Chapter 29

[29] Chapter 29: This Is Not an Illness, This Is Fate.

According to the original exam schedule, the written test was supposed to be in the morning, with the diagnostic exam in the afternoon. But because Zhu Shian had started things off, one by one candidates who had finished their answer sheets lined up for the second exam, keeping the examiners so busy that they only grabbed a casual bite for lunch.

Zhu Shian was the first to finish. She had completed both exams before noon, leaving plenty of time for a proper lunch. By now, she had already decided in her mind to go to Renmin Restaurant for the braised pork belly and steamed sea fish she had ordered yesterday.

When Zhu Shian returned to the guesthouse, Feng Niang and the others weren't there. Only Zhu Changfeng was guarding the entrance.

Zhu Changfeng asked in surprise, 'Eldest Miss, you're already done with the exams? Weren't they supposed to be one in the morning and one in the afternoon?'

'That was the original arrangement, but after I finished my answer sheet, the examiner called me over and I took the second exam on the spot. Once I was done, I came out.'

'I see.' Zhu Changfeng laughed. 'Good thing I didn't go to the department store with Feng Niang and the others. If everyone had left, you'd have come back to an empty guesthouse with no familiar faces.'

Zhu Shian glanced at the clock hanging on the wall behind the guesthouse counter. 'It's noon. Let's go get lunch.'

'Sure, still going to Renmin Restaurant?'

Zhu Shian nodded.

'Master Zhu, would you allow us to treat you to a meal?'

The title 'Master' was too distinctly characteristic of the Xuan Sect. Zhu Shian stopped and studied the man and woman approaching from the right.

The woman looked young in the face, but Zhu Shian could tell she was no longer young—at least forty. She wore a blue cadre's uniform, her hair tucked behind her ears, with naturally smiling eyes that made her very approachable.

The man had a crew cut. He was tall and sturdy, with a fierce look in his brows and eyes—clearly someone not easy to get close to. Though he looked fierce, he was an upright person.

Zhu Shian examined his facial features closely. When he reached her, she caught a faint scent of incense smoke. This man must be someone from the Xuan Sect.

Zhu Shian's eyes shifted to the woman approaching. This woman was just an ordinary woman, except for one unusual thing: she had Yin-Yang Eyes.

'Hello, I'm Zhu Jin, head of the Ministry of State Security 3672 Action Group.'

'Hello, I'm Zhu Shian.'

Zhu Jin extended her hand to Zhu Shian, but Zhu Shian did not take it, only nodding slightly.

Zhu Jin took no offense. She smiled at Zhu Shian and said, 'I heard earlier that the heir of the Zhu Family in Zhenshan County was a Formation master. I wanted to meet you then, but I was busy with work in Beijing and never had the chance to go to Zhenshan County. Meeting you here today is fate. Would Master Zhu do me the honor of letting me play host?'

Zhu Shian inclined her head. 'I gladly accept.'

The main hall of Renmin Restaurant on Maple Street was spacious, with ten large square tables inside and windows on three walls, making anyone who walked in feel bright and airy.

Though the hall was bright, it was not a place for conversation. Zhu Jin flashed her credentials and asked the restaurant for a room in the back courtyard.

Zhu Jin was a very talkative person. While ordering, she chatted with Zhu Shian about the seasonal delicacies in Shanghai. While waiting for the dishes, she brought up vegetarian meals in Buddhist and Daoist temples, reciting the specialties of famous temples and Daoist Temple with great familiarity.

Zhu Jin smiled and said to Zhu Shian, 'Let me tell you: besides the distinctive vegetarian dishes at Qingcheng Mountain Celestial Master Cave and Nanyang Xuanmiao Temple, the Longhu Mountain Sect, where our Daoist Zhang Mingling comes from, also has excellent vegetarian food. The vegetarian dishes at Longhu Mountain emphasize the unity of medicine and food. Their Celestial Master Bagua Feast is quite famous too. Dishes like Shangqing Tofu and Braised Chestnuts With Shiitake Mushrooms are local specialties—well worth trying.'

Zhu Shian listened with interest and asked curiously, 'Have you tried them all?'

'Some I've tried, some I haven't. Every time I go, it's for work—coming and going in a hurry, usually without the leisure to eat.'

