By evening, Madam Wu’s condition had eased considerably. After a full meal, she even had the strength to get out of bed and walk around, though the constellation of injuries covering her body made it inconvenient to receive guests. This marked improvement brought an almost ethereal lightness to the steps of Magistrate Wu and his wife.

That evening, Magistrate Wu hosted a grand banquet in my honor. Several rounds of drinks left me with a throbbing headache, and I was eventually carried back to my room by Dali Wan. I barely recalled who I had met during the feast, though it seemed to have been mostly relatives of Magistrate Wu; no outsiders were present.

When I arrived at Madam Wu’s room the next morning, my head still ached. The sight before me was not as dreadful as yesterday. She lay shyly on the bed, and upon seeing me approach, she managed a soft greeting: “Greetings, Divine Doctor Zhao. Yesterday, thanks to your miraculous skill, my girl is deeply indebted. Your kindness will be remembered forever.”

My head felt heavy, so I rubbed my forehead and asked, “Madam, you are too kind. Is there any other discomfort you feel? This humble one can prepare further medicine based on your current state.”

Madam Wu suddenly seemed to recall something. “Oh dear, look at my memory! I forgot what Wu Rong instructed me to say. I should be addressing you as Brother Zhao. As for discomfort, I still feel an occasional itch, but it’s bearable now. I trust with another treatment from Brother Zhao, I will soon be fully recovered. Your medical skill is unparalleled in the world.”

It seemed yesterday’s treatment had hit the mark. This type of medication usually requires three days of continuous dosage, with a nearly one hundred percent success rate confirmed among Earth’s population. However, the people here had never encountered Western medicine, viewing these chemical compounds with great suspicion. With just one pill, they were already mostly cured. Still, for complete recovery, she would likely need another dose today; whether a third was needed tomorrow would depend on the situation.

Noises of commotion drifted from outside the door. Madam Wu frowned and ordered a maid to investigate. Soon, the maid returned, reporting, “Reporting to Madam, it’s those doctors who treated you before. They wish to enter and ‘seek guidance’ from Divine Doctor Zhao regarding his treatment methods. I feared disturbing your rest and your treatment, so I stopped them.”

Madam Wu spat with distaste, “Those incompetent fools, always jealous of others! Send them away. Seeing them alone makes me angry; they could give me a sickness even if I were well.”

I listened closely. A voice from outside declared, “Divine Doctor? I don’t believe it. He was in Madam Wu’s room for less than the time it takes to brew two cups of tea yesterday morning and managed to cure her? I suspect the medicine we used previously must have taken effect, letting this youngster steal the credit. If it was his doing, did he even use half a dose of medicine? A doctor who treats without medicine—I have never heard of such a thing! Moreover, he avoids us, unwilling to explain the illness or its cause, or perhaps he simply cannot. What kind of doctor is that!”

Two other physicians chimed in their agreement: “Exactly! I think he’s mostly a quack. ‘Divine Doctor excises the fetus’—that’s just rural exaggeration. I doubt he can even write a prescription; he probably just knows some local folk remedies. Now he’s been ‘invited’ by Magistrate Wu and forced to treat haphazardly, only to steal our success. How infuriating! This is too embarrassing to tell our peers. Gentlemen, you are all masters and luminaries in the medical field; we must firmly resist someone like this!”

“Gentlemen, perhaps you shouldn’t speak of Doctor Zhao so harshly. I don’t think he is a charlatan deceiving the public. He might genuinely possess superior skill. Why don’t we ask Magistrate Wu for permission to observe his treatment? With the Magistrate present, he likely wouldn’t refuse,” stated a voice that sounded familiar. It was Xu Liang, the doctor who had mentioned clearing blood poison yesterday. Perhaps he wasn't a bad sort after all.

If I didn't show these doctors a bit of strength, they would surely mistake me for a fraud. How could I establish myself if I didn't subdue their arrogance? Since I had cultivated an air of mystery yesterday, perhaps today I should stage another performance. I stopped the maid who was about to go expel them and turned back, “Madam…”

“Ah…”

“Sister-in-law, as a newcomer, offending these people might make things difficult for me later. Since they wish to seek counsel, let them inquire. My method of treatment holds no secrets; sharing it for everyone’s reference is a good thing.”

Madam Wu was deeply moved and impressed. “Brother Zhao, you are indeed different from those mediocre doctors. They’d prefer their skills remain hidden forever, but you are kind-hearted and unconcerned with personal gain or loss. Even my own husband I have never admired this much. You…”

I hadn't expected my casual remark to garner such high regard from Madam Wu. “Hehe, Sister-in-law, you are too gracious. Today’s treatment is a bit complex; let’s proceed quickly.”

