Chapter 6

(Listen, listen, listen (Major Chapter, please support with votes!))

Wang Cheng stood at the entrance of the classroom, took a deep breath, and firmly held the letter containing secrets given to him by his mother.

Renhetang is located on the ancient street of Jiangzhou.

As an ancient city, Jiangzhou has done a good job in protecting its cultural heritage, with many ancient buildings perfectly preserved. Walking down the ancient street feels like stepping back into the Qing Dynasty, except for the white legs of people in summer.

Wang Cheng, along with his sister Wang Yuan and Zhang Xuan who came with him, arrived at the entrance of Renhetang.

"Xiao Cheng has come, come in quickly, the old man was just talking about you."

As soon as Wang Cheng appeared in the hall, Feng Xihé, who was on duty today, hurried over and warmly said. He is the third disciple of Elder Li Mushi.

Seeing the bandage on Wang Cheng's head, Feng Xihé asked with concern, "What happened to your head?"

Wang Cheng smiled and said, "I felt the old man's thoughts, so I came. I just fell and hit my head when I was coming down the mountain today, but it's nothing serious."

Feng Xihé naturally saw that Wang Cheng's head was just a minor injury, so he nodded with a smile and looked at Wang Yuan, saying, "That's good. This is Yuan Yuan, right? She's so pretty. Are you out with your brother today?"

Wang Yuan nodded obediently. She had been here several times: "Yes, Uncle Feng, hello."

"Ha ha ha, Yuan Yuan finally spoke! Good, let's go in. We have guests today, and the master is having tea. We can go in together."

Feng Xihé said with a smile, looking very pleased.

Because, whenever Wang Yuan and Wang Cheng came, they never spoke, not to anyone. No matter how people here tried to engage her, she would just look at them.

But this little girl was so cute.

Feng Xihé was so happy that Wang Yuan greeted him, which showed how much he liked her.

Wang Cheng asked curiously, "Who came? Is it Old Huang again?" After thinking for a moment, he decided it probably wasn't. If it were Old Huang, Old Feng wouldn't deliberately bring them to disturb him. It must be someone Elder Li doesn't like to entertain.

Huang Baoguo, also known as Old Huang, is a typical name from the 1950s and 1960s. He is also a skilled doctor, but not from Jiangzhou. He is from Qingzhou, which is separated from Jiangzhou by a river. Because the distance is close, he often comes to Jiangzhou to exchange ideas with Old Li. Wang Cheng has met him a few times and knows that Old Huang is skilled in prescribing medicine and has a few family recipes that are popular in the south.

Feng Xihé shook his head and said, "It's not Old Huang. It's the director of the city hospital, Zhang Qiangyuan. He wants to invite the master to be an expert consultant at the hospital next month."

Wang Cheng raised an eyebrow and smiled, "They still haven't given up?"

Feng Xihé also nodded helplessly.

The City People's Hospital has long wanted to recruit Elder Li and his disciples. They visited Old Li multiple times, first trying to buy Renhetang, offering a price ten times the land value, but Old Li directly refused, saying it was a family business and could not be sold.

Then, they invited Old Li to work at the People's Hospital multiple times, but he also refused.

Once, the hospital director brought a patient from the north to seek treatment. Old Li, seeing that they had come to the door, could not refuse and treated the patient. The entire hospital had checked the patient for nearly a month using all kinds of high-tech methods but could not find the cause of the illness, yet Old Li cured the patient with one dose of medicine. Since then, the hospital director, Zhang Qiangyuan, has been even more eager to have Old Li, visiting almost every month.

When Wang Cheng came to help with the medicine last time, he met Director Zhang, who liked to put on airs and act important, which Wang Cheng did not like.

"This is my classmate, just here to play."

Seeing Zhang Xuan, Wang Cheng casually explained. Feng Xihé nodded and led the three of them into the back hall.

Zhang Xuan bit her lip and followed, thinking to herself, "It seems you all are adults, and I'm just a kid. Humph."

After passing through a corridor, they arrived at a study. The scent of books filled the air, and the shelves on both walls were almost entirely filled with ancient books, along with some modern medical references.

In the middle, a redwood tea table held two cups of tea. Elder Li, dressed in a white Tang suit, was drinking tea and talking softly with a middle-aged man in a black suit. Hearing footsteps, Elder Li looked up and, upon seeing Wang Cheng and the others, his usually stern face broke into a warm smile.

"Xiao Cheng, you're injured?"

He first noticed the bandage on Wang Cheng's head.

Elder Li Mushi asked with concern.

Feng Xihé left after bringing Wang Cheng here, as he still had to attend to patients in the front.

"Elder Li, I want you to check my pulse."

Wang Cheng directly stated his purpose, glancing at the middle-aged man in the suit, who was the hospital director, Zhang Qiangyuan, and ignored him.

Elder Li Mushi looked deeply at Wang Cheng, examining his complexion and breathing rate, his expression gradually becoming more serious. "Come over here."

