Chapter 106: Hua Tuo

"Ability Stats:
Martial Arts—97 (99)↓
Command—74 (74)
Intelligence—63 (63)
Politics—55 (57)↓"

As expected, truly formidable.

"Young Master Yu, your intention was to eliminate the treacherous official. For this old man to save you was merely my duty—one could even say it was a matter of righteousness. You need not dwell on it!"

"Master Wang, please, just call me Yulang."

"You are the brother of His Majesty and a noble of the Great Han; for me to address you so casually would be inappropriate."

"What is inappropriate about it? By age, you are my elder—and what was that about a 'noble'?"

"Indeed," Wang Yue stroked his beard and smiled, looking somewhat envious. "During this morning’s imperial court session, His Majesty personally enfeoffed you as the Marquis of Wuji. It is a position of great status and supreme favor!"

"Then... is Dong Zhuo still present?"

"Of course he is. However, when he explained your assassination attempt to His Majesty and prepared to have you arrested, he was firmly stopped by the Emperor. The treacherous Dong could not defy His Majesty’s newfound authority and had to withdraw in frustration. With the Emperor’s royal majesty beginning to shine, it seems the resurgence of our Great Han is just around the corner, ha-ha!"

*Nani?!* Could it be that I’ve encountered a fake Dong Zhuo? And is this Emperor Xian of Han... or Emperor Wu of Han?

Zhang Yu silently pinched himself. The pain was still sharp and clear, leaving him to sigh at his inability to understand this world.

After chatting for a while, Wang Yue grew more comfortable with him, though a faint sense of respect always lingered in his tone.

"That day, Yulang, your swordsmanship truly opened my eyes. If I hadn't witnessed it with my own eyes, I would never have believed that such fierce and sharp technique could come from the hands of such a gentle and refined Young Master Yu."

"You flatter me. How can the glow of a firefly compare to the moonlight of Master Wang?"

"Haha, your comparison shames this old man. But I do have a question: were you already injured before that fight? I observed that while your movements were intentional, they lacked form, as if you were constrained at every turn. It was not a lack of skill, but clearly a result of your body being unable to keep up. Otherwise, I suspect those two would not have survived the encounter."

"Indeed, that is the case. It is only a pity that time waits for no one," Zhang Yu nodded solemnly.

"A pity. Otherwise, I would certainly have liked to spar with you properly to satisfy my curiosity."

*Creak.*

The door was pushed open, and a man with a simple, honest face, dressed in yellowed linen robes, walked in with a medicine chest slung over his shoulder.

"Ah! Yuanhua has arrived. Yulang, let me introduce—"

"Introduce what! Brother Wang, how many times must I instruct you? Young Master Yu needs rest and quiet! How could you two... how could you be chatting away like this?"

Hearing the physician speak in such a manner, Wang Yue felt a bit embarrassed and quickly rose from the edge of the bed. "I just happened to drop by to check on him, and I saw that Yulang had recovered a bit of his spirit—"

"So you intended to exhaust it all again? Don't come looking for me when you do."

Zhang Yu chuckled. This doctor seemed quite amusing; how was it that he could speak to Wang Yue like this without getting slashed?

"Yulang," Wang Yue said, "This physician is named Hua Tuo, courtesy name Yuanhua. The chronic ailment I suffered from years ago, after seeking out duels, was cured by him. He is a dear friend of mine, and in terms of medical skill, he even surpasses the imperial physicians in the palace!"

"Hua Tuo..." Zhang Yu murmured.

"That is indeed I. I have heard of your great righteousness in sacrificing yourself to assassinate Dong. It is my honor to treat you at Brother Wang’s request." Hua Tuo stepped forward and bowed, then glared at Wang Yue.

"Master Yuanhua, please, no formalities. You travel the world healing the sick and saving lives; I have the utmost respect for you!" Zhang Yu said, attempting to rise to return the bow.

