Chapter 4: One Blade Cuts Down the Youth

Everyone present stared wide-eyed; it was the first time they'd seen someone treat illness with a needle like that.

Jiang Yunzhou, on the contrary, acted as if nothing were wrong, casually picking up the three slender black worms and placing them into the medicine bowl nearby, then immediately using the needle again to seal Zou Zhen's meridians, preventing the poisoned blood.

Only upon seeing the small black worms still struggling in the medicine bowl did everyone present suddenly understand.

No wonder the poisoned blood in Zou Zhen's wound couldn't be fully cleared; there were actually poisonous worms hidden inside the wound.

Wei Zongluo looked at the small worms in the bowl and exclaimed in amazement:

"I've seen Southern Wu people use worms to cast gu before, but to be able to inject them into the body through such a tiny wound is truly the first time I've seen."

Jiang Yunzhou, while circulating his vital energy to help Zou Zhen expel the poisoned blood, explained:

"Don't blame Lord Wei, this black thread worm is indeed extremely rare; normally it needs to be nurtured with a special medicinal liquid, and when used it's like threading a needle: the poisoned needle with a hole passes through the black thread worm, then the needle is stabbed into the opponent's body."

This black thread worm craves blood and flesh; once injected into the body it quickly burrows into the flesh and blood, and even if the poisoned needle is expelled, the worm remains inside the body.

Moreover, this worm's toxicity is fierce; it consumes the flesh and blood, converting them into toxin. If not removed early, before the arm is hollowed out, the patient will already die from poisoned blood attacking the heart.

The better method is to draw the worm out along the wound, but Elder Brother Zou Zhen has been injured for a while, the worm has already penetrated deep into his flesh, so I have no choice but to try to prick the worm out.

Wei Zongluo's face lit up with delight as he nodded repeatedly, humbly noting down the condition and treatment.

Shen Qingu stood to the side, her small mouth slightly open, her almond-shaped eyes full of shock as she looked at Jiang Yunzhou.

Watching him explain the medical principles, it seemed as if he were giving a lesson to himself and Wei Zongluo, showing not a trace of the inexperience of a novice in medicine.

I never expected that the one being educated in the end would be myself.

Elder brother has actually cultivated such an outstanding descendant.

The poisoned blood was expelled again by Jiang Yunzhou; this time the toxin did not recur, and Zou Zhen, having regained his strength, sighed in relief, excitedly reaching out to grab Jiang Yunzhou and saying:

"Brother Jiang, the grace of saving my life is unforgettable! I truly thought this arm couldn't be saved."

Jiang Yunzhou laughed and said:

"Just now I feared that speaking up would only make Elder Brother Zou nervous; you martial artists have deep inner strength, and once your muscles tense, it's easy to leave the worm inside the body, so I had no choice but to act mysteriously; I hope you'll understand."

"Hahaha, Brother Jiang, you're joking, but I have one question: the worm is inside my arm, why do I feel nothing at all?"

Jiang Yunzhou again applied the herbal medicine from beside him to Zou Zhen's wound and said:

"The mucus on the black thread worm's surface has an anesthetic effect, so you naturally can't feel the worm; change this medicine twice a day, and the residual toxin will be eliminated in two days."

Watching Jiang Yunzhou finish bandaging with practiced skill, Wei Zongluo exclaimed in amazement:

"Young Master Jiang, at such a young age to possess such medical skill and knowledge truly impresses this old man; may I ask whose lineage your medical art comes from?"

Jiang Yunzhou bowed to the old gentleman and said:

"Lord Wei, you overpraise me; I merely studied medicine with my family in Mist Prefecture, so I just picked up a bit through constant exposure—a rustic village doctor, not worth showing before you."

Jiang Yunzhou also knew about the past events involving his master Jiang Enji and the Grand Medicine Hall.

Having just heard Shen Qingu introduce himself as a distant relative, it was clearly to avoid exposing the connection between his master Jiang Enji and the Grand Medicine Hall, so he went along with it and merely claimed to be a relative, not mentioning his apprenticeship.

