Chapter 154: Lin Chen

Chapter 154: Lin Chen

The frivolous wastrel that Meng Zhi and the rest ran into on the street was definitely the Lin Chen gege whom Fei Liu refused to mention. After he left to chase the beautiful young lady, there was no sight of him even after the sky turned dark, but when Mei Changsu saw Fei Liu sitting in the corner of the room with a frightened expression on his face, he understood and said to Li Gang, Lin Chen has probably arrived.

So the manager of the Su Residence quickly went to prepare a room, while Zhen Ping grumbled beside him, He knows fully well that Chief is waiting for him. Why doesnt he come here directly?

Because Chief is always here, but if I dont chase after the beautiful young lady, she will get away A voice seemed to fly in from the sky outside. The shadows cast by the candle flickered, and a tall and slender backlit silhouette appeared at the window, casually waving a folding fan.

Chief is with the patient in the southern house. Hurry and make your way over, said Zhen Ping through the window.

Help me ask Aunt Ji to prepare a bowl of glutinous rice eggs and bring it over. I havent had my dinner.. The last few words were faint, drifting from the southern direction.

Mei Changsu was sitting in front of Nie Fengs bed, with Wei Zheng by his side. As soon as Lin Chen entered, he smiled and said, without looking back, Nie dage, the Mongolian doctor* is here. Let him feel your pulse and listen to his nonsense.

*Literal translation basically, MCS jokingly refers to LC as a quack doctor

Youre too much. One letter from you and I broke my leg rushing here from Nanchu, and this is what I get? Lin Chens shoulders slumped and he shook his head as he sighed, When I was passing through Yunnan, Nie Duo cried and begged to come with me. Do you think it was easy for me to manage him for you? And today, all my hardwork till now has made me so hungry.

Are you still hungry? said Mei Changsu with a smile. Thats great. Quickly feel his pulse. If you dont, you wont be allowed to eat.

Ruthless, you are ruthless. Lin Chen stepped forward exasperatedly, grabbed a wrist, and was immediately pushed away before he could feel the pulse.

I asked you to feel his pulse, not mine. for new novels

I think its about time for me to check yours too. Lin Chen leaned down and looked at him. I can tell Physician Yan has been having a difficult time this year.

Mei Changsu extended his hand and pulled Lin Chen to the front of the bed. Forcing him to sit down, he said, Master Lin, stop cracking jokes and quickly attend to the patient.

Lin Chen smiled broadly. He extended his hand and smoothened Nie Fengs sleeves, then pressed down on his left wrist. After a short examination, he carefully inspected his fingernails, the back of his ears, the white of his eyes and the coating on his tongue. When he had done this, he softly exhaled and signaled Mei Changsu to go outside with him.

How is it?

Although his appearance is frightening, the poison has only penetrated to the third layer, which is not very serious.

Mei Changsu looked at him from the corner of his eyes. Youve never really dealt with this kind of poison. Can you do it?

Ha. Lin Chen raised his eyebrows. If you dont have faith in me, why did you call me to come?

If I could find the old pavilion master, who would be willing to call you to come? retorted Mei Changsu. Fei Liu, would you be willing?

The youth who was sitting in the corner of the room shook his head vigorously.

Lin Chen laughed. Alright, I concede that if the level of toxicity was as bad as yours back then, I would really not be able to dispel it, but that isnt an issue with this person. Butyou should already know.the choice of treatment, you need to explain clearly and let him make the decision.

Mei Changsu closed his eyes tiredly, his eyelids heavy. Speaking quietly, he said, If thats the case, then lets talk about it tomorrow. His wife will be coming here tomorrow, so it will be good for them to discuss this with each other.

The white fur that covered his face and body, the swollen deformed body, the trembling and curled up posture. There was nothing that reminded her of that heroic and soldierly husband who was able to take on the wind and clouds.

But he was still alive.

Compared to the remains that were laid at her feet those thirteen years ago, the one standing before her was at least still alive.

Tears fell from Xia Dongs eyes, but a smile emerged on her lips. She walked to Nie Fengs side, crouched down and without a word, embraced him, holding him tightly to her.

