Chapter Fifty-Four: The Healing Bath

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When Liu Shenwei first arrived at the Shengshan Temple to treat Huifan, Huifan personally greeted him and invited him into his private chambers for treatment.

Observing, smelling, questioning, and palpating—the four diagnostic methods of traditional medicine. A truly skilled physician begins diagnosing the moment they lay eyes on the patient.

Liu Shenwei noticed Huifan’s listless spirit, the fatigue etched between his brows, his pallid complexion, and the slight swelling in his feet. He immediately discerned signs of kidney deficiency.

A monk exhibiting symptoms of kidney deficiency aroused his suspicion. When he saw Huifan walking with a sideways gait, as if afraid to let his inner thighs touch, his doubts deepened. Liu Shenwei feigned having urgent matters and proposed to treat him on the spot, but Huifan hesitated and delayed, offering vague excuses.

In an instant, Liu Shenwei concluded that Huifan was suffering from an unspeakable illness. Considering Huifan’s status and identity, he knew that whether the illness could be cured or not, Huifan’s fate was sealed. Seizing the chance, he made an excuse to slip away and fled the Shengshan Temple.

Huifan had never expected Liu Shenwei to be so astute—merely a glance was enough for him to diagnose the root of his illness. Neglecting to guard against Liu’s departure before even taking his pulse or starting treatment, Huifan allowed him to escape.

Having lived in Chang’an for most of his life, Liu Shenwei knew every street and alley. He avoided the numerous blockades and fled into the Western Market. There, he encountered Pei Min. Seeing Pei Min, a stranger, willing to help him despite the risks, Liu Shenwei trusted him and asked him to deliver a message. He never anticipated Pei Min’s abilities were so formidable—not only did he rescue Sun Pu from the clutches of a malevolent monk, but he also enlisted Princess Taiping’s influence to severely punish Huifan, enabling Liu Shenwei to return safely to the Jade True Temple.

Venereal disease!

Liu Shenwei’s revelation left Pei Min and Xue Ne wide-eyed. For a monk like Huifan to be afflicted with venereal disease was nothing short of a scandal in the Buddhist community.

Both Pei Min and Xue Ne immediately understood why Huifan had caused such a commotion.

Because Empress Wu Zetian was a devout Buddhist, the temples in Chang’an flourished. Among the many, the three largest were the Great Ci’en Temple, Shengshan Temple, and Ximing Temple. Huifan was the abbot overseeing Shengshan, Zhongtian, and Ximing Temples—the latter two under his command—demonstrating his immense status.

Of these, Shengshan Temple was the most renowned. It was established by Emperor Zhongzong in memory of his mother, Wu Zetian. Now, the retired emperor Li Dan, also a son of Wu Zetian, wielded the reins of power. Regardless of his personal feelings toward his biological mother, it was customary for emperors to extol filial piety and benevolence in governance. If it became known that Huifan, abbot of Shengshan Temple—a place dedicated to mourning Wu Zetian—had contracted venereal disease and behaved scandalously, even if Li Dan harbored no murderous intent, he could not allow such a stain on the dynasty’s reputation. He would certainly punish Huifan harshly.

In other words, no matter how powerful Huifan’s background, once the truth was exposed, his death would be inevitable.

In this life-or-death situation, Huifan would never let Liu Shenwei escape unscathed.

Pei Min looked at the vigorous yet aging Liu Shenwei and felt relieved that he had gotten away. If he had fallen into Huifan’s hands, death would have been certain.

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Dealing with Huifan was not difficult; the real challenge was Princess Taiping behind him. If Huifan were killed, Princess Taiping would never let the matter rest. She was the truly formidable figure to be wary of.

“Now I see!” Pei Min smiled after a moment’s thought. “I’ve thought of a plan that might help.”

Liu Shenwei bowed deeply. “I cannot thank you enough, sir. Whether it succeeds or not, I am grateful for your kindness.”

Pei Min hastened to help him up, momentarily forgetting the pain in his arm, causing his brow to twitch.

Liu Shenwei quickly grasped Pei Min's arm and pressed his middle finger on Pei Min’s shoulder, rubbing up and down.

Pei Min felt a tingling numbness, and the pain eased considerably.

About half an hour later, Sun Pu emerged and said, “Benefactor, Liu Bo, the water is now warm enough, and the medicinal properties have been infused.”

Liu Shenwei invited Pei Min inside.

Seeing Sun Pu’s guilty expression, Pei Min patted his shoulder with the back of his hand. “Brother Sun, don’t worry about it. The breathing and nourishing techniques you taught me have benefited me greatly. This minor injury is insignificant compared to the gains I’ve received.”

Entering the inner chamber, the strong scent of herbs filled the air. Pei Min saw a large bathing tub emitting steam, filled with various unknown herbs, heated from below by charcoal.

Liu Shenwei said, “Your arm is the most severely injured, but other parts have suffered to some degree, even if you haven’t noticed. A full-body soak will eliminate all hidden aftereffects.”

Pei Min, who was very protective of his health, immediately removed his shirt upon hearing this and, despite the water’s heat, quickly slipped into the bath. To enhance the effect, Sun Pu found a hollow wooden cover to trap the steam and medicinal essence inside the tub, leaving only Pei Min’s head exposed.

As soon as Pei Min submerged, he felt the heat and steam permeate his skin, flowing through his meridians to every limb and bone. The sensation was so pleasant he nearly moaned.

“Feels good!” Pei Min couldn’t help but say.

Liu Shenwei smiled faintly. “The comfort is only temporary. Soon you’ll feel discomfort, especially itching. Do not scratch, and remain as still as possible. Only then can your body absorb more of the medicine’s properties, which will greatly aid your recovery…”

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Before Liu Shenwei finished speaking, Pei Min felt as if dozens of ants were crawling on his shoulders. As time passed, the sensation spread over his entire body, especially around the joints where he exerted force. At first, the ants merely crawled on his skin, but then they felt like leeches burrowing into his flesh, biting into his bones: soreness, itching, pain—all these sensations came together. The feeling was indescribable.

“How does it feel?” Liu Shenwei asked.

“Great!” Pei Min squeezed the word out between his clenched teeth.

Liu Shenwei was momentarily stunned, but seeing Pei Min’s contorted expression, he realized it was sarcasm. “If it becomes unbearable, you can move slightly.”

Pei Min widened his eyes and muttered incessantly, “When Heaven is about to confer a great responsibility on a person, it first tests their will, exhausts their muscles and bones, starves their body, empties their being, and increases their abilities…” Ignoring everything around him, he silently recited the phrase and truly did not move an inch.

Sun Pu was astonished. Only he understood the torment of insects crawling and biting; even with Liu Shenwei’s strict instructions not to move, he himself could not help but shift to alleviate the discomfort and avoid fainting. It was unimaginable that someone could endure it as Pei Min did.

Liu Shenwei was moved inwardly: this young man’s willpower was truly remarkable.

Pei Min soaked for a full hour. When he emerged from the medicinal bath, he felt numb, as if his body no longer belonged to him. After a while, the sensation gradually returned.

Seeing that the swelling and bruises on Pei Min’s arm had completely vanished, Liu Shenwei nodded in satisfaction.

Pei Min moved his arm and found that the pain was entirely gone. The fatigue that had weighed on him vanished as well, replaced by boundless energy.

Without hesitation, his eyes shining brightly, Pei Min grabbed Liu Shenwei’s hand. “Divine doctor, let’s make a deal. You be my personal physician for a month, and I will take care of the Huifan matter perfectly. How does that sound?”