Chapter 543: Cursed Grudge!

Jiang Feng opened his eyes and spat out a mouthful of turbid Qi.

The breath that left his mouth carried a faint black tint, a trace of the impurities and hidden injuries accumulated inside his body being expelled.

The turbid Qi dispersed in the air and vanished quickly.

He moved his body a bit, and a light crackling sound rang from his whole being, like beans being fried—crisp and pleasant to the ear.

At that moment he realized that the sky had already brightened.

After a night of cultivation, he felt no fatigue at all.

Not only was he not tired, he was invigorated, his whole body brimming with power.

What pleased him even more was that just the First Layer had already dissipated most of the hidden injuries inside him.

He could clearly feel his meridians had become wider than before, his dantian deeper, and even his divine consciousness sharper.

Most crucially, he could easily cut off the mental communication with Kun Long.

Previously, Kun Long could speak to him at any time; even if he didn't want to listen, he had to. Kun Long's nagging was sometimes unbearably annoying.

Moreover, Kun Long's presence was like a timed bomb that could go out of control at any moment.

Now he could sever the link with Kun Long whenever he wished, which steadied Jiang Feng's mind considerably.

The Void‑Nourishing Spirit method, truly a top‑grade technique lost for a thousand years on Kunlun.

Even the First Layer yields such results. If he could complete all Nine Layers, what would that achieve?

Thinking of this, Jiang Feng's resolve grew even stronger.

The mysterious man in black last night must also be a Kunlun master, perhaps even senior to his own master Xuan Yuan Zhenren.

Otherwise he could never have possessed the Void‑Nourishing Spirit method.

The old man Xuan Yuan Zhenren has been the strongest sect leader of Kunlun Mountain for a hundred years, yet he never found the Void‑Nourishing Spirit method, while that man in black could produce it effortlessly.

There is only one explanation.

That black‑clothed man's status is higher than the old man's.

Before the old man, there were a group of senior masters on Kunlun Mountain—some ascended, some roamed the clouds, some attained self‑immolation.

But some may still be alive, just unknown to anyone.

Could that black‑clothed man be one of them?

Jiang Feng thought for a while, couldn't figure it out, and simply gave up thinking.

Whoever he is, since he gave him the technique, it must be goodwill.

Jiang Feng recorded this gratitude.

After finishing breakfast, Jiang Feng left the house.

He drove his car toward Ji Shi Tang.

Jiang Feng stopped the car, pushed the door open, and walked in.

A faint herbal scent greeted him, giving a sense of reassurance.

Ji Shi Tang's business has always been good; the lobby was filled with many Patients.

Several apprentices were busy behind the counter, their movements skillful and their attitude enthusiastic.

Hua Lao sat behind the consultation table, taking the pulse of an elderly man.

Seeing Jiang Feng arrive, Hua Lao lifted his head, his face breaking into a delighted smile.

"Jiang Feng, you finally came!"

Hua Lao's voice was loud, tinged with excitement.

He stood up, walked to Jiang Feng's side, grasped his hand, and examined him from head to toe.

"You've been away these past days; we have several Patients I still can't figure out. Now that you're here, that's great—we'll go check them together."

Hua Lao's tone was full of expectation.

Jiang Feng nodded, smiling as he spoke.

"Hua Lao, you're too courteous. Just tell me what needs to be done."

Hua Lao waved his hand, chuckling warmly.

"With your medical skill, I'm not being courteous at all!"

He led Jiang Feng to the side of the consultation table and pointed at a few Patients waiting in line.

"I've examined these Patients, but something still feels off. Help me look; we'll diagnose together."

Jiang Feng nodded.

He took off his coat, hung it on the rack, and sat down beside the consultation table.

Compared with other roles, he still enjoys the process of treating and saving lives the most.

The Doctor's vocation is to heal the sick and save lives.

This has always been his original intention, never changed.

Jiang Feng began to take the Patient's pulse.

The first Patient was a middle‑aged man whose lower back had hurt for several years; he had seen many Doctors but none could cure him. Jiang Feng felt the pulse for a while, examined the tongue coating, asked a few questions, and quickly formed a judgment.

"You have cold‑dampness entered the body, combined with long‑term overwork, damaging your kidney Qi. I'll prescribe a formula for you; take it for a month and combine it with acupuncture, and it should improve."