Zhu Jin sighed. 'When the Action Team was first established, all of us in the team were soldiers. The veterans were seasoned on the battlefield, but when it came to fighting those evil heretics that harm people invisibly, we had zero experience. We had no way to deal with those things, so we could only visit famous sects and invite masters to come out and help us.'

Zhu Shian smiled. 'I haven't met many people from your Action Team, but those I have met, though their Dao Cultivation levels vary, all have real skills.'

'They do have real skills, no doubt, but they're too young. When they're out on missions, I always worry.'

Zhu Jin said with concern, 'You know Ding Mao, right? I personally recruited Ding Mao from the Ding family into the Action Team. Ding Mao is young and promising, but his temperament still needs polishing, and he needs guidance on many matters. Unfortunately, our Action Team has heavy tasks. Those with some experience are all too busy to stop and mentor young people like Ding Mao, so they have to learn through trial and error in the field.'

The enemies the Action Team faced were mostly vicious and ruthless, none easy to deal with. Young people lacked experience and were prone to impulsiveness, so their casualty rate was far higher than that of the experienced older members.

The Action Team hadn't been established long and lacked a core backbone. Zhu Jin had been worrying about this for years. Especially after a large number of people from the Central Action Team died on Xiong Mountain a few months ago, manpower became even tighter. They had to transfer Xuan Sect masters from the north to the south to temporarily fill the gap.

The dishes arrived. Zhu Jin invited Zhu Shian and Zhu Changfeng to eat.

Zhu Jin smiled and asked Zhu Shian, 'I forgot to ask earlier—does the Dao Cultivation of your Zhu Family abstain from meat and fish?'

'No restrictions. Our Taiyi Sect does not advocate ascetic cultivation.'

Zhang Mingling looked up at Zhu Shian. Zhu Shian was puzzled. 'Daoist Zhang, do you have something to say?'

Zhang Mingling said calmly, 'In recent years, I've rarely heard anyone in the Xuan Sect claim to be from the Taiyi Sect.'

Zhu Shian smiled but didn't respond.

When she was half full, Zhu Shian put down her chopsticks and swept her gaze over Zhang Mingling and Zhu Jin. 'You two, what exactly did you come to see me about today?'

Zhu Jin also put down her chopsticks. She looked at Zhu Shian seriously. 'On behalf of the Action Team, I sincerely invite you to join us. I believe that with your addition, our team's strength will be greatly enhanced.'

Zhu Shian smiled and shook her head. 'Thank you for your regard, but I have no intention of joining any organization for now. You must have looked into the Zhu Family's situation. I'm not one for long journeys. As for why I traveled all the way to Shanghai to take the exam, I think you understand very well.'

'Really won't consider it?' Zhu Jin tried again.

'I won't consider it. But if you ever need help in the future, feel free to come to me.' Zhu Shian said to Zhang Mingling, 'Daoist Zhang, if you've seen the Talisman I drew, you should know how much help I can provide you in that area.'

'We naturally believe in Eldest Miss Zhu's abilities.'

As luck would have it, Zhang Mingling had met Ding Mao yesterday and obtained the Talisman Zhu Shian had given him. To be honest, among the living Xuan Sect masters, only one or two who were too old to come out of retirement could draw Talisman with such effect.

'Perhaps Master Zhu has conditions we can discuss.'

Zhu Shian shook her head again. 'It's not a matter of conditions. Our Zhu Family has its own plans.'

Failing to persuade Zhu Shian to join the Action Team, Zhu Jin felt regret, but there was nothing she could do. The Zhu Family and Zhu Shian had their own intentions, and it couldn't be forced.

Zhu Jin put away her regret and stopped persuading. She smiled at Zhu Shian and said, 'I can see you're not only excellent at Talisman but also very skilled at Acupuncture. Ding Mao said that Ye Dan was barely hanging on by a thread, and you brought her back.'

'How are Ye Dan and A Hua recovering?'

'Ding Mao said they're recovering well. A Hua's leg is no different from before. Ye Dan is also recovering well, but since she's not a Dao cultivator, the Yin Qi has harmed her body. She'll need to rest for a while before she can return to work.'

Zhu Shian had expected this. She said, 'In a couple of days, when the exam results come out, I'll be going home. If any of your people ever get injured like Ye Dan and can't find a suitable Daoist Physician, feel free to send them to Zhenshan County.'

