Chapter 3, The Wandering Physician

Of course, it is great, just like hiking, and there will also be hot water

The old woman was taken aback, her face showing signs of displeasure. She went out to the hall and brought back a large basket of garlic, which she threw onto the dining table before turning and leaving.

The dishes are served, with white rice and steamed cured meat sausage, filling the air with a delightful aroma

This person is approximately 60 years old, emaciated, with dark skin, and a long horse-like face covered in purple pimples. His bulging eyeballs have more white than black, and he smiles at Yi Shiqi, revealing a set of uneven yellow teeth

The old woman walked through the door and immediately caught sight of the poisonous spider skin, her expression changing at once

Igu did not pay any attention, crushing the garlic and putting it into his mouth, while Yishiqi also ate a few cloves of raw garlic.

The venomous spider crawled up along the rafter from the window sill, eventually stopping at a spot directly above the head of the bed on the ceiling. It then turned its body around and, using a silk thread that hung down from its abdomen, silently descended.

Yishiqi also politely nodded. People from the Xiang and Qian regions are generally not very tall, and this person, with his naturally unusual appearance, must possess some strengths

Yishiqi was taken aback and was about to shout when he suddenly heard a commotion coming from the porcelain vase by his pillow. To his astonishment, he discovered a small golden-yellow head protruding from the mouth of the vase, shaped like a silkworm. Could this be the golden silkworm?

Hmm, something seems off, but I can't quite put my finger on it.

Yishiqi readily agreed, taking out the newly purchased GPS satellite positioning device from his backpack, inputting the coordinates to activate the system, being prepared for any eventuality

Igudu sniffed the air with his nose raised and leaned in to whisper: "Teacher Yi, this place https://mhetushu.com.com is a bit strange, tonight you will follow my lead, and you must not speak."

Yishiqi pretended to have just woken up, responding vaguely. Since Yigu did not speak, it was better for him not to reveal the truth either

How can one determine if a patient has been cursed?" Yi Shiqi asked eagerly

At dusk, the two of them got off the train at a small station

Igu looked around with his eyes and said in a lowered voice: "This room is exceptionally clean, without a speck of dust. There isn't even a single cobweb in the corners of the ceiling. How could an old woman manage to clean it? This place must be a hiding spot for sorcery."

Yigu's eyes lit up as he said, "Is there really someone still practicing witchcraft now? Alright, I will go with you."

As the sky gradually darkened, the two set off along the small path indicated by the local villager. In a moment, the moon rose over the eastern mountains, and the mountain path became clearly discernible. In the distance, the mountains and forests appeared hazy, while fireflies could be seen wandering in the woods, their faint lights twinkling here and there, occasionally accompanied by the calls of owls.

Yishiqi asked: "How to treat after being cursed?"

***

The old woman went to the hall to prepare the meal, and in the desolate village surrounded by mountains and fields, it was nothing more than some cured meats and smoked sausages, which in fact were quite good

After a night of jolting on the train, at dawn, the train stopped at an unknown small station. Yi Shiqi poked his head out from the sleeper compartment, gazing at the misty scenery outside the window, and couldn't help but frown.

The route found on the computer before departure had a significant discrepancy with reality. This small station should have a country path leading to Xihua's hometown, Shanyin Village, but upon inquiring after getting off the bus, it turned out to be a mountain road of forty li.

***

Yishiqi stared wide-eyed at the ridge of the shed, thinking that deep in the mountains of Yunnan and Guizhou, he would find himself lying in a wild thatched cottage, the atmosphere so eerie, tonight would surely be a sleepless night

Yishiqi was momentarily taken aback, offered an apologetic smile, and casually struck up a conversation with that person

The moonlight was hazy, filtering through the window lattice and casting a gentle glow upon the bed

Yishi nodded slightly. The two of them knocked on the door of a thatched cottage. An elderly woman with a gray bun opened the door, inquired about their purpose, hesitated for a moment, and ultimately allowed them to enter.

Igudu smiled and said, "I am used to walking in the mountains. We can find a farmhouse where we can eat and stay for only 10 to 20 yuan."

In the past, I only learned from books about the ancient practice of raising Gu in the Yunnan-Guizhou region. Now, seeing how powerful the Gu worms are, not only driving away mosquitoes, spiders, and ants from within the house, but also silencing the chirping of insects in the surrounding wilderness, I cannot help but feel a chill run down my spine

"What?" Yishiqi exclaimed in astonishment

Having crossed a mountain peak, a water pool faintly appears under the moonlight, its surface as smooth as a mirror, reflecting a bright moon. By the poolside, several thatched cottages stand, and wisps of white smoke from cooking rise into the air, seemingly frozen in place. The world is silent, creating a tranquil scene that evokes deep admiration from Yi Shiqi.

