Chapter 12 - Unconcerned

Chapter 12 – Unconcerned

Healing the sick and saving lives, refusing lavish gifts—Xiao Xianyu’s arrival at Xinshou Village left the villagers utterly astonished. His reputation as the “Little Divine Healer” spread swiftly throughout the village, all within a single day.

Most villagers had witnessed Xiao Xianyu’s remarkable medical skills, yet none had seen him use his unsharpened black sword to subdue the so-called master and reveal his true colors. Thus, the villagers held Xiao Xianyu in high esteem.

But compared to the villagers’ respect, the family of Master Zhang felt an even deeper sense of awe toward Xiao Xianyu. Ever since the day he came to offer gifts, Master Zhang had repeatedly sought to befriend Xiao Xianyu.

However, during the following two days, Xiao Xianyu remained behind closed doors, leaving Master Zhang feeling helpless. He kept asking Uncle Gu, but Uncle Gu had no idea why Xiao Xianyu stayed secluded. Except for the three daily meals, Xiao Xianyu locked himself away in his room.

This behavior puzzled Uncle Gu and the villagers alike. Besides Master Zhang, others also came looking for Xiao Xianyu.

Some would come to the Gu household and ask, “Is the Little Divine Healer free today?” When Uncle Gu asked what they needed him for, they replied that they had a cold and wanted him to treat it.

Uncle Gu nearly spat blood in frustration. “You have a minor ailment like a headache or fever—do you really need to trouble the divine healer?”

The person responded, “But I gave the healer a gift. Shouldn’t he treat me? What if it’s something serious?”

Uncle Gu retorted, “Why not see another doctor first and come to the healer only if it’s necessary?”

The person said, “Why bother with that? Isn’t it simpler to go straight to the Little Divine Healer?”

Uncle Gu was left speechless. “The Little Divine Healer is busy. Come back another day!”

There were many such people every day, and Uncle Gu would send them away, fuming. Some didn’t even bring gifts yet joined the commotion.

Of course, Uncle Gu also knew that Xiao Xianyu was not someone who cared for material possessions. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have accepted only half of what was offered to him.

After two days behind closed doors, fewer people came on the third day, but rumors began to spread.

That day, Uncle Gu returned home, sitting down in a huff, stewing in anger. Aunt Gu saw him and asked what had happened.

Uncle Gu exclaimed, “It’s infuriating! Absolutely infuriating!”

Aunt Gu urged, “What’s the matter? Tell me, what good does it do to just sit here sulking?”

Uncle Gu replied, “When I went out just now, I heard people saying the Little Divine Healer took their gifts but refused to treat them, calling him a fraud!”

“That’s not even the worst of it. The worst is they claim this strange illness was all orchestrated by the healer—that if other doctors couldn’t cure it but he could, it must be his doing!”

Aunt Gu stomped her foot in anger. “How can they say such heartless things? How could they abuse the mouth their parents gave them? The Little Divine Healer is such a wonderful person, he didn’t even ask for consultation fees when treating them, yet they repay him with slander! Why didn’t you confront them?”

Uncle Gu glared, “Of course I confronted them. But guess what they said? They claimed the healer’s refusal to accept consultation fees was part of his scheme, proof that he must be behind the illness! Have you ever seen a doctor who doesn’t charge fees?”

“Besides, the healer eventually did accept compensation—the gifts are just fees in disguise!”

Aunt Gu gritted her teeth. “Nonsense! The healer’s skills could earn him far more in any other place than this tiny village. And look at Master Zhang, who visits the healer every day. Didn’t he give much more than those people?”

Uncle Gu sighed, “Master Zhang may not be a saint, but at least he’s handling things properly regarding the healer.”

As the couple discussed this, they suddenly heard Xiao Xianyu’s door open.

Uncle Gu said, “Oh no, our voices were too loud. The healer must have overheard us.”

He stood up and walked over. “Mr. Xiao, you’ve come out?”

Xiao Xianyu smiled gently. “Yes, I’m heading out for a bit. No need to wait for me for dinner.”

Uncle Gu nodded. “Alright.”

Aunt Gu tugged at his sleeve. Uncle Gu was momentarily puzzled, then realized his wife’s intention. He quickly turned to Xiao Xianyu. “Mr. Xiao, perhaps you shouldn’t go out just yet?”

Xiao Xianyu asked, “Oh? Why not?”

Uncle Gu was at a loss. “Because…”

Aunt Gu quickly interjected, “Because my husband has something he’d like you to help with, but he’s embarrassed to ask.”

Xiao Xianyu said, “If there’s something you need, don’t hesitate to ask.”

Uncle Gu glanced at his wife, thinking, “I don’t have anything to ask Mr. Xiao for help with! Why are you making things up?”

While thinking this, he scratched his head and finally said, “I’d like Mr. Xiao to take a look at my headache.”

Aunt Gu quickly added, “That’s right, Mr. Xiao, my husband has been suffering from headaches lately.”

Xiao Xianyu smiled. “I see. Then let me have a look.”

He sat at the table and gestured for Uncle Gu to offer his wrist.

Uncle Gu wasn’t truly suffering from headaches; he was simply afraid that Xiao Xianyu would overhear the villagers’ gossip and become upset. He hesitated, then sat down and extended his hand. Xiao Xianyu checked his pulse, then smiled gently. “Indeed, there are some signs of headache, but nothing serious. Let me perform some acupuncture, and you’ll be cured.”

With that, he took out his silver needles and performed acupuncture on Uncle Gu’s head. The entire process took only a quarter of an hour.

Afterward, Xiao Xianyu prepared to leave. Uncle Gu and Aunt Gu exchanged a helpless glance.

Xiao Xianyu noticed their expressions and smiled. “Uncle Gu, Aunt Gu, do you think I look like a bad person?”

Without hesitation, both shook their heads. “No, how could you be a bad person?”

Xiao Xianyu’s lips curved into a subtle smile. “Then I’m relieved. The villagers don’t truly know me, so I pay no mind to their gossip. I have important matters to attend to, so I’ll be on my way.”

With that, Xiao Xianyu turned and walked out.

Uncle Gu and Aunt Gu exchanged glances, thinking, “The healer really did overhear our conversation.”