Chapter Fifteen: A Minor Operation

Yang Liu’er saw that Chu Yun was preparing to treat someone, and felt she ought to help, so she stepped forward and asked, “Husband, what do you need me to do?” Chu Yun was delighted by her initiative—she truly was a diligent girl. Without hesitation, he instructed, “Clean the pot thoroughly, and boil a fresh pot of water.” Yang Liu’er acknowledged the request, promptly washed the pot, filled it with clean water, and set it to boil.

Chu Yun then turned to Jiang Lin and Luo Feng. “Do either of you have a sharp knife?” he asked. Luo Feng produced a bronze dagger from his person. “This knife is sharper than most,” he said, then removed his shirt to expose the injured area. Biting his lip, he looked away and said, “Doctor Chu, go ahead.”

Chu Yun examined the dagger, but found it lacking in sharpness. He asked, “Do you only have bronze tools? No iron ones?” Jiang Lin and Luo Feng were taken aback. It was a long moment before they responded, “Doctor Chu, what is iron?” Chu Yun felt a brief awkwardness—he had forgotten that this world was still in the Bronze Age and likely had never heard of iron.

Thankfully, he had the excuse of his mystical dream, so he quickly replied, “I don’t know either. An old immortal in my dream mentioned it, saying that iron blades are much sharper than those made of bronze.” Luo Feng was visibly excited. “Sharper than bronze blades? If our Great Qi Dynasty possessed them, wouldn’t we dominate the land and never be oppressed again? Doctor Chu, did the immortal in your dream tell you how to obtain iron?” Chu Yun shook his head. “I don’t know.” He certainly did know, but could not simply reveal it.

Luo Feng sighed, “What a shame.” Then, glancing at the bronze dagger in Chu Yun’s hand, he asked, “Doctor Chu, you say my knife isn’t sharp enough—does that mean it can’t be used? I can’t find a sharper one.” Chu Yun replied, “It will work, but when removing the decayed flesh, it won’t be as swift, which will cause you more pain. I fear you may not endure it.” Luo Feng smiled, “Doctor Chu, you underestimate me. It’s nothing—just do it.”

With those words, he bit his lip and looked away again, anxiously awaiting Chu Yun’s treatment. Yet, he waited a long time, but Chu Yun did not cut into his wound. Turning back, he saw Chu Yun tossing the bronze dagger into the boiling pot.

“Doctor Chu, why are you boiling my knife?” Luo Feng asked. Jiang Lin also watched Chu Yun, puzzled. Chu Yun explained, “There are invisible toxins on the blade. It must be sterilized before use, otherwise those toxins will infect the wound again, causing further decay and pus. My treatment and your suffering would be in vain.”

So that was the reason. Jiang Lin and Luo Feng exchanged glances, nodding to each other, their trust in Chu Yun quietly deepening. What they did not know was that Chu Yun had chosen boiling water instead of fire for sterilization, because their blades were made of bronze.

Once the water boiled, Chu Yun used a clean pair of bamboo tongs to retrieve the dagger, holding the handle and letting the blade soak a while longer. Then he said, “Lord Luo, I’m about to begin. Prepare yourself.”

“Go ahead!” Luo Feng replied boldly, though he turned his head and closed his eyes. Seeing this, Chu Yun said, “Lord Jiang, please help hold Lord Luo steady. I fear the pain may overwhelm him.” Jiang Lin complied, wrapping his arms around Luo Feng.

“Hold him firmly!” Chu Yun urged, then pressed firmly around Luo Feng’s wound and began the operation with the dagger. In his previous life as a military medic, Chu Yun had performed such minor surgeries countless times on the battlefield, so his movements were swift and practiced.

In a few deft motions, he squeezed out the pus, excised the decayed flesh, then applied the healing salve he had prepared the night before. Using linen that had also been boiled, he bandaged Luo Feng’s wound.

Jiang Lin was astounded at Chu Yun’s fluid technique—the wound was wrapped beautifully, as if he had done this many times before. His belief in Chu Yun’s divine medical inheritance grew stronger. Luo Feng, sweating profusely from the pain, proved himself a true man—he uttered not a sound throughout. Seeing the skillful bandaging, more professional than any army physician, he too became convinced that Chu Yun had indeed received medical knowledge from the immortals.

With excitement in his voice, Luo Feng asked, “Doctor Chu, I recall you said that with this treatment, my wound will heal in a few days—am I right?” Chu Yun nodded, “Yes, I said so.”

Luo Feng pressed, “Can you tell me exactly how many days?” Chu Yun considered him, then replied, “I can’t say for certain—it depends on your constitution. For the strong, no more than seven or eight days; for the weaker, at least ten to fifteen days.” In truth, it wouldn’t take so long, but he preferred to be cautious in case of unforeseen circumstances.

“Seven or eight days? Doctor Chu, is it really only seven or eight days? Don’t lie to me!” Luo Feng grew more excited at Chu Yun’s words. Chu Yun rolled his eyes, “Why would I lie to you?” Luo Feng burst out laughing, “Ha! That’s wonderful. Doctor Chu, do you know why I asked you for the warrior’s treatment and not the scholar’s?”

Chu Yun was startled, secretly wondering if Luo Feng’s motive wasn’t simply to show off. Jiang Lin stated bluntly, “Lord Luo, isn’t it just to act tough?” Luo Feng snorted indignantly, “You think I want to show off? Jiang Lin, you underestimate me—I have a far more important reason.”