Volume One, Chapter Nine: Zhang Sanfeng Injured and Comes Seeking Medical Aid

Zhang Sanfeng, the founder of the Wudang sect—a pillar of the Huaxia martial arts world—had actually come seeking medical treatment.

Originally named Zhang Junbao, Zhang Sanfeng was once a lay disciple of the Shaolin Temple. Later, he created his own Tai Chi style and established the Wudang sect. He is revered as the forefather of internal martial arts and Tai Chi, a true titan of the martial world.

At this moment, Zhang Sanfeng was stained with blood, his breathing slightly unsteady, as if he had just emerged from a battle.

"I am Xia Jingtian, the doctor of this clinic. It is an honor to meet you, Master Zhang! As a legend of the martial arts world, your presence in our humble clinic is a privilege."

"Regarding your eyes, do you experience cloudy or blurred vision? Does everything appear hazy, as if viewed through a fog, accompanied by a decline in visual acuity?" Xia Jingtian asked, his expression firm. "You are suffering from cataracts, and I can cure you."

Zhang Sanfeng stepped forward, observing Xia Jingtian closely. The doctor wore a white coat, had short hair, and appeared to be in his twenties. He possessed a handsome face, keen, spirited eyes, and an air of absolute confidence. Initially, Zhang Sanfeng had been skeptical of such a young physician, but Xia Jingtian had described his symptoms with perfect accuracy.

"You are quite right, Dr. Xia. My eye ailment has made things increasingly unclear. I have consulted many famous physicians, all of whom were helpless. If this continues, I fear this old Taoist will soon be blind. I have practiced martial arts for over a hundred years; though my body remains robust, my eyes have been failing me," Zhang Sanfeng said with a sigh of resignation.

Although Zhang Sanfeng was over a century old, his physical condition was comparable to that of a man in his forties or fifties. Yet, cataracts remained an obstacle. While modern medicine considered cataracts a trivial matter, in this era, they were a complex ailment; even the most renowned doctors dared not attempt surgery. The eye is the most fragile organ, and a botched procedure could easily result in permanent blindness.

"Rest assured, Master Zhang, I have a way to treat your cataracts. You have blood on your clothes—are you injured? Let me examine your wounds first," Xia Jingtian asked with concern.

Zhang Sanfeng rolled up his sleeve to reveal a muscular arm, marred by a hideous, bleeding gash.

"I haven't lost a duel in decades, yet today I was wounded by the golden wheel of a Mongol monk. It is merely a flesh wound; no bones were broken. But I am old now—after a century, my limbs have slowed and my vision has dimmed, allowing that golden wheel to strike me," Zhang Sanfeng said helplessly.

Xia Jingtian marveled that the man was over a hundred years old and still engaging in combat. Given the mention of the golden wheel, it was highly likely he had fought the Golden Wheel Dharma King.

"Master Zhang, was the person you dueled with the Mongol Imperial Preceptor?" Xia Jingtian asked curiously.

"Indeed, that is the one. He was the Imperial Preceptor of the former dynasty and goes around swindling people by calling himself the Imperial Preceptor of the Mongol Empire," Zhang Sanfeng replied with a nod.

This Mongol Imperial Preceptor belonged to the Diamond Sect of the Mongol Tantric Buddhism. He was a formidable martial artist, a man of ambiguous morality who had traveled to the Central Plains, defeated numerous masters, and sought to claim the title of leader of the martial arts alliance. Upon learning that Zhang Sanfeng was the foremost martial artist of the Ming Dynasty, he had challenged him.

"Master Zhang, let me assist you into the clinic so I can examine your wound," Xia Jingtian said politely.

"I am not blind yet, old man. You lead the way; this little scratch is nothing!" Zhang Sanfeng gestured, waving him off.

Together, they entered the clinic.

"Master Zhang, please have a seat and expose your arm so I can treat the wound," Xia Jingtian directed.

Zhang Sanfeng complied, removing his outer garment to reveal a muscular arm. Despite his centenarian age, his physique was remarkably solid and toned. A gash over ten centimeters long was still bleeding. Xia Jingtian hurried to clean the wound, administered a local anesthetic, and, after donning a mask and gloves, stitched the wound with over a dozen sutures before bandaging it securely.

"Dr. Xia, your medical skills are truly remarkable. I cannot feel any pain in my arm at all," Zhang Sanfeng remarked, testing his limb as he put his clothes back on.

"The anesthetic I administered only numbed your arm, which is why you feel no sensation," Xia Jingtian explained.

*Thump, thump!*

At that moment, Zhu Xiongying ran down from upstairs, looking at Zhang Sanfeng with wide-eyed curiosity. "Grandpa, you’re hurt. Does it hurt?"

"No, it doesn't, little one. Whose child are you? You are quite adorable. Are you here for treatment as well?" Zhang Sanfeng asked, stroking the boy's head with a look of pity, noting the fading marks of the smallpox that had afflicted him.

Empress Ma then descended the stairs and was startled to see Zhang Sanfeng. "He is my eldest grandson, Zhu Xiongying, here for treatment. Ma Xiuying pays her respects to Master Zhang," she said.

*My eldest grandson... Ma Xiuying!* Zhang Sanfeng was taken aback to hear the woman refer to herself as the Empress. "I, Zhang Sanfeng, pay my respects to the Empress. Might I ask why Your Majesty has traveled so far to Wudang Mountain with the Imperial Grandson for treatment?"

Zhang Sanfeng was utterly perplexed to find the Empress and the Imperial Grandson in this clinic.

"You entered from Wudang Mountain, but we came here from the Imperial Palace in Yingtian Prefecture," the Empress explained. "This clinic is truly extraordinary; people from different places all end up here. Dr. Xia’s medical skills are profound—he brought my grandson back from the brink of death. You have an eye ailment, do you not? Dr. Xia will surely be able to cure you."

Zhang Sanfeng was stunned by her words, falling silent for a moment to process the information.

"I have lived for a century, yet this is the first time I have encountered such a miraculous place. After being wounded by the Golden Wheel Dharma King, I returned to my residence only to see a flash of white light on the wall, revealing a moon-gate that led here. Since I was injured, I entered to seek help. I have already witnessed Dr. Xia's skills. I humbly implore you, Dr. Xia, to treat my eyes; I shall be eternally grateful!" Zhang Sanfeng said, bowing his hands.

The Space-Time Divine Doctor System appeared before Xia Jingtian.

[Mission Issued: Treat Zhang Sanfeng's cataracts to receive a reward!]

"No problem at all. Please stay in the clinic for now. I need to examine you thoroughly and make preparations before performing the surgery to treat your cataracts," Xia Jingtian said.

Although he knew the procedure for cataract surgery, he had never performed it, nor did he have the proper instruments or an operating theater. However, he could not turn down Zhang Sanfeng's request, and thus, he resolved to perform the surgery.