Madam Wu closed her eyes slightly. “Please, Brother Zhao, command whatever you need. I will do my utmost to cooperate.”

I definitely couldn't just force-feed her a pill today. Even if I gave her one more dose, I needed to make it look more sophisticated to showcase my divine medical prowess. If my skill isn't apparent, will those outside truly submit? They want to know how I write prescriptions and compound medicine—then I shall let them watch, let them learn. The question is, after watching and learning, would they dare use it?

After bowing slightly, I announced, “Sister-in-law, I will go out to prepare the medicine first.”

Madam Wu opened her eyes in surprise. “You need to leave to prepare medicine? I thought treatment would happen right here…”

I smiled. “Today’s treatment differs from yesterday’s. Today is focused on consolidation, so accompanying medication is necessary. Please wait a moment, Sister-in-law.”

Madam Wu nodded. “I’ll trouble Brother Zhao.”

I suddenly realized I possessed quite a talent for fibbing; I could say such things without my face reddening or my heart fluttering. Outside Madam Wu’s room, a crowd of esteemed doctors awaited. I addressed them, “Gentlemen, perhaps we should all return to the main hall. Making such a racket here might disturb the Madam’s rest. This humble one needs to go to the front hall to write a prescription and prepare medicine. Interested friends are welcome to wait there.”

Hearing that I was willing to display my medical knowledge, the crowd dispersed, heading toward the main hall. Linglong had been following closely behind me. She was startled by my words; she knew the most about my background. When had I learned to write their script? Once the famous doctors had gone, she quietly drew near. “Master, when you write out a prescription to dispense medicine, can you write in our local characters?”

I lowered my voice. “Of course not. Don't I have my little assistant here? Writing the prescription is really just to fool them. If you haphazardly create a formula, it will be so jumbled that even if they want to learn, they won't dare use it themselves. We’ll grab some local herbs, mess around with them, and then secretly feed the pill to Madam Wu to finish the job. This way, the divine doctors will scratch their heads wondering about the logic. The more confused they are, the more mysterious they will deem my skill, and naturally, they won't dare look down on my medicine.”

Linglong almost burst out laughing. “Master, you are so wicked.”

That childish voice was incredibly gratifying. Such a young maiden was rare even on Earth. Her single phrase, ‘you are so wicked,’ nearly melted my bones. I steadied myself. “I might be a bit wicked, but it’s to save face for the three of us. Otherwise, if they see through us—that we only used a few pills to cure her—we’d appear rather incompetent.”

Linglong’s delicate eyebrows arched slightly. “I’ll listen to you. Whatever you tell me to do, I will do it. But you have to pay me wages! I can’t just help for free, or my father will scold me back home for playing around.”

“A trifle,” I replied. “I saved Madam Wu; Magistrate Wu must show his gratitude somehow. I’ll split half the consultation fee with you then.”

Linglong was overjoyed. “Really? You promise not to cheat me.”

“I’d rather be a dog than lie,” I declared.

Spurred on by the promise of money, Linglong became much more efficient. The two of us went to the main hall and sat before a square table. I cleared my throat. “Linglong, write out a prescription for Madam Wu. Having followed me for so long, a minor ailment like this shouldn't be an issue.”

Linglong obediently replied, “As Master commands. However, please guide me from behind, Master. If I write anything incorrectly, please feel free to scold me.”

“How could I not scrutinize your work? This is for Madam Wu’s illness; it’s not a small matter. Go ahead, I’m watching.”

A servant immediately brought ink and brush. Linglong’s small mouth curled up slightly, displaying the unmistakable smugness of a little girl. With a few swift strokes, a prescription was finished. Linglong saw I remained silent and, before the esteemed doctors could crowd around, handed it to the servant to procure the herbs, causing the doctors to crane their necks and stomp their feet in anxiety.

In truth, I couldn't speak either. The incomprehensible jumble she wrote, I couldn't read a single character. Since this wasn't the real medicine Madam Wu would take, I didn’t care what it was.

The servant took the prescription and left the hall to draw funds from the accounting office before heading to the apothecary. Given the backward technology here, there were no Western medicines, only traditional herbs much like those in ancient Great Dragon Country—though the medical knowledge here seemed even more primitive than in ancient times.

Seeing the doctors looking at each other blankly and appearing displeased, Linglong secretly giggled and, with a quick stroke of the brush, wrote a second prescription. Another servant took this one to fetch the herbs. The first prescription had already distracted one group of doctors; this second one drew away two more. After intercepting the servant outside the accounting office and examining the second formula closely, the physicians turned ashen-faced and rushed back, glaring at me.

