52: The fish took the bait

Lin Jingyu's voice was deliberately hoarse and dry, tinged with the fatigue of a long journey:

"Excuse me, could you tell me the way? I'm a traveling doctor from Wanggu Village. A few days ago, I was gathering herbs in the mountains and accidentally lost my way. I wandered in the forest for three days and three nights before finally stumbling out... May I ask where this is?"

The old man stopped, his cloudy eyes struggling to lift as he scrutinized him: coarse cloth short clothes, stained with mud and grass, carrying a medicine basket, his face dusty—he indeed looked like a lost mountain dweller.

The old man raised a finger and pointed to a faintly visible stream at the foot of the distant mountain: "Young man, you're way off course! Wanggu Village? It's at least twenty li from here!"

He took a breath, then pointed in the direction the small path extended: "Follow this path straight ahead until you reach the main road. On the main road, you might be able to catch a passing ox cart or mule cart to take you back."

Lin Jingyu immediately rubbed his knees, sighing with a troubled expression:

"Alas! Old man, to be honest, after wandering in the forest for three days, I only ate some wild fruits. Now I'm so hungry my chest is sticking to my back, and my calves are cramping... Do you think there's a kind family in the village who could offer me a bowl of hot water to drink and something to fill my stomach?"

As he spoke, he naturally pulled out a few copper coins, warm from sweat and with slightly blurred edges, and placed them into the old man's hand, which was rough like tree bark.

The old man's withered fingers unconsciously rubbed the warm copper coins, and the wrinkles on his face seemed to smooth out a bit. He said nothing, just quietly tucked the coins away close to his body, then raised a hand.

"Come with me, there's still some hot water at home." His voice was a little warmer than before.

For an old man struggling to survive in this poor village, a few copper coins that could buy several steamed buns were a rare windfall.

Walking into Little Stone Village, the scene before him appeared even more desolate and dilapidated.

Almost all he saw were low mud-brick thatched houses, their walls made of yellow mud mixed with dry grass, and their roofs covered with thick thatch, many areas already collapsed and blackened.

Only a few slightly better-off households scattered throughout the village had some broken blue bricks or gray tiles, which were considered rare signs of "decency."

Arriving at the old man's equally simple home, Lin Jingyu accepted a chipped, coarse pottery bowl filled with murky, yellowish warm water.

He didn't mind it, gulping it down, then let out a long sigh, as if truly quenched his thirst.

"Thank you, old man, for saving my life!" He put down the bowl, his face sincere: "I have nothing to repay you with except my trade. Let me take your pulse? If you have any old ailments, it's good to treat them early."

The old man hesitated for a moment, then extended his wrist, covered in calluses and cracks.

Lin Jingyu extended three fingers, pretending to take the old man's pulse, his brow furrowing and relaxing occasionally, while his other hand stroked the goatee he used as a disguise.

After a moment, he released his hand and said with a serious air: "Old man, do you often feel weak all over, with aching back and legs, especially when the weather changes, and a chill penetrates your bones?

I'll prescribe you a medicine. Buy it in town and take it for about half a year, and you'll recover."

A hint of surprise flashed in the old man's cloudy eyes, then dimmed. He waved his hand: "Alas, they're all old ailments. I'm already a man with one foot in the grave; it's not worth wasting money on medicine anymore."

This reaction was within Lin Jingyu's expectations.

He stood up and said, "Since the old man says so, then I'll give you a massage, as a token of gratitude for this bowl of water."

As he spoke, he walked behind the old man and casually placed his hands on the old man's lower back.

Within him, the Evergreen Art quietly circulated, and a wisp of pure, gentle spiritual energy, like a trickling stream, carefully flowed into the old man's withered body.

For ordinary people, spiritual energy was no different from a greatly nourishing Spirit Pill. Even this tiny wisp had an effect far surpassing several months of medicinal tonics.

The old man felt an indescribable warm current suddenly surge from his lower back, instantly spreading throughout his limbs and bones. His previously aching and unbearable old cold legs felt as if they had been immersed in warm water; the stiff, heavy sensation instantly lightened considerably, and even his hunched back seemed to straighten a bit!

He gasped sharply, his cloudy eyes widening in disbelief, and he turned to look at Lin Jingyu: "Young man... your hands are truly divine! Comfortable! My whole body feels comfortable!"

Lin Jingyu's face still held that simple smile as he withdrew his hands: "It's no trouble. Doctors have the heart of parents. Since I stumbled upon this village, it's fate.

How about you call out to the villagers who aren't feeling well, and I'll examine them one by one? Consider it building good karma."

"Aye! Aye! Good! Good!" The old man's voice trembled with excitement; free medical treatment was a great kindness.

Then, steeling his heart, he actually pulled out the copper coins Lin Jingyu had given him earlier, intending to return them, "This... how can I accept this, this money..."

Lin Jingyu gently pushed his hand away: "Old man, keep it. It's good to buy some sweets for the children."

The old man's eyes were slightly red. He no longer refused, carefully put away the copper coins, and turned to run out, his steps much lighter and nimbler than when he came.

"Everyone, come out quickly! A lucky star has come to our village! A divine doctor is here to treat us! No charge! It's free!" The old but joyful shouts instantly broke the silence of the small village.

The previously quiet and somewhat lifeless village immediately sprang to life.

Many people poked their heads out of the low mud houses, looking surprised at Old Man Xu, who was walking briskly.

"Old Man Xu, why are your legs so nimble today?"

"Grandpa Xu, run slower, don't fall!"

Old Man Xu excitedly waved his arms: "It's that divine doctor! He just pressed a bit and it worked! It's amazing! Hurry! Everyone come to the old locust tree at the village entrance, he's waiting to treat us."

The news spread like wildfire, attracting more and more people out of their homes, their faces filled with anticipation, curiosity, and a hint of disbelief.

In the crowd, a burly man wearing an old animal hide jacket and faintly smelling of blood, rushed past everyone with a somewhat anxious expression.

He came before Lin Jingyu, clasped his hands, and said earnestly:

"Esteemed Divine Doctor, could you please treat my family first? My... my... distant nephew, unfortunately rolled down a hillside and is seriously injured..."

Lin Jingyu's eyes flashed with brilliance upon hearing this, and the corners of his mouth subtly curved upwards.

After all this effort, the fish had finally taken the bait.

He immediately stood up and said, "I dare not claim to be a divine doctor. Healing the sick and saving lives is our duty as doctors. Treating the sick and saving lives brooks no delay; lead the way."