Immortal Travel of Longevity

After the physician arrived, the inn bustled with activity for quite some time.

Chen Changsheng told Yunxiang to rest. She was getting on in years and struggling to stay awake, so she retired to her room.

Yu Hongjin naturally wanted to accompany Sister Yun, so she went upstairs with her, claiming she was worried Sister Yun would be scared by herself.

Chen Changsheng remained seated, taking a moment to rest.

Not out of idleness.

Rather, he was somewhat intrigued by this Physician Lin.

He sensed a thread of karma around the man, one that felt oddly familiar.

Before long, the scent of medicine permeated the inn.

Physician Lin administered acupuncture.

By the time Physician Lin finished his needlework, Song Bao was drenched in sweat.

When he checked her pulse again, it was much steadier. Only then did Physician Lin speak. "She is out of danger."

At his words, the couple let out long sighs of relief.

"We've troubled you far too much, Physician Lin," Mother Song said hastily.

"Think nothing of it." Physician Lin smiled, looking a bit more relaxed. "Help the child back to her room to rest. Remember to have her drink the medicine once it's done brewing. She'll break a sweat tonight, and she should be mostly recovered by tomorrow. However, she still needs to take the medicine for two more days. She was afflicted by external pathogens; you absolutely must not be careless."

The couple committed his instructions to memory.

"Physician Lin, please spend the night here," Father Song urged. "We have empty rooms. It is still pouring outside, and the wind is fierce. First thing tomorrow morning, after breakfast, I will personally escort you back."

Physician Lin thought it over. Glancing at the torrential rain outside, he gave a helpless sigh. "Who knows when this rain will stop. I suppose I have no other choice."

He hadn't wanted to impose, but he was getting on in years. If he was caught in the wind and rain, he would likely fall ill himself.

Physician Lin looked back at the couple. "You two should hurry and change into dry clothes. The child is already sick; if you fall ill too, this old man really won't be able to keep up."

The couple offered a sheepish smile. "We're going, we're going."

"Please have some hot tea to warm up, Physician Lin."

Father Song heated a pot of tea and served it to the physician before finally heading off to change his clothes.

Physician Lin sat down in the inn's common area, letting out a long breath.

Chen Changsheng sat off to the side, warming himself by the fire. Beside him, Mao'er had already fallen asleep on a chair.

"Come warm yourself by the fire, Physician," Chen Changsheng said. "Don't let yourself fall ill as well."

Physician Lin smiled and walked over.

He looked at Chen Changsheng. "This rain is truly fierce."

Chen Changsheng said, "The River God is displeased. Naturally, heavy rain follows."

Physician Lin nodded. "I suppose so."

He paused, looking at Chen Changsheng. "You look unfamiliar, young brother. You aren't from Yingshan District, are you?"

"Just passing through," Chen Changsheng replied with a smile. "Resting here for a couple of days."

Physician Lin nodded. "Many years ago, this place was bustling. Most traveling merchants would stop here to rest; business was booming and the crowds were thick. It's gotten much quieter these days."

"Such is the way of the world. It cannot be helped."

"Indeed."

Chen Changsheng stoked the charcoal. "And you, Physician Lin? Listening to your accent, This Chen gathers you aren't from Yingshan District either. You sound more like you're from the north."

Physician Lin nodded. "That's right. I settled down here later in life, and it's been quite a few years now. Back then, I was traveling all over with my older brothers and sisters. I found this place peaceful, so I stayed."

"May I ask where your hometown is?"

"It's gone..."

Physician Lin said, "The village was abandoned during the wars back then. I went back to look later on, but it was ruined beyond recognition. Moreover, my siblings had already started their own families elsewhere, so we never returned."

"Is that so..."

Chen Changsheng sighed softly. "The world is unforgiving..."

"Isn't that the truth." Physician Lin echoed the sigh.

Chen Changsheng paused, then looked up. "This Chen finds you somewhat familiar, Physician Lin. Whether it's your acupuncture technique or the way you check a pulse, I get the distinct feeling I have seen it before."

Physician Lin blanked for a moment, then said, "You understand medicine, young brother?"

If he didn't understand medicine, who else would have noticed such details?

"I only know a few basic things," Chen Changsheng replied with a smile.

Physician Lin nodded, then asked, "Has someone surnamed Lin treated you in the past?"

Chen Changsheng shook his head. "No, I can't say they have."

He paused. "Has your family practiced medicine for generations?"

Physician Lin shook his head. "No, my generation is the first. Back when our village was abandoned, we younger ones were taken in by a kind-hearted physician and his wife. During that time, our master and his wife taught us some medical arts. From then on, my siblings and I walked the path of medicine. We eventually scattered across the realm. We might not be widely renowned, but we always have enough skill to our names to earn a living."

He pondered for a moment. "If it isn't someone surnamed Lin, who could have given you that sense of familiarity?"

Chen Changsheng said, "While in Shangjing City, This Chen met a healer commonly known as Physician Wenzhu."

"Ah!"

Physician Lin was struck by sudden realization. "That's my fifth brother!"

Hearing news of a long-lost family member from a stranger naturally filled Physician Lin with immense excitement.

Physician Lin hastily asked, "You met my fifth brother? Do you know how he is doing these days? Is he well?"

Chen Changsheng nodded. "In his earlier years, Physician Wenzhu even treated His Majesty. Everything was fine back then, though that was quite a few years ago."

Physician Lin nodded. "My fifth brother used to send me letters in past years; he did mention that."

Chen Changsheng said, "During those years, Physician Wenzhu seemed to be constantly searching for someone. A friend of This Chen chatted with him a bit and heard that he traveled the four corners of the world just to track down a certain person's whereabouts, though ultimately without success."

Physician Lin said, "The ones my fifth brother was searching for were the physician and his wife who took us in back then—our master and his wife. Out of all of us siblings, my fifth brother was always the most dedicated to this matter. I spent a few years searching various places myself, but after coming up empty-handed, I finally settled down here."

He sighed, saying, "It isn't that the rest of us are unfilial. It's just that finding our master and his wife in this vast sea of humanity is simply too difficult."

"No one can blame you for that."

Chen Changsheng naturally knew why.

After Tong Zhihuan and Tao'er arranged the funerals for the two elders, they had begun wandering the realm without a fixed home. Even if someone followed the rumors all the way to Qiuyue Fang, they would only come up empty-handed.

Speaking of which, he hadn't seen Tong Zhihuan and Tao'er in many years either.

He wondered how they were doing.

Calculating the years that had passed, it seemed Tong Zhihuan would be quite old by now...

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!