Song Qingchao initially thought about treating people remotely, like the temple.
But she also considered that pulses could change at any moment, and different prescriptions might lead to other symptoms.
Only by going in could the physicians provide emergency rescue.
The temple was already understaffed; they had already taken a hundred able-bodied individuals. If they also took the young apothecaries, the temple might not be able to function.
Although she had only learned the basics of medicine, she knew simple pulse-taking and acupuncture.
While not as skilled as Bai Youan or Xiang Yunling, she could certainly manage as a young apothecary.
Bai Youan bumped into her. "What? Miss Song, do you intend to take risks with me?"
Song Qingchao shook her head. "I'm not asking you to go with me. After all, the prescriptions still rely on you and Young Master Xiang. I want both of you to be safe. If either of you falls ill, everyone will be in danger."
Bai Youan disagreed. "As a physician, looking, listening, questioning, and touching are fundamental. How can I prescribe medicine remotely without feeling the pulse? Especially at a time like this, I must lead by example."
Song Qingchao was surprised. "Aren't you afraid of dying?"
Bai Youan replied confidently, "I won't die."
He slightly turned his body and leaned his head towards Song Qingchao. "And I won't let you die."
"Mr. Bai, you're so confident?" Song Qingchao asked him, unexpectedly.
He stretched lazily. "I have the skill."
He reached out his hand, a carefree expression on his face. "Let's go, Miss Song."
Song Qingchao took the organized list and walked forward frankly.
Bai Youan followed closely behind.
The young apothecaries and little monks tried to stop them but couldn't.
Song Qingchao and Bai Youan were able to skillfully find places where people had gathered.
They had just finished lunch and, with a bit of strength, were tending to the many elderly who were gravely ill.
The two of them, wearing veils, moved through a crowd.
As they went deeper, they found it was even more shocking than it appeared from the outside.
The myriad forms of human life were displayed here in their entirety.
Following the instructions of the little monks, the two finally found the Third Elder, who was in charge.
The Third Elder was currently dealing with a patient suffering from epilepsy and vomiting.
Because the patient was trembling uncontrollably, the Third Elder couldn't insert the needle smoothly.
Fine beads of sweat had also appeared on his forehead.
Seeing this, Bai Youan directly took out his needle bag, extracted a needle, and inserted it.
In a short while, the patient stopped trembling.
The Third Elder wiped his sweat and thanked him profusely.
When he looked up, he realized he had never seen the two people before. "You?"
Song Qingchao quickly explained her identity and their purpose to the Third Elder.
After listening, he stroked his beard with one hand, nodded, and said nothing.
Song Qingchao noticed that his hand was also trembling.
When the Third Elder realized Song Qingchao had noticed, he quickly pressed his right hand with his left, trying to control the tremor.
Bai Youan, without a word, took his pulse and then said in a deep voice, "You've also contracted the illness?"
The Third Elder quickly put a finger to his lips. "Keep your voice down. This matter cannot be publicized."
"Why?" Song Qingchao asked, not understanding.
The Third Elder shook his head and then led the two towards a secluded spot. "As long as I am here, these people will feel reassured, believing they still have a chance, that someone hasn't abandoned them."
His voice trembled even more than his hands. "If even I fall, they won't be able to hold on."
"But..."
Just as Song Qingchao was about to speak, Bai Youan stopped her.
"What you are doing is immensely virtuous. Elder, can you take the medicine?"
"I have. I know my own body and can endure." He wanted to reach out and pat Bai Youan but then withdrew his hand. "You don't need to worry about taking people for the drug trials. Go ahead with it. I will cover for you in everything. This great calamity will depend on you young people."
Bai Youan bowed. "Thank you, Elder."
It was the first time Song Qingchao had seen Bai Youan so serious.
He was always so flippant, yet she hadn't expected him to be her pillar of strength this time.
At first, she had thought Bai Youan would be a deserter.
The Third Elder quickly told Bai Youan to rise. "Be brave. I will get the people for you. You just wait for me in the open space ahead."
"In that case, thank you very much, Third Elder."
The Third Elder said, "It's nothing," waved his hand, and left, clutching the prescription.
Song Qingchao and Bai Youan also went to the open space to wait.
The Third Elder did not keep them waiting in vain.
Just as the two had briefly gone over the procedure, people began to arrive from different directions.
There were people of all age groups. They had only selected those with similar pulses, paying no attention to other factors.
Everyone supported each other, whispering amongst themselves, while the most severe cases had to be carried.
Bai Youan was indifferent to this; he only wanted people who were purely ill.
Once everyone was in position, Song Qingchao and Bai Youan exchanged glances.
Bai Youan stepped forward to take everyone's pulse, one by one, filtering out those who did not meet the criteria.
Finally, 86 people remained.
He nodded to Song Qingchao, who stepped forward.
She cleared her throat, her voice particularly sincere.
"Everyone, I am Song Qingchao, and beside me is the renowned Mr. Bai Youan. The reason we have gathered everyone here today is that Mr. Bai and I wish to help you. Those who remain have no other complications. The reason we have gathered you is that we want to develop a prescription, and the prescription requires test subjects. Therefore, we are first seeking your opinions here. Testing the medicine carries certain risks, and we are not certain if it will have a therapeutic effect on the epidemic before we develop a finished prescription."
As Song Qingchao said this, she noticed the expressions of the people below change, but she had to continue. It was better than deceiving people and dealing with problems later.
She raised her voice a little. "However, you don't need to worry too much. Those who participate in the trials will receive special care. We will not abandon anyone. Of course, we are not forcing anyone. You can decide for yourselves whether to stay or leave."
After she finished speaking, a commotion erupted in the crowd. Some shook their heads in despair and left, while others were eager to try, but seeing that no one in the crowd moved, they held back their thoughts.
Song Qingchao and Bai Youan understood in their hearts that this was a matter of putting life and death aside, and they could not rush.
Just as the crowd was wavering, the Third Elder spoke. "Actually, staying here is no different from being a test subject. If you follow Miss Song and Mr. Bai, you will receive special care, and perhaps your chances of survival will be greater."