The blind girl expertly reached for Lu Li's wrist and took his pulse with three fingers.
Her movements were fluid, like the passage of clouds and flowing water, clearly well-practiced, and her diagnosis was quick:
"The strain of overthinking? Strange, how could it just suddenly..."
The girl was puzzled but didn't dwell on it, and instead gently said,
"My clinic is nearby. Follow me, Sir, and I will take a closer look at you."
"Thank you very much."
With a throbbing head, Lu Li was more than eager to accept her help.
Next, Lu Li walked ahead while the blind girl held onto his sleeve to guide them:
"Keep walking until you pass three utility poles... then make a left at an onion pancake stall... go straight and you're there~"
The girl had her unique way of remembering routes. They navigated through the streets and alleys and soon arrived at a quiet courtyard.
The courtyard's outer walls were mottled with age, covered in vines, and the entrance had a sign that read "Mo's Clinic."
When the neighbors saw the blind girl return, they greeted her warmly:
"Doctor Mo is back. Just let me know if you need anything; I'll be happy to run errands for you."
"Indeed, why should Miss Wanqing go out by herself?"
Lu Li glanced at the girl beside him and thought to himself: Her name is Mo Wanqing, and she is highly respected here.
After entering the clinic, Wanqing led Lu Li straight to a room on the west side.
The room was furnished with antiquated pieces, but everything was spotlessly tidy, including an earthen bed.
Wanqing pointed to the earthen bed and softly said, "Please lie down, Sir. I will give you a massage to alleviate some of the discomfort."
"Much appreciated!" Lu Li, feeling quite miserable, quickly went over and lay down.
Wanqing extended her hands, as white and smooth as jade, and began to massage his head.
Her soft, fragrant hands precisely stimulated his acupoints, urging robust blood circulation and supplying his brain with more nutrients and oxygen.
Within just a couple of minutes, Lu Li felt his head ease significantly, and the pain and dizziness subsided.
He had not anticipated such immediate and effective relief and quickly said, "The massage is very effective; I feel much better now!"
"That's good to hear," Wanqing replied with a smile, "it means there's no serious issue."
Her hands continued their work, and Lu Li felt even more comfortable, nearly as if he were drifting into ecstasy.
But soon, he felt a bit awkward...
Wanqing had tucked in her arms a pair of weighty Youzis, which her coarse clothing could hardly contain, bouncing before his face, causing his heart to race.
"Look not upon that which is improper," and with great willpower, Lu Li forced himself to close his eyes.
A feast for the eyes, beautiful things can indeed nourish the soul.
Neurons excitedly transmitted electrical signals, turning the image of the "Youzis" into a memory permanently saved, deeply etched into his Sea of Consciousness.
The brain activity improved his blood circulation even further, eliminating the last traces of discomfort.
Five minutes later, Lu Li was fully rejuvenated.
However, after enduring a challenging day, fatigue was hard to dispel.
He yawned several times, fighting against a strong desire to sleep.
After taking his pulse for a while and ensuring everything was fine, Wanqing softly said,
"Exhaustion of the mind cannot be cured by any elixir better than sleep, Sir. You should rest now."
Her voice was tender and melodious, soothing to the listener's very bones.
Lu Li fell asleep in a mere second, not even having had the chance to say thank you.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next morning, the warm summer sun streamed through the window, and Lu Li awoke.
At the head of the bed was a bowl of porridge, presumably brought by Wanqing.
Lu Li picked it up and finished it in no time, meanwhile catching a glimpse of a calendar hanging on the wall—
"1905, Yisi Year, the first day of June, suitable for: traveling, trading."
This must be the current year, Lu Li thought as he checked the condition of the Kunlun Mirror.
The Kunlun Mirror still slept in his Sea of Consciousness. Although the situation hadn't worsened, it hadn't improved either.
Lu Li furrowed his brow, thinking that at this rate, which year could he possibly return home?
