Blood River

"Bai He Medicine Manor is now officially open!" Su Changhe stood at the entrance of the manor and announced loudly.

Su Zhe, crouching in a corner, immediately picked up his smoking pipe upon hearing this and touched it to the fuse of the firecrackers. A series of crackling explosions followed.

Those gathered at the entrance covered their ears, watching the red paper scraps flutter and smoke billow, their faces breaking into smiles.

Standing at the forefront, Su Changhe observed the scene and suddenly recalled a term Su Muyu had once mentioned.

The warmth of human life.

He had said Dark River lacked this warmth, which was why he often wandered the back mountains. There, he could occasionally catch the scent of cooking smoke drifting from distant villages—a fragrance that brought him peace. In books, this scent was called the warmth of human life.

Yet the irony was that Su Muyu himself, wherever he stood, seemed like someone untouched by worldly cares.

Quite the contradiction.

Su Changhe inhaled the gunpowder-scented air and smiled to himself, thinking: This should count as warmth too.

"Medicine Manor?" a curious onlooker teased. "Not counting small clinics, there are sixty-three medicine manors in Nan'an City alone, along with four renowned physicians and thirty master healers. Who's the expert presiding over this one?"

Bai Hehuai stepped forward. "Me."

The man had only meant to stir up some fun, but hadn't expected a fair-skinned, beautiful young woman to answer. He swallowed hard but refused to back down. "You? Little girl, shouldn't you be helping your master grind herbs instead of causing trouble? Let your teacher come out."

"May I ask, sir," Bai Hehuai asked solemnly, "do you feel a dull pain at your Fengmen acupoint every day at the hour of Yin?"

The man froze. "How did you know? Did too much manual labor when young, now paying the price in old age."

"Then why does your Hundred Convergences Acupoint ache unbearably at the hour of Hai?" she pressed. "Farming work wouldn't have damaged your brain. If you don't treat this illness soon, you'll be meeting King Yama."

The man immediately knelt. "Miracle Healer! I've sought treatment for years to cure this lifelong ailment, spending much effort, but either no one could diagnose it or the prescriptions never worked."

"You said you loved farm work when young. After working, did you cool off with cold water?" Bai Hehuai asked.

"Of course. The well water in our village was especially refreshing. We'd pour it over our heads after work—felt wonderful," the man replied.

"That's it then. The clash of hot and cold, the conflict of yin and yang. Your illness isn't external but has damaged you internally. I'll write you a prescription. Take it for forty-nine days, and you'll surely recover. You're our first patient since opening. This Miracle Healer won't charge you."

"Thank you, Miracle Healer." The man's expression transformed from initial disdain to tearful joy as he hurried inside.

Other onlookers grew restless. Someone called out, "What ailments does this lady Miracle Healer treat?"

"Sprains, fractures, difficult and complicated disorders—in short, as long as you're not dead, we can cure you!" This time, it was Su Muyu who answered.

"Then I want treatment too! I'm second in line—can I get a discount?" another asked.

"Consultation is free, medicine half-price!" Su Muyu replied."Then look at me, look at me!" The man hurriedly rushed inside.

Su Muyu addressed the remaining crowd: "For anyone seeking treatment today, consultation fees are waived—only the cost of medicine will be charged!"

The rest of the people surged forward and poured in.

"Zhaoyan, help me manage this," Su Muyu said to Xiao Chaoyan beside him.

Having lived in the village for years, Xiao Chaoyan was thrilled by the scene: "Got it."

Su Zhe stood at the entrance, watching the commotion while smoking his pipe, silent for a long while.

Su Changhe curiously approached: "Uncle Zhe, what are you spacing out about?"

Su Zhe lowered his pipe and said meaningfully: "Back in the day, I was a top-tier assassin who struck fear in the hearts of many. How did I end up reduced to lighting firecrackers?"

"So what would Uncle Zhe rather be doing?" Su Changhe asked.

"At the very least, I should be the one lifting the red cloth, right?" Su Zhe replied earnestly.

"Uncle Zhe, that idea's a bit daft," Su Changhe answered just as seriously.

Inside the Medicine Manor, a long line had formed. Bai Hehuai sat on a wooden chair, taking their pulses one by one. None of these onlookers had serious illnesses—just stubborn, lingering ailments that were far too simple for Bai Hehuai, the direct disciple of Medicine King Valley. With just a light touch on their wrists, she would eloquently diagnose their conditions, leaving them nodding repeatedly. Then, with a flourish of her brush, she'd write out a prescription, fully embodying the aura of a Miracle Healer.

Su Muyu was responsible for dispensing the medicine. Though he had never formally studied medicine, his time with Bai Hehuai in Qiantang City had made him intimately familiar with the herbs. His measurements and selections were precise to the last grain. Of course, many female patients found their hearts racing at the sight of such a handsome young man preparing their medicine, adding another layer of lovesickness to their ailments.

The bustling activity continued until dusk.

The group set out a table of fine wine and dishes to celebrate their successful first day. Just as they were thoroughly enjoying the feast, a knock sounded at the door. Su Changhe called out brightly: "Come in."

The door creaked open, and in slipped the same troublemaker from earlier that day.

Xiao Chaoyan frowned: "What are you doing here? Looking for more trouble?"

"Not at all, not at all—we're all on the same side," Su Changhe waved his hand dismissively and tossed out a large silver ingot. "Take it, take it. You did well today. If something like this happens again, I'll call on you."

The man caught the ingot, beaming: "Oh, it's nothing, nothing. The Miracle Healer truly has skill! Even though I was just acting, she really did cure my ailment!"

"Forty-nine days—not a single day less," Bai Hehuai said, raising an eyebrow as if this were no surprise at all.

"Got it!" The man immediately turned and left.

Soon, others trickled in one after another to collect their silver—all of them had been part of the crowd at the door earlier. It seemed half of those people had been arranged by Su Changhe.

"You knew about this?" Su Muyu asked Bai Hehuai.

Bai Hehuai shrugged: "He said he had a plan. I didn’t expect it to be this kind of plan. Dogfather was right—he really is full of mischief.""After today, our White Crane Medicine Manor will be renowned throughout Nan'an City," Su Changhe said proudly. "Don't worry. Half of today's guests may be fake, but tomorrow, our threshold will be worn down by the crowds."