Chapter 16: Benevolence in Heart and Skill

Liu Shen had no knife, so he found a wooden stick and whittled it into a wooden blade, practicing his swordsmanship with it. Throughout the night, he tirelessly rehearsed the moves from the “Mad Demon Blade Technique,” not pausing even when sweat dripped from his brow into his eyes.

It was the awakening of his innate wisdom, the binding contract of servitude, and his unwillingness to remain beneath others that drove him to endlessly swing his blade.

Early the next morning...

Dragging his exhausted body, he washed himself, then went to a breakfast stall by the wharf, where he devoured a tray of large meat buns and drank two bowls of hot porridge. He also packed another tray of buns to go, feeling revitalized as he set out toward the southern part of the city.

How wonderful to be young...

Before Liu Shen even arrived at Tongda Hall, he saw Yuan Xiaofei already dressed in the apprentice’s long robe, sweeping the entrance with a broom.

He knew Yuan Xiaofei was no fool; on the contrary, he was rather clever and knew how to cherish this hard-won job.

“Brother Shen!”

Yuan Xiaofei spotted him as well, grinning from ear to ear as he hurried over with the broom. “You’re here so early, Brother Shen?”

“I brought you breakfast.”

Liu Shen shook the oiled paper package in his hand, smiling. “Eight large meat buns—should be enough for you and Hongmei.”

“Hongmei and I already ate...” Yuan Xiaofei scratched his head somewhat sheepishly. “At Tongda Hall, we get three meals a day.”

“Haha, that’s true.” Liu Shen laughed heartily but still handed him the package, teasing, “No harm in eating more. You’re at the age when you need to grow, so it can only do you good.”

“Thanks, Brother Shen...” Yuan Xiaofei didn’t refuse, grinning as he took the package. Then, as if remembering something, he quickly led the way inside. “Oh right, Brother Shen, Doctor Zhang is going to treat Hongmei’s leg soon. Come in and have a seat.”

“Alright.”

Liu Shen entered Tongda Hall just as Doctor Zhang came out from the inner hall, medicine chest in one hand and little Yu Hong’s hand in the other. Liu Shen cupped his hands in greeting, “Greetings, Doctor Zhang.”

“No need for such formality,” Doctor Zhang waved him off. “You’re just in time. I’m about to treat your sister’s leg. If you’re free, come in and lend a hand.”

“I can help too...” Yuan Xiaofei quickly interjected, “Doctor, I’m also her brother. I can help!”

“You?” Doctor Zhang looked him up and down, then replied gruffly, “You’re too scrawny. You won’t be able to hold her down. You’ll only cause confusion.”

Yuan Xiaofei’s face fell at these words.

“I’ll help inside.”

Liu Shen understood Doctor Zhang’s intentions. He patted Yuan Xiaofei’s shoulder and spoke seriously, “No matter what you hear from outside—crying, wailing, anything—do not rush in and disturb the treatment. Do you understand?”

Little Yu Hong, standing nearby, spoke up as if to comfort them or perhaps herself. “Don’t worry, brothers. I’m not afraid of pain. I’m strong.”

“Alright, come in then.” Doctor Zhang chuckled and led her into the treatment room.

Liu Shen followed as well.

Knowing she was the patient, Yu Hong obediently removed her shoes and socks and lay on the couch. Still, she was only a ten-year-old girl, and her nervousness showed.

Doctor Zhang opened his medicine chest, taking out splints and a small iron hammer—tools that looked quite intimidating.

Even Liu Shen felt a tingle of dread as he watched, so he covered Yu Hong’s eyes with his hand to ease her anxiety.

Doctor Zhang brewed a bowl of thick, black herbal medicine and had her drink it, then folded a cloth strip and placed it in her mouth. “When it hurts, bite on this. Be careful not to bite your tongue.”

Once everything was ready, he looked at Liu Shen and half-joked, “You’d better hold her tight. I’m too old to withstand a few kicks from your sister.”

“Don’t worry, Doctor Zhang.” Liu Shen smiled reassuringly. “I’ll watch her. No matter how much it hurts, she won’t kick you.”