“Doctor Zhao, what kind of joke is this? Your assistant clearly wrote the prescription incorrectly, yet you didn't speak up to correct it! If Madam Wu were to take this formula as written, it would surely kill her! If that cures the illness, we’ll walk backward for the rest of our lives!”

Damn it! I wanted baffling nonsense; did Linglong just write a poison formula? I looked at Linglong in confusion, but she faced the doctors with an impassive expression. “What do you know? The brilliance of my Master lies precisely here: in your hands, it’s a killing poison; in his hands, it becomes a healing elixir. That is the difference, understand? If you can treat Madam Wu’s illness, then you do it. If you lack confidence or understanding, don’t speak nonsense.”

The group of self-important doctors were silenced by the little Linglong, unable to utter a word. Finally, Xu Liang bowed deeply and stepped forward toward me. “Doctor Zhao, I have an uncertainty. What is the root cause of Madam Wu’s illness? Why were several of us unable to find the true etiology after days of observation? Could Doctor Zhao please enlighten me? I would be eternally grateful.”

I held no negative impression of Xu Liang, so I told him truthfully, “Madam Wu is likely suffering from an allergy.”

“Allergy?” Every doctor, including Xu Liang, looked utterly baffled. They understood the concept of blood toxicity but were completely unfamiliar with the term ‘allergy.’ They had prepared to argue with me based on established medical theory, but now, unable to even grasp the nomenclature, there was nothing to debate.

I explained, “When a person ingests, touches, or inhales a certain substance, the body produces an excessive reaction. Normally, the body manufactures antibodies to protect against disease. But in an allergic person’s body, harmless, normal substances are mistakenly identified as harmful, prompting antibody production. This allergic reaction leads to physical problems that typically do not occur in healthy individuals. In Madam Wu’s case, I believe she has developed an allergic reaction to something near her. This type of allergy is relatively common, and we term it ‘atopic’ or ‘immediate-type hypersensitivity.’ This allergy manifests rapidly with very obvious symptoms, making diagnosis and treatment significantly easier.”

The divine doctors were completely dumbfounded. Among them were genuinely skilled physicians, but compared to the accumulated wisdom of Earth’s millennia, they appeared utterly useless. Some considered asking for further details, but the terminology alone had given them headaches. They feared that asking more would only reveal even deeper, more esoteric concepts, leading to greater embarrassment.

Xu Liang bowed deeply once more. “Divine Doctor Zhao, I am enlightened. I hope Divine Doctor Zhao will have time to offer further guidance in the future. Thank you, Divine Doctor Zhao.”

I returned the gesture. “You are too polite, Brother Xu Liang. It is only proper for us to exchange knowledge when we have time.”

The herbs were brought back soon after, piled in large sacks in the hall. Before I could speak, Linglong ordered Dali Wan to find a mortar and grind the herbs. Dali Wan was strong, and his diet had been excellent these past two days, causing him to work the mortar at a furious pace, eliciting sounds of admiration from the watching doctors. Their two assistants—one charmingly clever, capable of writing and prescribing, the other immensely strong, simple, and loyal—truly made a Divine Doctor look like a Divine Doctor. Where else could one find such help?

After grinding and boiling for nearly half a morning, they produced half a bowl of dark decoction. At this point, the doctors’ lesson was concluded. They took their leave in order, one by one, bowing respectfully. The condescending air they had possessed earlier was entirely gone, replaced only by deference and awe.

They had memorized the prescription and learned the process of grinding and boiling. However, should they encounter such a case again, they still wouldn’t dare treat it. Although the prescription contained no overtly poisonous ingredients, several herbs listed were strictly prohibited from being combined. Doctor Zhao’s assistant had said that in their hands, it was a killing potion. If they failed to cure the patient, so be it, but if they caused death, their lifelong reputation would be ruined. Therefore, they dared not use this method. From now on, for such symptoms, they would only summon Divine Doctor Zhao.

The half-bowl of soup they brewed was not used even a single drop. After the esteemed doctors departed, Linglong poured it all into the drainage ditch. Having successfully staged the show to impress them, we stopped delaying. We dissolved the anti-allergy pills in water and administered them to Madam Wu.

In the evening, Madam Wu sent word: her terrible itching had vanished completely. Once the external injuries healed, she would be fully recovered. The doctors, who had been waiting for news after lunch, heard this result and harbored no more doubts. Even if some residual disdain lingered because of my youth compared to their grizzled beards, they would never display that disdain openly again; it was too easy to give others reasons to be jealous.

