Chapter 69: Eye Disease and Rare Condition

“Daoist Qingsong, please focus on your recovery. In the future, you should really change this habit of speaking so carelessly!”

Ji Yuan remained silent for a moment before replying with a statement that didn't directly answer the question.

Daoist Qingsong quickly nodded, understanding the implication. He figured his recent question was precisely the kind of "careless talk" Ji Yuan was referring to.

“Noted, noted! I'll be sure to watch my words from now on. I'll only say what's good, not what's bad; what should be said, not what shouldn't...”

Beside them, the young Daoist Qi Wen moved his lips but ultimately said nothing.

Ji Yuan let out a soft sigh; Daoist Qingsong's words sounded somewhat familiar to him.

“The tea's here!”

The pharmacy assistant hurried back, and this time, the young Daoist Qi Wen took the bowl of water, carefully helping his master drink.

Upon hearing that the patient had awakened, the old doctor from the main hall also entered the room.

Standing by the bedside, he carefully examined Daoist Qingsong's complexion and condition, then took his pulse. Only then was he able to confirm that the man's life was truly out of danger.

“Your condition is truly peculiar. It resembles a sudden attack of internal fire but also differs significantly. Your life has been saved, but your body will likely be weak for a year or even eighteen months. During this time, you'll need to take medicine constantly!”

“It's good to be alive, so good to be alive... Thank you, doctor, thank you!”

Daoist Qingsong, now breathing much easier, repeatedly expressed his gratitude to the doctor. The latter smiled contentedly and, in high spirits, walked out of the inner room.

Ji Yuan advised the two Daoists to rest well and then followed the old doctor to the main hall.

Once in the main hall, he first reiterated his praise and thanks to the doctor. He then promptly paid the consultation fee with small silver pieces and asked the old doctor to write a prescription and prepare the medicine.

While the old doctor's two apprentices worked — one weighing the silver, the other preparing the medicine according to the prescription — Ji Yuan chatted with the extraordinarily skilled doctor. Their conversation touched on Daoist Qingsong's illness, as well as matters of personal concern to Ji Yuan.

“What? You want to treat your eyes? Is there something wrong with your vision?”

The doctor, Qin Zizhou, who was reportedly renowned throughout the surrounding villages and was ninety-three years old, was somewhat astonished to hear Ji Yuan mention his poor eyesight. The previous life-saving procedure had required absolute precision, and Ji Yuan hadn't made a single error. So now he was saying his eyes weren't good?

“Exactly. My vision is extremely blurry, which causes much inconvenience in my daily life.”

Ji Yuan had originally placed his hopes for his eyesight primarily on cultivating immortality. However, this old doctor was practically revered as a divine healer among the common folk, which prompted Ji Yuan to consider seeking his medical opinion.

“I hadn't noticed earlier. Come closer, let me examine your eyes carefully.”

Ji Yuan quickly approached the counter, leaning close to the elderly doctor. Enduring the soreness, he widened his eyes as much as possible, allowing the doctor to observe their clear, pale appearance.

The old man extended a finger and waved it before Ji Yuan's eyes, his gaze intently fixed on any changes in Ji Yuan's pupils. However, it was as if he was merely looking into the undisturbed surface of an ancient well.

“Hmm... Young man, I've been practicing medicine for over seventy years, and I've never encountered a case like yours. Are you truly able to see blurry outlines?”

Ji Yuan furrowed his brow and slightly closed his eyes, returning to a half-open state. He didn't answer the old doctor's question, but the doctor, being direct, spoke his mind.

“Your eyes aren't just 'not good'; they're completely blind!”

Although he had long suspected this, it was only at this moment that Ji Yuan truly confirmed the reality of his blindness.

‘So, it seems my blurry vision doesn't originate from my eyes. Or perhaps, though my eyes appear blind to others, they aren't truly so.’

As Ji Yuan pondered, the old man's interest was piqued.

“Come here, young man. Since you claim to see blurry images, would you allow this old man to try a few needles to explore? Don't worry, the eyes are a crucial area, and I will be extremely careful with the needles!”

Ji Yuan didn't hesitate; there was nothing to worry about.

“Alright! Please proceed, Doctor!”

The old man stroked his beard and nodded. From behind the counter, he retrieved a set of silver needles that he had just put away, then pointed to a chair beside the counter.

“Please sit down, lean your head back against the chair, face up, and don't move.”

Once Ji Yuan had complied, the old man, holding the silver needles, stood before him.

Staring at the gleaming silver needle poised right before his eyes, Ji Yuan, who had initially felt no apprehension, suddenly experienced a surge of pressure.

“I'll try one acupoint first. Turn your head to the side, exposing the area below your ear.”