Hua Lao listened beside him, nodded, and a look of admiration appeared on his face.

"I originally made the same judgment, but after taking the formula for a month, the effect was not obvious. What's different between your formula and mine?"

Jiang Feng picked up a pen, wrote a formula on the prescription, and handed it to Hua Lao.

Hua Lao took it, looked at it, and his eyes lit up.

"Oh? You added a dose of Aconite and reduced the amount of Poria."

Jiang Feng explained.

The patient has heavy cold‑dampness; Aconite warms Yang and dispels cold, its effect is better than dried ginger. Poria promotes water metabolism, but excessive dosage harms Yin, so I reduced it a bit.

Hua Lao nodded repeatedly, patting Jiang Feng's shoulder.

"Good, good, this formula is more appropriate than the one I prescribed. Jiang Feng, your medical skill has improved again."

Jiang Feng smiled modestly, saying nothing.

He then examined the second patient.

It was an elderly lady, with dizziness, ringing ears, insomnia and many dreams, lasting for several years. Jiang Feng took her pulse, inspected her tongue coating, asked a few questions, and quickly reached a judgment.

"You have hyperactive Liver Yang, with internal Liver Wind. I will prescribe a formula to pacify the liver, extinguish wind, and calm the spirit."

He wrote a prescription and handed it to Hua Lao.

Hua Lao looked it over and nodded again.

"The Gastrodia Hookvine Decoction, with adjustments, matches the condition."

Jiang Feng said.

"The elderly lady is advanced in age; the medicine must be gentle, not too harsh. I reduced the amount of Hookvine and added Sour Jujube Seed, which enhances the calming effect."

Hua Lao praised repeatedly.

Jiang Feng examined several more patients; some had simple colds and coughs, others had complex, puzzling ailments, and he handled them calmly, prescribing accordingly.

Hua Lao watched from beside him, silently admiring him in his heart.

This young man truly has excellent medical skill.

At that moment, a timid little girl walked over.

The girl was about seven or eight years old, thin and small, her face lacking color, eyes large, but her gaze carried a hint of fear.

She wore an old floral dress, sandals on her feet, and her toes were chilled and slightly reddened.

She walked to the examination table, looking at Jiang Feng timidly, unable to speak.

Hua Lao, seeing the little girl, hurriedly said.

"This little girl—I'm not sure why, but she has been suffering unbearable abdominal pain. She's also an old neighborhood resident of our lane, and her family's conditions aren't good; please take a look."

Hua Lao's tone carried a touch of pity.

Jiang Feng nodded, looked at the little girl, and a gentle smile appeared on his face.

"Little sister, don't be afraid. Come, stretch out your hand, uncle will take a look."

The girl hesitated briefly, then slowly extended her hand.

It was a pair of gaunt, bony arms, skin wax‑yellow, veins clearly visible. Her fingers were thin, like bamboo skewers, making one feel a pang of sorrow.

Jiang Feng, seeing the girl's slender arms, felt a surge of compassion.

The child has suffered.

He reached out, gently grasped the girl's wrist, and began to take her pulse.

His fingers rested on the pulse, and Jiang Feng's brows twitched slightly.

The girl's pulse was weak and fine, as if it could break at any moment. Strangely, its beats were irregular, sometimes fast, sometimes slow, sometimes strong, sometimes weak, unlike a normal child's pulse.

Jiang Feng felt it carefully, and his complexion grew even more solemn.

He released his hand, let the girl switch to the other arm, and continued taking the pulse.

This time, he closed his eyes, fully concentrating on the pulse's changes.

One second, two seconds, three seconds…

After about a minute, Jiang Feng finally opened his eyes.

His complexion was grim, and his eyes held a hint of anger.

A middle‑aged woman stood beside the girl, presumably her mother. Seeing Jiang Feng like that, the woman instantly asked anxiously.

"Doctor Jiang, what exactly is wrong with my daughter?"

Her voice was full of worry, and her eyes were reddened.

Jiang Feng shook his head, not hurrying to speak.

He glanced at the little girl, then at Hua Lao, and then at the middle‑aged woman.

Then, he spoke slowly.

"Your child has been afflicted by a Curse of Grudge."