Seeing that Jiang Yunzhou had not revealed himself and spoke so eloquently, Shen Qingu felt relieved in her heart and at the same time marveled, 'Is this really the somewhat clumsy little brother I saw as a child?'

Wei Zongluo, hearing this, did not inquire further and cupped his hands, saying:

"Young Master Jiang, you are too modest; welcome another day to the Imperial Medical Bureau to exchange medical arts, Shopkeeper Shen, Captain Yang, then I will take my leave."

Yang Hanlu rose to express thanks, and Shen Qingu saw Wei Zongluo out.

Looking back at Jiang Yunzhou pouring water for Zou Zhen, Yang Hanlu furrowed her brows, becoming even more curious about this young man who had descended from the heavens.

Mist Prefecture lies in the southwest, its location remote; could the rustic village doctors there really produce such a formidable healer?

Lost in thought, just then Jiang Yunzhou looked back and saw her; as their eyes met, it was Yang Hanlu who first turned her head aside to change the subject, saying:

"I don't know if Young Master Jiang knows any other information about this black thread worm."

Jiang Yunzhou pinched his chin and analyzed:

"I'm not entirely sure, but this worm is not easy to cultivate; it's not an ordinary gu worm, so I suspect that what Captain Yang and Elder Brother Zou encountered is definitely not an ordinary Southern Wu rebel, but rather something of a certain rank."

Zou Zhen, angry, struck the bed frame with his other arm and said:

"All it means is they ran fast; next time I encounter them, I will surely chop those fellows to pieces with a blade!"

Yang Hanlu raised her sword brows and turned back, saying:

"Being able to keep this arm is already not bad; you should stay here to recuperate today, I'm heading back first."

"You've worked hard; even you, who never work night shifts, have made a trip with me."

Yang Hanlu gave no reply, her cold, graceful silhouette departing with a blade in hand.

Jiang Yunzhou gazed at that red, alluring silhouette—slender and stalwart; this female constable captain indeed had a top-notch figure, though her personality seemed somewhat cold.

Noticing Jiang Yunzhou looking at Yang Hanlu's back, Zou Zhen, with his square face, leaned in and whispered gossip:

"At just twenty he became Captain of the South Pacification Office, his future limitless, still single to this day—Brother Jiang, any ideas?"

"Ah? Elder Brother Zou, you're overthinking; I've just arrived in Shangyang City, merely curious."

Zou Zhen paid no heed to Jiang Yunzhou's reply and went on his own way, saying:

"Don't entertain such thoughts; our Captain Yang of the Pacification Office, though renowned for his handsomeness, is equally famous for his cold demeanor—someone even made a catchy rhyme about him: 'The beauty Yang of the South Pacification Office, no one dares taste his half-point red lips; cold face, icy blade, hard to approach; one slash cuts down the youth.'"

"Pfft—cough cough cough."

Jiang Yunzhou suddenly felt that he had just stepped on Yang Hanlu's feet, yet she hadn't drawn her blade to slash him, and his impression of her was still not bad.

Such an ice-cold beauty is a calamity—she makes hearts flutter but never gives her own; I have a duty to uphold heavenly justice, to prevent her from hurting other men's hearts.

"Brother Jiang, I originally thought you were new to Shangyang City; then it's perfect—after I recover, I'll gladly show you around, for Shangyang City has plenty of delights."

Jiang Yunzhou shook his head and waved his hands, saying:

"What do you think I am, Elder Brother Zou? How would I go to that kind of place?"

"Um, I don't think I even said where we were going, did I?"

Outside the Grand Medicine Clinic, on Cheng Hua Street, Yang Hanlu rode forth on her fine steed.

A woman's alluring voice sounded in his ears:

Don't rush back; your skills are already enough—go out and have some fun.

Yang Hanlu didn't speak; she merely thought and coldly replied to that voice in her mind:

I'm not in the mood.

No need to act like that; there's no point in deliberately wearing a cold face toward everyone. I see that the young doctor who treats illnesses is quite handsome—do you want me to help you snatch him?

If you still want our deal to work out, just honestly go back and keep me company while I train.

All right, but don't forget our deal's terms—once it's done, you have to hand over your body to me.