Shimo Mountain, I had stolen from a wealthy outsider, and I robbed a corrupt official who had extorted the elderly. Fortunately, I have never hypocritically claimed to help the poor and only helped myself.
“A few years ago, I had nowhere to go. When they robbed me, I had no money at all, but they didn’t take anything and even gave me half a steamed bun. Later, by chance, I encountered them facing a powerful enemy and lent a hand. After that, when there was a severe drought in Yongzhou, I came to Shimo Mountain.
“To my surprise, this mountain has been the most comfortable time of my life. I have no other desires. The brothers in the stronghold have given me too much. I only hope for the safety and well-being of Shimo Mountain. I don’t know the backgrounds of the two of you, but I can tell you’re not ordinary people. The Physician saved my life, and if there’s anything I can do to help, I will do my best.”
With that, Yan Cen stood up to bow once again.
Mo Li stopped him and advised him to rest and recover before discussing further matters.
After Yan Cen had walked away, Mo Li approached the window of the stone house and said, “Eavesdropping.”
Meng Qi, who was leaning against the window, replied, “…
No, Physician, it was purely coincidental.
Author’s Note:
Intestinal abscess refers to appendicitis.
——————–
The leader and second-in-command of Shimo Mountain have no romantic relationship whatsoever. None.
The situation in Shimo Mountain is like a caring mother hen looking after her chicks.
The chick leader may appear clumsy, and always looking anxious, but they are willing to protect the flock.
——————–
To be honest, Yan Cen’s condition is quite complicated to diagnose.
When a Physician takes their pulse and carefully listens, hearing two heartbeats, they would probably be dumbfounded.
Hey, have you grown an extra heart?
Although one heartbeat is strong while the other is weak, it doesn’t sound like fetal sounds or a slippery pulse. The Physician would probably be on the verge of shouting, so Yan Cen is afraid of seeing a Physician.
Second-in-command: I don’t want to see the physician.
The atmosphere in Shimo Mountain stronghold was eerie.
The onlookers whispered to each other, casting curious glances at the two outsiders brought in by the leader. A woman with burn scars hastily covered her face and retreated into the house, while her child stood outside, sucking on their fingers, looking bewildered and scanning the surroundings, unaware of what was happening.
This child was one of the few in the stronghold with normal facial features.
Though their appearance was ordinary, it made them stand out in this place.
“Dad, what’s wrong with Mom?” the child asked, clinging to the leg of a man with a birthmark on his face, half of which appeared grotesque. He gently patted the child’s head but remained silent.
Mo Li sensed a subtle hostility in the gazes of the people in the stronghold. It was not merely an attitude towards outsiders but a strong sense of rejection.
Was it because of their appearances? Mo Li pondered.
It was highly unlikely for an entire population in one place to have various abnormal features. Even if such abnormalities existed, they would be consistent within the population, rather than encompassing a wide range of different conditions. Not to mention the presence of burn scars and congenital birthmarks.
A stronghold was formed by a gathering of bandits and outlaws.
Ning Changyuan provided a detailed map of the local powers and factions, leaving only two possibilities undisclosed.
First, if the power was too insignificant to be considered a threat.
Second, if he was unaware of the existence of such a power.
Which of these two possibilities applied to Shimo Mountain stronghold? Considering that Ning Changyuan had meticulously forged his guide, acquiring the seals of various officials from Yongzhou, it was highly unlikely that he would be unaware of a stronghold in this area. Even if he had concealed it well, there would still be subtle traces left behind.
So it seemed that the stronghold’s power was indeed too insignificant.
Mo Li surveyed the surroundings. The stronghold was in a state of decay, but the people did not appear destitute or malnourished.
There were no decent houses, perhaps due to the absence of skilled craftsmen such as masons or carpenters.
At that moment, the Shimo Mountain leader spoke up, “Make way, this is a Physician who has come to collect medicinal herbs.”
The crowd immediately fell silent.
