Chapter 56: The Affliction of the Leg

After exchanging a few polite words, the two entered the main hall one after the other. A young maid immediately presented a cup of green tea, the fragrance wafting through the air as wisps of steam curled upward and dispersed. Picking up the cup, he took a gentle sip.

“I’ve heard your skills in medicine are remarkable, and that you hail from a prestigious family of healers. I wonder if you could take a look at my nephew?” Magistrate Chen, having finished his tea, got straight to the point.

Wang Keyue was momentarily taken aback—so that was his intention!

“Your Excellency, though I was indeed taught by a renowned family, medicine is not my particular strength. However, my school possesses excellent remedies for epidemic illnesses, which is how I managed to control the outbreak here in Kangle County,” Wang Keyue replied candidly.

As expected, Magistrate Chen’s expression shifted, his hand tightening into a fist around the teacup. “Doctor Wang, you must be jesting—what epidemic could there possibly be in Kangle County?”

“Oh? If you believe there is no epidemic, then of course, there is none. After all, I am but a passerby here. As long as the district near the West Gate where I reside remains unaffected, I have no concerns,” Wang Keyue stroked his beard with feigned nonchalance and chuckled, sipping his tea again.

To Magistrate Chen, these words sounded especially barbed. “Doctor Wang… what do you mean by that? Are you intending to leave immediately?” His face darkened further.

“Your Excellency, my school’s rules cannot be broken. Yet, if you are in difficulty, I cannot stand by and do nothing. I will certainly do my utmost to assist!” Wang Keyue’s abrupt change of tone caught Magistrate Chen off-guard just as he was about to lose his temper, and in that instant, joy replaced his anger.

“Is that true? Doctor Wang, you truly embody the spirit of saving lives and the benevolence of a healer!” The stern look on Magistrate Chen’s face finally relaxed into a slight smile.

“You flatter me, Magistrate Chen. It is but a small effort. However, I must admit that the herbs I brought with me have long since been used up…” Wang Keyue said, feigning modesty.

“Ah! There’s no need for you to worry about that, Doctor Wang. Just write out a list, and I’ll have my men fetch anything you require,” Magistrate Chen assured him.

“Then I must trouble you, Magistrate Chen,” Wang Keyue replied.

“No trouble at all, no trouble. Doctor Wang… about my nephew’s illness—could you take a look? Of course, if you too find yourself at a loss, I won’t hold it against you. But if you can cure him, I will reward you handsomely!” Magistrate Chen, who had been arrogant before, now spoke with an unusual note of respect.

“It will be my pleasure. I promise to do everything I can!” Wang Keyue replied with a smile.

Following Magistrate Chen into the inner chamber, Wang Keyue noticed the warmth radiating from a brazier of glowing embers. Rounding a screen, he saw a young servant attending to a youth lying on a wooden bed. As Wang Keyue approached, the servant stepped forward respectfully. “Greetings, Magistrate.”

“How is the young master?” Magistrate Chen asked, his tone laced with worry.

“Sir, the medicine prescribed by Doctor Liang has been administered for two days. Today, the young master’s fever has subsided somewhat, but neither Doctor Liang nor the other county physicians can do anything about his leg,” the servant replied deferentially.

“Doctor Wang, please—my nephew…” Magistrate Chen stepped aside.

Wang Keyue had no choice but to bite the bullet; his boasts had left him no way out. Frantically, he reached out mentally to the 9538 system.

“9538, can you scan the patient for me? I’ll pay your consultation fee,” he pleaded inwardly, while outwardly maintaining the air of a seasoned healer—feeling the pulse here, lifting an eyelid there.

The young man on the bed was tall and well-built but visibly thin, his handsome face deathly pale, breathing rapid and shallow. His left leg, from knee to shin, was twisted at an unnatural angle.

“Host, you can scan for the price of one Gratitude Token,” 9538 replied.

Wang Keyue was relieved that 9538 remained fair, even in a crisis. “Alright, scan him!” he agreed.

A series of beeps sounded in his mind. In just ten seconds, as Wang Keyue examined the injury, the 9538 system completed its scan and thoughtfully provided a course of treatment:

“The patient has a comminuted fracture of the lower leg, minor lacerations of the liver, and pulmonary inflammation. The host is advised to use the emergency kit in the medical box, which contains Rapid Bone Repair Solution and Stabilizing Gel. For the minor liver lacerations and pulmonary inflammation, inject the Hemostatic Repair Agent and the Anti-Inflammatory Agent—both are highly effective.”

9538’s instructions were clear and thorough. Wang Keyue dismissed the others and called for Dali, who was waiting outside. Dali hurried in, carrying the medicine chest.

With Dali’s help, Wang Keyue sprayed the Bone Repair Solution on the injury, then, following the system’s guidance, set the bone and applied the Stabilizing Gel to immobilize the entire lower leg.

Opening the gel released a faint, pleasant fragrance. The small container, once exposed to air, expanded dozens of times, enveloping the whole leg. Once set, the gel quickly solidified— the entire process was complete in no time. In fact, it worked on the same principle as the plaster casts from her world.

Having treated the leg, less than half an hour had passed. Magistrate Chen was left in disbelief—he had never seen such methods before, nor could he identify the material used to immobilize the leg. In his heart, his faith in this old doctor’s legendary medical skills grew ever stronger.