Chapter 188: Reunion with Qin Zizhou

Strictly speaking, among all the people and events Ji Yuan had encountered over the years, Physician Qin Zizhou, the miraculous doctor from Deyuan County, was one of the few individuals he truly and sincerely admired.

His optimistic attitude, dedication to medical research, superb medical skills, noble medical ethics, and exceptionally long life (remarkable among mortals in this world) all left a deep impression on Ji Yuan.

If Ji Yuan hadn't been half an hour late for breakfast because he was reading the jade slip in the courtyard, he wouldn't have met the man named Liu, nor would he have known Qin Zizhou's current situation.

However, now that he knew, Ji Yuan still intended to visit the respected Doctor Qin.

Ji Yuan walked quickly, not towards Tianniu Lane, but directly out of the city. In a little over fifteen minutes, he had left Ning'an County.

By the side of a small path outside the city, Ji Yuan took a paper crane from his sleeve. He tapped it twice and folded its paper wings, and the crane came to life.

"Go!"

With a flick of his wrist, the paper crane flew up, flapping its wings back towards Ning'an County. This was specifically for delivering messages to Hu Yun, to prevent him and Yin Qing from worrying if they returned and couldn't find Ji Yuan.

After watching the paper crane fly away, Ji Yuan gradually faded, and at the same time, a faint mist rose, transforming into a wisp of white cloud that ascended into the sky and then flew into the distance.

Approximately fifteen minutes later, Ji Yuan arrived above Deyuan County.

With a casual sweep of his spiritual vision from the sky, he could see the general, hazy spiritual aura of Deyuan County. There was only one modest temple emitting divine light, but it was clearly not a City God Temple.

Given the character of the venerable Physician Qin Zizhou, who had accumulated countless merits, both overt and hidden, throughout his life, he certainly wouldn't lack longevity in the afterlife.

However, Deyuan County was a small county with no City God Temple, only an Earth God Temple. Therefore, if Qin Zizhou passed away, there were two possibilities.

One was that the Underworld Tribunal of Desheng Prefecture would send a grim reaper directly to collect his soul. The other was that his descendants would perform a ritual, bringing a soul banner to the Earth God Temple, and then Qin Zizhou's soul would be led by the Deyuan County Earth God to the Underworld Tribunal of Desheng Prefecture.

Ji Yuan calculated that Qin Zizhou's lifespan had just ended, but if the Underworld Tribunal hadn't dispatched a grim reaper to his home, his soul should still be within his body at this moment.

If the Underworld Tribunal of Desheng Prefecture did send a grim reaper directly, there were also two scenarios: one, they would immediately take the soul back to Desheng Prefecture; or two, the grim reaper would guard the soul and only depart with it after the family completed the funeral rites. The specific procedure depended on both the deceased and the grim reaper, as there was no fixed rule.

If the Underworld Tribunal didn't offer a good position to someone like Doctor Qin, Ji Yuan intended to have a serious discussion with them. He was even prepared to summon the spirit and personally arrange a path for him in the afterlife.

Descending from the cloud into Deyuan County, Ji Yuan shook his arms a few times, wrapping his wide sleeves around them and gripping the corners of his robes. He then quickly walked in this lightened manner, making his way directly to the Anren Grand Pharmacy where he had first met Physician Qin.

Even under these circumstances, the Anren Grand Pharmacy was still open. However, the person manning the counter was naturally not Elder Qin, but a middle-aged man. Ji Yuan only got a clear look at his unremarkable face after stepping inside and getting closer, and he couldn't tell if this person was a doctor himself.

There was only one assistant in the shop, sluggishly pounding herbs, making a rhythmic "thump, thump, thump..." sound.

"Sir, are you here for medicine or a consultation? We're currently a bit inconvenient for consultations or house calls, though of course, if it's an emergency, we can find a doctor for you."

The middle-aged man behind the counter, seeing Ji Yuan enter in a hurry, figured he probably had a sick family member. The moment he spoke, Ji Yuan realized he wasn't a doctor.

Ji Yuan cupped his hands in greeting towards the man behind the counter.

"I'm not here for a consultation or medicine. I simply wish to ask, shopkeeper, where does Physician Qin Zizhou reside?"

Although Anren Grand Pharmacy had rooms and beds, it was clearly not Elder Qin Zizhou's actual residence. At this moment, Qin Zizhou's state hovered between yin and yang, between life and death—a moment where the mortal realm had ended but the netherworld had not yet begun. Ji Yuan's divination skills, while potent, weren't precise enough to pinpoint the exact details.

Moreover, there seemed to be more than one funeral happening in Deyuan County, so to avoid going to the wrong place, it was better to simply ask.

As soon as Ji Yuan asked about Qin Zizhou, the shopkeeper's demeanor immediately became more attentive.

"Are you also one of Doctor Qin's disciples? You've come a long way, haven't you?"

Ji Yuan's mind quickly processed the question, and he replied,

"You've misunderstood, shopkeeper. I'm not Doctor Qin's apprentice, but an old acquaintance. I rushed here specially from afar after hearing the news. I only knew Doctor Qin from this pharmacy back then and don't know his home address. Could you please tell me?"

"Well, anyone who's received the news and rushed here at this time certainly isn't an outsider. Liu Zi, quickly take this..."

