Chapter 61: Healing at Five Dragons Pool

At such a critical juncture, why did Li Dong leave the Qin family forge?

He had already received definite news from Qin Qiong: Madam Qin was gravely ill and had been bedridden for a long time. If he wanted the Qin father and son to focus wholeheartedly on forging satisfactory weapons for him, he must first relieve them of their worries. To take, one must first give—such is human nature.

Li Dong returned straight to the city and stopped before a large pharmacy. There, he purchased warming and tonic medicines, as well as a set of silver needles for acupuncture, making all the necessary preparations in advance to treat Madam Qin.

Though the expense was considerable, Li Dong found it entirely worthwhile. Leading special forces soldiers in long-term secret missions deep in the mountains, far from towns and medical facilities, meant every soldier had to master the skills of self-rescue and mutual aid.

Even if he had not yet met Madam Qin, it was prudent to prepare ahead. There would be no scrambling for missing items at the crucial moment—such chaos was never Li Dong’s style.

After collecting the medicines, Li Dong returned to the front of the forge, where a number of people were still waiting. He lingered quietly in an inconspicuous corner, waiting for the father and son to finish their work.

The sky was cerulean, the air fresh, and a gentle breeze stirred. The clanging of hammers and bustling voices faded into the background as Li Dong silently contemplated the mysterious constable from earlier in the day, pondering what unspeakable secrets he might harbor. After much thought, he returned to his original three suspicions.

Not until the sun inclined westward and the trees cast long shadows did the crowd finally disperse from the forge. The father and son tidied up, clearing a large space inside so Luo Shixin could move the massive stone indoors.

There was still a fair distance between the Qin family forge and the Qin residence. Li Dong and Qin Qiong walked behind Qin’s father, conversing in hushed tones. Before long, Li Dong was certain: the Qin family had neither offended anyone nor entangled themselves in trouble. That ruled out the first two suspicions, leaving only the last: the weapon they forged had become a murder weapon.

If this proved true, the matter was not, in fact, grave. At best, they would assist in an investigation and not be guilty of the crime themselves. As long as nothing unexpected occurred, it would soon be over. Li Dong urged Qin Qiong not to let such minor matters trouble his mind.

Qin Qiong was a forthright man. After Li Dong’s words of comfort, he laughed it off, saying, “A man with a clear conscience fears no shadow, nor does he fear a knock at midnight. In a world governed by law, what is there to be afraid of?”

As they spoke, the party arrived at the Qin residence. Gray bricks and green tiles formed a modest courtyard—a home of modest wealth, if not ostentatious grandeur, certainly not as destitute as Du Yu’s family. Artisans were half-merchants, with always a little money to spare; thus, their home was by no means the worst.

Inside, the Qin residence was neat and orderly, every piece of furniture in its place with not a hint of clutter. Forging iron was exhausting work, yet after a day’s labor, the house remained spotless—Madam Qin must be a woman of great diligence.

Under the influence of both his parents, Qin Qiong was naturally a man of care and principle; otherwise, he would not, in the chaos of future battles, maintain his reputation for wisdom and valor, earning high distinction and rising to the rank of one of the three dukes.

Since Madam Qin was bedridden, Li Dong needed to enter the inner chamber to treat her. Guided by Qin Qiong, he entered, while Luo Shixin and Qin’s father remained outside.

“Mother, are you well? Your unworthy son Shubao has returned,” Qin Qiong said softly, half-kneeling by the bedside.

A robust woman lay flat on the bed, her face sallow, her eyes weary. She turned her head slightly, studied Li Dong, and asked in a hoarse voice, “Who is this young man?”

Li Dong quickly bowed and replied respectfully, “I heard you are unwell, madam. I have some knowledge of medicine and have come to offer treatment.”

“My illness has troubled many; forgive me for the inconvenience,” Madam Qin replied weakly, extending her arm for Li Dong to take her pulse.

Li Dong had some knowledge of pulse diagnosis, though he was not truly adept, so he forced himself to make the attempt. Yet from their brief conversation, he deduced that Madam Qin was suffering from internal heat and phlegm in the throat.

This was, in fact, a simple ailment, which the previous physicians had diagnosed and prescribed for—it hardly required his intervention.

But upon feeling her pulse, he found it weak and erratic. Further assessment of her internal organs made the situation seem grave.

Li Dong’s brow furrowed. The human body relies on the spleen and stomach to process nourishment. If the organs are weak, absorption fails.

The kidneys are the foundation of the organs. If both the liver and kidneys are affected, matters become serious. Madam Qin’s sallow complexion was a sign of insufficient qi and blood.

