Chapter 381: Sick, but Used to It

Traveling from Pizhou City to Andong Guard, they found, as expected, quite a few checkpoints set up along the way, and some county towns had begun inspecting everyone coming and going.

Household registration and travel permit—both were indispensable.

Pan Yun and the others had their papers in order, luggage loaded in the cart, and even Sister Hong Yan left before they reached each checkpoint, going around it on purpose so as not to draw attention.

Two days later the group arrived at Andong Guard. They did not know that the moment they entered the city, Liu Jing and the others followed right behind them in.

They had not taken the same route as Pan Yun's group; because they were unsure of Hu Jing's whereabouts, they had first gone to another county and searched for half a day, and only after news from the Brocaded Guards arrived did they hurry on to Andong Guard.

However, Hu Jing was not in Andong Guard at this time either.

Seeing Miao Zhen picked up the copper coins she had tossed and laid them out in order on the table, saying, "The hexagram shows he went toward the northeast."

"Northeast of Andong Guard—Jinan?" Pan Yun considered. "Hu Jing used to be a bounty hunter. After we parted in Quanzhou, he's very likely gone back to his old trade. We should go to the government office and see what bounty notices have been posted lately."

Wang Cong rose and said, "Third Junior Brother and I will go. Little Martial Aunt, you all stay at the inn."

Pan Yun said, "Take Miao Zhen with you."

Wang Cong glanced at her, also felt it was better to bring Miao Zhen along, and so agreed.

When the three of them stood before the notice wall outside the county government office, the Brocaded Guards were inside the government office.

The three craned their necks to read the notices on the wall.

Wang Cong ran his fingers over a few spots on the wall, thinking, "Something seems to have been pasted here before."

The three looked toward the government office gate together; the moment they approached, someone barked at them, "Get lost, get lost. The government office isn't handling business today. If you have business, come back tomorrow."

Wang Cong: "Why? Today isn't a rest day."

"What's it to you? When they tell you to go, you go. Move it."

The three stood on tiptoe and glanced inside, catching a fleeting glimpse of a flying-fish robe flitting across the courtyard.

The three dared not linger and turned to leave.

But they didn't go far. Wang Cong pointed at a noodle stall nearby and said, "Let's have a bowl of noodles."

The three sat down to eat noodles, and after finishing refused to leave, propping up their chins to watch the people coming and going.

Three government office runners with horizontal blades at their waists came swaggering over. Miao Zhen immediately sat up straight, swept her gaze across their faces, and at once pointed at the one in the middle, whispering, "Senior Brother, go to him. There's a sick person in his house."

Wang Cong heard this, rose at once, straightened his Daoist robe, and stepped forward to intercept them. "Sir, please stay a moment."

The three government office runners frowned at him. "Where did this stinking Daoist Priest come from? Have you no eyes? We're not arresting you lot, and you still dare to try your tricks on us?"

Wang Cong produced his ordination certificate and smiled. "This poor Daoist is a proper Daoist Priest. If I didn't truly have a karmic tie with you, sir, I wouldn't have stopped you."

His gaze fixed steadily on Runner A as he asked gently, "There's a sick person at home, isn't there, sir?"

Runner A was taken aback. "How did you know?"

His father had only fallen ill the night before—even his colleagues didn't know yet.

Wang Cong then pointed at Tao Yanbai and said, "This is my junior brother, a Daoist physician. He can examine and treat the patient at your home."

Runner A looked at him warily. "What medicine are you trying to sell us?"

Wang Cong shook his head. "We don't sell medicine, only write prescriptions. But as cultivators of the Dao, whenever we act we must receive something in return—otherwise we become entangled in karma. So we'll charge a consultation fee of three coppers."

Runner A was stunned. "Only three coppers?"

Wang Cong nodded. "Only three coppers."

"What are you after?"

Wang Cong said, "First, I cannot bear to see people fall ill. Second, to settle the karma."

