Chinese Medicine: Starting with Daily Intelligence

Chapter 527: Chapter 527: Dumbfounded

"What?"

Hearing Li Xu’s words, Ding Kaifang was so startled he nearly lost his grip on the steering wheel. "Poisonous? How is that possible? I’ve had it several times and I was fine. Besides... you didn’t even touch the teacup. How could you possibly know?"

"It’s not the kind of poison you’re thinking of, like crane’s beak red or arsenic."

Li Xu said gravely, "It’s the kind that gets people addicted. A new type."

"The incense burning in that private room, and that tea—they’re both laced with something. The amounts are small and hard to detect, but long-term consumption and inhalation will lead to dependence, and even hallucinations."

Ding Kaifang broke out in a cold sweat as he listened.

’No wonder I’ve been wanting to go back there so often lately. So that’s what it was.’

"And..."

Li Xu paused, then dropped an even bigger bombshell. "If I’m not mistaken, he has an STD."

"A very serious one, at that."

"Right? He sought me out mainly to have this looked at, didn’t he?"

Ding Kaifang was even more astonished. "Y-You could tell?"

Indeed, Zhou Junwei had previously mentioned discreetly that he had a "little problem" in that department and wanted to see a traditional Chinese medicine doctor for treatment, specifically emphasizing the need for secrecy.

It wasn’t surprising that Li Xu, as a renowned traditional Chinese medicine doctor, could figure it out.

What astonished Ding Kaifang was that Li Xu hadn’t even taken his pulse. He had deduced the truth just by looking at his face. It was incredible.

Li Xu sneered. "It would be best for you not to work with this person. Better yet, cut off all contact."

"Did you see that black spot on his face, in front of his ear?"

Ding Kaifang thought for a moment. "I think there was a black mole."

"That’s not a mole. It’s called a ’black nail’."

Li Xu explained.

"The ancient medical text, *Standards for Diagnosis and Treatment*, states: ’The five types of nails all arise from emotional turmoil, exposure to the elements, excessive consumption of strong wine, indulgence in sweet and fatty foods, tainted food, and excessive carnal desire. These actions cause toxic evils to accumulate and steep the internal organs. When they are not dispelled over a long period, they begin to transform into nails.’"

"And this black nail is the most dangerous of all. It appears in front of the ear, looks like a scar, is black in color, and its growth is erratic. It’s a sign that the kidney essence is being depleted and toxic evils are attacking the heart."

"The ancients said: ’Within three years, disaster will surely strike, and it is incurable. This is because the kidney essence is being extinguished, so one must be cautious with carnal matters.’"

"In other words, a person who develops this has done so through excessive debauchery, which has exhausted their kidney essence and allowed a large amount of lust poison to accumulate in their body. Once this thing appears, it’s basically a death sentence."

The color drained from Ding Kaifang’s face.

Li Xu continued, "But not only has he shown no restraint, he’s actually using drugs to stimulate his body, forcefully overdrafting its vitality just to satisfy his lust."

"A person like that is rotten to the core."

"Moreover, based on his complexion, his gait, and the state of that black nail, if I’m not mistaken, he has most likely contracted AIDS, and it has already progressed to the active stage."

"What? AIDS?"

Ding Kaifang felt his scalp tingle as goosebumps broke out all over his body.

"Doctor Li, please don’t scare me..."

Ding Kaifang’s voice trembled slightly.

Li Xu shook his head. "I’m not trying to scare you. There’s no need."

"The incense he burns is incredibly expensive. It’s a specially made ’Enchanting Fragrance.’ Aside from well-known common ingredients like sandalwood, Agarwood, rosemary, and benzoin, it also secretly contains small jasmine flowers, lavender, Dragon Brain, and even trace amounts of wild forest Musk."

"Viewed individually, these spices don’t seem to pose any major problems. They’re even considered valuable traditional Chinese medicines. But..."

Li Xu paused, his tone turning serious. "When they are formulated together, however, they have a distinct tranquilizing, hypnotic, and even hallucinogenic effect. This type of combination is generally a secret formula of the ancient ’Mo Family Fang’ of traditional Chinese medicine. In ancient times, it was a type of ’Medicinal Ink Formula.’ It, along with ’Cyan Ox Ink’ and ’Dragon Pillar Ink,’ are known as the Three Greats."

[...Redacted...]

Li Xu turned to Ding Kaifang, his words filled with implication. "Ding’s Pharmaceutical Factory has been growing rapidly lately, and several of your new drugs have become real Money Trees. Your future prospects are immeasurable. A tall tree attracts the wind; there must be many people with designs on you. So, you must be more vigilant... [...Redacted...]."

Hearing Li Xu’s words, Ding Kaifang felt a chill shoot up from the soles of his feet straight to the crown of his head.

’No wonder...’

[...Redacted...]

’Every time Zhou Junwei wanted to discuss business, he would invite me here, calling it ’savoring tea and discussing philosophy.’ But in reality, he was setting a trap...’

"What about the tea...?"

Ding Kaifang suddenly remembered Li Xu saying there was a problem with the tea as well...

Li Xu said, "The tea is laced with... [...Redacted...], and also Drunken Immortal Peach Blossoms."

[...Redacted...]

After hearing Li Xu’s analysis, large beads of cold sweat rolled down Ding Kaifang’s forehead.

"N-No way, right?"

"I... How is this possible? We’re business partners, of a sort. What could he possibly gain from this?"

Li Xu shook his head. "Haven’t you noticed? That tea doesn’t seem to quench your thirst. The more you drink, the drier your mouth and throat feel, making you want to drink even more?"

Hearing this, Ding Kaifang immediately recalled how every time he drank tea there, despite downing pot after pot, his throat would always feel parched, making him want to drink more and more... [...Redacted...]

He looked at Li Xu in disbelief. "I think you’re right."

"Wh-What’s going on?"

Li Xu shook his head helplessly. "It’s the pharmacological reaction of... The scopolamine in the datura inhibits glandular secretions, causing severe dry mouth. It usually starts to take effect about half an hour after consumption."

...

PS: A large portion of this Chapter was censored... I could only delete it and see if this version could be published...

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