Chapter 8: Chapter 8 Old Doctor Chen, Astonishing Discovery
Lu Qing's mind conjured up the image of a kindly and lean elder.
Old Doctor Chen.
This elder doctor was the sole doctor serving several nearby villages.
He was highly skilled in medicine. Though not a miracle worker, he could cure common ailments like headaches, fevers, bruises, and colds almost without fail.
Therefore, he was deeply respected by the villagers nearby.
It was said that even wealthy families in the town often requested his medical services.
Such a figure undoubtedly held a special status in the village.
Almost no villager dared to disrespect him.
Previously, the original Lu Qing, a naive young boy with limited vision, had been indifferent to many things.
However, after giving it some thought, Lu Qing discovered some anomalies.
For instance, according to his memories, Old Doctor Chen should have been quite old, yet he maintained a robust health and often ventured alone into the mountains to gather herbs.
These were not the developed tourist spots from his past life but genuine, rugged mountains and primitive forests.
They were filled with venomous insects and snakes, and fierce animals; their numbers unknown, making them extremely dangerous.
Even experienced hunters did not dare to venture too deeply into these woods.
For an old man like Old Doctor Chen to enter and leave these places safely was truly unusual.
Lu Qing was very curious about his abilities.
It would be wonderful if he could learn even a fraction of Old Doctor Chen's medical skills.
His superpower allowed him to see the basic information of all things.
When it came to identifying herbs, it was foolproof.
It perfectly complemented medical skills.
If he could learn some of Old Doctor Chen's skills, it would provide some security for his and Little Yan's future.
However, how could he learn from Old Doctor Chen?
As Lu Qing pondered this, his eyelids began to droop uncontrollably.
His body was weak, and he couldn't resist the overwhelming fatigue.
Eventually, before falling asleep, Lu Qing couldn't think of any good methods.
Unexpectedly, before he could figure out a way to approach Old Doctor Chen, Old Doctor Chen came to him.
Lying on a reclining chair, Lu Qing fell asleep. In his drowsy state, he seemed to hear someone talking, followed by the sensation of someone grabbing his hand.
He woke up abruptly.
"Lu Qing, you're awake, Old Doctor Chen is treating you!"
A loud voice rang out.
Lu Qing recognized the voice; it seemed to be that of Old Zhang from next door, which initially relieved him.
Then, he snapped back to full awareness and opened his eyes.
Old Doctor Chen?
Turning his head, he saw two elders, one standing and the other sitting.
The seated one, lean and kindly-faced, could only be Old Doctor Chen.
"Don't move, let me take your pulse first."
Seeing Lu Qing about to get up, Old Doctor Chen spoke gently.
Lu Qing immediately froze.
That's when he realized that Old Doctor Chen's hand was on his wrist.
No wonder he felt someone grabbing his hand in his daze; it turned out Old Doctor Chen was taking his pulse.
Seeing Old Doctor Chen close his eyes to concentrate on the pulse, Lu Qing didn't dare to move and continued to lie obediently on the reclining chair.
Knowing that the pulse-taking wouldn't be over quickly, Lu Qing couldn't help but scrutinize this somewhat mysterious Old Doctor Chen.
His first impression was that the elder doctor seemed gentler than he remembered, his lean figure exuding an almost celestial composure.
It was instantly reassuring to behold.
But at this moment, his expression was serious, his brows furrowed as if encountering some difficulty.
Lu Qing quietly observed Old Doctor Chen for a while, and suddenly, he saw a faint red light emerge around the elder.
[Chen Songqing: Skilled in medicine, kind-hearted, respected, a fine elder physician.]
[Cultivation: Achieved in Qi Cultivation, Postnatal Internal Realm.]
What is this?!
Lu Qing's eyes suddenly widened, not only because of the faint red light emanating from the elder doctor's body but even more so because of the description in the text that followed.
Since regaining consciousness, Lu Qing had gradually deciphered some patterns in his superpower.
Ordinary objects, when examined with his superpower, typically showed a gray light.
More special items, like medicinal herbs, would display a white light.
But humans, without exception, all showed white light—at least, that was the case with everyone he met in the village.
However, the strength of the white light varied: adults showed the strongest, followed by adolescents, and the elderly showed the least.
Lu Qing speculated that this might be related to a person's vigor or life energy.
After all, generally speaking, adults have the most energy, while the elderly have the least.
But Elder Doctor Chen's presence overturned his understanding.
What appeared was a red light, something he had never seen before!
More importantly, was the content of the text that popped up afterward.
Cultivation?
Successful Qi Cultivation, Postnatal Internal Realm?
What did this mean? Could it be that the world he was in was not what he thought—similar to the ancient world of Hua Xia Country—but a more mysterious world where cultivation was possible?
Lu Qing's heart was disrupted by this sudden change.
Just as he wanted to continue observing and gain more information from the elder doctor, Elder Doctor Chen suddenly opened his eyes.
Seeing Lu Qing's flustered and shocked expression, Elder Doctor Chen frowned for a moment, then his face relaxed.
He said gently, "Don't be afraid, I was merely taking your pulse."
It was a misunderstanding; he thought his serious demeanor while taking the pulse had frightened Lu Qing.
Seizing the opportunity to compose himself, Lu Qing asked somewhat anxiously, "Grandpa Chen, how is my illness, is it all better now?"
Beside them, Old Master Zhang also looked expectantly at Elder Doctor Chen.
Elder Doctor Chen pondered for a moment and said, "Not bad, your illness has indeed recovered. Although you are still a bit weak, proper recuperation should render you almost completely unhindered."
"Really? That's wonderful! Lu Qing, you should thank Elder Doctor Chen quickly. If it wasn't for the medicine he prescribed, you might not have woken up at all!" exclaimed Old Master Zhang joyfully.
"Thank you, Grandpa Chen."
Lu Qing got up from the recliner and attempted to kneel and kowtow as a sign of gratitude.
After all, the elder doctor indeed owed him a lifesaving debt.
If not for that bowl of medicinal soup, he might not have survived the period of memory integration.
This alone was worth his deep respect.
However, Elder Doctor Chen stopped Lu Qing, "There's no need for such formalities. Your awakening is also due to your own fortune. This old man merely provided a little help."
Elder Doctor Chen's words were not out of modesty.
In fact, he was still extraordinarily astonished.
He had indeed visited when Lu Qing fell ill.
At that time, Lu Qing was severely afflicted, his energy as fine as a thread and his condition was critical, reduced to his last breath.
Even if a real master of medicine had come, it would have likely been difficult to save him.
Embodying the spirit of medical benevolence, he still prepared a prescription adding many precious ingredients.
His aim was merely to fulfil his duty, then leave the rest to fate.
Some of the ingredients he added were even reserved by nobles from the city.
Because of this, he had to hurry to the mountains the next day to gather herbs to replenish what was used.
He had thought that Lu Qing would not make it, but when he returned from gathering herbs, he heard from the villagers that Lu Qing's illness had improved.
Not only could he get out of bed and walk but he could even go to the river to catch fish.
Astonished, he immediately wanted to check on him.
Arriving outside the courtyard, he encountered Old Master Zhang returning from working in the fields, so they entered the house together.
Initially, he suspected the villagers had exaggerated.
Now, having taken Lu Qing's pulse, he found there was no exaggeration in the villagers' words.
Lu Qing's illness had genuinely completely healed.
Aside from still being somewhat weak, the previous symptoms had miraculously disappeared.
This left Elder Doctor Chen immensely surprised.