Since they knew nothing about medicine or its effects, Si Zue had no choice but to listen to what Li Xin said.

Even so, she could not bear to watch Tong Hong suffer like that. His coughing became worse, and large amounts of blood came out of his mouth.

However, Li Xin remained calm. From what he could sense, no aura of death was coming from Tong Hong’s body, which meant his body was still capable of enduring the pain caused by the medicinal smoke filling his lungs.

"Then what about the second medicine?" Si Zue asked.

Li Xin handed the medicine to Si Zue. There were five packets in total. He instructed her to mix one packet into a glass of warm water every day without interruption.

Si Zue nodded in understanding and immediately ordered her servant to prepare today’s dose.

Li Xin then turned toward them and asked everyone to leave.

He would remain inside the room until the white smoke from the inhaled medicine disappeared completely.

The woman had no choice and allowed Li Xin to stay inside the bedroom.

Her heart was filled with worry and anxiety because Tong Hong’s condition looked much worse than before.

The maid left and immediately spread gossip about Tong Hong coughing violently while being treated by Li Xin.

Other servants and guards listened, and many of them began doubting Li Xin’s abilities.

"He’s still young and unmarried. His knowledge about medicine preparation must still be shallow," several servants complained.

"You’re right. I’ve seen arrogant young men like him before. Their lives never end well," another guard added.

"You don’t need to worry. If Master Tong really dies because of him, Si Zue will have him executed."

"That’s good! But hopefully he can actually cure him."

They continued gossiping and speaking badly about Li Xin.

To Li Xin, it was only natural because they knew nothing about him yet, and he had not gained any reputation as a skilled physician within the village.

However, he had prepared everything carefully, thoroughly, and with great precision.

With his abilities, Li Xin was confident his medicine would successfully cure Tong Hong.

Not long afterward, Tong Hong’s coughing gradually eased, and the white smoke from the incense container disappeared, signaling that the medicine had completely burned away.

Li Xin walked toward the bedroom window and opened it, allowing the warm morning air and sunlight to flow inside.

Almost instantly, the room became bright and warm. Li Xin turned around and saw Tong Hong’s breathing gradually stabilizing.

The man walked back toward Tong Hong and looked into the bucket, noticing green stains mixed within the blood.

It was the fungus.

"Only a small amount has come out so far, but this is good news," Li Xin said.

"My chest doesn’t feel as tight anymore. I can breathe more deeply."

"Thank you... for treating me," Tong Hong murmured weakly.

Li Xin turned toward him and placed his palm against Tong Hong’s chest, feeling his breathing become steady and no longer interrupted. That was a good sign.

"I came here to help you. Besides, I’m a physician. My duty is to treat my patients," Li Xin replied.

"How long do I need to endure this?" Tong Hong asked.

"Five days," Li Xin answered. "You need to endure it for five days. On the sixth day, you’ll be cured."

Tong Hong smiled faintly while exhaling softly.

"I’ve been trapped by this illness for an entire year. Dozens of physicians came to treat me, but none of them succeeded."

"Only you... managed to do it," Tong Hong whispered.

Li Xin stood up from the wooden chair and gently pressed Tong Hong’s chest.

"Don’t think too much. Get some rest."

The man walked out of the room and saw Si Zue still standing there with her arms crossed, looking worried and anxious.

The moment Li Xin stepped out, her attention immediately focused on him.

"How is his condition?" Si Zue asked.

"Much better. Burn my medicine every morning for the next four days. Close the windows while the medicine is burning," Li Xin answered.

"It’s also time for him to drink the medicine for his stomach," Li Xin added.

The maid arrived carrying a kettle, a cup, and one leaf packet containing the stomach medicine for Tong Hong.

They entered the room and saw that Tong Hong was no longer coughing. Si Zue smiled in relief, climbed onto the bed, and directly asked about Tong Hong’s condition.

Li Xin also entered and watched the servant pour the medicinal powder into a cup of warm water before Tong Hong drank it completely.

However, when she looked into the bucket, she was shocked to see green clumps mixed among the blood.

"What is this?" the maid asked.

"That’s the fungus. The smoke from the burning medicine causes the fungus to peel away from the inner walls of the lungs, then it comes out whenever Tong Hong coughs."

"So you intentionally let my husband cough violently earlier so the fungus could come out?" Si Zue asked.

"Exactly, Madam Si."

Si Zue’s face reddened. She stepped away from the bed and stood in front of Li Xin.

Her hands joined together as she lowered her head.

"I apologize for accusing you earlier," the middle-aged woman said.

"There’s no need to apologize. Your concern was only natural," Li Xin explained.

"I’ll come every morning to check on his condition, if you don’t mind, Madam Si."

"Of course. I don’t mind at all," Si Zue answered.

"Would... would you like to join us for breakfast?" Si Zue asked.

Li Xin glanced ahead. Tong Hong nodded faintly with his eyes closed, while Si Zue also seemed determined to make Li Xin eat with them.

Li Xin raised both hands together, smiling while lowering his head.

"Sorry for troubling you."

***

Four days later.

Li Xin arrived once again at the main building of Tong Hong’s residence.

