After five consecutive days, Li Xuan had gradually become familiar with his neighbors. To his delight, the residents were extremely hospitable, with some even bringing him blankets and food.
During this time, Aunt Wang had visited several times, mostly inviting Li Xuan to eat. As time went on, Li Xuan realized that Aunt Wang seemed to be trying to set him up with her daughter.
Li Xuan, who had intended to experience the mortal world and gain insight, naturally would not settle for such a simple life.
Therefore, Li Xuan reviewed the medical skills he had learned from Yi Qin and his knowledge of medicinal herbs. After gathering some common herbs, he set up a stall in the city to treat illnesses.
Although at first, almost no one came to Li Xuan for medical help, he didn't mind. After all, in Po Suo City, there were established pharmacies with storefronts. A simple setup like Li Xuan's naturally wouldn't attract many patients.
With all this free time, Li Xuan would watch the bustling crowds on the street, observing various aspects of human life.
After Li Xuan began setting up his stall to treat patients in the city, Aunt Wang visited him less frequently, which brought Li Xuan a sense of relief.
Nine days passed in the blink of an eye. During the four days Li Xuan had been at his stall, not a single person had come to him for treatment. Yet, Li Xuan continued his routine, rising with the sun and resting at dusk.
"It seems like no one will come to see me again today," Li Xuan said, looking at the sky that had begun to darken. He glanced again at the crowded pharmacy not far away, let out a self-deprecating laugh, and began to pack up his table and chairs.
"Doctor Qi, please, be merciful and save my child." Just then, a weeping voice reached Li Xuan's ears, tinged with desperation.
Li Xuan immediately stopped what he was doing and looked in the direction of the sound.
He saw a woman kneeling outside the threshold of the pharmacy, holding a child of about seven or eight years old, crying and pleading.
"Go, go, go! You have nothing, what are you doing here to see a doctor? Don't you see so many people waiting for Doctor Qi? Hurry up and leave, or don't blame us for being rude!"
As the woman's cries grew louder, two men dressed as shop assistants emerged from the pharmacy. The man on the left glared at the woman with disgust and kicked her with his foot.
The woman, who was kneeling, was struck by the kick and tumbled down the steps with the child in her arms. Fortunately, the steps were not high, and the woman seemed unharmed. After getting up, she knelt again. The child in her arms, as if awakened by the commotion, began to cry loudly.
"Please, please save my child... I can't lose my child..." the woman cried, then bowed to the two men who had come out of the pharmacy, holding the child.
The people queuing at the pharmacy, seeing the woman's plight, showed flashes of pity in their eyes. However, most of them turned away, none daring to speak up on her behalf.
Just as the woman was about to bow, a large hand stopped her, and a voice said, "Don't bow to them, they are not worth your reverence. I'll treat your child for free, how about that?"
As this voice rang out, everyone present looked at the man in front of the woman. This person was Li Xuan, who was about to pack up and leave.
Seeing the woman in such distress, Li Xuan could not stand idly by.
When the pharmacy assistants kicked the woman, Li Xuan had considered unsealing his spiritual power to teach the assistant a lesson. However, remembering that this was the mortal world, he decided against it. After all, he was here to experience life in all its facets. If he were to solve every problem with the power of a spiritual master, his purpose in coming here would be defeated.
Moreover, Li Xuan had a feeling that everything in the world had its destiny. The woman's coming here for medical treatment was the cause, and her inability to afford the medicine was the effect. Her current humiliation was a consequence of this karmic link. If he were to shield her from this kick, it might not necessarily be a good thing for her.
"You... what did you say?"
As if not having heard Li Xuan clearly, the woman looked up at him, her eyes dazed, and asked.
Li Xuan smiled slightly and then said gently, "I said if you trust me, I'll treat your child. And it's free."
"Re... really?" The woman looked at Li Xuan intently, her voice filled with excitement.
Li Xuan nodded and said, "Get up. Time is short, let's save the child first."
"Oh, okay. Sir, thank you." The woman looked at the child in her arms, and with Li Xuan's help, quickly got to her feet. When she saw Li Xuan take the child from her, she bowed deeply to him.
"You! It's one thing for you to open a medicine stall opposite our pharmacy, but now you're directly trying to steal business at our doorstep. Are you deliberately causing trouble?" Seeing that the woman was about to follow Li Xuan, the man who had kicked her before blocked Li Xuan's path and said.
Li Xuan frowned slightly. The child in his arms seemed to be poisoned and was in mortal danger. If he didn't treat him soon, he might have to unseal his powers to save him. But if he did that, his worldly cultivation would be in vain.
Li Xuan took a deep breath and said coldly, "Move aside!"
Although Li Xuan had sealed his strength, the aura of his peak Bi An realm could not be entirely suppressed. Furthermore, since he began cultivating, his presence had been extremely powerful. In his slight anger, this aura instantly erupted.
The man in front of Li Xuan felt a chilling aura envelop him, causing him to tremble.
Seeing this, Li Xuan, holding the child in one hand, pushed the man blocking his way with the other and quickly walked towards his stall.
"He dares to hurt someone!"
Seeing his companion pushed aside by Li Xuan and fall to the ground, the other man quickly rushed forward. He raised his fist and slammed it down on Li Xuan's back.
"Sir, be careful!" the woman exclaimed loudly.
She even rushed forward to shield Li Xuan's back, clearly intending to take the blow for him.
"Scram!"
Before the man's fist could land on Li Xuan, Li Xuan sensed it, turned around, and punched the man with a roar that seemed to compress the surrounding air.
Bang!
Although Li Xuan's spiritual energy was sealed, his physical body had been tempered many times and was incredibly strong. With a single punch, the man who had attacked Li Xuan felt bones in his fingers snap and cried out in pain.
Li Xuan did not even look at the man. He placed the child on the ground, took out a detoxifying pill he had prepared, and put it into the child's mouth.
Then, Li Xuan placed his hand on the child's pulse and closed his eyes to sense. After a moment, Li Xuan slowly opened his eyes, a hint of relief in them.
The child was indeed poisoned by eating poisonous wild fruits, as Li Xuan had initially deduced. And the detoxifying pill Li Xuan had prepared was just right for the situation.
As if feeling comfortable, the child, who had been frowning, relaxed his brows.
"Hmph! What kind of quack doctor emerged from nowhere and dares to hurt someone in front of my Luo Ren's pharmacy!"