Gao Zhanhu's expression shifted slightly. Indeed, Wu Jing was no ordinary physician. He had studied medicine in Nanyang Prefecture for decades and was a renowned master of the art.
Countless martial artists owed Wu Jing their lives. By humiliating him here, Gao Fortress would only be needlessly making a powerful enemy for itself.
"Physician Wu, please quell your anger,” Gao Zhanhu said quickly. “This man is my third brother, Gao Zhanwu. He has always been reckless by nature and speaks without restraint. I ask that you not take offense."
Gao Zhanhu offered Wu Jing a deep bow. He then urged, "Zhanwu, hurry and apologize to Physician Wu!"
Gao Zhanwu clutched his broken arm, clenching his teeth. Though he was clearly unwilling, he swallowed his bride and bowed his head. "Physician Wu, forgive my rashness."
Wu Jing waved his hand and spoke coolly. "A physician is bound by three commandments[1]: A physician shall not take illness lightly, and a patient must never dishonor the physician.
"I will not pursue today’s matter. Regardless, I cannot treat your son's illness. Fortress Lord, seek another physician. I shall take my leave."
It was painfully clear that Wu Jing was offended; he was no longer willing to treat Gao Yuzhi. He walked out at once with Lu Changsheng. Back in the main hall, the apprentices looked on in confusion. But when they saw Wu Jing's dark expression, they just followed him in silence, not daring to speak up.
Just as they stepped out of the lord's residence, they were met with a crowd of people gathered outside. Many carried sick relatives in their arms or on stretchers, their faces drawn with worry as they waited anxiously.
"The legendary physician! You must be Wu Jin, the legendary physician! Please, save my son!"
"Legendary Physician Wu, they say you are unmatched in the Dao of medicine! That no illness lies beyond your skill. My son is my only child, and he has been unconscious for five days. I beg of you, take a look!"
"My daughter has been unconscious for three days, and I can't even get her to swallow any food. What should I do? Please, Physician Wu, save her..."
The families of the afflicted knelt before Wu Jing, kowtowing desperately, their voices hoarse with pleading. Their eyes, filled with sincerity and hope, fixed on him as though he was their last chance.
For a moment, Wu Jing's heart wavered. He had studied medicine for decades, and a physician was to treat others as his own children. He could not stand by and watch them die.
Then Gao Zhanhu strode over quickly, gritting his teeth. "Physician Wu, if you can cure my son, I will give you three hundred gold taels!"
Three hundred? That's a lot of gold.
Wu Jing no longer refused. It wasn't the reward that swayed him, but the concern for the ordinary people of Gao Fortress. If he left now, most of the patients outside would surely perish.
Thus, Wu Jing stepped toward the sick and began examining them one by one, checking pulses and questioning their families about the symptoms.
Time slipped by. After an hour, Wu Jing was drenched in sweat, his steps already growing unsteady. Naturally, at his age, he couldn't deal with such exertion for long.
"Master, please sit and rest," Lu Changsheng urged, moving quickly to support him.
Wu Jing waved him off, then turned to Gao Zhanhu. "I have more or less determined the cause. However, I fear the matter is complicated."
"Oh, you've found the cause, you say?" Gao Zhanhu exclaimed in joy.
What did it matter if it was complicated? As long as they knew what caused these people to not wake, they had a lead, and with a lead came hope—hope for a cure.
"Physician Wu, please, let us continue this discussion inside," Gao Zhanhu said eagerly.
Wu Jing gave a slight nod. Supported by Lu Changsheng, he returned to the lord's residence.
Inside, Wu Jing glanced at the many gathered in the hall and shook his head.
Gao Zhanhu paused, but as the lord of Gao Fortress, he immediately understood what Wu Jing wanted. Without hesitation, he dismissed his people, leaving only Gao Yucheng at his side.
Gao Zhanhu's expression grew grave. "Physician Wu, I have dismissed everyone. Please speak plainly. What is the true cause of my son's condition?"
Wu Jing looked at both Gao Zhanhu and Gao Yucheng before answering. "Your son is not suffering from an illness, nor are the other people of Gao Fortress who display the same symptoms.
"If this old man is not mistaken, they have all been poisoned."
"What? Poisoned?" Gao Zhanhu's face changed drastically.
"Yes, the cause is poison," Wu Jing confirmed. "A poison made from many toxins. It's extremely difficult to handle."
Naturally, with his years of medical expertise, Wu Jing had a profound understanding of poisons.
"Physician Wu, can you save them?" Gao Zhanhu asked urgently.
Wu Jing shook his head. "I am a physician, skilled in treating illness. Though I have some knowledge of poisons, my understanding is limited. Therefore, I fear I cannot deal with this toxin. To save these people, you would need to summon a true master of poisons. Although this poison does not kill immediately, once it flares, it will burrow into the five vital organs. After a certain time, not even the immortals could save you. Your son has been like this for half a month, which means the toxin has already spread throughout his body. I fear he has little time left..."
Wu Jing's words made Gao Zhanhu's heart sink.
"Is there truly no way?" he asked hoarsely.
"Forgive this old man," Wu Jing said lamely. "In this matter, I am powerless."
For a moment, Gao Zhanhu looked utterly lost. After a pause, he waved his hand weakly. "You have done all you could, Physician Wu... It is late. Please remain in Gao Fortress for the night and depart tomorrow. Yucheng, take Physician Wu to his quarters."
Gao Yucheng personally led Wu Jing, Lu Changsheng, and the apprentices to a spacious courtyard.
"This courtyard has many rooms. Physician Wu, you may take whichever you like. Servants will bring dinner shortly. If you need anything, just instruct the servants."
Gao Yucheng's arrangements were careful and thorough.
Wu Jing waved his hand. "That will be fine. Second Young Master, you should return to your father."
Gao Yucheng turned and left.
Back in their room, Lu Changsheng helped his master sit down.
"Master, this mixed poison must be very complex. Yet it is not the kind that kills instantly. Gao Yuzhi has been unconscious for half a month and is still alive. I find that quite strange."
Wu Jing frowned. "Indeed, very strange. This poison is a mixture of many toxins, which is what makes it especially troublesome. In fact, had the culprit just used fewer ingredients, the mixture would've been fatal within the first hour of ingestion. Instead, they deliberately added many ingredients, some of which cancel each other out. They essentially transformed a swift poison into a slow-acting one."
Wu Jing’s brow furrowed. "Could it have been intentional? Perhaps the poisoner never meant for Gao Yuzhi to die quickly..."
Lu Changsheng's eyes narrowed slightly, as if a thought had struck him.
Wu Jing tapped his cane against the floor and said meaningfully, "Changsheng, some matters are better left unprobed. Do not meddle in them. We are physicians. Our duty is to heal. Everything else is none of our concern. You must remember this."
"Yes, Master," Lu Changsheng replied, before returning to his own room.
***
In the lord's residence, Gao Zhanhu sat quietly at his son’s bedside, his gaze fixed on Gao Yuzhi's pale face. His expression shifted as though he weighed something heavy in his heart.
"Yuzhi, you are the hope of Gao Fortress. Of all our clan, you are the one most likely to break through the Profound Gate of Life and Death and step into the Divine Strength Realm. That is why our despicable enemies would go to such lengths, even stooping to poison you. But I will never let you come to harm.
"I reckon I might be helpless if this were truly a strange illness. But since it is only poison... then perhaps that method may succeed..."
Gao Zhanhu drew a deep breath, a strange gleam flashing through his eyes. Perhaps, in his heart, he had already made his decision.
1. The raws mention three commandments(三戒), but Wu Jing only explains two here. ☜