Doctor Peng was not originally from Lingyao Village.
He didn’t quite remember his real name, as he had left his hometown with a wandering doctor when he was young. Moreover, his name was just a rural nickname. It was either Ah Niu, Gouzi, or Mancang. Later, after the wandering doctor passed away, he inherited the mantle and continued practicing medicine.
Doctor Peng learned to read through medical prescriptions and books. Even now, he still didn’t recognize many characters in the *Book of Songs*, and the characters he wrote were barely legible.
That was until he arrived in Pengze.
The villagers were pale and thin, with swollen bellies, and outsiders avoided them as if they carried the plague.
Shamans, monks, and practitioners all said that the village was haunted by hungry ghosts.
Upon careful questioning, it turned out that this strange disease had existed for an unknown amount of time. The elderly said their ancestors had died from the same illness, and now their grandchildren lay dying on the ground.
Initially, it only affected a few households. When someone fell ill, they would call a shaman to drink incense ashes and isolate the patient in a remote part of the village, not allowing them to leave. The villagers who divided the sick families’ lands eventually also fell ill. The shaman then claimed that the previous families’ malice had summoned a ghost’s curse. In anger, the villagers stopped sending food to the sick, and those patients starved to death.
However, the strange disease did not disappear with them. More and more people became ill, not only in their own village but also in neighboring villages. Eventually, the disease spread to all the villages they knew.
The patients were no longer isolated. They dragged their weary, weakened bodies to continue working until they died.
Since it wasn’t an illness that killed quickly, except for cases of high fever and sudden death after contact with water, the illness could last ten or even twenty years. People still worked the fields, and fish were still caught, but the numbers dwindled. The government, seeing no solution, stopped intervening. As long as people died in waves and not all at once, they didn’t care.
Doctor Peng was busy saving lives, but he couldn’t find the cause of the illness. In his desperation, he met Qin Lu.
Qin Lu came after hearing the rumors. At the time, the area around Pengze seemed like a ghostly realm. The surviving villagers were fleeing, but without travel permits and having lost their land, they became refugees. The local officials, panicked, concealed the truth and shut the city gates, preventing refugees from entering.
Naturally, Qin Lu did not believe the talk of hungry ghosts. Initially, he thought it was a plague.
But when he arrived at the fishing village and met Doctor Peng, he realized it wasn’t any illness he knew.
There was no doubt that such a widespread strange disease would spread, but the source remained unknown.
Doctor Peng was at his wit’s end, but Qin Lu, during his examination, noticed an extremely subtle change in the patients’ organs and meridians. The change was so faint that even he almost missed it. After numerous examinations, Qin Lu finally determined that the “evil influence” was some kind of worm, parasitizing the organs and tissues.
It bore such a resemblance to the “Gu” of the southern regions that even the legendary healer, Qin Lu, made a mistake, thinking a malicious practitioner had poisoned the water with Gu.
However, despite this mistake, a treatment plan based on ancient techniques for curing Gu, with some modifications and improvements in the herbs, proved effective.
This joy came too soon.
It could treat the symptoms, but not the root cause.
After several failed attempts to eradicate the Gu, Qin Lu’s treatment ultimately failed because the patients’ bodies were too weak to handle strong medicine. While broken bones could heal, organs destroyed by the Gu could not be replaced. Even if the Gu was removed, the patient would still die.
With no other options, Qin Lu turned to treat those with milder symptoms and those who had not yet fallen ill.
During the treatment of a child who had fallen into the water and developed a high fever, cough, and vomiting blood, Qin Lu realized that the Gu could also cause acute flare-ups. Some people died from this stage, which he had not previously connected to the same illness.
Determined to find the source of the disease, Qin Lu searched every possible avenue and discovered that the strange illness had existed since ancient times, but this was the first large-scale outbreak.
“In earlier dynasties, exploitation was severe, and the population was small. There were only traveling merchants passing through the village, and trade caravans were rare. Villages barely interacted with each other. Many people didn’t live long enough to die from the swollen-belly disease, as they died from various other causes first. Especially during the chaos at the end of the Chen Dynasty, countless people perished. After twenty years of peace and prosperity, the strange illness suddenly broke out on a large scale,” Doctor Peng slowly spoke under the flickering candlelight.
“Yes, my teacher mentioned it. There are still many diseases yet to be discovered. Only when people live long enough do they slowly become apparent.”
Mo Li had heard Qin Lu mention this, and it made him reflect.
——Strange illnesses break out during times of prosperity, but not in times of chaos.
