I Can See Through Everything - Chapter 67
“Thank you, Old Doctor Chen, for your care these past days.”
In the Halfway House, Young Master Wei, supported by his family’s servants, slightly bowed to the old doctor in thanks.
“You don’t need to be so formal, Young Master. Remember to rest well and take care of yourself after you go back,” the old doctor advised.
“I will remember,” Young Master Wei replied.
After expressing his gratitude, Young Master Wei was carefully helped into a palanquin by the servants. His wounds had not fully healed, and his body was still weak, making it necessary for him to avoid the wind. On the way back, he could only travel in a soft, windproof palanquin to prevent any illness from worsening.
Standing nearby, the chief steward of the Wei family nodded slightly as he observed this scene. Over these days, he noticed that after this brush with death, the young master had become more composed and less mischievous than before. In the past, it had been difficult to get him to thank a physician. Although this ordeal had nearly cost him his life, if it could lead to his change for the better, it might be a blessing in disguise.
Once the young master was settled in the palanquin, the chief steward stepped forward.
“Old Doctor Chen, it is entirely thanks to your miraculous skills that our young master has woken up and is recovering so well without any lasting ailments. For this, our entire Wei household is deeply grateful.”
“Here, we have prepared some small gifts to express our thanks for your care of our young master these past days.”
With that, the chief steward waved his hand, and two guards brought forth a large chest, while two others carried smaller chests and boxes. The chief steward took a small box from one of the guards and opened it, revealing rows of glittering gold ingots. Opening the large chest, a dazzling array of silver ingots was revealed.
“Old Doctor Chen, here we have ten thousand taels of silver and one thousand taels of gold. Please accept them.”
The old doctor looked at the gold and silver in the chests, his expression calm. He sighed, “Your family is too generous. As a doctor, I was merely fulfilling my duty. I cannot accept such a heavy gift.”
“Old Doctor Chen, you are too modest. Our young master is very important to us, especially to the lady of the house. Your treatment saved her life as well. These small tokens of gold and silver are just a fraction of our gratitude.”
“Moreover, we have another gift for you that our lady specially prepared.”
The chief steward then opened another box and took out a book.
“This is the ‘Compendium of Materia Medica’ that our lady specially ordered to be brought here for you.”
“What? The ‘Compendium of Materia Medica’?” The old doctor, who had been about to refuse again, was suddenly taken aback.
“Is it the one written by the legendary medical sage?”
“Yes, the very one that contains the life’s work of the medical sage,” the chief steward nodded with a smile.
At this, the old doctor’s refusal caught in his throat. The ‘Compendium of Materia Medica’ was an irresistible lure for any devoted physician. He had long admired this book but had never had the chance to see it. Families who owned it treated it as a treasured heirloom, rarely showing it to outsiders. Now, hearing that the Wei family was giving it to him, his heart was in turmoil.
Seeing the old doctor’s hesitation, the chief steward smiled warmly. “Old Doctor Chen, there’s no need to be so concerned. This ‘Compendium of Materia Medica’ will only realize its true value in the hands of a kind-hearted doctor like you.”
“Healing the sick and saving lives is the belief of all physicians. I’m sure the medical sage wrote this book hoping it would save countless lives and help doctors improve their skills.”
“With your medical expertise, this book will help you advance further, which will benefit many patients.”
Hearing this, Old Doctor Chen’s mind cleared. He accepted the book with a smile, “You are right. It seems I was being too narrow-minded.”
Lu Qing, standing nearby, watched the scene with admiration. The Wei family’s chief steward was truly impressive. With just a few words, he had convinced his master to accept the gift.
Unexpectedly, after presenting the ‘Compendium of Materia Medica’, the chief steward turned his attention to Lu Qing.
“As for Young Master Lu and Miss Xiao Yan, our lady has also prepared a small gift for you.”
Lu Qing was surprised, “We also have a gift?”
“Of course. I heard that when our young master was first brought here, Young Master Lu was in the pharmacy day and night, tirelessly preparing and decocting medicines. This kindness is something our Wei family cannot overlook.”
The chief steward then opened another box.
“I have noticed that not only is Young Master Lu proficient in pharmacology, but he also has great talent in martial arts. At such a young age, he is already a Qi and Blood Realm martial artist. It will not be difficult for him to break through to the Tendons and Bones Realm and even the Internal Organs Realm in the future.”
“With Old Doctor Chen’s guidance in medicine, it is only a matter of time before Young Master Lu becomes a great physician. There is no need for us to interfere in that aspect.”
“But in the martial arts path, talent alone is not enough. Resources for cultivation are also essential. Therefore, our lady has prepared two gifts for you.”
“This book contains a secret technique for the Tendons and Bones Realm, and this bottle contains a pill called the Bone-Strengthening Pill, which is beneficial for martial artists at that realm.”
“These are meant to provide a small help on your martial path.”
The gifts for Lu Qing were a martial arts secret technique and a bottle of pills, both essential for someone at the Tendons and Bones Realm.
“Bone-Strengthening Pill?” Old Doctor Chen was slightly surprised. “Is it the one that can enhance the muscles and bones of a Tendons and Bones Realm martial artist by thirty percent?”
“Exactly. Most Tendons and Bones Realm martial artists, after reaching their peak, find their growth limits reached and can only seek breakthroughs within their internal organs. This Bone-Strengthening Pill can break this limit, allowing even those at their peak to further strengthen their muscles and bones by thirty percent.”
Hearing this, Lu Qing realized the value of these gifts. The secret technique was already significant, but the Bone-Strengthening Pill was extraordinarily precious.
Feeling the weight of these gifts, Lu Qing looked to his master. Old Doctor Chen, though feeling the gifts were too valuable, thought it over. He had accepted the precious ‘Compendium of Materia Medica,’ so there was no need for further modesty.
He nodded to Lu Qing, “Since it is a kind gesture from the Wei family, you should accept it.”
Lu Qing then took the box.
Seeing him accept the gifts, the chief steward smiled.
No one knew that these gifts were his suggestion to the lady of the house. During his stay at the Halfway House, he had noticed Lu Qing’s exceptional martial talent. Though Lu Qing never trained in front of him, he could sense the young man’s Qi and Blood power growing stronger daily.
This discovery, along with hearing from villagers about Lu Qing’s rapid progress since becoming Old Doctor Chen’s disciple, convinced him that Lu Qing’s talent was extraordinary.
Realizing this, the chief steward decided to establish a good relationship with this rare martial prodigy. Thus, the Wei family’s generous gifts were not only to thank Old Doctor Chen but also to build rapport with this master and disciple.
After presenting Lu Qing’s gifts, the gifts for Xiao Yan were simpler—just some jewelry and clothing that young girls liked. Though not cheap, they were far less valuable than Lu Qing’s gifts.
“Old Doctor Chen, Young Master Lu, we will now escort our young master back home. When you visit the county in the future, please be sure to come to our Wei residence so we can properly host you,” the chief steward said, bowing.
“If we visit the county, we will certainly pay a visit. Have a safe journey back,” Old Doctor Chen replied.
“Thank you for your kind words.”
The chief steward bowed again to Old Doctor Chen and Lu Qing before turning to the guards. “Let’s head back!”
At his command, the guards swiftly moved into action. The sturdy Tendons and Bones Realm guards lifted the palanquin gently and began descending the mountain path. Despite the uneven terrain, the palanquin remained steady, without any noticeable jolts.
As everyone started to descend, the chief steward, following behind, turned to bow once more to Old Doctor Chen and Lu Qing before finally making his way down the mountain.