Chapter 57: Something Unclean

In Lu Feng’s prescription, all the ingredients were stimulating. After a bowl of medicinal soup was administered, the sinister cold energy within the old man gradually seeped out through his pores. The old man’s breathing became steadier, and he soon drifted into a deep sleep.

“Could it be that the old man is really possessed?” Zhou Luyang said, covering his nose and stepping back.

Madam Zhou shot a glare at her nephew, refraining from rebuking him, and instead asked Lu Feng, “Doctor Lu, what do you make of this?”

“I can only discuss the condition with one person. How to proceed is up to your family,” replied Lu Feng.

Madam Zhou exchanged a glance with Zhou Fuqu, hearing the implication in Lu Feng’s words.

Zhou Fuqu thought for a moment, tugged at Lu Feng’s sleeve, and said, “Come with me.”

Lu Feng followed Zhou Fuqu into her room. Once inside, Zhou Fuqu closed the door behind them.

To enter the Zhou household and walk straight into the daughter’s boudoir felt improper to Lu Feng, especially since Zhou Fuqu had closed the door.

“Shouldn’t we talk in the study or the living room?” Lu Feng inquired.

“My father’s study is off-limits to outsiders, especially when he’s not home. The living room isn’t convenient for conversation, so let’s talk here,” Zhou Fuqu explained. “What illness does my grandfather have, really?”

“I already mentioned it before—it’s sinister energy invading the body. Simply put, the old man may have come into contact with something harmful, which allowed sinister energy to cling to him. The symptoms resemble those of a cold, but ordinary prescriptions for cold won’t cure it,” Lu Feng explained.

“What do you mean by ‘something harmful’?” Zhou Fuqu frowned.

“I’m not entirely sure what it is. I just checked the room but found nothing unclean. Things imbued with sinister energy could be many things—a common example is burial artifacts unearthed from ancient tombs. If those items haven’t been properly treated, they can easily harm people,” Lu Feng elaborated.

Zhou Fuqu was clever; she immediately understood. “My grandfather doesn’t usually live here. He came into the city for treatment because he fell ill.”

“Then you’ll need to search the place where he resides. Find and dispose of anything carrying the illness, and he won’t suffer this malady again,” Lu Feng said, and then remembered something else. “By the way, the prescription I just gave is all stimulating. I’ll need to write another prescription for restorative cooling herbs to help regulate his body.”

Returning to the living room, Lu Feng wrote out a restorative prescription and handed it to the Zhou family. The consultation was finished.

During this time, Li Guhe had been scrutinizing Lu Feng. When diagnosing the old man, it was clearly a cold, yet the burning of mountain fire had completely triggered the old man’s symptoms.

He knew well that had Lu Feng not been present, the old man’s situation would have been dire.

When Li Guhe first met Lu Feng at the traditional medicine symposium, he thought Lu Feng was just an enthusiastic young student of traditional medicine. But now, it seemed this young man’s medical skills were quite impressive.

The foreigner, Paniel, sat on the sofa, glaring at Lu Feng. Several golden needles were still inserted into his throat and arms, rendering him speechless and unable to move.

“Mmm... mmm...” Paniel tried to speak to Lu Feng, mumbling for a long time.

Lu Feng, annoyed, reached out and removed the needles from Paniel.

Paniel could finally speak and angrily said, “You despicable Chinese, I’ll sue you for assault!”

Lu Feng grinned and asked, “Where did I hurt you?”

“You hurt my...” Paniel pointed to his throat, but realized his vocal cords were now normal, with no issues. He examined his arms—no discomfort either.

“Damn it! I’ll have a full-body checkup when I get back. Just wait for my lawyer’s letter!” Paniel said bitterly.

Lu Feng wasn’t worried about Paniel’s threat. Though he wasn’t versed in law, he knew that to sue for assault, one must first have injuries—Paniel had none, so the charge wouldn’t stand.

Lu Feng shrugged and ignored Paniel.

Paniel snorted, turned, and left the Zhou household.

...

“Thank you, Doctor Lu,” Madam Zhou said, coming into the living room to thank Lu Feng once she was sure the old man was sound asleep.

“No need to thank me, healing the sick is what I ought to do,” Lu Feng replied.

Madam Zhou produced a thick red envelope and handed it to Lu Feng, saying, “This is a token of appreciation. Please come again for a follow-up in a few days, and we’ll host a banquet for you then. I apologize that we couldn’t prepare one today.”

The Zhou family was particular about etiquette. This red envelope wasn’t a medical fee, but a gesture of goodwill.

Lu Feng accepted the envelope. “Madam Zhou, you are too kind.”

With those who were meticulous about manners, Lu Feng was equally polite.

“Boss Su, this is for you as well,” Madam Zhou handed another red envelope to Su Daoan. “Come together with Doctor Lu for the follow-up.”

Su Daoan accepted the envelope with a smile. “We’ll certainly come.”

“There are still many matters to handle today, and my husband happens to be away. I won’t keep you two any longer,” Madam Zhou said.

“Then we’ll take our leave. No need to see us out,” Su Daoan replied politely, and left the villa with Lu Feng.

Li Guhe had already gone ahead but waited at the door for Lu Feng and Su Daoan.

Assistant Chen drove the Phaeton to the villa’s entrance. Seeing Li Guhe by the roadside, Su Daoan asked Chen to stop the car.

Su Daoan rolled down the window and leaned out, asking, “Why haven’t you left yet, Elder Li?”

“I was waiting for you two, hoping to hitch a ride. Is that alright?” Li Guhe inquired.

Earlier, Secretary Wu had driven Li Guhe here and offered to take him back, but Li Guhe declined, wanting to wait for Lu Feng and Su Daoan, so Secretary Wu left first.

“Of course, it’s our pleasure. Please, Elder Li, get in,” Su Daoan hurried out to invite Li Guhe into the car, taking the front passenger seat himself and leaving the back seat for Li Guhe and Lu Feng.

Su Daoan could plainly see that Li Guhe wanted to discuss the recent medical matter with Lu Feng.

With Li Guhe aboard, the car slowly started and headed toward the city.

Li Guhe looked out the window, then at Lu Feng, and said, “Young man, your acupuncture technique was very skilled just now. You must have studied for many years?”

“Counting it up, it’s been about twelve years,” Lu Feng replied after a moment’s calculation.

“Nowadays, children focus on academics, and few learn acupuncture from a young age. May I ask which elder taught you?” Li Guhe asked.

“My master,” said Lu Feng.

“You’re quite accomplished. I myself didn’t begin studying traditional medicine until I was fifteen—lost many years to delay,” Li Guhe sighed.

In traditional medicine, early immersion is vital; this childhood foundation can’t be compensated for by effort later in life.