Chapter 344: Xinglin Conference (Two Chapters Combined into One Chapter)

Du Ruo handed up the bamboo slip.

Seeing that number, the three people's expressions turned strange.

Physician Hua cleared his throat, pointed to the room next door, and said, "Go inside and find the medicinal material numbered one hundred, examine it carefully, then come back and tell me the name of the material and its use."

Du Ruo immediately understood.

So the so-called preliminary examination is actually identifying medicinal herbs.

This is simple; she's not good at taking pulses and such, but when it comes to preparing medicinal herbs, that's her specialty.

She nodded in acknowledgment, and Du Ruo stepped toward that place.

"Remember, you only have half an hour; overtime means automatic elimination." Behind her, Physician Hua reminded her with a cold snort.

Du Ruo stopped wasting words and quickly entered the room.

The light inside was a bit dim, like the darkroom used for developing photos in her previous life, gloomy and oppressive, giving a sense of pressure.

Only a few faint beams of light came down from the narrow skylight above.

Du Ruo quickly scanned the area.

Then…

She froze.

The room was empty, with no furnishings; only at about one and a half meters above the ground hung bag after bag, swaying, densely packed, looking like over a hundred.

Each cloth bag had a number attached.

Needless to say, inside were the medicinal herbs to be identified for the examination.

With so many identical cloth bags, the numbers scrambled, it was dazzling to look at; finding the number one hundred herb in a short time was indeed somewhat difficult.

However, Du Ruo's eyesight was excellent, and she found it in less than two minutes.

She deftly opened the bag's drawstring.

First she looked at the herb's appearance, then smelled it, and finally felt it.

She quickly had a figure in mind.

To make sure there was no mistake, she still checked with the system: "Little System, is this what I'm thinking of in my mind?"

After receiving an affirmative reply, Du Ruo retied the bag's mouth and then turned and walked out of the dark room.

Outside, Physician Hua and the two others were leisurely sipping tea while waiting.

"You finished identifying it so quickly?" Seeing Du Ruo come out, Physician Hua was somewhat surprised, put down his teacup, and said, "Then tell me, what is the medicine numbered one hundred?"

Du Ruo, without blushing or racing heart, said, "Deer penis."

Hearing this answer, Physician Hua's gray-white eyebrows twitched slightly.

Wow, she really has some skill; she actually managed to identify it.

"What are its effects?" he asked again.

"The effects are great." Du Ruo listed them one by one: "Kidney deficiency and depletion, sore waist and knees, tinnitus and deafness, impotence and seminal emission, infertility—all can be taken."

"In short, if it doesn't work, eat it; maybe eating it will help."

Pfft, the young physician couldn't help spitting out his tea.

Physician Hua glared at him.

The young physician hurriedly stifled his laughter, lowered his head, pretending to nonchalantly wipe the water stain in front of him, while pricking up his ears to listen.

Physician Hua also couldn't be bothered with him, turned his gaze to Du Ruo, and continued asking, "How should it be used medicinally?"

Du Ruo counted on her fingers, "You can boil and eat it, make it into a paste, slice it, or make it into convenient portable pills; all work. Oh right, soaking it in medicinal wine also works great—drink a little each day, and you'll be fine, she'll be fine."

Pffft, the young physician's face turned red from holding back laughter, he slumped over the table, his shoulders shaking.

The middle-aged physician's mouth twitched, unable to hold back laughter.

This young lady is strangely beautiful, yet her words are shocking and immodest, with not a shred of shame.

But… she's also strangely cute.

Physician Hua didn't think so.

The old man blew his beard and glared, spittle flying a zhang away, "Speak properly!"

Du Ruo blinked and blinked her eyes, "Where did I say something wrong?"

Physician Hua: "......"

Seeing him so angry he was about to have a stroke, the young physician's eyes darted, and he quickly took over the conversation: "No, no, you spoke very well, everything you said was correct."

"Then I can relax." Du Ruo patted her chest, looking relieved.

Saying this, she lifted her head to look at the three and asked, "Does that mean I've passed?"

The young physician laughed, "Naturally you've passed; go back and prepare well, tomorrow you'll enter the venue on time for the first round."

Du Ruo expressed her thanks.

She immediately turned and left the room.

The door was closed again, and the middle-aged physician sighed, "This young lady seems to have some ability."

"What ability? It's just a coincidence; she happened to draw the medicinal herb she knows."

Physician Hua finally caught his breath, put on a stern face, and said, "Women ought to be virtuous and good, not leave the inner quarters, staying home to tend husband and teach children is proper; what's the point of studying medicine? Hmph, just look at her—she's wild, unable to stay indoors. A woman like that, no matter how beautiful, shouldn't be brought home, or else there will be no peace in the household."

