Meanwhile, far away from the chaos in the capital, a blind man walked slowly with the aid of a wooden stick. The steady tap against the ground created a calm rhythm, adding quiet nuance to the peaceful surroundings. There was dignity in his steps, but also a subtle weight, as though his arrival carried importance.
"Oh look! Blind Doctor is here! Blind Doctor is here! Mom! Blind Doctor is here!"
A little boy, about eight years old, came running and shouting to his mother.
Blind Doctor stopped in front of a wooden gate, his stick knocking gently against it. He reached out to open it, but before he could, another hand stretched forward and pushed it open.
"Allow me, Doctor."
A young man, no older than twenty, slipped past and held the gate wide.
Blind Doctor inclined his head. "Thank you, Xiao Yi."
A woman in her late twenties rushed out, looking flustered but visibly relieved to see him.
"Thank Heavens you're here, Doctor Lei. I was really desperate."
"I apologize for coming only now." Blind Doctor bowed.
"There's no need for formalities, Doctor Lei. Please, come inside!"
She hurried back into the house.
Doctor Lei followed, his stick still tapping in steady rhythm. Behind him, Xiao Yi carried the medicine box. Together, they entered the home.
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A fit of coughing rang out from inside—dry, painful, and relentless.
The woman quickened her pace, leading Doctor Lei and Xiao Yi toward a bedroom at the back.
She knocked twice. At the faint reply of "Come in," she quickly opened the door, stepped aside, and gestured for them to enter.
The room was heavy with the smell of medicine, making it clear the patient had been sick for some time.
"Doctor Lei, thank you for coming this fast. Please, have a seat."
A man in his mid-thirties sat on the bed, supporting an older man in his fifties. He motioned to a stool beside the bed.
With Xiao Yi's help, Doctor Lei sat and placed his fingers on the elder's wrist.
The old man coughed nonstop, trying hard to suppress it but failing miserably. Each breath came with a squeak, the rasp of someone struggling for air.
The younger man watched anxiously, holding back his questions for fear of disturbing the doctor's focus.
After a while, Doctor Lei retracted his fingers and turned to Xiao Yi.
"I need that green jade pill bottle."
Xiao Yi quickly opened the medicine box and handed over the pill bottle.
Doctor Lei poured out three small dark brown pills and gave them to the old man.
The woman tried to offer her father-in-law a bowl of water to swallow the pills, but Doctor Lei stopped her.
"He's already coughing nonstop. He can't drink anything now."
Doctor Lei gently clamped the old man's mouth shut. Though he looked frail, his grip was strong enough to hold it closed.
The old man had no choice but to swallow the pills. Once he did, Doctor Lei released his hand. The old man resumed coughing, but after a few breaths, the fits subsided. His expression shifted. He drew in a deep breath—and succeeded.
Relief washed over his face. He inhaled again, and again, each breath smoother than the last.
"Easy, Old Master. Yan." Doctor Lei chuckled lightly. "Take it easy."
Old Man Yan sat up and bowed gratefully, saluting Doctor Lei with enthusiasm. His son and daughter-in-law followed suit.
"Thank you, Doctor Lei! Thank you!"
The three of them kept bowing despite Doctor Lei's attempts to stop them, until he finally gave up and let them be.
Joy lit up the family's faces. They laughed, some with tears in their eyes.
"Please, please. I know it's a relief to finally stop coughing. But your illness is far from cured." Doctor Lei poured ice over their happiness.
But their spirits were not dampened.
"It's okay. I know that, Doctor. But at least now I can breathe and speak normally." Old Man Yan's voice carried renewed strength.
But the Young Master Yan was worried. "Doctor Lei, you can cure my father's illness, right?"
Before Doctor Lei could answer, the Young Madam Yan answered happily, "Of course he can! Doctor Lei is an Immortal doctor! He can cure all illness!"
Doctor Lei chuckled. He bowed and saluted slightly to Young Madam Yan.
"Thank you, Young Madam Yan, for your confidence in this old doctor."
He continued, "But, not to boast of my own skill, I believe I can cure Old Master Yan's illness. But…"
He trailed off.
"But what, Doctor?" All three Yans said simultaneously.
"But I need to know how and when this illness had started. I need to find out its cause, so I can concoct medicine for it."
All three Yans looked at each other. Doctor Lei couldn't see it, but Xiao Yi can.
"Do you not the answer? Xiao Yi asked.
Old Master Yan shook his head, "No, no, no. We know. It's just…"
He scratched his head, "It's a bit silly."
Doctor Lei puzzled, "Silly?"
Old Master Yan nodded, and hastily added, "Yes."
Young Master Yan sighed, "Father, just tell Doctor Lei. Your health is more important."
"Yes, Father. Please just tell Doctor Lei." His daughter in law was also persuading him.
Old Master Yan hesitated a little bit, than exhaled. "Okay. Okay. You're right. My health is more important."
He adjusted his positioned and said, "It's like this, few months ago, I was in the forest, hunting like I usually do. Then –"
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Doctor Lei and Xiao Yi were walking back to their home. It was located on the far side of the village, just beyond its edge.
To get there, they had to cross the village entirely.
Doctor Lei moved slowly, his wooden stick tapping a steady rhythm. Being blind had its own advantages: when one sense failed, the others grew sharper.
His sense of smell, for example. He could catch the scent of Snow Bark Grass growing several hundred steps away without using a trace of spirit energy.
His sense of touch, too. He felt the breeze brush against his face, hair, and hands with striking clarity.
Because of this, he cherished his walks through the village, often making the trip twice a day, simply to immerse himself in nature.
Xiao Yi lifted his head and turned to Doctor Lei. "Something's funny, Doctor?"
"Didn't you hear the cause of Old Master Yan that he called 'silly'?"
Xiao Yi smiled at the memory. "Yes, that is funny."
Doctor Lei sighed. "When I first came to this village, I never knew a place like this even existed. But then again, how could I? And now—"
He laughed. "To hear an old man in his fifties call being bitten by a Mid Four or even Five Stage Beast as 'silly.'"
He shook his head, still laughing as he walked. "The villagers here are not ordinary people."
"Xiao Yi, it looks like you've got your work cut out for you."
Doctor Lei's merry laughter echoed.