"Have you ever heard of a wandering doctor who is neither human nor yokai?"
"I've heard of him. Rumor has it he's human during the day, treating people in cities, charging only ten coins no matter the illness."
"And at night, he transforms into a yokai, roaming the wilderness and saving yokai harmed by humans."
"Really? Xiaofei, what do you think he's like?"
"Hmm, probably half-human, half-yokai. That's what everyone says, even the yokai believe it."
"Is that so? I think he's a really interesting guy. Let's go find that wandering doctor."
"Shouzhuo-sama, wait for me!"
Xiaofei quickly caught up to Wangquan Shouzhuo as they went into the city to gather information about the wandering doctor.
"This world really is full of strange things!"
"Shanshan, did you know there are people in this world whose organs and acupoints are completely reversed?"
"There are even those born without normal acupoints! And twins who need each other just to form a complete acupoint network!"
Kei sat inside a rundown shrine in the wilderness. It was raining outside, and they huddled around a campfire for warmth.
"Amazing!"
Even though Tushan Shanshan didn't understand what Kei was saying, she still eagerly nodded and agreed.
"It really is amazing!"
Kei had originally just been flipping through the book casually, but to his surprise, this book from ** was filled with unique cases.
What fascinated him most was **'s detailed notes on the many people with special constitutions he had encountered in his life. The book was filled with his observations and research.
How to apply acupuncture, how to locate acupoints where there seemingly were none, how to coordinate techniques for maximum effect—
This book could absolutely be considered a reference manual for difficult and rare diseases.
Tushan Honghong looked at Tushan Shanshan clinging to Kei and playing around. Instinctively, she sensed danger.
"Rongrong, I know Mr. Kei is a good man, but you have to remember he's human, and we're yokai."
"When we get to Tushan, we'll have to part ways, and we'll never see him again."
Tushan Honghong spoke seriously.
"Big sis, that's not right!"
"Kei-oniichan was raised by Sister Kongling. His race might be human, but he's not like the rest!"
"We can't discriminate against him just because of his race! We need to be the new generation of fox yokai! We should strive for coexistence between humans and yokai!"
Tushan Rongrong put on a serious expression, though her cute little face didn't look authoritative at all.
"You—you! You damned fatty, did you teach my little sister weird things again!?"
Tushan Honghong was furious hearing Rongrong spout things she didn't understand, and turned around to punch Qian Baiwan, who was asleep nearby.
"Why are you hitting me?!"
"I didn't teach her anything—she came to me with questions, and when I didn't want to answer, she threatened to bite me!"
"I didn't mess with anyone—why are you foxes always bullying me?!"
Qian Baiwan rubbed his rear, feeling utterly wronged. He'd never been so humiliated.
"Divine Doctor, say something! They're always bullying me because you favor them! Look at me—I'm all swollen!"
"That's not swelling. That's international-level bloating."
"By the way, I've been wondering—how did you get even fatter over the past few days? We've barely eaten anything!"
Kei glanced at Qian Baiwan and was surprised to see that he had gained weight again, despite all their intense traveling.
"I can't help it—it's my constitution. I gain weight just by drinking cold water!"
"I wouldn't have been so frail at such a young age if not for that. Thankfully, you treated me—otherwise, I'd probably be dead."
At that, Qian Baiwan smiled again. He used to be so weak that even breathing hurt. Now, after being tormented daily by the little fox sisters, he still felt fine—no injuries despite the pain.
"I have to say, your medical skills are incredible. I feel so much healthier!"
"Watch your diet, move your legs, run daily—best if you run until you pass out. Your body will improve that way."
"No way! I'm not a warrior—I don't need to improve my physique!"
Qian Baiwan quickly rejected Kei's suggestion. Traveling around practicing medicine with Kei was exhausting enough.
"Oh right, Divine Doctor—what do you think of the human-yokai business cooperation plan I mentioned before? Do you think it could work?"
Qian Baiwan sat cross-legged beside Kei.
"It could work. But here's my advice—hire yokai caravans bought from human sources."
"Make it clear that it's cooperation, not slavery. At first, no one will believe you. But as long as some are willing to try, that's enough."
"With each successful venture, you'll build trust and eventually become a reputable figure in their eyes."
Kei replied. The human-yokai commerce idea was solid, and he was willing to offer some help.
"I understand what you're saying, and I'll do it. But right now, I want you to join me!"
"Once it succeeds, after costs, we'll split the profits 70-30. You get 70!"
Qian Baiwan really wanted to pull Kei into it. He now trusted Kei inexplicably, and didn't feel confident doing something this big alone.
But with Kei, even if they failed, at least he wouldn't feel so bad.
"No time. I still need to practice medicine."
Kei refused without hesitation. Making money wasn't his priority—he just wanted the experience. So, he chose to keep traveling as a healer.
"Ehh..."
"Fatty, want to go into business with me instead?"
Rongrong ran over at that moment.
"Business with you? Little one, go play somewhere else. Don't hit me! Let's talk, not get physical!"
Qian Baiwan got smacked again. After Honghong, now it was Shanshan's turn. Truly unlucky.
"Don't be fooled by our age. I'm the third lady of Tushan! My sister is the eldest lady!"
"We may not have full control of Tushan, but when it comes to business, we can definitely help."
