The Old Chinese Doctor in the Residential Complex

Taishang Laojun's arrival was like dropping a depth charge into an already turbulent lake, creating ripples far beyond Lin Fan's imagination. This seemingly ordinary old man, holding a thermos cup, redefined order simply by existing.

The foremost of the Three Pure Ones, the Grand Supreme Elder, Lord of Heaven of the Great Way. The weight of this title was enough to make Yuanshi Tianzun temper some of his majesty, to make Master Tongtian suppress his rage, and to inspire reverence in Goddess Nüwa. The atmosphere within the rental room subtly shifted without a sound.

Laojun did not seek to steal the spotlight. He chose the most inconspicuous corner of the room—near the door, well-ventilated, with moderate light. He didn't even ask for a cushion. From somewhere (perhaps the seemingly ordinary gray jacket pocket), he produced a folding stool, skillfully opened it, sat down, and placed the thermos cup, in which three "Demonic Qi Pills" were steeping, by his feet. His posture was as relaxed as any retiree found in a park.

Yet, his presence transformed the entire room's aura. A natural Dao rhythm of "centrality, peace, and effortless governance" permeated the space, acting like a lubricant, quietly easing the conflicts between Yuanshi's "order," Tong Tian's "sharpness," Nüwa's "creation," and Gong Gong's restless "malevolence." It wasn't suppression, but rather harmonization, allowing these vastly different, even opposing, energies to find a temporary point of coexistence.

Lin Fan cradled the box of "candies," feeling as if he were holding a mountain of gold—no, more precious than a mountain of gold! He asked cautiously, "Senior Laojun, you... you just said you wanted to add a pair of chopsticks... does that mean you'll be staying here temporarily?"

He glanced around the ten-square-meter room, already packed with four top-tier Primordial Era figures (plus an unstable Ancestral Witch), and felt his breathing become difficult. This wasn't just cramped living; it was like compressing and packing the entire Zixiao Palace into a matchbox!

Upon hearing this, Laojun nodded with a smile, then shook his head. "Though this place is humble, it is full of life, and it offers a unique experience. However, living here long-term is not ideal for your cultivation, nor for my alchemy." He glanced out the window. "I observe this residential complex, bustling with people, life, aging, sickness, and death, an endless cycle. It is a place to experience this world's 'life' Dao. I can find another dwelling within this complex. During my stay, I can also help neighbors with minor ailments, regulate their bodies and minds, and exchange it for daily necessities, so as not to deplete my resources."

His words were spoken with utmost naturalness, as if a newly arrived traditional Chinese medicine doctor were planning his retirement. But to Lin Fan, they sounded like thunder!

Taishang Laojun! Opening a clinic in this old residential complex?! Being a community doctor?!

Lin Fan's mouth hung open, unable to close for a long time. He pictured Laojun in a white coat (or perhaps still that gray jacket), wearing reading glasses, taking pulses, and prescribing remedies... The image was too much; he couldn't bear to look! More importantly, with Laojun's intervention, could it really be just "minor ailments"? He had just casually "brewed tea" and resolved a crisis that could have destroyed a city!

"Senior Laojun... wouldn't this be... a bit too sensational?" Lin Fan swallowed with difficulty, reminding him indirectly. He feared that if Laojun administered a "pill," he might bring a dying patient back to life with a jolt, causing them to ascend on the spot (exaggerating), and the consequences would be enormous.

"Heh heh, little friend, you worry too much," Laojun chuckled, stroking his beard, his eyes deep. "A physician follows the natural course. The severity of an illness dictates the dosage. Though I am untalented, I have some understanding of this world's common pathologies and pharmacology, and I will not endanger lives. Moreover," he said, shaking the thermos cup by his feet, "some 'difficult and complicated cases' require special 'medicinal ingredients' to be effective."

Lin Fan looked at the "tea" steeping the Demonic Qi Pills in the cup, his mouth twitching. He understood. Laojun viewed practicing medicine as another form of "alchemy" and "research." It allowed him to integrate into this world, observe all beings, collect "special materials" (like various difficult illnesses and potential abnormal energies), and perhaps even earn some money to supplement his household expenses (though Laojun might have no concept of money, Lin Fan certainly did!).

