Old Ji had only one reason for keeping Xu Qu around, and that was to help treat the villagers' Martial Artist Disease.
Previously, it had not been implemented, which must have been him testing Xu Qu.
By now, they must have confirmed Xu Qu's capabilities, so they were ready to start the treatment.
Of course, Old Ji and the village chief wouldn't use Martial Artist Disease, a reason that could easily cause chaos.
The information Wang Sheng received was that a very powerful person had come to the village, not only a martial artist but also a doctor who had been traveling around the Zhou region, offering free treatment to villagers for their chronic hidden ailments.
Everyone was notified to go to Old Ji's home for treatment.
They were worried the villagers wouldn't want to go, even using the excuse of entering Qingshan Village.
They said that once you go deep into the mountains, if you don't get your chronic illnesses treated well, you might lose your life.
If someone didn't know the inside story, both reasons would appear suspicious to Wang Sheng, and he absolutely wouldn't go.
But these messages were coming from the most respected village chief and physician Old Ji, so everyone went.
In this era, the word of a respected individual could be even more effective than some official decrees.
Wang Sheng initially thought this matter had little to do with him.
But then the village chief found him.
"Yun Sheng, do you want to receive treatment?"
Ever since he returned from the mountain, the hunters had told Zhou Zhengwen about Wang Sheng defeating the Mountain Lord, so he hadn't been too worried about Wang Sheng's Martial Artist Disease.
The fact that the Mountain Lord was defeated showed that he must be at least a Third Grade Martial Artist, and according to the hunters' description, the Mountain Lord was thoroughly subdued, which wouldn't have been possible just by defeating him. Thus, he assumed Wang Sheng must be at least a Fourth Grade Martial Artist or higher.
Therefore, he wasn't too concerned about Wang Sheng's Martial Artist Disease; even if his strength declined, as long as he was alive, there was still hope.
But even if death wasn't a threat, the impact remained, and now that there was a way to treat it, getting treated was the best option.
After all, the stronger Wang Sheng was, the better for Qingshan Village.
However, Zhou Zhengwen evidently didn't realize he had arrived too late; Wang Sheng had just resolved his own Martial Artist Disease.
"No need, village chief, I've already found a way to solve my problem, and Martial Artist Disease won't threaten me anymore."
He didn't know the exact method Xu Qu used, but Qi Rushing to the Disease was definitely the best fit for him.
"Yun Sheng, you've already solved it?" Zhou Zhengwen was initially stunned but quickly recovered, "That's right!"
His ability to read situations was quite good; from the beginning, he didn't feel much panic from Wang Sheng.
He initially thought Wang Sheng had defeated the Mountain Lord because of his strong enough power not to fear Martial Artist Disease, but now it seemed there might be more than one reason; perhaps Wang Sheng had already had a solution for himself, which is why he wasn't panicking.
"Since that's the case, I'm relieved, and I won't disturb you anymore, Yun Sheng!"
The village chief walked away cheerfully.
Having a martial artist in his own village, and picking up someone who was also a martial artist who could address the village's biggest hidden danger, his mood was exceptionally good.
After the village chief left, Wang Sheng seemed to think of something and also left his house, going to Old Ji's home.
Many people had already gathered there.
However, he didn't disturb anyone and quietly went to a corner to watch Xu Qu treat others.
Honestly, he was somewhat curious about Xu Qu.
This man definitely had some big secrets; not being decapitated could heal, and even cure Martial Artist Disease.
If we talk about great fortunes, this kind of fortune was perhaps too great.
Taking this opportunity, he wanted to probe Xu Qu's details to prevent possible risks.
"Ladies and gents, because Doctor Xu is treating your hidden ailments, it may cause some pain, and you might vomit dirty blood. These are all normal occurrences, so please don't panic,"
Old Ji likely had experienced it himself, which is why he could explain it so clearly, asking the villagers not to be nervous.
The villagers were a bit restless, but they still stayed.
Because the first one to receive treatment was none other than the village chief, Zhou Zhengwen.
The treatment of the village chief started soon.
Xu Qu took his pulse on Zhou Zhengwen's wrist for a while, pressed a few spots on his body, and then gave him a pill to swallow, before continuing the massage.
It wasn't long before the village chief showed a pained expression and then vomited a mouthful of blackish putrid blood into a basin that had been prepared earlier.
Xu Qu handed Zhou Zhengwen a cup of water to rinse his mouth and then said, "It's all good now, don't you feel much better?"
"Yes, I feel much lighter."
Zhou Zhengwen was the first one up to set an example for the villagers, never expecting the final outcome to be this good; he could clearly feel that his body had significantly improved.
"Next, avoid spicy and oily food for a few days."
"Understood, thank you, Doctor Xu."
Though the village chief was just playing along, feeling the substantial benefits made him genuinely grateful.
With the village chief's lead, it made things much easier afterward.
A few hours later, after finishing all the pills, Xu Qu stopped the treatments.
Old man Ji then spoke up, "Let's stop here for today and continue tomorrow. Remember, do not spread the word about this, or else, before our own village is fully treated, people from other villages will start showing up."
Only this sort of self-interested reasoning truly ensured secrecy.
Otherwise, the news might have spread by tomorrow.
"Definitely, definitely!"
"It surely won't get out."
Indeed, that was the case; those who had undergone the treatment and felt its effects all nodded in agreement.
They still had family members who hadn't been treated, so why would they let other villages step in before then, just in case Doctor Xu wouldn't want to treat them?
They would definitely keep it under wraps.
Soon, the crowd dispersed.
Wang Sheng also emerged from a hidden spot.
"The treatment relies mainly on that pill, doesn't it?"
Wang Sheng had some understanding about pulse diagnosis and acupoints.
Especially after the Finding Disease phase, his knowledge of the human body had deepened even further; Xu Qu's treatment methods just now couldn't stand scrutiny and were nothing more than fumbling around.
It was primarily because of the pill.
Hearing Wang Sheng's words, Xu Qu felt a sting in his heart. This thing was very precious to him as well, and he didn't know if he was out of his mind. To stay in this run-down village, he ended up bringing out his treasure.
"Stop talking, let me be calm!"
After recuperating, he was no longer as intimidated by Wang Sheng.
A Martial Artist from a small village might not even be as strong as him.
Seeing Xu Qu's distress, Wang Sheng realized he had invested heavily and didn't bring it up again.
He had other matters to attend to here besides checking on the essentials.
"Is your copy of the Martial Artist Skills ready?"
He wanted to compare the Cultivation Techniques of this world with the Inner Core Skill and Ba Duan Jin.
"It's copied, but can you treat me a little better, I am a Martial Artist after all, I might not be weaker than you..."
Saying so, he took out a book from his possession, clearly the Cultivation Technique.
Hearing Xu Qu's words and thinking about the improvement in his fighting skills after battling with the Mountain Lord, Wang Sheng raised an eyebrow and said, "How about we practice?"
(The feedback has been collected, and most people prefer "Breakthrough" which will be updated soon, and previous chapters will also be modified. Thank you for the support from all readers!)