“Doctor, doctor…”
Urgent and frightened cries came from outside the door, accompanied by chaotic footsteps. Four or five people carrying a wailing injured person on a door plank surged into Qianjin Hall.
“This way,” the apprentice responsible for emergency cases led them to an open area on one side of the room.
Such bloody emergency patients always caused a slight commotion in the main hall.
Those getting medicine and waiting for consultations would look over with curiosity and sympathy.
“…Customer, your medicine is packaged…” the medicine preparation worker called out loudly, “…thirty-eight wen, please keep it safe.”
“Next patient for consultation, please come this way,” the consultation guide respectfully directed the queuing patients.
“The Five Spirits Decoction is ready. Which senior brother needs it…” the medicine brewing worker rushed out carrying a medicine bowl. They moved swiftly, yet the medicine bowls in their hands remained steady without spilling a drop.
This was a scene that occurred daily at Qianjin Hall.
Hu San crouched before a stove, watching a pot of medicine bubbling above it.
“Hu San,” came a shout from the doorway. “Come quickly.”
Hu San was no stranger to such summons, but lately these voices seemed more polite than before.
“I’m still brewing medicine here,” Hu San replied, turning back with an unprecedented confidence in his tone.
“Senior brother, we’ll watch it for you. Go quickly,” two workers immediately stepped over, smiling.
“Can you handle it? This medicine requires precise timing,” Hu San said unhurriedly.
“Hu San!” The person at the door grew impatient and raised his voice.
Only then did Hu San smile and respond, hurrying over in a few quick steps.
“Senior brother, what orders do you have?” he smiled at the man.
“Enough is enough,” the senior brother glared at him irritably, jerking his head toward the interior. “Master is calling you.”
Hu San shot in like an arrow released from a bow.
Inside the hall, an injured person wailed, surrounded by crying men and women. Liu Pucheng was preparing medicine, moving somewhat awkwardly as if his legs were inconvenienced.
“Master,” Hu San called loudly.
Liu Pucheng glanced at him without stopping his work.
“Stop his bleeding so I can apply medicine,” he said.
Hu San responded, rolled up his sleeves, and stepped forward. On a table in the room were arranged some instruments. He walked over and skillfully washed his hands, then took out a square cloth to cover his mouth and nose.
The injured person’s family looked with confusion at this strangely dressed apprentice.
“Doctor, this, this…” they somewhat doubted Hu San’s ability and called out with wariness.
“Your family member’s wound is too deep and bleeding too rapidly. My medicine won’t stay on and can’t stop the bleeding, so I need him to stop it first,” Liu Pucheng explained to the family.
Naturally, the injured person’s relatives trusted his words, but looking at Hu San, they still appeared surprised.
Hu San coughed and stood before the injured person with an air of deliberate profundity. The injury was on the head—a large gash with exposed flesh bleeding continuously.
Hu San positioned himself and reached out to probe around the wound. Just as the family members’ eyes were growing sore from staring, his hand stopped motionless at one spot.
Seeing Hu San as if in meditation, the family members were somewhat dumbfounded.
“This is, this is…” they stammered.
Was this a Taoist or yin-yang master casting spells?
“The blood stopped flowing!” suddenly someone sharp-eyed shouted.
At this, everyone widened their eyes again, seeing that the gushing wound had indeed stopped bleeding.
They looked at Hu San with even more amazement.
Indeed it was… casting spells.
“Good, I can apply the medicine now,” Liu Pucheng came over and said.
“Master,” Hu San suddenly called out.
Liu Pucheng looked at him and stopped his hand that was about to sprinkle medicine.
“We should clean the wound first,” Hu San said.
The other senior brothers listening nearby couldn’t help but glare at Hu San.
“Hu San, does Master need you to teach him?” one senior brother whispered harshly, kicking Hu San with his foot.
Hu San smiled awkwardly. Before he could speak, Liu Pucheng nodded.
“Good,” he said, turning to look at the other brothers. “Go prepare water.”
Both Hu San and the senior brothers were very surprised, staring at Liu Pucheng in amazement.
“Yes, Master,” one who came to his senses quickly replied loudly, turning to leave.
Watching the busy brothers rushing out, Hu San couldn’t help but grin widely.
When work ended, Hu San didn’t go straight home. He felt the wages in his pocket and his face bloomed with smiles.