Chapter 336: Chapter 59: Imperial Doctor, Primordial Spirit Sword Control
"Brother Jiang."
Ming Yang, who had gone to find a doctor, arrived belatedly.
Accompanying him were Zhong Shenxiu and an elderly man with white hair and a flowing beard.
Dressed in a simple indigo robe, the old man’s white hair and beard did not betray any signs of withering. He still looked robust, and though his Qi Mechanism didn’t appear powerful, there was an enduring presence about him.
He must be the doctor Ming Yang had found for Jiang Li.
"Brother Jiang, this is Senior Xu Miao," Zhong Shenxiu introduced, "Elder Xu once served as the Imperial Doctor, possessing the skill to rejuvenate. He should be able to help Brother Jiang with his recovery."
The Imperial Doctor?
Jiang Li was intrigued.
In the Great Zhou, any reputable doctor was actually in some way connected to the Jiang family.
As descendants of Emperor Yan, the progenitor of medical practice, the Jiang family inherited his teachings and held a status in the medical field comparable to that of a Confucian family of noble heritage in previous times. The Jiang family had strategically used this status to their advantage, maintaining ties with doctors everywhere, forming a formidable power not to be underestimated.
After all, who could guarantee they’d never need medical attention in their lifetime?
But those were matters of the past. Ever since the Jiang family fell from grace, those associated with them had been implicated, and their fates were far from optimistic.
It was said that at the onset of the Emperor’s illness, the palace could not find anyone to treat him for a while, as all famous doctors at the Imperial Doctorate were linked to the Jiang family and were, therefore, untrustworthy.
Jiang Li had not expected to encounter the head of the Imperial Doctorate here in the Imperial College.
’That’s right, the Imperial College Sacrificial Officer is Feng Chang, who oversees the six department heads, including the Imperial Doctor, as one of his duties. It’s natural for them to have a rapport.’
After a moment of surprise, Jiang Li suddenly realized this.
As for why Xu Miao was here... it was most likely due to his currently awkward predicament, seeking shelter at the Imperial College.
Elder Doctor Xu then humbly chuckled, "In front of Young Master Jiang, I dare not boast my skills as extraordinary. The praise of having a miraculous touch is merely others’ flattering words."
As he spoke, the elder approached and, with eyes clear of any senile haze, looked at Jiang Li. His Qi Mechanism subtly stirred.
"Young Master Jiang’s Qi is weakened, but the vital energy inside you is continuously flowing. Although your injuries are severe, they have not damaged your foundation. May I take your pulse?" Xu Miao asked, conveying a request with a humble expression.
"It’s not a problem at all."
Jiang Li smiled and extended his body, offering his left wrist for the elder to feel the pulse.
Xu Miao’s fingers rested on the pulse, and his white eyebrows instantly twitched, "Transforming Grass, Spirit Flower, Vermilion Fruit..."
He named thirty-three medicinal ingredients in succession, exclaiming, "Indeed, it’s from the ’Divine Farmer’s Hundred Herbs Scripture.’ Truly worthy of the Divine Farmer Jiang Clan."
The thirty-three herbs’ properties were concurrently acting within Jiang Li’s body, merging and separating, healing wounds and nurturing vitality. Even with Xu Miao’s knowledge, he could only marvel at the miraculous intricacy.
Only the ’Divine Farmer’s Hundred Herbs Scripture’ along with the Jiang family’s Innate Qi could achieve what was happening before their eyes.
"The injuries of Young Master Jiang can resolve on their own. The only thing I, as the former Imperial Doctor, can probably do is to prescribe some Qi-restoring medication to supplement your True Qi," Xu Miao stroked his beard and said with a smile.
Upon hearing this, Ming Yang immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
If anything serious happened to Jiang Li, the Imperial College would not be able to shirk responsibility, as it was they who had invited him over.
"If there’s any need for medicinal ingredients, Senior Xu, please speak freely, and the Imperial College will provide what we can," Zhong Shenxiu also said.