This approach... was unconventional, but it seemed feasible? At least it sounded a bit more normal than Goddess Nüwa selling paintings... Lin Fan felt uncertain.

"Eldest Brother wishes to practice medicine to help the world and experience the beings of this realm, which is naturally boundless in merit," Yuanshi Tianzun spoke. He didn't seem surprised by Laojun's decision, but rather expressed his support. "However, rules must be established. He must not reveal his extraordinary abilities easily or disrupt the established order of this realm. The medicines and therapies used should be based on principles understandable by mortals, supplemented by only minor guiding techniques."

He remained the Yuanshi who valued rules and influence.

Tong Tian snorted but said nothing, nor did he object. Perhaps, in his view, Laojun becoming a doctor was more agreeable than Yuanshi lecturing sternly all the time.

Nüwa said softly, "Eldest Brother is compassionate. Though the mortals of this realm lack the lifespan and divine abilities of Primordial Era beings, their cycles of life and death, their loves and hates, are also profound wonders of creation. Experiencing them up close may benefit our understanding of this realm's rules."

Seeing that none of the Sages explicitly objected, Lin Fan could only reluctantly agree. "Then... alright. I'll help Senior Laojun keep an eye out for any storefronts or ground-floor residences for rent in the complex..."

"No need to trouble yourself," Laojun waved his hand, standing up from the stool and dusting off his clothes. "I will search on my own. Little friend, you attend to your matters." With that, he truly took his thermos cup and ambled out. His retreating figure looked exactly like an ordinary old man taking a stroll after a meal.

Lin Fan watched Laojun disappear through the doorway, his heart filled with unease. He had a feeling that this seemingly most peaceful Laojun might be the one most capable of "causing trouble."

The next half-day passed with Lin Fan in a state of anxious apprehension. First, as planned, he carefully packaged the two paintings by Nüwa, Ink Bamboo Painting and Mountain Mist Painting, selected by Yuanshi, and contacted Jiade Art Gallery to schedule a consultation for the afternoon. The process went quite smoothly; the auction house staff were very enthusiastic upon hearing over the phone that he had "ancient-style paintings with profound artistic conception."

With some time left in the morning, he continued searching online for suitable property information and presented his selected options to Yuanshi and Nüwa for review. Yuanshi was quite interested in a derelict sanatorium located on the outskirts of the city, backed by a small mountain, with a private courtyard and a basement. He felt the location was relatively secluded, the space sufficient, and with minor modifications (using Sage-level techniques), the existing structures could provide good concealment and defense. Nüwa, on the other hand, valued the environment more, feeling that its proximity to nature would be beneficial for Gong Gong's recovery and her own comprehension of creation.

Tong Tian remained silent but raised no objections to the site selection. He only occasionally cast a complex, unreadable glance at Gong Gong. Under Nüwa's continuous soothing and the influence of Laojun's harmonizing Dao rhythm, Gong Gong's emotions had stabilized considerably. He spent most of his time sleeping, but he still clutched the three broken artifacts in his arms as if they were the sole meaning of his existence.

At noon, Lin Fan prepared lunch as usual. He decided to try taking one of the "candies" Laojun had given him according to the instructions. The "candy" dissolved upon contact with his tongue, and a gentle, pure stream of warmth instantly spread through his limbs and bones. It not only cleared away his accumulated fatigue and mental exhaustion but even sharpened his understanding of the Supreme Clarity Heart-Cleansing Mantra! The effect was nothing short of miraculous! He carefully put away the remaining "candies," recognizing them as top-tier resources for survival and cultivation!

In the afternoon, Lin Fan prepared to head to Jiade Art Gallery with the paintings. Before leaving, he specifically glanced in the direction Laojun had departed, silently praying that the old man wouldn't cause any major disturbances.

However, some things seemed predetermined by fate.

Just as Lin Fan left the residential complex and headed towards the city center, in the old complex where he lived, a new, black-and-white wooden sign had appeared overnight in front of a street-facing, long-closed, poorly managed small shop.

The sign, written in neat regular script, bore two characters: "Ask Heart."

Below the sign, a slightly aged red paper was pasted, with several lines written in brush calligraphy: "Regulate body and mind, answer questions and resolve doubts. Consultation fee is by donation, medicine costs extra."