"My Lord (Yulang), you must not!" Wang Yue and Hua Tuo were both startled. Hua Tuo added, "I am but a humble medical artisan; how could I deserve a bow from a Marquis?"

Hearing this, Zhang Yu finally realized that, at this time, the status of a physician was not much better than that of a merchant’s family like his own.

In the Han Dynasty, doctors were not even considered "honorable citizens." Those who practiced such "lowly professions" were often treated as cannon fodder in times of war.

According to the *Records of the Three Kingdoms: Biography of Hua Tuo*: "Tuo was originally a scholar, but he practiced medicine, which he often regretted." Even this legendary physician, whose name would echo through the ages, always regretted taking up medicine as a career.

After all, there had been more than one sincere opportunity for a career in officialdom placed before him—the Chancellor of Pei, Chen Gui, recommended him as a candidate for Filial and Incorrupt, and the Grand Marshal Huang Wan also summoned him.

Yet, Master Hua resolutely chose to follow his ideals. His response was only three words: "I will not go."

Though he had regrets later, his spirit remained worthy of study and admiration. Otherwise, perhaps our protagonist would have already perished.

Zhang Yu’s heart stirred, and he said with a solemn expression, "What of being a medical artisan? Human life is of the utmost importance, worth a thousand pieces of gold. To save a life is a virtue that transcends all labels! You do not practice medicine for fame or profit, but solely to save others. How could I, Zhang Yu, not bow to such noble righteousness?"

For the first time in his life, Hua Tuo felt pride in his profession, and for the first time, he was so moved he nearly wept.

He had saved countless people in his life, yet received very little gratitude.

A medical artisan is simply there to save lives; if you succeed, it is expected, and if you fail, you are incompetent.

Among those scholar-officials, who had ever offered sincere thanks for his life-saving skills?

No one.

Now, hearing these words from the noble Marquis of Wuji—a man he held in such high esteem—he found himself choked with emotion.

Wang Yue looked at Zhang Yu with added admiration, while Jing Shu, who had been standing silently in the corner, watched him with a strange, sparkling light in her eyes.

Hua Tuo composed himself and asked Zhang Yu, "May I ask how you are feeling, My Lord?"

"There is still severe pain, but it is bearable."

"After the medicine you took this morning, your life is no longer in danger, but as for regaining your martial prowess... I fear that is no longer possible."

"Yuanhua! You don't know Yulang's swordsmanship—"

"I know. Young Master Yu faced Dong alone and defeated two Xiliang generals in succession; he is already known among the people as the 'Jade Sword Immortal.' How could I not know? But currently, your body... even engaging in marital relations should be done with caution."

*Damn it,* how can I endure such humiliation? Just wait until I—

Zhang Yu was feeling indignant when Hua Tuo opened his wooden chest, took out several fine silver needles, and gently pricked Zhang Yu’s back.

*Pfft!*

A mouthful of foul-smelling, dark, clotted blood was spat into the wooden basin on the floor.

"The bruising will heal in a few days, but My Lord, please remember: you must never attempt martial arts again."

The two men gave a few brief instructions and left the room. Jing Shu stepped forward to help Zhang Yu get comfortable and gently tucked him in.

Closing his eyes, the dizzying sensation still swirled in his mind.

Zhang Yu pulled up his personal status page and saw that all his stats were flashing red, with the words (Severely Injured) appearing next to his name.

What a pity... this wasn't the same as the stock market.

At the same time, the [Chronic Illness] badge began to glow with a blood-red light, flickering until it was replaced by four new characters.

"Ding. Due to the further deterioration of the host's physical state, the [Chronic Illness] badge has automatically evolved into the [Fragile as Paper] badge."

"[Fragile as Paper] (The host's poor constitution is harder to recover, and you are unable to engage in strenuous activities... I told you to study hard and improve yourself every day, but you had to go around swinging swords and practicing martial arts!)"

"At this rate... I'd probably get pecked to death by a chicken," Zhang Yu clenched his fists, speechless at his own powerlessness. "Am I really destined to follow the path of Brother Changsu?"