“A boy is better,” the old man said, wiping his greasy fingers and then swiftly checking Chu Zhaoyou’s pulse. After a moment, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

“He bit you just now?” the old man asked.

Chu Zhaoyou felt a pain in his shoulder. “What’s wrong?”

“It’s good that he doesn’t reject your blood. It would have been more troublesome without you here,” the old man said, circling around Xiao Heng a few times, his gaze lingering on the intricate patterns on his belt buckle, before reaching out to feel his pulse.

However, Xiao Heng’s reflexes were faster each time, and the sense of danger from having his pulse taken made him instinctively protect himself.

After missing his pulse four or five times, the old man couldn’t help but call out to Chu Zhaoyou, “You need to control him!”

Chu Zhaoyou said, “Xiao Hei.”

Xiao Heng frowned and reluctantly extended his hand, clearly showing his disdain.

Chu Zhaoyou watched him silently, wondering when he had developed this aversion to strangers.

The old man pondered for a moment, and at this point, he seemed to exude an air of a transcendent and divine healer. “He’s been afflicted by the ‘Heartbinding Gu’ for about seven or eight years. This is his first outbreak.”

“Each outbreak of the ‘Heartbinding Gu’ causes a loss of rationality. After seven outbreaks, the person becomes as foolish as a three-year-old child.”

“Ah…” Chu Zhaoyou was shocked to encounter a completely unfamiliar world of poison. “He’s had three headaches already.”

Even if it can be cured, will he maintain this level of intelligence in the future?

The old man reassured him, “No, the ‘Heartbinding Gu’ only flares up once a year, lasting for a few days each time. This is still his first time. Once he experiences a few more bouts of pain, he will have survived the first time.”

“You’ve caught him at just the right time. Thanks to the delicious aroma of your roasted chicken. Once the intelligence is damaged, it’s irreversible. After the first complete outbreak, his condition will stabilize.”

“So, you mean I have to cure him before his next headache?”

“Yes. That way, he can recover to his state before the outbreak.”

Chu Zhaoyou looked worried. Treating an illness was not something that could be done in one go. Xiao Heng’s headaches were not far apart, and the situation was too urgent.

The old man sensed his concern and said meaningfully, “Gu, whether it’s easy to cure or not, as long as you draw out the Yang Gu from his body, it will be done.”

“That simple? What do you use to draw it out?”

“You.”

Chu Zhaoyou’s eyes widened, reflecting the old man’s pointed finger.

He had a bad feeling about this. He hadn’t forgotten that he was in a transmigrated story. According to some unscrupulous authors’ plotlines, the process of curing Gu was likely not in line with the core socialist values.

“The union of Yin and Yang. The Yang Gu is naturally drawn out when it’s attracted,” the old man said, looking up at the sky and coughing.

“But you need the Yin Gu to attract it, right? How can you just find someone on the street to do it? That’s unethical!” Chu Zhaoyou protested. “Could it be that I happen to have that Gu in my body?”

The old man was even more agitated. “How would I know? I didn’t invent this despicable thing! Since he didn’t reject your blood, your constitution is suitable. It’s absurd to think you can just find someone on the street to cure Gu. Do you think the ‘Heartbinding Gu’ is used to force this poor guy into a relationship? Think about it. Did this poor guy become close to you the first time you met? Why didn’t he go to someone else? You’re the one!”

The louder the voice, the more hollow the heart.

The old man hadn’t actually finished reading the ancient records. It had been too long, but he assured them that everything he remembered was absolutely correct. This was the confidence and pride of a healer.

He promised to go back and review the book again.

Chu Zhaoyou glanced at Xiao Heng. So, it was because of his constitution that Xiao Heng was willing to follow him?

The old man explained, “You don’t need to be sad. He only instinctively approaches someone who can cure the Gu when he’s having an outbreak. Look at him now, without a headache or fever, he’s ignoring me and willingly getting close to you. The ‘Heartbinding Gu’ isn’t about love and affection. It’s not related to emotions. It’s a very insidious thing. I can’t remember it very well now…”

The old man felt like he might have been a matchmaker in a past life.

Seeing the inexplicable argument between the old man and Chu Zhaoyou, Xiao Heng developed a strong animosity towards the old man.

He stood between the two men, shielding Chu Zhaoyou behind him, attempting to block the old man’s gaze with his large stature.

The old man looked smug, and Xiao Heng didn’t like it.

Chu Zhaoyou, seeing Xiao Heng’s reaction, felt his slight frustration dissipate. He held Xiao Heng’s hand and pulled him behind him.

“Are there any side effects?”

“Um… I don’t remember,” the old man scratched his head. “There are so many medical books. If I don’t remember something, it’s generally not important. That means there’s no problem. It’s up to you whether to treat him or not.”

This old man was simply maddeningly unreliable.

Chu Zhaoyou turned to Xiao Heng, thinking about his lightning-fast speed when carrying him, his willingness to comply with requests, and how he had been deceived by the kind lady… How could he not treat him? He hadn’t seen Xiao Heng in a clear state, but he must be exceptionally talented.

“I’ll treat him.”

The old man said, “If it weren’t for me today, you would be… *cough*… It wouldn’t work. You need to cooperate with my medicine. It’s a two-pronged approach. Do you have money?”

Chu Zhaoyou was cautious. “How much?”

“100 taels,” the old man said without changing his expression, as befitting a legendary physician.

“Three taels,” Chu Zhaoyou countered.

The old man remained unfazed. “Four taels, final offer.”

Chu Zhaoyou’s chest heaved. He only had four taels left. He should have negotiated down to fifty copper coins.

“You’re taking too long. This poor guy can’t wait,” the old man said.

Chu Zhaoyou gritted his teeth and paid the money, receiving three packets of medicine powder and a few instructions. He felt like he had fallen into a big pit.

Finally, he asked with a determined tone, “Is there a specific method for the procedure?”

His voice was calm, but his cheeks were flushed.

The old man replied, “He needs to draw out the Gu. What do you think?”

Chu Zhaoyou glanced at the two of them. He couldn’t bring himself to do it to a fool. How could he? Besides, what did a fool understand?

Chu Zhaoyou exploded in frustration, taking three steps forward and grabbing the fleeing physician. His face was bright red as he tried to appear fierce. “You can’t leave. You need to teach him first.”

After selling the medicine, there had to be some after-sales service.

The old man looked surprised. This big fool wasn’t his daughter, so why did he have to teach him?