northernbook Chapter 339
Chapter 339
Just as they were engrossed in their search, a melodious and ethereal flute melody, like heavenly music, drifted from afar, breaking the silence of the grassland.
The flute music seemed to possess a magical power, subtly penetrating their ears and captivating their minds. The two stopped what they were doing and looked in the direction of the sound. On a nearby hill, a boy dressed in brightly colored, strangely styled clothing rode atop a swift horse, playing a bamboo flute. The boy had delicate features, bright and intelligent eyes, and possessed a wisdom and composure beyond his years.
Seeing them looking at him, the young man gently put down his bamboo flute, spurred his horse forward, and dismounted. He cupped his hands and said, "Are you two searching for the medicinal herbs to cure that old man? I know the method, but the herbs grow on an extremely treacherous mountain peak. The terrain is treacherous, the roads rugged and difficult to traverse, and wild beasts often roam there; it's fraught with danger." Wan'er and Ye Jiuchen's eyes lit up with surprise upon hearing this. After exchanging a glance, Ye Jiuchen said without hesitation, "Thank you for telling us, young man. Even if the road ahead is fraught with peril, we are determined to try. We hope you can guide us." Seeing their determination, the young man nodded slightly, a hint of appreciation in his eyes, and said, "In that case, please follow me."
Thus, Wan'er, Ye Jiuchen, and the young man embarked on their journey to the perilous peak. Along the way, the scorching sun beat down relentlessly, baking the earth, and the air thick with a humid heat that made the journey unbearable. As they reached a valley, a buzzing sound suddenly arose from all directions, and a swarm of flying insects descended upon them like a dark cloud. These insects were enormous, their wings beating with a deafening roar, and they emitted a nauseating stench. Wan'er and Ye Jiuchen quickly took out cloths from their packs and covered their mouths and noses. Ye Jiuchen, sword in hand, warily surveyed their surroundings, preparing to defend against the insects' attack. The young man, however, remained calm. He took out a sachet from his robes, crushed it forcefully, and released a pungent odor. The insects seemed extremely averse to the smell, scurrying away and circling around them a few times before gradually dispersing. Ye Jiuchen looked at the young man, a hint of admiration in his eyes: "Young man, thanks to your sachet, otherwise we would have been in danger today." The young man smiled and scratched his head: "This is a secret recipe of our clan to drive away flying insects. It just so happens that it came in handy today."
After a difficult trek, they finally reached the foot of the treacherous peak. Looking up, the mountain soared into the clouds, its steep cliffs appearing as if cleaved by a giant axe, jagged rocks rising almost vertically. Only a narrow, rugged, and barely visible path wound its way up, a sight that inspired awe. Wan'er and Ye Jiuchen took a deep breath, their eyes filled with determination, and followed the boy as they began their ascent. They climbed cautiously, using both hands and feet, each step firm and steady, as if afraid a single misstep would plunge them into the abyss. The cold mountain wind howled, whipping their clothes wildly, as if trying to tear them off the cliff. Loose rocks occasionally tumbled down, which they dodged with bated breath, their clothes soaked with sweat, yet neither of them showed the slightest sign of retreat.
Finally, after a long and arduous journey, they found the herbs they needed on a cliff face on the mountain. The herbs grew in the crevices of the rocks, their leaves slender and emerald green, swaying gently in the wind and emitting a faint fragrance. Wan'er's eyes lit up with joy. She carefully reached out and gently picked the herbs, placing them into the cloth bag she carried with her, wrapping them carefully, afraid of damaging this precious life-saving medicine.
Having successfully gathered the herbs, they didn't dare delay for a moment and quickly returned along the same route. Back in the tent, Wan'er immediately began preparing a medicinal soup for the old man. She washed and chopped the herbs, put them in a pot, added an appropriate amount of water, and simmered it slowly over a low flame. As the soup simmered, a rich herbal aroma filled the tent. Once the soup was ready, Wan'er and Ye Jiuchen carefully helped the old man sit up and fed him spoonful by spoonful. Ye Jiuchen stood by, constantly observing the old man's complexion and reactions, his eyes filled with concern.
Time passed slowly, and a miracle began to occur. The red rash on the old man's body began to fade, his previously labored breathing became steady and strong, and his complexion gradually regained some color. After a while, the old man slowly opened his eyes, his gaze revealing a trace of confusion and weakness. Seeing this, Wan'er smiled with relief and said softly, "Grandpa, you're awake. How are you feeling?" The old man moved his lips slightly and said in a hoarse voice, "What happened to me? It felt like I had a nightmare." Wan'er patiently told the old man what had happened. The old man's eyes were filled with gratitude, and he wanted to get up to thank her, but Wan'er gently pressed him down, saying, "Grandpa, you are still very weak and need to rest."
Outside the tent, the herders, having learned that the old man had recovered, rushed over. They surrounded the tent, repeatedly expressing their gratitude. Some herders even brought their own dairy products and dried beef and mutton, wanting to give them to Wan'er and Ye Jiuchen to express their thanks. Wan'er and Ye Jiuchen politely declined the herders' gifts. They knew that as doctors, saving lives was their duty, and these expressions of gratitude and gifts were far less important to them than the joy and satisfaction of seeing a patient recover.
Amidst the gratitude and blessings of the herders, Wan'er and Ye Jiuchen embarked on their journey once more. The setting sun cast long, resolute shadows upon them, imprinting their figures on the vast grassland a picture of hope and strength. They knew that the world was filled with countless illnesses, and each act of healing was but a small segment of a long medical journey. But as long as they stood shoulder to shoulder, with their burning hearts as healers, no difficulty could stop them. They would continue traversing mountains and rivers, passing through towns and villages, to find those tormented by illness, using their medical skills and compassion to bring more hope and warmth to the world, letting the light of medicine illuminate every dark corner. Their figures, bathed in the sunset's glow, gradually disappeared on the distant horizon, but their story spread across the grassland, becoming a celebrated tale among the herders, inspiring more people to pursue kindness and justice, and to spread love and hope.