Time Travel: My Comfortable Life After Going to the Countryside

Liu Xiangyang solemnly accepted the booklet: "Dr. Han, I understand."

"Go back." Dr. Han waved his hand, resuming his indifferent demeanor. "Come back tomorrow at noon and start by sorting the medicinal herbs. That pile of newly harvested Bupleurum should be divided into three grades based on thickness, color, and aroma. If you sort it incorrectly, then tonight's conversation will be considered as never having happened."

"Yes, Dr. Han."

Liu Xiangyang bowed and left the clinic with the oilcloth bag in his arms.

It was already dark outside, and the wind was biting cold. But his heart burned like a raging fire—the secrets of health preservation, the deep-seated hatred, the precious wood filling his storage space, and all the other national treasures stolen by the Japanese…

Originally, I just wanted to find a remedy to improve my health, but I never expected it would lead to such a complicated story.

He glanced back at the small room lit by a dim, yellow light. On the window paper, Dr. Han's hunched figure was bent over, writing something, each stroke deliberate and meticulous.

What secrets does this seemingly ordinary village barefoot doctor hold in his heart?

In the days that followed, Liu Xiangyang's life took on a new routine—every day after noon, he would go to the clinic to learn from Dr. Han.

Dr. Han taught very systematically, starting with the most basic identification of medicinal herbs. He only taught three to five kinds of herbs each day, but he explained them in great detail.

"This is Codonopsis pilosula." Dr. Han picked up a root about the thickness of a finger. "It belongs to the same family as ginseng, but its medicinal properties are much milder. It tonifies the middle energizer, strengthens the spleen and lungs. Look at its cross-section; it should have a chrysanthemum-like pattern—that is, a radial texture. The aroma should be sweet and mellow, without any sour or rancid smell."

Dr. Han's instruction progressed from basic to advanced levels. During the day, Liu Xiangyang diligently identified medicinal herbs, learned their processing and formulation, and at night he studied those booklets.

The breathing exercises in "Daoyin Tushuo" gradually made his breath longer and his spirit more refined; "Bencao Diaoji Lu" systematized his knowledge of medicinal materials.

As for the "Essentials of Sexual Health Preservation," Dr. Han explained it with great care, the core of which is "the balance of Yin and Yang, nourishing the body with the body, rather than unilaterally taking from it."

He taught a specific breathing rhythm and mental guidance method, which aims to allow the breaths of both parties to circulate and blend during intercourse, so as to achieve the effect of mutual nourishment and strengthening of the body's foundation. He repeatedly emphasized that this is the way of "harmony" and is by no means a wicked art that harms others for personal gain.

Theory and practice were quickly combined, and that night, it was Xue Bingbing and Roland's turn. He abandoned his previous style and instead followed the method, focusing on long, deep breaths, supplemented by gentle guidance.

Xue Bingbing quickly noticed the difference. The feeling was not just simple stimulation, but like a warm current slowly circulating in rhythm with him, making her feel numb and fulfilled from the depths of her bones, a comfort that was indescribable.

Afterwards, far from feeling tired, she had a rosy complexion and radiant spirit. Nestled close to him, she exclaimed in amazement, "Xiangyang, you seem different now. You're so steady and reassuring."

The effect was even more pronounced on Roland. Roland's constitution was more yin in nature, and under Liu Xiangyang's conscious guidance and harmonization, she was completely immersed in an unprecedented sense of peace throughout the process. Afterwards, she lingered in the afterglow, leaning on him and whispering, "It's so warm, like soaking in a hot spring. I feel completely refreshed." She even felt that her hands and feet, which were usually a little cold, had warmed up.

Liu Xiangyang's own experience was the most direct. Practicing this method, he not only did not feel any depletion, but after each session, he felt that his aura was more mellow, his energy recovered very quickly, and a solid sense of power settled in his body.

He truly understood the meaning of "skill lies in nurturing, not in exhaustion." This dual cultivation method of the health preservation school is indeed a key tailor-made for "sustainable development."

Their feedback and his own transformation filled him with gratitude towards Dr. Han, and he vowed to avenge him in the future.

Time flies. Liu Xiangyang has been studying diligently under Dr. Han's tutelage for ten days now.

During those ten days, he was like a dry sponge, greedily absorbing the true secrets of health preservation that came from the wisdom of generations of the Han family, beyond the books.

From sorting and processing to the compatibility of properties and flavors, from basic guidance to conditioning principles, Dr. Han taught without reservation, and he learned very quickly.

That afternoon, the winter sun shone through the clinic's windows, which were covered with old newspapers, casting warm dappled light on the ground. Dr. Han finished explaining the last page of the illustrated guide to breathing exercises in his hand, and gently closed the booklet.

He gently stroked the rough cover of the booklet with his calloused hands, then looked up and his gaze fell on Liu Xiangyang's face opposite him.

The young man had clear, bright eyes and a focused expression. He had witnessed the progress the young man had made over the past ten days. His extraordinary comprehension and calm demeanor reminded him of his younger self, perhaps even more outstanding.

After a long silence, Dr. Han finally spoke: "Xiangyang, in these ten days, I have taught you almost all the basic introductory knowledge I could. How far you can go from here depends on your own destiny, character, and fate."

He paused, his eyes becoming extremely complex, filled with relief and expectation, but deeper still, an unyielding worry.

"I know the world has changed, and no one can say for sure what the future holds. I'm an old man with my neck almost buried, and I'm afraid..."

He swallowed hard, his voice low and deep, "That blood feud, I dare not forget it day and night, but I also know that letting it weigh on you is the greatest injustice to you."

He raised his head, his cloudy yet sharp eyes fixed on Liu Xiangyang, as if making a final confirmation: "I don't know if you'll have the chance, the ability, or even remember what this old man said today. Watanabe Mayu may be long dead, or perhaps he's enjoying his life somewhere. I..."

As he spoke, his voice choked with emotion. He had witnessed too much in his life and knew the complexities of human nature. This contradiction was now clearly visible on his aged face.

Liu Xiangyang listened quietly, his heart churning with emotion, and then he didn't hesitate any longer.

Liu Xiangyang stood up and walked to Dr. Han. He didn't say anything, but straightened his slightly wrinkled cotton-padded coat. Then, under Dr. Han's slightly surprised gaze, he took a step back, bent his knees, and knelt down properly before the old man who had been carefully teaching him for the past ten days.

"Master."

Dr. Han's body trembled violently, and her fingers instinctively clenched the old cotton pants on her knees.

Liu Xiangyang raised his head, his gaze open and firm, meeting the old man's complex eyes, and said, word by word:

"You have imparted all your knowledge to me over the past ten days, teaching me the fundamental principles for a peaceful life and bringing blessings to those around me. This kindness is heavier than a mountain. From this day forward, I, Liu Xiangyang, am your disciple. I may have limited abilities, but my memory is excellent, and I know how to repay kindness and always keep my word."

He raised his voice slightly: "Your family's blood feud, from this day forward, is also my blood feud, Watanabe Mayu, whether he is alive or dead, wherever he is."

"This disciple hereby swears to Heaven: As long as I have a breath left, as long as the opportunity arises, even if I have to cross oceans, I will find him! I will make him pay for his debt in blood, and cut off his lineage, to comfort the souls of the seventeen members of the Han family in Heaven! If I break this oath, may Heaven and Man punish me, and may I not die a peaceful death!"