Chapter Seven, The Wandering Physician of the Jianghu

Xiabashan's face was flushed: "If Master Miao does not believe it, then Xia has nothing more to say. If you wish to kill, then go ahead."

"Mountain Ghost", what is that? Mo Can has never heard of it

Xiabashan called Mo Can to come closer and instructed him: "You stay at home and watch the shop until I return"

Mo Can sat down and began to converse with the old man, whose name was Shi Yuhe. He was from Langzhou in Sichuan. The little girl was picked up from the roadside, born mute. Seeing her pitiable condition, he had kept her by his side and named her Yu'er. It has been six or seven years now. Shi Yuhe inquired about Mo Can's family situation, and Mo Can answered truthfully. The two found a great rapport in their conversation

At dusk, as Mo Can was about to close the door, he suddenly saw three figures standing in the rain, wearing bamboo hats and cloaked in raincoats, with long swords hanging at their waists, leading horses and silently staring at the Ba Mountain Medical Hall

Mo Can generally is not good at interacting with strangers. Just as he was hesitating about how to start a conversation when he approached, the old man happened to put down his bowl and chopsticks and raised his head, their gazes meeting unexpectedly.

It is not necessarily the case; there are many who merely fill the ranks in the world of martial arts. Xia Bashan said disdainfully

The Shennongjia area spans several thousand miles, characterized by towering mountains and dense forests, with sparse human habitation. It is a treasure trove of medicinal herbs, abundant in various medicinal materials that are highly sought after by practitioners of medicine. Not only are there numerous precious Chinese herbal medicines such as Ganoderma lucidum, Panax notoginseng, Gastrodia elata, Fritillaria cirrhosa, and Dendrobium nobile, but also unique local varieties like a bowl of water from the river, a branch of seven-leaf flower, and Rhodiola rosea. In summary, this place is rich in countless high-quality medicinal materials, and even after all these years, I still often dream of it," the old man sighed.

The person was a thin old man dressed in a gray robe, carrying a medicine box on his back and shaking a string of bells in his hand. He held a sign with black characters on a white background, which read "Ancestral Secret Recipe, Blessing of the Thirteen Categories." Beside him was a little girl, about seven or eight years old.

Good wine, everyone praised.

The old man chuckled upon hearing this: "My medical skills are just passable, I suppose they are adequate. Why, is someone ill?"

At the time of parting, Shi Yuhe lowered his voice and said: "Do not underestimate, little brother, this vest of yours is not made of ordinary fur. When you go into the mountains to gather herbs, be sure not to take it off, as it can protect you from poisonous insects and miasma. Remember this well"

The carriage has been hired, equipped with a tarpaulin for shelter from the rain, and the coachman is a taciturn and lean man

Mo Can stood by, utterly astonished.

Are we leaving tonight?" Xiabashan glanced at the rain outside.

Certainly, the most skilled techniques are tooth extraction, mole removal, cataract treatment, and insect catching. For instance, using a bone-separating powder for tooth extraction, it will fall out in half the time of a stick of incense, and a mole will fall off overnight. These exceptional skills have always been kept secret, passed down only between master and apprentice

After several days of tumultuous travel, they finally arrived at Xuzhou City in the evening of this day

The waiter brought over two or three jars of wine and said warmly, "Sir, you are not from around here, are you? This is the famous 'mixed grain wine' of the region, brewed from five types of grains. Every passing merchant drinks this wine. Would you like to give it a try?"

I do not know either," Mo Can shook his head

Mr. Xia pondered that having someone accompany him on the journey would prevent loneliness; moreover, allowing this child to gain some experience in the outside world would be beneficial. Thus, he nodded in agreement and instructed him to pack his belongings

Well, it seems we can only set off tomorrow morning. Let's request two excellent guest rooms and stay at this inn for the night, " instructed Master Miao.

In the urban areas of the prefectures and counties, there are clinics, making it easy to seek medical treatment and obtain medicine. However, in the countryside, transportation is inconvenient, and patients can only rely on itinerant doctors who travel from village to village for medical care. These itinerant doctors, named after the iron bell they ring while practicing medicine, are also referred to as "wandering physicians." Their origins can be traced back to Bian Que and have been passed down through Hua Tuo to the present day

"Mo Can, close the door," commanded Xia Bashan

I would like to accompany you, as it would be convenient to attend to the gentleman and also allow me to broaden my horizons. Apart from Dali City, I have not been anywhere else.

