Physician Pavilion

Jiang Liu gave an embarrassed, sheepish laugh. "Uncle Hai, I really only came to visit you today!"

"At least you're a sensible boy! You come to visit this old man when you have time. Go on!" Uncle Hai prompted.

Jiang Liu stopped beating around the bush. "Uncle Hai, I actually wanted to ask you something. Are medicines divided into different grades and ranks?"

"Medicine is a complicated field! It really isn't something that can be explained simply by dividing it into grades and ranks!" Uncle Hai sat down as he spoke.

"To sum it up in one sentence: you use whatever medicine suits the situation, and you grow whatever medicine suits the environment. Do you understand?" Uncle Hai waved for Jiang Liu to sit.

Jiang Liu sat down with the motion and listened intently.

"Traditionally, medicinal herbs are divided by age and efficacy into elementary, intermediate, advanced, and special grades. After that, they're divided into Ranks One through Nine, followed by Saint Grade."

"Physicians are basically classified according to the same system as medicinal herbs. Before Entry Grade, they're called apprentices. After Entry Grade, they're called physicians. Those who surpass Rank Nine are called Saint Physicians."

"Once a special-grade apprentice has accumulated enough knowledge and practical experience, they can apply for an examination. After passing, they can advance to become a physician."

"The examination is held at the Physician Pavilion. The Physician Pavilion has existed longer than any other organization on this continent. No matter how dynasties have changed, it has always remained. There's an unwritten rule: regardless of how the dynasty changes, no one is allowed to touch the people of the Physician Pavilion. Otherwise, the Physician Pavilion's people will refuse to provide treatment and will even join together in resistance."

"That's why people generally show courtesy when they encounter someone from the Physician Pavilion. After all, who can live in this world without ever getting hurt or sick?"

Uncle Hai gave him a detailed explanation.

Jiang Liu's eyes lit up. "Then, Uncle Hai, you're a member of the Physician Pavilion?"

"The Physician Pavilion only exists in major cities such as commandery cities. Smaller cities below them generally only have liaison offices. Normally, all physicians who pass the Physician Pavilion's examination count as members of the Physician Pavilion, and the Physician Pavilion also provides these physicians with protection."

"But from the Physician Pavilion's internal perspective, only those who have truly joined the Physician Pavilion count as their own people."

"Then, Uncle Hai, have you joined the Physician Pavilion?" Jiang Liu asked curiously.

At that, Uncle Hai fell into deep thought for a moment. Then he said, "I'm no longer considered a member of the Physician Pavilion."

"Not considered one? Does that mean you joined the Physician Pavilion before?" Jiang Liu pressed.

"Where did you get such a strong sense of curiosity, boy? Those are all matters of the distant past. Let's not bring them up again." Uncle Hai spoke with displeasure.

"Then, Uncle Hai, what rank are you now?" Jiang Liu asked curiously.

"Me? I'm a Fifth Rank Physician now." Uncle Hai's face was filled with wistfulness.

"Fifth Rank? Then you're one of the best in Cloud Sun City, right?" Jiang Liu said excitedly.

"A Fifth Rank Physician is the highest level in Cloud Sun City. Once they reach Sixth Rank, most people go to a commandery city. Otherwise, advancing becomes very difficult."

"Why? Can't you advance simply by studying, gaining practical experience, and taking the examination?"

"You make it sound simple. First comes study—you need a master to teach you. Then, you need someone able to provide high-rank medicinal herbs. Finally, you need practical experience in Alchemy and actual medical treatment. Only after all that can you pass the examination. What small city could generally provide all those things?"

"Most inheritances of medical arts are taught step by step by a master and passed down orally. Very few are compiled into books. They fear that a single mistaken character could lead someone to learn a distorted version and cost people their lives." Uncle Hai's expression turned serious.

"But the medical texts and the Complete Compendium of Herbs I studied at An Sheng Pharmacy were compiled into books!"

"Oh! Those should have been basic medical texts and books for identifying medicinal herbs. They're like the primers used to teach children to recognize characters at an elementary school!" Uncle Hai explained.

"Oh! Then can I study medicine under you, Uncle Hai?" Jiang Liu looked at Uncle Hai expectantly.

"Did you take a master at An Sheng Pharmacy before?"

"No! Doctor An Yuan only had me memorize the Complete Compendium of Herbs. He didn't even have time to explain basic medical arts to me. I rarely saw Doctor An Yuan at the pharmacy."

"I see! Then come find me after you've completed your year at the Training Hall. Your cultivation schedule is tight right now, after all."

"Okay! By the way, Uncle Hai, what rank of physician is Doctor An Yuan?"

"An Yuan? He entered Second Rank a long time ago. He's probably been too busy treating the sick and saving lives to find time to advance, right?"

Thinking of Doctor An Yuan's usual conduct, Jiang Liu felt that was probably the case. During his time at An Sheng Pharmacy, he had rarely seen Doctor An Yuan stay at the pharmacy for long.

"Then, Uncle Hai, I'll head back first. I'll come visit you again when I have time." Jiang Liu bade him farewell.

"Go on! Be careful while cultivating. You're laying your foundation right now! Don't chase quick success and immediate gains and damage your foundation!" Uncle Hai warned him.

"I will, Uncle Hai!" Jiang Liu bowed in response. Then he turned and left.

When Jiang Liu returned to the small courtyard where he lived, he felt that today had truly opened his eyes. He had never expected there to be such a massive power as the Physician Pavilion. Although the Physician Pavilion appeared to neither compete nor contend with others, it was by no means to be underestimated. After all, an organization that had existed for so long—who knew how many old antiques it contained?

Once his physician rank advanced, he would join the Physician Pavilion and take a look. Jiang Liu had never worried that his physician rank would advance slowly! A man with a cheat was simply that confident!