章 7: Chapter 7: Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining - Prolonging Life Through Martial Arts Practice_1
Zhao Le hesitated, wanting to be honest, but also fearing that the wealth gentleman, who was somewhat polite but had odd accents, would be heartbroken. So she held her tongue and had to divert the conversation.
"Doctor Xue's medical hall is easy to find. Just step out the door, turn left, and follow the road. Walk to the shop that has the longest queue and is the busiest."
Huang An did not notice the pity in Zhao Le's eyes. He shoved his silver into his bosom and hurriedly said,
"Could you please lead me out, Miss Zhao? Thank you!"
Zhao Le looked at the emaciated Huang An and seemed to think about her father's current condition. Suddenly the sadness overwhelmed her, her eyes turned red again, but without a word, she led the way.
Huang An, in his rush to get medical treatment, didn't notice the young girl's sorrow and quickly followed her.
The two took a shortcut and stepped out from the side door of the martial arts academy. Huang An turned to thank her, but Zhao Le didn't respond. He didn't mind and started running.
In excellent physical condition, Huang An was eager to meet Doctor Xue and seek medical advice.
Suddenly.
"Hey!"
Zhao Le's voice came from behind him.
Huang An stopped in his tracks, turned around and looked at her, confused.
"If Doctor Xue tells you, there's no hope, come and find me, I'll arrange your burial!"
Zhao Le was looking at Huang An with a stubborn gaze, as if she was making a promise to him.
No hope? Bury me?
Huang An stumbled slightly. This money-loving girl is not only rude but also impolite.
"I am Huang An. Thank you for your kind words, Miss. I will surely!"
Huang An made a perfunctory bow, nodded, pulled out a smile, and then ran off.
Zhao Le's unintentional words inevitably cast a shadow over Huang An's heart.
When Huang An's figure disappeared around the corner, Zhao Le muttered to herself tranquility,
"But you have to give me the silver!"
.....
The medical hall of Xue's family was packed with people that it was easy to find. Huang An stood in the middle of the line, tapping his foot impatiently, his eyes filled with urgency.
Indeed, there were so many people that they had to queue up.
Having found a doctor who could cure himself, Huang An naturally felt an urgency.
The world seems like an ancient society, but surprisingly advanced in medicine. Huang An in the crowd couldn't hide his excitement.
Soon it was his turn. He took a seat on the stool in front of an old man, like the other patients had done.
This must be Doctor Xue. Judging from his appearance, Huang An probably concluded that he was indeed a medical expert, with a long white beard and an ethereal air about him.
His gaze was calm and warm, resembling an elder.
"Young man, you're beyond saving!"
Unexpectedly, the first thing Doctor Xue said made Huang An's face freeze.
The medical hall fell silent for a moment as the apprentices in the hall turned their gazes toward Huang An.
They all looked at Huang An with intense sympathy.
Since even Doctor Xue said so, this unfortunate man was probably not going to live much longer.
However, why did Doctor Xue call him a young man? Could it be that he is not old?
Huang An studied the man in front of him, bewilderment in his gaze, disbelief on his face, a look of shock and surprise, as if to say, "Sir, please don't joke around."
As a doctor who had seen countless patients, Doctor Xue certainly understood Huang An's meaning. He shook his head and sighed,
"I noticed you when you were queuing here earlier. You're tormented by an intractable illness. Your five elements are in disarray. I'm powerless here."
While explaining, Doctor Xue gently patted Huang An's hand,
"If I had a way, I would have healed you at the Zhao Family Martial Arts Academy."
Huang An stood there, stunned.
So that's how it was. This old man was treating him.
The desolation after hope made his heart shatter even more.
Huang An's eyes reddened, he held onto the old man's hand tightly and said unwillingly,
"Doctor Xue, please show mercy. No matter the cost, I will do whatever it takes to cure myself."
Doctor Xue shook his head, grabbed a piece of paper, continued writing and said helplessly to Huang An,
"I really can't do anything. If you had come to me a year or two earlier, perhaps I could have helped. Now, alas..."
Huang An pinched his nose, trying to control his emotions. After ages, he finally choked out,
"Thank you! Alas..."
"May I know, how much will it be, Doctor?"
He was ready to pay and leave, ignoring any inquiries into methods to alleviate his condition.
Doctor Xue shook his head again, and said listlessly,
"I've treated countless patients, yet recently I've encountered two patients that I couldn't cure."
"Take this prescription for pain relief. Consider it a gift from me. As for payment, forget about it, forget about it!"
With the words out, Doctor Xue ordered his apprentice to prepare the medicine for Huang An.
Huang An took the bag of medicine, he had no mood to properly give his thanks. He was about to leave with a shattered soul.
Suddenly.
"Hold on!"
It was Doctor Xue's voice, was there a way?
Huang An turned around abruptly, his face filled with excitement, only to see Doctor Xue looking at him sympathetically.
"You can try training in martial arts at the Zheng Family Martial Academy. Although you're a bit old, if you work hard and utilize your wealth, you might be able to extend your life by a few years! As for the details, you should ask Miss Zhao of the Zhao Family. Your improved health condition is partly due to their teachings."
Doctor Xue's words lit up Huang An. It was like a ray of light in a dark tunnel.
Even if it doesn't completely cure him, it would have been a bonus if he could live a few more years.
As long as his life could be prolonged, even just a few years, Huang An was willing.
He turned around, gave a deep bow to Doctor Xue, then quickly walked away.
