"No, I... I came to thank you."
Seeing Li Xuan stand up, Luo Ren suddenly took a step back in a panic, then bowed deeply to Li Xuan, saying, "I was indeed blinded by greed, and I haven't fulfilled my responsibilities as a physician all these years. Today, you've opened my eyes."
"Don't worry, I won't trouble you again. And if you're interested, you can come to my apothecary. What do you think?"
Li Xuan was stunned by Luo Ren's words, then nodded inwardly. Luo Ren wasn't as bad as he had imagined. To admit his mistakes in front of so many people was a sign that he hadn't lost his conscience entirely.
However, Li Xuan wasn't entirely uninterested in Luo Ren's offer. If he were to join the apothecary, things might become too complicated, which wasn't ideal for him.
"It's good that you have such remorse; you still have some humanity. As for your suggestion, I'm used to a free and easy life and likely wouldn't enjoy it. However, if your apothecary is too busy and I happen to be free, you can send someone to ask for my help," Li Xuan said after a moment's thought.
In this way, he was also fulfilling the medical ethics passed down by Senior Yi Qin.
"Very well. May I ask your name, young friend?" Luo Ren seemed to understand that Li Xuan wouldn't easily agree to join the apothecary, so he was more at ease after hearing Li Xuan's words.
"My name is Li Xuan." After speaking, Li Xuan glanced around at the crowd and said, "Fellow villagers, although Luo Ren was not a good person before, he now knows his mistakes. I believe he will change his ways when treating you from now on. Today, I think Luo Ren won't be charging for consultations. What do you say, Luo Ren?"
"That is natural. Everyone, I was truly foolish before. All consultation fees today are waived. And in the future, if you have any health problems, I, Luo, will do my best to help you. As for the fees, it will be voluntary. What do you all think?"
Hearing this, Luo Ren understood that Li Xuan was trying to send these patients back to his apothecary.
Although he lost the consultation fees for the day, by gaining the understanding and publicity from the villagers, Luo Ren believed his reputation would gradually improve.
With this thought, Luo Ren felt some gratitude towards Li Xuan.
"Really? That young master, your crowd is too big, and you're too busy treating so many people alone. Why don't I go to Doctor Luo's place first, and see if Doctor Luo has truly repented?"
"Yes, yes, I was thinking the same. Young master, you don't mind, do you?"
"..."
In fact, after Luo Ren came forward to admit his mistake, the villagers' perception of him had changed somewhat. And now that Luo Ren was offering free consultations, the villagers naturally began to waver.
Li Xuan shook his head and smiled, "Of course, I don't mind. Everyone is here because they are unwell and shouldn't delay. Everyone, Doctor Luo is now free, you can choose freely."
As soon as Li Xuan finished speaking, the hesitant villagers immediately rushed towards Luo Ren's apothecary. After all, there was a queue at both places, and whoever arrived earlier would be seen first.
Of course, most of those who ran to Luo Ren's apothecary were from the latter part of Li Xuan's queue. The people at the front of Li Xuan's line, after some hesitation, remained where they were.
After all, Li Xuan had already treated three villagers before Luo Ren arrived, and the effects were quickly evident. Therefore, the villagers were quite confident in Li Xuan's medical skills.
"Thank you, Li Xuan." Seeing that more than half of the crowd had returned to his apothecary to queue again, Luo Ren bowed deeply to Li Xuan again.
Li Xuan waved his hand, "There's no need for thanks. We are all physicians and should have a benevolent heart. Alright, Doctor Luo, let's hurry and treat the villagers. They are all waiting for you."
Luo Ren nodded, then, supported by his disciples, quickly walked towards the apothecary.
Watching Luo Ren turn to leave, Li Xuan suddenly said, "Wait a moment."
Luo Ren stopped and turned back, looking at Li Xuan with confusion, "Do you have any other instructions, young friend?"
"Take this pill. Otherwise, in your current state, you might not be able to help the villagers correctly." Li Xuan finished speaking and threw a jade bottle towards Luo Ren with a wave of his hand.
Luo Ren quickly reached out and caught the jade bottle. He immediately opened it, and a medicinal fragrance wafted out. Just by smelling it, Luo Ren was shocked. The scent alone made his blood and qi feel more stable.