The idea of ghosts and gods is not credible, and the notion that disasters come from Heaven because the ruler is unworthy is even less acceptable.
Meng Qi’s face was extremely grim. When he first came to Pengze, the plague had not yet spread widely, and when it broke out, it happened to coincide with Emperor Chu Yuan’s twilight years. During this time, he was executing loyal officials, and the court was in turmoil, so no one cared about the reports of the “rampant plague in Pengze.” The southern regions were full of miasmas and plagues, and similar reports came every year. The usual response was to reduce taxes and provide disaster relief. The court neither investigated nor questioned the situation, and the local officials didn’t have the courage to look into it either. As things dragged on, the situation eventually led to these dire consequences.
By the time Emperor Chu Ling succeeded to the throne, the civil and military officials were all caught up in political struggles, and no one cared about the people’s suffering.
“I shouldn’t have left Taijing. After Li Yuanze died, I should have returned… to cultivate my own network in the court. None of them could outlive me; it would have only taken a few decades of wasted time…”
Meng Qi muttered to himself, his voice barely audible. Only Mo Li heard him and quickly turned to snap Meng Qi out of his deep thoughts.
“Brother Meng, one person alone cannot reverse the heavens.”
Even if “Master Meng” had remained hidden within the court and fostered countless disciples, controlling their lives and fates from the shadows, the Chu Dynasty would not have flourished as Meng Qi wished. Human hearts are fickle, and it is impossible to keep them united. Even a boat that rows in unison can capsize, let alone using manipulative methods to control others.
As for painstakingly cultivating disciples, throughout history, many officials had turned against their teachers as soon as the latter resigned from office due to conflicting political views. Among them were those who had received great kindness from their teachers or had been mentored since childhood. Even fathers and sons could become estranged.
This doesn’t even account for betrayals caused by conflicting interests, merely those stemming from “differences in political views.”
Meng Qi let out a long sigh. His expression remained unpleasant, but at least he had stopped dwelling on his frustrations.
Doctor Peng only heard Mo Li’s words and had no idea what they were discussing.
But it all seemed to be about the plague. Doctor Peng had not spoken of his past for many years, nor had anyone to confide in. Now, reopening the wound felt excruciatingly painful, and he had no mind to care about anything else.
However, the martial artist who called Doctor Peng “Uncle” kept glancing at Meng Qi. Among the four of them, he had nothing to say to Doctor Peng, and Mo Li was Qin Lao’s disciple, but who was this man?
“I haven’t yet asked your honored name,” the martial artist interrupted Immortal Peng’s conversation about Lingyao Village and asked cautiously.
“This is my close friend, traveling with me…”
“I’m Ah Li’s sworn brother.”
Mo Li hadn’t even managed to say “traveling” before being cut off awkwardly.
Meng Qi didn’t bat an eye. In the eastern coastal region of Yangzhou, sworn brothers and sisters were commonplace, so what was so strange about it?
The room fell into a dead silence.
“Ahem, forgive this old man’s poor eyesight.”
This unexpected interruption eased much of the sorrow in Doctor Peng’s heart, and at least he didn’t need to take his heart-protecting pill anymore.
He looked at the young people around him, then at Mo Li. No matter what, as long as they could carry on the legacy of Divine Doctor Qin, he had some comfort. The fate of the next generation was beyond his control, and he only hoped they could live peaceful lives.
“This is Doctor Han’s youngest son, named Can. You all heard about Doctor Han’s fate just now… Ah Can studied martial arts for ten years at Mount Heng School. It was because Doctor Han once saved the parents of an inner disciple from the Mount Heng School that he was given this opportunity.”
The martial artist finally came to his senses and said with some embarrassment, “Unfortunately, I’m not suited for it and didn’t learn much.”
“You’re from a rural family with no great ambitions. No one expects you to travel the world as a wandering hero. If you have internal strength and are immune to the plague, and can escape in times of trouble, that is already the best outcome,” sighed Doctor Peng. “If I’m not around anymore, Lingyao Village will be entrusted to you.”
Han Can’s expression grew complicated upon hearing this, and there was a hint of resistance.
Doctor Peng sighed deeply and said, “Ah Can, the village that harmed your father and the other doctors has already been utterly transformed. The surviving villagers are no longer the people they once were. Those who did not trust in medicine and prayed to ghosts and gods—well, those ghosts and gods couldn’t extend their lives. The villagers who weren’t severely ill and escaped were so terrified of being haunted that they all fled. Over the years, you’ve also heard from the merchants about the state of the refugees.”
Had the Chu Dynasty still been around, perhaps the refugees could have found some relief.
