Chapter Twenty: Freedom and Choice

"Many thanks, Divine Physician Xia. Here is your consultation fee."

After placing the man back onto the stretcher, one of the men handed over a check, his expression full of reverence.

"Mm."

Glancing at the figure on the check—one hundred thousand—Xia Ye nodded and tucked it away.

One hundred thousand for a life. That was his rule for saving people. While it was true that human life is priceless, he could not be expected to act for free; besides, compared to a hospital, his fees were quite reasonable.

Of course, this was only the general rule. After all, a physician has a benevolent heart, and whether he would save someone or accept payment ultimately depended on his own mood. However, one principle remained immutable: for entities like the company, paying for the treatment of their employees' work-related injuries was a fundamental duty. When dealing with the company, he would never be overly courteous.

"The patient is saved, you may return now..."

Waving his hand, Xia Ye began to take inventory of his medicine cabinet. The men nodded repeatedly and thanked him again.

"Thank you, Divine Physician, for your assistance. Since you are busy, we won't take up any more of your time!"

Their superiors had instructed them never to provoke this man, so they were naturally cautious. Seeing that he had no intention of entertaining them, they quickly lifted the stretcher and prepared to depart.

But just then—

Clang!

A sudden noise from Chen Duo's room caught their attention.

"Oh? You have others here?"

They had noticed from the start that the layout of the place had changed, but given the urgency of their situation and the privacy involved, they hadn't asked. Now, they were curious.

"Yes, some patients require long-term observation, so I expanded two rooms for inpatient care. They are occupied at the moment." Without a hint of panic, Xia Ye replied nonchalantly. "The patient in that room has limited mobility; she must have knocked over her breakfast bowls. I'll go clear it up in a moment, so you'd best stay clear..."

"Her condition is contagious."

"Ah?!"

Upon hearing this, the men’s faces paled. They glanced at their colleague on the stretcher and exchanged nervous looks.

"Then we won't disturb you any further!"

Without the slightest hesitation, the men asked no more questions. After offering a quick bow of respect, they bid him farewell and hurried away with the stretcher as if fleeing.

"Heh..."

Turning to watch their retreating figures, Xia Ye revealed a faint smile. Dealing with the company's people was quite simple; after all, those who joined the company... none of them were particularly brave.

If it weren't for the pursuit of "stability," no Outsider would willingly be kept under someone else's thumb. Most company employees simply yielded to the company's intimidation, finding that life within the system was better than living in constant fear.

Once he confirmed they were well and truly gone...

Knock, knock, knock!

Xia Ye knocked on Chen Duo's door.

"Child, what happened just now? May I come in?"

"..."

"Come in."

After a moment, a voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz came from within. The tone sounded uncertain, but that was enough.

"Every beginning is difficult; you'll get used to it," Xia Ye said with a gentle smile. He opened the door and peeked inside to assess the situation.

He saw Chen Duo clutching a single chopstick, with the breakfast bowl shattered on the floor. Seeing how she held the chopstick, he understood immediately, and his eyes narrowed slightly.

"These are chopsticks. Have you never used them before?"

Stepping into the room, Xia Ye asked softly, bending down to pick up the shards without a hint of reproach. "How did you eat before?"

Seeing that Chen Duo did not answer, he followed up with another question, only to see her drop the chopstick, cup her hands, and bury her head inside them.

"..."

"What a bunch of animals."

Seeing this gesture, Xia Ye cursed under his breath. He tossed the shards away, prepared a fresh breakfast, and began to teach her hand-in-hand.

"Look, this is how you use chopsticks..."

It had to be said that Chen Duo was very quick to learn. Within moments, she had mastered the chopsticks. He immediately added, "Using chopsticks prevents you from being burned by hot food and is more hygienic. Try to use them from now on; it is good for your body."

Xia Ye never issued "orders" to Chen Duo, only "suggestions." Though they sounded the same to her ears, in time, she would naturally understand the difference. To build a sound worldview and personality for her, this step was essential. Only by allowing her to truly experience the value of "freedom" and "choice," and making them a habit, could her "healing" be achieved bit by bit.

"Alright, eat up..."

After teaching Chen Duo how to use the utensils, Xia Ye stepped out. Just as he had said before, the girl needed space and could not be pushed too hard.

As he closed the door to Chen Duo's room, the other door opened, and Xiao Zizai stepped out. "Those guys just now were from the company, weren't they? Will they be suspicious?"

"Rest assured," Xia Ye shook his head. "In the company's eyes, I have no reason to antagonize the Medicine Immortal Society, nor do I have the ability to slaughter them all. I am merely a physician, nothing more."

"As for you, although the incident at Lingyin Temple caused quite a stir, you have been dormant ever since and have long passed the company's monitoring period. As long as we leave no traces, the company won't grow suspicious."

"Is that so? What a pity..."

Upon hearing this, a flicker of red light flashed in Xiao Zizai's eyes, revealing a hint of disappointment.

Afterward...

Xiao Zizai left the house and found a scenic spot to meditate. He felt his mind was somewhat restless after the recent bloodshed, so he began to recite the Buddhist meditation mantra to quietly settle his thoughts.

As for Xia Ye, after taking inventory of his medicinal herbs and preparing the formula, he retreated into the treatment room. The refining of pills was a task that should not be delayed, and it was not something that could be achieved in one go; it required repeated adjustments.

"Medicine Master Lapis Lazuli, dwelling in the Pure Lapis Lazuli World, a land as pure as the realm of ultimate bliss..."

"At his side are the two attendants, Sunlight and Moonlight, who shine together to bring forth radiance—the three lords of medicine..."

"His image is solemn; his left hand holds a medicine jar, his right hand forms the mudra of fearlessness, his heart harboring a great vow, the pinnacle of goodness for all under heaven..."

"He is adorned in precious raiment, seated upon a lotus throne, with twelve divine generals beneath, each leading seven thousand Yaksha attendants, protecting all sentient beings..."

Carrying the selected herbs, Xia Ye closed the door, walked to the medicine cabinet in the treatment room, and whispered to himself as he opened the cabinet door.

The space within appeared to warp, revealing a hidden compartment filled with countless bottles and jars bearing strange labels. He began to make his selections.

For Xia Ye, compounding medicine was an art, and naturally, it required inspiration. This inspiration was drawn from various myths and legends, though he would also make certain "magical modifications" based on the condition of his subjects.

"The image of the Medicine Master, the Lapis realm, the radiance of sun and moon, the life of all beings... none of these can be missing..."

Soon, various bottles and jars were retrieved and laid out on the table...

"Let us begin!"

He flexed his fingers, a look of anticipation on his face.