As a voice rang out, Li Xuan's brows furrowed, and he looked up.
Standing before the entrance of the pharmacy was an old man, around fifty years of age. Clad in a gray and white robe, his face was full and his demeanor suggested a life of comfort.
The old man glared at Li Xuan, his eyes filled with disdain.
"The duty of a physician is to heal the suffering and alleviate the ailments of others. Since you have opened a pharmacy, why then turn away patients? If you had treated this child, would this situation have arisen?"
Li Xuan recognized the old man as Luo Ren, the proprietor of the pharmacy.
Having been exposed to medicine since childhood, Li Xuan had internalized the principles of healing and helping others as a physician's responsibility. Luo Ren's inaction here filled Li Xuan with disgust.
"Absurd! Since I have opened a pharmacy, I must receive a certain remuneration. If I were to treat everyone for free, what would I eat? What would I wear? In this world, have you ever seen a free lunch?"
"Boy, I saw you set up opposite my pharmacy earlier and thought, as a fellow practitioner, I'd let you have a livelihood. But now, you dare lay hands on my staff. Today, you owe me an explanation!"
"Otherwise, I shall report you to the City Lord and have you expelled from this city of Posuo!"
Luo Ren's face contorted into a cruel sneer, and a covetous glint appeared in his eyes as he glanced at the child in front of Li Xuan.
"Oh? And what explanation do you desire?" Li Xuan sneered. He had noticed Luo Ren's gaze and suspected the man had ulterior motives.
"Considering this is your first offense, you shall kowtow to me and admit your fault. Furthermore, you will hand over your detoxification pills as compensation for my staff. If you comply, I will not pursue the matter, and you may continue to set up your stall in Posuo City."
"Otherwise, I shall inform the City Lord, and you will be banished from Posuo City. Boy, the choice is yours, and I believe you know the answer."
Luo Ren spoke, his greedy eyes fixed on Li Xuan, unashamed.
"Heh, that's quite a choice indeed," Li Xuan chuckled, anger rising. Luo Ren's true intention was to seize his detoxifying pills.
Though these pills were common, Li Xuan had personally concocted them. Furthermore, a single pill could neutralize a hundred poisons. For ordinary people, especially in a remote place like Posuo City, they were exceedingly precious.
"Naturally. Boy, speak up, have you considered it carefully?" Luo Ren smiled, satisfied.
Seeing Li Xuan's reaction, Luo Ren believed the boy would indeed surrender the pills. He even mused that if Li Xuan offered the pills and a few words of flattery, he might let the matter slide.
Li Xuan smiled slightly, "Your name is Luo Ren, isn't it? I think you should have your parents rename you. How about Luo Bu Ren (Luo the Unrighteous)?"
"You… you little brat! How dare you mock me! What are you waiting for? Go, apprehend him! I will hand him over to the City Lord and have him expelled from Posuo City!"
Luo Ren's smile froze, then erupted into a furious roar as he barked orders at the six disciples behind him.
The six disciples lunged at Li Xuan. Li Xuan smiled faintly. Though his spiritual energy was sealed, his physical strength remained. Even standing still, they couldn't touch him.
With a few light palms, the six attackers were sent flying.
"What! How is this possible!" Luo Ren's pupils contracted as his disciples were sent sprawling without even a proper exchange. He involuntarily backed towards the pharmacy entrance.
At that moment, a voice slowly echoed, "Luo Bu Ren, is it too late to leave now?"
Luo Ren froze in place. The onlookers gasped in shock.
Li Xuan strode towards Luo Ren, a slight smile on his face, "You said earlier, I should kneel and apologize to you?"
"You… don't come closer! I tell you, I'm friends with the City Lord. If you dare harm me, the City Lord will not let you off!"
"Boy, I'll give you one last chance. Hand over the detoxifying pills, and this matter will be settled. Otherwise, not only will you be expelled from Posuo City by the City Lord, but she and this child will also be forced to leave!"
As Li Xuan approached, Luo Ren retreated in terror, stumbling and falling to the ground.
