20: Chapter 20 Shahe Village

The shuttle boat left the Canglang Water Dock and traveled upstream along the main channel of the Canglang River. About an hour later, it turned into a tributary where the water color was significantly darker.

"This is the Sha River." Pharmacist Qu Fengchun stood at the bow of the boat, pointing to the winding, murky waterway ahead. "It originates from the depths of the Yunmeng Marsh and flows through several swamps and mineral veins. The water is murky all year round, carrying silt and sand, hence the name. Shahe Stockade is located thirty miles upstream on this river, built along the river, and the people there live by fishing, hunting, and shallow-water farming."

Jiang Hanzhou looked out; the river water was indeed a yellowish-brown, flowing at a slow pace. Dense and somewhat strangely shaped reeds and metasequoias grew on both banks, and the air was filled with a faint scent of damp rot.

A slight chill went through his heart. In such an environment, if an epidemic were to arise, it was indeed possible that it would be different from elsewhere.

"Steward Qu," Jiang Hanzhou said, carefully choosing his words. "What are the specific signs of this mutated epidemic? On the way, or when we arrive at the place, how should we take precautions?"

Pharmacist Qu Fengchun stroked his beard, his expression grave but tinged with a hint of relief:

"Fortunately, as far as we know, this mutated epidemic does not seem to be easily transmitted through breathing or touch. Those infected first show symptoms like high fever, black spots, and manic strength, and then it rapidly worsens. As long as we do not directly touch the patients' bodily fluids or wounds, wear face masks, and diligently wash our hands with medicinal water, it shouldn't be a big problem. The people at Shahe Stockade are sensible; they did not let us enter the stockade directly, but instead set up a temporary treatment center on a ventilated riverside beach downstream and have been sending the patients over in batches."

He glanced at Jiang Hanzhou, his tone softening:

"You don't need to be too nervous. Besides you and me, Shahe Stockade has also invited several other famous apothecaries and doctors from nearby, and there are even officials sent by the Linjiang Prefecture government to assist in epidemic prevention. With many people, there are many methods; we will just act according to the situation."

Jiang Hanzhou nodded, feeling slightly more at ease.

It was not airborne, so the danger was much lower.

He checked his medicine chest, confirming that the medicinal powders and face masks used for protection were fully stocked.

The boat traveled for another half an hour, and a relatively open gravel beach appeared by the river.

More than a dozen simple tents had already been set up on the beach, separated by wooden fences on the perimeter. Figures could be seen moving about, and the air was filled with a strong smell of mixed herbs and lime.

People sent by Shahe Stockade were already waiting on the shore, guiding Pharmacist Qu Fengchun and Jiang Hanzhou off the boat.

The temporary camp was quite busy. Apart from the stewards and guards from Shahe Stockade itself, Jiang Hanzhou saw at a glance seven or eight people with distinct clothing and extraordinary temperaments.

Some were wearing silk long robes, with medicine boys following them.

Some were wearing somewhat old Daoist robes, carrying medicine bags on their backs.

There were also two people wearing official boots and uniforms, looking at some registers with serious expressions.

"Old Qu! You have finally arrived!" A middle-aged man with a sallow complexion and bloodshot eyes hurried up to greet them, bowing to Pharmacist Qu Fengchun. He was the Second Master of Shahe Stockade, surnamed He. "The situation in the stockade... sigh, it's hard to explain in a few words! The other gentlemen are all inside, currently in a consultation."

Pharmacist Qu Fengchun returned the salute: "Second Master He, do not be anxious. I have already learned the general situation on the way. Please lead us over to take a look."

Several people walked toward the largest tent.

The tent was quite spacious, separated in the middle by a cloth curtain, from which faint, heavy breathing and suppressed groans could be heard.

Outside, there were several long tables where a few apothecaries were gathered, whispering and discussing, all with furrowed brows.

Jiang Hanzhou swept his gaze over and was immediately attracted by the technique of one of them.

It was a thin old man with white hair and beard, wearing a washed-out hemp robe. He had his eyes closed in concentration, with three fingers of his right hand lightly resting on an extremely thin, almost transparent silk thread.

