Going up the mountain, Uncle? Jia Zizai greeted the man with a smile. He knew this man was Wang Yilong because he had met him at the clinic several times. Wang Yao had told him his story, so he knew that the old man had contracted a serious disease but was now close to being fully recovered.

Ah, I just came down, the old man happily said.

He had gone up Dongshan Mountain to check on the herbal field. Winter had arrived, so he was quite worried about the herbs. Honestly, making money was of secondary importance. He felt that since Wang Yao had kindly provided his family a great way to make money, they had to work hard and not let him down. He did not have to worry, however, since the herbs in the field had not been affected at all. He also simply felt better after strolling up the mountain. It was better than always staying home.

Youre looking well, Jia Zizai said.

Ah, yes, Im feeling quite well, Wang Yilong said with a smile.

He had even indulged in a small glass of white wine while eating the past couple of nights. Originally, both his son and his daughter-in-law had disapproved. After speaking with Wang Yao the other day, he was told he could drink some when he wanted to as long as he controlled the quantity. After that, his son and his daughter-in-law no longer said anything about it. Plus, they were drinking high-quality wine. During the first month of his new job at the pharmaceutical factory, that boss had given him a bonus. It included some good wine he had brought back from the south. Supposedly, a box of that wine was worth hundreds of dollars. Considering that price, people like them categorized the wine as high-quality.

Come visit my house when you have the time, Wang Yilong cheerfully suggested.

He knew that this man, who was not from the village, was Wang Yaos apprentice. Although, he wasnt sure what he was learning. Moreover, the man and his wife had settled in the village. As long as they got along well with Wang Yao, he no longer considered them outsiders.

Sure, Jia Zizai replied with a smile.

In the afternoon, no patients went to the clinic. The weather was nice and relatively warm. Although it was winter, the temperature was above freezing.

After waiting for a while, Wang Yao closed the clinic doors at 4 p.m. and went to the mountain.

The back of Nanshan Hill was mostly covered with trees and vegetation. Lush greenery covered half of the hill because of the many pine trees growing.

Its a lot denser! Wang Yao stood on the mountain and looked at the back of the mountain. The slope behind Nanshan Hill was extremely steep. It was not just limited to a certain area. Almost the entire back of the hill was like that. The steep stretch of slope continued far behind the mountain before connecting with the base of the mountain. At that point, it broke off into a mountain road.

In a flash, he arrived in the forest at the foot of the mountain.

Sure enough, some of the aura in the spirit gathering battle array on Nanshan Hill has spread out, he thought. He had detected this some time ago. The spirit gathering battle arrays purpose was to gather spirits from all directions into Nanshan Hill, but those spirits could not be bound. They would more or less spill out and return to their respective heaven or earth. Wang Yao had noticed this problem for a while, but he had not taken any immediate measures since these spirits had technically been seized and gathered there. Now that it had spilled out, he considered it as a kind of compensation.

The areas behind both sides of the mountain had been affected by the spirits overflowing, so the plants were extremely lush.

Whoosh Whoosh Whoosh

Huh?

Wang Yao stopped in his tracks. A big black snake appeared not far away in front of him. It was a humongous snake that was more than 9-feet long and as thick as a human adults arm. It was winter, but the black snake was not hibernating. It was still slithering around the forest.

Blackie.

After seeing Wang Yao, the black snake curled up into itself.

Do you want to walk with me?

Wang Yao walked in front of the snake. It soon started to follow him. It was extremely spiritual.

when he reached the foot of the mountain, he realized that the weeds on the mountain had grown to his waist. Although they had dried out in the harsh winter, they had not withered.

When he got to the lowest altitude, Wang Yao stopped walking. He turned to look at Nanshan Hill behind him. Looking from there, although the mountain was not high, it was very steep. Ordinary people would be afraid and unwilling to take the risk of climbing it.

He continued and went to the mountain top opposite of where he had been. The location was a little lower than Nanshan Hill. Standing there, he could see the peak of another mountain and the road passing through the mountain in the north. He could hardly feel the aura of Nanshan Hill there.

It ends here. Not bad. Wang Yao nodded.

Blackie, arent you going to hibernate this winter? He leaned down and patted the snakes head. The black snakes eyes were sparkling with spirituality.

Lets go back to Nanshan Hill.

One man and one snake went down a mountain again up Nanshan Hill.

Well, thats it, Blackie. Go on with your business.

It seemed that the black snake understood Wang Yaos words. It turned around and slithered back into the forest.

Not sleeping in the winter but running around instead, Wang Yao murmured to himself with a smile.

Below the mountain, in the village, there was a family.

Mom, how could you be so careless? Nini is still so young. How could you let her touch the thermos? It is so dangerous! When the old womans daughter-in-law returned home, she was very displeased when she heard that her daughter had been scalded by hot water.

Well, I was careless, the old woman said. It was my mistake.

Let me take a look, her daughter-in-law said.

We went and saw Wang Yao. He applied some ointment and said shes going to be fine.

Was it really that useful to see him since merely a small clinic? her daughter-in-law asked.

All the people in the village go to him for treatment, the old woman said. He not only has good medicine that cures their problems, but he is also cheap.

I think you just wanted to save some money. Her daughter-in-law was not happy after hearing that.

Whats the matter? Whats all this noise? At this time, the old womans son entered the house.

Nini has been scalded.

Ah, scalded? Is it serious? the man hurriedly asked.

They went to that young doctor in your village, his wife said. Is he reliable?

Yes, he is absolutely reliable, the man replied. I dont know about anyone else, but I have seen Wang Yaos medical skills with my own eyes. Hes very skillful.

I think its better to go to the hospital, his wife said. After all, its a burn. Nini is still young. It would be bad if she gets a scar!

Theres no need for that. The man waved his hands.

Mom, dont blame yourself for it. Its because this child is not obedient. The man tried to comfort his mother.

He turned and asked his daughter, Does Nini still feel pain in her arm?

The pain is gone.

See, it doesnt hurt anymore. Theres no need to check it again.

Are you even her father? His wife was unhappy with the situation.

Look at it.

Alright, we better go to the hospital and have it checked to have peace of mind, the old woman said.

OK, lets go have it looked at, the man replied after a moment of thought.

The family got into their vehicle. The man drove his daughter and wife toward the Lianshan Countys town center.

In the car, the woman asked her daughter, Nini, be honest with Mommy, does it hurt?

Mom, it really doesnt hurt. Im not lying, the little girl replied.

She really couldnt feel any pain now.

Mmm. The woman was a little relieved after hearing that.

When they reached the hospital, it was almost time for the staff there to get off work.

They got a queue number and lined up. They finally caught the doctor before he left work. Doctor, my daughter has been scalded by hot water. Can you take a look at her?

Isnt it already bandaged? the doctor asked as he looked at Ninis arm.

It was temporarily handled in a village clinic, but Im still a little worried, the woman said.

Well, Ill take a look. The doctor carefully unbandaged the gauze.

The little girl was still slightly injured, but all the blisters had gone down.

Its not serious! The doctor looked carefully, but the skin was just a little red.

The blisters have gone down. When did she get scalded?

This morning.

This morning? Was there a layer of clothing covering her skin?

Im not sure, but my mother-in-law had said that there was a big area of blisters at that time, the woman said. She had heard that clearly.

Its all right now. The doctor bandaged the childs wound again.

Do we need any medicine?

You can have some medicine, the doctor said. Which village are you from?

The man told him where they were from.

The doctor was stunned.

Isnt that where Dr. Wang lives? Did you look for him?

Yes.

Oh, why did you come to the county hospital when you had already gone to him? His medical skills are much better than ours!