ir dissatisfaction because they had come here in honor of Kim Xianglin; hence, despite their discontent, they could only endure.Wu Shouye observed the people Xiao Yu brought in; among them were two wh...Chapter Thirty-Six: Never Treat

Xiao Yu glanced at the experts in the room and continued, "Given current environmental factors, there are likely no intermediate or advanced jiangshi [cultural reference for a type of malevolent spirit]. Nowadays, the Miao people mainly cultivate basic-level jiangshi. Moreover, not everyone among them can do so; only a few tribes that have preserved their traditions fully will raise jiangshi."

"Impossible! What you're saying is superstition, mere rhetoric used by those in power in ancient times to hoodwink the masses and consolidate their rule!" A fifty-something expert stood up and said passionately.

Xiao Yu glanced at that expert with a light smile. "Haha, unscientific Just because you don't know it doesn't mean it definitely doesn’t exist! Besides, this is just my analysis of the cause of this gentleman's illness; does it concern me whether you believe it or not"

The elderly Zhuo on stage closed his eyes and pondered for a while before he said to the elderly Zhong, "Elder Zhong, I can't figure out the root cause of your illness. Your pulse is strong and vigorous; your body should have no issues. However, your heart pain is very real. Regardless of what causes it, staying in the hospital won’t help you now. I suggest we visit my father so that he might see something."

The elderly Zhong was slightly stunned but then said, "Alright, I haven't seen him for a long time!"

Since many people couldn't go to where the old patriarch of the Zhuo family lived, only Zhuo Hongxing, Zhuo Guangrong, Zhuo Simiao, the elderly Zhong, Zhong Jianguo, Zhong Tao, and Xiao Yu got into a business vehicle. None of the experts went along either. Originally, Xiao Yu didn’t intend to go but since he was the sole one who diagnosed the cause of the illness, Old Zhuo specially called for Xiao Yu so that if it turned out to be poisoning from jiangshi there would still be someone in the know.

Xiao Yu said that the elderly Zhong had no hope and his words were unpleasant. But what kind of person was the elderly Zhong If he didn’t have a certain capacity, how could he reach such a high position Therefore, when Old Zhuo called Xiao Yu along, not only did he not get angry but when Xiao Yu got into the car, he smiled and nodded at him.

When Xiao Yu got in the car and saw the elderly Zhong smilingly nodding at him, he was taken aback for a moment before he managed to nod back. He sighed helplessly inside his mind: "Given Elder Zhong's demeanor, if he wasn't a man of cold heart and little affection, I would definitely try to save him no matter what. But such is fate; alas!"

Seeing Xiao Yu get into the car, since Zhong Jianguo was older, he glanced at Xiao Yu without speaking while Zhong Tao glared fiercely at Xiao Yu as if wanting to eat him alive.

Xiao Yu merely gave Zhong Tao a light glance and then sat down to rest with his eyes closed.

Ignore, **a naked ignore. Zhong Tao was so angry that he felt like his fur would stand on end due to Xiao Yu's disregard for him.

The car soon arrived at the entrance of Jade Spring Mountain, where a fixed guard post was set up with over ten armed guards stationed there, led by a lieutenant colonel.

The car began to slow down and stopped steadily in front of the checkpoint. The windows on both sides were then lowered.

The driver got out of the car and handed a document to the lieutenant colonel.

After glancing at the document, the lieutenant colonel walked up to the car, peered inside through the rolled-down window, saw Zhong Lao and Zhuo Lao, then immediately saluted and said, "Hello, commander!" He then signaled for the guard to let them pass.

Seeing all this, Xiao Yu thought to himself that security here was very strict. Even the guards at the foot of the mountain were lieutenant colonels. As the car moved forward, Xiao Yu keenly sensed that many people secretly kept an eye on this vehicle.

As the car entered the uphill road, there were six or seven checkpoints along the way, but no one stopped this business van for inspection anymore.

The deeper they went, the more varied villas appeared on the side of the road. The car pulled up in front of a Chinese-style courtyard house, and outside the wall, four soldiers with a wolfhound were patrolling around. After the car stopped at the gate, everyone got out; since Zhuo Hongxing had already called his father during the journey, a man in his forties standing by the door greeted Zhong Lao and Zhuo Lao, nodded to Zhong Jianguo and Zhuo Guangrong, then led everyone into the house.

Inside sat an old man dressed in vintage military attire and wearing glasses. Although there were age spots all over his hands and face, he looked very healthy, not like someone nearing a hundred years of age at all.