While outsiders were generally prohibited from entering Shimo Mountain stronghold, there were exceptions, such as peddlers who brought salt, needles, and thread, as well as itinerant monks who could offer rudimentary treatment for common ailments.
Of course, they had to be blindfolded when brought in.
These people did not demand copper coins, as silver coins were useless without food and water.
Apart from that, they required dried herbs.
Regardless of wealth or social status, everyone consumed various grains and was susceptible to illness. During times of natural disasters or famine, apart from those who died of starvation, many succumbed to illness. Medicinal herbs were scarce.
Therefore, when they heard that the outsider needed herbs, the people of Shimo Mountain stronghold believed it.
The mountain was vast, and without an army of several hundred soldiers, it would be impossible to hold the territory. The government might possess such power, but this area had nothing to offer. Within a radius of one hundred li, it was desolate, devoid of human habitation, and soldiers and officers were unwilling to endure such hardships.
“Leader, can we trust such a young Physician?” someone inquired skeptically.
The Shimo Mountain leader’s eyelid twitched, and he replied sternly, “This person has abilities. Stop your nonsensical talk. Where is the Second-in-Command?”
As soon as they heard that the Physician was here to treat the Second-in-Command, the people in the stronghold immediately made way.
“Everyone, get back to work. The snow outside has melted,” the Shimo Mountain leader called out loudly.
He was worried that Mo Li and Meng Qi might have a bad temper like those martial artists from jianghu. Although the people in the stronghold had some martial arts skills, they were no match for true experts. As the leader, he naturally had to consider the lives of everyone in the stronghold.
Ah, it was all his fault.
Clearly, he had a favorable impression of the Physician before. How did it…
The stronghold was not large, and before the Shimo Mountain leader could finish his thoughts, he had already arrived in front of a stone house.
“Second Brother?” he called out.
Without waiting for a response from inside, he walked in first.
The interior of the stone house was dimly lit. Navigating past the stones serving as tables and chairs, one could vaguely see a person lying on the earthen kang at the back.
An elderly woman who had set down a bowl clumsily approached and greeted them, “Leader, who is this?”
“He is a Physician from outside here to see the Second Brother,” the Shimo Mountain leader replied and reached for a candle.
Upon seeing the pitifully short candle on the table, Mo Li stopped him, saying, “As martial artists, our eyesight is sufficient. There’s no need to light a candle.”
The Shimo Mountain leader was momentarily taken aback, but then he begrudgingly thought that this martial artist’s claim was too biased. Only internal martial arts experts had such abilities. Someone like Mo Li, with his diverse martial arts skills, probably couldn’t see even if the candle was lit.
Meng Qi had been silent the whole time, observing the person lying on the kang.
His complexion was waxen, and his figure frail.
However, his appearance was not bad—yes, under the repeated impact from the people of Shimo Mountain, Meng Qi had started paying attention to people’s appearances. Although beauty or ugliness was all the same to him, how could he not be aware of who looked ordinary and whose appearance was unique?
The Second-in-Command of Shimo Mountain was quite a remarkable man.
His features were picturesque, and his nose was like a hanging gallbladder.
Aside from his heroic demeanor, there was also an indescribable beauty about him.
But now, he looked sickly, and his complexion had faded at least three points. The room was dimly lit, and he slightly opened his eyes, speaking softly, “An outsider Physician? Didn’t Big Brother say that Master Yuanzhi would come in February?”
“When you have an attack, your abdominal pain is unbearable, and you can’t even get out of bed. How can you endure until next month?” the Shimo Mountain leader said gruffly, then turned to explain, “Master Yuanzhi is a wandering monk who often comes here. He knows a little bit about treating internal ailments. The last time he left, my second brother hadn’t fallen ill yet.”
The Shimo Mountain leader was well-versed in human affairs and knew that some Physicians were reluctant to take over patients midway.
Mo Li didn’t mind too much. He took the bowl that the elderly woman had set down, and sniffed the remnants inside to determine the properties of the medicine.