However, he then thought about the old geezer who also had a Magic Treasure, it seemed that to solve his current predicament, he still had to focus on cultivation.
"This world's Cultivation Method is called 'Refining God'?"
"I should really thank that Miss Wanqing and ask her where I could learn..."
Lu Li rubbed his face and walked out of the room.
The courtyard of Mo's Clinic was not large, but it was filled with stone locks and other training equipment, which was quite strange to see.
And Wanqing was sitting in the hall seeing patients.
She wore a coarse linen diagonal-collar dress that had been washed white, yet it made her skin appear even more tender and moist.
The patients came forward one by one for treatment. Wanqing needed only to place three fingers on their wrist, and within a few breaths, she could diagnose the source of the ailment.
This was the "cut" in the four diagnostics of traditional medicine – inspection, auscultation and olfaction, inquiry, and palpation. By simply sensing the meridians, one could grasp the information of the entire body's organs and the circulation of Qi and blood.
So accurate it seemed almost miraculous, far more precise than any instrument, Lu Li watched in admiration!
Moreover, he noticed that most of the patients who came here were dressed in simple clothes, and the "consultation fee" was paid with things like steamed cornbread and flatbreads; some even brought bundles of firewood...
Wanqing did not seem to mind at all and always conducted her examinations with gentleness.
The room was filled with voices of gratitude and flattery:
"Doctor Mo has a heart of compassion, surely good people will be rewarded."
"For Doctor Mo to live here is truly a blessing for Wopu Street!"
...
With her superb medical skills, the patients soon left one after another.
Lu Li came forward and said sincerely, "I am Lu Li. I thank you, miss, for your help in my time of need!"
Wanqing's gentle and beautiful eyes gazed into the void, and she softly replied, "I am Mo Wanqing. It was just a simple gesture, not worth mentioning. Do you feel better now, young master?"
"I'm completely healed. And about the consultation fee... I'm penniless at the moment, but it won't be long before I can repay you."
Lu Li was very confident.
Years of living abroad had made him proficient in Angsa Language, Fran Language, and the similar Yilia Language.
Proficient in three foreign languages, finding a well-paying job should not be difficult.
But Wanqing shook her head and said, "Young master, let's forget about the consultation fee, you helped me yesterday too."
"It can't be waived, I must repay you."
Lu Li did not say more, knowing that more words now would be empty promises.
Instead, he turned to ask, "Yesterday I saw that old... erm... Chuyun Envoy, and I became very interested in Refining God cultivation. Do you know where I can learn it?"
Hearing this, Wanqing's expression became very strange, and after a while, she spoke in a low voice, "How old are you this year, young master?"
"Seventeen years of age, why?"
"I'm seventeen too..." Wanqing's expression turned wistful:
"To be honest, I also wish to embark on the path of cultivation. The reason I went out yesterday was to buy books on cultivation."
She touched a book on the table and sighed:
"But we are too old. Spirit Refining revolves around the Sea of Consciousness. The Sea of Consciousness closes at the age of eighteen, and after that, there is no possibility of cultivation. Young master, if you're just interested, it might be better not to waste your effort."
The Sea of Consciousness... that's the pineal gland!
A realization struck Lu Li's heart: My Sea of Consciousness... has already been activated by the Kunlun Mirror!
He eagerly continued to ask, "I want to give it a try! Where can I learn?"
Wanqing understood this feeling all too well, as she had once harbored a yearning to regain her sight through Spirit Refining cultivation, to see the world once more...
"If the young master doesn't mind, I have some introductory books here that you can start with."
"That's wonderful!"
Lu Li treasured this gift like the most valuable thing in the world, overflowing with gratitude toward Wanqing.
In all his years, he had never met someone so warm and kind-hearted. He resolved to repay her kindness properly!
But just then, a piercing shout suddenly came from outside the door:
"These books were all bought by Wanqing with hard-earned money, why should someone be allowed to read them for free!"
As soon as these words were spoken, a young woman dressed in a black Patrol uniform stepped inside.