"Rest assured, I won't hit you. But as a physician, one must have the heart to aid the world. When a patient needs our help, even without reward, we should offer boundless compassion and do our utmost to assist them. Moreover, with your capabilities, dispelling this child's poison is but a simple task."
"If this were not the only pharmacy in Posuo City, do you think they would grudgingly seek your treatment?"
Li Xuan paused, his expression turning cold. Even now, Luo Ren showed no remorse.
Though Li Xuan wished to teach Luo Ren a lesson, he knew that in Posuo City, aside from the City Lord, his three sons, and two other spiritual masters, the rest were ordinary folk. Furthermore, he wouldn't be staying long. Thus, Li Xuan patiently continued,
"This young brother speaks the truth! Luo Ren, relying on being the only doctor in Posuo City, not only charges exorbitant fees but also disregards us entirely. I've decided, from now on, I'll seek treatment from this young brother!"
"Yes! Previously, we had no other doctors, so we had to come here. Now that this young brother has appeared, why should we still endure Luo Ren's temper?"
"To my shame, when I saw that employee kick the person, I wanted to help, but I had to hold back as I needed to ask for favors. Now I've decided, our entire family will no longer seek treatment at Luo Ren's pharmacy. Let's see how Luo Ren can continue to be so arrogant!"
"…"
As Li Xuan finished speaking, the crowd became indignant. Under Luo Ren's gaze, they moved behind Li Xuan, signifying their stance.
"You… you all!" Seeing the crowd pour out of the pharmacy, Luo Ren panicked. The thought of his pharmacy becoming an object of public scorn after this incident caused him to spit out a mouthful of blood.
"Luo Ren, remember, your status is entirely dependent on them. Without them, you would merely be an ordinary person in Posuo City. Water can carry a boat, and it can also capsize it. I hope you understand."
"One last piece of advice: saving lives and healing injuries is the mission of a physician. Devotion is our faith. Boundless compassion is our responsibility! If you can awaken, there is still time. Of course, you can also summon the City Lord to expel me from Posuo City."
Li Xuan turned and walked back to his stall. The surrounding crowd, meanwhile, flocked towards Li Xuan's stall.
In an instant, only Luo Ren remained, dazed, his face shifting in color as he fell into contemplation.
"Master, are you alright?"
As the crowd followed Li Xuan away, the six disciples, who had been sent flying by Li Xuan, gathered around Luo Ren, anxiously inquiring.
"I'm fine…" Luo Ren waved his hand, then slowly raised his head, looking towards Li Xuan, now surrounded by people. The woman who had been holding the child was now bowing repeatedly to Li Xuan, thanking him, her child having already awoken.
Seeing this, a hint of confusion gradually appeared in Luo Ren's eyes.
"Perhaps, I was wrong. The heart of a physician, boundless compassion, healing the world. It seems, from the very beginning, I was on the wrong path…" Luo Ren murmured, watching as the crowd, who should have been at his pharmacy, now lined up orderly under Li Xuan's guidance, awaiting treatment.
"Master…" The two disciples closest to Luo Ren were startled by his words. They exchanged glances, a clear hint of surprise in their eyes. Luo Ren's words seemed to deviate from their understanding of him.
"Help me over," as if having made a decision, a determined glint flashed in Luo Ren's eyes, and he said to the disciples beside him.
"Master, that person…" The two disciples showed a hint of hesitation. After all, Li Xuan had given them an impression of great danger.
"Never mind, I'll go myself." Seemingly sensing his disciples' apprehension, Luo Ren sighed and slowly walked towards Li Xuan's stall.
The six disciples behind him exchanged glances, gritted their teeth, and quickly followed.
Though they had criticized Luo Ren earlier, seeing him approach now, they couldn't help but feel hesitant to offend him. After all, Luo Ren had connections in Posuo City. The crowd parted to make way.
Li Xuan naturally noticed Luo Ren and his group approaching.
Li Xuan set down his medicine bottle and slowly stood up, "What? Still want to continue?"