It was truly a breathtaking scene, and Yi Shiqi dared not sleep any longer; he kept his vigilant eyes open until the rooster crowed three times

Dian Gu is a type of Gu from the Zhuang ethnic group, made from highly toxic snake fungi buried underground, prepared during the Dragon Boat Festival when the Yang energy is at its peak. Those afflicted by the Gu display an expression that is neither crying nor smiling, an extraordinarily terrifying sight. In contrast, our Miao people prefer to use the Golden Silkworm Gu, " explained Yigu.

Yishiqi turned his head to look at the porcelain vase beside Yigudu's pillow. What could be inside? The vase is wide at the belly and narrow at the mouth, adorned with a certain totemic design. Perhaps it contains some volatile substance that could ward off evil spirits and dispel curses.

"Do you know of any illness that can cause a person to die with a strange expression on their face, as if they are smiling but not really?" Yi Shiqi casually asked, not expecting this rural doctor to provide an answer.

The western region of the Wumeng Mountains spans across the provinces of Yunnan and Guizhou, characterized by overlapping peaks and deep valleys, with sparse population. This area largely retains the original landscape of the Yungui Plateau

Yishiqi silently ate a bowl of instant noodles, his mind constantly dwelling on that second email

A thought stirred in Yishiqi's mind; he had sensed something amiss on the mountaintop earlier, and now he understood: it was the sound. A night in the wilderness could not possibly be silent without any noise.

Just as the venomous spider was about to land on the bed, a flash of golden light appeared, and the golden silkworm had already leaped into the air, accurately landing on the back of the venomous spider. The venomous spider swayed its body left and right in an attempt to shake off the golden silkworm, but to no avail, as the sharp beak of the golden silkworm had already pierced into the back of the spider's neck. In a short while, the venomous spider began to spasm and shake, its body gradually shrinking, while the golden silkworm slowly swelled up.

Yishiqi saw Yigudu take out a small porcelain bottle from his bosom, remove the cork, and place it beside the pillow, then blow out the oil lamp and lie down

Igu smiled and said, "Garlic, when eaten raw, causes vomiting if one is affected by poison. Additionally, in the corners of the walls of those who raise poison or are afflicted by it, there are absolutely no traces of spider webs or mosquitoes."

At this moment, Yi Shiqi felt a slight warmth in his chest, and upon touching it, he realized it was that segment of bone. It was strange, as a bony substance should be cool in nature.

Mr. Yigudu, I have a friend who may have been afflicted by a curse. I wonder if you could accompany me on a trip; the expenses will be as you say. The urgency in Yi Shiqi's expression was evident.

Yishiqi sighed, realizing that he would have to spend the night in the waiting room of this small station. He shrugged apologetically at Yigudu.

Igudu looked at the old woman and said, "Please give us some garlic."

"Gu." Yigu said

Spiders generally possess venom, especially those with bright colors, which are extremely poisonous. Yi Shiqi nervously stared at the venomous spider, observing what it intended to do.

Boss, thinking too much while eating will lead to indigestion said the tall man with a strong accent

After finishing their post-meal washing up, the two went to bed to sleep

This person is a Miao doctor named Yigudu, who has spent many years traveling through the regions of Hunan, Guizhou, Yunnan, and Tibet, belonging to the category of barefoot itinerant healers

The man sat in the chair by the aisle, his head comfortably surpassing the height of the middle bunk, and his gaze happened to intersect with that of Yishiqi

A wisp of the fragrance of forest soil wafted through the window frame, the essence of nature. Under the moonlight, an object was moving on the window frame. Yi Shiqi focused his gaze and saw that it was a spider, a vividly colored large spider, about the size of a ping pong ball

At this moment, the segment of bone in Yishiqi's chest began to heat up again, as if sensing the approach of danger

Among the newly arrived travelers, one person caught his attention. This was a very tall and thin man, dressed in Miao ethnic headgear, estimated to be around two meters tall, standing a good half head taller than the other travelers

Finally, the five-colored poisonous spider transformed into a thin layer of skin, quietly lying beside the pillow, while the golden silkworm jumped back into the mouth of the porcelain bottle and squeezed inside

Yi Shiqi felt a secret joy upon hearing this, and thus provided a brief introduction to Li Xihua's general situation. Yigu was also a straightforward person, and the two engaged in a very congenial conversation, feeling as if they had known each other for a long time. Yi Shiqi had long forgotten about the matter of his fingers feeling hot.

"Demonic Gu." Yigu's tone was very certain

This depends on which type of Gu is being considered, as the medical methods vary. However, Western medicine has no treatment for it, because they have never believed in Gu. Yigu disdainfully curled his lip.

"Did you sleep well last night?" Yigu asked with concern

The Miao doctor beside me has long fallen asleep, emitting faint snoring sounds

The day finally broke, and Yigu stretched and sat up after yawning. He reached out to pick up the spider silk, examined it, and murmured with satisfaction in his throat. Then he grabbed a porcelain bottle, sealed it tightly, and tucked it into his bosom