The Second-in-Command lying on the earthen kang looked at them warily, his gaze focusing on Meng Qi, who stood further away, rather than Mo Li. Even if he had been in the dark for a long time, the average person’s eyesight was not enough to see that far.
This small gesture was enough to indicate that the Second-in-Command had likely also practiced internal martial arts.
Due to the Second-in-Command’s evident hostility and dissatisfaction, even the elderly woman felt it. She wanted to mediate, but didn’t know what to say and was sweating anxiously.
The Shimo Mountain leader was a bit perplexed. He tried to persuade, “Second Brother, this Physician came all the way into our stronghold and didn’t show any unusual reactions upon seeing us. Even if we have unconventional appearances and face prejudice from the world, there’s no need to trouble ourselves. You’re so seriously ill, and everyone in the stronghold is worried about you. We’re all brothers here, so just listen to me this time!”
Meng Qi was puzzled. In what way did he have an unconventional appearance?
Unable to resist, he glanced at the Second-in-Command’s body hidden under the blanket. The Second-in-Command sensed it and grew even more furious.
Perhaps compared to Mo Li, Meng Qi was more trustworthy. After hesitating for a while, the Second-in-Command finally didn’t say anything. He slowly uncovered the blanket and extended his left hand.
“…”
Although only one hand was extended, the person sat up, revealing the condition of his right shoulder. The remarkably handsome Second-in-Command had an abnormally swollen right shoulder, resembling a deformed drum. Below the shoulder, in addition to the normal right arm, hung a thin and weak arm.
He had three arms?
After the initial shock, Meng Qi suddenly remembered a skilled hidden weapon expert in the martial world who always wore a cloak that covered his entire body. He had extraordinary lightness skills. However, one day during a duel, he was defeated and his cloak was torn apart, revealing that this so-called expert was actually a deformed freak.
This incident caused quite a stir, and even Meng Qi, who had little knowledge of martial arts anecdotes, had heard people discussing it in teahouses.
Mo Li paused for a moment, not paying much attention to the deformed arm, and instead carefully took the pulse.
Although the intense hostility displayed by the other party had displeased Mo Li, he had been invited to treat an illness. As long as the patient didn’t make any outrageous moves, Mo Li wouldn’t leave in a huff.
However, upon seeing this peculiar condition, half of Mo Li’s displeasure dissipated.
Rumors and gossip in the world could be deadly, and individuals like the Second-in-Command of Shimo Mountain, compared to others with ugly appearances, lived a much more difficult life.
After thoroughly examining the pulse, any remaining displeasure in Mo Li vanished.
Because he understood why the Second-in-Command of Shimo Mountain insisted on seeking treatment from a familiar itinerant monk, and he also understood the nature of this physical deformity.
“Physician, my second brother’s illness?” Shimo Mountain’s leader asked anxiously.
“… It’s an intestinal abscess, fortunately not in an urgent condition, but if it continues to be neglected, the outcome is uncertain.” Mo Li met the Second-in-Command’s wary gaze and calmly nodded, only mentioning the illness.
“Intestinal abscess?” Shimo Mountain’s leader was shocked. He had heard of this disease.
An abscess, a pus-filled sore, was troublesome if it appeared on the face or body, but if it was an intestinal abscess, it could be fatal.
“I, I’ve heard that it requires…”
Shimo Mountain’s leader gestured with his hands, indicating the need for an abdominal operation. However, Physicians who specialized in treating abscesses had little status in the medical field because many people were unwilling to deal with the filth and stench. But for an intestinal abscess, only experienced Physicians dared to wield a knife.
“It hasn’t reached that point yet, but you need to take the medicine first.” Mo Li saw that there were no pen and paper around and verbally described the prescription.
Rhubarb, moutan bark, peach kernel, and so on.
These were well-known formulas from the medical book “Jin Kui” specifically for treating intestinal abscesses.
Mo Li took the pulse again and after pondering for a moment, said, “Drink it for three days, then I will prescribe two additional heat-clearing formulas.”
