Bachelor [EN]: Chapter 28

“It’s nothing much. I’m not one to hold grudges, so don’t worry. Let’s quickly check on Elder Lee’s condition.”

Only after hearing Han Li’s reply did Ma Young hurriedly lead him to the bedroom where Elder Lee was. Lǚ Bìyǔ merely twitched the corner of his mouth at Han Li’s words, showing no other reaction.

However, the moment everyone turned their backs to head towards the bedroom, he made a playful face at Han Li, then immediately returned to his usual expressionless demeanor as if nothing had happened.

Han Li suppressed a laugh that was about to burst out and didn’t look at Lǚ Bìyǔ again. He quickly followed Madam Lee to the bed where Elder Lee was lying.

When Han Li saw the Elder’s face on the bed, he was so shocked that he gasped. Now he understood why the other doctors hadn’t even been able to prescribe a remedy.

Elder Lee, who normally had a kind face, was unconscious and on the verge of death. His face, neck, hands, and feet were all covered with strange, colorful spots the size of coins.

Elder Lee’s lips had turned blue, and his complexion had turned black, indicating that poison had spread throughout his body, making it impossible to treat. Saving Elder Lee seemed like a truly difficult task.

* * *

Han Li frowned, remaining silent.

After taking his pulse and examining his tongue and pupils, he had made a rough diagnosis. Elder Lee was poisoned by a mixture of various toxins, like a ‘thousand-layered poison’ [a complex, multi-layered poison], and detoxifying each one would be extremely difficult. Han Li wanted to curse the doctors who had passed this problem onto him, but he pretended to be deep in thought, contemplating the patient’s condition.

After a while, Elder Cho couldn’t hold back and spoke.

“Hey, you! Can you save Elder Lee or not! Say something!”

“Elder Cho, don’t be so impatient. Great Doctor Han is thinking, isn’t he? You need to be more patient.”

Before Han Li could answer, Sect Leader Ma’s mocking voice was heard. Just as Elder Cho was about to glare and say something, Han Li lightly coughed, interrupting him.

This cough drew the attention of everyone in the room. Thinking about it, such an old-man-like action was likely to look ridiculous to others. But it was enough to draw attention.

“This poison is a mixture, making it very difficult to eradicate. I cannot guarantee that I can detoxify it. Also, the detoxification process is very dangerous, and Elder Lee may lose his life during the process. You all need to decide whether to proceed with the treatment.”

He explained the situation in a troubled tone. For Han Li, it would be much better if they didn’t entrust it to him, as the chances of success were truly slim.

Upon hearing this, Elder Lee’s family members just looked at each other, and no one immediately requested treatment. However, apart from Han Li, there was no other hope.

After a long while, Elder Lee’s wife, Madam Lee, finally spoke.

“Great Doctor Han, what do you think are the chances of my husband waking up?”

“Fifty percent.”

He answered without the slightest hesitation.

“Then please begin the treatment. Even if something happens to my husband, I won’t blame Great Doctor Han. Everything is in the hands of fate.”

Madam Lee said with a resolute expression.

“Sister-in-law, you should think about it more. This doctor is so young, I don’t feel at ease!”

Elder Cho hurriedly tried to stop Madam Lee’s impulsive decision.

“I’ve already thought about it enough. If Great Doctor Han doesn’t step forward, my husband won’t even make it through the night. And there’s still a chance, isn’t there?”

Madam Lee lowered her head and sadly murmured.

“That’s…”

Elder Cho was speechless. No one else opposed Madam Lee’s decision. Han Li immediately took out a blue porcelain bottle from his bag and picked out a red pill.

“Please bring warm water. I need to dissolve this medicine and have Elder Lee take it.”

“I’ll go.”

As soon as Han Li finished speaking, the girl who had been standing beside them with red eyes answered in a clear voice. Lǚ Bìyǔ, who had been spacing out, immediately followed her out.

After a while, Jang Sua came back, but her hands were empty. Instead, Lǚ Bìyǔ, who was closely following behind her, carefully carried a white bowl. The people watching this scene couldn’t help but smile, as if they were enjoying a good show. Jang Sua’s face turned red, and she didn’t know what to do.

Thanks to this, the atmosphere in the room became much lighter, and people’s hearts felt a little more at ease. Lǚ Bìyǔ quietly handed the bowl to Madam Lee.

“Doctor, is one bowl enough?”

Madam Lee turned her head to ask for Han Li’s opinion.

“That should be enough.”

Han Li nodded and took the bowl, putting the pill into the water, which immediately turned completely red.

“Give it to Elder Lee. You’ll do a better job, so I’ll leave it to you.”

Han Li handed the bowl back to Madam Lee. She believed that everything Han Li said was related to her husband’s life, so she would definitely listen.

“What kind of medicine is this?”

Elder Cho couldn’t help but ask as he watched Madam Lee slowly pour the red liquid into Elder Lee’s mouth.

“It’s a detoxifying medicine that I made myself. We can only hope it works.”

Han Li explained vaguely. It was clear that if it became known that he possessed such a miraculous medicine, he would be embroiled in troublesome situations, so it was best to be cautious. After some time had passed since he had taken the medicine, the dark color on Elder Lee’s face began to gradually fade. Moreover, the spots on his body were also becoming lighter in color and smaller in size.