The old leader suffered from a stroke and was in a state of coma; at that time, his pulse resembled that of a fish swimming, and his heart's energy had completely ceased. It was not that Doctor Xia had caused his death, but rather that there was fundamentally no medicine that could cure him

At this moment, the sound of bells gradually approached from outside. Xiabashan pointed it out to Mo Can, saying: "This is the sound of the bell used by the bell doctor, also known as 'Tiger Support', which is the signature of itinerant doctors."

Rest assured, I will not let Mr. Xia be drenched by the rain," Master Miao instructed his attendants, "You two go and hire a carriage.

In early spring in western Yunnan, a fine misty rain falls

The elder nodded, returned the shoulder cape to Mo Can, and with a slight smile said, "Young brother, it seems you have something to discuss with me"

Xiabashan sniffed with his nose and smacked his lips: "This is Yibin Chen's 'Mixed Grain Wine', brewed from five types of grains: soybeans, rice, sorghum, glutinous rice, and buckwheat. It truly has a long-lasting aroma, a rich flavor, and is extremely sweet and refreshing on the palate"

Xiabashan took a deep breath, eagerly picked up the bowl, and drank it all in one go, smacking his lips continuously, closing his eyes as if savoring it infinitely

The two attendants of Master Miao found Mo Can and called him back to the inn

The three major methods of traditional medicine are "Topping, Stringing, and Cutting." Topping refers to the upward action of medication, which induces vomiting; Stringing pertains to the downward action of medication, which causes diarrhea; Cutting involves using methods such as sweating to induce vomiting and diarrhea to intercept diseases. There are a total of nine Topping methods, thirteen Stringing methods, and seventy-two Cutting secret techniques. In summary, the effectiveness of medication should be rapid, the cost of the medicine should be low, and it should be convenient to gather and use at any time.

"It was sewn by my mother." Mo Can felt that this old man was quite amusing

What is "Huang He Dan"? "Do not ask about the remnants."

Beneath the large camphor tree in front, there is a signboard of a time-honored inn.

Mo Can continued to inquire about the situation in Shennongjia and expressed his desire to go there to gather medicinal herbs

Mo Can does not drink alcohol, and after having a full meal, he sits alone, feeling bored. He then stands up and says he will take a stroll outside on the street. Shabashan reminds him not to wander too far and to return early.

In those years, Xia Bashan was a wandering physician in the martial world. While practicing medicine in Badong, he was invited to treat the ailing leader of the Wushan Gang, Min. Most itinerant doctors are eloquent, often boasting about "ancestral secret prescriptions" and "cures at the first dose," typically speaking in grand terms. However, when he examined the patient’s pulse, he was immediately taken aback. The old leader was suffering from a stroke, with a dark face, red eyes, and unable to speak, his vital energy already extinguished, and his pulse exhibiting the characteristics of a seven-deficient pulse and a fish-leaping pulse. Alas, he could only blame himself for his momentary confusion; knowing full well that the condition was beyond remedy, he still administered the Huanghe Dan. As a result, the old leader passed away the next day. Taking advantage of the chaos within the gang, Xia Bashan quickly slipped away. Afterward, he heard that the Wushan Gang was searching for him everywhere, convinced that he was responsible for the death of Leader Min. Xia Bashan dared not practice medicine in the Sichuan and Hubei regions any longer and had no choice but to leave the Central Plains and seek refuge in the western Yunnan.

"Yes, Master." The person replied

Where can one find medicinal herbs that have grown for a thousand years

Can it really cure all ailments? Mo Can is not quite convinced

This ... ... said Shabashan, "It is merely a coincidence; in fact, the pharmacology is not very clear either"

It is said to resemble a humanoid figure, tall in stature, with a black face covered in fur, having backward-facing feet, and is exceptionally fierce, with a penchant for cannibalism, the old man explained to him

Xiabashan said with a bitter smile: "The dosage of the medicine is extremely heavy, intended to take effect immediately after consumption, astonishing and convincing the patients. Consequently, the price of the remaining medicine naturally becomes high. As for whether the patients recover, that is no longer a concern. Therefore, the doctor only stays in each place for at most one or two days."

