Chapter 146: Tricking an Academician into Becoming a Village Doctor

The atmosphere in the hospital room suddenly turned strange. Han Yi's expression was grim and uncertain as her mind raced, trying to recall who had the most contact with Zhao Feng.

Song Rui's face was grave, his thoughts a mystery.

Chen Erbao paid them no mind and began the treatment.

Fang Yi stood quietly to the side, his eyes fixed on Chen Erbao's hands, not even blinking.

With a wave of his hand, more than a dozen Silver Needles glinted before sinking into Zhao Feng's head, each one vibrating ceaselessly.

Witnessing this, Fang Yi muttered to himself in excitement:

"This is true Chinese medicine… True acupuncture…"

As Chen Erbao's Spiritual Power flowed into the Silver Needles, the residual Spiritual Qi in Zhao Feng's head was instantly purged. But Chen Erbao's brow furrowed slightly.

He discovered that the Spiritual Qi in Zhao Feng's mind was even purer than his own.

'There's more to this than meets the eye!'

Fortunately, this Spiritual Power was like rootless duckweed. It lingered in his palm for only a moment before turning formless and dissipating completely.

Chen Erbao removed the Silver Needles and looked at Han Yi and the others.

"The toxins have been completely removed. Mr. Zhao will be fine."

Hearing this, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Han Yi, her face filled with gratitude, bowed respectfully to Chen Erbao.

"Mr. Chen, thank you so much. If it weren't for you, I really don't know what I would have done…"

"Please, there's no need for such formalities. Ruoying and I are good friends. Of course I would help when she asked."

Upon hearing this, Han Yi shot a grateful look at Zhao Ruoying.

"Auntie, Uncle doted on me most when I was little. It's only right that I help," Zhao Ruoying comforted her, after giving Chen Erbao an appreciative glance.

"Feed Mr. Zhao some plain congee. Once he wakes up, he'll need some highly nourishing food to rebuild his strength. After all, lying in bed for so many days has taken its toll on his body."

Han Yi nodded.

"Yes, we'll remember that."

Zhao Xiang'Er's eyes sparkled with a peculiar light as she looked at Chen Erbao and asked:

"Mr. Xiao Chen, do you know when my dad will wake up?"

Chen Erbao looked at the cute young girl and smiled gently.

"He should be waking up soon. Let's go out for now and let him rest."

"Okay."

Everyone filed out and sat down on the chairs in the living room again.

"Divine Doctor Chen, I implore you to accept me as your disciple! I am willing to perform the formal ceremony!"

Chen Erbao had just sat down to rest for a moment when Fang Yi rushed over and said excitedly.

Chen Erbao rubbed his nose in exasperation.

"Mr. Fang, you are a highly respected senior. I've only learned a few minor tricks. How could I possibly be your master?"

But Fang Yi said earnestly:

"Divine Doctor Chen, I witnessed your skills with my own eyes. You are a true master physician, more than qualified to be my master. Please, you must accept me! The future of Chinese medicine in this country is bleak. It's being suppressed by Western medicine to the point where it can barely survive. I thought this cultural treasure, passed down for thousands of years, would be lost by our generation of old men. But then, in this final hour of darkness, I met you... For the sake of preserving our medical heritage, I beg you, please accept me!"

He grew more agitated as he spoke, and was about to drop to his knees.

'I'm only in my twenties. How can I let a man in his sixties or seventies kneel to me? That's asking for a shorter life!'

He quickly stood and caught Fang Yi before he could kneel.

"Mr. Fang, please don't do this…"

As he was racking his brain for a way to dissuade him, Chen Erbao suddenly had an idea about the village doctor position.

'I'm getting busier and busier, so I don't have time to run the village clinic anymore. With more and more workers at the factory, Bailong Village is going to get more prosperous. It can't be without a doctor. I probably won't have the time myself... but isn't Fang Yi the perfect candidate for some free labor?'

He hesitated for a moment, then sighed.

"Mr. Fang, I absolutely cannot accept you as a disciple. However, you do have a point. The medical knowledge I possess was passed down to me from an unknown senior, and I can't bear the thought of it being a hidden gem gathering dust in my hands… I have an idea, I wonder if you'd be interested?"

Fang Yi's ears perked up, and he nodded eagerly.

"Yes, yes! I'll agree to any condition!"

Chen Erbao considered for a moment before speaking.

"I was originally the village doctor for Bailong Village, usually just treating the villagers for minor things like headaches and colds. But now that I've started a company, I'm stretched too thin to manage it. Why don't you, Mr. Fang, take over as our village doctor? That way, it would also be convenient for us to exchange our medical knowledge… It's just, you're such a respected senior. I don't know if you'd be willing to lower yourself to become a simple village doctor."

Hearing this, Fang Yi didn't even hesitate, nodding ecstatically.

"Thank you, Divine Doctor Chen! I am willing! As soon as I return to the Capital City, I'll resign from my post as a doctoral advisor and come find you in Bailong Village!"

"Master, you can't!"

The two Ph.D. students who had come with Fang Yi cried out in alarm.

"You're the chief physician of the Imperial Hospital! How can you go and be a village doctor…?"

"He's right, Master! If word of this gets out, your reputation will be ruined!"

Only then did Chen Erbao notice that the female student was actually quite beautiful. She had a quiet, serene air about her. Although she wore a pair of old-fashioned, black-rimmed glasses that partially hid her face, her smooth skin and fine features marked her as a first-rate beauty.

Hearing his two students, Fang Yi's face hardened, and he slammed his hand on the table.

"Fools! How can we, as physicians, be greedy for fame and power? The true path to medical greatness is right in front of me! Let that fame and fortune blow away in the wind. Whoever wants it can have it. I couldn't care less!"

He was stubborn by nature and interested only in Chinese medicine. He had dedicated his entire life to the field, but after years of fruitless searching, he had stumbled upon Chen Erbao.

In Chen Erbao, he truly saw hope for the future of Chinese medicine.

Seeing Fang Yi's anger, his two students didn't dare say another word and retreated to the side.

Chen Erbao cleared his throat and added:

"I have a partnership with Medicine King Hall. They can provide whatever medicinal ingredients we might need, so it's very convenient in Bailong Village. You won't need to worry about supplies."

Fang Yi was overjoyed.

"I know those old coots at Medicine King Hall very well… This must be a heaven-sent opportunity!"

Seeing that Chen Erbao and Fang Yi had reached an agreement, Han Yi said with a smile:

"Today is a day for celebration. Divine Doctor Chen, Mr. Fang, please don't leave tonight. Allow us to host you properly."

Chen Erbao had actually wanted to return to the village, but seeing that Zhao Ruoying still seemed worried about Zhao Feng's condition, he nodded.

"Alright, I'll stay for the night."

Han Yi was delighted that Chen Erbao had agreed.

Song Rui clapped his hands.

"Dad's better, and we've had the honor of meeting a young prodigy like Divine Doctor Chen! Mom, I'll go tell the kitchen to prepare a feast. We have to celebrate properly tonight!"

"Go on, then."

Han Yi nodded at Song Rui.

Watching Song Rui's retreating figure, the corners of Chen Erbao's mouth curved into a smile.

He looked over and saw that Zhao Ruoying was also watching him, her eyes gesturing toward Song Rui's back.

Chen Erbao stood up.

"Don't go in and disturb Mr. Zhao for now. I'm going outside for some fresh air."

Zhao Ruoying stood up as well.

"I'll go with you."

Han Yi, the other women, and Fang Yi walked them to the door, watching as the pair departed.