Sauntering along the roadside, Lin Yu casually glanced ahead, then paused. Across the road's center stood an elderly man, dragging a snakeskin bag brimming with mineral water bottles, bewildered and looking around amidst the traffic, seemingly unsure of his direction.
There he stood, akin to a withered, ailing tree in the wind, branches wilting, life in its twilight. This sight unexpectedly stirred a pang in Lin Yu's heart, a poignant inexplicable feeling surged within him.
Lin Yu recognized the elderly man from the bus earlier, yet he wondered how the man ended up here and why he stood in the middle of the road.
People hurriedly passed by him, perhaps fearing being ensnared by scoundrels if they assisted the old man, perhaps reluctant to lend a hand due to his dirty appearance, or maybe everyone had their own affairs, unwilling to spare even a minute's time.
Surrounded by a bustling crowd, nobody extended a hand or paused momentarily to inquire if the elderly gentleman needed assistance crossing the street.
Sighing inwardly, Lin Yu hastened forward, taking hold of the old man's arm. "Sir, where are you headed? Allow me to accompany you."
Upon seeing Lin Yu, the old man's clouded eyes brightened instantly. He grasped Lin Yu's arm, exclaiming with joy, "Child, I know you! You're the young lad who fought those rascals on the bus, right?"
He clung to Lin Yu's arm, thrilled.
"Indeed, that would be me. Your eyesight is truly remarkable, sir," Lin Yu assisted the old man carefully across the road, leading him to a shaded bench beneath a roadside billboard, smiling.
Lin Yu's words lacked any trace of mockery. He had noticed on the bus that this elderly man likely suffered from senile dementia. Remembering recent events was, in itself, commendable.
Senile dementia, also known as Alzheimer's disease, is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive memory loss, cognitive impairment, personality changes, and language difficulties. Considering the elderly man's condition, other symptoms weren't as severe; it seemed mainly his memory suffered, coupled with sporadic moments of lucidity amidst confusion during an episode. In those unclear moments, he might have done something without recollection, akin to sleepwalking.
"In my prime, I had an exceptional memory. When I was a platoon leader, I remembered every soldier under my command, knew each one by name, even their nicknames," the elderly man chuckled.
"Well, your memory indeed is exceptional," Lin Yu smiled while channeling his "Yuan Power," focusing his gaze into the old man's body.
Feeling pity for the old man, Lin Yu contemplated treating his ailment. If successful, it would be a tremendous blessing for the elderly. Lin Yu firmly believed in fate; this mysterious encounter with the man twice, coupled with his courageous and honest nature, during a time when societal morality faltered and conscience lay mute, endeared the elderly gentleman to him. Moreover, they had crossed paths twice now.
This was the fate Lin Yu believed in.
As his "Yuan Power" concentrated in his eyes, a flash of clarity revealed scenes before him.
Countless lively, dividing cells danced, forming an intricate network of interconnected pathways—nerve fibers.
These cells and intricate pathways composed a vibrant body, akin to a microcosm. Through the clairvoyance of a cultivator, Lin Yu observed the minutiae of this microcosm, beyond the reach of even the most advanced modern medical technology.
Present-day scientific advancements had reached the stage of intervention therapies and minimally invasive surgeries, indeed an impressive height. Yet, this height remained relative. Even the most sophisticated medical technologies couldn't delve into the minutiae of cells and vascular networks, repairing the body on a cellular or neural level. Despite utilizing ionized scalpels, this breakthrough remained elusive.
However, Lin Yu, having mastered this mystical art, was different. While his techniques may not have aligned entirely with pure physical means to heal, his intentions and "Yuan Power" surpassed any known medical technology worldwide. Especially in observing the body's internal condition and using "Yuan Power" to address internal injuries and ailments, he found it effortless.
In other words, if likening the treatment of the human body to fixing a bicycle, modern medical technology could, at most, replace parts directly or readjust areas distorted from the outside. Even if the surface appeared unscathed, the internal structure remained damaged, unable to revert to its original state. Lin Yu, however, transcended this superficiality, intervening internally, reaching the core of the ailment within an ailment, akin to legendary molecular-level therapy. Addressing issues at their roots facilitated the body's complete recovery.
Senile dementia, a complex ailment, remains an unsolved medical enigma globally. Due to its causative factors and unforeseeable future progression, the challenge of identifying a thoroughly effective treatment method remains insurmountable.
For an ordinary elderly person afflicted with this condition, it usually signifies the beginning of the end, a slow decline until life's eventual conclusion.
The elderly man's senile dementia had already progressed to a moderate stage. Even if the world's most eminent doctors were to treat him, it wouldn't significantly surpass the present condition; at best, it might maintain his current state.
However, for
Lin Yu, treating this man wasn't an immense challenge. Indeed, the adage goes, "What's difficult for some is easy for others." It would just require a bit of effort.
The old man gazed at Lin Yu curiously, "Young man, your eyes are so peculiar, why do they shimmer in various colors?"
"Hehe, sir, perhaps your eyes are playing tricks. My eyesight is perfectly normal," Lin Yu chuckled, focusing his attention on the old man's head, feigning ignorance.