'Good. Then let me thank Master Zhu in advance.'

Zhu Jin raised her teacup, toasting Zhu Shian with tea instead of wine.

Zhu Shian raised her cup and clinked it with Zhu Jin's. She smiled and said, 'This exam is very important to the Zhu Family. You've helped us, and we'll certainly remember that favor.'

Zhu Shian put her cards on the table, meaning that she and the Action Team would have mutual exchanges, with neither side at a disadvantage.

Zhang Mingling disagreed. 'You can't say that. We understand how valuable your Talisman are.'

'They're decent.'

Zhu Shian wasn't being modest. She knew her current level. The Talisman she drew now were only half as good as those from her prime. There was still room for improvement.

Zhu Jin and Zhang Mingling had come to Shanghai mainly to deal with the reduction in the Central Action Team's personnel. After meeting Zhu Shian, they left.

After seeing them off, Zhu Shian was tired and planned to go back to the guesthouse to rest for a while.

Zhu Changfeng wasn't tired. 'Eldest Miss, go ahead and rest. I'll wait here for Uncle Shouguang and Uncle Shouxin. They should be finishing their exams soon.'

'Okay. Thank you for your trouble.'

Zhu Shian returned to her room, closed the door, leaned back in her chair, and rested her eyes for a while. Then she laid out the yellow paper and cinnabar she had bought yesterday, calmed her mind, and picked up her brush.

A little over a hundred candidates wasn't many. The last candidate finished the second exam at three in the afternoon. After all the candidates left, the school gates closed, and all the examiners threw themselves into the busy work of grading papers.

'What kind of rubbish is this! You haven't even understood the Treatise On Cold Damage and you dare to come take the exam? At your age, you should be ashamed—a fraud trying to pass off as the real thing.'

'Whoa, this one's even more outrageous. Prescribing for Wind-Cold as if it were wind-heat. Can't even figure out such a simple illness. Issuing him a license would be nothing short of murder!'

'This prescription is even more ridiculous! I just don't get it. These people are several times older than that girl from the Zhu Family, yet their knowledge isn't even a fraction of hers.'

'Deduct six points! Deduct six points from all of them!'

'Who is this? Failed the second exam. Don't bother grading the first exam paper—it's a waste of time.'

'Ah, these old doctors. They've lived so many years for nothing.'

Huang Daifu sighed as he graded papers, worrying. Why couldn't there be more young talents like Zhu Shian?

He Zhonghou comforted him. 'Don't be discouraged. Out of over a hundred candidates, if we can select fifty who are truly qualified, that's already very good. It won't be a wasted effort.'

'Principal He, if we're going to run a Traditional Chinese Medicine hospital, we really need to do it properly. If we keep going like this, once this batch of skilled old Chinese medicine practitioners is gone, most of the doctors everywhere will be half-baked. The reputation of Chinese medicine will be ruined by these people, and then we're finished.'

'Don't worry, Huang Daifu. No matter how bad it gets, there are still younger generations like Zhu Shian. Chinese medicine won't die out.'

'Ah, I hope so.'

The old doctors used an elimination method for grading. First, they checked the prescriptions from the second exam for errors. If they found any, they didn't bother reading further—directly disqualified. Only if the prescription was completely correct did they grade the first written exam.

This sped up the grading considerably. Not long after dark, the exam results were out.

Staff from the Shanghai Ministry Of Health came to look at the list. Deputy Minister Zhang Qingfang asked, 'How many are left?'

'After the two rounds of screening, the number of qualified candidates totals thirty-two.'

That was fewer than He Zhonghou had expected.

Zhang Qingfang said, 'That's not too few. Both exams were very difficult. The doctors who passed both rounds must be highly skilled. We can feel confident letting them open their own practices.'

On the list of thirty-two, Zhu Shian's name was first, followed by her age and place of registration. Zhang Qingfang couldn't believe the age of eighteen.

'Is this a typo? Should it be seventy-eight?'

He Zhonghou said no. 'She really is eighteen.'

Huang Daifu said proudly, 'This is a golden nugget. The biggest achievement of this exam organized by your Ministry in Shanghai is that it screened out a young girl like Zhu Shian.'

