Mo Bei had settled into his role as the village's trusted doctor, but he knew that his understanding of the world was still shallow. The village was merely a dot on the vast map of this ancient land, and if he was to truly make a difference, he needed to learn more.
One evening, after finishing his treatments for the day, he sat with Old Man Song, the village elder, who had once traveled far and wide before settling here. Over cups of hot herbal tea, Mo Bei asked, "Elder Song, tell me about the world beyond this village."
The old man chuckled. "Boy, you've been here months and only now are you asking about the world?"
Mo Bei smiled. "I was too busy ensuring people didn't drop dead around me."
Song nodded in approval. "Fair enough. The world is vast, but I will tell you what I know. We are in the Eastern Kingdom, ruled by the Zhao Dynasty. The emperor sits in the grand capital of Tianjing, far beyond these hills. Nobles and scholars there dictate the policies that trickle down to us. But power is not only in their hands. The four great sects wield as much influence as the imperial court, controlling medicine, martial arts, and trade."
Mo Bei leaned forward, intrigued. "Medicine is controlled by a sect?"
"Yes, the White Lotus Medical Sect. They are said to have divine healers, but their services are reserved for the wealthy and powerful."
Mo Bei frowned. "So the common people are left to suffer?"
Song sighed. "Exactly. That is why village doctors like you are more important than you realize."
Mo Bei absorbed this information. So there was an elite medical sect, but they likely wouldn't care for commoners. That meant he was truly on his own in bringing effective medicine to the people.
"What about the lands beyond?" Mo Bei asked.
Song stroked his beard. "To the west lies the Xiongnu Steppes, home to fierce warriors. Their shamans heal with strange rituals and herbs unknown to us. Further beyond is the Western Continent, where scholars of medicine use methods different from ours—some rely on surgical techniques instead of herbs."
Mo Bei's mind raced. If he could get his hands on knowledge from these distant lands, he might be able to revolutionize medicine here.
Dealing with Different Mentalities
While Mo Bei was eager to implement new ideas, he realized that people's thinking was deeply rooted in tradition. Even a simple suggestion, like washing hands before eating, had been met with confusion.
"You say our hands are dirty?" one butcher scoffed. "I have been preparing meat for twenty years, never fallen sick once!"
Mo Bei sighed. "It's not about you getting sick immediately. But unseen filth can cause illnesses."
The butcher folded his arms. "You're a doctor, not a scholar. Stop trying to change how we live."
Instead of arguing, Mo Bei decided to show them proof. The next day, he visited the village school and spoke to the teacher about conducting a small experiment with the children.
He had two bowls of rice prepared. One bowl was touched by hands washed in clean water, while the other was handled after touching raw meat, dirt, and animal waste.
After three days, the second bowl had turned foul and moldy, while the first remained fresh.
When the villagers saw this, even the stubborn butcher was forced to reconsider.
With each successful treatment and lesson, Mo Bei felt the system rewarding him in ways that solidified his skills. His latest achievement was a new proficiency: Advanced Herbal Compounding. This allowed him to mix herbs more effectively, enhancing the potency of his medicines.
[System Notification: New Skill Acquired – Advanced Herbal Compounding (Proficient)]
He opened his system store again, browsing new options. One item caught his attention: "Rare Herbs Compendium", which cost 50 System Points. He was just short, but at his current pace, it wouldn't take long to earn.
More importantly, he realized that the system wasn't just a cheat code—it was guiding him toward becoming a genuine master of medicine.
Knowing that spoken words alone weren't enough, Mo Bei started writing another book—one that would serve as a guide for both villagers and future students.
Titled "Foundations of Health: A Doctor's Guide", it covered essential knowledge about diseases, sanitation, and basic medicine. He intended to distribute it widely, starting with the village school and then beyond.
"Knowledge should not be hoarded," he muttered as he wrote. "It should be shared."
As he completed the first few chapters, a sense of accomplishment settled in him. He was no longer just curing illnesses—he was planting the seeds for a healthier future.
A New Dawn
With newfound knowledge of the world and a clear goal in mind, Mo Bei was more determined than ever. The road ahead was long, but he had no doubt that he was walking in the right direction.
And this was just the beginning.