Wang Cheng stepped forward and extended his wrist. Elder Li Mushi, with his elderly hands spotted with age, gently placed them on Wang Cheng's wrist. The strong pulse beat stimulated his fingers.

This was definitely different from Wang Cheng's previous pulse.

Elder Li Mushi's expression became even more serious. He naturally knew Wang Cheng's condition, a congenital heart disease, a hereditary condition for which he had no solution. Fortunately, Wang Cheng had studied many medical books, adjusted his body, and controlled his emotions, and over the years, his condition had improved to the point where he was almost as healthy as a normal person, and he could definitely live to be thirty.

But now, Wang Cheng's pulse was clearly that of a vibrant young person, with no issues with his heart, even stronger than most young people, and not much different from some martial artists.

"What happened?"

Elder Li Mushi asked urgently, frowning. This was hard to explain. Congenital heart disease, especially of the heart, is almost incurable. Even a heart transplant wouldn't extend life much. But now, it had inexplicably healed?

Wang Cheng honestly replied, "I don't know. I fell and passed out, and when I woke up, I felt different. I didn't believe it, so I came to you, Elder Li, to check if it's really healed."

Elder Li Mushi, though skeptical, nodded affirmatively, "It's really healed. You must have been destined to live longer. Ha ha!" He stroked his chin and laughed, feeling very relieved. He had always liked Wang Cheng, a quiet and studious young man who could remain calm at a young age. Given time, he would surely become a great talent, but his body had always been a hindrance. Now, that was gone.

Although the situation was strange, it was a good thing.

In recent years, he had studied many ancient medical texts, partly out of pity for Wang Cheng, not wanting such a talented person to die young. He had been searching for a way to prolong life but had found nothing, so he had always been worried.

Now, he could finally rest easy.

Wang Yuan and Zhang Xuan were somewhat confused but understood that Wang Cheng's illness had healed.

What illness?

Wang Yuan didn't know, and Zhang Xuan knew even less.

So, he had an illness. No wonder his grades had been getting worse, and he had to take care of his sister and work part-time. He had an illness too!

Zhang Xuan felt a softness in her heart, almost to the point of tears.

How much had he endured? Compared to him, she felt like a flower in a greenhouse, enjoying the sun without experiencing any hardships. Zhang Xuan felt ashamed, having always thought he was a delinquent who wasted his studies. She had wronged him.

Wang Cheng felt a great sense of relief. The sword hanging over his head for years was gone. He sat down in a chair and laughed, "Elder Li, don't praise me. Ha ha, it was an accident. Maybe it's a new condition that hasn't shown up yet. I'll still need to be careful."

Elder Li Mushi nodded appreciatively. He valued Wang Cheng's calmness and lack of impatience. It was a pity he couldn't take him as a disciple.

Thinking about it, if he had taken Wang Cheng as a disciple, what would he teach him?

He was at a loss. The medical books in his room were more familiar to Wang Cheng, who could recite them almost by heart and had a deep understanding of traditional Chinese medicine.

"Alright, it's good that you're better. I can finally sleep well."

Elder Li Mushi said, relaxing.

Wang Yuan suddenly asked, "Grandpa Li, is my brother really better?"

Elder Li Mushi looked at the little girl with affection and smiled, "Yes, your brother can now run, jump, and even fly. Nothing will hold him back."

Zhang Xuan understood the implications. Had he been so quiet and well-behaved because of his illness?

Cough!

The hospital director, Zhang Qiangyuan, coughed. The old man had ignored him when the children came in, which was awkward. He coughed again, and seeing everyone look at him, he maintained a smile and said, "Elder Li, are these your...?"

He didn't remember Wang Cheng or the others. Even if he had seen Wang Cheng, he hadn't paid much attention, as Wang Cheng had occasionally come to Renhetang to pick up medicine and hadn't spoken, acting like a young assistant. As a high-ranking official, he wouldn't pay attention to such minor figures.

Elder Li smiled, "Director Zhang, this young man is Wang Cheng. He sometimes helps out in my shop."

Zhang Qiangyuan looked at Wang Cheng curiously, "Oh? Is he your last disciple?"

Elder Li shook his head and smiled bitterly, "I wish, but I don't have that luck. Wang Cheng's medical skills are not much worse than mine, but he lacks practical experience. If Director Zhang could hire Wang Cheng to your hospital, he would be just as good as me."

Zhang Xuan was stunned. Was Wang Cheng that skilled? Could he practice independently? Not much worse than Elder Li? If it weren't for the setting, she would have exclaimed in surprise.

Wang Yuan nodded matter-of-factly, believing her brother was the best.

Zhang Qiangyuan's face turned sour. A 16-17-year-old boy, you want me to hire him as an expert? Elder Li, if you don't want to go, you don't have to fool me.

Suppressing his anger, Zhang Qiangyuan didn't want to stay any longer. Elder Li had already refused, so he stood up and said coldly, "I have other matters. Elder Li, I'll take my leave. The hospital still has a lot to do. I hope you'll consider my proposal carefully."

He didn't mention Wang Cheng or even look at him.

