Physician's Odyssey

Chapter 736 - The Plague Continues to Ferment

Chapter 736 - The Plague Continues to Ferment

Translator: Thyaeria

Seven Mountain Village had always been tranquil with villagers leaving for work in the morning and returning after the sunset. Every night, their entire village would be enveloped in darkness. It was entirely different from a dazzling city, even at night. But as the virus spread, many villagers had lost their peace with many of them being tormented by it.

People fear death because it’s mostly related to illnesses. During the process, their body would be tormented, giving them fear in their subconscious. But if a person dies, they would suffer even more pain, imagining how they would suffer in hell.

The punishments in hell were all referenced from all the pain that a person suffered during the epidemic.

Rather than fearing death itself, it was more to fear the epidemic.

Seven Mountain Village was suffering the havoc caused by this epidemic as the villagers collapsed onto the ground one after another. Although the rescue teams from Qihuang Charity Funds and International SOS came to the frontlines, they still couldn’t find a cure.

In the beginning, the rescue team was filled with confidence. But now, they were filled with exhaustion since they had no idea how long they had to stay in this desolate area. Furthermore, they would probably have to stay here for another two to three months judging from this tempo. The members of the rescue teams couldn’t get used to this life since they had experienced life in the city, while this place was either mountain or water, not to mention that the mobile signal here wasn’t great, either.

After finishing performing the Thirteen Needles of Daoism, Kong Siyu handed a towel over for Liao Huashi to wipe his sweat.

“When is Su Tao coming back? Everyone in the team is discussing if Su Tao has already left Seven Mountain Village and went back to Huainan Province.” Kong Siyu knitted her brows together.

“He should be coming back soon!” Liao Huashi bitterly smiled. It had been five days since Su Tao entered the mountain, and no one could get a call through his phone. Liao Huashi was worried that something might have happened to Su Tao up in the mountain.

“He’s really irresponsible! He brought us here, but he left us by ourselves. There are already a few who want to leave Seven Mountain Village now!” Kong Siyu snapped.

“If anyone wants to leave, let them leave!” Liao Huashi seriously said before he continued, “We’re all volunteers, and no one was forced to come. They have their own freedom, and if their heart is no longer with us, then there’s no need for them to stay.”

“What if I say that I’m thinking of leaving?” Kong Siyu looked at Liao Huashi and sighed.

Listening to those words, Liao Huashi was briefly stunned before he smiled. “You’re the one with the most freedom. It’s already inappropriate for a woman like you to mix around with men like us every day.”

“I have changed my mind now.” Kong Siyu smiled before she continued, “You’ve been greatly influenced by Su Tao. Did you know that everyone is saying that you’ve been brainwashed by him?”

Wearing an embarrassed smile, Liao Huashi replied, “I wasn’t brainwashed by him, but I was brainwashed by TCM. How many of us here weren’t brainwashed by TCM? Otherwise, why would we risk our lives and come here?”

“I will appease them well!” Kong Siyu then nudged her lips in a direction and replied, “Your beloved is here, so I won’t be taking your time anymore.”

When Liao Huashi raised his head, he saw Kong Siyu walking over in his direction. She wore a white coat that fluttered along with the wind, revealing her legs.

“Physician Liao, I’m sorry to trouble you, but Bruce's situation has worsened earlier.” Qiao Xue coughed and her complexion looked somewhat pale.

Liao Huashi had been going to the tent next door often to treat Brute, and Andrewson’s team had also slowly acknowledged his medical skills. Because of his Four Energy Tonic, no one else had been infected.

In the beginning, Andrewson was extremely regretful of Liao Huashi. But as time passed, he realised that this Chinese physician was firm on treating Brute no matter how much he threw his temper. So after seeing Liao Huashi’s breadth of mind, Andrewson ultimately chose to close his eyes.

“I’ll immediately go take a look!” Liao Huashi immediately packed his things and swept a glance at Qiao Xue before he commented, “You seem to be feeling unwell.”

“Don’t worry about it. I’m not infected; it’s just a normal cold.” Qiao Xue patiently explained.

“The Seven Mountain Virus is extremely infectious to those who are weak, and you’re extremely vulnerable right now!” Liao Huashi locked his brows together.

“I’ve already drunk the Four Energy Tonic!” Qiao Xue softly said as she bit her lips.

In the beginning, she would reject it before she ultimately accepted it. Andrewson’s team had already been touched by the Qihuang Charity Funds’ team. Even Andrewson had drunk two bowls of Four Energy Tonic under Qiao Xue’s persuasion. It was so much so that Andrewson even suspected if there’s any special hormone in it. Not only could it replenish body energy, but it could also remove exhaustion. Hence, Andrewson planned to investigate the composition of it when he returns.