But after the fall of Chu, the three kings were eager to fight to the death, and the men among the refugees were forcibly conscripted into the army, while the elderly, women, and children were left to fend for themselves, wandering in despair.
Without travel permits or land, many people who went to work in workshops either starved or died from exhaustion, with countless casualties. Only a few managed to settle down in foreign places.
Even when there were no wars, there were still many refugees.
In Pengze, villages where all the people had died were soon repopulated by refugees from other places, forming new settlements.
What about the plague? People who had only heard rumors and never seen the plague in action were not afraid at all. There was land here, fish to catch, and broken houses that could be repaired and lived in. Dying from illness was still better than starving to death.
“They died, but are the ones who came later any better?” Han Can said bitterly.
Mo Li exchanged a glance with Meng Qi. Although Doctor Peng had not gone into detail about the situation in Lingyao Village, with their intelligence, they could easily guess.
——Since the people were so ignorant, it was necessary to follow their way of thinking. They embellished the story of falling into the path of hungry ghosts and linked it with the sins of previous lives and karmic consequences in this life. It was half intimidation and half treatment. Those who couldn’t be cured were said to have too much sin and debt. As for children and young people who were saved, it was said that part of their lifespan had been used to pay off some of their sins, and as long as they did not create more karma in this life, they could be reborn into a better life in the next.
He called himself “Immortal Peng,” likely borrowing the name of Peng Zu, who was said to have lived for 800 years, and taking a part of the name from Pengze Lake.
Meanwhile, Han Can said angrily, “Never mind anything else. Just look at the people in Lingyao Village. They may revere gods and spirits with their words and hearts, and they may respect you, Uncle, but when it comes to making money, they’d sell a jar of ointment for ten times its price if they could. You had every household make ointment, saying it was a holy medicine to ward off evil and cleanse sins. But when the merchants sold it in the county, the price was so high that commoners couldn’t afford it, and many people, instead of farming, started applying it on themselves. When the villagers heard about the prices in the city, they also raised the prices when neighboring villages came to ask for ointment. If this continues, the fishermen and farmers who really need the ointment won’t be able to buy it, and those who don’t need it will believe in it blindly. Won’t the plague spread again?”
Doctor Peng smiled and said, “Weren’t you not concerned about the people in the other villages? Why are you now worried about them?”
“Uncle!” Han Can was almost embarrassed with anger and retorted, “It’s not that I like the people of Lingyao Village, but if you… they would absolutely go to the towns with their families to sell the ointment, or even go to other places pretending to be mystical healers. They don’t understand medicine, and if they treat people recklessly and cheat money while harming lives, what will happen?”
“There are pros and cons to everything. At least the ointment recipe has been spread,” Meng Qi suddenly interjected. “As for the people of Lingyao Village, they can only deceive the fishing villages near Pengze. People farther away won’t believe in their stories. Even if some do believe, they will either steal or force the recipe from them. Deception isn’t as easy as it seems.”
Han Can glared at him, while Doctor Peng coughed and laughed, “Indeed, you’ve seen how things are in the village these years. Though stories of ghosts and gods are effective, they forget everything when profit is at stake. However, their knowledge is shallow, and they are illiterate. What more can they do? As long as you continue guarding Lingyao Village, those who fall ill and want to survive will naturally come here. I just worry that you are unwilling to inherit the legacy of your father and me, and to continue practicing medicine.”
Han Can’s expression showed signs of inner struggle.
Doctor Peng would rather resort to superstition than leave this place, but why?
After the other doctors met their fate, no other physicians were willing to come here.
Doctor Peng didn’t want Qin Lu’s and his efforts to go to waste. By staying here, he could continue treating more people with the plague, refining the prescription, and passing it on to future generations. How could he not resent the ignorant villagers who caused the deaths of the doctors? But if he gave up, the future would lose a valuable medical book on treating the plague. Physicians determined to save lives would have to start from scratch, possibly facing the same misfortune as they did.
“Ah Can, you only need to take on one disciple with a good heart and character, and in the future, pass everything on to him. That would be enough to fulfill my and your father’s wishes.”
“Uncle…”
Han Can lowered his head. Although he thought the people of Lingyao Village were beyond saving, there were still innocent children and elderly women in the village who were genuinely grateful to them.
“Enough, don’t let Divine Doctor Qin’s disciple laugh at us. After all, you are peers.” Doctor Peng chuckled. “I have learned very little, and my knowledge of medical books is even more limited. Since you are Qin’s disciple, you must be extraordinary. I would like to seek your advice.”
“You are too kind, Uncle Peng,” Mo Li quickly stood up.