The other two exchanged a glance, both smiling but saying nothing.

In terms of seniority, Physician Hua is their elder.

In terms of status and standing, Physician Hua is a towering figure in the Xinglin world, although his medical skill and fame cannot compare to Wen Shiyuan's, he is also one of the elders of the Xinglin Society.

He is also one of the judges of this conference.

Therefore, to get by in the Xinglin world, it's best not to lightly offend him; just go along with his wishes.

After Du Ruo came out, the next turn was her old disciple Ke Lao Beibi.

The interval was too short; she didn't have time to tell her old disciple how the examination would be conducted, but even if she had, it wouldn't have helped—there were over a hundred lots, and who knew which one he'd drawn.

Du Ruo then waited quietly outside.

Doctor Ke came out, smiling.

"Master, I passed!"

He shouted.

Du Ruo wasn't surprised at all; although Doctor Ke always acted deferential before and after the master, often dropping to his knees to kowtow and perform a grand ceremony, keeping his position low.

In fact, this guy is an old military doctor with over twenty years of experience—quite formidable.

Debating medicines and such is a piece of cake.

But Du Ruo still gave him face, raising her thumb and praising, "Old Ke, you're awesome!"

Doctor Ke beamed with joy.

He then asked about Du Ruo's examination content; she didn't hide anything and explained it in detail.

The first battle was a victory, and both master and disciple were delighted.

After leaving the venue, Du Ruo had Doctor Ke go first; she had already agreed with Jiang Li that whoever came out first would wait at the entrance.

Doctor Ke, however, refused: "No way, I'll stay and wait with the master; I've taken several days off anyway, and there's nothing waiting for me back home."

Before it was fine, but now the master has recovered his true appearance, which is too eye‑catching—don't you see all those men staring at him like tigers eyeing prey?

So he must follow along, otherwise he wouldn't feel at ease.

Seeing Doctor Ke's firm attitude, Du Ruo went along with him; they found a high spot and sat on a stone to wait.

Looking down from above, they could see everything below, so they didn't have to worry about missing Jiang Li.

Since they were idle anyway, Doctor Ke took the opportunity to ask Du Ruo some tough questions, all of which he had encountered before.

Du Ruo was also happy to answer; she couldn't yet handle actual combat, but her mind held an all‑knowing system, so her theoretical knowledge was rich, and she spoke in coherent streams—almost enough to confuse her old disciple into stumbling.

In Doctor Ke's eyes looking at Du Ruo, there was only admiration.

All that was left was for him to kneel and shout, "You are my god!"

Just like that, with one question and one answer, time flew by, and before they knew it it was mid‑afternoon.

Du Ruo's stomach growled with hunger.

She didn't want to order from "Ele. me"—each item would cost five taels of silver, not worth it; besides, it wasn't necessary, and compared to the desire‑free feeling of being full, she still preferred the aroma of real food.

Finally, as Du Ruo gazed toward the venue entrance for the hundred‑and‑eighth time, Jiang Li emerged.

The two hurried down to meet up with him.

"Hungry? I brought this for you." Jiang Li held out the red‑bean cake in his hand to the young wife, his eyes and brows full of warmth.

Du Ruo took it, picked one up and started eating, murmuring, "Mmm, I've been hungry already."

She then asked, "Is there a public kitchen inside?"

Jiang Li nodded, "Yes, and there are many varieties."

Du Ruo thought, that makes sense.

It's probably similar to some Olympic Games in her previous life—welcoming guests from all directions, the local authorities would surely arrange all the supporting facilities so visitors have a great experience, while also boosting the locality's reputation and generating revenue.

Multiple benefits in one move.

Du Ruo handed a piece of red‑bean cake to her old disciple; Doctor Ke, being perceptive, took the snack and soon took his leave.

Before leaving, they agreed to meet at the entrance tomorrow morning and then go in together.

After Doctor Ke left, the young couple found a nearby small eatery, ate until full, saw that it was still early, decided not to take a carriage, and simply walked back.

Being with the person you like, even just a simple stroll, feels especially enjoyable, with endless things to say.

Only when night fell did the street‑side restaurants and brothels hang up their sign lanterns, beginning their decadent nightlife, and the couple barely made it back to the county inn.

Jiang Zhan, Bian Dou Dou, and the others gathered around, asking about the outcome, naturally creating another lively scene.

The next morning, everyone got up very early.

Needless to say, Du Ruo and Jiang Li—one had to go compete, the other had to go to the site to protect the Chief Yun of the Yu King's clan.

The students, meanwhile, went to watch the excitement and broaden their horizons, and incidentally cheered for Du Ruo.

Bian Dou Dou was good at making arrangements; he had already prepared several carriages waiting at the county inn's gate. After breakfast, everyone boarded the carriages with high spirits and headed straight to the venue.