"My surname is Ji, as in 'calculation,' and my given name is Yuan, as in 'destiny' or 'affinity'!"

"Ah, yes, take Mr. Ji to Doctor Qin's home. Perhaps he can still see him one last time!"

"Understood!"

The shop assistant quickly stood up and hurried outside to lead the way for Ji Yuan.

"Please follow me, sir!"

"Very well. Thank you for leading the way."

Ji Yuan cupped his hands to the shopkeeper before quickly departing with the assistant. It seemed the shopkeeper was still unaware that Doctor Qin had likely already passed away.

Led by the pharmacy assistant, they walked for less than fifteen minutes before arriving at the Qin family residence in the eastern corner of Deyuan County.

Although the Qin family wasn't a prominent household, they did possess a large estate. At this time, numerous relatives and friends had gathered there, along with all the medical students Qin Zizhou had taught throughout his life who were able to come. Coupled with the array of masters summoned from the mountains days in advance, the usually spacious Qin family courtyard now appeared somewhat crowded.

Qin Zizhou had taught many highly skilled students in his lifetime. Excluding those who had already passed away, not all of them could make it this time, but a good number, over a dozen, were present. This group, upon gathering, naturally diagnosed that Elder Qin had only a day or two left. Furthermore, Elder Qin himself had sensed his impending end days ago, and his family had already begun preparing for the funeral.

When Ji Yuan arrived, white banners were already hung at the Qin family courtyard. Wails carried from afar, and people were sobbing at the entrance.

The shop assistant's steps slowed as they approached, an inexplicable sense of bewilderment on his face, even a faint hint of panic.

"Alright, young man, you can go back to the pharmacy. I'll go by myself!"

Seeing that the assistant seemed hesitant to proceed, Ji Yuan told him this before walking towards the Qin residence himself. He had already seen, from a distance, divine light from incense and the ethereal energy of the Underworld Tribunal rising within the Qin courtyard. Judging by the situation, it seemed the Earth God and the prefectural grim reapers had only recently arrived, indicating Elder Qin's high standing.

At the courtyard gate, an older man and a younger man were sobbing. As Ji Yuan approached, they had just received white cloth from inside and were tying it around their heads.

Seeing Ji Yuan stop at the entrance, the older man wiped the corners of his eyes with his sleeve and asked,

"Sir, may I ask who you are?"

Ji Yuan's gaze passed through the courtyard gate, observing the interior. Besides the numerous people, a group of "individuals" stood in front of a house. Among them, an old man wearing an official's hat emanated divine light, undoubtedly the Earth God.

Additionally, there were two Day Patrollers, two Soul Reapers, and two other grim reapers holding up parasols to shade the deceased, not yet entering the house filled with weeping relatives.

Hearing the man at the gate's question, Ji Yuan came back to his senses and bowed.

"I received kindness from Elder Qin many years ago. Hearing this news, I specially came to see if there's anything I can help with."

"Oh... unfortunately, you've arrived a step too late. My grand-uncle just passed away. The family doesn't need your trouble, sir, we have plenty of help. We appreciate your kind intentions. If you wish, you may pay your respects once the mourning hall is prepared later. For now, please return home!"

The man returned Ji Yuan's bow, politely declining his offer. His grand-uncle had practiced medicine for nearly eighty years, saving countless lives, and those who had benefited from his kindness were numerous. They had seen too many people like this gentleman recently.

'I wouldn't dare pay my respects once the mourning hall is set up!'

Ji Yuan muttered to himself, but his hands performed another bow, and he nodded in response.

"Very well, I won't disturb you any further then!"

With that, he turned and left, but after turning into an alley, his figure faded, and he re-entered the Qin family courtyard.

This time, Ji Yuan stepped into the courtyard and walked a short distance. The ghosts and deities within all turned their heads to look, and the grim reapers had already stepped forward to block the entrance to the house.

"May I ask who you are, esteemed one, and why you have come here?"

Ji Yuan respectfully cupped his hands and bowed to the ghosts and deities.

"My surname is Ji. I also have an affinity with Physician Qin Zizhou. Just now, I suddenly sensed the severing of his mortal lifespan, and so I specifically came to pay my respects. I hope the Lords of the Underworld Tribunal and the Earth God will grant me some convenience."

As Ji Yuan spoke, the spiritual energy and magical fluctuations he had intentionally revealed immediately vanished without a trace. Even the deliberately exposed illusion he had used was gone. Yet, the surrounding mortals clearly remained unable to see him.

Upon witnessing this change, the ghosts and deities immediately felt a chill, realizing that the man had intentionally allowed them to perceive him earlier. If he truly wanted to enter, he could have done so completely unnoticed by anyone, divine or mortal.

"Venerable Immortal, from what immortal realm do you hail? Qin Zizhou's mortal lifespan has ended. What business do you have with him? We are waiting for his family to complete the rites before escorting his soul to the Underworld Tribunal of Desheng Prefecture!"

A Day Patroller spoke with forced courage.

"Day Patroller and esteemed ones, rest assured, I am no evil being. What I wish to discuss is not a private matter. You may all accompany me. Even if there's something to attend to, I will go to Desheng Prefecture with you all and will not cause any difficulty for you!"