Chapter 11 Chen Xun Apprenticeship Bullskin Broken Sky

The art of medicine is vast and profound, with no room for carelessness. It all starts with identifying medicinal herbs. Ning Si gave him a book on herbs and asked Chen Xun to identify and remember each herb in the backyard. Otherwise, Chen Xun wouldn't even be qualified to work in the medical hall. However, he considered himself quite clever. While teaching the big black bull to identify herbs, he also consolidated his own knowledge. Yet, reality taught Chen Xun a harsh lesson. With countless herbs to identify, precision couldn't be achieved through rote memorization alone. At night, candles were lit in the backyard as Chen Xun and the bull studied by lamplight. "Old bull, didn't realize your brain isn't that sharp," Chen Xun laughed heartily, feeling a moment of balance within. They were even. For Chen Xun, the most painful thing in the world was not failing to learn, but seeing the bull learn while he himself hadn't. Moo! Moo! The big black bull got angry, its eyes widened as it nudged Chen Xun. It didn't recognize some rare characters and needed Chen Xun to interpret. But it had a plan in mind, waiting for the right moment to outshine Chen Xun and suppress his arrogance. Time slipped away quietly as they studied herb identification. Another year passed, and Chen Xun officially put on the assistant uniform at Pingtai Medical Hall. He even walked with a slight swagger, a confident smile on his face. By now, he had recognized most of the herbs, but Dr. Ning didn't praise his intelligence, only his hard work and ability to endure loneliness. He added the element of longevity to his speed, believing that in the world of martial arts, speed was key. As long as he ran fast enough, disasters would always lag behind. "Assistant, one qian of wintergreen, two qian of centipede grass, three qian of autumn stone." "Alright," Chen Xun responded, deftly retrieving the herbs from various cabinets and packaging them for the customer. After resting at night, Chen Xun snacked on melon seeds, accompanied by the black bull, continuing to study the herb book. However, doubt began to creep into his eyes as he observed the bull. "Old bull..." Moo! The big black bull shuddered, unable to hide anything. "Have you been secretly learning? I've been watching you for days," Chen Xun raised an eyebrow. The bull had crossed a line, laughing with him at night but secretly learning during the day while he worked as an assistant. How audacious! Moo! Moo! The big black bull broke out in a cold sweat, refusing to admit, but its eyes had already betrayed it. "Tonight, you're forbidden from reading until you realize the wrongness of your actions. Only then will we study together," Chen Xun turned back, continuing to snack on melon seeds. "Moo moo!" The big black bull panicked, circling around Chen Xun, accidentally knocking him over. Helpless, Chen Xun couldn't argue with it and could only explain the consequences of secret learning with reason and emotion. "Understand? If I'm not around and you make a mistake, not recognizing a character could be fatal when dealing with herbs." "Moo, moo." The big black bull nodded repeatedly, promising not to secretly learn again. "Let's continue. I'll explain the uses of this herb to you," Chen Xun pointed at the book, and the big black bull leaned in, and they resumed their studies with passion. The following year, Chen Xun had memorized all the common herbs in the medical hall. Every night, he and the big black bull would quiz each other, naming a herb in turn. Dr. Ning still only commented with a simple "not bad," showing little reaction. In his free time, Chen Xun would quietly observe the other doctors, eager to learn from them whenever he could. Back in the courtyard at night, Dr. Ning gave Chen Xun a book on pharmacology, detailing the combinations of herbs for treating various illnesses and potential conflicts between herbs. "Truly vast and profound," Chen Xun marveled, feeling a new world opening up before him. "Old bull, we've only just scratched the surface." "Moo, moo!" The big black bull was already engrossed, its eyes wide with wonder. Chen Xun continued to focus on speed, delving deeper into his studies. ... Seasons passed, and Chen Xun had advanced to a senior assistant uniform, five years fleeting by. They had been at Pingtai Medical Hall for seven years, witnessing much pain, helplessness, and lamentation. Yet, Chen Xun's optimistic and positive attitude provided some solace to the people who came here. The turnover of assistants at the medical hall was frequent, but everyone remembered the forever-smiling young man and his axe that never left his side. In the main hall of the medical hall, Ning Si sat solemnly, his eyes filled with gravity. If one could make a mistake at first sight, seven years would not be a mistake. Chen Xun changed into formal attire, bowed to the ancestors, and then served tea to Ning Si and his wife. "Master, Mistress," Chen Xun bowed respectfully, his eyes showing reverence. "Chen Xun, what is the duty of a physician?" "To treat and save lives is my responsibility." "But virtue is even more important." Ning Si squinted slightly, looking at Chen Xun. "If you encounter a bandit on the road, a ruthless criminal who has committed heinous acts but is severely injured and seeks your help, what would you do?" Chen Xun was momentarily taken aback, then replied earnestly, "Master, I will tell you the truth." "Go on." "If he's severely injured, I will certainly notice him first, but I won't help him." Chen Xun paused, his face showing a struggle. "I will cover my face with a cloth as I pass by, to avoid potential retaliation in the future." Ning Si and his wife were both stunned by his response, as Chen Xun had even considered his escape route. "Well said, well said," Ning Si sipped his tea and smiled, "A physician should not do evil. Stay true to your heart, and I only wanted to hear your honest answer." "This child is indeed good, with upright conduct and a kind heart," his wife chimed in, smiling. If Chen Xun had tried to please them by saying he would help the injured man, they would have looked down on him for being insincere. "Very well, you are now officially accepted. I have only taken two disciples in my life, and you are the third," Ning Si said solemnly, having observed Chen Xun for a long time. "Although you may not be the most intelligent, I believe you will become the greatest in the art of medicine." His wife's eyes widened in astonishment, hearing Ning Si praise someone so highly for the first time, even their daughter had never received such praise. "Master, you overpraise me." Chen Xun remained calm, bowing respectfully, but a slight smirk began to form at the corner of his mouth. After the apprenticeship ceremony, Chen Xun returned to the medical hall's backyard, cracking melon seeds and recounting the events to the big black bull, his eyes filled with one emotion: confidence. What a master praising him as the Emperor of Medicine, with purple aura spanning thirty thousand miles, and the heavens sending saints to congratulate Emperor Chen's return to power. "Moo, moo, moo!" The big black bull believed without a doubt, its eyes wide with excitement, running around and nudging Chen Xun from time to time, genuinely happy for him. Laughter echoed in the courtyard as Chen Xun's hearty laughter mixed with the big black bull's joyful mooing, their focus on speed unwavering.