Zhang Qingfang was shocked. An eighteen-year-old girl outshining a group of old doctors?

'Haha, I wouldn't say outshining. Besides Zhu Shian, there are a few old doctors on par with her. It's just that she was the first to finish, so she's ranked first.'

Zhang Qingfang saw that Zhu Shian's registration was from some small county she had never heard of, and immediately said, 'Such an outstanding talent—we should keep her here.'

'Can't keep her. She's from a family tradition. You know what family tradition means? It means her family has a hereditary plaque. Why would a descendant throw away their family's plaque to come work as a doctor in our hospital? If that were her intention, she wouldn't have traveled so far to take the exam. What the Zhu Family wants is that Individual Medical Practice License.'

Hearing Huang Daifu mention the Zhu Family, Zhang Qingfang noticed two more doctors surnamed Zhu on the list, also from Zhenshan County.

Two old ones bringing a young one to take the exam—they were playing it safe. That license they had to take back.

'Can't we really persuade her? Maybe the young girl likes big cities?'

Huang Daifu shook his head. That was no ordinary young girl.

Ah, if they couldn't keep her, they couldn't. Forget it. There would be many more talents coming to Shanghai later. They would have plenty of chances to choose again.

Zhang Qingfang said to everyone, 'The exams in Beijing are also finished. The number who passed there is more than a dozen higher than ours. This pilot selection has been very successful. Deputy Minister Cui of the Ministry of Health will write a report to submit. I expect relevant policies will come out next year, with annual selections of excellent Traditional Chinese Medicine doctors from urban and rural areas. The selected doctors will either work in hospitals or teach at Chinese medicine colleges, solving the problem of our Chinese medicine ranks lacking successors.'

'That's great!' Huang Daifu said happily. 'If this can be fully implemented, Chinese medicine won't be suppressed by Western medicine anymore.'

Zhang Qingfang smiled. 'Chinese medicine and Western medicine each have their strengths. It's best to develop both together, so we can solve the problem of people having difficulty seeing a doctor as quickly as possible.'

'Good, good, good. As long as it develops, Deputy Minister Zhang, you can say whatever you like.'

Hearing Huang Daifu say this, everyone laughed.

'It's getting late. Everyone, go home and rest. Tomorrow morning, post the list of those who passed and issue the Individual Medical Practice License to these qualified doctors.'

The exam results were out at the school. At the guesthouse next door, the candidates waiting for results were buzzing with excitement. Some were slapping their thighs in regret over a prescription they had been too aggressive with; others suddenly remembered a question they had answered imperfectly. Some were comparing answers with others, arguing as they went—one saying the other's prescription was no good, the other saying the diagnosis was inaccurate.

Zhu Shian didn't join in these disputes. While drawing her Talisman, she took a moment to listen to Feng Niang talk about the good things she had bought today.

'Look at this fabric—wool. It's summer, so it's not selling well. Someone was selling it cheap, and I got lucky. I bought one piece in cream white and one in gray. When winter comes, I'll make you two coats.'

'Aren't you making one for yourself?'

'This wool isn't as warm as cotton-padded clothes. I can't wear it. Ah, it looks nice, but it's only for you young people with strong constitutions.'

Zhu Fengqin admired the good fabric she had snatched up. When she had seen enough, she folded it and put it in a box.

'I heard the exam results will be out tomorrow. When will they issue the licenses?'

'I don't know. Probably tomorrow.'

'Then when are we going back?'

'The day after tomorrow? Or the day after that? Tell Zhu Changfeng to go check the docks and see when there's a boat back. We'll leave whenever there's a boat.'

'That works.' Zhu Fengqin reminded her, 'Zhu Liang helped us a lot. We should go to their house to thank them. Tomorrow is a rest day, so Zhu Liang's father won't be at work and will be home.'

'Mm. Let Zhu Changfeng go. I won't.'

'Zhu Changfeng is a junior. It's not ideal for only him to go. I'll ask Er Gupo and Uncle Shouguang and the others if they want to go.'

'Okay.'

'You're not going because you have something to do?'

'Mm.' Zhu Shian finished the last sheet of yellow paper and said, 'Tomorrow I'll go out and deliver the Talisman to the Action Team.'

'Want me to go with you?'

'No need. I'll go and come back.'

