Duo Duo’s complexion quickly recovered, and her breathing gradually stabilized.
The little girl had finally been pulled back from the brink of danger.
Old Jin sat on the ground, panting heavily, large beads of sweat dripping incessantly from his forehead.
Wang Zhongtian, however, stood by, completely immaculate.
Anyone unaware of the situation might have assumed Wang Zhongtian was the one who saved the child.
After all, Old Jin’s appearance was utterly disheveled.
Duo Duo’s father, Old Zhao, excitedly gripped Old Jin’s hand, tears streaming uncontrollably down his face.
“Old Jin, I… I don’t know how to thank you!”
Old Jin waved his hand.
“It is the physician’s benevolence. Any physician who sees Duo Duo in danger would naturally step in to save her.”
As he spoke, Old Jin glanced at Wang Zhongtian.
For some inexplicable reason, Wang Zhongtian felt a pang of shame.
He seemed to recall some old memories.
Back when he was a young man, by a stroke of luck, he had apprenticed himself to the Dongyuan Sect.
Having just joined, under his master’s supervision, he had sworn an oath before the portrait of their ancestor.
“On my health, on the lives entrusted to me, I shall heal the wounded and serve the dying, without shirking hardship!”
However, after his master passed away, Wang Zhongtian had traveled far and wide.
He first went abroad, and after a period of refinement, returned to his homeland.
Domestically, he was highly esteemed, with people from the upper echelons clamoring to have him as their physician.
Initially, Wang Zhongtian accepted all comers, even treating them for free.
But later, desire blinded his eyes.
He began to treat only the wealthy, and not just ordinary wealthy individuals, but those with power and influence!
Wang Zhongtian’s standards grew increasingly high, yet his medical skills never advanced.
Now, seeing Old Jin, who looked like a beggar after saving a life…
He suddenly remembered his master.
His master back then, like Old Jin, did not differentiate between the rich and the poor, only between the healthy and the ill.
Physician’s benevolence…
These four words echoed incessantly in Wang Zhongtian’s mind.
“Mas… Master, what’s wrong?” Wang Zhongtian’s disciple asked.
Wang Zhongtian snapped back to attention, shaking his head.
He walked directly towards Old Jin, his expression grave.
Old Jin, still harboring some wariness towards Wang Zhongtian, saw him approaching and immediately cast a pleading look towards Yan Shouyi.
His eyes seemed to convey: Little Yan, protect me!
Yan Shouyi quickly stepped forward, blocking Wang Zhongtian. “What do you want?”
Wang Zhongtian gently pushed Yan Shouyi’s hand aside, and then, to everyone’s surprise, he knelt down before Old Jin!
Old Jin was taken aback. “What are you doing?”
Wang Zhongtian’s disciples, witnessing their master kneel, felt utterly shamed.
After all, they had just been mocking Old Jin together.
And in the blink of an eye, their master was kneeling before him.
Wang Zhongtian ignored the gazes of others and solemnly addressed Old Jin.
“Senior Jin Xiu, in you, I see the shadow of my master, and I am reminded of his teachings… Physician’s benevolence. You are right; I had forgotten these four words for a long time, and only now have I finally remembered them.”
Being called “senior” by someone younger, the usually thick-skinned Old Jin felt a touch of embarrassment.
He replied awkwardly, “It is good that you have come to understand. Besides, you offered your help earlier. In any case, you are still a good doctor.”
“I am unworthy of such praise!”
Wang Zhongtian shook his head and said,
“But from this day forward, I will reclaim my original intention, abandon the pursuit of empty fame, and be a righteous ancient physician of the Dongyuan Sect!”
Old Jin sighed emotionally.
“If that is so, it would be for the best. I imagine your predecessors from the Dongyuan Sect would be comforted to know of your change.”
Wang Zhongtian then kowtowed to Old Jin three times before, with Old Jin’s assistance, he managed to get back on his feet.
The first thing he did upon standing was to cast a cold glance at his disciples.
The three disciples trembled in fear.
It was known that Wang Zhongtian was always very strict with them, and their medical skills were not poor.
However, due to Wang Zhongtian’s own influence, his disciples had unconsciously adopted an arrogant and dismissive attitude.
Fortunately, Wang Zhongtian merely sighed, filled more with self-reproach.
He said,
“Ancient physicians of the Dongyuan Sect must perform a kneeling salute to ancient physicians of the Qihuang Sect. I, your master, have knelt; why are you still standing?”
Upon hearing this, the three disciples quickly knelt and paid their respects, including the disciple who was still transfusing blood to Duo Duo.
A look of gratified smiles spread across Old Jin’s face.
This was the ancient physician he recognized.
From some unknown time, ancient physicians had become increasingly aloof.
It seemed only Old Jin still held firm in the common folk.
But today, he had witnessed the awakening of Wang Zhongtian and his disciples.
It was as if the former prosperity of ancient physicians was about to be restored.
Yan Shouyi also felt happy for Old Jin.
