Mu Lin raised his head and slowly turned around, examining the old man carefully. The old man felt uneasy under Mu Lin’s gaze and couldn’t help but ask, “What is it, young master? Haven’t I recovered yet?”
“You’re talking crap, you old fool! Is my medical skill really that bad? You dare ruin my reputation? Who would dare come to me for treatment afterward? Let me tell you, I started studying medicine even before I was born, and I’ve been learning day and night for thousands of days. I study during the day and keep studying at night, even tying a rope around my head and poking my thigh with a needle to stay awake. Now I’ve already cured millions of people. As for you few idiots, a few mangy cats and dogs, I didn’t even need to lift a finger—you were healed so thoroughly you couldn’t be better. You dare ruin my reputation? Do you want me to make you sick again? How else am I supposed to earn a living if you keep slandering me? Do you want me to come live in your doghouse and sponge off you?”
Mu Lin’s furious outburst left everyone speechless. Was this really the same elegant Mu Lin they knew? It was the first time anyone had seen him curse like that.
“What? Do you think I’m wrong?” Mu Lin sighed in frustration at the stunned crowd. Once again, no one could respond.
“Young master, how could I ever doubt your medical skills!” the old man quickly replied.
“Then what did you mean just now?” Mu Lin asked.
“I saw you looking at me like that and thought I must have gotten some kind of illness!” the old man hurriedly explained.
“Nonsense! I was just trying to take a good look at you. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you before. How do you know my name?” As soon as Mu Lin finished speaking, the old man nearly collapsed onto the ground. What kind of misunderstanding was this? He’d just been scolded for nothing!
“Hey, old man! How do you know my name? If there’s nothing else, I’m leaving!” Mu Lin said impatiently.
“Ah! Young master, you don’t know? Everyone on the martial arts path has been praising your name. You’re known for your generosity and willingness to help anyone in need, providing free treatment. And after your treatment, people’s martial arts skills improve significantly. That’s why you’re now a famous figure on the martial arts path, known as ‘Little Divine Physician.’ Just from the way you treated us, we knew it had to be you.”
In truth, there was a saying circulating among the martial artists: “Better to go to jail than to meet the Devil Physician.”
Everyone knew the Devil Physician was an ordinary-looking child. If he encountered an injured martial artist, he would insist on treating them whether they liked it or not. You couldn’t fight him off, and if you managed to curse him twice, he’d already be sticking you with golden needles. His methods were bizarre and unpredictable, and the treatment process was excruciatingly painful. Every martial artist who had been treated by him spoke of the experience with dread. Even the toughest fighters, who wouldn’t flinch at three knives through six holes, would immediately cower at the mention of the Devil Physician.
Thus, the Devil Physician’s name quickly spread across China. After curing Old Zhao’s family, Mu Lin discovered that his practical medical skills had improved significantly. From then on, during his travels, Mu Lin took a liking to treating martial artists.
According to Mu Lin’s original thinking, martial artists had strong constitutions, trained bodies, and good foundations—they could endure his treatments. It should be an honor for them to be tested on. Besides, he could learn their martial arts techniques, which he considered a fair exchange. He had so many treatment methods; how else could he test them if not on martial artists? He certainly couldn’t try them on ordinary people or children—what if they couldn’t handle it? That would ruin his reputation.
Sometimes, martial artists with financial difficulties would bring their families, or those who had some medical knowledge but couldn’t cure their own patients would wait along Mu Lin’s travel route or at inns. For ordinary people, Mu Lin would cure them quickly and efficiently. But for martial artists—well…
Later on, Mu Lin accidentally let slip something, causing the martial artists to feel a mix of admiration, resentment, and fear toward him. They admired him because a once-in-a-century divine physician had appeared in the martial world at such a young age, and anyone who could seek him out would find immediate healing. They resented him because he specifically targeted martial artists for his experiments, and who knew what might happen next. They feared him because if they ever met him and he spoke to them, trouble was sure to follow.
No one would have imagined that Mu Lin, who usually avoided trouble, would end up bringing two little followers with him from Fujian.
Actually, Mu Lin was worried the two sisters might get hurt again. Wherever he traveled in a province, martial artists in other provinces would rejoice and those in the same province would flee in fear. Just like now, the martial artists assumed Mu Lin was in Fujian because they recognized his techniques.
