Chapter 11: The Path Beyond the Village

Mo Bei stood at the entrance of his clinic, gazing at the distant horizon. The provincial capital. The thought had never crossed his mind before. His world had been the village, his patients, the people he had sworn to heal. And yet, now, he had been summoned beyond its borders.

He turned to the villagers who had gathered to see him off. Their faces held a mix of emotions—pride, worry, admiration.

"Doctor Mo, you must return safely!" one of the older women called out, gripping his arm. "You're the only one we trust!"

"If those nobles try to keep you, we'll storm the city and bring you back!" a burly farmer joked, earning a round of laughter.

Mo Bei smiled, appreciating the sentiment. "Don't worry, I have no plans of abandoning this village. But if I can gain new knowledge and resources, I'll return even more capable."

His gaze fell on the schoolteacher, who gave him a nod. The children still clutched their copies of his book, a sign that his influence would remain even in his absence. That comforted him.

Finally, he turned to his patient, the boy he had treated for typhoid fever. His mother had brought him along, and the child tugged at Mo Bei's sleeve.

"Doctor Mo… you'll come back, right?"

Mo Bei crouched, placing a reassuring hand on the boy's shoulder. "Of course. I still need to see how strong you get. Be good to your mother, eat well, and wash your hands before meals."

The boy beamed, nodding vigorously.

With that, Mo Bei boarded the carriage, his medical kit secured at his side. The village faded into the distance, but he knew his work there had only just begun.

Arrival at the Provincial Capital

The journey took two days, the road winding through dense forests and sprawling farmlands before reaching the grandeur of the provincial capital. The city was unlike anything Mo Bei had ever seen—massive stone walls, bustling markets, the scent of spices and freshly baked bread filling the air.

The people were different, too. While his village held a sense of community, here, there was a distinct separation. The rich dressed in silk and brocade, carried themselves with an air of superiority, while the common folk bustled around them, heads lowered.

Mo Bei observed everything, mentally taking notes. Disease didn't discriminate based on class, but treatment often did. He would need to navigate this world carefully.

As the carriage approached a lavish estate, two guards flanked the entrance, eyeing him warily.

"Doctor Mo, we've been expecting you," one of them said before leading him inside.

The Sick Noble

Inside, the estate was lavish, with gold embroidery on the walls, silk curtains, and the faint scent of incense in the air. Servants scurried about, their eyes lowered.

Mo Bei was led to a grand chamber where a man lay on an elevated bed, his complexion pale, his breathing shallow. An older man, likely a senior physician, stood beside him, but his face darkened upon seeing Mo Bei.

"This is the doctor you sent for?" the senior physician scoffed. "A village doctor? Absurd!"

Mo Bei ignored the insult, stepping forward. "The patient matters more than our pride. Let me examine him."

The noble's family hesitated but eventually stepped aside. Mo Bei sat beside the patient, taking his pulse. The system activated immediately, overlaying information.

[Diagnosis: Chronic lead poisoning. Cause: Prolonged exposure to contaminated food and water. Symptoms: Fatigue, abdominal pain, neurological decline.]

Mo Bei's expression hardened. He had encountered lead poisoning before in his studies, but here? It wasn't common knowledge.

He turned to the physician. "How long has he been ill?"

"Over a year," the man admitted reluctantly. "We've tried everything—acupuncture, herbal detoxification, even bloodletting."

Bloodletting. Mo Bei barely hid his disdain. That would only weaken the patient further.

"You've treated the symptoms, not the cause," Mo Bei said. "His condition is due to lead poisoning, likely from poor-quality ceramic glazes or contaminated water."

The noble's family gasped, looking at each other.

"Can you cure him?" one of them asked urgently.

"Yes, but it will take time," Mo Bei answered. "I need ground cilantro, garlic, and specific herbs to help his body expel the toxins. Most importantly, his exposure must stop. What kind of plates and cups does he use?"

A servant hesitated. "His tea set is made of imported ceramic…"

Mo Bei nodded. "That's likely the culprit. Replace it immediately."

He then prepared a decoction, mixing herbs with crushed garlic and honey.

As the noble drank, the system chimed:

[System Notification: Major Diagnosis Completed. Reward: 50 System Points, Skill Upgrade - Detoxification (Advanced)]

Mo Bei's eyes widened slightly. His detoxification skills had improved, meaning he could treat similar conditions even more efficiently in the future.

Gaining Influence

Word of Mo Bei's successful diagnosis spread through the estate. Soon, other nobles sent requests for his consultation. Some were genuinely ill, others simply wanted to test him. He treated each case with precision, earning respect even from the skeptical senior physician.

[System Notification: 10 Successful Treatments Completed. Reward: "Reputation Among Nobility" Title Unlocked.]

Mo Bei smirked. Influence was another tool, and he would wield it wisely.

Beyond the noble circles, Mo Bei ventured into the city's common districts, where he found an entirely different world. Poor sanitation, overcrowding, diseases spreading unchecked. It was worse than he had imagined.

"No wonder the wealthy stay in their estates," he muttered. But he couldn't turn a blind eye.

He began treating patients there, too, using simple yet effective methods. Unlike the nobles, these people had nothing to offer in return—except loyalty.

[System Notification: Contribution to Public Health Detected. Reward: System Store Expansion - Urban Medical Supplies Unlocked.]

Mo Bei raised a brow. The system was evolving along with him.

A New Purpose

One evening, as he sat in his temporary quarters, he laid out his thoughts. The village had been his beginning, but the capital presented opportunities. If he could influence policy, introduce proper sanitation laws, establish a medical guild…

He exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "I came to treat a noble, but I might leave shaping an entire region's healthcare."

A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. A messenger stood outside, holding an official decree.

"Doctor Mo, the governor wishes to meet with you. He has heard of your work."

Mo Bei accepted the letter, his mind already strategizing. His path had taken another turn, and he wasn't about to let this opportunity slip away.

Whatever happened next, he was ready.