I attained immortality through meditation in the Great Qian Dynasty.

Zhao Zian's heart softened.

After dinner, Li Suqin was clearing away the dishes.

Zhao Zian returned to his room and closed the door.

He took out the jade bottle.

The bottle was tilted, and a pill rolled out.

Zhao Zian put the Foundation Building Pill into his mouth.

The pill melted instantly upon entering the mouth, and a warm current rushed from the throat straight to the abdomen.

He sat cross-legged and began to circulate his inner energy according to the techniques in "The Path to Immortality".

The heat within his body intensified, and excruciating pain struck.

The veins on Zhao Zi'an's forehead bulged.

"Guard your mind and refine the medicinal power!"

The excruciating pain intensified in waves, and his consciousness blurred.

"We cannot fall!"

He guided the spiritual energy within his body, breaking through the blocked meridians.

I don't know how much time passed.

A strange feeling rose from his dantian.

A miniature space had been created there, where spiritual energy gathered.

It worked!

……

early morning.

Zhao Zian opened his eyes.

He got up, washed up, and went to the main room.

Li Suqin had already prepared breakfast.

"Zi'an, you're up early today." Li Suqin said with a smile.

"If you sleep well, you'll naturally wake up early," Zhao Zian smiled.

After the meal, Li Suqin cleared away the dishes, while Zhao Zian went to Jishetang.

A horse-drawn carriage stopped in front of the pharmacy.

"Zi'an, are you ready?"

Su Mei got off the carriage.

Her gaze fell on Zhao Zian, scrutinizing him.

Zhao Zian wore a plain blue long gown today.

Su Mei noticed that Zhao Zi'an seemed sharper than usual today.

"What? Is there something on my face?"

Zhao Zian asked.

Su Mei hurriedly looked away.

"It's nothing, I just think you seem to be in good spirits today."

"Of course you're in good spirits."

Zhao Zian shrugged.

Su Mei gave a soft snort and got into the carriage.

"Let's go, don't keep the magistrate waiting."

Zhao Zian also boarded the carriage.

The carriage started moving and headed towards the county government office.

"arrive."

The coachman's voice could be heard from outside.

Su Mei straightened her dress.

"Let's go."

The two got off the carriage and looked up.

Two bailiffs stood at the entrance, dressed in black robes and holding fire and water sticks.

"What brings you here?"

A yamen runner stepped forward.

Su Mei put on a smile and took out a card from her sleeve.

"Sir, we are from Jishetang. The magistrate has summoned us today; please inform him of our presence."

The yamen runner took the invitation.

"Jishetang?"

"You're the one who claims to be a miracle doctor?"

Su Mei explained, "Yes, it's this Dr. Zhao, his medical skills are superb..."

"Exceptional medical skills?"

The constable sneered.

"Of the three highly skilled doctors before us, one had his leg broken, one was imprisoned, and the other was disgraced. Does your Jishetang want to follow in their footsteps?"

Zhao Zian shielded Su Mei behind him.

"Your Honor misunderstands. We are not known as miracle doctors. We just heard that the magistrate is worried about the old lady's condition, so we came to do our part."

"As for whether it can be cured, that's for the magistrate to decide. We're just here to do our best and leave the rest to fate."

The constable was slightly taken aback.

This kid has some guts, unlike the others who were so scared they wet their pants.

"Just wait!"

The yamen runner took the invitation and entered the county government office.

The yamen runners left but returned.

"Come with me."

Su Mei felt a little relieved.

Zhao Zian followed behind the yamen runner, with Su Mei close behind.

We passed through several moon gates and then went around a screen wall.

The courtyard came into view.

"The lord is inside." The constable stopped.

He pointed to a room directly opposite the courtyard gate.

"Let's go," Zhao Zian said softly.

He stepped forward, with Su Mei following closely behind.

The two walked to the front of the house and gently knocked on the door.

"Come in."

Zhao Zian pushed open the door and entered.

Magistrate Zhang stood up and walked towards the two men.

"Are you the doctor at Jishetang?"

His gaze fell on Zhao Zian.

The magistrate sized him up. The young man before him was unusually calm.

Zhao Zian bowed to the county magistrate.

"My name is Zhao Zian, and I greet Your Excellency, the County Magistrate."

"Please sit down," Magistrate Zhang said, gesturing to the chair beside him.

He sat down again.

"To be honest, my elderly mother is seriously ill. She's been ill for several months now."

"We consulted many doctors, but they were all helpless."

"Those people, they all claim to have superb medical skills. But what's the result? They either prescribe medicine haphazardly or spout nonsense."

"My mother's illness is getting worse every day."

The magistrate frowned.

"I've heard of Jishetang's reputation for excellent medical skills. Do you have any insights?"

Magistrate Zhang didn't actually have high hopes for Zhao Zi'an.

It's just a last resort.

"My lord, there's no need to be in such a hurry," Zhao Zian said.

"The art of medicine is inherently mysterious. I dare not speak presumptuously."

"But now that we're here, we'll do our best."

Zhao Zian's composure startled Magistrate Zhang slightly.

This young man does have some composure.

"Alright." The magistrate nodded.

"Then please come with me, Physician Zhao."

He stood up and gestured for Zhao Zian to follow.

Magistrate Zhang led Zhao Zian and Su Mei through a corridor.

We went to another bedroom.

Inside the bedroom, the window was half-open, and the light was somewhat dim.

An old woman lay on her sickbed.

Her face was sallow, her eyes were closed, and her breathing was weak and rapid.

"My old mother," the magistrate said softly.

He made a gesture towards Zhao Zian.

"Dr. Zhao, please."

Zhao Zian extended his hand.

He felt the old lady's pulse and guided the spiritual energy to flow through her meridians.

The old lady's internal energy flow was disordered.

The functions of the internal organs are weakened.

These are all common symptoms of chronic illness.

But as the spiritual energy penetrated deeper, he sensed something was amiss.

"Found it."

Zhao Zian withdrew his hand. He opened his eyes.

"How is Dr. Zhao?" Magistrate Zhang asked.

Zhao Zian walked to the table and picked up a pen and paper.

"My lord, the old lady's illness is not simply due to a cold or internal heat attacking her heart."

There is a blockage in her body.

"Sedimentation?" Magistrate Zhang was taken aback.

"This stagnation is lodged in the meridians of the lower abdomen. Over the years, it has depleted the old lady's vital energy, leading to deficiency of her internal organs and poor circulation of qi and blood. On the surface, it appears to be a common symptom of weakness."

Written by Zhao Zian.

He drew a simple diagram of the human body's meridians on a piece of paper.

He pointed to a certain location on the map.

"The silt has accumulated here. It didn't form overnight. It's probably been decades."

Magistrate Zhang was dumbfounded.

Decades?

The doctors before only said it was due to overwork or old age and physical weakness.

"How...how can this be cured?" Magistrate Zhang asked anxiously.

Zhao Zian looked at the county magistrate.

"This stagnation is deep-seated. It cannot be resolved by ordinary decoctions."

"A special method, namely acupuncture, is needed to stimulate acupoints and break up the blockages."

"Finally, add a few herbs that promote blood circulation, remove blood stasis, replenish qi, and nourish the spirit. Only then can it be cured completely."

He had barely finished speaking when the door was pushed open.

An elderly man in his fifties stormed in angrily.

This man was none other than Dr. Liu, the renowned physician of Huichuntang in the city.