"I never thought your medical skills were so profound, young friend. I was arrogant." Luo Ren sighed, then took out a pill from the jade bottle and swallowed it.
After swallowing it, Luo Ren's eyes flashed with surprise. In less than a minute, his injuries had completely healed. Moreover, Luo Ren felt that his vitality and spirit were even stronger than before.
"Hmm, recovered well. Now go and treat the villagers." Seeing Luo Ren instantly regain his vigor, the disciples and shop assistants beside Luo Ren and the villagers all looked shocked. Li Xuan nodded slightly, then waved his hand and said.
"Thank you for the medicine, senior. I... I'll go now." Feeling the changes within him, Luo Ren's address to Li Xuan had also changed. After speaking, he turned and hurried towards the apothecary.
Watching Luo Ren enter the apothecary, Li Xuan nodded with satisfaction. Luo Ren's awakening was a blessing for the villagers of Po Suo City. If he could help even one more person, it wouldn't be a waste of the Qi-Boosting Pills he had developed.
Li Xuan withdrew his gaze and looked back at the people in front of his stall. He sat down again and smiled, "Alright, let's begin. Auntie, what is bothering you?"
...
As the sky completely darkened, the people in front of Li Xuan's stall finally dispersed one by one. Although Li Xuan was a spiritual master, after a day of consultations, he felt somewhat tired. Stretching his arms, Li Xuan's mind stirred, and he looked behind him.
Upon seeing that it was the mother of the child he had treated earlier, Li Xuan was surprised and said, "Big sister, why haven't you gone home yet?"
"Mr. Li, you saved my child, and I haven't had a chance to thank you properly. Mr. Li, I'm just a simple woman, and I don't have anything valuable at home to repay you. I... I bow to you." The woman said this and bowed to Li Xuan.
"Big sister, this won't do. Hurry and take your child home. I see the child is also hungry. Also, little brother, don't eat things carelessly next time, understand?" Li Xuan stopped the woman from bowing and then looked at the small child beside her.
The child nodded earnestly and then looked at Li Xuan, saying, "Big brother, can I become a doctor like you?"
"A'li, don't talk nonsense. It takes a long time to become a doctor. And sir is very busy, where would he have time to teach you." The woman pulled the child but her eyes were fixed on Li Xuan.
"This... it's not impossible. But you're right, big sister, it does take a long time and perseverance to become a physician."
Li Xuan paused, then looked at the child, "Your name is A'li, right? Well, how about this: come to my place tomorrow morning, and I'll start by telling you some basic things. If you can understand, I'll teach you more, alright?"
"Okay, big brother. I'll be here tomorrow morning!" A'li's eyes lit up with joy, and he nodded firmly in response.
The woman's eyes also showed a flicker of excitement. She then looked at Li Xuan with some worry and asked, "Sir, will this have any impact on you?"
Li Xuan smiled and shook his head, "It's nothing. If A'li can truly persevere, teaching him won't be a problem. Alright, big sister, it's getting late, hurry and take A'li home."
"Okay, sir, you've also worked hard all day. You should go home early too. A'li, say goodbye to Mr. Li." The woman nodded quickly and pulled A'li.
"Goodbye, big brother." A'li waved to Li Xuan, then walked away into the night with the woman.
"Senior Li, please wait."
Watching the woman and A'li depart, Li Xuan smiled slightly. As he packed up his stall and was about to head home, a voice suddenly rang out.
Li Xuan turned around and saw that it was Luo Ren. He asked curiously, "What is it?"
After speaking, Li Xuan glanced in the direction of the apothecary. Seeing that the queue in front of the apothecary was gone, he nodded slightly.
"Um, I wonder if Senior Li would do me the honor of visiting my humble abode? I see that Senior Li has been busy all afternoon and hasn't had dinner, has he? My disciples have already prepared a meal and wine. I beg Senior Li to grace me with your presence, as a form of apology for my past actions."
Luo Ren bowed slightly to Li Xuan and then spoke.
Li Xuan was about to refuse, but seeing the pleading look on Luo Ren's face, and then thinking about A'li's matter, he nodded. "I am indeed a bit hungry. Then I'll trouble you, Doctor Luo."
Luo Ren was overjoyed. He then stepped aside and said, "Senior Li, please."