At the entrance sat the familiar folding stool. Taishang Laojun—or rather, the elder using the alias "Li Er"—was holding his signature thermos cup, sitting on the stool, squinting at the residents coming and going in the complex, a gentle smile on his face, like an old doctor who had been practicing there for many years.

His appearance did not attract much attention. The complex had many elderly residents; occasional individuals fanning themselves, playing chess, or setting up stalls for fortune-telling were not uncommon. A seemingly ordinary old man who claimed to "regulate body and mind" wouldn't stir much of a stir. Occasionally, familiar old men and women passing by would curiously ask, "Old Li, are you new? Haven't seen you before?" Laojun would just smile and nod in response, "Yes, just moved in. I'm idle, so I'm helping people with minor ailments."

His demeanor was so natural and ordinary that everyone subconsciously assumed he was just a well-read retired elder pursuing a hobby (or, rather, finding an excuse to chat with people).

Until...

The well-known "chronic patient" of the complex, Grandma Liu, over seventy years old, slowly pushed her wheelchair towards the "Ask Heart" clinic. Grandma Liu suffered from severe rheumatoid arthritis and cardiopulmonary failure. She took medication year-round, had difficulty walking, and experienced pain and shortness of breath with any slight change in weather. She was a frequent visitor to the hospital, and doctors had told her her condition could only be managed, not cured.

"Old sir, can you really treat illnesses?" Grandma Liu asked weakly, trying her luck. She was desperate after being tormented by her illness and was willing to try any "folk remedy" or "old doctor."

Laojun (Li Er) looked up at Grandma Liu, his gaze sweeping over her as if he could penetrate her clothes and skin, seeing directly into the blocked meridians and failing organs within her body.

"Elderly one, do you experience stinging pain in your joints, especially on rainy days? And chest tightness, shortness of breath, and difficulty sleeping at night?" Laojun spoke slowly, his voice calm.

Grandma Liu was startled. She hadn't even described her symptoms yet. "You... how did you know?"

"I can tell from your complexion," Laojun smiled, gesturing for Grandma Liu to extend her wrist.

The pulse-taking process was brief. Laojun's fingers lightly rested on Grandma Liu's wrist for only a few seconds before retracting.

"It's nothing, just a minor ailment," Laojun said casually, as if commenting on the good weather. "Dampness and cold have accumulated internally, qi and blood are stagnant, and the heart and lungs lack sufficient power. Let this old man regulate it for you."

Saying this, he rummaged in his gray jacket pocket and pulled out a small paper packet containing a few dried, seemingly ordinary grass roots and leaves. He then took out an even smaller porcelain bottle and poured out a brown pill, its color much duller and its aroma much fainter than the "candy" Lin Fan had received.

"Bring this herbal soup home and boil it with three bowls of water until it reduces to one bowl. Take it before bed. This 'Qi-Soothing Pill' can be dissolved in your mouth now." Laojun handed the packet of herbs and the pill to Grandma Liu.

Grandma Liu took them with a mix of belief and doubt. Looking at the unremarkable herbs and pill, she felt uneasy. Could this work? So many good medicines from the hospital couldn't cure her...

"The consultation fee..." Grandma Liu hesitated, reaching for her money.

"It's by donation," Laojun waved his hand, picking up his thermos cup for a sip. "If you feel it's effective, come visit more often in the future."

Seeing that Laojun didn't seem like a scammer (he hadn't asked for money upfront), Grandma Liu thanked him, took the packet of herbs and the pill, and went home with lingering doubt. She didn't hold out much hope, just trying it as a last resort.

However, a miracle happened that very evening!

Grandma Liu boiled the herbal soup as instructed and drank it, then dissolved the "Qi-Soothing Pill" in her mouth. In less than an hour, she felt a warm current rising from her lower abdomen and circulating throughout her body. The joint pain that had tormented her for years had significantly lessened! The tightness in her chest also dissipated, and her breathing became smoother than ever before! That night, she slept soundly, a sleep she hadn't experienced in over a decade!

The next morning, Grandma Liu actually got out of her room by herself, holding onto the wall, and took a walk around the residential complex! Although she walked slowly, she no longer needed a wheelchair!

This news spread like wildfire throughout the entire complex!

"Did you hear? That new old man Li is amazing! He cured Grandma Liu with just one dose of medicine!"

"Really? Grandma Liu's illness has been going on for how many years..."

