Chapter 142: Treatment

Chapter 142: Treatment

Hearing Li Huowang's words, Zhao Qin standing nearby was clearly utterly bewildered.

He could not understand what the other was saying, and just as he clenched his fists, attempting to say something, an aged woman's voice instantly made him forget all else.

"Master, look, our son is back again."

Shocked, he turned sideways to look at his wife, only to be astonished to find that for the first time in thirty years of being possessed by evil, clarity had returned to her eyes.

"You... you recognize me?" Zhao Qin threw himself beside her, gripping her hands in overwhelming excitement.

"Master, look how good our son is. So young and already filial to his mother, knowing I love freshly fried dough sticks, he went out early this morning just to buy them."

As the old woman spoke, she gently gnawed at the hem of Yang Xiaohai's clothes with her loose teeth.

Immediately after, the disciples of the Longtong Escort Agency were astonished to see that their chief escort, who had always been stern and unsmiling to everyone, was actually shedding tears.

Zhao Qin walked over and embraced his wife tightly, bursting into uncontrollable sobs. "Fengxia... I have failed you!"

Wang Chengxing, who had followed his master since childhood, suddenly felt a sting in his nose. Although his master's temperament was strict, he also knew that this was merely a facade.

At this moment, Bai Lingmiao walked over to Li Huowang, quietly tugging at his sleeve, and asked in great surprise, "Senior Brother Li, how did you do that? You are truly amazing."

Li Huowang looked at the elderly couple embracing before him with a somewhat complex expression. "Prolonged illness makes one a good doctor. I have seen cases like this in the asylum before; actually, compared to diagnosing symptoms, I am more adept at identifying psychotropic medications."

"Then what kind of evil spirit possessed her?"

Li Huowang sighed softly. "She wasn't possessed by an evil spirit; she simply suffered too great a shock back then and couldn't pull herself out of it, and then being locked away for thirty years reduced her to this state."

Having said this, he was about to lead Bai Lingmiao out of the somewhat dim room, but before he had taken a few steps, he was stopped.

It was Zhao Qin, tears brimming in his eyes; in his overwhelming excitement, he crossed his palms and bowed heavily to Li Huowang. "Thank you, benefactor, for your help!"

"Don't be in such a hurry to thank me, the matter isn't over yet. Bring her out, wash her clean, and change her into clean clothes."

At this moment, Li Huowang's words were like an imperial decree to Zhao Qin, and he immediately carried them out.

The old woman, now in a fresh set of clothes, was led to a bright and warm bedchamber, though she still held Yang Xiaohai in her arms.

Li Huowang stood beside her, giving Zhao Qin instructions. "If she likes holding him, let her hold him. Spend some money to hire a few children to take turns for her to hold; her heart is seeking a substitute to compensate for the loss of the past."

"Once she has vented her inner emotions enough, you can swap in a dummy."

"When the sun is out on ordinary days, take her outside to bask in the sunlight more often. More sunlight will improve her mood, which is beneficial for the patient's recovery."

"If there is truly no one to keep her company, keep a couple of dogs by her side; pets can also help stabilize one's state of mind."

"Thirty years is simply too long; for this kind of illness, the earlier the intervention, the more effective it is. You had better focus primarily on stabilizing her condition."

Li Huowang paused for a moment, recalling the words Doctor Li had once said to other patients' families, and relayed the other details to Zhao Qin.

"I only remember this much, so give it a try; it's certainly better than locking her in a dark room. Remember not to lock her up anymore, and don't bind her with chains. She is already this ill; the more you lock her up, the worse it will only get."

Zhao Qin looked at his wife, who was sitting quietly there, his eyes full of excitement, and kept saying, "This is enough, it's more than enough."

That his wife of thirty years could still recognize him was something he had never even dared to dream of.

In his eyes at this moment, Li Huowang was a living immortal of medicine!

"Well then, if there's nothing else, let's leave it at this. We're heading back; we have a long journey tomorrow."

As soon as Li Huowang turned to leave, Zhao Qin spread his arms to block him, saying to his disciple with a trembling voice, "Yuanhu! Go to the Dongfu Tower and set up a banquet! A grand banquet!"

To express his sincerity, Zhao Qin pulled out all the stops.

The finest tavern in this small town was entirely booked by the Longtong Escort Agency to host a feast for Li Huowang and the others.

The most luxurious banquet in the tavern was far beyond what could be found in the main hall of an inn. Various delicacies made everyone's eyes water with desire. Fruitwood-roasted chicken, braised whole fish, steamed cured meats, locust flower soup...

Especially the roast suckling pig in the center of the table, its tender meat roasted to a crispy golden brown, enveloped in rich, fragrant juices, glistening with drops of oil under the candlelight, sending waves of intoxicating aroma wafting through the air.

It wasn't just the people; even Mantou was squatting by Li Huowang's feet, excitedly licking its tongue, waiting for the leftover bones.

Sitting in the seat of honor, Li Huowang paid no attention to all this; he turned his head to listen to Chun Xiaoman beside him recount the whole story from beginning to end.

"Next time something like this happens, ask me first. Don't act rashly on your own, and don't drag Bai Lingmiao into it," Li Huowang said.

Such matters needed to be handled properly; if handled poorly, it would just be another troublesome affair.

Chun Xiaoman paused, seemingly wanting to defend himself, but ultimately said nothing and simply nodded. "Yes, Senior Brother Li."

Seeing Zhao Qin, now changed into formal attire, leading a group of disciples up the wooden stairs, Li Huowang sat up straight again.

Meeting him with fervent eyes, Zhao Qin said nothing, directly pouring full cups of wine and downing three toasts to Li Huowang.

"Chief Escort Zhao, you are too polite. As for your wife's matter, I simply could not bear to watch. Let everyone else take their seats."

Li Huowang first picked up his chopsticks and took a piece of chicken; seeing that the accompanying escorts had all started eating, he then put it in his mouth and gave the others a subtle glance.

The others, who had been waiting impatiently, immediately began to eat, and taking advantage of the escorts being stunned by their eagerness, the dishes on the table diminished at a visible speed.

Picking up a large chicken leg, Li Huowang took a bite and then tossed it under the table.

"Benefactor, great favors need no words of thanks! Today you saved my wife, which is as good as saving me! Tomorrow, a heavy gift will surely be sent to your residence, and I hope you will not refuse!"

Having drunk some wine, Zhao Qin's nose turned red, and he clearly became much more talkative.

"Moreover, if our benefactor ever encounters any difficulties in the future, the Longtong Escort Agency will definitely offer its full support!"

Having said this, he downed three more cups of wine to Li Huowang.

Just as he was about to pour a fourth cup, Li Huowang blocked him with his chopsticks. "Chief Escort Zhao, it's best not to drink too much of this stuff; it's hard to talk when you're drunk. Actually, I do have a favor to ask of you."

"Since you are in the escort business and your escorts are quite skilled, do you have any suitable, high-quality sword techniques?"

This was not solely for Chun Xiaoman; it was equally for himself.

He had just acquired a fine sword from the abbess, and without a matching sword technique, it would be useless. Even if it was a good sword, he couldn't just wield it like a fire poker, thrusting wildly about, could he?

Since the other party had already brought it up, how could he not ask?

(End of Chapter)