Village Doctor's Women-Chapter 152 - 147 Dust Settles for Peng Family

If Wang Jian didn’t even have this much skill, how could he possibly have treated my heart condition?

That was Cai Xing’s line of thought. He now had a profound understanding of what Liu Yuke meant by a "different realm." He had, after all, never seen anyone use treatment methods like Wang Jian’s. He’d originally assumed it was just because of his own ignorance of medicine, but now that even Liu Yuke felt the same way, it was an entirely different matter.

Cai Xing’s mind raced, but his expression revealed nothing. Even so, he couldn’t help Liu Yuke. After all, judging by Doctor Liu’s tone, he wanted to understand Wang Jian’s Medical Skills—and perhaps even exploit them.

"Doctor Liu, if you want to understand his Medical Skills, I can’t help you," Cai Xing said. "You’ll have to figure that out on your own."

After speaking, Cai Xing paid Liu Yuke no more mind. Only after the doctor had left did he take out his phone to make a call.

While Cai Xing was on the phone, so was Wang Jian. He definitely had to tell his master about taking on an apprentice. He tried calling for a long time but couldn’t get through to Xu Changqing, so he eventually gave up. He’d just have to present it as a surprise later.

Wang Jian had never forgotten what Xu Changqing told him when he first became his apprentice. There was a specific type of person perfectly suited for Qi Cultivation: those born with what was called a "dead pulse." To the average person, these individuals seemed no different from anyone else. But they would suddenly be struck by severe illnesses with symptoms that only worsened over time. Without proper guidance, they might die prematurely. However, if they began Qi Cultivation, not only would their health steadily improve, but they would also develop incredible abilities.

Wang Jian had recognized Peng Pingan’s innate aptitude; the boy was born for Qi Cultivation. I even suspect that if Master had met Peng Pingan first, I might never have been chosen as a disciple. But it’s not too late now. I’m the one who accepted him. Hahahaha.

As the saying goes, joyous occasions lift the spirit, and that perfectly described Wang Jian at this moment.

The main hall of the Cai family’s villa had been redecorated. Wang Jian sat with the Peng father and son, as Peng Pingan formally presented him with a bowl of tea.

"Master!"

Though still weak, Peng Pingan’s voice was surprisingly crisp when he said the word. Wang Jian found the sound comforting, filling him with an inexplicable sense of joy. Just over a month ago, I never would have imagined a day like this, he reflected.

"Have you thought this through?" Wang Jian asked, not yet taking the tea. He smiled, directing his question to Peng Qing.

Peng Qing nodded. "It was the boy’s own idea, and I have no objections. As long as his health is no longer an issue, I’m fine with anything." For him, having his son’s illness cured was more than he could have asked for.

"Excellent!"

Only then did Wang Jian accept the tea. He looked at Peng Pingan seriously. "I also have a master, who is your grandmaster."

Peng Pingan’s eyes widened, his mind immediately conjuring images of the sects he’d read about in novels. "Is he our sect leader?" he asked eagerly.

"Sect leader?" Wang Jian was taken aback. He then noticed the same curious expressions on the faces of Peng Qing and the Cai father-daughter duo. He knew instantly they had the wrong idea and gave a wry smile. "Where is your imagination running off to? This isn’t a novel. Although my master was once a Taoist, he’s now just a carefree wanderer who travels everywhere. It has nothing to do with sects."

"Also," Wang Jian added, tapping Peng Pingan on the head, "you’re too young to have your head filled with such nonsense from novels. Don’t let your imagination run wild; there’s no such thing as a sect. My master never told me anything like that. We are simply a line of doctors who have passed down Ancient Medicine to the present day. Stop fantasizing."

After Wang Jian had emphasized the point twice, Peng Pingan sheepishly rubbed the back of his head. "I guess I have read a lot of fantasy and cultivation novels since I got sick. But... who exactly is Grandmaster, then?"

Though Wang Jian had shot down his theory, Peng Pingan’s imagination hadn’t quieted. If Master can bend a steel bar with his bare hands, wouldn’t Grandmaster have to be a Land Immortal?

Seeing his apprentice’s expression, Wang Jian knew his mind was wandering again. But since everyone in the hall was close, he decided to speak plainly. "My master’s name is Xu Changqing. He used to be a Taoist and served as an army medic during a time of war, saving countless lives. Afterward, he gave up being a Taoist and became a carefree wanderer, dedicating his life to helping people everywhere. The number of people he has saved is immeasurable."

At the mention of wartime, everyone present was stunned. Peng Pingan swallowed nervously. "How old is Grandmaster?"

"Seventy-eight!" Wang Jian said with a laugh. "Don’t let his age fool you. He looks like he’s in his forties or fifties—that’s one of the benefits of Qi Cultivation. Cai Qiong has met him; she can attest to it."

Cai Qiong nodded in agreement. "If you hadn’t told me, I never would have guessed. His vitality is like that of a young man."

"Doesn’t that make him an immortal among men?" Cai Xing exclaimed, his face a mask of shock. "This is..." He suddenly felt a pang of envy toward Peng Qing. With his son accepted as a disciple into the lineage of such a Land Immortal, his future would be... Cai Xing glanced at Peng Qing and wasn’t surprised to see a similar look of awe on his face. At our age, we’ve made enough money and achieved enough status. If there’s one thing that can truly captivate us, it’s the prospect of extending our lives.

The thought had barely formed in his mind when Peng Qing voiced it. "Can we learn Qi Cultivation too?"

"No," Wang Jian replied, shaking his head decisively. "If anyone could learn it, this branch of our medical arts wouldn’t be on the verge of extinction." He then added with a smile, "Besides, my master is no Immortal."

