The Ends of the World
“You want the formula?” queried Mu Yu, having a good guess of what the doctor wanted to ask.
The doctor constantly fumbled with words in his mind, finding it difficult to articulate them due to the deprecatory statements he made of Mu Yu prior. Nonetheless, for the sake of other fiends who could potentially become victims of ruins poison in the future, he answered, “This one admits to being impudent before. He also understands that doctors prefer to hide their formulas, and this one does not intend to steal. As such, this old one is willing to exchange anything for your formula.”
“I’ll write out the herbs, their amounts, the procedure and how to remove the conflicting components. It’s just a formula.”
“Whatever it is you want in exchange, this one will do his best to provide you with it.”
“You don’t need to give me anything. I don’t need anything.”
“You are giving me the formula for free? Do you know what the significance of ruins poison is to us?”
“I do know that it’s important to you but not me.”
When it came to treating people – which Mu Yu seldom did – he primarily relied on pills. If one pill did not do the job, he just upped the dosage.
Mu Yu taught the doctor how to adjust the dosages even though he provided a formula as context was still king when it came down to it. A tool was only as useful as the context in which it was applied. An evaluation was only as applicable as the context it was applied to.
“I always thought humans are selfish, but you have changed my mind. Our races are at odds, yet you are willing to go so far for us without a word of complaint. For that, I offer my admiration and respect.”
“Where exactly are these ruins? How did the poisonous mist come to be?”
“Thousands of years ago, humans – I mean no offence when I say this – drove us here to the remote west, surrounded by bogs, venomous insects, bugs and what have you. Since they have yet to develop remotely decent intelligence, they don’t fear us. We struggle to survive in this environment, let alone humans.
“Later on, under Ancestor Green Dragon’s leadership, we started to build homes here and copulate with other fiends to strengthen our physical attributes. Those of us without true dragon blood are the descendent of the most primitive fiends, but Ancestor Green Dragon warned us to never venture to the ruins in the west.”
“What exactly are the ruins?”
“We’re not sure ourselves. Ancestor Green Dragon says it’s the end of the world.”
“I thought the ocean was the ends of the world.”
“No, the ocean has its own end, while the continent has its own end. Moyun Mountains is where the ocean and continent intersect. The world is spherical, not flat. To the east of Moyun Mountains is the ocean. If you continue flying any direction for a few years, you’ll find there’s some magic that brings you back to where you started. If you keep flying west, you’ll find our place; however, the ruin’s poison mist will prevent you from venturing further.”
“What is hidden at the edge of the continent?”
“Nobody knows. Maybe Ancestor Green Dragon has gone there, but we don’t know. The poison mist usually drifts along the perimeter of the western area. That being said, the wind sometimes blows the mist into our residential area, and we’ve never had any solution for dealing with it. You are the first person I know of who has an antidote for it.”
“How do you usually treat the infected, then?”
“If they have only breathed in a small amount, I direct the poison to a certain body part, such as their fingers or toes, using my spiritual energy and then severe the limb. Sometimes, I will have to go as far as taking their entire hand, lower body or all four limbs. They, of course, have the right to choose what they forsake. In cases where the poison has spread as far as the two brothers today, I have to give up on them.”
“Life is still miserable even after being treated, then.”
“My lifetime of medical knowledge cannot compare to your own. I cannot put into words how grateful I am to you. You are our entire race’s benefactor.”
“You need not say that, Doctor. As I will be living here for some time, I will be in everyone’s care.”
“When Qiao Xue came back last time, all of the residents in Sunshine Valley were worried sick because Ancestor White Ape said she fell for a human boy. I now believe we were worried for nothing and that she was not wrong about you,” shared the doctor, jovially stroking his beard.
“Even if all of you acknowledge me, Old Furry is always picking on something.”
“Who is Old Furry? I will speak out for you. Is it that stubborn Hou Damao? I’ll go warn him to butt out.”
“Hahaha, you can’t help,” teased Xiaoshuai, standing on Mu Yu’s shoulder.
“Don’t worry. Every fiend in this valley will heed a word from me, including Hou Damao.”
“Old Furry is your Archfiend White Ape, hahaha,” Xiaoshuai explained.
“Huh? Wait, Mu Yu, might you be the young man who rescued him?”
“I am. I even saved your Ocean Archfiend. I thought it was public knowledge.”
“I-I didn’t ask Qiao Xue about it. Please forgive me. I really… I really didn’t mean to be so rude to you after all you’ve done for us.”
Mu Yu amiably assured, “I won’t take it to heart. Besides, Old Furry might award me if I can pass your challenges.”
“You speak in jest, Mu Yu, haha.”
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