73: The Emperor of the Shang Dynasty came to treat his illness

Autumn went and winter came, and a year passed in the blink of an eye.

It was the Nine Heavens, and the weather was freezing cold.

But as the New Year approached, villagers came to express their gratitude, and the line stretched from the inner hall of the medical clinic all the way to the west entrance of the village.

The room was piled high with mountain goods, fruits, and vegetables.

Although the money wasn't much, it was a heartfelt gesture.

“Thanks to Dr. Gu, my father’s leg ailment has been cured…”

“Dr. Gu is a great benevolent man!

Without him, these old bones of mine would have been buried years ago.”

“It's a pity that Dr. Gu has been alone for so many years, with no heir to pass on his medical skills…”

It wasn't until evening that the line of people expressing gratitude gradually dispersed, leaving only a father and daughter.

Li Hu was an honest and simple mountain dweller, clearly not good at handling such situations.

He smiled ingratiatingly and handed over a mended yellow fur robe: “Dr. Gu, there’s nothing good from the mountains.

This roe deer hide fell into a trap three months ago… My wife rushed to finish it before the New Year.

Wear it, and you'll be warm all winter.”

The item wasn't particularly precious, but the words were genuinely heartfelt.

Gu Changsheng smiled slightly and took the fur coat.

The touch was dense and soft.

Processing animal hides was not easy, especially with such craftsmanship; it would take at least a month's effort.

His gaze swept over the tattered hemp garments worn by the man and the young girl.

It was not easy for mountain people to earn money; after daily expenses, saving up to buy clothes was difficult.

A few years ago, Li Hu’s wife had a difficult labor, and it was thanks to Gu Changsheng’s intervention that it wasn't a case of two lives lost.

‘This coat, if sent to a tailor's shop, would be worth at least one string of coins…’

Gu Changsheng silently estimated, then smiled and said, “How is your wife’s health now?”

“Thanks to Dr. Gu, my wife is doing very well now.

It’s just that she developed a lingering illness and can’t walk long distances.

Otherwise, she would have come to pay respects with me today.

Zisu, quickly come and pay respects to your savior, Dr. Gu.”

“Dr. Gu, a good person like you will surely live a long life.”

The young girl with pigtails tied up like horns on her head said sweetly with a bright smile.

Immediately, Gu Changsheng’s cheek twitched.

‘Live a long life… Is this girl cursing me?’

After much small talk, the two finally prepared to leave.

“Wait…”

At the doorway, the father and daughter stopped and turned to look.

They saw Gu Changsheng emerge from the inner hall, carrying three bolts of brightly colored fabric.

These were top-quality goods sent by Steward Chen from the local tailor’s shop.

Each bolt was worth five taels of silver.

“Take these… The New Year is coming, you should get some new clothes for your child and wife…”

“Ah… This… Dr. Gu, how can we accept this?”

Li Hu’s usually dark face immediately turned red.

Mountain people were simple-minded; coming to express gratitude, it made no sense to leave with gifts.

“The villagers are too polite; the house is already overflowing.

How can I, alone, use all these things?

Please take them…”

Facing Gu Changsheng’s firm and unquestionable gaze, the rough man mumbled a few responses, nodded, and his eyes were faintly moist with tears.

Watching the two figures depart, Gu Changsheng stood in the center of the courtyard.

The vast courtyard of the medical clinic immediately became empty.

“Turns out, without realizing it, I’m already over fifty…”

Gu Changsheng sighed.

He simply sealed the gate and closed the clinic, then set up a red stove in the courtyard and started cooking hotpot.

The rising steam wafted out, and the fragrance drifted into the air.

“Ying ying~”

A white fox darted out, pouncing into Gu Changsheng’s arms, its eyes fixed on the pot.

“What’s wrong? Do you want to eat too?”

The white fox blinked its eyes frantically, a human-like smile appearing on its face.

“Alright, open wide…”

Gu Changsheng picked up a slice of demon meat with his chopsticks.

With his other hand, he stroked the soft fox fur.

This sensation hadn't changed in over thirty years.

The next day.