The other end of the silk thread extended through a gap in the cloth curtain toward where the patients were inside.

"Pulse diagnosis via a thread..." Jiang Hanzhou felt a stir in his heart.

He had only seen this method mentioned in some ancient miscellanies at the Medicinal Cuisine Hall. It was said that it required extremely high internal cultivation from the healer, being able to perceive the subtle changes in the patient's Qi and blood pulse from a distance; only a true expert could do it.

He did not expect to see it here.

The old man's fingertips moved very slightly on the silk thread to sense the pulse. After a moment, he slowly opened his eyes, his gaze full of confusion and gravity.

"How is it? Elder Sun?" A middle-aged man in an official uniform with a refined appearance asked from the side. He was the Chief Administrator sent by Linjiang Prefecture for epidemic prevention, surnamed Chen.

The old man named Sun retracted the silk thread and shook his head gently, his voice hoarse:

"Strange, very strange. The pulse is floating and chaotic, intermittent, and definitely not a sign of a common fever or the invasion of evil toxins. It is more like... it is as if their Qi and blood are being rapidly drained from within by something, causing massive damage to their Origin Qi, even reaching the point of total exhaustion. But looking at the patients' appearance, although they are lethargic, there are no signs of excessive blood loss or long-term chronic illness."

"Qi and blood deficiency?" Another apothecary with a ruddy complexion and a wealthy, merchant-like appearance asked in surprise. "Elder Sun, did you diagnose it correctly? The epidemic reports sent from several villages and towns downstream a few days ago all said that the patients had high fever, black spots, and manic strength; their Qi and blood should be at a peak! How can there be a deficiency?"

"I also find it inconceivable." Elder Sun stroked his beard and pondered. "But the pulse returned by the silk thread is indeed like this. And..."

He paused. "The three patients inside the curtain are all young and strong, and logically, their Qi and blood should be the most vigorous. But at this moment, the degree of their pulse's floating weakness is comparable to that of an elderly person with a long-term illness."

The tent fell into silence.

The condition was completely opposite to expectations, which undoubtedly brought huge difficulties to the diagnosis.

Pharmacist Qu Fengchun stepped forward to greet Elder Sun and the others, and they exchanged a few words in low voices.

Jiang Hanzhou stood quietly behind Pharmacist Qu Fengchun, but his gaze went through the gap in the cloth curtain, trying hard to look inside.

He saw three men lying on the floor mats behind the curtain, covered with thin blankets. Their complexions were ashen, their eye sockets were deeply sunken, and their breathing was weak. Where was there any sign of "having astonishing strength and being extremely aggressive"?

They were clearly extremely weak.

This was too wrong.

Doubts arose in Jiang Hanzhou's heart. The same epidemic, in different places, showing almost diametrically opposite symptoms?

Is it the difference in environment, or... is it simply not the same thing at all?

Chief Administrator Chen rubbed his brow, clearly also feeling it was tricky:

"Everyone, it is late, the light is poor, and the patients need rest. Why don't we settle down for now, think carefully, and consult again tomorrow. Shahe Stockade has arranged an inn for everyone in the nearby Qinglu Town."

Everyone had no better solution and nodded one after another.

After days of rushing about and encountering such a difficult problem, they indeed needed time to sort things out.

Pharmacist Qu Fengchun and Jiang Hanzhou took their leave and, guided by people from Shahe Stockade, headed to Qinglu Town, a few miles away.

The small town was not big, right next to the Sha River, and named for its abundance of a type of reed with excellent toughness.

The inn was quite clean, clearly arranged with care by Shahe Stockade.

Jiang Hanzhou was assigned a single room facing the river.

He pushed open the window, and the murky Sha River water flowed quietly in the night. On the opposite bank was a pitch-black reed marsh, and the night wind brought the fishy smell of the river and the faint, rotten scent unique to the distant swamps.

He had come here just to see and learn; as a Third-Rank Apothecary, what kind of ideas could he offer?

Therefore, Jiang Hanzhou did not dwell on the day's events, but sat cross-legged and began to Cultivate his second Iron Bone Realm Cultivation Technique — the "Blood Fortifying Secret Record"!