“Don’t be modest. Ah Can, go to the back room and bring me my notebook.”
Doctor Peng looked eagerly at Mo Li, “This is a collection of cases I’ve gathered over the years, as well as some prescriptions I’ve thought of. Please, dear nephew, deliver it to Qin. If we meet again in the future, I hope you can bring back Qin’s notes and thoughts on these prescriptions for Ah Can. If we never meet again, then pass it on to another physician who is determined to treat the plague.”
Mo Li bowed and accepted the notebook Han Can handed him.
The paper was not of good quality, yellowed, and far inferior to the fancy paper used by scholars to write poems and essays.
Since he often lost his travel bags, Mo Li decided to memorize the contents of the notebook when he had the time.
“I will do my utmost to ensure it reaches my teacher’s desk,” the young man promised.
“Good, good!”
Doctor Peng’s eyes grew moist. He was old now and hadn’t expected to meet a disciple of an old friend again.
He turned his gaze to Meng Qi, and Doctor Peng instinctively felt that this man came from an extraordinary background. He wanted to remind Mo Li to be cautious, as those from noble families were unreliable. One day they might say one thing, and the next day they’d change their tune, turning on you faster than anyone else.
Meng Qi also realized that this time he had indirectly met Ah Li’s “elder.”
Fine, then. Why not use this opportunity to practice on Doctor Peng?
Meng Qi straightened up and spoke first, “This junior is Meng, Meng Qixing. My parents have passed away, and even my old friends left me early. Fortunately, I hit it off with Ah Li right away, and that’s how we ended up traveling the world together.”
Mo Li’s expression grew complicated. He couldn’t understand how Meng Qi could say the word “junior” with such a straight face.
And as for “my parents have passed away”—they never even existed!
Doctor Peng only half-understood the formalities of scholars, and besides, not even all scholars could recall the name of the Chu Dynasty’s national teacher. It was even less likely that Doctor Peng would know that Meng Qi’s courtesy name was Qixing, so he believed it to be true. His scrutinizing gaze immediately softened.
Meng Qi pressed on, speaking solemnly, “These are hard times, with turmoil everywhere. Having someone by his side, I imagine Old Master Qin must feel more at ease.”
This reasoning made sense, but… his disciple left on a journey and returned with a sworn brother. This—
Doctor Peng had a hard time comprehending the situation but found it difficult to say anything.
First, the disciple was not really his, and second, Doctor Peng himself had no real interest in settling down or starting a family. Third, aside from their different genders and statuses, Meng Qixing seemed to match up quite well with Qin’s disciple.
“Oh, the medicine outside should be ready soon. Ah Can, go check on it,” Doctor Peng called out, changing the subject.
Han Can suddenly remembered and hurriedly prepared to fetch the medicine.
“No need,” Mo Li stopped him. “My master taught me not only medicine but also martial arts.”
Both Doctor Peng and Han Can turned their gaze to Meng Qi.
Mo Li had no choice but to steel himself and explain on Meng Qi’s behalf. After all, the sand rat was scared of bitterness and would likely say something even more absurd to avoid drinking the medicine.
“Brother Meng’s martial arts are superior to mine.”
Han Can glanced between Mo Li and Meng Qi, then muttered softly, “Uncle, should I ask for medical advice, or should I ask about martial arts first?”
Doctor Peng: “…”
What are you thinking? Of course, it’s medicine! Can martial arts improve in just three days? Is learning martial arts that easy? If it were, why would you need the ointment? Wouldn’t it be better for fishermen and farmers to learn an internal energy cultivation method and then continue their work, rather than relying on the ointment?
In fact, unless one was a master of internal energy, even people from the martial world could get infected by the plague when they touched water frequently. Just last year, a gang of river pirates fell ill. How powerful must one’s martial arts be to be completely immune to the disease? Doctor Peng had seen Qin Lu’s abilities with his own eyes, and he was in awe. Qin was extraordinary, and even his disciple was extraordinary—let alone his disciple’s sworn… cough!
Suddenly, Doctor Peng remembered something and tentatively asked, “Since you know martial arts, you must also know about matters in the martial world?”
Mo Li was confused and instinctively asked, “What do you mean, Uncle Peng?”
“Do you know of the *Fengxing Pavilion*? Can you find the person in charge of Fengxing Pavilion?”
Author’s note:
Meng Qi: Admiration
Mo Li: Admiration
Han Can: Admiration—both martial arts and medicine are impressive
Doctor Peng: Admiration—Brother Qin is truly a winner in life, even his disciple’s sworn brother is… cough.