Magistrate Wu had been too preoccupied with his wife’s recovery to attend to official duties these past few days. Upon learning yesterday that his wife was out of danger, he swiftly resumed his work. Returning today after a full day’s labor, he was overjoyed to hear his wife was no longer itching and immediately came to the guest room to find me.

“Brother Zhao, you truly are my great savior. Tell me, how can I ever repay you?” Magistrate Wu asked with genuine sincerity.

“Brother Wu, you are too polite. Doing this small service for Sister-in-law was my duty. Besides, haven't I burdened you with finding people for me?”

Magistrate Wu clapped my shoulder. “Brother Zhao, do not be so formal with me. Finding those people for you is not a certainty, though I will do my utmost. But my gratitude toward you is not to be discounted in the slightest. Servants! Bring in the payment for Divine Doctor Zhao!”

At Magistrate Wu’s call, two house attendants carried in a sack of iron coins. Magistrate Wu stated, “This is just a small token of appreciation from an elder brother. You’ve just come from the mountains; you must be short on funds. Don't refuse me, or I’ll become genuinely angry! Tonight, I must host another banquet. Naturally, we won’t invite those disruptive sorts—only the three Department Chiefs will sit with us, and my wife will also attend. We can all get to know each other better over drinks and conversation.”

I have no interest in drinking, but I couldn't refuse Magistrate Wu without offending him, so I reluctantly agreed with a pained expression. This large sack of iron coins on the floor was impossible to refuse. Magistrate Wu left after dropping the money and slapping his backside. This consultation fee was extraordinarily high—easily two to three thousand coins, enough, I suspected, to buy half of the town of Feiyu County. Could a magistrate truly earn this much? It was quite shocking. Was the Dual City Nation wealthy or poor?

The moment Magistrate Wu left, Linglong and Dali Wan sprang out from behind the screen. Without exchanging words with me, they began circling the sack of iron coins, their eyes blazing with avarice. I understood now: they were pure little misers, and upon seeing such a hoard of coins, they couldn't budge an inch.

As for money, I had long since lost interest. Even on this strange planet, it failed to ignite any real desire in me. My only wish was to find the other seven women and return safely to Earth. Even if a pile of diamonds were placed before me, I wouldn't be moved.

Glancing at Linglong and Dali Wan who were already counting the coins one by one, I said, “Since you both like it so much, just split it evenly between the two of you. Linglong, I have kept my promise regarding the two prescriptions you wrote, haven’t I?”

Linglong and Dali Wan looked at me with disbelief. Dali Wan, preferring few words, just chuckled happily. He was quite like Zhang Ersha, a fellow sufferer. Linglong, however, exclaimed in delighted surprise, “Master, are you really going to split this bag of money between us?”

“Is there any reason to lie to you? But we should leave a little for Wahani. We ate and lived under her roof recently; now that we have money, we certainly must repay her kindness.”

Linglong nodded knowingly. “I understand. Consider it public funds, but Brother Dali Wan and I get the lion’s share, right?”

“You two work out the division. As long as I have food and lodging, that’s enough for me. I need to prepare for tonight’s banquet. You two take your time.”

The evening banquet was indeed rather subdued—only six people in total: Magistrate Wu and his wife, plus the Chiefs of the Department of Justice, the Department of Industry and Agriculture, and the Department of Military and Politics. After introductions, I paid special attention to Cai Hua, the Chief of the Department of Justice. This man, who shared a surname with Cai Bao'er, was corpulent and clearly looked like no good sort. He probably already knew about the feud between me and the dog advisor. While he acted politely on the surface, I couldn’t tell if he was cursing me internally.

Madam Wu, worthy of her origins from a scholarly family, spoke with grace and poise throughout the meal, setting her apart from the wives of ordinary families. Her occasional interjections were always pointed and never frivolous. The banquet concluded in a friendly and harmonious atmosphere. I had no conflict with Cai Hua; perhaps knowing that I was the lifesaver for Magistrate Wu and his wife, he was understandably cautious around me.

The Chief of the Department of Military and Politics was named Ma Yongliang. From his outward appearance, I could tell he was a forthright man. Since I was a former soldier myself, our conversation flowed easily, and by the end of the feast, we had become good friends. Chief Ma commanded two Qianhus (commanders of a thousand households), one of whom was Chief Tong, and the other was another General, Chief Yu. They each led ten Baihus (commanders of a hundred households) in defending the safety of Feiying Prefecture.

Making a friend naturally brought me some happiness, but Magistrate Wu confirmed there was still no news of the seven women, which left me feeling somewhat despondent again. On the way back to the guest room at Wu Residence, I looked up at the two moons in the sky. I wondered what my seven women were doing at this moment, or if they too were gazing at the bright moon, missing me.