Wang Cheng sat quietly, indifferent, and scanned the bookshelves, looking for a book he hadn't read or fully understood, thinking he could take it home to study later.

Elder Li frowned slightly, knowing Zhang Qiangyuan didn't believe him and thought he was fooling him. He sighed, not bothering to argue, and said, "Since Director Zhang has other matters, I won't keep you. I'm used to freedom and might not fit into your system. So, thank you for your offer."

Earlier, Director Zhang had offered him a deputy director position, in charge of the traditional Chinese medicine department.

Director Zhang nodded, glanced at Wang Cheng, and was about to leave.

At that moment, a commotion came from the front hall.

"Help my senior brother quickly, or I'll smash this place up."

A loud voice echoed from the front.

Elder Li Mushi's face darkened. Renhetang was a century-old brand in Jiangzhou, and anyone who came here would show some respect and not make a loud fuss, especially since Elder Li was a renowned traditional Chinese medicine practitioner. In these times, who wouldn't want to know a few miracle doctors to ensure their health?

So, no one dared to act recklessly at Renhetang, let alone in front of Elder Li.

"Hmph."

Elder Li Mushi huffed and walked to the front hall.

Wang Cheng followed with the two girls, saying softly, "The patient might be seriously injured, and the family is very upset. Don't take it to heart, Elder Li."

Elder Li Mushi didn't respond.

In the front hall, a group of people were making a commotion. Feng Xihé was examining a patient on a stretcher, and a few assistants were trying to calm the others.

When Elder Li Mushi appeared, the scene immediately quieted down. The muscular men in tank tops also stopped, and the assistants breathed a sigh of relief.

"How is it?"

Elder Li Mushi didn't pursue the commotion, looking at Feng Xihé, who was examining the patient. A doctor's compassion was evident in him.

The man on the stretcher was a well-built middle-aged man, clearly a martial artist from his muscular arms.

In fact, Wang Cheng recognized him.

This was Liu Qing from the Liuhe Boxing Club, who had challenged Changhe Taoist at Zangding Temple that morning. Wang Cheng had heard his voice and fallen inside Zangding, leading to his unconsciousness and the mysterious healing of his congenital heart disease.

In a way, he owed Liu Qing a debt of gratitude.

At that moment, Liu Qing lay on the stretcher, his face slightly blue, eyes closed, and no visible wounds on his body.

A tall man came to Feng Xihé and Elder Li, saying, "Elder Li, I apologize for the intrusion. We were just too anxious."

The Liuhe Boxing Club had been around in Jiangzhou for many years and knew about Renhetang. As martial artists, they often suffered injuries and couldn't afford to offend doctors.

Elder Li Mushi's expression remained calm, and he nodded, accepting the apology, and asked, "What happened?"

The man explained, "This morning, Master Liu went to Zangding Temple to challenge Changhe Taoist. They fought for several rounds, and then Master Liu fell unconscious. Changhe Taoist said Renhetang could treat him, so we brought Master Liu here."

Jiangzhou has three major martial arts places: the Liuhe Boxing Club, the Tai Chi Club, and Zangding Temple. The Liuhe and Tai Chi Clubs often had conflicts because they competed for business, but Zangding Temple didn't pay much attention to them. As a national cultural unit with a cultural relic license, it was funded by the state and occasionally received large cultural subsidies, so it didn't need to compete for business.

However, martial artists are naturally competitive. Changhe Taoist, who was in charge of martial arts at Zangding Temple, sometimes sparred with experts from the other two clubs, leading to some conflicts and grudges.

As the saying goes, there is no first in literature, but there is a second in martial arts.

Martial artists all want to be the best and the strongest.

Sometimes, they couldn't control themselves during sparring, leading to conflicts. Over time, Zangding Temple and the other two clubs developed tensions. Occasionally, someone would go up the mountain to challenge Changhe Taoist, ostensibly to learn but actually to show him a lesson and undermine the reputation of Wusheng Mountain.

Changhe Taoist's strikes became increasingly severe, as the challengers were not friendly.

Feng Xihé examined Liu Qing and shook his head at Elder Li Mushi, indicating that Liu Qing had no pulse, his heart had stopped, and he was dead.

Elder Li Mushi frowned. This was a serious matter, involving a life.

If Liu Qing died here, even though the main responsibility would be on Changhe Taoist at Zangding Temple, Renhetang's reputation would suffer, as the death occurred here.

Elder Li Mushi took Liu Qing's hand and checked his pulse, which was indeed still. He checked his breathing and the pulse in his neck, finding no signs of life.

Was he really dead?

But why did the old Taoist send him here?

Was it to spite him?

Elder Li Mushi was puzzled. He knew Changhe Taoist but didn't understand what the old Taoist was up to.

The others from the Liuhe Boxing Club were tense.

Elder Li Mushi was about to announce Liu Qing's death, though he was reluctant, he was not one to avoid responsibility.

"Elder Li, may I take a look?"

A voice caught everyone's attention.

It was Wang Cheng speaking.