Free Web NovelPublish Time: 2026-07-12 06:32:00
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«Chapter 556: Why, No Wound?
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Miss Ruyi had just finished preparing the tea. As soon as one foot stepped out the door, Wang Xingsheng’s voice reached her. She paused briefly, the teacup and teapot in her hands nearly falling to the floor.
“Clink…”
Wang Xingsheng quickly stood up to help. “Miss Ruyi…”
Miss Ruyi simply waved her hand. “It’s nothing.”
She then carried the tea to the table before picking up Lihua and walking away.
“Uncle Chen, I’m taking Lihua out to play for a while.”
Before leaving, she didn’t forget to glance back at Uncle Chen.
Chen Changsheng said to her, “Come back early.”
“Mm, okay.”
After Miss Ruyi left with Lihua, only Wang Xingsheng and Chen Changsheng remained in the courtyard.
Wang Xingsheng sat down again and saw Mr. Chen push the tea toward him.
He accepted it with both hands. “Thank you.”
Chen Changsheng asked, “Why did you ask that, young sir?”
Wang Xingsheng opened his mouth. “Today, I took my mother out to see the mountains. On the way, we encountered a sparrow. By bad chance, a grain of rice stuck to the long cloth binding my mother’s leg. The sparrow snatched the grain. Before we knew it, the cloth unraveled and I saw… my mother’s leg had no scar at all.”
“I see.”
Chen Changsheng said, “So, young sir Wang, you think I used some kind of supernatural means?”
Wang Xingsheng nodded slightly as he opened his mouth.
Chen Changsheng chuckled. “Have you ever wondered? If I truly knew such supernatural arts, why would I be here? Or rather, what about me ever gave you the impression of being someone who could wield them?”
Wang Xingsheng was also deeply puzzled. Everything seemed illogical to him, yet somewhere deep inside, he felt his instinct wasn’t completely wrong.
At the very least, Mr. Chen was definitely hiding something.
Wang Xingsheng spoke up. “I don’t understand why either, but I just can’t stop wondering. How else, otherwise, could you have cured my mother’s leg without a scratch on her skin?”
Chen Changsheng said, “In truth, there’s nothing extraordinary about it. Since ancient times, the art of healing has produced its share of talented individuals. Our predecessors slowly discovered cures through medical texts and principles, striving to heal the sick and save lives. Over countless years, many pioneers compiled prescriptions and writings, passing down this knowledge generation after generation.”
“Even though much of it remains, many miraculous techniques are constrained by human limitations and thus never see the light of day. Countless wondrous methods and secrets have faded from the world’s memory for this reason.”
“But fading doesn’t mean being lost forever. Do you understand, young sir?”
Wang Xingsheng was stunned for a moment before cupping his hands politely. “I’m a bit confused about what ‘limitations’ you speak of, Mr. Chen. Might I ask for your guidance?”
“It’s somewhat like Baixiang Noodles.”
Chen Changsheng continued, “Sometimes the passing down of a skill depends on talent or opportunity. Take your grandfather, for instance. If not for his diligent study, would we have Baixiang Noodles today? Of course, perhaps someone else might think of it someday. But ask yourself, young sir, how many people in the world ever consider using medicinal herbs as spices?”
“The difficulty lies precisely here.”
Chen Changsheng lightly tapped the tabletop.
Wang Xingsheng’s eyes cleared. “So that’s how it is…”
Chen Changsheng nodded. “Exactly. It remains part of medical arts, nothing supernatural at all. You needn’t dwell on it further, young sir.”
Wang Xingsheng smacked his lips, suddenly feeling quite embarrassed.
“Curiosity got the better of me, and I spoke without thinking. If my words offended you earlier, please don’t take it to heart.”
“Not offended at all,” Chen Changsheng said with a smile. “When you thought I used supernatural arts, that implies you saw true skill in me, doesn’t it?”
Hearing this, Wang Xingsheng replied, “Your healing touch truly borders on the miraculous.”
With his suspicions eased, Wang Xingsheng stopped overthinking. He then inquired about his mother’s leg and what precautions were needed since the bandage had come loose.
Chen Changsheng said, “Simply rebind it. It was only off a short while, no harm done.”
Only then did Wang Xingsheng breathe a sigh of relief.
Truth be told, the young sir of the Wang family was indeed observant. Yet he was still a bit young. After hearing this explanation, his belief in ‘supernatural means’ was genuinely untangled.
Perhaps stirred by curiosity, the young Wang now inquired:
“Mr. Chen, with your vast experience, have you ever witnessed true supernatural arts? And… are deities truly real in this world?”
“To your question, I cannot answer,” Chen Changsheng stated. “In my view, perhaps it depends entirely on your perspective. Much like the Ghost Deities hallowed in temples – if you believe, they exist; if you do not, they vanish.”
“If you believe, they exist; if you do not, they vanish…”
Wang Xingsheng murmured this phrase under his breath. He couldn’t help but recall the City God enshrined in temples. Strange tales often circulated in Qingshan city too.
If none were ever witnessed by the eyes, wasn’t the truth of such tales entirely dependent on whether the listener decided to believe?
“Thank you for the insight, Mr. Chen.”
“Mhm.”
Chen Changsheng nodded and sipped his tea.
The two sat in silence within the courtyard for a moment. Conversation shifted away from the subject, focusing on lighter matters – plans for the future, idle chatter.
Once the tea was gone, Wang Xingsheng rose and bid farewell to Chen Changsheng, promising to visit again in a few days.
Wang Xingsheng left the small courtyard, heading toward the alley exit.
Just before reaching the alley’s end, he couldn’t resist glancing back.
His thoughts drifted to the Daoist Priest Xuanchengzi who had passed this way before. Another brief daze washed over him.
Wang Xingsheng snapped back to reality with a sigh, “Ah… I truly overthink things.”
He shook his head and walked out.
Perhaps it was also this: who in the world had genuinely encountered supernatural prowess? He put it down to reading too many fantastical tales, letting his mind run wild with baseless thoughts.
………
Not long after the young sir Wang left, Chen Changsheng also went out to the street.
He had promised Lihua last night to buy it a fish, and he’d nearly forgotten.
By now, the market crowd had dispersed; vendors dwindled, shops already shut their doors.
Chen Changsheng searched long without finding a fish seller. Just as he considered seeking out a nearby river or lake to fish, two large fish suddenly flashed before his eyes.
Looking toward the source, he saw an old man carrying two white fish-slips while a fishing pole rested on his shoulder. The catch must belong to this angler.
Spotting this, Chen Changsheng hurried after him.
“Elderly master, please wait a moment.”
Hearing the voice, the old man turned back and eyed the interloper. “You calling after me, young man?”
“Indeed.”
Chen Changsheng smiled. “To be honest, I came hoping to buy some fish to bring home. Unfortunately, I arrived too late; the street stalls contain nothing. Unexpectedly, seeing you pass by carrying a catch, I wondered if I could trouble you to part with two? I’ll pay the market rate.”
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