Zhu Shian put away the Talisman, brush, and ink. It was late. She could wash up and rest.

Lying in bed, just about to fall asleep, Zhu Shian remembered the first patient she had diagnosed during the exam. The patient had said she wanted Acupuncture from her but never showed up.

If she didn't come, that was fine. With so many doctors there today, anyone could treat her minor illness.

The hot night made it hard to sleep, the heat vexing her heart. Zhu Shian recited the Calming Heart Incantation twice before she fell asleep.

The next morning, it was another bright, sunny day. As soon as it was light, there was a commotion outside. Everyone was rushing to the school to see the list of those who passed.

Zhu Fengqian urged Zhu Shian to hurry up. Zhu Shian took her time washing her face, smiling. 'The results are already posted. Going early or late doesn't change anything. Let those who are anxious go first. We'll go slowly.'

No sooner had Zhu Shian said this than Zhu Changzhen ran in from outside with a big grin. 'Eldest Miss, great news! You, Uncle Shouguang, and Uncle Shouxin all passed. The examiners are handing out licenses over there. Hurry up and get yours.'

'So early?'

'Not early at all. The examiners are already here. I heard people from the Ministry of Health are here too.'

Zhu Fengqin urged again, 'Go get the license! Oh my, ancestors bless us! With this license, our family's Medical Hall can finally open.'

Zhu Shian was pushed out the door. She ran into a few old doctors trudging back to the guesthouse from the school, their heads hanging low. Clearly, they hadn't passed.

Zhu Shian walked to the school gate and saw a red-paper, black-ink list posted on the wall outside. Her name was at the very top of the first row.

'Eldest Miss, come over here! Get your license here.'

'I'm coming.'

Everyone watched Zhu Shian walk in. This youngest girl had actually passed. Those who had failed looked at her with envy.

Zhang Qingfang had come in person today to help hand out the licenses, also to meet Zhu Shian. Hearing about her was not as good as seeing her. Now that he saw her in person, he realized how young she was.

Leaving aside her medical skills, just the girl's bearing was different from ordinary young people her age. Seeing Zhu Shian, Zhang Qingfang thought to himself that if not for the family's meticulous cultivation, such a child could not have been raised.

Zhu Shian received the Medical Practitioner Qualification Certificate she had long awaited from Zhang Qingfang's hands, unable to hide her joy.

Before Zhang Qingfang could even say congratulations, the Dama from yesterday who had suffered from external Wind-Cold arrived, pulling along a sickly young married woman.

'Little doctor, I came specially to find you today. Please take a look at my nephew's wife. She's been ill for years. We've seen many doctors, tried both Chinese Herbal Medicine and Western medicine, but nothing works. I believe you're very skilled. Please, take a look at her.'

The Dama's nephew's wife looked to be in her twenties, thin and frail. Strangely, despite the hot weather, she wasn't afraid of the heat and even had a piece of clothing draped over her head to cover her face. It was odd.

The other doctors were all sizing up the patient, speculating about what illness this was.

Huang Daifu called out loudly, 'This isn't a place for consultations. Go to the classroom next door. Don't hold up the license distribution here.'

'Fine, we'll do as the doctor says.' The Dama quickly agreed and pulled her nephew's wife into the empty classroom next door.

Zhu Shian followed. At first, she only suspected. But when they reached the classroom and the woman pulled the clothing off her head, revealing the Yin Qi and Resentful Qi entwined around her, the smile vanished from Zhu Shian's face.

This was not an illness. This was fate.

She owed someone a life, and that someone had come to collect the debt.

Zhu Liang knew the exam results would be out this morning. He had come with his parents to watch. He never expected to find such a spectacle as soon as he arrived.

Zhu Shian turned her head to look outside and saw the tall man beside Zhu Liang. Just from his upright aura, she knew he was Zhu Liang's father, who had retired from the military and now worked at the Public Security Bureau.

Zhu Shian beckoned them over. Zhu Liang quickly trotted over with a smile. 'Eldest Miss, what is it?'

Zhu Shian's eyes fixed on Zhu Xing. She pointed the patient out to him. 'Investigate. There might be a murder case.'

Zhu Xing's heart tightened. A murder case?

This woman, thin as a bamboo pole, was involved in a murder case?

Zhu Shian nodded at Zhu Xing. She would not be mistaken.