"You work with us, and we'll distribute your goods to other yokai."
"This way, you'll build your business while hiding your identity under Tushan's protection. Isn't that great?"
Tushan Rongrong gave a sly smile, already showing hints of a cunning merchant despite her youth.
"Yeah, yeah."
"Then one day you'll betray me, cut off my supply, and do the business yourselves, right?"
"And I'll be left starving!"
Qian Baiwan saw through Rongrong's plan immediately. It looked like a great deal, but all the benefits were Tushan's.
Making contacts, building a reputation—it would all go to Tushan. They could drop him anytime, and he'd be at their mercy.
"You figured it out. I guess the plan is still too rough."
Rongrong showed a bit of disappointment but quickly perked up again. She knew she had much to learn to truly become clever.
"One bite at a time. One step at a time."
"Fatty, instead of clinging to me now, you should turn around and head back."
"Start the first step of human-yokai commerce in the places we've visited."
Kei finished reading the reference book Old Man Li gave him and carefully packed it away.
"I don't want to… wait, no! I gotta go!"
Qian Baiwan was about to object but suddenly had a moment of realization. He immediately stood and rushed to the shrine entrance.
It was still raining outside.
"What's wrong? Why the sudden rush?"
Honghong asked curiously.
Qian Baiwan looked at the downpour and realized he couldn't leave yet, so he sat down again.
"When the Divine Doctor reminded me just now, I realized—why aim for the whole world? Start here!"
"These past few days I've met many yokai while traveling with the doctor. I helped with treatments—they know me."
"If I revisit them, they might not trust me, but they'll give the Divine Doctor face. That's how I can begin!"
"You understand what comes next, right?"
Qian Baiwan smacked his forehead—he'd been too focused on convincing Kei and had almost missed the obvious.
"Mm, I understand."
Tushan Honghong nodded. She actually didn't understand a thing, but seeing Qian Baiwan's regret and Shanshan deep in thought, she didn't dare admit it.
After the rain stopped, Qian Baiwan quickly set off. As he left, he called out:
"One more thing—stop calling me Fatty! My name is Qian Baiwan!"
"Got it, Fatty."
"See ya, Fatty."
"Good luck with your business, Fatty."
Amid the cheerful farewells, Fatty left. On the road, his Didi flying sword arrived to take him back.
"Don't kill me!"
"I'm not here to kill. I just want to know if you've seen a wandering doctor who's neither human nor yokai."
"W-what do you want with him?"
The rabbit yokai was terrified of the man shrouded in shadow.
"He just seems interesting. I want to talk to him."
Wangquan Shouzhuo replied.
"I—I won't tell you where he is! You'll never hurt him!"
"I won't hurt him. Fine, even if you don't tell me where he is, could you at least tell me how you met him?"
"That should be okay, right?"
"Okay."
The rabbit yokai nodded and began her story.
"I was in the mountains looking for vegetables and got caught in a hunter's trap. I barely made it back before collapsing."
"When I woke up, the Divine Doctor was there. And there was also a human fatty with him."
"Oh? Then what?"
"Then I ran away. But while escaping, I realized my wounds were healed. After some thought, I figured he was probably a good guy."
"I gave him my precious stone as thanks. He accepted it and left."
"Do you still have any of those precious stones? Could I see one?"
"Sure."
The rabbit yokai took out a sky-blue stone and held it in her palm.
"What a beautiful stone."
Wangquan Shouzhuo examined it and laughed. It was just a pretty rock, no special qualities.
But from it, he could feel the aura of that wandering doctor.
"Xiaofei, let's go. To the next city—we're going to find this doctor."
Wangquan Shouzhuo left with Xiaofei, heading toward the next city.
The rabbit yokai tilted her head at the two departing figures, puzzled, then skipped away happily.
After traveling for a while, they ran into two junior Taoist priests.
"Damn that wandering doctor! He ruined my income! He looks like a yokai himself!"
"You! If it weren't for your big mouth, he wouldn't have found out!"
The priest punched his ugly junior.
"Hahaha, did you just mention a wandering doctor? Mind telling me how you met him?"
Wangquan Shouzhuo approached and asked.
"Who the hell are you? Get lost!"
The priest snapped.
"Hahaha, my name is Wangquan."
With a wave of his hand, a sword aura flew out and leveled a small hill nearby.
"Now do you know who I am? Tell me about the wandering doctor."
The priest gulped and wiped cold sweat from his forehead.
"I—I didn't know you were from the Wangquan Clan of the Dao Alliance. Please forgive my ignorance."
"That doctor... there was just a little dispute in our dealings, so I said some nonsense while drunk."
The priest bowed low—he couldn't afford to offend someone from the Wangquan Clan.
"What kind of dealings?"
"Nothing much, just business involving two little fox yokai."
"Oh? Did he pay you?"
"Yes, he did."
"You don't seem like someone who does honest business. Is that doctor strong?"
The priest lowered his head, feeling like Wangquan Shouzhuo's gaze was piercing him like a sword.
"H-he's very strong. He interrupted my spell mid-cast."
"Hahahaha, how interesting."
Wangquan Shouzhuo laughed even louder. His interest in the wandering doctor only deepened, and he urged Xiaofei forward to continue the search.
(End of Chapter)
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