As dusk falls, the streets are bustling with people, and the air is filled with the enticing aroma of spicy and numbing flavors. This is the stall of the locally famous snack "Xufu Ranmian". The noodles are loose, bright red in color, and interspersed with spicy and numbing elements. They are rich in oil and devoid of water, igniting instantly upon contact with fire, hence the name "Ranmian"

May I borrow a glance from the old man? The elder smiled kindly

The old man held the vest, turning it over and over in his hands, brushing his fingers against the soft gray fur. He brought it to his nose and sniffed it, his expression growing increasingly serious. Finally, he spoke: "Where did you buy this vest?"

At home

Xuzhou, formerly known as "Bozhou", is a significant hub for both land and water at the junction of Sichuan and Yunnan. Upon entering the city, one finds the streets bustling with people coming and going, and the air is permeated with a faint aroma of wine

The three individuals did not respond, secured the horse, and walked straight through the door, with raindrops falling all around.

Before long, the attendant sent by Master Miao returned and reported: "Master, the boat has been hired, and we will set off early tomorrow morning, heading directly to Padang"

At this moment, Mo Can's heart was filled with deep regret. If it were not for his own piece of old Tianma, he would not have brought about the calamity that befell Mr. Xia. He was contemplating whether or not to reveal the truth.

During the journey, Mr. Xia recounted the process of how he became entangled with the Wushan Gang

The leader of the Miao clan nodded and said: "This is excellent, so please have Mr. Xia set off for Badong immediately."

"Where is Badong? Is it far?" Mo Can asked

Mo Can ran back into the house, took down the remaining bag of old Tianma slices and a few pieces of clothing to make a bundle, then carefully wrapped the book "Essentials of Acupoint Techniques" and hid it back in a secret place in the beams, after all, he had read it many times and could almost recite it from memory

Do not linger on the past, the old man shook the bell overhead and said: "His medical skills must be quite remarkable"

***

Mo Can said with a sound of "Hmm": "Old man, I see that you hold the bell high above your head, your medical skills must be quite remarkable"

Mo Can, with a heart devoid of lingering attachments, gazed around, hoping to find the old doctor Ling who had just passed by on the street

The old man looked at Mo Can with surprise: "There are certainly medicinal herbs that are a thousand years old, but they are not something an ordinary person can obtain. Not to mention the venomous insects and fierce beasts, if one were to encounter a mountain spirit, they would surely leave no trace behind. In those years, I only dared to wander around the outskirts of Shennongjia, gathering some common herbs, and I would never have the audacity to step into the deep mountains and forests."

I must take my leave, as I have to catch a boat to Badong early tomorrow morning. Mo Can reluctantly stood up to bid farewell

Through the narration of Xiaba Mountain, Mo Can gained a general understanding of the profession of itinerant doctors in the martial arts world

The old man sneered and said: "Back then, you caused the death of the old leader. I never expected you to hide in this remote area of western Yunnan, making it easy for the brothers in the gang to find you"

Watching Mo Can walk away, Shi Yuhe raised his eyes to the night sky, pondering for a long time, then lowered his head and said to Yu'er: "It seems that I need to take a trip to western Yunnan."

The old man's puzzled gaze scrutinized Mo Can: "From your accent, young brother, you must be from the western part of Yunnan, right"

The leader of the苗堂 glanced at Mo Can, who was standing nearby, but since he was just a child, he paid him no mind

Mo Canxin was pondering that since Mr. Xia did not bring the heavenly herb, it was certain that he would not be able to cure that young leader, and the outcome was undoubtedly death. He had once been turned away from Xinglin Hall and was taken in by Bashan Medical House, and Mr. Xia had always taken good care of him. If it were not for the trouble caused by the heavenly herb this time, the Miao leader and the others would not have found their way here. He could not just stand by and watch someone die, but how could he explain this to him?

The old man gazed at Mo Can, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, and said: "This young brother's pike shoulder is quite unique; is it made of rabbit fur?"