“Alright then...” Doctor Zhang nodded and moved to the end of the bed by Yu Hong’s injured leg, lifting it and tapping...

Meanwhile, Liu Shen stood on the other side of the bed, leaning over to block Yu Hong’s view while holding her down.

Seeing the little girl biting the cloth, her face etched with fear, he gently comforted her, “Don’t be scared. It’ll be over soon. If the pain is too much, just hit me. I’m tough—I can take it.”

Yu Hong nodded, but before she could respond, she let out a muffled groan, sweat instantly beading on her forehead, and bit down hard on the cloth.

Liu Shen heard the tapping and could feel her trembling in pain.

“Don’t be afraid... don’t be afraid...”

“Mm... mm...” Tears streamed down her face, but she kept nodding, as if to show she wasn’t afraid. Yet she didn’t realize how heartbreaking her bravery was.

The room was filled with the sounds of tapping and her stifled groans of pain.

Liu Shen couldn’t bear to look at Doctor Zhang as he worked, so he kept comforting Yu Hong, distracting her with conversation.

He’d thought she would have an involuntary reaction from the pain, but from start to finish, she never spat out the cloth or cried out.

When Doctor Zhang finally fastened the splint to her leg and wiped the sweat from his brow, he sighed with relief. “It’s done, it’s done...”

Hearing those words was like music to Yu Hong’s ears. Though her face was ashen, she spat out the cloth and murmured, “Brother Shen, I... I’m not afraid of pain...”

With that, she closed her eyes and fainted.

“Don’t worry...” Doctor Zhang saw Liu Shen’s anxious expression and said with admiration, “Your sister is young, but her willpower is rare. It’s a good thing she’s fallen asleep now; she needs the rest.”

“Thank you, Doctor!” Liu Shen cupped his hands in gratitude, then took out a pouch of money to offer the old man. “A small token of appreciation—I hope you won’t mind.”

“Absolutely not!” Doctor Zhang pushed the pouch back as if it were a viper, replying sternly, “The young mistress has already said that Yu Hong and Yuan Xiaofei are now apprentices at Tongda Hall. I can’t accept any more fees from you.”

“You misunderstand...” Liu Shen smiled. “This isn’t a fee, just a little something to thank you for your hard work. As her brother, I ought to offer you some tea at least.”

“No need at all!” Doctor Zhang laughed and waved him off. “I know you mean well, but I’m already over sixty, and I want to leave a good name for myself. I can’t break the rules now.”

Seeing the doctor’s resolve, Liu Shen realized that insisting would only offend him, so he put the pouch away and offered a respectful bow. “Doctor Zhang, your skill and virtue are truly admirable. I am deeply grateful.”

“That’s all I need to hear.” Doctor Zhang stroked his beard and smiled, giving instructions: “Once your sister wakes, you can carry her back to her room to rest. They say it takes a hundred days to heal bones and tendons, but since she’s young, her bones will heal quickly. I’ll prescribe some bone-strengthening herbs. She should recover in about a month.”

“Thank you, Doctor Zhang!”

“No thanks needed...”

As they opened the door, the first thing they saw was Yuan Xiaofei’s anxious face. Not far behind stood Lady Pei Xueyan of the Song family, smiling pleasantly.

“Everything’s fine now...” Liu Shen patted Yuan Xiaofei’s shoulder. “Hongmei’s asleep. Stay with her and don’t disturb her rest. Call me when she wakes.”

“Yes!” Yuan Xiaofei nodded eagerly.

Pei Xueyan glanced into the treatment room and asked with a smile, “Has your sister’s leg been cured?”

“All thanks to your good fortune, my lady,” Liu Shen answered, smiling. “Doctor Zhang says with a month of rest, Hongmei should be as good as new.”

“That’s wonderful...” Pei Xueyan nodded, raising her elegant brows. “Since there’s nothing else pressing, why not join me in the back hall for some tea? I could use your help with some arithmetic...”

“I was hoping you would ask!”