"That... depends on what’s available in the Imperial College’s secret place."
Xu Miao laughed heartily, then turned to Jiang Li, "Young Master Jiang, please wait a moment. I’ll see what excellent Spiritual Medicines I can find and bring some back for you."
His manner indicated a clear goodwill, seemingly having a positive regard for the Jiang family members.
Perhaps it was because Xu Miao had long been aligned with the Jiang family’s stance, naturally siding with them.
The latter seemed more plausible.
If there really existed a bond between them, it was most likely with the Jiang family, not with Jiang Li, who had risen by stepping on them.
The two men left Jiang Li’s room, walked out of the pavilion they were in, and after about a hundred steps, Zhong Shenxiu’s Qi Mechanism fluctuated, isolating the inside from the outside. Then he asked, "Senior, is Jiang Li truly badly injured?"
He seemed skeptical about Jiang Li’s injuries.
And that was understandable. Zhong Shenxiu was skilled at using ’The Analects of Confucius,’ but that didn’t mean he was foolish. A truly foolish person couldn’t have reached Zhong Shenxiu’s realm.
Jiang Li had just been pursued under Qiong Mountain and allowed Ji Changluo to die at Ming Yang’s hands – there were too many convenient coincidences.
Zhong Shenxiu hadn’t forgotten how Jiang Li had craftily taken over Ghost Gate in the past.
This Brother Jiang may appear calm and collected, but beneath the surface, he was unfathomably shrewd.
"Indeed he has suffered severe injuries," Xu Miao whispered, "Old wounds coupled with new ones, every acupoint throughout his body has been struck by Thunder Strike. It is only because he is of the Jiang family that he could bring forth the power of Hundred Herbs to heal. Otherwise, he would be left with at most half his vitality. If he were to be attacked again, his prospects would be dire."
Zhong Shenxiu’s eyebrows twitched slightly at the news.
Could it be that this time, the cunning Brother Jiang really did suffer a loss?
He thought for a moment and then inquired, "Is there any delay in the circulation of True Qi within Jiang Li’s body?"
At their level, Qi was connected with their spirit: when intent moved, Qi was supposed to respond immediately. If there was any delay in intent, the Qi would not be swift.
If Jiang Li’s mind was crushed by the vast Qi, his True Qi would naturally be affected as well.
This point could not escape the diagnosis of Xu Miao, the former Imperial Doctor.
Thus, it was also possible to judge whether Jiang Li harbored any improper intentions toward the Imperial College.
"Without the slightest delay," Xu Miao said this with a sense of admiration, "on the contrary, his True Qi flows extremely smoothly, as if it had been blessed by the vast Qi."
Zhong Shenxiu: "..."
Even with Zhong Shenxiu’s mental state, he did not know what to say at this moment.
Only those who steadfastly follow the righteous path and have a heart full of integrity could be blessed by the vast Qi. Looking at the entire Imperial College, there were not many such people. Zhong Shenxiu was one of them, naturally aware of the difficulty of receiving the blessing of vast Qi.
This was why he was at a loss for words.
Jiang Li was blessed by the vast Qi?
Could it be that he was a genuinely upright and good person?
Zhong Shenxiu finally broke his silence after a long while and said in a low voice, "Junior has taken note, thank you for your effort, Senior."
"It was nothing more than a simple effort. If it hadn’t been for Lord Feng Chang protecting me back then, I’m afraid I too would have been purged. This small matter is not worth mentioning," Xu Miao waved it away.
Afterward, Zhong Shenxiu released the True Qi that isolated the inside from the outside, and the two went to the secret place.
...
...
On the other side, Jiang Li was maintaining the operation of the medicinal power within his body while asking Ming Yang, "I heard that there is a building in the Imperial College called Huanzhu Building. Could Brother Ming tell me more about it?"