Over the past three days, Si Zue had faithfully followed every piece of advice Li Xin gave.

She administered the inhaled medicine every morning, brought Tong Hong outside to sunbathe in the front yard for half an hour, gave him the stomach medicine, and carefully maintained his nutritional intake.

Her doubt had completely transformed into trust.

That morning, Li Xin stepped out of his house within Tong Hong’s residence.

In the front yard, he could clearly see Tong Hong sitting on a chair while enjoying the warm morning sunlight.

His face was no longer pale. He could move around normally again and was even laughing together with Si Zue.

When Li Xin’s door opened, Tong Hong turned toward him and waved.

"Physician Li!"

Li Xin walked toward Tong Hong with a smile. He was happy to see the man in good condition.

"Are you still coughing?" Li Xin asked.

"Since last night, he hasn’t coughed or vomited anymore. He’s also eating very well," Si Zue answered.

Li Xin smiled and nodded before firmly patting Tong Hong’s shoulder.

"You’re cured."

"Without your medicine, I might have suffered from this illness for the rest of my life," Tong Hong replied.

The middle-aged man stood up from his chair before turning toward Li Xin.

"You’ve saved my life. Tell me what you want."

Li Xin fell silent for a moment, observing Tong Hong and Si Zue one after another.

Then he immediately raised both hands together and lowered his head.

"I only ask for your permission to stay in the village and establish my own medicine shop," Li Xin answered.

"Eh?"

Tong Hong and Si Zue looked shocked as they exchanged glances. Their surprise clearly came from Li Xin’s simple request.

"That’s... such a small request," Si Zue murmured.

"From the moment I first arrived at this residence, I never expected anything other than permission to live in the village and establish my own business," Li Xin replied.

"HAHAHA!"

Tong Hong burst into laughter. He never expected to meet such a talented young man, a skilled physician, and most importantly, someone kind-hearted.

The young man asked for nothing, not even a single tael. All he wanted was permission from Tong Hong.

"But your request doesn’t match what you’ve done for my husband," Si Zue explained.

"I didn’t do much. I only prepared medicine and used my knowledge. It wasn’t anything significant," Li Xin replied.

"But still..."

"Alright," Tong Hong said, "I’ll grant your request. I’ll also announce my recovery to the villagers so they’ll come to your home."

Li Xin smiled and clasped his hands together while lowering his head.

"I’m grateful for the kindness of Master Tong and Madam Si."

While they were talking together, two women wearing purple sect robes arrived at the front yard of the village chief’s residence, flying on top of their swords.

According to what Si Zue had mentioned before, they had two daughters cultivating within the Baisheng Sect.

Li Xin turned and looked at them. Both were still at the Foundation Establishment stage.

"Father? I heard you recovered?" one of the girls asked as she walked closer.

"That’s right. Physician Li came and cured my illness," Tong Hong answered.

He extended his hand and introduced Li Xin to them. Li Xin clasped his hands together and lowered his head.

"Li Xin greets the young cultivator ladies."

Their gazes became sharp as they stared directly at Li Xin. One of them stepped closer with a doubtful expression.

"You’re still young, yet you managed to cure my father’s severe illness. What exactly are you planning?"

"Mei’er!" Si Zue called out loudly.

The woman named Yu Mei turned toward her mother.

Both Si Zue and Tong Hong clearly looked displeased that Yu Mei was belittling Li Xin’s abilities.

"Watch your words. He already cured your father!" Si Zue scolded.

"I know. But that doesn’t prove anything."

"I mean, he’s still young. He must lack experience!"

"I’m sure he only benefited from the previous physicians’ treatments," Yu Mei replied arrogantly with her arms crossed.

Li Xin did not feel disturbed or insulted. His task within Tong Hong’s residence was already complete, and he had obtained permission to stay in the village and open his own medicine shop.

"I apologize if I caused doubt. Since Master Tong’s treatment is finished, I’ll pack my belongings and search for a house," Li Xin explained.

Yu Mei’s older sister, Liu Xie, turned and saw Li Xin preparing to leave.

Tong Hong and Si Zue tried to stop him, asking him to stay for lunch before leaving.

However, Li Xin politely refused. He needed to find a house and restart his business.

"See?! Because of your words, Physician Li became upset and offended."

Yu Mei remained silent, still maintaining her arrogance. However, Liu Xie was different.

She quickly ran over and called out to Li Xin, the two eventually meeting face to face.

From her bag of holding, she took out a black pouch containing ten low-grade spirit stones and offered it to Li Xin.

"I’m sorry, Lady. I can’t accept your money," Li Xin said.

"Why?" Liu Xie asked. "You cured my father. This amount is only fair for you."

"From the very beginning of my arrival at Tong Hong’s residence, my only intention was to request permission."

"I already received that permission from him. I think that’s enough for me," Li Xin answered.

"Then I shall take my leave, Miss."

Li Xin clasped his hands together and walked away from Tong Hong’s residence.

Liu Xie remained standing in front of her father’s home, watching Li Xin from afar.

Her heart pounded as she thought about the kindness Li Xin had shown.

It sparked her desire to learn more about him.

"Li Xin... you’re an interesting man."