In that moment, there was no doubt, nor did she inspect the silver bracelet on his wrist. Perhaps in the moment that Meng Zhi explained to her, she was anxious to believe the good news.

The silent hug, the hot tears, the pounding heart, the fear (and hope) of finding again that which was lost. All this made Xia Dong dizzy, so dizzy that she closed her eyes, not daring to open them again.

After a long while, someone could be heard coughing softly. General Nie, Nie furen, its not that I want to be a wet blanket.the both of you will have plenty of time to slowly enjoy your reunion later, but for now, can you listen to this Mongolian doctor explain matters pertaining to the poison of the bitter flame?

Xia Dong pulled herself together and slowly released her husband. Wei Zheng brought a stool over so both of them could sit together. Meng Zhi also found a seat nearby but Mei Changsu sat in a corner of the room.

The poison of the bitter flame is the most unusual poison on earth. What is strange about it is that it can save a life, and at the same time take it away. It can also put someone through hell-like torture. Lin Chen spoke animatedly in a normal tone of voice. During that time, when General Nie suffered burns all over his body, the fire poison penetrated his heart, paralysing him. But fortunately, he fell into a snow nest and was bitten all over by snow beetles*, thus preserving his life. These beetles can only be found around Meiling. Some of them can also be found around the wall separating Juehun Valley from the northern valley of Meiling. They eat only burnt meat, and at the same time spitting out poison, which together with the cold air, suppresses the fire poison, thereby forming a new and unusual poison, the poison of the bitter flame.

*toxicity due to excessive heat

**actually, more accurately translated as cold scale insects

Although he said it matter of factly, everyone could already tell what a terrible and unusual poison it was. It wasnt just Xia Dong who trembled, but Meng Zhis face also lost all colour.

The people who have been struck by the poison of the bitter flame have deformed bones and swollen bodies, and their entire body would be covered in white fur. The root of their tongues would also stiffen, removing their ability to speak. The poisons toxicity would also flare up a few times everyday, and when that happens, only blood can suppress it, human blood being the most effective. Although this poison can linger throughout ones life, as long as it doesnt flare up, ones physical strength would remain the same, but in the face of such torture, perhaps death may be cleaner. Lin Chen looked sympathetically at Nie Feng. For General Nie to have persevered all these years, your resolve is unrivalled, and you have my greatest admiration.

Can this poison be eliminated? asked Xia Dong anxiously, as she gripped her husbands hand.

Somewhat, said Lin Chen bluntly. There are two methods. One is somewhat thorough, and the other not so thorough. You must choose one.

Of course we want the thorough one, replied Xia Dong without the slightest hesitation.

Lin Chen looked intensely at her for a long time, then said with a soft sigh, After I have explained the differences between these two methods, only then shall Nie furen choose, alright?

Footnote:

The poison of the bitter flame is literally translated to Fire () Cold () Poison. But as we know, Chinese characters hold more than one meaning. So in this case, Fire is also Flame. But the Cold isnt quite Bitter so technically, it should be Poison of the Cold Flame but I guess maybe Bitter sounds better hence the translation. (Cos Bitter cold is a 2-character phrase). Just a non-native translator speculation, but thought you might find it interesting! Maybe someone better versed in the language might be able to shed some light.

Afterthoughts:

I thought Lin Chen was funnier in the drama. His facial expressions and manner of speaking were priceless! But there was a deeper conversation here, between LC and MCS that attests to the depth of their friendship, for who other than a really intimate friend would call him out on the Hua nation? And for all his posturing, LC is a very sensitive and attentive man, and in that sense, I guess very much like the Lin Shu of the past.

The final scene of this chapter also feels a little like a reenactment of the WZ and XJY scene where MCS sits in the corner. How many times does he have to do that?

AND, on a completely different topic, do you remember the scene where XJY brings Shen Zhui and Cai Quan to meet MCS, and then Shen Zhui tries to persuade MCS to officially join XJYs team? I just stumbled upon the cut scene. Unfortunately there are no English subtitles and unfortunately I cant copy and paste to translate, but I guess you can re-read the chapter and just watch their facial expressions. Quite funny (even the blog comments are /post/149163931149/this-cut-scene-is-one-of-my-most-favorite-even