Diligence System: From Servant to Martial King

He pondered for a moment, then stood up excitedly and said, "My true intent is not to seek wealth or power, so there is no need for rigidity. Moreover... my practice of medicine has never changed. The lineage of the Ghost Doctor... should be like ghosts and demons; even with rules, one should not be hindered by them. I only need to maintain balance. The Ghost Doctor requires people to seek healing before treating them, which is rather difficult to handle. In practice, this aspect has indeed caused me much helplessness and many troubles. Looking back now..."

"I should have adapted long ago, but a complete change is unnecessary. I need only to use ’seeking medicine’ as my name, calling myself Li the Healer. In this way, when others call for my treatment, they simply need to state my name, thus counting as seeking my treatment."

Li Xian smiled knowingly, his mind made up.

He then experienced a great relief, faintly hearing the sound of the wind. That sound was from Yao, dancing with a sword in the courtyard, the sound of the blade like music, with an alluring posture.

Li Xian washed up briefly, went downstairs to have porridge and vegetables. After eating his fill, he asked the waiter for the location of medical shops, then went out to the streets to search for clinics and shops. Renhuang Square had a total of forty-three medical shops, scattered throughout the streets and alleys. The larger ones looked like towering restaurants, the scent of medicine wafting within. Smaller ones only had a few resident physicians.

After walking half a day and passing by over a dozen medical shops, and going through one medical alley, things still did not suit his fancy. He then shifted his approach, crossed West Wind Avenue, and arrived at ’Tongji Square’. As he wandered aimlessly, he gradually realized that Tongji Square was more prosperous, with higher costs for food and lodging. As the sky darkened, Li Xian knew there would be no gains that day, and returned to the Far Guest Inn.

Practicing martial arts diligently, he rested for a night, and kept searching the next day. Persisting like this for three days, in ’Tongji Square’ at "Revitalization Alley", he found a pleasing medical building: Miao Hand Pavilion. The pavilion was about nineteen zhangs high, structured like a tower; inside, the regulations were strict, with an upright medical ethos, prescribing effective remedies that cure illnesses.

Li Xian searched for days not because he had high standards, dismissing the scale of the medical shops. It was entirely because the physicians lost their true hearts, treating patients merely as a means of profiteering. Minor ailments were treated extravagantly, major ones minimally. Worse than rare diseases was the exploitation of patients’ money. Li Xian was disgusted, and willing to work with such people.

Li Xian, with his seasoned experience and stable, mature demeanor, knew that with his ’commoner’ status, seeking a position of ’physician’ was difficult and would face discrimination. He needed to blaze a new trail, advancing with caution and bravery. Li Xian immediately devised a meticulous plan and thought, "Since I wish to practice medicine here at this Miao Hand Pavilion, I must first employ clever methods, demonstrating unique medical skills without causing their aversion. If I could meet the person in charge, it would be even better!"

Inspired, he first went to other shops’ herbal pavilions, purchasing a few ingredients. Returning to the inn, he brewed them into a decoction and drank it himself.

After contracting a mysterious illness, this strange ailment was exceptionally peculiar, stimulating the competitive spirit of good doctors. Then, he entered Miao Hand Pavilion seeking treatment. This venture had already cost him five taels of silver. Entering the pavilion, Li Xian patiently waited, after half an hour, a physician summoned him to take his pulse and diagnose.

The physician was amazed, asking Li Xian several questions, yet unable to diagnose the illness. Hesitating briefly, he reported upwards, bringing in another physician, who after feeling the pulse and diagnosing, was also baffled at how to treat it. Thus, consecutively, five physicians came, scratching their heads without a clue. Yet Li Xian’s symptoms were peculiar, rarely heard of, seemingly able to be treated, yet not, as if a cat scratched his heart, unwilling to suggest that Li Xian seek more expert assistance.

After much tossing about, the commotion caught the attention of an old man, who quietly approached while others retreated to the sides to listen and observe. The old man took Li Xian’s pulse, astonished, and then examined him carefully, his gaze growing increasingly bizarre. Suddenly, he laughed and said, "Young friend, your medical skills are rare, conveying messages through illness, communicating through treatment. It’s true that ordinary doctors can’t see this depth, remarkable for your painstaking efforts. Well then, if you’re willing, you may register as a practicing physician here!"

Then he turned to the other physicians and said, "You all, your skills are lacking, if you have time, consult with this young friend on the insights within."

Li Xian achieved his desire, gratefully bowing and said, "Thank you for accepting me, Master Physician!"