Early in the morning, with furrowed brows and a painful limp, old Thomas trudged down a narrow street in the city. His knee throbbed painfully, a constant reminder of the incident twenty years ago, when a bandit's arrow had struck it dead on. Each step brought discomfort, heightening his irritation.
On his way to the pharmacy for another dose of painkillers, he noticed a sign on a building that had once stood abandoned:
[Two Moons Medical Hall]
We diagnose any illness and, if the situation is not hopeless, provide treatment.
Diagnostics — 10 silver coins.
Treatment — depending on the severity of the problem.If the treatment doesn't help, we refund double.
Reading the sign, Thomas couldn't help but chuckle. He had already been to doctors at the Central Hospital of the Alliance capital, where they told him that full recovery would require a special medicinal pill costing no less than a thousand gold coins. For him, a third-Rank Mortal warrior, such a sum was completely out of reach.
— A medical hall, you say? And double money back if it fails? I wonder what kind of charlatans came up with this… — he thought, but curiosity got the better of him, and Thomas decided to step inside.
The room was modest, minimally furnished but tidy. Behind the counter sat a black-haired girl with a short haircut, looking alert and confident. She was the first to address him:
— Good morning! How can I help you?
— Can I get treatment here? — he asked, a little skeptically.
— Yes, of course. Diagnostics cost only ten silver coins, as the sign says, — she replied, nodding kindly.
Thomas wasn't entirely sure of her skills, but he decided to take the risk. He was strong enough to demand his money back in case of fraud. Counting out the coins, he handed them to the girl.
After quickly noting his name, she gestured for him to follow into the adjacent room.
In the small clinic, he was greeted by a woman with bright yellow hair, her face partially hidden by a light mask. Her short stature and fragile figure didn't match the image of a doctor capable of handling serious illnesses, yet her voice carried confidence:
— Hello, you can call me Anna. Please, have a seat and tell me what troubles you.
Thomas settled across from her and began his story:
— Twenty years ago, I was injured in the knee. The torment has never left. Painkillers only help temporarily, but it's not enough. They say a full cure costs a fortune.
The doctor listened attentively, then conducted a careful examination, asking him to bend his leg a few times.
After finishing the inspection, she said:
— Your problem isn't as complicated as you think. Treatment will cost five gold coins, plus two more for herbs and necessary materials. If you agree, we can start right now.
The old man looked at her incredulously.
— Just seven gold? — he asked, clearly surprised.
— Yes, exactly. But if you don't feel better, we'll return the money if the treatment proves ineffective.
Thomas weighed the pros and cons. The chance to be cured for such a price seemed too good to pass up.
— Very well, I agree, — he finally said.
The treatment began with Anna asking him to lie down on the couch. Taking thin silver needles, she carefully inserted them into specific points above his knee.
— This is pain relief, a special technique, — she explained, noticing his puzzled look.
Then she called her assistant:
— Delia, come here. I'll need your help.
Del, who had been standing aside, approached with mild curiosity.
— What do you need me to do?
— Squeeze my hand and gradually increase the pressure until I say "stop."
The black-haired obeyed promptly.
— Stop. Perfect. Remember this level of pressure. Now press on the points I will indicate.
The clicking sounds each time Delia pressed caused her slight unease, but Anna continued to work calmly and steadily.
When all eleven points were treated, Anna wrapped Thomas' knee in a clean cloth and handed him a prescription for herbs.
— For a month, try not to strain the leg or bend it too much. Use the herbs according to this prescription.
Thomas stepped off the couch and took a few tentative steps. For the first time in many years, he felt no excruciating ache. The relief was so unexpected that he lingered to let it sink in.
— Thank you, Anna. You are a true master! — he said sincerely, handing over the payment.
— Take care of yourself, — she replied with a smile.
With a lighter heart, Thomas made his way to the pharmacy, his firm step catching the attention of passersby who were used to seeing him limp.
Having earned her first earnings, Qinxuan sent the patner to the market for herbs and the supplies needed for treatment: bandages, silk threads, splints, scalpels, tweezers, and scissors. Taking the money and the list, Delia set off to the market, while Qinxuan remained behind, waiting for the next patient.
Fifteen minutes later, a woman entered the building, dressed in an elegant green gown, her face partially hidden behind a veil. Her movements were calm but confident. She only gave a brief nod in response to Qinxuan's greeting, then began carefully examining the girl and the room, without uttering a single word.
The blonde, seated behind the counter, also remained silent, briefly studying the new visitor. There was no curiosity in her gaze—only focus. The silence stretched longer than comfortable, until finally the visitor broke it with her low, pleasant voice, filled with authority:
— It's remarkable that a young girl in such an unassuming place managed something usually achievable only through alchemy.
Qinxuan responded with a hint of coolness, without raising her eyes:
— That a powerful Ninth Mortal Rank warrior found out about it in just fifteen minutes and is already here is no less remarkable.
The woman appeared surprised, though she did not show it in her voice:
— Knowing everything is my job. And I'm certain that by now, the entire district—if not half the city—has heard. Old man Thomas proved rather talkative.
— Oh? Well, that's good. So, are you here for a purpose, or just to observe?
— For now, merely to satisfy my curiosity.
— In that case, perhaps you would like an examination? See how things work in practice.
The woman paused briefly, then took out her purse and laid down ten silver coins.
— Why not.
She followed Qinxuan into the adjoining room. They sat across from each other. Taking the woman's hand, Qinxuan closed her eyes, focusing on her work. Silence filled the room, broken only by the soft rustle of fabric. After several minutes, she opened her eyes.
— I have two pieces of news for you: one good, one bad. Which shall we start with?
The woman frowned slightly and replied:
— The bad one.
— You have a problem that hinders the creation of dāntián. This prevents your advancement in the Earth Rank and, worse, your condition is gradually weakening you.
The woman's eyes widened, but she quickly regained her composure.
— How do you know this?
— Diagnosing illnesses and treating them is my job, — Qinxuan said calmly, emphasizing the word job. — Now for the good news: I can help you.
— If you truly solve my problem, I will do everything I can to repay you. Name your price, — the patient said anxiously, ignoring the subtle tone of teasing.
Qinxuan thought for a moment before stating her terms:
— Then I will ask a favor from you in the future. The main thing is to tell me how to contact you.
— A favor is a favor. In the southwest district, there's a pawnshop called "Golden Bowl." Name the name Qinshé, and the merchant will take you to me.
Once Qinxuan ensured the woman understood, she noted her name and promised to have everything prepared by evening.
The woman in the green gown nodded and left the shop.