What Is the Ultimate Purpose of Medicine?

"Dear, oh dear."

The clothes and skin of the man lying on the ground flaked away like fine sand, revealing the wooden structure beneath.

Transparent strings were attached to the puppet's body, as though an invisible hand above were controlling it.

But that hand was not very skilled. Either its arms rose while its legs did not, or its legs rose while its arms fell to the ground. Even its head floated up, spun twice in the air, and dropped back onto its body.

After twisting and contorting several times, the puppet finally managed to stand up.

"Kind words are wasted on those determined to die. If you won't follow medical advice, I can't save you." The puppet spoke to the two of them in the disappointed tone of an old traditional physician. "No more treatment, no more treatment. I'll leave, all right? You're actually trying to hit a doctor."

"Stop!"

Han Jiang and Fu Hua spoke at the same time. They rushed out of the dormitory one after the other, throwing identical punches from opposite sides at the puppet.

The puppet's head was suddenly yanked upward by invisible strings. Han Jiang and Fu Hua pulled back in time, then delivered identical heavy kicks at its abdomen.

This time, the puppet did not have time to dismantle its body. It was struck by both kicks and instantly fell apart with a clatter, scattering across the floor. Only its mouth continued opening and closing.

Han Jiang stepped forward, planted his foot on the puppet's head, and asked, "What was your purpose in coming here to meet us?"

The puppet's mouth opened and closed, clicking loudly.

"Purpose?" Though its body had been instantly dismembered, its head still spoke easily. "What is the purpose of medicine? Tell me, what is the ultimate purpose