Chapter 62: I Know Medicine

Qin Fang entered the main room cautiously, only to find it empty. On the table lay a piece of paper. She picked it up and read it, her expression growing grave. After memorizing its contents, she placed the paper into the brazier beside the table. Watching as it turned to ash, Qin Fang, her face heavy with worry, left the courtyard and slipped out the back door to return to the supply cooperative.

After purchasing some feminine products, Qin Fang returned to Su Liang, masking her worries with the sweet charm of a lovable girl. Clueless, Su Liang transformed into her protector, fussing over her with gentle care. He had been doing this for over a decade—it had become second nature. Even as a child, Qin Fang had been delicate and adorable, like a porcelain doll—too fragile to be bumped or bruised, unable to withstand the slightest grievance. Whenever Su Liang saw her, he instinctively felt the urge to shield her.

The villagers waiting for the ox cart nearby couldn't help but smirk and turn away, finding the scene almost too much to bear. The pair were shameless enough to act this way in public; the others were too embarrassed even to watch.

Preparing a meal for one was a simple affair. Xu Lin ate her fill and then lay on her bed to tally up yesterday’s gains. She first examined the medical book she’d acquired. Its title was "The Classic of Rejuvenation," authored by an unknown figure in history. Xu Lin flipped through its pages, noting the vertical typesetting and absence of punctuation. Judging by the paper, it had to be several centuries old. That it had survived in such good condition was remarkable—its previous owner must have cherished it dearly.

As she read, Xu Lin’s eyes grew ever wider, shock written in her peach blossom eyes. The Classic of Rejuvenation contained not only medical theories and prescriptions, but most importantly, the Rejuvenation Needle Technique. This technique could truly bring the withered back to life, granting a second spring. It was no exaggeration: once mastered, this book’s teachings could revive the dead and regrow flesh on white bones—no mere legend. Moreover, this needle technique harmonized perfectly with Xu Lin’s wood-based supernatural power. Combined, its effect was not just doubled, but increased tenfold. As long as it wasn’t a terminal illness, a single acupuncture session could cure it.

If word of this miraculous ability got out, she might well become a target for dissection and study. After memorizing the book’s contents, Xu Lin carefully stored the Classic of Rejuvenation in her warehouse, placing it in the most important spot. She had no intention of showing it to anyone lightly.

Next, Xu Lin began to examine the ancient texts she’d retrieved from the secret room guarded by Ma Zi. These volumes had not been well cared for and were piled haphazardly in a corner, many severely damaged. Xu Lin’s heart ached at the sight; if Ma Zi were still alive, she would have wanted to make him pay for this neglect.

As she pondered how to repair the ruined books, a sudden pain struck her consciousness, followed by a surge of memories. What was this? Surprise lit her face as she realized: this was a skill she’d acquired in another dimension. In that world, she had been a powerful restoration expert—no ancient text or painting was beyond her ability to repair.

Looking at the battered books in her hands, various methods for restoration surfaced in her mind. Sadly, she lacked the necessary materials—even with her skills, she needed proper resources to proceed. Alas, even the cleverest housewife cannot cook without rice; the repairs would have to wait. Xu Lin carefully arranged the ancient texts on the shelf, minimizing further damage as best she could.

While sorting through the books, she recognized many that, in later generations, had ended up overseas. From this, she could deduce that both Wu Chengguang and A-Song were involved in smuggling. Those bastards truly had no scruples—not only smashing and burning cultural relics, but also trafficking them abroad. Such people were rotten to the core; giving them power was a disaster in itself.

Xu Lin wondered if Wu Chengguang would go mad investigating and seeking revenge after losing three caches of treasure. Let them tear each other apart, she thought. No matter who destroyed whom, it would only work in her favor.

Xu Lin felt as if little time had passed, but then the work whistle sounded. She emerged from her space and, to her surprise, saw it was already two in the afternoon—time had flown. Besides organizing the books, she hadn’t opened a single other box. Remembering she still had to make medicinal pills after work, Xu Lin could only sigh about how busy she was. She’d meant to take it easy, but who would have thought she’d be too busy even for a nap? And she still had herbs she’d picked up that needed processing—clearly, her afternoon was going to be packed.

That afternoon, it was back to clearing wasteland in the usual spot. Though Han Hong and Zhang Qiang had treated their hands with medicine, every time they worked, a sharp pain shot through their palms, slowing them down considerably.

Team leader Wang Facai came over to check on their progress and, seeing that their afternoon pace was even slower than the morning, could hardly bear to look. Still, compared to the two who’d taken leave, these three were at least more pleasing to his eye.

Just as Wang Facai was about to speak, a piercing scream came from behind, followed by a woman’s anguished wail.

“Erwa, Erwa! What’s happened to you? Don’t scare your mother, Erwa!”

“What’s wrong with Erwa? Oh, just look at his face! Quick, fetch Doctor Wang!”

“Oh heavens, are you trying to take my life? My poor Erwa!”

“Stop crying and get him to Doctor Wang—his face is turning blue. If you delay, it could be fatal!”

The desperate cries made everyone’s scalp tingle. Wang Facai instinctively turned and bolted. Xu Lin and her two companions exchanged glances, then set off after him. Despite her small size, Xu Lin was especially quick. Han Hong and Zhang Qiang were left blinking—the next moment, Xu Lin had already vanished from their side.

Wang Facai, gasping for breath as he ran, suddenly saw a figure flash past him—within seconds, she was ten meters ahead. He blinked again in disbelief. Was that even a human’s running speed?

Before he could make sense of it, Xu Lin had already caught up with the people running toward the village with the child. She shouted loudly, “Stop! Hand the child to me—I know medicine!”

Her words jolted Erwa’s father from his panic. As if hearing a voice from heaven, he handed the child over without a second thought, his dazed mind caring only for help.

Taking the boy, Xu Lin checked his pulse—thank goodness, there was still time. The child was choking on a foreign object. Xu Lin quickly turned Erwa over in her arms, supporting his abdomen with one hand while pressing and pushing on his back with the other.

Amid the puzzled stares of the onlookers, Xu Lin sent a stream of wood energy into Erwa’s body, straight to his throat. With a pop, a peanut shot out of his mouth, and Erwa burst into tears, color returning to his once pale face.

“There, there, it’s all right now,” Xu Lin soothed him gently. Seeing that Erwa was too upset to listen, she handed him to his mother, who clutched her child and sobbed with relief. Watching the tearful reunion, Xu Lin couldn’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment.