Ancient Viet Kingdom, Chí Minh Calendar, autumn of 8197.
Đại La City, a citadel nestled amidst the lands of Giao Chỉ, was situated in a geomantically auspicious position of a coiling dragon and crouching tiger, precisely at the center of north, south, east, and west, with mountains and rivers conveniently surrounding it. Its city walls stretched endlessly, the marks of time etched upon them serving as a testament to its enduring existence through countless trials and tribulations.
This ancient city was divided into three rings: the first ring was home to ordinary mortals, the second was where cultivators practiced and traded, and the central ring, also the innermost, was the foundation of the city's master. This master was none other than the Lý family, one of the five great families of the Ancient Viet Kingdom. Fifty thousand years ago, Lý Thái Tổ Lý Công Uẩn built this city, ushering in a glorious era for the Lý family. From then on, Đại La City became the ancestral home where this ancient aristocratic family resided for generations.
By this time, night had fallen. The sky was clear, not a single cloud, revealing the moon and bright stars. Suddenly, a comet streaked across the sky, signaling an ill omen. In a dilapidated ancient temple within the city, an old Daoist priest, clad in Yin-Yang robes, looked up at the sky. The surprising thing was that he remained perfectly still, eyes tightly shut, only the fingers of his right hand constantly pressing together as if calculating something. A moment later, he suddenly opened his eyes wide, sweat streaming down in droplets on his gaunt face. The old man sighed:
"Alas, what must come will come; it cannot be stopped!"
As soon as the old man finished speaking, he vanished without a trace, as if he had never been there. Only the rustling wind and the chirping of insects remained. If any mighty expert were present to witness this scene, they would surely be terrified, solely because of the old man's identity.
In the central ring of Đại La City, this was the residence of the Lý family head. At this time, whether inside or outside the residence, soldiers patrolled everywhere. It could be said that this place was an impregnable fortress, with airtight defenses, truly a place where none could enter or leave. All this strictness was because Lady Lý Hiền Hòa, wife of Lý family head Lý Khánh Văn, had been in a coma for several days. Even though several elders of the Lý family had tried to treat her, they were helpless. Everyone believed she had been afflicted by some unknown spell. Therefore, the Lý family had invited great physicians, extraordinary individuals, and reclusive masters to come and cure her.
In the private courtyard, the great physicians successively took her pulse and displayed their medical arts to help Lady Lý, but all they received in return was a disheartened shake of the head.
Just at this moment, a soldier hastily ran over, bowed, and spoke to Lý Khánh Văn, whose face was filled with worry:
"Reporting, Your Excellency, outside the main gate there is an old man who calls himself Lê Hữu Trác, saying he wishes to examine the Lady's condition."
The soldier's words immediately caused a stir among the great physicians in the city.
"Hải Thượng Lãn Ông, an enlightened master,
Deeply versed in scriptures and reason, full of compassion.
'Thượng Kinh Ký Sự' chronicles the affairs of his age,
'Hải Thượng Y Tông' compiles his medical texts.
All places long for the physician's arrival,
Everywhere welcomes his journey.
His whole life dedicated to aiding the sick,
Hải Thượng Lãn Ông, an enlightened master."
"It's Hải Thượng, the divine physician..."
"The old master, a divine dragon whose head is seen but not its tail, unexpectedly he's right here in Đại La City."
"With him here, it seems Lady Lý will be cured very quickly."
"..."
Lý Khánh Văn's expression brightened a little then. He hastily executed a movement technique, appearing right before the main gate, and bowed to an old man dressed in grey robes, carrying a huge box on his back, who was standing in front.
– Divine Physician Hai Thuong! Li mou has a plea; I beg you to cure my wife. She has been unconscious for several days now.
The old man returned the bow and replied:
– Li Family Head, there’s no need for such formality. Let us quickly go in and assess the situation.
…
The elderly divine physician immediately commanded everyone's respect upon entering the room. He gently approached the bed and employed the medical techniques from the *Hai Thuong Y Tong Tam Linh* to examine Lady Li's internal condition. After a period of examination, the old man shook his head, causing everyone's expressions to turn pale. However, at that very moment, the divine physician took out an ancient bronze mirror from the satchel on his back, then channeled streams of spiritual energy into it, urging the precious mirror to shine upon Lady Li's entire body. A moment later, he retracted the precious mirror, a joyful expression on his face as he said:
– Congratulations, Prince Li! Lady Li is pregnant... However, this pregnancy is very unusual. It resembles an ethereal mist; only when I used the *Chieu Menh Bao Kinh* did I detect a life force carrying the incredibly strong bloodline of the Li family. Furthermore, it constantly draws vital energy from the Lady to develop. Fortunately, her cultivation is profound, so she has only fallen into a coma.
Upon hearing this, Li Khanh Van was both overjoyed and flustered as he asked:
– Many thanks, Divine Physician Hai Thuong, for this joyous news. But when will my wife awaken?
The old physician pondered for a moment, then said:
– Hmmmm, please send someone to gather heavenly treasures and earthly wonders rich in spiritual energy, then bring them to my boat on the Red River, near the Duc Long Quan Temple. I will refine the *Linh Lung Ngoc Lo Dich* for the Lady to drink. At that time, the fetus will no longer absorb her vital energy but will instead draw from the abundant spiritual energy of the elixir. One day later, the Lady's vital energy will automatically recover, and she will awaken.
– Once again, many thanks, Mister Hai Thuong. Please accept this humble gift as a token of my gratitude.
As Li Khanh Van finished speaking, a maidservant immediately stepped forward, presenting a jade tray. On the tray were only three jade slips and one book. Yet, Divine Physician Hai Thuong's eyes lit up as if he had seen a world-shaking treasure. He quickly expressed his gratitude:
– If you had offered any other gift, this humble one truly would not dare to accept it. However, my heart is devoted to the medical dao, so I always strive to collect new medical scrolls and elixir recipes. Therefore, many thanks, Prince Li!
As soon as he finished speaking, he stepped forward, carefully took the book and the three jade slips, and placed them into the satchel on his back.
– Once you have gathered the materials, please bring them to me, and I will immediately refine the *Linh Lung Ngoc Lo Dich*. For now, I shall take my leave.
Divine Physician Hai Thuong and the other esteemed physicians departed one after another.
After seeing everyone off, Li Khanh Van immediately raised his hand to signal. A middle-aged man swiftly approached, bowing his head to receive orders.
– Steward Bai, please take care of gathering the heavenly treasures and earthly wonders. Remember to do it as quickly as possible.
– Yes, my lord!
After speaking, Li Khanh Van no longer paid attention to the middle-aged man but returned to his wife's room to care for her. At this moment, he was no longer a dignified family head who commanded fear, but a husband and a father, worried for his wife and his unborn child.
As for the matter of the heavenly treasures and earthly wonders, he was completely at ease entrusting it to Steward Bai. This steward had been his trusted confidant for many years, always loyal to the core, handling all matters, big and small, in the daily life of the Li family. Anything that fell into Steward Bai's hands was handled neatly and swiftly, leaving no room for complaint, and often exceeding expectations.