Compared with yesterday, today there were even more people.

Besides the medical practitioners from all over who came to compete, there were countless ordinary folk, just like Jiang Zhan and his group, who came to watch the excitement.

Moreover, security had been upgraded; at the gate there were at least four or five hundred soldiers standing ready.

Jiang Li flashed his waist badge and went in first.

Du Ruo finally managed to find her old disciple in the crowded throng, and they both queued up to enter.

As for Jiang Zhan and the others, they used a different entrance.

And they charged a fee.

Two hundred wen per person, valid for one day.

Needless to say, the organizers are still quite sharp; the Xinglin Grand Assembly is held every three years, and the manpower and material resources required are surely enormous—one can't always rely on government subsidies, can one?

With this income, they need not fear lacking funds to hold the event.

There might even be a surplus.

The competition grounds were set in the innermost part of the mountain villa; Du Ruo followed the crowd and walked for a while before arriving. When she first caught sight of the venue's layout, she widened her eyes in surprise.

Goodness, it's huge!

In the center stood a high platform; on the platform's east side was a thick wall, beside which seven or eight tables and chairs were placed.

Presumably they were for the judges to sit on.

Below the platform, the area was divided into three zones; the two zones nearest the platform were one large and one small.

"That place is reserved for the medical envoys of Changli State, Phoenix Arrival State, and Ghost State." Doctor Ke patiently explained to Du Ruo, then pointed to a larger area and said, "This is where we participants sit.",

Du Ruo suddenly understood.

That last and also largest area must be reserved for the spectators.

The design is quite reasonable.

Looking at this, it can accommodate at least seven or eight thousand people.

Right now the stage is still empty, but the seats below are almost full, with voices of talking, arguing, and noise incessant.

Like a pot of boiling eight-treasure porridge.

Du Ruo quickly found an empty seat and sat down; Doctor Ke shoved the young person next to her over a bit and also sat down.

That young person was about to lose his temper, but upon looking up and seeing Du Ruo, his eyes went wide and he silently closed his mouth.

After about half an hour, the officials began to control the crowd.

The boiling eight-treasure porridge finally gradually calmed down.

At this time, the judges also went up onto the stage one after another, totaling eight people.

Du Ruo only recognized two of them: one was the head of the Xinglin Association, Wen Shiyuan, and the other was the Imperial Physician Hua who had examined her yesterday.

The last to enter was Prince Yu, Zong Zhengyun.

As a prince, his entourage was undoubtedly the grandest; besides Long Dan, Zi Yu, and two Qilin guards, there was also a young, handsome sixth-rank military officer personally protecting him.

That military officer was naturally Jiang Li.

Jiang Li wore an arrow-sleeved light robe, his posture straight and sharp-eyed; though silent, he was impossible to ignore.

The two appeared together in the same scene, one supremely noble, the other peerlessly handsome.

Both were equally outstanding.

Down below, Du Ruo gazed at them from afar, feeling immensely proud.

At that moment, Wen Shiyuan stepped forward to the stage and announced the start of the competition: "Today, two thousand participants will take part in the first round, divided into fifty groups of forty each; they will take the patient's pulse and diagnose on the spot! Anyone who misdiagnoses or prescribes the wrong remedy will be disqualified!"

Having said that, he began to announce the rules.

Du Ruo listened and took notes.

Actually, it's quite simple.

There are two thousand contestants total, with forty people per group, taking turns examining the same patient.

Beside them is a small hourglass timing; when it runs out, the next person steps up, meaning each person's pulse-taking time does not exceed two minutes.

After taking the pulse, they must also write a suitable prescription on the nearby table.

Then an attendant submits it to the judges for review.

Those who fail the review are eliminated!

The difficulty of this round lies in the fact that the time is too short, and combined with nervousness, it's easy to misjudge.

Du Ruo, however, was not at all nervous.

She has a system; the system has a detection function—so even two seconds, let alone two minutes, can precisely scan the patient's current physical condition…

"Master, it's our turn to go up!" Doctor Ke exclaimed excitedly.

Du Ruo grunted in acknowledgment, then rose and walked onto the stage.

(Sorry for the long hiatus; a few days ago I had a health issue discovered during a checkup and spent several days in the hospital; finally getting it sorted, I prepared to write in peace, but then I hit a writer's block—severe, and my condition is also poor, my thoughts are unclear. There are too many characters appearing in this Xinglin Conference, and too many plot holes to fill; it's easy to get lost, and I don't know if readers will be able to follow. Well, I'll leave it as is for now; if you don't understand, I'll revise later. This segment is estimated to be about twenty thousand words, with four rounds of competition, and only the final round will reveal the mystery of the male lead's mother's origins. If you find it frustrating, you can wait a week to read.)