"Awake? She's really awake!"
Everyone stared, watching the old woman on the ground breathing laboriously.
The young physician seemed disbelieving. He stepped forward to feel the old woman's pulse and, upon confirming she had indeed come back to life, his eyes widened in astonishment.
"Could it be that I misread her pulse earlier?"
Jiang Wan rolled her eyes. "Whether you misread it or not, you know in your heart, don't you? If a disciple of Elder Jin can't even feel a pulse correctly, that's worse than smashing Elder Jin's signboard!"
The young physician was choked for words, not knowing what to say.
At this moment, a benevolent old man with a white beard emerged from the crowd. Chen Yuezhi instinctively exclaimed, "An immortal elder?!"
The old man chuckled. "In my lifetime of practicing medicine, this is the first time I've heard someone address me like that. I am undeserving, truly undeserving."
Chen Yuezhi realized she had misspoken and felt a bit embarrassed.
She had always heard Jiang Wan say that the immortal elder had a white beard and a kind demeanor, so upon seeing this elder, she had subconsciously thought she was seeing the immortal elder.
Jiang Wan guessed the old man's identity and said with a serious expression, "Sir, you save lives and heal the injured, aiding all beings. Are you not like the immortal elders in the storybooks?"
If an adult had said this, it would have seemed incredibly fawning. But Jiang Wan was only five years old, a tiny child. Her serious demeanor made it hard not to believe the sincerity of her words.
Although Physician Jin was an elder who had seen many storms, hearing these words, he couldn't help but feel a surge of joy.
"I merely follow my family's teachings, doing my humble best for the common people. I do not deserve such praise."
Saying this, he turned to Chen Yuezhi. "Esteemed physician, the method you used to save this person just now is something I, in my half-century of practice, have never witnessed. May I ask for your guidance?"
Upon hearing the title "Esteemed Physician," Chen Yuezhi waved her hands repeatedly in alarm.
Seeing her reaction, Physician Jin suddenly felt his request might have been too much. After all, such a miraculous method of saving lives was truly extraordinary, and his inquiry felt rather inappropriate.
"If this is a secret technique that is inconvenient to share, then please, esteemed physician, do not mind my presumption."
"It's not that."
Chen Yuezhi quickly said, "Please ask whatever you wish to know, venerable physician. Just please stop calling this junior 'Esteemed Physician.' I merely possess some rudimentary medical skills; how can I possibly deserve such a title?"
Hearing her say this, Physician Jin replied, "I believe that medical skills are not divided into profound or shallow. As long as they can save lives and heal illnesses, they are the skills of a good physician, of a divine physician."
Chen Yuezhi, receiving such high praise for the first time, and from someone of Physician Jin's stature, was overcome with emotion.
"The method you asked about, venerable physician, is actually not difficult. You only need to grasp a few key points."
With that, Chen Yuezhi carefully explained the method of cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
The decision to make this method public was Jiang Wan's idea.
She had said that the method was simple and could save lives, and publicizing it would accumulate merit.
However, Jiang Wan's actual intention was to use this method to leave a good impression of Chen Yuezhi with Physician Jin.
"Summer is the peak season for drowning. This method can be learned by anyone, regardless of whether they know medicine. It is crucial to master the force and speed of the compressions. For anyone rescued from the water in time, nine out of ten can be saved."
Chen Yuezhi's words, coupled with the old woman who had just been revived, greatly excited the onlookers.
The young physician was perplexed. "You just revealed such a unique method so readily? Do you know how much money you could earn with this technique in your possession?"
Chen Yuezhi shook her head. "Human life is more important than money. Although this method is effective, it has a significant time limitation. A slight delay, and the person might not be saved. As a mere mortal, how fast can I run? Therefore, only by spreading this method, letting everyone know, can people know how to rescue drowning victims when they encounter them."
"Furthermore, this method can also be used for other critical conditions..."
Chen Yuezhi meticulously listed them. The gathered commoners listened attentively, and many bowed to Chen Yuezhi in gratitude.
How many people would be willing to offer such a method so freely?
Even the young physician completely failed to understand Chen Yuezhi's actions.
"Master, how could she give it away!"
Physician Jin glanced at him calmly. "Figure it out yourself."
"Esteemed Physician's demeanor, her boundless compassion, is truly admirable."
Saying this, Physician Jin cupped his fists, intending to bow to Chen Yuezhi, startling her into quickly reaching out with both hands to steady him.
"Physician Jin, please do not honor this junior so greatly. I came today intending to apprentice myself to learn medicine. How could I dare accept a bow from a divine physician?"
Physician Jin was taken aback. "You wish to apprentice yourself to me?"
Chen Yuezhi nodded nervously. "Elder Jin, I wish to follow you and learn medicine, to learn truly effective skills for treating and saving people. I... I know I am a bit older, and... and a woman, but I promise I will study diligently and strive hard."
She was indeed not young anymore, having passed forty. To start learning medicine at this age felt far too late. What master would accept a disciple of her age?
Physician Jin looked at her, so nervous, and said with a stern face, "Since you wish to apprentice, why are you lacking in basic etiquette?"
The young physician's eyes widened in disbelief upon hearing this, looking at Chen Yuezhi incredulously.
Chen Yuezhi herself, due to her extreme nervousness, hadn't clearly heard Physician Jin's words. Seeing his stern expression, she thought she had been rejected and was immediately stunned.
Jiang Wan quickly tugged at her sleeve. "Mother, aren't you going to pay your respects to Grand-Master?"
"Grand-Master?"
Chen Yuezhi's mind was truly in a knot.
Jiang Wan smiled. "Yes, your master is my Grand-Master, isn't he?"
Physician Jin nodded. "My grand-disciple is indeed clever."
Chen Yuezhi finally understood and quickly knelt down on the ground with a thud that made Physician Jin's mouth twitch.
"Master above, please accept your disciple's bow."
Someone from the side handed over a cup of tea. Jiang Wan, with great perceptiveness, took it and passed it to Chen Yuezhi.
Chen Yuezhi held the tea and respectfully said, "Master, please drink."
Physician Jin took the tea and took a sip. He then said, "Now that you have entered my tutelage, you must abide by the rules of the medical hall: study diligently, practice hard, hold compassion in your heart, practice medicine for the people, and cure illnesses and relieve pain."
Chen Yuezhi's voice trembled slightly with excitement. "I respectfully obey Master's teachings."
After Chen Yuezhi finished her kowtows, Jiang Wan quickly helped her up.
Madam Cheng walked over with a smile. "Congratulations, Elder Jin, on gaining a beloved disciple."
Physician Jin's expression also turned pleasant. "Thank you, Madam Cheng. May I ask the purpose of your visit today?"
He had just come out of class when someone said the county magistrate's wife had arrived. Before he could respond, he heard the commotion in the courtyard. Therefore, he didn't yet know Madam Cheng's intention.
Madam Cheng smiled. "I had originally intended to ask Elder Jin to take in a friend of mine and allow her to study medicine in the medical hall. I didn't expect she would gain Elder Jin's admiration and be personally accepted as a disciple."
Jiang Wan blinked her eyes. This sounded rather interesting!
Studying medicine in the medical hall and becoming Physician Jin's disciple seemed to be two different matters.