Ming Yang showed a surprised expression, "Why does Brother Jiang suddenly bring up this building?"
A sense of wariness quietly rose in his heart. Although subtle, under Jiang Li’s scrutiny, it was as clear as day.
Perhaps it was because of his own glorious achievements that were too famous, making Ming Yang maintain a bit of caution beneath the surface friendliness. Or possibly, Zhong Shenxiu or the mentors of the Imperial College had given him a reminder.
At this point, Jiang Li had a sort of tacit understanding with the Imperial College Sacrificial Officer, but this was not enough to make both parties fully trust each other.
For both sides, while they maintained contact, vigilance was also indispensable.
Jiang Li mentioning Huanzhu Building so abruptly roused an instinctive alertness in Ming Yang, who had been harboring caution.
"Well..."
Jiang Li laughed it off, his eyelids drooping to conceal the somber shadow that briefly appeared in his eyes, "To be honest, my senior sister and I are about to set a wedding date, and she will be coming to Divine Capital. I thought ahead to make some plans, to stroll around with my senior sister when the time comes. There happens to be a charming story about Huanzhu Building in the Imperial College..."
Although his senior sister was still in seclusion at the Sect, she was always in Jiang Li’s heart and frequently mentioned.
This showed the depth of their relationship.
Jiang Li uncharacteristically shed his mature demeanor, adopting a youthful and somewhat awkward air as his gaze lowered, as if he was slightly embarrassed. Meanwhile, the effects of the Heart Demon Secret Sword subtly dissolved Ming Yang’s guard.
The sound of Tianxuan’s light laughter then reached his ears.
"How is it that I wasn’t aware of your wedding arrangement with Qing Yue?" his master teased.
This skill of fibbing with eyes wide open was becoming increasingly impressive, and Tianxuan was dumbstruck with admiration.
Yet Ming Yang believed it.
Why?
Because when dealing with Lu King previously, Jiang Li had also said that he was about to be married. At that time, Zhong Shenxiu was present, and naturally, he let Ming Yang know afterward.
A plausible reason, an exquisite performance, coupled with the subtle influence of the Heart Demon Secret Sword, convinced Ming Yang to believe Jiang Li.
"So that’s the case. I’ll take this opportunity to extend my early congratulations to Brother Jiang."
Ming Yang congratulated him and then said, "Since Brother Jiang mentioned Huanzhu Building, you must have heard about the story of Returning the Pearl. To not hide anything from Brother Jiang, the building indeed houses the legacy of that predecessor, and apart from a few Imperial College Scholars who were fortunate enough to comprehend it, others cannot enter. I’ll ask my teacher later to see if it might be possible to make an exception for you."
"Many thanks," Jiang Li said with a smile.
The two conversed for a while, and Jiang Li seemed to grow tired. He leaned to the side, propped his forehead with a hand, and fell asleep like that.
Ming Yang simply thought it was because Jiang Li’s injury had depleted his energy, so he wasn’t surprised at all. He quietly left the room and waited outside the door.
It seemed he was worried that Jiang Li might encounter some unexpected incidents, ready to assist if needed.
But what he did not know was that as soon as he left, sword Qi flew out from Jiang Li’s acupoints, converging before him to form a transparent and clear sword.
A Round Light rose from Jiang Li’s Heavenly Spirit, with a tiny figure faintly visible inside, entering the sword.
Next, the maid formed a mysterious Seal Technique with her hands, and a large star was infused into the sword.
"The forces from the Southern Heavenly Department will arrive soon, and at that time, the man outside will probably take the opportunity to enter the Imperial College. As one of the Nine Ministers, the Imperial College Sacrificial Officer will likely want to meet him. That will be your chance," Tianxuan’s voice echoed in Jiang Li’s mind, "If it is not feasible, your teacher will bring you back."
"I’m off."
The sword transformed into light, arcing through the room, and suddenly passed through the window, disappearing from the room.
And all of this went unnoticed by Ming Yang.