Physician Song’s eyes were fixed on Zhang Chen’s pale skin, filled with incredulity. He really couldn’t understand how someone could survive losing such a large amount of blood.
This is truly unbelievable!
"Young brother, don’t worry. I’ll prescribe you some tonic medicine to replenish your lost Qi Blood. In a few days, you’ll be back to your lively self," Physician Song said, eyeing Zhang Chen up and down with curiosity, but refrained from asking further about how he survived after losing so much blood.
Physician Song quickly spread out his writing materials, and with swift strokes, he had a prescription ready and placed it on the table: "Follow this prescription to get the medicine, and in less than seven days, you’ll be as lively as a dragon."
Zhang Chen managed a faint smile. Enduring the burning sensation within him, he fished out five qian of silver from his sleeve and handed it to the doctor: "Thank you, Mr. Song, for making the trip. Here’s five qian of silver as a token of appreciation. Please use it to enjoy some wine."
Physician Song smiled, but declined Zhang Chen’s money, instead pointing to a roe deer in the yard: "I don’t want your money. We live in the same village, taking money would seem distant. A piece of that roe deer meat will do."
Zhang Chen was taken aback. The roe deer had been drained of blood by him, leaving the meat devoid of it. If it were to be cut open now, Wang Wu and Physician Song might notice something unusual.
Wang Wu said nothing, as the roe deer wasn’t his but rather Zhang Chen’s hunt. Although he got along well with Zhang Chen, he couldn’t make decisions on his behalf.
"Butchering a roe deer isn’t simple, Mr. Song. Please go back for now. After I’ve taken my medicine this afternoon, I’ll deliver a roe deer leg to you," Zhang Chen responded to Physician Song.
With the weather as hot as it is, preserving meat isn’t easy. Making jerky requires a large amount of salt to prevent spoilage, and the cost of salt alone could buy half a roe deer. So Zhang Chen didn’t plan on making jerky, but rather figured he’d sell all the roe deer meat instead.
Physician Song packed up his materials: "That sounds great, I’ll have a better meal tonight."
After saying goodbye, Wang Wu sent off Physician Song and then went back inside to find a knife to butcher the roe deer: "You’re sick in bed now, how can you still labor? I’ll butcher the roe deer for you and sell it off. It’s only to the village folks, so the price won’t disappoint you."
Zhang Chen was startled at his words, as he couldn’t let Wang Wu butcher the roe deer. Wang Wu wasn’t a fool; he would surely notice something strange once the roe deer was cut. As Wang Wu sharpened the knife, Zhang Chen racked his brains trying to come up with a suitable excuse to stop him.
As Wang Wu was about to finish sharpening the knife, Zhang Chen’s eyes fell on the prescription on the table, and they lit up: "Mr. Wang, don’t butcher the roe deer, please. Hurry and get my medicine; I feel like I’m going to die."
Wang Wu paused his knife-sharpening, put the knife down, stood up, and headed for the prescription, muttering: "You were as strong as a calf normally. How did you suddenly become so severely anemic? If I hadn’t checked you for wounds myself, I would’ve thought you got injured by a large beast."
Wang Wu picked up the prescription to leave, and Zhang Chen quickly took out silver from his sleeve, calling out to Wang Wu’s back: "Mr. Wang, you forgot to take the silver."
"How much can a prescription cost? I’ll thank the heavens if you recover. I’m counting on you to take care of me in my old age." Wang Wu said nonchalantly as he headed out.
Watching Wang Wu’s back, Zhang Chen shook his head. The bond between him and Wang Wu wasn’t something that could be measured with words or money.
After Wang Wu left, Zhang Chen looked at the roe deer on the ground and, enduring the burning pain within him, got out of bed, picked up a knife, and began skinning and cutting it, murmuring curses: "Such misfortune!"
Zhang Chen wielded the knife with skill. Being an experienced hunter for years, it didn’t take half an hour for him to skin the roe deer and separate even the legs and internal organs.
After cleaning the blood off his hands, despite feeling unwell, Zhang Chen lay back on his bed and drifted into a hazy sleep. He didn’t know how long he had slept when the smell of herbs wafted through the room. Wang Wu came in carrying a bowl of medicinal soup, waking Zhang Chen: "Kid, wake up and drink your medicine!"
Zhang Chen opened his eyes to find the sky already darkening. Smelling the herbal brew, he didn’t refuse and drank the soup.
"While you were asleep, I took the roe deer leg to Physician Song. As for the roe deer meat, I only kept the juiciest portion for you. The rest I sold to Blacksmith Cui. That guy has been making a fortune lately and is quite generous. When he heard I wanted to sell roe deer meat, he bought it all right away." Wang Wu took out two taels of silver from his pocket and placed it on the table: "Here’s the money from selling the roe deer meat. Take good care of it."
"Mr. Wang, I haven’t paid you for the medicine yet. I absolutely cannot take the money from selling the roe deer. Take it as your hard-earned money. After I finish the medicine, I’ll settle the medicine bill with you." Zhang Chen looked at Wang Wu.
Wang Wu replied tersely: "What’s our relationship? No need for such formality. I’m a loner, with no family to feed. What do I need all that money for? Who would I leave it for when I die? If you get better and drain my savings, I’d be happy."
Zhang Chen grinned, not arguing further with Wang Wu. Before awakening his past life memories, he relied entirely on Wang Wu to survive. Without Wang Wu, a young Zhang Chen would’ve starved long ago.
After chatting for a while, Wang Wu turned his eyes to Zhang Chen: "Tomorrow, don’t go to the mountains. I’ll check your traps for you."
Zhang Chen nodded, knowing the Hunting Falcon wouldn’t starve even after three to five days without food.
"And from now on, stay away from Blacksmith Cui and avoid getting involved with him," Zhang Chen advised after finishing his medicine and setting down the bowl.
Wang Wu was taken aback, looking at Zhang Chen in surprise: "Why?"
Zhang Chen thought for a moment but decided not to hide it. He revealed Blacksmith Cui’s weapon-crafting for outsiders. Given his close relationship with Wang Wu, there was no need to keep such matters secret.
"Do you know why Blacksmith Cui has been prospering lately?" Zhang Chen asked.
Wang Wu shook his head, and Zhang Chen lowered his voice: "Outsiders have hired him to craft weapons! And a lot of them, at that!"