The Dramatic Crown Princess Wants to Poison Me!-Chapter 272: You Can Choose

Shang Jingwang was overjoyed. He knew that in the Jianghu, there were extraordinary talents, no less skilled than the Imperial Physicians. Encountering one was a great fortune.

Take Doctor Xia, for instance. His medical skills were also extremely high, though how high was unknown. However, they were far superior to those of the doctors at his Government Office.

But nothing compared to the few words "Undying Poison Doctor," which left him both shocked and delighted.

He didn’t know that the Undying Poison Doctor had been famous for over seventy years, but he knew one thing!

More than twenty years ago, when he joined the bureaucracy through the imperial exams, he had served as a supervisor at Wenbo Academy. The Emperor had spent half of the National Treasury’s wealth to invite the Undying Poison Doctor to refine medicine for the Imperial Family, which was recorded within the Imperial archives. He had accidentally come across that record while organizing the registry.

Although the record wasn’t detailed and didn’t specify what medicine was refined or whether it was successful, the fact that the Emperor had paid such a high price to invite him, exhausting half the National Treasury in one go, meant that if this person were not immensely talented, how could he have left safely?

Although the name of the Undying Poison Doctor was rarely mentioned since then, in Shang Jingwang’s heart, it was legendary.

A legend he admired and looked up to!

He couldn’t forget the moment he saw that record; he was stunned by the words "Undying Poison Doctor," shock overwhelming his heart, and

he hurriedly clasped his hands together, bowing deeply, and said, "It is the fortune of the people of Wangshan Town to have the assistance of the Poison Doctor, and on behalf of the people of Wangshan Town, this Prefect thanks you, Poison Doctor!"

The Undying Poison Doctor cast him a sidelong glance, bluntly and unapologetically saying, "Don’t get your hopes up too high. I’m not here for this epidemic."

Shang Jingwang looked towards Huangfu Jingchen.

Huangfu Jingchen offered no explanation, only saying to the Undying Poison Doctor, "Please!"

The Undying Poison Doctor grunted in response.

They were already very close to the isolation point, so there was no need to ride a horse any further.

Huangfu Jingchen was anxious about Xia Wenjin’s situation.

But as the Prefect, Shang Jingwang, although informed of the isolation point’s situation, hadn’t personally visited, so he wasn’t thoroughly familiar with the circumstances there.

Due to Zhang Jiantang’s ulterior motives, everyone knew Xia Wenjin had contracted the epidemic, but since Xia Wenjin was in the Severe Epidemic Area, no one really knew how his condition was.

Huangfu Jingchen took a token from Shang Jingwang and led the Undying Poison Doctor towards the isolation area.

The Undying Poison Doctor walked leisurely, passing through the Light Epidemic Area. There were quite a few patients with mild symptoms wandering there. Due to a shortage of manpower, sometimes they needed to take care of each other, and since these mild patients couldn’t be as strictly isolated as those in the Severe Epidemic Area,

their movements were not restricted, as long as they stayed within the Light Epidemic Area, they could do as they pleased.

Though Huangfu Jingchen intended to lead the Undying Poison Doctor directly to the Severe Epidemic Area to see Xia Wenjin, the Undying Poison Doctor, seemingly aware of his urgency, deliberately chose to walk through the Light Epidemic Area.

Huangfu Jingchen grew anxious and said, "Senior, my friend is over there!"

"I know! I’m not blind!" replied the Undying Poison Doctor calmly, "You mentioned your dear friend contracted this very epidemic, didn’t you? If I don’t review everything, how can I assess it? Do you think seeing just your dear friend will help me understand the entire outbreak’s cause and effect, the whole story? I’m not an immortal!"

Seeing his point, Huangfu Jingchen had no option but to comply and continue accompanying him.

The Undying Poison Doctor wandered the entire Light Epidemic Area, truly at ease, his hands behind his back, looking here and there with evident interest.

Huangfu Jingchen thought, if he saw the patients’ distressing plight and felt compassion, it would be good to not only save Xia Wenjin but also help these people.

So, along the way, Huangfu Jingchen subtly implored the Undying Poison Doctor, "Senior, these epidemic patients are pitiful. They once had peaceful lives, now ruined by the epidemic. Some lost family members, others are afflicted themselves. If you’d be willing to lend a hand..."

"Hold it!" The Undying Poison Doctor turned his head slightly, squinting at him, and snorted lightly, "One can’t be too greedy!"

Huangfu Jingchen presented the Cold Bone Yan Mink with both hands, saying, "Please, consider it, Senior!"

The Undying Poison Doctor chuckled, "It’s just a little Yan Mink, I won’t be manipulated by that!" Though he kept glancing at the Cold Bone Yan Mink, he didn’t reach out to take it.

Huangfu Jingchen felt somewhat disappointed, realizing the Undying Poison Doctor probably wasn’t inclined to treat those people.

The Undying Poison Doctor noticed every change in his expression and suddenly showed a hint of interest in his eyes. He stroked his chin and said, "Young man, I’ve lived a long life, without desires for fame or fortune. I no longer long for anything. I agreed to save your dear friend previously due to the Yan Mink incident. Don’t be disappointed. I’ll give you a chance to choose again: It’s either your dear friend or these epidemic patients; I’ll save only one. Choose! If you pick these villagers, I won’t give your dear friend even a single cure; if you choose your dear friend, don’t ask me to save anyone else!"

Huangfu Jingchen was stunned.

He understood each part of this statement separately, but together it left him a bit confused.

The Undying Poison Doctor, with great interest, insisted, "Choose!"

Huangfu Jingchen murmured, "You mean to say, you can cure it?" 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

"Epidemic or not, I’ve lived and seen it all, eaten more salt than you’ve eaten rice, meaning I’ve got more experience. Treating this epidemic is somewhat troublesome, but it doesn’t daunt me!"

Huangfu Jingchen exclaimed joyfully, "That’s wonderful!"

Dissatisfied at not hearing a decision, the Undying Poison Doctor prodded, "Hurry and choose: save your dear friend or save everyone here!"

Though saving everyone would be far more troublesome, requiring extra effort and less sleep, the fun in testing human nature was too tempting. Why miss out on such an entertaining challenge?

Young people aim for fame and righteousness, aspire to be admired, and get emotionally stirred; giving them hard choices is truly interesting!

He further coaxed, "Hmm, from what that Prefecture Lord said earlier, including those from both Light and Severe Epidemic Areas and potential future patients, there could be two or three thousand people. Three thousand for one, it’s not a loss! The noble knight sacrifices for the greater good, abandoning personal attachments for the sake of the town. After all, it’s thousands of lives, and as for your dear friend, well, there’ll be others in the future! Now, you can tell me your choice!"