Medical skills are profound and complex, and one cannot be careless in the slightest. One must start by identifying medicinal herbs. Ning Si gave him a book of medicinal herbs and asked Chen Xun to identify and memorize them one by one by referring to the herbs in the backyard.
Otherwise, Chen Xun wouldn't even be qualified to do odd jobs at the clinic. However, he considered himself to be quite clever, so he taught Da Hei Niu how to identify them while also reinforcing his own skills.
However, the harsh reality taught Chen Xun a lesson: there are countless medicinal herbs, and accurate identification cannot be achieved through rote memorization.
At night, candles are lit in the backyard, and a man and an ox study by lamplight.
"Old Niu, I didn't realize you weren't so bright after all." Chen Xun laughed heartily, instantly feeling more at ease; they were evenly matched.
For Chen Xun, the most painful thing in the world was not that he couldn't learn it, but that the old ox had learned it while he, Chen Xun, had not.
Moo! Moo!
The big black ox got angry, its eyes widened, and it nudged Chen Xun. It didn't recognize some of the unfamiliar characters and had to rely on Chen Xun to decipher them.
However, it already had a plan in mind: to take advantage of Chen Xun's trip to relieve himself and overtake him, thus curbing his arrogant demeanor.
Time flew by as they learned to identify medicinal herbs, and another year passed. Chen Xun had officially donned the uniform of a shop assistant at Pingtai Medical Clinic.
He started walking with a slight swagger, a smug smile on his face.
In that year, he learned to recognize most of the medicinal herbs. However, Doctor Ning did not praise him for his intelligence, but only said that he was hardworking and could endure loneliness.
He then added the longevity points to speed. In the world of martial arts, speed is the only way to break through. As long as he runs fast enough, disaster will always be one step behind him.
"Hey buddy, one qian of holly, two qian of wild herbs, and three qian of autumn stone."
Okay.
Chen Xun responded readily, quickly taking out medicinal herbs from several cabinets, packing them up, and handing them to the man.
After resting at night, Chen Xun, while munching on sunflower seeds, continued studying his books on medicinal herbs with Black Ox by his side.
However, a hint of doubt gradually appeared in his eyes. He looked the big black ox up and down and said in a low voice, "Old ox."
"Moo!" The big black ox shuddered, its eyes revealing nothing.
"Did you secretly learn it? I've been watching you for days."
Chen Xun raised an eyebrow. This ox had committed a grave offense against him. It laughed and joked with him at night, and then secretly learned from him during the day while he was working as a waiter. How dare it!
"Moo! Moo!" The big black bull broke out in a cold sweat, refusing to admit it, but its eyes had already betrayed it.
"You're forbidden from reading tonight."
Chen Xun turned around and continued cracking sunflower seeds. "I will only read books with you after you realize how despicable this behavior is."
"Moo!!" The big black ox got anxious and circled around Chen Xun, accidentally knocking him over with its rear end.
Helpless, Chen Xun could not persuade it otherwise, so he could only appeal to its emotions and reason with it, explaining the harm caused by secretly learning.
"Do you understand? What if you make a mistake while I'm not here? You can't even read all the characters. These are medicinal herbs. If you make a mistake, it could be fatal."
"Moo, moo." The big black ox nodded repeatedly. He understood and would never steal the trick again.
"Come on, let's continue. Let me tell you about the uses of this medicinal herb."
Chen Xun pointed to the book, and the big black ox stretched its head over as well. The two of them continued studying, their hearts filled with passion.
The following year.
Chen Xun has memorized all the common medicinal herbs in the clinic. He and Da Hei Niu test each other every night, taking out a herb and saying its name.
Dr. Ning simply said "not bad" and didn't react much.
If he didn't have any work to do, Chen Xun would quietly go to the doctors' side and watch them conduct consultations, learning whatever he could, since he had plenty of time.
Back in the courtyard that night, Doctor Ning gave Chen Xun a pharmacology book, which contained information on what diseases could be treated by mixing various medicinal herbs, and what medicinal herbs could clash.
"It is truly profound and extensive."
Chen Xun's eyes gleamed with excitement as he exclaimed, "Old Niu, we've only just begun!" He added, "This has opened a whole new world for you."
"Moo!" The big black ox had already stared into it, its eyes wide open in amazement.
Chen Xun also added the Longevity Points to Speed and continued his studies.
...
Spring has passed and autumn has come. Chen Xun has already changed into a high-class waiter's uniform. Five years have passed in a flash.
They have been at Pingtai Medical Clinic for seven years now, and Chen Xun has witnessed far too much suffering, helplessness, and wailing...
However, Chen Xun's optimistic attitude has provided some solace to many of the people who come here.
The clinic staff changed every year, but everyone remembered this ever-smiling young man and the axe he always carried at his waist.
In the lobby of the clinic, Ning Si sat upright, her eyes filled with solemnity. If she could misjudge a person at first glance, she would never misjudge them in seven years.
Chen Xun changed into formal attire and was paying homage to the patriarch. He then served tea to Ning Si and his wife.
"Master, Master's wife."
Chen Xun bowed his head and clasped his hands in respect, his eyes filled with admiration.
"Chen Xun, what kind of doctor are you?"
"It is our responsibility to treat and save lives."
"But virtue is even more important."
Ning Si narrowed her eyes slightly and looked at Chen Xun, "If you encounter a bandit on the road who robs and plunders and commits all kinds of evil deeds, but is seriously injured and is asking you for help, what would you do?"
Chen Xun was slightly taken aback after hearing this, and said seriously, "Then, Master Ning, I will tell you the truth."
"Can."
"Since I am already seriously injured, I will definitely find him first, but I will not save him."
Chen Xun paused here, his expression showing a struggle, "I will wear a headscarf to avoid future retaliation."
Ning Si and his wife were both stunned when they heard this; it seemed that he had even thought of a way out.
"Not bad, not bad."
Ning Si took a sip of tea and smiled, "A doctor should not do evil; just stick to your principles. I just want to hear your honest opinion."
"This child is indeed excellent, with upright character and a very good temperament."
The teacher's wife chimed in with a laugh, saying that if Chen Xun had said he was going to save this person in order to curry favor with them, they would have looked down on him and thought he was dishonest.
"Alright, then you are officially accepted as a disciple. I have only accepted two disciples in my life, and you are the third."
Ning Si's expression was serious. He had observed Chen Xun for a long time. "Although you are not the most talented one, I believe you will definitely be the most skilled in medicine."
A look of surprise flashed in the teacher's wife's eyes. This was the first time she had ever heard Ning Si praise someone like this. Even their daughter had never been praised like this.
"Master Ning is too kind."
Chen Xun's eyes were calm as he bowed his head and clasped his hands, but the corners of his mouth were beginning to droop.
After the apprenticeship ceremony was over, Chen Xun returned to the backyard of the clinic. He cracked sunflower seeds and boasted to Big Black Bull about what had just happened, his eyes revealing only one emotion: awesomeness.
What master praised me as having the bearing of a medical emperor? Purple aura stretched for thirty thousand miles, and a sage descended from heaven to congratulate Emperor Chen on his return to the throne.
"Moo moo moo!!"
The big black ox believed it without a doubt, its eyes wide open, running around excitedly and occasionally nudging him. It was truly happy for Chen Xun.
"Hahaha..."
Chen Xun's loud laughter and the big black ox's constant mooing echoed from the courtyard, as all the longevity points were still allocated to speed.