This meant that he would temporarily stay in the mountain stronghold. After expressing his gratitude, Shimo Mountain’s leader led the way out. The Second-in-Command had a complicated expression and seemed to want to say something but ultimately remained silent.
“A few years ago, I visited Yongzhou, and it wasn’t as desolate as it is now.” Mo Li casually brought up a topic.
Shimo Mountain’s leader shook his head, not saying anything about the hardships of the people.
Mo Li continued to ask, “I have distant relatives living to the west of Shimo Mountain. Now that area is all abandoned. I wonder if there are any people who have escaped to the stronghold. I would like to inquire about the situation of my relatives.”
Shimo Mountain’s leader thought for a moment and didn’t see any problem with it. Moreover, he couldn’t afford to offend these two individuals, so he agreed.
The stone houses in the stronghold all looked the same, and it was hard to distinguish between good and bad.
The leader of Shimo Mountain escorted them to an empty house, exchanged a few pleasantries, and then left.
Meng Qi played with the bamboo cup on the table and smiled, “Physician, are you trying to gather information about the whereabouts of the alchemists from the people here?”
“Besides that, I am indeed in need of medicinal herbs.” Mo Li took the cup from his hand and examined it. “The diameter of this bamboo is just right to stuff you in. It seems when I leave, I should ask the leader of the stronghold to give me a cup.”
“…”
Meng Qi instinctively wanted to refute it. Sand rats weren’t that fat, and they still had fur. The fur was soft, so if you really put it in, it would roll out of the bamboo tube.
However, after looking at the Physician’s expression, Meng Qi decided not to say anything. What if the Physician tied a rope to the bamboo tube and simply hung it around his waist? He didn’t want to leave his current position on Mo Li’s shoulder.
So he changed the subject and began talking about the rumors in the martial world, specifically about the hidden weapon expert Yan Cen.
“Rumors can be misleading. He was born like that and trained tirelessly in martial arts just to avoid being humiliated. However…”
Meng Qi didn’t continue because he saw that Mo Li seemed to have something to say.
“What’s wrong, Physician?”
“Nothing.”
Mo Li’s answer was straightforward, but Meng Qi could see through it. Perhaps there were other secrets about Yan Cen, and as a Physician, Mo Li thought it was inappropriate to disclose them to others.
Even though they could discuss everything, the Physician still had his principles.
Helplessly, Meng Qi thought to himself that he had voluntarily ignored the matter. He got up and said, “You prepare the medicine, and I’ll go inquire about whether the alchemist has been to Shimo Mountain.”
The medicine that Mo Li was brewing was for Meng Qi.
Naturally, the people in the stronghold had taken the trouble to gather the necessary ingredients for Yan Cen, the second-in-command of Shimo Mountain.
Mo Li wouldn’t let others handle the imported medicinal decoction. After working for a while, he suddenly heard very light footsteps outside. He turned his head and saw Yan Cen, his complexion waxen.
Mo Li anticipated his arrival and wasn’t surprised. He simply gestured for Yan Cen to sit down before speaking.
Yan Cen silently bowed and then slowly supported himself on the table as he sat down.
“Is it really a case of intestinal abscess?” Yan Cen asked with a pained expression.
“When you have an episode, is there pain when the lower right abdomen is pressed?” Mo Li asked in a gentle tone.
“…Physician, you only took my pulse, and you didn’t…”
After placing the medicine jar in its proper place, Mo Li sat across from Yan Cen and spoke in a warm tone, “I have internal strength. When I took your pulse earlier, you also sensed it.”
Yan Cen’s expression fluctuated. He wanted to say something more, but Mo Li already understood and directly said, “You do indeed have an intestinal abscess. I won’t let the patient randomly drink medicine. This is a condition that can’t be delayed. I understand your predicament, but you almost risked your own life.”
Yan Cen grasped his deformed arm hidden under his cloak, looking distressed.
Unable to bear seeing his pitiful state, Mo Li couldn’t help but say, “Your concerns are unfounded. Although you have two hearts and your organs differ from those of ordinary people, that extra organ… it’s not a female organ.”