He was going to the Zhao Family's Martial Arts School, seeking help from Miss Zhao.
Huang An quickly learned the location of the Zhao Family's Martial Arts School, he took his medicine bag and retraced his steps.
He didn't know about the Zhao Family's Martial Arts School until after he asked the pedestrians, which was in fact, where he had just come from.
The ones who saved him before were the Zhao sisters, what a kismet.
Taking in mind that the sisters who were talking not long ago were likely the Zhao sisters.
Huang An knocked on the side door of the Martial Arts School for a while, but no one came to answer it. Having no other choice, he decided to walk around the Martial Arts School, and quickly reached the front door.
He took a closer look, the nameplate above the gate read "Zhao Family's Martial Arts School" in gilded, large characters.
However, the large vermilion door was half-open, and there was no guard at the entrance. Huang An discreetly walked through the entrance before he could start looking for someone to guide him.
Suddenly, he was tapped on the shoulder.
"Huh? What are you doing here?"
Huang An turned around and was startled. It was the young man he had seen when he first woke up.
He squeezed out a smile and replied:
"Thank you, young man. Could you please take me to Miss Zhao?"
Yang Zaizhou gave Huang An a curious look, but didn't ask further. He assumed that Huang An had an appointment with the second sister and led the way.
As Huang An followed behind Yang Zaizhou, they passed through the courtyard, walked past the practice field, and the commotion attracted Huang An's attention.
The noise was weak, but the swooshing sound they made in action was evident.
This was real kung fu, humans could actually leap two to three meters high. The man practicing with the knife seemed to be quite strong as well.
Huang An was fixated.
He noticed the dozen people in the sandy plaza. The martial moves they performed were powerful. They looked lethal as most of their moves aimed at the lower parts.
"Is this the world of martial arts? The world of martial law?"
Huang An speculated while trying to understand the environment based on his observations.
They continued to walk and Huang An saw no fewer than thirty people along the way.
The Zhao Family's Martial Arts School was indeed large.
Huang An also noticed something strange along the way. All the people they encountered seemed to have a gloomy expression on their faces and were hurrying along.
This was unusual, something distressing must have happened within the Martial Arts School.
In order to successfully learn martial arts, Huang An decided to inquire about it.
"May I ask, young man, has something happened within the Martial Arts School?"
Yang Zaizhou paused for a moment, turned around, and glanced at Huang An. There was a hint of impatience in his eyes.
Just as he was about to apologize, he saw Yang Zaizhou sigh lightly, then quietly replied:
"The head of the School was attacked by a thief a month ago and suffered a knife injury. Yesterday, we asked Doctor Xue to examine him, but even he was helpless."
After saying this, he added a few more sentences.
"Doctor Xue also examined you yesterday. But let me warn you, the fact that the head of the school was injured cannot be spoken of."
Huang An was confused, but he nodded his understanding.
He took note of this crucial information, the head of the school had been injured with a knife, and it was likely very severe.
Both of them continued to walk in silence.
As Huang An looked around at the surroundings, he was amazed by the vast area covered by the Martial Arts School.
At the same time, he was mulling over the young man's words.
Based on the young man's tone and demeanor while speaking, Huang An could deduce that the head of the Zhao Family Martial Arts School must be a decent person who was highly respected by his disciples.
About ten minutes later, after making several turns, they finally arrived where Huang An came from, the back courtyard of the Martial Arts School.
This must be where the School Master was recuperating.
"Stay here. I'll go and get the second sister."
Yang Zaizhou instructed Huang An, knocked on the door, and then went in.
After a while, a girl in a green skirt came out. It was Zhao Le.
It wasn't the woman in white, Zhao Ye.
"Hey, uncle, you're here for my help?"
Zhao Le looked awful, her eyes were red, as if she'd just been crying, but her tone was decent.
There was a heartbreaking look in her eyes as she looked at Huang An.
She thought Huang An was following her advice to look for her to deal with his body after he died.
She should be happy. After all, if she took care of Huang An's body, she would get ten silver taels, which would be hers. But faced with the astronomical medical expenses of her father and the possibility that he might not recover, Zhao Le knew that ten silver taels were nothing.
Huang An thought that Zhao Le was crying over his matter, sighing secretly that the little money addict also had a good heart, and actually felt much better about it.
He didn't waste any time and announced his purpose immediately.
"Doctor Xue told me that if I could learn martial arts in the Martial Arts School, I might live a few more years. After waking up, I felt much better. Doctor Xue also mentioned that Miss Zhao has made a significant contribution to this. Therefore, I have come here to learn martial arts and hope Miss Zhao could accept me into the school!"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Le looked Huang An up and down. She stared at Huang An's "old face" for a few seconds, then shook her head.
"Uncle Huang, you're too old, and learning martial arts costs a lot of money. Your ten silver taels are not enough."
Upon hearing this, Huang An's first reaction was disappointment, but hope blossomed soon after. The age problem didn't matter, he had money. He hurriedly explained:
"If I could live a few more years, it would be a relief. As for the money, Miss Zhao, don't worry. I do have some savings."
Huang An was open-minded. If he could live a few more years, it would be a win for him.
Moreover, given enough time, he was confident he could find a cure for himself in the Waste Realm.
What he was missing now was time!
Hearing Huang An's understanding words didn't cause much of a reaction from Zhao Le, but his claim of "having some savings" made her eyes light up.
She walked up to Huang An with small steps, leaned in, and asked:
"Uncle, do you have a hundred gold taels?"
Her large almond eyes beaming with hope.
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