"Comrade Yuanshan has arrived!" the elder said when he saw Zhong Lao.

"Old commander, I am troubling your peace because of my illness…" Zhong Lao walked over and held the elder's hand as he spoke.

"Curing the sick and saving lives is a doctor's duty. There's no question of disturbing anyone or not!" The old man chuckled.

Hearing the old man's words, Xiao Yu raised an eyebrow in his heart: How admirable it is to fulfill one’s medical duties! In today's world, I wonder how many can still uphold this

The old man led everyone into the inner room. As Xiao Yu entered the room, he was pleasantly surprised by its layout, which resembled a traditional Chinese pharmacy. Opposite the door stood an herbal medicine cabinet three meters long and two meters high. On the right side of the room was placed a round table with two chairs, while on the left there was a small mortar for grinding medicinal herbs.

Zhuo Taigao walked over to the round table and sat down. He gestured for Zhong Taigao to sit as well. After taking Zhong's pulse and examining his tongue coating, Zhuo Taigao inquired about the circumstances of his illness before falling into deep thought.

A moment later, the old man led everyone back to the living room. Zhuo Taigao asked Zhuo Hongxing, "Hongxing, who said that Yuan Shan was infected with a curse"

"Dad, it's him, Xiao Yu, a friend of Simiao!" Upon hearing Zhuo Taigao's question, Zhuo pointed at Xiao Yu.

"Greetings to you, Elder Taigao! This young man, Xiao Yu, greets you respectfully!" Xiao Yu bowed deeply before Zhuo Taigao. He was genuinely willing to bow for such a profound statement about medical duty.

"Very well, very well! The younger generation is truly admirable... admiring indeed..." Seeing how young Xiao Yu was, Zhuo Taigao praised him repeatedly with delight.

Zhong Jianguo, despite being an influential provincial official, remained extremely cautious in the presence of Zhuo Taigao. People who had lived through war times exuded a fierce and intimidating aura even when sitting still.

Even more so was Zhong Tao, who had been baring his teeth at Xiao Yu outside but now sat quietly like a kitten in a corner upon entering the room.

Zhuo Rongguang and Zhuo Simiao also behaved properly before the old man.

"General Doctor Zhuo, is my father really suffering from the curse of a蠱" Zhong Jianguo asked cautiously as he sat on the chair.

"I don't know if Yuanshan's illness is caused by a蠱. Because I've been practicing medicine for nearly 80 years and haven't seen any蠱 before, but Yuanshan’s pulse is strong and powerful, unlike that of an elderly person, it even exceeds those of middle-aged people!"

"Father, I also diagnosed my father's condition to be the same. However, does a stronger pulse indicate better overall physical functions" Zhu Hongxing asked with confusion.

Everyone from the Zhuo and Zhong families showed an expression of attentive listening.

Hearing Zhu Hongxing’s question, Old Grandpa Zhuo's face became stern as he said, "Red Star, let me ask you. What should be the pulse condition for a 70-year-old person who is seriously ill or has just recovered from one"

"Weak and unstable!" Without any hesitation, Zhu Hongxing replied.

"Yes! You know that it's weak and unstable. Then, does Yuanshan’s stable pulse seem normal" The voice of Old Grandpa Zhuo rose as he spoke, almost shouting at the end.

Hearing this, after a moment of thought, Zhu Hongxing understood and immediately broke out in cold sweat despite the cool autumn air.

After scolding Zhu Hongxing, Old Grandpa Zhuo turned to Doctor Zhong and Zhong Jianguo. "As for whether Yuanshan is suffering from the蠱's curse, I can't confirm it either because I haven’t seen a蠱 before. However, based on my understanding of medical knowledge passed down by my master, Yuanshan’s heart pain might be caused by an external force. I believe this should not be wrong!"

"General Doctor Zhuo, then... is there any way to treat it" Zhong Jianguo immediately rose from his seat when he heard Old Grandpa Zhuo also mention the word "蠱".

Old Grandpa Zhuo shook his head. "I've only heard about it but never seen one myself, so I don't know how to treat it." He then turned to Xiao Yu with a smile and said, "My master once told me that if someone can diagnose the蠱's curse, they should also be able to cure it! Am I right, little friend"el, he saw Song Hushan sitting there chatting with a clean-cut man in his forties."Brother Song!" shouted Xiao Yu toward Song Hushan.Hearing the call, both Song Hushan and the man turned to look at Xi...