The medicines previously prescribed only worsened her condition. Frail organs require gentle, gradual tonics; only after some recovery should stronger tonics be administered.

To give strong tonics at the outset is counterproductive—like stuffing a starving person with food, which only aggravates their illness.

Once the cause was clear, the appropriate remedy was at hand.

The warming spices bought at the pharmacy—pepper, dried ginger, mugwort, fennel—were all common household items, but just what was needed.

Li Dong took a small amount and instructed Qin Qiong to decoct it and administer it to Madam Qin with warm water.

Qin Qiong was incredulous—his mother’s illness was so severe, and every famous physician had failed. How could such ordinary ingredients possibly cure her?

He knew nothing of medicine, but since Li Dong insisted, he decided to trust him, believing his character as much as his skill.

Qin’s father, standing outside, saw only common kitchen spices and immediately barked, “Nonsense! These are everyday foods—how can they cure illness? Throw them out at once!”

Li Dong emerged from the inner room and bowed, replying humbly, “Since they are ordinary foods, they will do no harm. Why not allow a try?”

Qin’s father grew angrier, waving his hands. “A life is at stake—how can you treat it as a game? Is a human life something to be gambled with?”

Qin’s father was a master smith, but a layman in medicine. Wasn’t dietary therapy more beneficial than medicine? Besides, Li Dong had already diagnosed Madam Qin’s condition with certainty.

Li Dong bowed again and replied firmly, “I would never trifle with Madam’s life. I act only because I am confident. Please permit me to continue treating her—I stake my very life on it.”

Qin Qiong spoke up in support, and only then did Qin’s father subdue his anger. He thought these ingredients were indeed harmless, having used them in cooking before, and perhaps, just perhaps, they might work. He waved for Qin Qiong to prepare the decoction.

About the time it takes to eat a meal later, the medicine was ready. Qin Qiong brought it into the inner room, propped up his mother, cooled the liquid, and fed it to her.

Another meal’s time passed. Suddenly, Madam Qin sat up from her bed, grasping the edge, her body wracked with violent convulsions. Then, a foul mass spewed from her mouth—she had vomited out all the medicine she had just taken.

Qin Qiong was mortified, terrified, and clutching Li Dong’s hand, he stammered, “What’s happening? Did she take the wrong medicine?”

Hearing the commotion, Qin’s father swept aside the curtain and rushed in. At the sight, his face darkened and he barked, “See? Didn’t I warn you?”

Yet Li Dong remained unperturbed, even smiling as he bowed deeply to Qin’s father. “Congratulations! This is a joyous occasion.”

Qin Qiong sprang to his feet, bristling with indignation. “How can you say that? My mother just vomited after taking your medicine, and you call it a good thing? Are you mocking us?”

Li Dong raised his hand gently. “Please, calm yourselves and listen carefully to my explanation.”

He then detailed the nature of the illness and the medicinal reasoning behind his prescription. “This is, in fact, a good sign. The previous medicines have now been expelled from her body. All that is needed now is to feed her some rice gruel; within half an hour, Madam Qin’s complexion will improve.”

At that moment, Madam Qin, having finished vomiting the toxins, propped herself up weakly and said, “Don’t blame this young man. I... I do feel much better now. My chest is not as tight, my belly not as bloated. I... I am actually a bit hungry.”

What?

Qin Qiong and his father could hardly believe their ears. Could these common ingredients truly have such miraculous effects? In less than half an hour, a problem that had stumped famous physicians had been solved? It seemed almost magical.

But Madam Qin’s words were clear and undeniable—Li Dong had indeed improved her condition.

Qin Qiong turned, bowed deeply to Li Dong, and said humbly, “Please accept my formal apology. I was too impatient just now and wronged you. I beg your forgiveness for my disrespect.”

Li Dong smiled serenely and helped him up. “There’s no need for such words. The real task now is to prepare rice gruel for Madam Qin.”

Qin’s father, his face flushed with embarrassment, stood awkwardly for a long moment before finally abandoning his pride. “I was wrong just now and misjudged you. I hope, for the sake of forging your weapons, you will not hold a grudge but continue to treat my wife. I am deeply grateful.”

This was quite unexpected for Li Dong. For the elder Qin, as a father and his senior, to set aside his dignity and apologize to him was a great honor.

Li Dong quickly returned the bow. “You humble me, sir. It is a small matter, nothing to worry about. The rest is simple—just gradual nourishment, and within ten days Madam Qin will be able to leave her bed.”

Luo Shixin clapped and laughed from the side, “Wonderful! My weapon will finally be ready!”

…

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