Golden Blood (Part 1)

Song Physician stared at Zhang Chen's pale skin, his eyes full of disbelief. He simply could not understand how someone who had lost so much blood could still be alive.

This was true, genuine incredibility!

"Little brother, don't worry. Once I prescribe you a few doses of Tonic Medicine to replenish your depleted vitality and blood, I guarantee that in a few days you'll be full of life and vigor." Song Physician looked Zhang Chen up and down, curiosity filling his gaze, but he did not continue asking why Zhang Chen was still alive after losing so much blood.

Song Physician spread out his writing supplies. Before long, his brush flew as though guided by divine inspiration, and he had finished a prescription, placing it on the table. "Little brother, follow this prescription and get the medicine. In less than seven days, I guarantee you'll be full of life and vigor."

Zhang Chen forced a pale smile. Enduring the scorching agony inside his body, he took out Five Qian Silver from his sleeve and handed it to the physician. "Thank you for making the trip, Uncle Song. Please accept these Five Qian Silver as a small token of my appreciation—buy yourself a drink."

Song Physician smiled but did not take Zhang Chen's money. Instead, he pointed at the roe deer in the yard. "I don't want your money either. We live in the same village; asking for money would only make us strangers. Just cut me off a piece of that Roe Deer Meat."

Zhang Chen's heart skipped a beat. He had drained the roe deer's blood, leaving no blood at all in its flesh. If it were cut open now, Wang Wu and Song Physician would surely notice something amiss.

Wang Wu said nothing. The roe deer was not his—it was Zhang Chen's hunt. Though he and Zhang Chen were close, he could not make the decision for him.

"Butchering a roe deer isn't simple. Uncle Song, head back for now. This afternoon, after I take my medicine, I'll cut off a Roe Deer Leg and bring it to you," Zhang Chen replied.

The weather was hot now, and meat was not easy to preserve. Even if he wanted to make jerky, he would need a great deal of salt to keep it from spoiling—enough salt to buy half a roe deer. Thus, Zhang Chen had no intention of making jerky. He was considering selling all the roe deer meat instead.

Song Physician put away his brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. "That sounds perfect. Tonight, I can improve my fare."

Song Physician took his leave. Wang Wu escorted him out of the courtyard, then returned to the house and began searching for a knife to butcher the roe deer. "You're sick and bedridden right now. How can you work again? I'll butcher the roe deer for you and take it out to sell. It'll only be eaten by the village folk anyway, and I definitely won't let you take a loss on the price."

Zhang Chen was greatly alarmed. He did not dare let Wang Wu butcher the roe deer. Wang Wu was no fool; once he cut it open, he would certainly notice the abnormality. Panic churning in his heart, Zhang Chen watched Wang Wu sharpen the knife, racking his brains but unable to think of a suitable excuse to stop him.

Just as Wang Wu was about to finish sharpening the knife, Zhang Chen's eyes fell on the prescription on the table, and his eyes suddenly lit up. "Uncle Wang, don't butcher the roe deer. Hurry and get my medicine for me instead. I feel like I'm about to die."

Wang Wu paused in his sharpening, then set down the knife and rose to walk toward the prescription. He muttered, "You brat are usually strong as a little calf. How did you suddenly become so badly depleted of blood? If I hadn't seen no wounds on you, I'd have thought you'd been injured—bitten by some large beast."

Wang Wu picked up the prescription and was about to leave when Zhang Chen hurriedly took out silver from his sleeve and called after his back, "Uncle Wang, you forgot to take the money."

"How much can a dose of medicine cost? If you can recover properly, I'll thank heaven and earth. I'm still counting on you brat to see me through my old age and bury me when I die," Wang Wu said carelessly as he walked away.

Watching Wang Wu's departing back, Zhang Chen could not help shaking his head. The debt of gratitude between him and Wang Wu could no longer be measured in words or money.

Once Wang Wu had gone far away, Zhang Chen looked at the roe deer lying on the ground. Enduring the burning pain inside him, he got out of bed, picked up the knife, and began skinning and cutting up the meat, muttering curses under his breath. "What a sin!"

Zhang Chen's knife moved swiftly. As an old hunter who had hunted for years, he needed less than half an hour to skin the roe deer and divide up its meat, even separating the legs and internal organs.

After washing the bloodstains from his hands, Zhang Chen felt the discomfort in his body and lay down on the bed, drifting into a groggy sleep. He did not know how long had passed before the scent of medicinal herbs wafted through the room. Wang Wu entered carrying a bowl of decoction and woke Zhang Chen. "Brat, stop sleeping. Get up and drink your medicine first!"

When Zhang Chen opened his eyes, the sky had already grown dim. Smelling the herbs, he did not refuse, taking the bowl to his lips and drinking the decoction.

"While you were sleeping, I already delivered the Roe Deer Leg to Song Physician. As for that Roe Deer Meat, I only kept the fattest Pork Belly for you. I sold the rest to Blacksmith Cui. That fellow has struck it rich lately and has been throwing money around. When he heard I was selling Roe Deer Meat, he actually bought it all outright." Wang Wu took Two Liang Silver from his robes and placed it on the table. "This is the money from selling the Roe Deer Meat. Put it away carefully."

"Uncle Wang, I haven't even paid you for the medicine yet. I absolutely cannot take the money for the Roe Deer Meat. Consider it payment for your trouble. Once I finish taking the medicine, I'll settle the medicine bill with you." Zhang Chen looked at Wang Wu.

Wang Wu said irritably, "What's our relationship? Do you need to be so polite with me? I'm all alone—when I'm full, the whole family is full. What do I need so much money for? Who would I leave it to after I die? If you brat can get your body back in shape, I'd gladly empty out my whole household fortune."

Zhang Chen grinned at that and did not stand on ceremony with Wang Wu. During the years before he awakened the memories of his past life, Wang Wu had taken care of him in every way. Without Wang Wu, the young Zhang Chen would have starved to death long ago.

After the two chatted for a while, Wang Wu looked at Zhang Chen. "Don't go up the mountain tomorrow. I'll check your traps for you."

Zhang Chen nodded. A hunting falcon would not starve to death after going three to five days without food.

"Oh, right. Uncle, stay away from Blacksmith Cui in the future. Don't have anything more to do with him." After finishing his medicine and setting down the bowl, Zhang Chen looked at Wang Wu and gave him a warning.

Wang Wu was taken aback and looked at Zhang Chen in surprise. "Why?"

Thoughts turned in Zhang Chen's heart. He did not hide it, telling Wang Wu about Blacksmith Cui forging weapons for someone. Given his relationship with Wang Wu, there was no need to conceal such a matter.

"Uncle, do you know why Blacksmith Cui has become so wealthy and lavish lately?" Zhang Chen asked.

Wang Wu shook his head. Zhang Chen lowered his voice. "People from outside the village have hired him to forge weapons! And a great many weapons at that!"