TGCFNM -Chapter 286 Physician Luo’s Obsession

Seeing that Physician Luo remained silent, Chu Ling gently asked again, “Physician Luo, do you have some unresolved obsession?”

“Obsession?” Physician Luo replied blankly.

“Yes. The reason you’re still lingering in the mortal world is because of an obsession,” Chu Ling said. “So—what is yours?”

“My medicine… it spilled.” Physician Luo suddenly grew anxious and stepped forward, only to realize how frightening his face must look. He hurriedly retreated a few steps. “It was my fault. My body was too weak, yet I rashly stood up. In the end, I knocked over the pot.”

Chu Ling quickly comforted him. “You were infected with the plague—of course your body would be weak. That’s not your fault.”

Full of self-reproach, Physician Luo said, “This plague… its source is unknown. Once infected, it begins with high fever and splitting headaches. The limbs feel as if pierced by a sinister chill seeping into the bones—excruciating beyond words. Then comes relentless diarrhea… In the early stages, when I treated the infected, their symptoms seemed mild. Prescriptions for cold damage illnesses could ease them somewhat. But afterward, their bodies continued to deteriorate bit by bit. I could never grasp the true pattern of the disease, never find where to begin unraveling it. If only I had realized earlier that this was not merely cold damage but a plague, perhaps…”

Chu Ling shook her head. “It’s not your fault. This plague came with such ferocity—how could one person possibly stand against it alone?”

Bai Su suddenly spoke up. “May I take a look at your medicine pot?”

Physician Luo let out an “Ah,” and led them toward the backyard.

The backyard was already in complete disarray. Scorch marks were everywhere, and even half of the rear building had been burned away.

Amid the blackened ashes, Chu Ling raised an oil lamp to illuminate one corner. There, barely visible, was the charred outline of a skeleton—it was Physician Luo himself, burned to death.

Beside the corpse lay a large iron cauldron, overturned on the ground. The stove beneath it had collapsed along with it, which was what caused the fire to spread so widely.

“It all spilled… all of it,” Physician Luo said sorrowfully.

Bai Su asked Chu Ling to set the iron cauldron upright.

Chu Ling carefully stepped forward and slowly righted the heavy pot. The bottom was pitch-black; the medicinal broth was so burned that its ingredients were no longer distinguishable. She couldn’t help but feel a pang of regret.

“Physician Luo, why use such a large pot? It’s too dangerous,” Chu Ling said. Even she, uninfected, struggled to lift it—let alone someone already ill.

“People… people were dying too fast. Too fast. I—I had no choice. I wanted to save them.” Physician Luo’s hands trembled as he tried to touch the medicine he had brewed, only to realize he could not touch anything at all. “The medicine is gone. Without it, many people will die. What should I do? What should I do…”

Chu Ling’s eyes reddened despite herself. “Physician Luo, is there truly not a single bit of medicine left in this pharmacy?”

Physician Luo nodded. “They were afraid of dying. They snatched the medicinal herbs and ran. I managed to reclaim a few scattered portions, but it wasn’t enough. Nowhere near enough.”

“Were you not afraid of death, Physician Luo? Why did you stay?” Chu Ling asked softly.

He looked startled. “I am a physician. How could I leave?”

Chu Ling nodded solemnly. “Right. I am the county magistrate. I cannot leave either. Physician Luo, does your prescription work?”

With a bitter smile, he shook his head. “I didn’t have time to test it. I added a herb called Tianzhi Seed, but I feared its properties might be too potent. I needed to test it on myself first.”

Bai Su nodded thoughtfully. “Tianzhi Seed is indeed strong in medicinal nature. If supplemented with Rehmannia Bark, it might balance out better.”

Physician Luo’s eyes lit up. He wanted to step forward, but fearing that his illness might frighten them, he remained where he was, speaking nervously yet expectantly:

“Earlier, I tried adding linma, zhuguo, fuqi… into the cold-damage prescription. Some patients showed slight improvement, but others became even worse.”

“I also tried substituting ingredients, but the effect didn’t seem significant. So I’ve been thinking about suitable harmonizing herbs. I originally wanted to try linggan, but I’m worried its nature may be too cooling, so I haven’t been able to make up my mind.”

After hearing this, Bai Su began discussing medicinal ingredients with Physician Luo. The two of them exchanged views on whether certain herbs should be replaced or added.

Chu Ling and Ghost Scholar, along with the other ghosts, stood quietly to the side, not daring to interrupt.

After quite some time, Physician Luo finally said anxiously, “Even with the final prescription we’ve worked out, I don’t know how effective it will be. I’ve seen some patients whose eyes turn bloodshot, as if burning with fire, yet they have no headache. Others suffer unbearable headaches, their throats swollen so badly they cannot eat… The symptoms differ. If we use only one medicine, I fear it won’t cure everyone.”

Chu Ling thought for a moment and said, “It could be that the person already had an issue with their eyes. After contracting the plague, the discomfort in their eyes simply worsened.”

Physician Luo nodded. “That’s possible.”

Ghost Scholar added, “In that case, we can first treat the plague, then treat the eye condition separately.”

Physician Luo sighed. “That is indeed possible, but it carries great risk. If something goes wrong, the first to bear the consequences would be…”

He trailed off, casting a worried glance at Chu Ling.

Seeing this, Ghost Scholar gave a light chuckle and reassured him, “Don’t worry about the common people blaming her or even hating her. She has handled things well.”

Physician Luo relaxed slightly and looked at Chu Ling. “Then, my lord… would you… try it?”

Chu Ling agreed without hesitation. “I’ll try.”

Bai Su stood and said to Physician Luo, “Come with us. If you stay by the lord’s side, you may remain in this world a little longer. You can instruct from the side while she decocts the medicine.”

Physician Luo let out a soft sigh and said emotionally, “One wicked magistrate ran away, and now a good one has come. If my lord could remain here, that would truly be a blessing for the people of Anma County.”

Chu Ling still intended to leave; she would not stay here. But she would wait until everything was settled before departing.

After leaving the apothecary, Chu Ling carried her relit lantern along the quiet streets. They made their way to the city gates, where five large bonfires burned in the distance. She softly explained the situation to Physician Luo.

Physician Luo’s eyes shone. “Good, good. If we can restrain the plague’s poison, then we can properly treat the illness. A good thing—truly a good thing. It’s fortunate I burned myself; otherwise, who knows how many more people I might have harmed.”

Unable to hold back, Chu Ling quietly refuted him, “How were you harming anyone? You were saving people all along. You are a truly benevolent man.”

Physician Luo waved his hand, embarrassed. “I merely fulfilled my duty. You, my lord, are the one saving people.”

Chu Ling felt helpless. How was she?

At that moment, Wan Sanjin walked over. “My lord, the salt water has all been distributed. Everyone is following your instructions—they’re no longer drinking raw water.”

Chu Ling gave a small nod. Looking at the remaining scattered flames, she said, “Anyone entering the city today who covered their faces with outer garments—throw those garments into the fire and burn them. Replace them with new ones.”

“Burn all of them?” Wan Sanjin asked.

Chu Ling nodded slightly. “Boiling them in water and drying them would also work, but we don’t have the time, and it’s inconvenient. It’s better to burn them directly. We must do our best to avoid infection. If we fall as well, then it truly will be troublesome.”