"It's absolutely true! I saw her out for a walk this morning! Her complexion is much better!"

"My goodness, could this old man Li be some hidden divine doctor?"

Suddenly, the "Ask Heart" clinic, which used to have few visitors, became crowded! Many elderly people with chronic illnesses, old ailments, and even patients deemed "incurable" by hospitals came to try their luck.

Lao Jun accepted everyone, maintaining his usual calm and detached demeanor. He observed, listened, asked, and felt the pulse (mostly for show), then prescribed a few seemingly ordinary herbs or produced one or two "pills" of different colors. The fee remained "whatever you can afford"; he would smile regardless of whether they gave a lot, a little, or nothing at all.

But the results were terrifying!

His medicine stabilized high blood pressure; his medicine lowered blood sugar for diabetics; his medicated plaster eased the pain of old leg injuries; even an old man who had been paralyzed from a stroke for many years could tremble and lift his hand after taking his "blood-activating pills" for three consecutive days!

Not a single failure! All patients treated by him showed significant improvement, even improvements that defied modern medical understanding!

"Divine Doctor! Mr. Li is a true divine doctor!" Similar praises soon filled the entire complex and began to spread to surrounding areas.

When Lin Fan returned from Jiade Art Gallery in the afternoon (the auction house was astonished by Nüwa's paintings, and the preliminary appraisal made Lin Fan's head spin), he was almost scared to death by the scene in the complex. A long queue had formed outside the "Ask Heart" clinic, with people of all ages, their eyes full of eagerness, discussing the miracles of "Divine Doctor Li."

He squeezed through the crowd and saw Lao Jun sitting on a small stool, holding his enamel mug, smiling as he felt the pulse of a patient. Lin Fan's vision went black.

It's over... he's caused a huge commotion again!

He finally waited for Lao Jun to finish with a patient and, during a break, lowered his voice and said anxiously, "Senior Lao Jun! This... isn't this effect a bit too... too good? It will cause trouble!"

Lao Jun looked up at Lin Fan, still with that gentle smile, "Don't worry, young friend. What I use are all visible herbal essences of this realm, supplemented by a minor guiding technique to stimulate their inherent vitality and potential, in accordance with this realm's 'medical principles.' As for the effect... well, perhaps the beings of this realm react exceptionally well to my 'guiding technique'?"

His words were flawless, attributing everything to "good herbs" and the miraculous "guiding technique," never mentioning elixirs or divine medicine. But Lin Fan knew that the so-called "guiding technique" and those seemingly ordinary "herbs" had been transformed from dross into gold by Lao Jun's hands!

"But, so many people... reporters will come soon, and... official people too!" Lin Fan worried. Chen Jing's side has been watching closely! If a "divine doctor" who can cure all diseases suddenly appears here, anyone with a brain would know something is wrong!

"It's fine." Lao Jun was calm and composed. "If people come, I'll see them. If they ask, I'll answer. My actions are in line with the 'Great Dao of Medicine' of this realm, what is there to fear? Besides," he glanced meaningfully at Lin Fan, "taking this opportunity, perhaps we can have a deeper... communication with the 'order keepers' of this realm."

Lin Fan was stunned, then understood Lao Jun's intention. He wanted to use the identity of a "divine doctor" as a relatively gentle and acceptable entry point to proactively contact the authorities! Compared to Yuanshi's indifference, Tong Tian's arrogance, and Nüwa's transcendence, the image of a "highly skilled old Chinese doctor" would undoubtedly be more easily understood and accepted by secular power structures, and would also make it easier to gain the upper hand in negotiations.

Brilliant! Truly brilliant!

Lin Fan had to admire Lao Jun's foresight. This was not just practicing medicine, but playing a grand game of chess!

As Lin Fan had predicted, the reputation of the "Ask Heart" clinic and Divine Doctor Li spread like a virus. That evening, the local television's lifestyle news program reported on the matter. Although the language was cautious, calling it "A mysterious old Chinese doctor appears in the community, his superb medical skills attracting attention," it had already sparked wider discussions.

Related posts and videos also appeared online. Some praised it as "a hidden master among the people," while others questioned it as "team hype" or "use of prohibited drugs."

And the pressure eventually fell on Chen Jing.