"What are you smiling about?" Cai Qiong nudged him, rolling her eyes. "Be serious. My dad and the others are hanging on your every word."

"Hahaha." Wang Jian saw she was right. Although Cai Xing hadn’t asked, his expression was plain as day, and even his new apprentice looked giddy with excitement. "When I first became a disciple, I thought the same thing. The first time I saw my master’s medical arts, I almost thought everything I learned in university was a sham. His skills seemed just like an Immortal Technique."

Hearing this, Peng Qing and Cai Xing silently agreed. They felt the exact same way; Wang Jian’s own Medical Skills were already beyond belief.

Wang Jian continued, "But I later discovered that my master is simply exceptionally skilled at Qi Cultivation. The techniques he uses aren’t some Immortal Technique, but rather Ancient Medical Skills that require Qi Cultivation Skills as a foundation. So, don’t look at it as something mystical. If the prerequisites weren’t so demanding, it wouldn’t have been a skill known only to a few even in ancient times."

Seeing Wang Jian’s thorough explanation, Cai Xing and Peng Qing said no more, though a hint of disappointment lingered in their hearts. Nevertheless, they both committed the name Xu Changqing to memory.

During their conversation, Wang Jian began teaching Peng Pingan how to cultivate the qi within his body, not even hiding it from the others present. He showed him how to guide and utilize it. As long as Peng Pingan could master this, his illness would truly be a thing of the past. Otherwise, he would continue to suffer.

Wang Jian wasn’t worried. Shortly after he began explaining, Peng Pingan found the sensation he was describing. Seeing this, Wang Jian was once again convinced that this sort of thing really did depend on natural talent. Still, a ten-thousand-foot tower is built from the ground up. Mastering his qi was only the first step for Peng Pingan; a long road lay ahead of him.

And in this world, there would not be a second human pill.

Nearby, Cai Xing, Peng Qing, and even Cai Qiong watched Peng Pingan grasp the basics so quickly. They exchanged intrigued glances and tacitly began to secretly imitate Wang Jian’s instructions, trying to sense something themselves. Wang Jian was, of course, aware of their subtle attempts. His master had previously told him he was free to teach the basics to anyone; it would be a good thing if someone actually managed to learn it.

The great hall fell into an eerie, focused silence. Unfortunately, none of the three felt any response at all.

Wang Jian couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed, but at least there was Peng Pingan. With just verbal guidance, the boy had already grasped the knack. From now on, he could slowly master his qi even without hands-on instruction. This thought brought Wang Jian considerable comfort and solace.

"Alright!"

At Wang Jian’s command, Peng Pingan stopped. In that short time, he had transformed. The source of his lifelong pain now seemed to have become a wellspring of power. His former weakness had vanished completely.

Peng Qing, who had been watching his son intently, rushed to ask, "How do you feel?"

"Great!" Peng Pingan’s eyes shone with excitement as he clenched and unclenched his fists. "I feel full of strength, and my whole body is warm. It’s completely different from before."

"Really?" Peng Qing asked again. Peng Pingan nodded. Peng Qing looked at Wang Jian in disbelief. "It seems his illness is completely cured." When Wang Jian nodded in confirmation, Peng Qing finally felt a wave of relief wash over him. At that moment, whether he himself could learn no longer mattered.

"The illness is indeed gone," Wang Jian confirmed. "From now on, it’s daily training and stance-work. It will take at least a few years before you’re barely presentable. Only then will I teach you Medical Skills."

"What? That long?" Hearing it would take years, Peng Pingan’s excitement instantly deflated. "Can’t I learn now?"

"No," Wang Jian said, shaking his head. "You must be able to control your qi perfectly before you can learn medicine. Otherwise, you’ll be harming people, not saving them."

"And..." Wang Jian looked at the boy, whose unrestrained excitement was not necessarily a good thing. "Your body will grow stronger and stronger. In time, you’ll be far more powerful than your peers. If I ever find out you’ve used this strength to do harm, don’t blame me for being merciless."

With that, Wang Jian placed his hand on the solid wood table beside him. Without any visible effort, he lifted his hand, leaving a perfect palm print pressed into the surface.

Silence fell over the hall again. The demonstration was startling, its warning unmistakable.

Seeing his son’s foolish expression, Peng Qing spoke for him. "Doctor Wang, rest assured. If he ever dares to cause trouble, you won’t have to lift a finger. I’ll send him to jail myself."

There was no need to specify where. Wang Jian nodded in understanding.

Peng Qing continued, "Now that the boy is healthy, he should go back to school. Perhaps he could stay with you, right here in Shanghai City—"

Before he could finish, Wang Jian refused.

Good heavens, my house is already chaotic enough with three women. Adding a kid to the mix would make life impossible. Absolutely not. He knew, of course, what Peng Qing intended—for his son to spend more time learning from him. It wasn’t that he was against it, but simply forcing them to be together wouldn’t be meaningful. Schooling is still vital. It helps shape a person’s understanding of the world. If you want to learn a craft, you must first learn how to be a good person.

That was Wang Jian’s philosophy.

Peng Qing didn’t press the matter, though Peng Pingan was visibly reluctant when it was time to leave. The Pengs didn’t stay much longer; they had many people to inform about Ping An’s recovery, especially his mother.

After seeing the Peng family off, Wang Jian and Cai Qiong headed back to Paigou Village. For some reason, as they were leaving, Cai Xing’s demeanor seemed markedly different than before.

Wang Jian wasn’t sure if it was his imagination, but he could have sworn Cai Xing was looking at him the way a man looks at his future son-in-law.

He chose to play dumb. After being away for a day or two, he already missed his sister-in-law and Xiao Yu. And... somehow, the image of another person surfaced in his mind: Li Liping.