“Two years have passed… I wonder when the Incarnation will return?”

Gu Changsheng gazed absently towards the horizon.

Ever since the Yuan Lian Avatar went to the Ten Thousand Demon Mountains, he had performed a divination once every month.

Each time, it was 'peace'.

No alarms, no dangers, utterly uneventful.

Suddenly, there was an urgent knocking at the door.

“On a day like this, there’s still someone seeking medical attention…”

Gu Changsheng ambled forward.

Opening the door, he saw two elders and a Young Master dressed in luxurious clothes standing outside.

The elder was thin, with a kindly face, yet his brows carried a hint of treachery.

The Young Master beside him had dull eyes, thick dark circles, and festering sores on his face, looking utterly wasted by debauchery.

“Gentlemen, can I help you?”

“Dr. Gu, we, master and servant, have come from Chaoge. We heard of your superb medical skills and wish to ask for your help in treating an illness.

As for the consultation fee, we guarantee your satisfaction…”

The elder shook his sleeve and pulled out a gold ingot.

In these turbulent times of war and chaos, patients who were so lavish with their money were rare.

Gu Changsheng glanced at it and said indifferently, “Gentlemen, please come in…”

Inside the medical clinic.

The Young Master untied his belt, revealing his lower body, and a foul stench emanated.

“My master’s… venereal disease… can it be cured?”

The elder cautiously whispered.

Gu Changsheng, however, blinked his eyes. Under the Qi Observation Technique, the Luck of the two immediately became visible.

Above the Young Master’s head, majestic Luck transformed into a Golden Dragon, coiling over a landscape.

However, the landscape was fragmented, with seven or eight tenths gone.

Strands of black Qi entanglement the Golden Dragon, showing signs of impending fall.

This was indeed the Luck of an Emperor.

The elder's Luck was the purplish-green Luck of a high official, taking the form of green grapes, clinging to the landscape.

However, while the green grapes were lush, they did not grow in the ground but rather clung to the base of the mountain.

Once the landscape collapsed, the first to be crushed would be the green grapes.

‘So, it’s the current Emperor Yin Xu of Great Shang and Chancellor Jia, Jia Sidao… It is said that this Great Shang Emperor is addicted to wine and women, frequenting brothels, and it seems to be true.’

Gu Changsheng thought for a moment, matching the usual rumors with the appearances of the two, and immediately guessed their identities.

Seeing that Gu Changsheng did not respond, the Young Master looked impatient and shouted angrily, “Can it be cured or not?

If you can’t cure it, watch your dog life!”

At these words, a cold glint flashed in Gu Changsheng’s eyes.

Jia Sidao quickly interjected to smooth things over.

“My Young Master is anxious to be cured; I hope Dr. Gu will not take offense…”

As he spoke, he shot a meaningful glance at Yin Xu.

‘What if he is the Emperor of Great Shang?

Just a mere Mortal…’

Gu Changsheng’s expression turned cold, and with a thought, he looked up and laughed, “Haha, this illness… it’s a trivial matter.”

Upon hearing this, Yin Xu’s face broke into an eager smile, and he grabbed Gu Changsheng’s sleeve: “Really!

Don’t deceive me!”

To treat this illness, the imperial court had already executed thirteen imperial physicians.

In truth, curing this disease was not difficult.

The key was to abstain from sex.

But Yin Xu was in his prime, full of vigor, and with the alchemists under him offering five minerals powder and red pills, how could he control himself?

Often, as soon as he showed slight improvement, he couldn't help but indulge again.

Moreover, his preferences were peculiar.

He frequented disreputable places.

Thus, the illness only deepened.

“Just take this medicine of mine, and it will surely cure the disease…”

Gu Changsheng took some medicinal ingredients from the cabinet and mixed them together.

“To take this medicine… does one need to abstain from sex?”

Jia Sidao asked in a low voice.

“No need…”

Immediately, the two exchanged glances, revealing knowing smiles.

A moment later, Gu Changsheng, clutching a gold ingot, watched their departing figures with cold eyes.

He murmured, “Abstain from sex?

I hope you’ll still have desires in the future…”