Late at night, in the familiar monitoring center, Chen Jing looked at all the information on the screen about "Li Er" and the "Ask Heart" clinic, her brow furrowed. The information was pitifully scarce; this "Li Er" seemed to have appeared out of nowhere, with no past records. And the "medical skills" he displayed far exceeded modern medicine, even exceeding the explanation of known supernatural abilities.

"Team Leader, we've tested the 'dregs' from the medicine the patients took," a technician reported. "The ingredients are just ordinary Chinese herbs, with no abnormal energy radiation or unknown components. But the effect... it's unexplainable. We secretly collected blood samples from some recovered patients and found that certain immune indicators and cell activity in their bodies have reached astonishingly healthy levels, even... showing slight signs of reverse aging!"

Reverse aging?!

Chen Jing gasped. This was no longer medical skill; it was close to a miracle!

"What's the reaction from the target 'Shelter'?" Chen Jing asked in a deep voice.

"Target Lin Fan went to the Jiade Art Gallery auction house this afternoon, seemingly intending to sell artworks. Targets Yuanshi, Nüwa, and Tong Tian have not gone out. As for this 'Li Er'..." The technician paused, his tone a little strange. "Based on residual energy comparison analysis, his aura matches the unknown entity that suddenly appeared yesterday and resolved the water crisis with a 99.7% probability!"

As expected!

Chen Jing closed her eyes, feeling a headache coming on. Another one! And he made such a high-profile debut! An existence that could casually resolve a city-level crisis and cure countless difficult diseases with a few herbs... its threat level and potential value needed to be reassessed!

"Team Leader, should we initiate contact?" the subordinate asked.

Chen Jing pondered for a long time, then slowly opened her eyes, her gaze sharp. "Do not act rashly for now. His actions may not be without a probing intent. First, strengthen surveillance and collect more data. At the same time, under the name of the Health Department, send an expert group to make direct contact under the guise of 'researching folk Chinese medicine inheritance' to ascertain his background and purpose."

She paused and added, "Notify the higher-ups, the target 'Shelter' has an additional associated individual, codenamed... 'Medicine Immortal'. Risk assessment, temporarily set to 'B+', but its potential controllability and cooperation value are simultaneously increased."

"Yes!"

The order was given, and investigations and contacts targeting the "Ask Heart" clinic and "Li Er" were quickly initiated.

And all of this seemed to be within Taishang Laojun's expectations.

He still appeared at the clinic entrance on time every day, sitting on his small stool, holding that seemingly endless enamel mug, and smiling as he received every patient seeking treatment. To the probes disguised as health department experts, he answered fluently, citing classics (of this realm's medical texts, of course), attributing all miracles to "ancestral secret recipes" and "personal experience," leaving them no handle to grasp.

He even began to guide some elderly people in the complex in practicing simple health exercises. The movements were slow and seemingly ordinary, yet they subtly incorporated principles of breathing, circulation, and qi and blood flow. The elderly people who persisted felt their bodies become much lighter and healthier.

The reputation of "Divine Doctor Li" grew louder and louder, and even some high-ranking officials and dignitaries began to secretly pull strings to seek medical attention. Lao Jun still maintained his "whatever you can afford" attitude, neither humble nor arrogant, and his medicine always worked.

Lin Fan watched as Lao Jun turned a potential crisis into a successful "image building" and "channel establishment," and he was filled with admiration. The older the ginger, the spicier it is!

However, even if the tree wants to remain still, the wind will not stop. Just as the "Ask Heart" clinic's reputation soared and Lao Jun seemed to have successfully integrated into community life, a bigger storm, targeting him or rather the forces behind him, was quietly brewing.

A few days later, one morning, several black luxury cars screeched to a halt in front of the "Ask Heart" clinic, blocking the queue of people. The car doors opened, and a group of burly men in black suits and sunglasses, exuding an aggressive aura, got out first, clearing the crowd.

Following them, a middle-aged man in a custom suit, with a bulging belly and an arrogant expression, accompanied by an elderly man in a white coat and gold-rimmed glasses, who also looked proud, stepped out.

The middle-aged man glanced at the commoners queuing, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes. Then his gaze fell on Lao Jun, who was sitting on his stool, and he said in a heavily accented, condescending tone:

"You're the one named Li? Heard you're quite capable? Come with me, our boss wants to see you."