CHAPTER 79: CHAPTER 71 THE KNICKS’ ENCOUNTER

Ove went back to the glass factory to make glass implements alone.

Lin Ke, on the other hand, went to find Lady Antova.

After meeting Lady Antova, he still had to inspect the preparations of the Azanen Theater Troupe’s various groups.

The castle had been busy these days, which delayed some practice time.

However, because of his birthday, few people visited him, so the castle hadn’t prepared much, keeping everything simple.

"Knock, knock, knock."

Lin Ke knocked on the door of Lady Antova’s room. In the afternoon, Antova and Fulon usually read books and enjoyed their timeless afternoon tea pastries.

"Come in."

Antova’s voice came from inside.

Lin Ke immediately opened the door and entered. As expected, Antova was reading a book at the table by the balcony, with two maids standing behind her, and a small leopard on her lap.

Antova took a bite of the sour berry and wheat flour cake, then fed a bite to the small leopard, gently stroking its fur with the other hand.

In just a few days, the small leopard had transformed from an unyielding predator cub roaring in an iron cage to a sweetly roaring noble predator pet on the noblewoman’s lap.

"Little Lin Ke, do you have something to discuss?"

Seeing Lin Ke, a hint of joy flashed deep in Antova’s eyes, though no one noticed.

Lin Ke was organizing his words and immediately said, "Madam, I need all the slaves in the castle to help me mine an iron ore."

"Oh? An iron ore?"

Antova raised an eyebrow: "I remember Azaenn Castle doesn’t have an iron mine. Where are you going to mine it?"

"From my teacher’s place."

Lin Ke replied easily, knowing that relying on Ove was always the best solution.

Hearing Lin Ke’s answer, Antova was startled, then immediately asked, "How much gold coins do we need to pay?"

She thought Lin Ke had bought the iron mine.

"It’s a gift from my teacher." Lin Ke shook his head.

"Well, that’s fine." Hearing this, Antova lost interest, as long as no money was wasted. She waved her hand, "Use the slaves as you wish, just don’t interfere with the castle’s normal operations."

Using slaves generally required servants to oversee them.

But Lin Ke would send soldiers, so it wouldn’t affect the castle’s normal operations.

After speaking with Antova, Lin Ke went to arrange the slaves.

Only that night did Antova and Lin Ke discuss money matters.

Now, even with an iron mine, Antova never brought up selling it to save money or pay off debts.

Thinking this way, this lady was quite responsible; she said she wouldn’t let Lin Ke worry, so she didn’t let him worry.

"Sigh, if you hadn’t wanted to kill me back then, how nice it would be," Lin Ke shook his head and walked straight out.

...

...

At this moment, in the village.

Knicks wore simple cloth clothes, carrying a small bag.

The bag contained his paper money, some herbs, and his Azanen attire he had taken off.

After all, wearing Azanen’s clothing within Azanen’s territory was too conspicuous, which was not conducive to him continuing to embrace the traits of being a [doctor].

Suddenly, as Knicks was walking, he heard noises ahead.

"Quick, quick! Little Yale was injured by Gula’s bull in the chest!"

"The bull’s horn pierced through!"

"Andrew’s Leg, blood! The chest is all covered in blood!"

A commotion, accompanied by several women’s screams and cries.

Knicks frowned, his two furry ears standing upright, his body turning into a white blur rushing over.

Nearing them, seven or eight people were carrying a skinny young cowherd, seemingly preparing to send him to the distant Parrot City to seek treatment from that professional [Witch Doctor].

Impossible!

By the time they get there, the body would be cold!

Knicks approached them and called out, "Put him down, I am [Doctor] Knicks!"

Those sturdy men suddenly stopped their movements.

"Doctor?! Doctor!"

"This is the doctor as skilled as a professional!"

"Quick, quick! Let the doctor see!"

"Boohoo, esteemed doctor, save my son."

The people were in chaos, quickly bringing the cowherd over.

The villagers had heard there was a doctor from Azaenn Castle wandering in the villages, treating the sick.

Knicks opened his bag, taking out four or five types of herbs he’d been preparing.

He first made his hands move like shadows, tearing open the boy’s shirt, clearing away vegetation and small pebbles.

Next, he poured a bottle of sour berry wine onto the boy’s chest.

The fainted boy suddenly groaned in pain.

Everyone’s hearts tightened.

This was a six-year-old child!

But Knicks remained silent, with a tight furrow on his brow.

The child’s injury was severe, with nearly a penetrating wound in the chest.

He had gathered many useful herbs recently, with seven or eight for stopping bleeding and many for pain relief.

But now, merely using hemostatic and pain relief herbs wasn’t enough.

"What to do, what to do..."

Knicks’ small nose twitched quickly, looking at the bleeding chest, secretly anxious.

Oh right... Mr. Lin Ke said the properties of herbs can be enhanced, combining hemostatic herbs with others might create stronger effects.

But... it might also create poison!

Some toxic substances combined can become a tonic or life-saving medicine.

Some nontoxic substances combined can become highly toxic.

Knicks had long wanted to concoct his own medicine, having ideas for herbal combinations.

But he didn’t dare!

Simply put, everyone knows there’s a Rabbitman Doctor from Azaenn Castle, and if he caused a death, it would embarrass Mr. Lin Ke.

He might very well be beaten to death.

But...

"Doctor! Save my child!"

A woman knelt on the ground, crying her heart out, while a man beside her held her back, afraid she’d interfere with Knicks’ work.

"Stop crying! The Rabbitman Doctor works for Young Master, trust him!" the man beside her admonished loudly.

"Yes, yes!"

"Alas, poor thing..."

... The scene was chaotic.

Yet Knicks became calm because of it.

He remembered the first time he met Mr. Lin Ke, with that brilliant and warm sunshine shining through Lin Ke’s brown hair, illuminating his face.

Warm but not scorching, bright but not glaring...

If he used a new medicine to treat the child and the child died, Mr. Lin Ke’s reputation might be ruined.

If he didn’t treat him and claimed inability...

The villagers wouldn’t think too much, they’d quickly send the child to Parrot City at great expense to seek treatment from that professional [Witch Doctor].

But Knicks knew the child would likely die from blood loss on the way there.

To save or not to save.

Knicks clenched his fist, brows furrowed, while chewing simple herbs and applied them to the child’s wound, deep in thought.

People were influenced by Knicks’ serious and solemn expression, their voices gradually quieting down.

And Knicks...

Ultimately, Knicks thought of Lin Ke again.

Lin Ke had saved him after his family was destroyed and took him in.

He had sworn.

He, Knicks, would defend Lin Ke’s honor to the death, until the stars fall, the world collapses, the rules are destroyed... even unto death unwavering.