Yan Cen looked up at him, shocked.
Mo Li gestured, but Yan Cen didn’t respond. So Mo Li moved aside his cloak and lifted up that deformed arm, saying to Yan Cen, “The skeletal structure of men and women is different. Although it’s not apparent in the arm bones, the internal organs can prove it. Ordinary Physicians can only diagnose that you have two heartbeats but can’t see your internal organs, which often leads to misjudgments. Although your condition is rare, it does exist. My master has encountered it before.”
Yan Cen trembled, and although his abdominal pain hadn’t subsided, he sat up straight.
Mo Li continued to ask, “Have you consulted renowned Physicians?”
“In my youth, I once invited renowned Physicians and alchemists,” Yan Cen said hoarsely. “They said I was an evil spirit who devoured my siblings in my mother’s… womb. My father threw me to the ground, and though I narrowly escaped death, there were those in the family who owed my mother a great favor and couldn’t bear it. They secretly entrusted me to a virtuous and esteemed monk. But as I grew older, this arm grew more grotesque. Because my appearance resembles my mother, people said we weren’t siblings but rather sisters. They feared I was neither male nor female, a true freak.”
“Last year when you had an episode, did you believe it was… your sister causing trouble?” Mo Li asked again.
Yan Cen said absentmindedly, “I dreamt of a blood clot with an unidentifiable face, burrowing through my intestines and stomach. I believed it was heaven’s will.”
Mo Li fell silent. After contemplating for a moment, he comforted Yan Cen, saying, “Your physique is frail, and your life expectancy isn’t long to begin with. However, after practicing internal cultivation, it has improved significantly. Your trouble only arises when you fall ill, as prescribing medicine is more complicated than for ordinary people. If you don’t mind that arm, it’s inconsequential. Intestinal abscesses can be treated, but heart troubles are difficult to cure. The leader of Shimo Mountain probably has no idea about your martial arts skills!”
As Yan Cen regained his composure, he regained some of his noble demeanor. He smiled bitterly and said, “They call us bandits, but we are simply peculiar individuals tormented by the world. It’s not entirely accurate to say that we have never done anything wrong. Before coming to Shimo Mountain, I had stolen from a wealthy outsider, and I robbed a corrupt official who had extorted the elderly. Fortunately, I have never hypocritically claimed to help the poor and only helped myself.
“A few years ago, I had nowhere to go. When they robbed me, I had no money at all, but they didn’t take anything and even gave me half a steamed bun. Later, by chance, I encountered them facing a powerful enemy and lent a hand. After that, when there was a severe drought in Yongzhou, I came to Shimo Mountain.
“To my surprise, this mountain has been the most comfortable time of my life. I have no other desires. The brothers in the stronghold have given me too much. I only hope for the safety and well-being of Shimo Mountain. I don’t know the backgrounds of the two of you, but I can tell you’re not ordinary people. The Physician saved my life, and if there’s anything I can do to help, I will do my best.”
With that, Yan Cen stood up to bow once again.
Mo Li stopped him and advised him to rest and recover before discussing further matters.
After Yan Cen had walked away, Mo Li approached the window of the stone house and said, “Eavesdropping.”
Meng Qi, who was leaning against the window, replied, “…
No, Physician, it was purely coincidental.
Author’s Note:
Intestinal abscess refers to appendicitis.
——————–
The leader and second-in-command of Shimo Mountain have no romantic relationship whatsoever. None.
The situation in Shimo Mountain is like a caring mother hen looking after her chicks.
The chick leader may appear clumsy, and always looking anxious, but they are willing to protect the flock.
——————–
To be honest, Yan Cen’s condition is quite complicated to diagnose.
When a Physician takes their pulse and carefully listens, hearing two heartbeats, they would probably be dumbfounded.
Hey, have you grown an extra heart?
Although one heartbeat is strong while the other is weak, it doesn’t sound like fetal sounds or a slippery pulse. The Physician would probably be on the verge of shouting, so Yan Cen is afraid of seeing a Physician.