The medical bell is governed by certain conventions. Shaking it in front of the chest indicates a general practitioner, while shaking it at shoulder level signifies a higher level of medical skill. If it is shaken above the head, it indicates exceptional medical expertise," explained Xia Bashan

At this moment, Master Miao's expression softened, and he smiled slightly: "Mr. Xia, if I truly wanted your life, would I be wasting my breath with such nonsense? Now, the young master has also contracted the same illness. If you can cure him, we can wipe the slate clean, and there will be a handsome reward. What do you think?"

"Are you here to seek medical attention?" Mo Can asked

Xiabashan was taken aback upon hearing this. For these years, he had been evading the pursuit of the Wushan Gang, living in constant fear. Just when he was facing despair, a sudden turn of events brought him hope for survival, which naturally filled him with immense joy. He quickly replied, "Of course, of course, I, Xia, should certainly offer my services."

Many patients suffering from terminal illnesses have been cured by the old doctor Xia, yet the old leader remains beyond remedy

Dali," Mo Can replied

This is our ancestral prescription from Lingyi, named "Jie Yao," which means to "cut off" the illness. It is for men to use Huanghe Dan and for women to use Qing Nang Wan, which can cut off a hundred diseases

Since ancient times, there have been two routes out of Yunnan. The eastern route passes through Guizhou into Hubei, characterized by high mountains and treacherous, rugged paths that are difficult to traverse. The northern route allows for direct passage from Yunnan into Sichuan, where one can transfer to boats at Xuzhou Prefecture and travel downstream along the Yangtze River, which is relatively convenient. They are taking this very route

Well, it takes about a month for a round trip to Shennongjia in western Hubei" replied Xiabashan

Upon hearing this, Xiabashan emerged from his consultation room, looking at them with a puzzled expression

The leader of the Miao clan dismounted and said: "Everyone has had a long and tiring journey. Let us take a short rest here, and then we can change boats to continue down the Chuan River, which will take us directly to Badong."

Mr. Xia personally prepared several packets of Gastrodia elata soup herbs, handed them over to Mo Can for safekeeping, then locked the door, strapped the medicine box onto the horse-drawn carriage, and the group set off through the rain, leaving Dali City overnight

No need for that. The old man did not move his body; with a silent motion of his right hand, the two doors unexpectedly closed with a bang.

Mo Can took off the vest and handed it over

Then the old man asks you, is it true that the reputation of the Bashan Medical Clinic is widely known, and that the old doctor Xia has cured the Seven Absolute Pulse?

Mo Can sat in the carriage, and the scenic mountains, bustling markets, and local customs along the way were strikingly different from those in Dali, which greatly broadened his horizons

Oh," the old man continued to ask, "where does this fur come from"

I have long heard of the great reputation of Xuzhou's 'mixed grain wine', so today I shall indulge in a hearty drink, making this trip worthwhile. The owner Miao opened the clay seal, and a strong aroma of wine wafted towards me.

Shennongjia ... . ... Mo Can recalled that this place was mentioned in "Essentials of the Elimination of Meridians," where it is known as a habitat for no less than ten varieties of genuine medicinal herbs. If he could travel there, he might encounter several of them; this indeed presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity

After dismissing the carriage, he instructed his attendants to go to the dock by the river in the eastern part of the city to hire a boat, and to sell the horses on the spot. He then took Shabashan and Mo Can into the lobby of the inn to take a seat

At the corner of the street, he saw the old man and the little girl sitting in front of a stall eating noodles, with a cloth sign standing beside the table and a medicine box placed at their feet

Mo Can felt a twinge of fear in his heart, but upon reflection, he realized that it was precisely because obtaining "genuine medicine" was so difficult that it could still be found in the world. No matter how one looked at it, it was worth a try; perhaps he might be fortunate enough to come across a few, just like finding that old Tianma on Cangshan Mountain.

"No," Mo Can said hesitantly, "Sir, do you know about Shennongjia?"

"Xiabashan, do you still recognize this old man?" said one of the green-faced old men, who appeared to be in his fifties, with a Central Plains accent

Upon hearing this, Xiabashan's expression changed drastically: "You are the leader of the Miao sect..."

The old man was taken aback and said, "I went to gather herbs once when I was young"