Chapter 58
The next day, as the sky began to lighten slightly, the torches in the bearded man's camp burned brightly.
"The fever has broken, everyone's fever has broken!"
"Those who took the medicine yesterday are no longer burning up. That young physician’s prescription really works!"
The guards reported excitedly. The bearded man had barely slept all night, mostly waiting anxiously for the results.
When the news came, he didn’t say a word and strode straight toward the tents where the infected were quarantined.
The bearded man walked through a row of tents, lifting each flap to look inside. Over a dozen people had fallen ill, many half-dead on the journey, yet overnight, they had all regained some vitality.
He let out a long breath. "Good! Prepare the medicine according to the physician’s prescription from yesterday and brew it as instructed! Also, make the preventive medicine separately for the others!"
"Yes, sir!"
Meanwhile, Huo Shu gently disentangled himself from the person sleeping soundly in his arms.
He pulled on his outer garment and stepped outside, where the sky was just beginning to brighten.
Huo Shu opened Ji Taoyu’s medicine chest, took out paper and brush, and copied the prescription left behind several times. Once it was fully light, he would have the men in the group deliver them to the surrounding villages.
This way, Ji Taoyu wouldn’t have to copy them himself after waking up and could sleep a little longer.
Huo Shu had finished three or four copies when Ge Liang and Ji Wenliang and others started getting up.
He instructed Ge Liang to check on Tian Fu and the others’ condition while keeping Ji Wenliang to help with copying.
With two people working, they finished over ten copies in just a quarter of an hour.
There was no such thing as too many prescriptions—each additional copy meant another person could be helped.
"Brother Huo, we’re already much better. After three doses of medicine, even the itching is gone today."
Tian Fu came forward to report his condition to Huo Shu, then thumped his chest and performed a set of martial arts moves in front of a stone block.
Seeing how lively he was, it seemed he truly had recovered.
"Good."
Huo Shu handed the copied prescriptions to the men who had just woken up. "Deliver these. We’ll continue our journey at noon when you return."
"Aye!"
The men tucked the prescriptions into their chests and were about to mount their livestock when eight people suddenly approached from a neighboring tent.
"Brothers, wait! Come and eat something!"
The same group that had been domineering the night before now carried an abundance of food, as enthusiastic as servers at a banquet.
"You haven’t eaten yet, have you? Come, have some! It’s all freshly made, still hot."
The dishes they brought included chicken, duck, and even rare meats like rabbit and venison.
The aroma of the freshly cooked food was irresistible, stirring hunger in everyone’s stomachs.
What kind of feast was this so early in the morning?
Even their families might not have such lavish meals during festivals.
But no matter how tempting, the sudden change in attitude from these men left everyone wary. They all looked to Huo Shu for guidance.
"A small token of gratitude. You must accept it!"
The bearded man walked up from behind, carrying two jars of wine, his brows relaxed as he laughed heartily. "Thanks to the physician’s prescription, my men took the medicine last night, and their fevers broke by morning."
"On the road, we don’t have much to offer. We had the cooks prepare some dishes early. It’s nothing compared to restaurants in the city, but we beg you to indulge us!"
The bearded man added, "I heard you’re leaving today. A good meal will fortify you for the journey."
Huo Shu nodded to his men. "Go eat."
The group cheered. These men had been arrogant the day before, looking down on everyone, yet now they had come to apologize and show gratitude. It was undeniably satisfying.
With Huo Shu’s approval, there was no need to hold back.
"This is all thanks to Ji fulang!"
"Come on, let’s eat and get to work!"
"Ji fulang isn’t up yet. Save him some hot food."
Laughing and chatting, the group went to enjoy the feast.
Huo Shu and the bearded man tacitly walked together toward the deserted riverbank.
The bearded man opened a jar of wine and handed it to Huo Shu. "Duan Chi."
"Huo Shu."
They exchanged names, marking their acquaintance.
Duan Chi gulped down a mouthful of liquor. "That young physician truly has miraculous skills. Having a physician like him in your group means never fearing sickness again."
His eyes shone with admiration. "If my stronghold had such a physician and a capable man like Brother Huo, it would be an immense advantage."
Huo Shu caught the implication in his words. He took a sip of wine and gazed at the river.
"Brother Duan flatters us. The physician is frail by nature, and I'm merely a small-time trader. I fear we lack the capability to serve under you."
"In this life, what men seek is nothing but wealth and power."
Duan Chi said, "If Brother Huo is willing, achieving both is not difficult. Why toil over petty trade? A single bold move could accomplish twice the result with half the effort."
Huo Shu smiled but didn't take the offered olive branch.
He looked at Duan Chi and spoke plainly. "I guarded the border for over a decade and have long grown weary of killing. Now that I have a family, all I seek is a peaceful life. I desire nothing else."
Duan Chi studied Huo Shu closely.
Seeing not the slightest flicker of hesitation, he knew the man truly had no such ambitions.
He took a deep drink. "Brother Huo has done me a kindness. Though I admire your skills, I won’t force you if you’re unwilling."
"But the peace you seek—in these times, it may be hard to come by."
Huo Shu replied, "Only by staying clear of trouble can one obtain what one desires."
"Very well. Since your mind is made up, I’ll respect your choice. But if you ever change your mind, my offer stands."
The two drank most of a jar of wine together by the riverside.
Upon learning that Huo Shu would depart around noon, Duan Chi said: "The Yuchang Prefecture is vast, with complex terrain and sparse population. The roads there aren’t as easy to travel as here. Bandits lurk everywhere except near the prefecture city. Brother Huo will inevitably run into some scum on your way north. I don’t have much else to offer, but this box of things should come in handy."
Duan Chi had two men carry a box over to Huo Shu.
A crack in the box revealed its contents, and Huo Shu’s sharp eyes immediately spotted the weapons inside.
"There aren’t many, but they’re all handy and reliable. Getting them past checkpoints won’t be hard."
Seeing these items further confirmed Huo Shu’s suspicions from the night before. He didn’t refuse Duan Chi’s goodwill: "Thanks."
"No need for formalities."
Duan Chi then pulled a escort flag from one of his men and handed it to Huo Shu:
"If your group can wait, you could travel with us—it’d save you a lot of trouble. But my men who caught the plague still need a day to recover before we can set out, and you’re leaving today. Take this with you, it might prove useful."
Huo Shu accepted everything without hesitation.
Thank you for the update!!!!
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