Over at Qingping Temple, the plague was just discovered in the past two days and is still controllable, but in Li Family Village, it is almost person-to-person transmission, with only two out of ten people in the entire village not yet sick.
But whether it’s those two out of ten or those already sick, Qin Liuxi couldn’t see any relief or hope on their faces. Everyone had a blank expression, eyes full of despair, like walking dead who have lost their living souls.
Everyone knew in their hearts that if no miraculous prescription for treating the plague erged, everyone in Li Family Village would be burned alive here.
If those not sick showed numbness, then those already affected by the plague were engulfed in painful despair, with moans filling the entire shack.
Here, there was the foul stench of vomit mixed with the slls of burnt mugwort and vinegar. As for the doctors daring to offer free consultations at Li Family Village, besides Teng Zhao and his companion, there were only four others; just six people facing over a hundred patients, quite stretched thin.
Two of them were a grandfather and grandson pair from Zhang’s Clinic. Doctor Zhang was sixty-two, said to be a disciple of Zhang Zhongjing, although which disciple was not specified. Yet, Zhang’s Clinic was renowned in An Nan Prefecture, with expert dical skills and good ethics, earning the title of living Bodhisattva among the common people.
Qin Liuxi paused slightly when she saw Doctor Zhang and greeted him with a mild salute.
Little Ginseng and Teng Zhao had initially wanted to praise Doctor Zhang, given the thick rit Golden Light surrounding him, respected by those of their cultivation.
But Qin Liuxi’s manner was not as warm as they expected, neither cold nor overly enthusiastic.
This was rather peculiar.
Teng Zhao instinctively glanced at Doctor Zhang but, besides seeing this person with rit, couldn’t discern anything else. His surroundings were clean, with no sign of harm.
Little Ginseng was itching with curiosity, eager to pull Qin Liuxi aside to ask clearly and thoroughly.
Doctor Zhang smiled and returned a salute upon seeing Qin Liuxi, saying: "I’ve long heard that the incense at Li City Qingping Temple is extrely prosperous and efficacious but never had the leisure to visit. I’ve also heard of the Xuann Five Skills, among which is dical skills, though never had the chance to delve into them. Unexpectedly, I et the Daoist of Qingping Temple here at Li Family Village."
He looked at Teng Zhao, praising: "The little Daoist Xuan Yi of your temple is exceptionally gifted and skilled in dical skills. It’s evident that strict teachers produce outstanding students, and now seeing her, indeed it’s true. Only extraordinary figures like the temple master could cultivate such excellent disciples. Were the timing right, I’d truly wish to discuss Dao and dicine with the temple master."
Qin Liuxi smiled faintly: "You flatter . If you do want to discuss Dao with , I’m afraid less than a quarter of an hour would pass before Doctor Zhang no longer wishes to see ."
Her tone held so implicit aning.
Doctor Zhang was montarily stunned, looking over at her, as their gazes t.
Her eyes were extrely lively, shining like stars, but overly clear, seeming to penetrate the soul when looking at you.
Completely unguarded.
Doctor Zhang trembled slightly, instinctively wanting to avoid her gaze. Yet noticing his action, he was startled again, forcing a stiff smile: "The temple master jests. It would be my honor to discuss Dao with you."
Beside him, his grandson Zhang Zhuoliang frowned slightly, quickly glanced at Qin Liuxi, then lowered his gaze to hide the displeasure in his eyes.
Among those offering free consultations at Li Family Village, Doctor Zhang was the eldest and most skilled. Others followed his lead, speaking and behaving respectfully. Now hearing the humility in his tone, tinged with a trace of ekness, they were sowhat displeased, and their gaze toward Qin Liuxi was unfriendly.
Doctor Zhang, distinguished in An Nan Prefecture, was highly respected and revered by the populace, always generous in teaching his peers. His intelligence and righteousness were renowned, and now at an advanced age, he didn’t hesitate to co to the epidemic area, which was comndable.
But as for Qin Liuxi, who appeared seemingly out of nowhere, they didn’t care, observing her youth and that she was a female Daoist. Yet her attitude of disdain toward Doctor Zhang, who could be her grandfather, was truly unlikable.
"The Mystic Sect has Daoist doctors, I wonder if the temple master has a miraculous prescription to cure this plague?" asked a middle-aged doctor surnad Gao.
Another Doctor Yang laughed: "Doctor Gao underestimates the temple master. Isn’t it said that the incense at Qingping Temple is prosperous and efficacious, certainly not as dense as us common folks? The temple master’s spell is powerful, surely she can perform spells and prayers to resolve this plague, right?"
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