Although he hadn't been able to genuinely help Old Jin much, he had nonetheless witnessed several superb techniques of the Qihuang Sect’s ancient physicians.
What the ancestors left behind was too precious; the more he could witness, the better.
For one never knew when it might suddenly disappear and the lineage be broken.
Old Zhao took Duo Duo to the hospital for further treatment and recovery.
Wang Zhongtian and Old Jin exchanged contact information, and then they, along with Lu Yan, hurried off to visit Lu Jingshan, Lu Yan’s father.
This time, Wang Zhongtian did not doubt Old Jin; he was convinced that Lu Jingshan’s condition was due to the prescription he himself had written.
However, he still took Old Jin’s prescription back with him to study. Old Jin was also relieved to entrust Lu Jingshan’s treatment to Wang Zhongtian.
In front of the Chunhui Hall shop, only the tire marks remained, and the place gradually returned to its usual tranquility.
“I’ve made a fool of myself,” Old Jin said to Yan Shouyi sheepishly.
Yan Shouyi smiled.
“It’s rare to witness the skills of the Qihuang Sect; I’m delighted. But, to be honest, Wang Zhongtian has taught three disciples. Old Jin, are you truly not planning to take on any apprentices?”
As he spoke, Yan Shouyi gestured towards Guo Guo, who was helping Old Jin tidy up the shop.
Guo Guo, with her compassionate heart, was the best candidate in Yan Shouyi’s opinion to inherit Old Jin’s legacy.
Old Jin sighed and said,
“Guo Guo has excellent talent and a kind heart. It’s just that I am not yet prepared to re-enter the world.”
Yan Shouyi patted Old Jin’s shoulder.
“If you never take that step, the Qihuang Sect’s ancient physicians will never recover their former glory. Old Jin, you are different from us. If I, a descendant of Lu Ban, were not to emerge, the world would simply lack a few fortune tellers and a few carpenters. But if you do not emerge, many people in this world will die from illness, leaving behind grieving families, tormenting generations!”
“Think about it carefully.”
These words plunged Old Jin into deep contemplation.
Ancient physicians had always carried a great mission.
Yet, for years, Old Jin had hidden himself away due to fear of the Hanshang Sect.
Although he still practiced medicine and treated patients, the strength of one person was ultimately limited.
He could not save everyone.
But he had always had the opportunity to branch out and let his disciples save more people.
“Even Wang Zhongtian could see clearly; why can’t I?” Old Jin murmured to himself.
Then, a smile appeared on his face.
“Guo Guo, come here for a moment!” Old Jin called out.
Hearing Old Jin’s summons, Guo Guo quickly put down her broom and ran to Old Jin.
“Master Jin, what is your command?”
“Do you wish to become an ancient physician of the Qihuang Sect?”
“Yes! Of course, I do!! I really, really want to!!”
“Are you willing to dedicate your life to practicing medicine and helping the world, with no pursuit of fame or fortune?”
“My family isn’t short of money…”
“Answer properly!”
“I am willing!”
Old Jin patted Guo Guo’s head and said, “Then go prepare a dou of rice tomorrow and come see me early.”
“Why do I need to prepare rice?” Guo Guo asked, confused.
Old Jin replied, “My Qihuang Sect ancient physicians never charge money for accepting disciples; only a dou of rice is required as a token of respect!”
Guo Guo stood frozen for three seconds before beaming with joy.
“Master Jin, are you planning to take me as your disciple??”
“You’re still calling me Master Jin?”
“Ah… Master!!”
Guo Guo was overjoyed.
On one hand, she was genuinely interested in ancient medicine. On the other hand, what she had seen and heard today had deeply shaken her.
Becoming Old Jin’s disciple was already Guo Guo’s greatest wish.
And she had never expected this wish to be fulfilled so quickly!
Watching the delighted Guo Guo and Old Jin, Yan Shouyi also showed a smile of contentment.
At this moment, Guo Guo’s three male classmates also came before Old Jin.
With a thud, they knelt down!
“Master Jin, please accept us as your disciples too! We were not respectful enough to you earlier, but after witnessing the advanced medical skills of the Qihuang Sect, we are now utterly convinced. We too wish to become ancient physicians like you!”
The three boys’ expressions were sincere, conveying a clear determination: if you don’t agree, we won’t get up.
Old Jin considered for a moment and then said, “You may also learn, but for now, you can only be outer disciples. Furthermore, you are forbidden to interfere with Guo Guo’s studies, or you will be expelled from the sect immediately!”
“Master, from now on, our hearts will only be with the Qihuang Sect. We don’t know who Guo Guo is!” the boys shouted.
Guo Guo: “……”
Old Jin burst into laughter, then patted Yan Shouyi’s shoulder. “Little Yan, why don’t you consider taking on some disciples yourself?”
Yan Shouyi coughed twice. “How old am I? I haven’t even figured out my own life yet, how can I teach others?”
At the same time, Yan Shouyi’s mind drifted to another thought.
His remaining lifespan was not enough to teach disciples, was it?