They also knew Mu Lin didn’t hold grudges against martial artists unless they pushed him too far, in which case he wouldn’t hold back. So they collectively agreed not to bother him. Anyone who dared to harm him would be attacked by all. Thus, martial artists could only avoid him—perhaps one day they’d need his help, since some illnesses couldn’t be cured by Western medicine. That’s why the Scorpion Elder, upon encountering Mu Lin, failed to recognize him and suffered his misfortune, having to accept his bad luck.
“Those who show excessive courtesy must have ulterior motives.” Mu Lin understood this well, but he disliked their methods, which made him even more impatient with them.
The Scorpion Elder also knew their actions had been dishonorable, but this time there was no turning back. They exchanged glances and stepped forward together, saying to Mu Lin, “Young master, we know we’ve acted dishonorably and offended you and your little sisters. We will accept the ‘three knives and six holes’ punishment to make amends to you and the martial world.”
According to martial arts tradition, except for the most severe grudges—such as revenge for a murdered father, stolen wife, or slain child—in most cases, all debts and grievances would be settled after the ‘three knives and six holes’ punishment.
Mu Lin was puzzled. “What does this have to do with the martial world?” The Scorpion Elder explained that they had violated martial world rules and thus needed to answer to the martial world.
Naturally, they didn’t explain to Mu Lin the secret agreement the martial world had made regarding him. They feared Mu Lin might misuse this agreement for evil purposes.
“Fine, just tell me what you want,” Mu Lin said slowly.
“It’s like this, young master! We’re from the Hong An Hall in Hong Kong. We’ve invited you here to treat our young lady,” the elder respectfully replied.
After thinking for a while and glancing at the two sisters, Mu Lin asked, “Where is she? How old is she?” This indicated he was willing to go.
The elder was overjoyed. “Our young lady is in Hong Kong. She’s 18 years old. Young master, don’t worry. You and your little sisters will have three days. We guarantee we’ll arrange all the necessary procedures and escort you to Hong Kong through official channels. Everything depends on you, young master!”
“Wow! We’re going to Hong Kong to play!” Mei Zi exclaimed.
Three days later, Mu Lin and the others arrived in Hong Kong via the Lok Ma Chau border crossing from Shenzhen. The public security authorities issued a “Permit for Travelling to Hong Kong and Macau” to citizens approved for permanent settlement, while those approved for short-term visits, such as visiting relatives or other purposes, received a “Permit for Travelling between Mainland China and Hong Kong/Macau.” The “Permit for Travelling to Hong Kong and Macau” was a one-time single-entry permit. Holders used it to exit from designated ports and complete settlement procedures upon arrival in Hong Kong. The permit was usually valid for three months and allowed only one exit. Mu Lin and the other three held this type of permit, which made Mu Lin somewhat unhappy.
The elder explained that Mu Lin and the others didn’t have ID cards or household registration books, so they could only obtain this permit within three days. Additionally, Mu Lin and the two girls had become the elder’s nephew and nieces.
If they weren’t satisfied, they could simply return after the treatment was completed.
Mu Lin reluctantly agreed, thinking this might be a way to resolve the two girls’ identity issues.
In reality, Mu Lin hadn’t had deep contact with the martial world. If he had been willing, it wouldn’t have been a problem to resolve the identities of ten or even a hundred people, not just two.
Because of this incident, the Hong An Hall later faced widespread criticism and suppression from the martial world. If Mu Lin hadn’t eventually stepped in to explain, the Hong An Hall might have become history.
Stepping onto Hong Kong soil, Mu Lin sat in the car and began explaining Hong Kong’s history to the two girls. Hong Kong consists of Hong Kong Island, the Kowloon Peninsula separated by a sea channel, and the New Territories (including 262 outlying islands), covering a total area of 1,103 square kilometers with a population of 6.8 million.
“Young master knows more about Hong Kong’s history than we Hong Kong people do,” the elder flattered Mu Lin.
“Of course! I’m a scholar with vast knowledge!” Mu Lin proudly replied.
“So, young master, what’s your educational background?” The elder, unaware of the sensitivity of the question, casually asked.
“Well… um…” Mu Lin hesitated.
“Young master comes from a distinguished family background. I deeply admire you,” the elder smoothly covered for him. An awkward silence followed.
“Young master, we’ve arrived! Please get out!” The car had already entered a villa in Repulse Bay, stopping in front of a luxurious mansion.
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