novelraw Chapter 1253: Articulate
Chapter 1253: Articulate
On the vast and tranquil plain of Fifth Heaven, a modest hut stood alone amidst the rolling landscape. The hut, weathered and humble, seemed to blend seamlessly with the serene surroundings. An old man with a wiry frame and deeply etched wrinkles sat comfortably on the porch, savoring the gentle caress of the breeze that rustled through the tall grass. His contented expression was a testament to a life lived in peace.
As the old man closed his eyes and let out a satisfied sigh, the sound of approaching commotion broke the tranquility. He opened his eyes, squinting slightly against the brightness of the day, and his gaze fell upon a grand caravan making its way across the plain. The caravan was a majestic sight, adorned with intricate designs and drawn by four powerful horses. It was a stark contrast to the old man’s simple abode.
"Hahaha, that’s one mighty caravan," the old man chuckled heartily, his voice carrying an air of amusement. He stood up, his loose, worn garments swaying gently with his movements. Despite his frail appearance, there was an undeniable strength in his demeanor as he ambled toward the approaching caravan. He raised a hand in a friendly wave to the driver.
Yoji, seated at the front of the caravan, noticed the old man’s gesture and responded with a warm smile, lifting his own hand in greeting. "Hm?" he said, his curiosity piqued by the old man’s presence. "Well, that’s a pleasant surprise."
The old man’s eyes twinkled with interest as he took in the sight of the four majestic horses pulling the caravan. "These four stallions are incredible," he remarked, his voice tinged with admiration.
"Hahaha, yes, indeed!" Yoji replied, his tone light and jovial. "We’ve kept them fed with love and a maelstrom of space." He chuckled, clearly proud of his team’s impressive steeds. "Might I ask, are you the hermit of medicine?"
The old man’s brows furrowed slightly as he contemplated the question. His gaze swept over the caravan once more before returning to Yoji. "Oh, no, I’m not the famous or rather infamous legendary physician you’re looking for," he said, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Are you in search of that esteemed healer?"
"Yes, we are," Yoji laughed, his eyes crinkling at the corners with mirth. "It seems our journey has brought us to the right place."
"We?" The old man’s gaze shifted, taking in the full extent of the caravan’s splendor. "You must have packed quite a crowd."
"It’s a lot, yes, haha," Yoji agreed, as if acknowledging the caravan’s impressive size.
At that moment, a figure emerged from the caravan’s ornate entrance. Lyon, with his commanding presence and easy smile, stepped out. "Ah, young master Lyon, you need not come out of the caravan," Yoji said, his tone respectful.
"It’s alright, Little Yoji," Lyon responded with a reassuring smile, his eyes twinkling with the same warmth.
The old man’s eyes widened slightly as he processed the exchange. The term "Little Yoji" seemed curious, given that Lyon appeared significantly younger than Yoji. He studied the young master with newfound interest, his curiosity piqued by the unusual nickname and the impressive entourage that accompanied him.
"Old man," Lyon said, his voice carrying a note of curiosity, "I am intrigued by the ’infamous’ part of the term you used."
The old man’s face lit up with a nostalgic grin. He leaned back, his gnarled hands resting on his knees. "Ah, yes," he began, his voice rich with years of experience. "Her skill was so legendary that she could heal even the most potent poisons. Any venom a beast could spurt out, she seemed to possess the uncanny ability to neutralize. Yet," he sighed, a shadow passing over his features, "with such great success comes great envy."
"Hmmm, is that so?" Lyon mused aloud, his eyes narrowing as he considered the implications. "It must have drawn the envy of many other physicians, especially since this is the best place to seek her out."
"Hahaha," the old man chuckled, a twinkle of amusement in his eye. "You must be from a lower realm. Let me tell you, the Alchemy Union’s practitioners can’t even hold a candle to those in this plane. However, having too many brilliant minds has a downside; it often turns them into insufferable know-it-alls."
"The intelligent remain intelligent because their mindset remains youthful," Lyon replied thoughtfully, his tone carrying a hint of disdain. "Yet, with a young age often comes ego. Too many focus on their achievements rather than the well-being of their patients. It’s a disgrace to the true essence of healing."
The old man’s eyes widened in surprise, his wrinkled face showing a mix of admiration and astonishment. He had not expected such profound wisdom from someone so young. As he processed Lyon’s words, he understood why Lyon referred to Yoji as "Little Yoji." The lad’s wisdom far surpassed the typical depth expected from someone of his age.
"I see that you are a master of articulation, young master Lyon," the old man said, his voice filled with respect and newfound understanding.
Lyon turned to the old man with a thoughtful expression. "Thank you for the insight. But do you have any idea where I might find her?"
The old man’s face grew contemplative, his eyes narrowing slightly as he gazed into the distance. "Ah, she is elusive, shrouded in mystery. She remains unseen and unheard, a shadow flitting through the realms. Some say that encountering her is a stroke of serendipity itself."
"Have you ever met her?" Lyon inquired, his curiosity piqued.
The old man’s face softened into a reflective smile. "Indeed, I have. She cured me of my illness, and... my ego as well."
Lyon’s eyebrows raised in interest. "I see. So you are also a physician, much like her."
The old man shook his head with a modest chuckle. "Compared to her, I’m but a child with a first aid kit. Her skills are in a league of their own."
"Haha, she certainly has a way of humbling even the most accomplished," Lyon remarked with a grin. "She was always stern and unyielding, yet her willingness to help never wavered."
The old man’s eyes twinkled with amusement. "Ah, so we were both patients under her care. May I inquire, what was the nature of your illness?"
Lyon’s expression shifted to one of mild embarrassment as he chuckled. "The worst part was definitely the time I drank the Monkey King’s wine when I was a child."
"The... what?" The old man’s eyes widened in disbelief. "Did you say the Monkey King’s wine? The worst one? You mean you’ve had multiple encounters with her?"
Lyon’s laughter grew warmer as he nodded. "You could say so."
The old man let out a sigh, a hint of envy and admiration in his voice as he spoke. "The best place to look for her would probably be in Aurora City. I’ve heard rumors of a child there suffering from a potent poison, one that has caught the attention of the most esteemed physicians in Fifth Heaven. She may very well make an appearance."
Lyon’s eyes lit up with interest. "Oh? That’s excellent news. Thank you for the information. Are you not going to see the child yourself?"
The old man chuckled softly, a wry smile touching his lips. "Oh, no. If she were to find me near a poisoned patient while I’ve only recently recovered, she might very well deliver me a lecture that would be worse than any poison."
Lyon’s laughter rang out, bright and hearty. "Haha, I can imagine. She has a way of turning even the simplest acts into lessons."
The old man’s eyes twinkled with amusement as he waved his hand in a casual farewell. "Safe travels to you, young master Lyon. May fortune favor your search."
Lyon gave a courteous nod, his gaze warm and appreciative. "Thank you, old man. Farewell."
As the caravan set off toward Aurora City, the old man stood by his hut, watching with a mixture of wistfulness and hope. The gentle breeze rustled through his clothes, and he continued to smile, knowing he had played a small part in the unfolding journey.