As Ji Yuan adjusted his posture, the old man, holding the silver needle, focused intently and aimed for the Mingmu acupoint. The moment the needle tip touched Ji Yuan's skin, the old man felt a strange resistance.

The entire silver needle began vibrating at a high frequency, so violently that the old man's usually rock-steady grip on the needle became uncontrollable.

*Humming... then a sharp whizzing sound.*

The silver needle flashed away, grazing the old man's finger. It shot upwards, tail-end first, burying itself an inch deep into the roof beam.

*A sharp gasp.*

Old Doctor Qin's right thumb and index finger, trembling slightly, were already oozing blood.

“Doctor Qin, are you alright?”

Ji Yuan, having sensed that something was amiss, immediately rose.

“It's nothing serious, nothing serious... I can't believe I couldn't even insert a single needle. Could this be the protective true qi of a highly skilled martial artist?”

As the old man spoke, he looked at his finger, then up at the ceiling.

It probably wasn't.

In fact, Ji Yuan had initially offered no resistance whatsoever; even the spiritual energy within him remained contained and still. However, the instant the silver needle was about to pierce the acupoint, a vision of mountains and rivers suddenly materialized in his mind, and a black dot flashed within that inner illusion.

By the time Ji Yuan reacted, the needle had already flown off and the doctor was injured.

“Doctor Qin, perhaps we shouldn't try again.”

“Ah, yes, what a pity!”

Seeing the old man's look of regret, Ji Yuan felt a deep admiration. Perhaps only by maintaining such an enthusiastic approach to difficult ailments for over seventy years could he have attained his current medical prowess.

After a few more casual words with the old man, Ji Yuan ended the conversation. Carrying the medicine that the pharmacy apprentice had already packed, he returned to the inner room.

Moving the patient that evening was not advisable, so Doctor Qin allowed Daoist Qingsong and his apprentice to stay overnight at the large pharmacy. Ji Yuan, meanwhile, found an inn and spent a considerable amount of time thoroughly washing himself.

When Ji Yuan returned to the pharmacy the next day, the dirty, disheveled man from before had been transformed. He now presented as a poised, gentle, and remarkably elegant gentleman, astonishing all the pharmacy assistants. Only Doctor Qin remained unfazed.

During another casual conversation, Ji Yuan learned that Doctor Tong of Ning'an County had, surprisingly, once been Old Doctor Qin's apprentice, and had been greatly praised by him for his talent.

After Ji Yuan mentioned that he was "half a Ning'an County native," the old man was delighted and eagerly pressed him, asking if "Little Tong" often spoke of him.

Given the conditions in Jizhou and the nearly two hundred li of rugged terrain separating the two locations, it was not easy for a man in his nineties to visit his favored disciple.

This question put Ji Yuan in an awkward position. After all, he had only encountered Doctor Tong a few times, and as far as Ji Yuan knew, Doctor Tong had rarely, if ever, mentioned his teacher.

Ji Yuan could only offer a somewhat strained reply: “Of course he does, of course...”

*What he was thinking, however, was: 'Doctor Tong... The kindness you showed in saving the little fox back then—consider this a partial repayment!'*

It was already the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, and Ji Yuan couldn't genuinely stay there waiting for Daoist Qingsong to recover. He estimated that the Daoist would be bedridden for some time, and even after getting up, it would be best for him to recuperate quietly for several months under Doctor Qin's supervision.

So, Ji Yuan did what he could to help the master and apprentice settle in. He carefully moved Daoist Qingsong to an inn and, from his own gold ingot, broke off a few small pieces, shaping them into a dozen small gold pellets for Qi Wen. He also left some loose silver, ensuring that the master and apprentice wouldn't have to worry about food, lodging, or medical expenses.

Before leaving, Ji Yuan solemnly instructed Qi Wen to keep a close eye on Daoist Qingsong, urging that it would be best if he never told fortunes for others again in his life. If he truly couldn't resist, he could go to a temple entrance and interpret divination slips for people, but ideally, only those related to marriage and relationships.

Although Qi Wen solemnly promised with unwavering conviction, and Daoist Qingsong himself gave his word, Ji Yuan had no real idea how effective these promises would be.

Ji Yuan had considered whether he might be able to extend Daoist Qingsong's lifespan in the future, should he gain the ability to do so. For this reason, he specifically inquired about the location of Duyun Temple. However, that would only be possible if the Daoist didn't bring about his own demise before then.

And until their parting, both parties tacitly avoided any discussion of identity. As for the art of fortune-telling, Ji Yuan hadn't entirely dismissed the idea of learning it. However, his heart wasn't truly in it, and secondly, this seemingly non-essential skill appeared far too dangerous. It was best left aside for now. Besides, perhaps the methods of immortal cultivation would include divination techniques.