Chapter Twenty-Three: When Drowsiness Arrives, Someone Brings a Pillow

Good habits prompted Chu Yun to rise early and run five kilometers. In truth, he would normally have run at least ten, but the body he inherited was rather frail, and last night’s passionate exertions had left him somewhat fatigued.

After his run, Chu Yun went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. The Chu household’s hearth sent up smoke even earlier than yesterday, stirring the envy and admiration of the neighbors. Yang Liu’er, still in bed, felt especially embarrassed; she hurried up, took over the kitchen duties, and busied herself.

Yet Chu Yun did not take this as an opportunity for leisure. Instead, he stood aside and began brewing the medicinal decoction for Jiang Lin’s treatment.

They had just finished breakfast when Jiang Lin arrived, with Luo Feng in tow, parking his carriage outside the Chu residence. Luo Feng immediately burst into laughter. “Doctor Chu, you truly are a miracle worker! The wound you treated yesterday doesn’t hurt at all today. Your skills, bestowed by immortals, are indeed remarkable.”

The neighbors, hearing this, grew even more envious, secretly marveling at Chu Yun’s extraordinary luck in receiving medical arts from celestial beings in a dream. Some resolved to buy offerings and burn incense, hoping to win similar fortune for themselves.

Chu Yun paid no mind to their gossip, instead reminding Luo Feng, “Take care not to overexert yourself, avoid actions that might strain your wound.”

“Understood, Doctor Chu,” Luo Feng replied with a smile.

Jiang Lin’s faith in Chu Yun’s medical prowess grew stronger. As soon as the two finished speaking, he asked eagerly, “Doctor Chu, have you gathered all the herbs for my treatment?”

Chu Yun nodded. “Yes, I have. The missing herb was called green ginger, also known as zedoary. The reason you couldn’t find it at the pharmacy is that people haven’t recognized it as medicinal yet. Although three-edged root and zedoary have similar effects—three-edged root is stronger at breaking up blood stasis, while zedoary excels at regulating qi and resolving accumulations—your condition clearly demands zedoary.”

Jiang Lin listened, somewhat embarrassed, and laughed. “Doctor Chu, these explanations are beyond me. But I must say, you truly have inherited the medical wisdom of immortals, knowing herbs unknown to others and their properties.”

Returning to the matter at hand, he asked, “Since the herbs are ready, can you now prepare the decoction for me?”

Chu Yun replied, “Rest assured, Master Jiang. I have already brewed the medicinal soup for your treatment, and wrapped two additional doses for you to take home. If you use them as directed, your condition will soon improve, and you will be cured.”

Jiang Lin quickly offered his thanks, “Thank you, Doctor Chu, for your trouble.”

Chu Yun then instructed Yang Liu’er to bring the invigorating and blood-activating soup to Jiang Lin.

After drinking it, Jiang Lin declared, “This is truly a miraculous medicine! I feel much more comfortable in my chest already. Doctor Chu, you are indeed the successor of immortals.”

Chu Yun felt a bit awkward at this; he knew that even miraculous medicines could not work so quickly. Jiang Lin’s words were either flattery or the result of a placebo effect. In truth, a patient’s mindset is crucial—if they maintain confidence and a cheerful disposition, many difficult illnesses can be miraculously cured with ease.

After Jiang Lin finished his medicine, Luo Feng turned to Chu Yun. “Doctor Chu, I actually have another reason for coming today.”

Chu Yun looked at him, “Go ahead.”

Luo Feng said, “Forgive my boldness, Doctor Chu, but your current residence is quite rundown. You should move somewhere better. With your skills, you ought to open a clinic in Chu Family Town, so more patients can seek your care. So yesterday, I bought a large house for you. It was formerly used as a clinic, so it will be easy to adapt; you can live there while treating patients.”

Chu Yun was pleasantly surprised. He had indeed been considering moving, if only to escape the noisy children who often lingered around his door. He hadn’t expected an opportunity to present itself so readily.

He felt almost embarrassed. “Master Luo, you are too generous. You have already given me several taels of silver, and now a house, even though your own injury isn’t fully healed yet.”

Luo Feng laughed. “A little silver is nothing. Helping you establish a clinic so you can benefit more people is a service to Chu Family Town and the world. Your skill in treating my wound yesterday gave me great confidence in your abilities.”

Chu Yun bowed. “Then I shall accept your kindness with gratitude. Thank you, Master Luo.”

Luo Feng waved his hand. “No need for thanks, Doctor Chu.”

Jiang Lin added, “Doctor Chu, the house should have been my gift to you, but Master Luo insisted otherwise. So I’ll take care of preparing the clinic. I’ve also arranged for a sign to be made, naming it the Hall of the Divine Physician. Are you satisfied?”

“The Hall of the Divine Physician… That’s a bit too ostentatious, isn’t it?” Chu Yun shook his head. Though confident in his skills, he preferred not to be too flamboyant.

Jiang Lin insisted, “Doctor Chu, your skills are worthy of the title! Especially since you’ve inherited celestial arts.”

Chu Yun still shook his head. “Master Jiang, you flatter me too much. That name really isn’t suitable.”

Jiang Lin asked, “What name would you prefer for the clinic?”

Chu Yun thought for a moment. “A physician should hold the mission of healing the world. Why not call it the Hall of Universal Relief?”

Luo Feng laughed heartily. “Excellent! Hall of Universal Relief is a fine name.”

Jiang Lin agreed, “To benefit the world—an admirable choice. Doctor Chu, you truly possess the wisdom of immortals. I’ll have the sign changed at once. I’ll see to preparing your clinic, and choose an auspicious day for its opening. Though the house was formerly a clinic, you should inspect it yourself to see if anything needs adding; you are no ordinary physician, after all.”

Chu Yun bowed. “Thank you, Master Jiang, for your efforts.”

After a while of pleasant conversation, Jiang Lin and Luo Feng took their leave.

Before departing, Jiang Lin handed Chu Yun two taels of silver. Chu Yun repeatedly refused, saying that the funds for renovating the clinic would more than cover the cost of his treatment. But Jiang Lin insisted, passing the silver to Yang Liu’er, urging Chu Yun to use it to buy her some fine clothes, so his wife would not have to endure hardship.