Winning People Over With "Reason"

Having agreed to treat Xue Muhua, Xu Qian immediately sprang into action. Of course, he wasn't foolish enough to admit he possessed extraordinary skills; everything had to be done within a "reasonable" framework.

He first found Zhou Kang and reported with a look of "concern," "Captain Zhou, that Divine Doctor Xue in cell C13 looks like he's about to die. His whole body is festering and stinks. I'm afraid... afraid it's contagious, or that it would be bad luck if he died in there, affecting our sector's... hygiene rating."

Zhou Kang was already troubled by this matter. Hearing Xu Qian's words, he also felt it was unlucky and waved his hand, "Then you handle it as you see fit. Don't let him die too quickly, and don't make too much of a fuss. Get some grass ash or something to cushion him and cover up the smell."

With Zhou Kang's vague "handle it as you see fit," Xu Qian gained room to maneuver. While he was ostensibly there to "handle sanitation," he was actually going to practice medicine.

To treat the Bone Rot Miasma, the Qing Nang Handbook recorded several prescriptions, all requiring specific medicinal ingredients. Xu Qian naturally couldn't obtain them, but he had an alternative solution—using ordinary-looking plants already present in the Heavenly Prison.

For example, the plantain grass growing tenaciously in the corner had the effect of clearing heat and detoxifying. Some moss from damp corners, when mashed and applied externally, could alleviate festering. And then there was the aconite grass he had used before. Although poisonous, it could counteract poison with poison. Used in trace amounts, it was perfect for suppressing the Yin poison of the Bone Rot Miasma. Of course, the dosage had to be precise to the millimeter, otherwise, it would be a death sentence.

The source of these "folk remedies" was also easy to explain—"passed down in the family." After all, it was perfectly normal for a "country bumpkin" like him to know a few local cures.

After preparing a mixture of several mashed herbs, Xu Qian returned to cell C13. He dismissed his companions (using the excuse that the "smell was too strong") and entered alone to "handle sanitation."

When Xue Muhua saw Xu Qian enter, especially when he saw the dark, strangely smelling herbal paste in his hand, his eyes were filled with anticipation mixed with a hint of doubt. Could this... work?

Xu Qian didn't explain much. While pretending to clean the filth beneath him, he whispered, "Divine Doctor Xue, trust me this once. This is a local remedy from my hometown for similar sores. It's a long shot, but let's give it a try."

As he spoke, he carefully applied the herbal paste to Xue Muhua's key festering wounds. His movements appeared rough, but were actually filled with hidden intricacies.

While applying the medicine, he secretly circulated his Longevity True Qi, channeling it into Xue Muhua's body through his fingertips, extremely discreetly! His True Qi was upright and peaceful, full of vitality. Although it couldn't directly detoxify, it could protect Xue Muhua's heart and major organs, slow down the toxin's erosion, and guide and stimulate the medicinal power of the herbal paste, making it act more precisely on the meridians where the toxins were located!

This was akin to adding a precision guidance system to ordinary bullets; the effect was worlds apart!

Xue Muhua first felt a coolness on his wounds, followed by a gentle yet powerful warmth that seeped into his body along with the medicinal effects. Wherever it passed, the chilling pain, like a bone-deep affliction, significantly lessened! His previously clouded mind also cleared considerably!

He suddenly widened his eyes, looking at Xu Qian in disbelief!

The effect... was too fast! Too significant! This was by no means something an ordinary folk remedy could achieve! That gentle power integrated into his body... was it True Qi?! This kid really had hidden depths!

After finishing, Xu Qian clapped his hands, maintaining his honest demeanor, "Divine Doctor Xue, please rest. I'll come see you again tomorrow. Remember, don't tell anyone I treated you with a folk remedy, to avoid trouble."

Xue Muhua, being the person he was, immediately understood Xu Qian's concerns. He nodded repeatedly, his voice trembling with emotion, "I understand! Old man understands! Thank you... thank you, young sir, for saving my life!"

Over the next few days, Xu Qian "casually" came every day to "handle sanitation" for Xue Muhua, changing the herbs and continuously using his Longevity True Qi to guide the medicinal effects and protect his life force.

With the boost and precise guidance of the Longevity True Qi, those seemingly ordinary herbs demonstrated astonishing effects. The festering on Xue Muhua's body began to recede and scab over, his high fever gradually subsided, and his aura grew steadier and stronger each day.

His colleagues simply thought Xue Muhua was resilient enough to survive, or that the folk remedy had coincidentally worked, and didn't pay much attention. Only Zhou Kang would occasionally glance at the visibly improved Xue Muhua, then at the "harmless" Xu Qian, his eyes thoughtful, but ultimately he said nothing.

Seven or eight days later, Xue Muhua could already sit up by himself. Although still somewhat weak, his wounds had basically healed. The deadly Bone Rot Miasma toxin had been forcefully repelled and resolved by Xu Qian using this "making do with what you have" method!

On this day, Xu Qian came for the last time to change his dressing. Xue Muhua tightly grasped Xu Qian's hand, tears streaming down his face, "Young sir... no, benefactor! Your life-saving grace is something I will never forget! Please accept this old man's bow!"

Saying this, he struggled to kneel.

Xu Qian quickly stopped him, "Divine Doctor Xue, please don't! It was just a small effort, please don't do this."

Xue Muhua looked up at Xu Qian, his gaze like he was looking at a rare treasure! Filled with gratitude, admiration, and an indescribable fervor!