Learning that Liu Qingyan could cure a malaria patient with just three doses of medicine, Chu Zhen and Yi Lingling were once again astounded.
Upon hearing that they still lacked star anise grass and tong qi, the two volunteered to scour the mountains and fields to gather the herbs.
“We have many fellow disciples and friends in nearby counties who can help,” Chu Zhen said to the group.
“We can meet up in Yuzhou Prefecture, where we should also be able to buy some grain and herbs,” Yi Lingling added.
“Thank you both for your generous help!”
“No need for thanks. Miss Liu is saving lives, and Brother Lu has brought plenty of herbs. We’re just filling in the gaps. If we didn’t help, we’d be ashamed of ourselves,” Chu Zhen said.
With the disaster urgent, Chu Zhen and his junior sister didn’t linger. After breakfast, they swiftly departed.
Liu Qingyan left herbs for the patients in the village, and then the group moved on.
…
In the following days, whenever they reached a new place, Lu Zheng and the women from Wuxiu Manor took turns venturing into the deep forests to search for star anise grass and tong qi.
As Liu Qingyan had said, these two herbs were common in the south and not hard to find. The amounts they gathered, combined with their previous stock, were just enough.
A few days later, they no longer lacked these herbs.
Many cultivators, having heard from Chu Zhen and Yi Lingling, brought star anise grass and tong qi to them as gifts.
The news had spread that a divine physician in Huanshui County, Yuzhou, could cure the ongoing plague of malaria with remarkable effectiveness.
As a result, people collected these herbs and delivered them to the group.
At the same time, Liu Qingyan generously shared the recipe for her “Minor Star Anise Four Spirits Malaria-Clearing Decoction,” detailing the herbs’ properties, usage, and precautions for different patients, asking others to pass it on to physicians across the region.
While the formula could be used as is, adjustments by skilled physicians could greatly improve its effectiveness for different patients.
As the formula spread, it shocked the physician community in eastern Sichuan and northern Ling.
A top-tier medical formula was akin to a sect’s core inheritance, something central and never shared.
Liu Qingyan’s act was equivalent to Baiyun Temple publicly releasing its core secret, the “Taiqing Mysterious Qi Cloud-Walking Scripture.”
The significance might differ in scope, but for the physician community, it was comparable.
Every physician who received the formula would bow deeply toward Yuzhou.
What is a healer’s compassion?
This is a healer’s compassion!
What is practicing medicine to save the world?
This is practicing medicine to save the world!
Meanwhile, Liu Qingyan’s treatments cured countless people across various places. Her title, “Lady Qing, the Healer,” spread from Yutou Village to Kaoshan Town, then to Huanshui County, and finally to Yuzhou Prefecture.
Soon, two pieces of news merged: Lady Qing, the Healer, had painstakingly developed a malaria-curing formula, shared it for the sake of humanity, and saved countless lives.
Lu Zheng watched as Liu Qingyan’s body continuously shimmered with golden light of merit, seeping into her, improving her physique, and boosting her progress in the “Moonlight Scripture” and “Nine Transformations Blood Refining Method,” causing her cultivation to soar.
Lu Zheng was stunned.
“Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!”
The jade seal in his mind seemed to go haywire, occasionally absorbing wisps of fortune’s light.
Though each instance was small, the frequency was high.
At this rate, after the flood, Liu Qingyan would accumulate the foundation and potential of a thousand-year-old demon.
Those around her, as assistants, also benefited, sharing in the golden light of merit.
As her primary aide, always by her side treating patients, Du Yueyao gained the most.
Lu Zheng even sensed that, with the gradual improvement of her physique through the merit, Du Yueyao might soon be able to cultivate.
As for Lu Zheng himself?
Just a bystander…
Liu Qingyan, of course, noticed the golden light entering her body but paid it no mind, continuing to travel and treat patients.
…
For a full month and a half, the group traversed several states in northern Ling, distributing thousands of tonnes of grain and treating countless patients.
Through their efforts, countless disaster victims were spared starvation, the elderly and weak were saved from death by illness, and a potential plague was stopped in its tracks by Liu Qingyan.
Moreover, as the formula spread further across the Great Jing, the threat of malaria would diminish significantly.
Most physicians’ malaria treatments were less effective than the “Minor Star Anise Four Spirits Malaria-Clearing Decoction.”
Liu Qingyan’s contribution was immeasurable.
…
By now, the situation in northern Ling had improved significantly. The government had deployed to various areas, organizing people to reinforce riverbanks, clear farmland, and plant a short-season rice crop before mid-summer to offset losses.
“The disaster in northern Ling is relatively minor now, and with the government stepping in, most villages are safe,” Hu Cainiang said.
They had visited a nearby county a few days ago and gathered some information.
“But eastern Sichuan has many mountains and rivers, with villages scattered along them. The rains are still heavy, and some villages remain stranded. There are even reports of demons and monsters causing trouble,” Lin Jing’er said.
Lu Zheng stood with his hands behind his back, facing a surging river, and looked at Liu Qingyan, who met his gaze.
They smiled at each other.
Lu Zheng nodded and asked, “Shall we take another trip to eastern Sichuan?”
Hua Yixing nodded, “The fastest route to eastern Sichuan is along the tributary of the Dongtian River, but the waters are too rough for ferries. If we take the mountain paths, it’ll add days to the journey.”
The next moment, a whirlpool appeared in the river’s center, and an aura emanated from it.
Hua Yixing’s expression changed, “A demon! Everyone, be careful!”
Du Yueyao and the others jumped, instinctively hiding behind Lu Zheng.
But Lu Zheng and Liu Qingyan remained calm. Lu Zheng waved a hand, “Don’t worry. This one carries the scent of incense. It’s likely the local water god.”
“The old turtle of Yuejin River Mansion, sent by my Lord River God to escort you to eastern Sichuan.”
A deep voice sounded as a massive creature rose from the water.
“Wow!” Du Yueyao exclaimed, “What a huge turtle!”
Before them was a turtle nearly three zhang in diameter.
“The River God is casting spells to manage the river and cannot come in person. Please forgive him,” the old turtle spoke human words. “Seeing Lady Qing and her group heading to eastern Sichuan, he admires your resolve and sent me to assist.”
