Chapter 170

Near noon, Dr. Baizhu from Bubu Pharmacy came.

Xia Zhi had Qiqi bring juice and invite him to stay for lunch.

Baizhu was somewhat surprised, looking up at Xia Zhi behind the counter, and answered gently: "Alright, thank you for having me."

Qiqi collected the money and turned to continue working.

Baizhu sipped his juice while observing Miss Zhu Zi from afar.

The prescription Miss Shenhe brought two days ago was for treating Zhu Zi's stomach pain, with exquisitely balanced combinations. He had been studying it mentally these past days, learning much from it.

Five portions of medicine were prepared, and Miss Zhu Zi should have taken two by now.

From visual diagnosis, she was very healthy now, just slightly deficient in qi and blood, with no signs of poisoning.

This proved the prescription's actual effects matched theoretical predictions.

Baizhu quietly withdrew his gaze.

As morning business ended, Xia Zhi came over to greet Baizhu, asking if he had any dietary restrictions.

Baizhu smiled gently and said no.

Xia Zhi nodded and went to cook in the kitchen.

Besides normal meat and vegetable dishes, he specially made a pot of lotus seed and red date porridge.

When the porridge was done, he took out the [White Jade Honey] and added one drop. This item containing special life force sold for 70 points in the [Shop], with about 70 drops per small bottle, so one drop was worth about 1 point.

The golden honey slowly dissolved into the porridge as he stirred, and a sweet floral fragrance gradually mixed with the rising steam.

When all dishes were served and everyone seated, Miss Chi Yu couldn't appear, so Xia Zhi left her portion in the kitchen.

"Simple fare, Dr. Baizhu, please excuse us."

"I'm imposing on you."

"Boss, why did you make porridge too?"

"Specially made medicinal porridge for you, remember to drink more."

"Oh, thank you Boss! This porridge smells so good!"

"Dr. Baizhu, please try this lotus seed and red date porridge and give me your medical opinion."

"I wouldn't dare, Mr. Xia's medical skills are superior, I can't compare..."

"I only have some insight into poisons, my medical skills are far inferior."

Indeed, one was at Grandmaster level, one at Master level, quite a difference.

Xia Zhi ladled a bowl of lotus porridge for Baizhu.

Baizhu accepted with both hands, and after just one spoonful, he felt an enormous [Vitality] enter his body.

Changsheng, sharing a symbiotic contract with Baizhu, also felt this surge of [Vitality] at the same time.

What did he put in this porridge!?

Though neither person nor snake understood, they were greatly shocked.

Xia Zhi asked him: "How does Dr. Baizhu find it?"

"A very nourishing medicinal porridge. What medicines did Mr. Xia add?"

"Just lotus seeds, rice, red dates, lily bulbs, and coix seeds."

"And this floral fragrance?"

"Just ordinary honey I brought from my hometown."

"..."

"Zhu Zi's constitution isn't strong, this nourishing porridge suits her. I heard from Qiqi that Dr. Baizhu often coughs and seems unwell. If you like it, perhaps you should drink more too."

"Thank you, Mr. Xia."

After two bowls of porridge, Baizhu found his depleted vitality from years of illness had nearly recovered.

Half of his long-troubling problem was solved, leaving only the poisons and illnesses in his body.

And Mr. Xia before him happened to have insight into poisons...

Baizhu ate seriously while thinking.

Though the other dishes didn't have the porridge's miraculous nourishing effects, they were the most delicious he'd ever eaten, stimulating his appetite.

Xia Zhi was also observing Baizhu with his god's eye view.

He saw Baizhu's complexion notably improving, and Changsheng coiled around his neck seemed to have grown slightly longer.

Xia Zhi was somewhat surprised.

Had Changsheng recovered some of its original power through its symbiotic contract with Baizhu?

Xia Zhi looked at Baizhu's silver progress bar, falling into thought.

Guoba's progress bar was gold. If Changsheng's power recovered further, reaching Guoba's level, would Baizhu's progress bar change from silver to gold?

If he had already maxed out Baizhu's silver progress bar before then, would a new gold progress bar appear?

Xia Zhi "looked" at Miss Chi Yu eating alone in the kitchen.

Miss Chi Yu originally had no progress bar, until after consuming [Calming Incense] several times and recovering her consciousness and memories, when a gold progress bar suddenly appeared.

These things seemed somehow connected.

After eating, Xia Zhi and Baizhu sat together, discussing medical knowledge over tea.

Though both were medical masters, their knowledge differed.

Baizhu's medical knowledge was limited to Teyvat.

Due to the system, Xia Zhi's medical knowledge included both Teyvat and his original world.

This meant Xia Zhi's insights on medical issues were often more profound than Baizhu's.

The more they talked, the more surprised Baizhu became.

Eventually they discussed the prescription Xia Zhi wrote for Zhu Zi two days ago.

"Mr. Xia's concept was truly exquisite, using poison to counter poison, each part interconnected, not only neutralizing all toxicity but also bringing out all medicinal properties - truly perfect."

"Dr. Baizhu overpraises me. There's no perfect medicine in this world. This prescription's effects are too potent. Though non-toxic, it's not for just anyone to use."

"That's true..."

Seeing Baizhu hadn't gotten to the main point, Changsheng couldn't help saying: "Since Mr. Xia has deep knowledge of poisons, could you examine Baizhu?"

"Oh? What does Changsheng mean?"

"This fellow has many poisons in him and keeps dragging on. If I hadn't spoken up, he'd probably keep forcing himself."

"Indeed... you're poisoned..."

"Mr. Xia noticed too?"

"Mm, though my eyes can't see, I could vaguely sense something wrong with Dr. Baizhu's body, but without you mentioning it, I couldn't presume to ask."

"Please help, Mr. Xia!"

Xia Zhi nodded, diagnosed Baizhu, then asked with "surprise": "How did you get poisoned with so many types?"

Baizhu was silent for a moment, then said: "The circumstances... are somewhat complicated..."

"No wonder your body is so weak, compound poisons are troublesome... I need to think carefully... Shenhe, help me get paper and pen."

"?" Thought for just ten seconds - this is what you call thinking carefully?

Moments later, Xia Zhi wrote down a very complex prescription.

Like the one from two days ago, it was all poison medicines.

"This is a detoxification prescription customized for the poisons in your body. One dose is enough, but during treatment, you absolutely cannot be exposed to new poisons, or this life-saving prescription will become lethal poison."

"Understood."

"Also note, after taking it, your body will have many adverse reactions to the poison stimulation. You may feel very uncomfortable."

"That's fine."

"I have an incense that calms the spirit. I'll give you two pieces later. You can burn it while taking the medicine, its fragrance should help."

Baizhu paused, looked at the expectant Changsheng, and nodded: "Thank you, Mr. Xia. Baizhu will never forget this great kindness."

Xia Zhi shook his head and smiled: "Come back tomorrow so I can check your condition."

"Alright."

Baizhu took his leave, the silver progress bar on him had disappeared.

Xia Zhi looked at the silver treasure chest lying quietly in his inventory.

Wonder how much consciousness and memory these two [Calming Incense] pieces can help Changsheng recover...

Saving a doctor like Baizhu who can save many more people should count as a great merit, right? Wonder how much the [Auspiciousness] luck bonus will increase?

----

You can join my P@treon to read 40+ chapters early and support me and my work.

P@treon.com/rivyura