Runner A didn't know what karma there could be between them, but thinking of his father's illness and his own meager salary, he still turned to his colleagues and said, "You two go on ahead. I'll take them home to have a look at my father."

The two government office runners said at once, "You go on. If my lord asks, we'll say you went to catch a thief."

Runner A cupped his fist. "Many thanks, brothers."

With that, he led Wang Cong and the other two home.

Runner A's father had a stomachache. Tao Yanbai pressed his belly a few times, then diagnosed, "It's an intestinal abscess." Runner A immediately asked, "Is it serious?"

Tao Yanbai said, "It's all right—not very serious. No need to cut open the belly and remove the intestine. Just take some medicine. But while taking the medicine, you must watch your diet—no alcohol, no spicy, greasy, or meaty foods."

Tao Yanbai had seen this illness with Tao Ji before. Severe cases killed within a few hours; mild ones, if the patient tried to tough it out, would turn severe on their own.

Runner A's father had been in pain for a day and a night and still refused to see a Physician—clearly he meant to tough it out.

Even though Tao Yanbai had just written a prescription, he still said, "Don't bother getting the medicine. What's the point of wasting that money? I'll drink some cold water and I'll be fine."

Tao Yanbai: "Cold water?"

"That's right," his father said. "I feel like when I drink cold water my belly doesn't hurt as much."

Tao Yanbai pressed his lips together and asked, "The cold water you're talking about wouldn't happen to be water straight from the jar that hasn't been boiled, would it?"

Runner A's father said irritably, "Who boils water just to drink it cold? Boiled water is called hot water!"

Tao Yanbai turned his head and told Runner A, "He especially must not drink cold water. He must drink water that has been boiled and then cooled to warm."

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He said, "Raw water contains worms, and it's especially bad for the intestines."

After writing the prescription, Tao Yanbai handed it to Runner A, then took out a needle pouch and said, "Let me give you a few needles to stop the pain."

Runner A's father: "Does it cost money?"

"It's included in the three-copper consultation fee."

Runner A's father, hearing this, immediately hitched up his clothes to let him needle him, and added, "Stick a few more in."

Tao Yanbai was speechless, and gave him a few needles.

He twirled the needles gently. The look of pain on Runner A's father's face gradually faded, and the old man couldn't help drawing a soft breath and told his son, "I feel better now. No need to buy medicine."

Runner A could also see his father improving, and said, "You still need to buy the medicine. The needles only work for a little while."

Tao Yanbai said, "I'll prescribe three doses. Boil each dose twice, once in the morning and once in the evening."

After withdrawing the needles, he handed the prescription to Runner A and urged, "Hurry and get the medicine and start boiling it. If you delay, the illness will only get worse."

government office Runner A hurriedly agreed, went back to his room, grabbed some coins, and gave Tao Yanbai three.

Tao Yanbai couldn't help but look at Wang Cong.

Wang Cong gave a slight nod and said, "This is what you deserve, take it."

Tao Yanbai accepted it.

Wang Cong then took a string of coins from his own sleeve and handed it to government office Runner A: "This poor Daoist also has a matter to entrust to you, sir."

government office Runner A squinted slightly. "Is this what you meant by karma?"

Wang Cong nodded. "Exactly."

The runner didn't take the money, but held his blade and asked, "Tell me first what you want me to do?"

Although he was short on money, he wasn't the type to take just any coin.

Wang Cong said, "This poor Daoist wants the bounty notices that the great hero Hu Jing tore down."

The runner was taken aback and asked, "What do you want those for?"

Wang Cong: "This poor Daoist wants to make a name, and has decided to capture the criminal before the great hero Hu Jing does."

The runner was silent for a moment, then took the money, tucked it into his robe, and said, "He tore down two notices in total. The government office still has them. Wait till I go back and I'll get both for you."

Wang Cong immediately cupped his fist in salute. "Many thanks, sir."

government office Runner A frowned and muttered, "Jianghu people are just sick in the head."

But he was used to it.

Good night.

(End of chapter)