Even those who were not familiar with medicine could see that the treatment was progressing in a positive direction. The people watching this couldn’t hide their joy and looked at Han Li with different eyes than before. Although Elder Cho still had a sour expression and snorted, his face had softened considerably.

Han Li was surprised that the poison was already disappearing before he had even tried other methods. The Clear Spirit Powder was more effective than he had expected. Han Li thought that the poison in Elder Lee’s body might not have been as potent as he had imagined.

Seeing Elder Lee rapidly recovering before his eyes, Han Li felt a little depressed. There were two reasons for this. First, how long had it been since he had warned that using the antidote could be dangerous, and yet he was recovering so easily and quickly?

Second, if this Clear Spirit Powder was so outstanding, why wasn’t it working on his own poison? He was still suffering from the poison in his body.

He smiled and calmly explained to the people in the room that the medicine was working better than he had expected, which drew everyone’s admiration. Sect Leader Ma was also laughing happily, and in his laughter, he already considered Han Li to be one of his own. However, the situation changed abruptly soon after.

“No!”

Jang Sua’s surprised voice rang out.

“His complexion is getting worse again.”

Everyone was shocked by this and rushed to Elder Lee. Of course, Elder Cho wouldn’t be left out. Han Li was also a little bewildered, but he didn’t rush to the bed like the others.

Madam Lee, who had been quietly observing, made the family members move away from the bed and made room for Han Li to take his pulse. Only then did Han Li calmly approach and examine Elder Lee. After a while, Han Li was certain. Elder Lee’s condition hadn’t worsened; rather, the poison couldn’t completely escape, so the dark energy had gathered on his face.

Han Li glanced at Jang Sua. He thought she was making a fuss over nothing. The others didn’t see Han Li’s gaze, but Lǚ Bìyǔ, who had been watching Jang Sua, immediately noticed it. He glared at Han Li, warning him for criticizing the woman he had his eyes on.

Han Li ignored Lǚ Bìyǔ’s gaze and continued to observe Elder Lee’s condition.

Elder Lee’s complexion hadn’t completely brightened, and the spots on his body had shrunk to the size of beans but hadn’t completely disappeared. After observing the situation, Han Li thought he would have to use the method he had prepared in advance.

“Please prepare a basin filled with clear water.”

Han Li said with a confident tone. This time, before Jang Sua could step forward, Ma Young quickly answered and hurried out of the room. Soon after, Han Li politely asked Elder Chun and Sect Leader Ma.

“It seems I will need both of your help. If you use your inner force [internal energy] to push the poison to specific acupoints, I will use acupuncture to release the poison. Would you both be willing to do that?”

Sect Leader Ma’s eyes were wavering, but he verbally agreed to Han Li’s proposal. Elder Chun also nodded in agreement.

“Why those two? Can’t I do it?”

Elder Cho asked, looking uncomfortable as if Han Li was ignoring him. Han Li secretly sighed.

‘I guess I have to explain it to this stubborn man.’

“Elder Cho, isn’t the Hunyuan Palm you’ve mastered mainly an external martial art? Considering the purity of inner force, it would be more suitable for Sect Leader Ma and Elder Chun to assist me.”

Han Li answered calmly and gently.

“Th-that’s…”

Elder Cho seemed speechless at Han Li’s subtle rejection. Han Li gave orders to the others in the room.

“Everyone except Sect Leader Ma and Elder Chun, please leave. Absolute quiet is needed during the treatment, so we must not be disturbed.”

“Then, I’ll leave my husband in your care.”

Everyone was stunned by Han Li’s words, but Madam Lee bowed politely and was the first to leave the room. Since Madam Lee acted first, the others had no choice but to leave, even if they didn’t want to.

Han Li sent Ma Young out after he brought a basin full of clear water, and then he firmly locked the door. An hour had passed since the treatment had begun, but the closed door didn’t open, and no sound was heard. The faces of those who were waiting for news were clouded with worry, and even Madam Lee, who had maintained a calm expression, was showing signs of restlessness. The hot-tempered Elder Cho was already pacing around the yard.

‘Creak’

Just as people’s patience was about to run out, the bedroom door opened.

Everyone’s gaze was fixed on one spot. Han Li walked out of the room, looking tired, and smiled at the dark eyes looking at him.

“The treatment went well. I’ve removed all the poison remaining in Elder Lee’s body, so if he rests well tonight, he should be able to wake up tomorrow.”

His voice was confident. In fact, Han Li didn’t expect the procedure to remove the poison to go so smoothly without any particular difficulties.

Madam Lee and her family members couldn’t hide their joy upon hearing Han Li’s words. Those who were impatient were already trying to enter the room to see Elder Lee, but Han Li held out his hand to stop them.

“Elder Lee is currently in a very weakened state. It wouldn’t be good for many people to enter the room and make noise. Moreover, Sect Leader Ma and Elder Chun have greatly depleted their energy while removing the poison and are currently circulating their qi [vital energy], so how about Madam Lee goes in alone?”

Han Li politely asked Madam Lee.

With this incredible good news, what other thoughts could Madam Lee have? She simply nodded quickly and hurried into the bedroom.