Pretending to Be the Medicine God's Disciple (Part 2)

Yan Shuixin already knew that. Over the past few days, while sweeping and doing chores, she'd picked up plenty of gossip from idle guards.

She also knew the infirmary keys were on Zheng Quan's person.

Otherwise, she wouldn't have wasted this much breath.

"It's just a set of needles," she said casually. "Not like I'll touch anything else. Whether you let me treat you or not is your choice." She shrugged indifferently.

"…Fine. I'll go get them." Zheng Quan left the kitchen.

Yan Shuixin didn't follow him—best not to arouse suspicion.

As long as she healed him, and with that injured guard Wang Mo still unwell, she'd soon get a reason to enter the infirmary.

Soon, Zheng Quan returned with a cloth-wrapped bundle of silver needles. "Is this what you need?"

She nodded, took the bundle, and laid it on the kitchen table. She poured some strong liquor the guards usually drank into a bowl and began sterilizing the needles.

"Sit down and take off your shirt," she instructed, pointing to a nearby chair.

Zheng Quan, unbothered by modesty after having enjoyed many of the female prisoners, did as she asked.

Standing beside him, Yan Shuixin slid a long silver needle into his Taixi and Taichong pressure points...

By lunchtime, over a dozen guards had gathered to watch.

"Zheng Quan, what the hell are you two doing?" asked one, Li Dian.

"Don't speak during acupuncture," Yan Shuixin reminded him, before explaining that she was treating his injury.

The others were just as doubtful. She recited her Medicine God story again.

"You think she's telling the truth? A woman, a disciple of the Medicine God…"

"She's bluffing, for sure."

"But the way she handles those needles—clearly not a novice. Look at Zheng Quan's face—he seems much better."

The guards whispered among themselves.

When the treatment ended and Yan Shuixin removed the needles, Zheng Quan stood up with a relieved look. "Hey… my chest doesn't hurt anymore!"

Wang Mo, the guard whose leg had been broken by the Warden, hobbled over and barked, "You! Look at my leg."

"Yes, sir." Yan Shuixin had him sit down and gently placed her hand on his thigh. "Your leg's broken. I'll need to reset the bone. Bear with it."

"You know how to reset a bone?" Wang Mo started to doubt her when—crack!—a crisp pop sounded.

With a skillful twist, she had already snapped the bone back in place.

"Ahhhh!" Wang Mo screamed in agony. "You crazy woman! I'll kill you!"

"Sir, try walking," Yan Shuixin said calmly.

Wang Mo stood—and to his surprise, moved a few steps. "Huh… it feels better…"

"Bone injuries take a hundred days to heal," Yan Shuixin said, shaking her head. "But you have a strong constitution. With proper care, you'll recover fully. For now, don't strain it."

Wang Mo scowled. "How am I supposed to rest that long? I have duty shifts, drills…"

"If you pair your treatment with the right medicine, you'll be fully healed in five to seven days." Yan Shuixin rose smoothly. "I can write you a prescription."

"Doesn't matter—there's no one to prepare it," another guard laughed.

"I can." She pointed to herself.

Wang Mo said, "Then go ahead. The Warden already said the infirmary has medicine—told me to find a way to treat myself. I was just fretting that no one here had any medical skill…"

He got the infirmary key from Zheng Quan and handed it to her. "If you really know what you're doing, come with me and make the medicine."

"Yes, sir." Yan Shuixin followed obediently.

The guards stared after her, stunned. But with Zheng Quan and Wang Mo's recoveries right before their eyes, they had no choice but to believe she was the real deal.

Inside, the infirmary consisted of two connected rooms. The outer chamber had long-backed chairs arranged neatly. The inner room housed a treatment table, writing materials, and an entire wall of horizontal drawers.

Yan Shuixin opened several drawers—they were filled with various medicinal herbs.

Xiao Yeheng would be saved!

Wang Mo warned her from behind, "Only take what you need for me. Don't touch anything else."

"Yes, sir." Yan Shuixin picked six large bundles of herbs. "Each one must be ground before use and divided into three doses. Boil five bowls of water down to one bowl per dose. Start with high heat, then simmer over medium, and finish with low heat. It's a long process—takes time."

Wang Mo grumbled. "Sounds like a lot of work. Three times a day? I'll be brewing medicine all day."

"Recovery takes effort."

"Hmph. Why don't you boil it and bring me the medicine when it's ready?"

"That's no problem." Yan Shuixin had been waiting for that request.

Now, she had full control over the medicine bundles.

She brought the decoction stove back to the kitchen, placed five of the medicine bundles by the hearth, and began brewing one, using only a third of it.

As she worked, the other guards left for their afternoon duties.

The Warden, Sun Cheng, had yet to appear.

Only Zheng Quan remained, busy stir-frying food in a massive wok for the prisoners. He glanced at her. "You're pretty kind, still helping Wang Mo make his medicine. But then, if you want to survive, you don't have much choice."

"Yes." Yan Shuixin pretended to focus on the decoction. All the while, she picked out the herbs Xiao Yeheng needed, crushed them in the pot, wrapped the paste in oil paper, and tucked it into her sleeve.