Chapter 654

"Is it that serious?"

Zhuo Tie let out a startled cry; when he was at the Le Family, after Xuanqing Daozhang had examined Gu Liangong's body, that solemn expression allowed him to roughly guess that Gu Liangong's condition was not merely serious in the ordinary sense.

Just that.

Only after hearing Zhao Derun's words did he realize that Gu Liangong's problem was many times more severe than he had imagined; the prescription Zhao Derun wrote could only extend his life by about a year and a half. He knew Zhao Derun's prowess—after all, the old Zhao family had been a lineage of physicians for generations.

Even among the named physicians in the county town, none could be said to surpass Zhao Derun.

It is said.

The ancestors of the old Zhao family were a generation of famous physicians who practiced in the Prefecture Capital, treating many difficult and obscure ailments; however, after offending the wrong people, they fled from the Prefecture Capital to settle in Liangshui Town.

Over the years, under Zhao Derun's hand, countless diagnoses and countless lives have been saved; not only in Liangshui Town, but even in surrounding towns, the common folk have heard of Zhao Derun's name. Many bring their sick family members—people who had been given death notices by local physicians, preparing for their end.

It cannot be said that everyone was saved by Zhao Derun, but at least half were; even for the other half, though not saved, Zhao Derun still managed to extend their lives by a few years.

Now.

Zhao Derun did not specify what illness Gu Liangong had, nor whether it could be cured; he merely said that his prescription could let Gu Liangong live another year and a half, which makes clear how grave Gu Liangong's problem truly is.

"Zhuo Tie, look at how you phrase it—what's so serious? I'm already quite old; even an extra day of life would make me grin!"

Before Zhao Derun could speak, Gu Liangong hurriedly said, "Derun, this illness of mine cannot be cured by you; you can only give me a prescription that lets me live another year and a half without being paralyzed in bed, a fate worse than death. If that were the case, I'd rather you not give me any prescription at all—being bedridden is an unbearable suffering, and I don't want my situation to cause trouble for my family!"

Zhao Derun, seeing Gu Liangong's righteous demeanor, could not possibly not understand; his conjecture was correct.

Gu Liangong's fearless attitude toward life and death stems from a decision he made long ago: at his own funeral, he would ask the newly appeared Kumu Daozhang to perform Soul Salvation for his spirit, summon Guimen Guan, and let his soul pass through. He even began to imagine what he should do after reincarnating into a wealthy family in his next life.

He imagined how he would enjoy it.

Naturally, he hoped to die early and be reborn quickly!

Fearing that delay would bring trouble!

The reason is that Kumu Daozhang offended the dominant Zhu Clan of Xiang Xian. Though this Kumu Daozhang has driven Zhu Xing and his henchmen away—perhaps due to formidable abilities—the Zhu Clan is not to be trifled with; they have the river deity of Liang Shui He behind them. No one knows what Zhu Xing might do to Kumu Daozhang if he goes mad.

If within that year and a half Kumu Daozhang were to suffer retaliation from the Zhu Clan together with the Liang Shui He river deity, even if he doesn't lose his life, he might at least be driven away.

Gu Liangong would likely not even have a chance to regret.

"Uncle Gu, what you say makes sense; my medical skill is still far from mastery, and my prescriptions inevitably contain harsh medicines. Who knows if they might affect you adversely, causing you to become paralyzed in bed..."

Before Zhao Derun could finish speaking, he saw an unmistakable excitement on Gu Liangong's face. Not waiting long, he turned to Zhao Huai, who stood like an ostrich yet kept glancing at Gu Liangong, and shouted:

"Xiao Huai, why are you still dazed? Hurry and bring your grandfather over!" "Ah! Invite Brother Zhao, no need to..."

Gu Liangong let out a startled cry, his joy vanishing instantly, and hurriedly shouted.

"No, Uncle Gu, this illness requires my father to treat; I'm powerless, but perhaps my father can!"

Zhao Derun, seeing Gu Liangong's panic, could not possibly be unaware; Gu Liangong clearly did not want his father to treat his illness. It's not that his father's medical skill is limited—in fact, his father is many times more capable. Gu Liangong's refusal stems from his desire for an early death and rebirth, and he could not accept that, so he said solemnly:

"Even if my father is powerless against your abilities, Uncle Gu, I believe he might let you live another year and a half—no, three to five years is possible. The prescription wouldn't be a harsh medicine, nor would it leave you paralyzed in bed during those three to five years!"

Gu Liangong's ideas were completely read by him; he was supportive. After all, a person like Gu Liangong has lived a whole lifetime—one could say he's lived enough—so he naturally considers the afterlife. While everyone else is still diligently cultivating, he wonders whether he has sins, whether after death he must endure a trip through the Eighteen Levels of Hell, and whether his next reincarnation can be as a human again...

Gu Liangong has already decided that his next reincarnation will be into a wealthy family!

Why endure three to five more years of suffering when it's better to be reborn early and enjoy blessings sooner.

Of course.

His support is support, but it doesn't mean he will follow Gu Liangong's wishes. He hasn't forgotten his own role: he is a physician, and healing people is his duty and a way to accumulate hidden virtue. Whether he can be reborn into a good family next life depends on that virtue. If he doesn't strive to treat Gu Liangong and help him die early for rebirth, it would diminish the hidden virtue he has built over many years.

He is not yet so great that, to help Gu Liangong, he would neglect his own future reincarnation.

Let alone.

This novel you

His support for Gu Liangong does not mean Gu Liangong's family supports him; if Gu Liangong's family opposes, they cannot trouble Gu Liangong, but that does not mean they cannot cause trouble for him.

He still has at least a few decades to live among the living!

"Xiao Huai..."

Gu Liangong suddenly became urgent, about to speak to stop Zhao Huai from calling his grandfather, but before he could finish, Zhuo Tie cut him off, saying:

"Uncle Gu, don't forget that when you arrived you promised Kumu Daozhang that if you don't work hard to treat your illness, Kumu Daozhang will not preside over your funeral or perform Soul Salvation for your spirit!"

Gu Liangong could not stop Zhao Huai from calling his grandfather; he could only glare at Zhuo Tie with hatred, his tone unfriendly, saying:

"Uncle Gu, over all these years you have helped our family countless times. Even when my parents passed, it was thanks to the money you lent that I could afford a coffin for them. Your kindness to our family is greater than the heavens!"

Zhuo Tie, speaking righteously, said, "I cannot stand by and watch you die!"

Gu Liangong, angry, said, "Do you know that the faster I die, the sooner I can enjoy blessings in my next life?"

(End of Chapter)