The reason why Andrewson changed his view on the Qihuang Charity Funds wasn’t because of his changes in view with TCM, but anyone who drank the Four Energy Tonic hadn’t been infected by the virus. It was so much so that even the infected patients showed signs of improvement under the Four Tonic Soup. If everyone continued to take it, at least 30% of the patients could recover by their own immunity.

However, this cannot be considered a cure yet. Andrewson wanted to find an effective cure, and this was the pursuit of modern western medical studies.

When Liao Huashi came to the tent next door, the foreigners were all extremely friendly with him.

Brute had a haggard expression as he laid on the bed, crutching on his stomach as he yelled in pain, “Quick, save me. It feels extremely terrible, and I feel like I’m dying.”

After taking Brute's pulse, Liao Huashi gently pressed on the former’s tummy and asked, “Are you feeling pain here?”

“Yeah! It feels as if I had a nail in me. Arghhh, not so hard!” Bruce's forehead was covered in sweat.

Standing beside Liao Huashi, Qiao Xue acted as the translator.

Wearing a smile, Liao Huashi took out a needle and swiftly inserted it into an acupoint on Bruce's chest.

As a loud fart rang out, everyone covered their noses as they took a step back. “Holy cow, it smells!”

Brute had just released a resounding and smelly fart.

While everyone retreated, Brute let out a heavy breath of relief and commented, “It feels comfortable!”

“Your abdomen pain was due to indigestion. I had just given you a needle to clear your stomach Qi, so you’re fine now.” Liao Huashi comforted with a smile.

After Qiao Xue translated for him, Brute wore an embarrassed expression as he replied, “I’m sorry for the embarrassment. I ate a cucumber in the morning, and I felt a little nauseous when I finished it.”

Without waiting for Qiao Xue to translate, Liao Huashi nodded and said in fluent English, “The Seven Mountain Virus might be terrifying, but there won’t be an outbreak for the time being since you’ve taken the Four Energy Tonic. You have to pay attention to your diet since the functions of your five organs aren’t great, and keep in mind to warm your food.”

Standing to the side, Qiao Xue was shocked as she looked at Liao Huashi. She never expected that Liao Huashi would have such good English, it’s just that he had never displayed it. Thinking about it right now, she realised how laughable she was to act as the translator.

Seeing that he had resolved Brute's pain, Liao Huashi packed his things and left the tent, with Qiao Xue following behind him, looking somewhat furious.

“I treated your friend, so shouldn’t you thank me instead of looking at me like an enemy?” Liao Huashi curiously asked after looking at Qiao Xue knitting her brows.

“Why did you lie to me?” Qiao Xue frowned.

“What did I lie to you about?” Liao Huashi asked with a playful smile.

“Why did you get me to act as your translator when you’re so fluent in English?” Qiao Xue questioned.

“Because it makes me feel as if I’m talking to you!” Liao Huashi took a deep breath as he looked at Qiao Xue’s eyes. “Being able to talk with you is a sense of enjoyment.”

Upon hearing those words, Qiao Xue immediately blushed as she snapped, “You rogue!”

Seeing that Qiao Xue had suddenly turned around, Liao Huashi mustered his courage and confessed, “Qiao Xue, I have fallen for you since our first meeting. Why don’t you become my girlfriend? I will definitely protect you well.”

Standing on the spot for a few seconds, Qiao Xue replied, “I’m sorry, but I already have a boyfriend. You’re outstanding, and there are way more suitable women waiting for you.”

Seeing that Qiao Xue had returned to the tent, Liao Huashi shook his head and sighed before giving himself a self-mocking smile.

This was normal for a person in love, with loss and gain. Losing your confidence, one would feel low.

This was the first time that Liao Huashi had confessed, and it ended in failure. But when he raised his head and looked at the tent next door, he knew that he couldn’t afford to spend time on relationships when there were more people waiting to save be saved by him. After readjusting his mood, he stepped into the tent.

When he came to the entrance, Kong Siyu rushed over. “Mr. Song called, and he’s looking for President Su.”

“Let me take it!” Liao Huashi helplessly shook his head.

“Su Tao still hasn’t returned?” Song Sichen asked in a worried tone.

“Yeah. I have already looked for the village chief to get him to send two people familiar with the mountain to look for him, but there’s no news for the time being.” Liao Huashi honestly replied.

“The epidemic is spreading like wildfire right now.” Song Sichen replied before he continued, “The Four Energy Tonic that you guys have provided is effective, but for some reason, the prescription was leaked. Right now, the entire country is snatching for the herbs, and the prices were hyped. They’re a bunch of herbal merchants without any morals, taking advantage of the nation in crisis to make a profit.”

Liao Huashi never expected that the situation outside would become so complicated, so he asked, “Is the epidemic under control?”

“How can we handle everyone when there are so many people in the country? There’s news of the virus outbreak every single day, and everyone’s panicking right now. Many schools have even stopped their operations.” Song Sichen replied in a low voice before he went on, “This epidemic will cost the country of at least tens of billions. If this continues, the loss will be disastrous.”