Chapter 38: Bitten by a Poisonous Snake

Life in the small town flowed like a gently babbling brook, calm and stable, ever since Bai Linglong cleverly escaped from the inn. Thanks to the disguise pill, she managed to evade the scrutiny of King Nangong Yan, and her days returned to their usual rhythm.

The medical hall was still filled with the faint fragrance of herbs, and Bai Linglong adhered to her usual practice, seeing only ten patients a day, no more. On this particular morning, sunlight streamed through the gaps in the window, casting golden patches on the floor of the medical hall.

As usual, Bai Linglong rose early, beginning to arrange the herbs and tools within the hall. Xiaocui was busy cleaning nearby, humming a cheerful tune, dispelling any previous gloom.

“Sister, I wonder what kind of patients will come today.” While wiping the table, Xiaocui smiled and spoke, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Bai Linglong smiled gently, flipping through a medicinal herb reference book, her head not lifting as she replied, “No matter what patients come, we will treat them with care. As doctors, we have a duty to every patient.”

With that, she picked up a medical book and sat at the table, deeply engrossed in her studies, her expression focused as if she were in a world strictly devoted to medicine.

Before Bai Linglong could read a few pages, the door to the medical hall suddenly burst open with a loud bang. Both Bai Linglong and Xiaocui were startled by the sudden noise, their hands nearly dropping the items they were holding.

A man staggered in, his face as pale as paper, devoid of color, large beads of sweat rolling down his forehead. One of his legs was swollen, resembling dough that had risen too much, and the wound was oozing dark blood continuously. The smell of blood quickly filled the medical hall, clearly indicating he had been bitten by a venomous snake, and his condition was extremely critical.

The man’s wife rushed in right behind him, her cries piercing the air and penetrating everyone’s ears. “Miraculous Doctor, please save him! My husband has been bitten by a snake; I begging, please, help him!”

She collapsed in front of Bai Linglong, gripping the fabric of her clothes tightly as if it were her last hope, her fingertips turning white from the force, her voice tinged with desperation.

“Miraculous Doctor, you must save my father!” The man’s son was also beside her, crying out, his tears uncontrollably streaming down his face, his small body trembling violently from fear and worry.

The surrounding townspeople gathered closer, their faces etched with concern.

“Given the severity of this snake bite, I fear there’s no hope.” An elderly man shook his head, his voice trembling, his murky eyes filled with helplessness, as if he had already pronounced a death sentence on the man’s life.

“Indeed, the poison seems to have penetrated deeply; he may not survive.” A young man echoed, his face etched with fear, shaking his head repeatedly, seemingly lamenting the capriciousness of fate.

“Perhaps amputation is necessary; otherwise, the poison will overwhelm him, and even a celestial won’t be able to save him.” Voices of concern murmured through the crowd, spoken softly yet striking like heavy hammers against everyone’s hearts.

Seeing this, Bai Linglong quickly stepped forward to examine the man’s wounds.

Her brows furrowed into a deep frown, her expression grave. At that moment, Doctor Zhang hurried in. He was a middle-aged man with years of medical experience, often working alongside Bai Linglong in the medical hall.

“Master, this man’s leg is ruined; amputation is necessary, or he won’t survive,” Doctor Zhang said urgently, beads of sweat forming on his forehead, clearly understanding the urgency of the situation.

Bai Linglong shook her head, her voice resolute. “No need for that. Just watch me.” Her tone was confident, and her eyes glimmered with an undeniable light, as if declaring to everyone that this problem was trivial before her.

The crowd gasped in surprise.

“No amputation?”  A woman in the crowd widened her eyes, filled with doubt, her voice rising. She seemed to be waiting for a reasonable explanation.

“Exactly, with such a severe injury, how can we avoid amputation?”  A tall, thin man voiced his skepticism, disbelief written all over his face, raising his hands as if seeking affirmation from those around him.

“How is this possible?  I’ve lived for over half a century and have never seen anyone survive a venomous snake bite like this without amputation,” a middle-aged man in coarse linen clothes remarked, scratching his head and raising his voice, drawing glances from the crowd.

An elderly woman with gray hair folded her hands over her chest, shaking her head slightly, her face filled with worry. “Alas, this girl means well, but don’t delay the treatment. Amputation is the only way to save his life.”

“Perhaps the Miraculous Doctor really has some miraculous method. She has treated many difficult ailments before,” a young man stepped forward, speaking up for Bai Linglong, his eyes filled with a glimmer of hope.

“What miraculous method could she have?  Is she going to conjure up an antidote out of thin air?”  The middle-aged man immediately retorted, his tone full of disdain.

Just then, a hunter carrying a bamboo basket spoke up, “ I think we should listen to Doctor Zhang; he has practiced medicine for many years and surely knows best. Although the Miraculous Doctor is skilled, this injury is too severe this time.”

The crowd engaged in a heated debate, with most believing that amputation was the only option, while only a few held onto a glimmer of hope for Bai Linglong.

These voices intertwined, filling the small space of the medical hall, but Bai Linglong seemed oblivious to them, focusing solely on preparing to treat the injured man.

Ignoring the surrounding doubts, Bai Linglong calmly moved aside, using the sleeve of her garment to obscure her actions, cleverly hiding in the dim light.

While appearing composed, she was silently concentrating her thoughts, establishing a connection with her mysterious space.

With a flicker of intent, a crystal vial containing the serum appeared steadily in her hand.

The pale blue liquid inside shimmered with a dreamlike glow; this serum was something she had prepared in her space.

With determination in her heart, Bai Linglong approached the injured man, her focus unwavering as she prepared to administer the serum.

“Everyone, I need you to trust me,” she said, her voice steady, cutting through the murmurs. “I have a way to save him without amputation.”

The crowd fell silent, a mix of skepticism and curiosity filling the air. They watched as Bai Linglong knelt beside the man, her demeanor exuding confidence and calmness.

“Please, step back and give me some space,” she instructed, her eyes scanning the man’s condition closely.

As she uncorked the vial, the enchanting glow of the serum seemed to captivate the onlookers, sparking a flicker of hope among them.

“Trust me, this will save him,” Bai Linglong reassured them, her heart racing but her resolve unyielding. With precise movements, she began to apply the serum to the wound, determined to prove that there was still hope, even in the direst of circumstances.