A Shocking Dream

Chapter 183

Lin Wunian lowered his eyes, his thoughts drifting back to Linzhou. Back then, the city was filled with grief and sorrow. The plague was like a hideous evil spirit, corroding life. The streets were filled with the stench of decay, and wailing echoed one after another.

"When I first arrived in Linzhou, I was also shocked by the ferocity of the epidemic. However, doctors are compassionate, and facing such a crisis, retreat would be a sin. I worked tirelessly in the clinic, sorting herbs day and night. According to the fragments of ancient prescriptions of the Su Nu School and my medical experience, I repeatedly improved the proportions of the medicines. Every time I tried a new medicine, I waited anxiously for the results, fearing that my hopes would be dashed. For those seriously ill patients, who were on the verge of death, I would stay by their bedsides, giving acupuncture and practicing Qigong, using my true Qi to dispel the pathogenic qi. It was common for me to stay awake for days and nights."

As she spoke, her eyes blazing, "Thanks to God's mercy, we've finally found the key to the epidemic after many twists and turns. The medicine is working, and those with mild symptoms are gradually recovering, and those with severe symptoms are showing signs of survival. But fighting the epidemic isn't the work of one person alone. It's the mutual help of the people and the help of righteous people that built that lifeline. I've only added fuel to the fire."

Lu Yao's heart surged with emotion, "Miss Lin, please don't be so modest. Without your leadership, Linzhou would have long been a dead city. But after this catastrophe, haven't you ever considered finding a safe place to recuperate? Why did you get involved in this dispute with Xie Yuan?"

Lin Wunian smiled bitterly, stood up, and paced back and forth. "I've also considered retiring from the world, but fate won't allow it. Xie Yuan, that evil tumor, is a local scourge, exploiting the people under various pretexts and abducting women as if it were his daily routine. There are even rumors that he's colluding with foreign enemies and plotting treason. I stumbled upon his men's evil deeds and learned some of their hidden clues. He's become a thorn in his side and wants to get rid of me as soon as possible. Besides, as a doctor, I can't tolerate evildoers running rampant. How can I just sit back and do nothing when I've been confronted by them?"

Lu Yao was deeply moved by Lin Wunian's words. Her eyes welled up, her nose aching, and she fought hard to hold back the tears. She took a step forward and squeezed Lin Wunian's hand tightly. The warmth from his palm seemed to carry endless strength.

"Ms. Lin, it has not been easy for you along the way! The Qiuluo Mountain Incident caused the decline of the Su Nu Sect. If it were someone else, they would have been crushed long ago, but you took on everything alone and transformed yourself into the Doctor Wu Nian to save people. I used to think that doctors only needed to focus on treating illnesses, but you care about the people and dare to face even natural disasters like the epidemic. I admire your tenacity and righteousness." Lu Yao's voice trembled slightly, and every word she said was from the heart.

Lin Wunian took Lu Yao's hand and patted it gently to comfort her: "Miss Lu, in the martial arts world, no one can be immune to it."

Lu Yao shook her head vigorously, a few strands of hair falling across her cheeks. "Don't underestimate yourself. Xie Yuan is incredibly powerful and ruthless, and so many people avoid him. You knew the danger, yet you remained unflinching in order to protect peace and uphold justice. How could I not know the difficulty involved?"

Lin Wunian looked at Lu Yao's still somewhat haggard face, and her heart was filled with warmth. A smile appeared on the corner of her mouth that she didn't even notice. She said softly: "Okay, it's late, and your injuries have not healed yet. You should get more rest." As she spoke, she slightly turned sideways and raised her hand to motion Lu Yao to lie down on the bed. The action was natural and carried an irresistible concern.

Lu Yao bit her lower lip lightly, her eyes flickering as if she were hesitant. After a long pause, she finally moved towards the bed. As soon as she sat down, her brows furrowed slightly. The subtle pain from the wound didn't escape Lin Wunian's eyes.

Lin Wunian approached instantly, knelt on one knee, and gently grasped the hem of Lu Yao's skirt with his slender fingers. He carefully examined the bandaged wound on her leg, and said with a hint of self-blame: "I was negligent. The time for changing the dressing has passed. It must be very painful. I will change the dressing for you right away." Lu Yao looked at the nervous look of the person in front of her, and her heart warmed. She reached out to stop her: "It's okay, but it stung for a moment. I was afraid that I would disturb you again."

Lin Wunian refused to give in. He stood up and gently helped Lu Yao lie down, then carefully covered her with the quilt. Then he turned around and walked out quickly. After a while, he hurried back with the medicine box.

She sat at the edge of the bed, deftly unwrapping the old gauze, each movement gentle, afraid to hurt her even a little. When the disinfectant touched the wound, Lu Yao couldn't help but gasp. Lin Wunian immediately stopped, his eyes filled with pity, and blew gently to ease the pain: "Bear with it, it'll be healed soon." He then re-bandaged it.

Lu Yao raised her eyes and looked at Lin Wunian who was concentrating on changing the dressing. Her eyes were full of gratitude and relief. She whispered, "I, Lu Yao, am so lucky to have the world-renowned doctor Wunian treat me so carefully." The difficult journey of seeking medical treatment in the past flashed through her mind like a kaleidoscope. The faces of those doctors who drove her away indifferently and did things perfunctorily formed a sharp contrast with the focused, serious and caring look of Lin Wunian in front of her, which made the grace of saving him seem even more heavy.

As the words left her mouth, Lu Yao felt a sudden pang of pain in her heart. Her sister's gentle, smiling face emerged like a ghost. She had once been so vivid and lively, yet she had been brutally tortured to death by that wicked Xie Yuan. She clutched the corner of her clothes, her knuckles turning white, her heart filled with regret.

If she could have met Miss Lin Wunian earlier, perhaps her sister would not have died unjustly. Her life, like the flowers in spring, could still bloom brilliantly in this world. She could also watch her sister get married, dress her up, and welcome the rest of her happy life, instead of being left with only a handful of yellow earth and endless longing.

Lin Wunian seemed to sense something. He looked up and met Lu Yao's sorrowful eyes. His heart sank slightly, and he gently held her trembling hand: "The dead are gone. The living should not indulge in grief too much, which will only make the dead soul restless. You are still weak now, and excessive worry will damage your vitality."

Lu Yao's nose felt sore and tears welled up in her eyes. She choked and said, "Ms. Lin, you don't know what a good person my sister is. She is kind and gentle, and proficient in music, chess, calligraphy and painting. She was looking forward to finding a good man to grow old with, but Xie Yuan..." The words were choked in her throat by grief and it was difficult for her to finish them.

Lin Wunian sighed softly, raised his hand to wipe away the tears on Lu Yao's cheek, and looked at her with a firm gaze: "This revenge will not go unresolved. Xie Yuan's evil deeds are notorious and cannot be tolerated by justice. Now that I know about this matter, I will not stand idly by. But for now, you need to recover first, so that you can have the strength to seek justice. Don't let my sister worry about you in heaven."

Lu Yao listened, took a deep breath, and nodded heavily, trying to suppress the surge of grief. She knew Lin Wunian was right. In her current state of brokenness, she couldn't even stand before Xie Yuan, let alone seek revenge. With Lin Wunian's comfort, her heart gradually calmed. She secretly vowed to recover with Miss Lin's help, kill her enemy, and comfort her sister's spirit in heaven, not letting the revenge of her sister's death be buried in the years. The night deepened outside the window, and the house was quiet, but it seemed as if a resilient force was quietly growing in the silence, wrapping around them, waiting for the dawn of revenge.

The huge Yingzhou City is like a silent giant beast, devouring the joys and sorrows of countless people.