Abandoned Woman Busy Farming

Chapter 1294: Chapter 1296: The True Face of the Holy Hall_1

It wasn’t until two days later, when everyone arrived in Shengyao City, that the overall condition began to improve. Jiang Yichun’s subordinates had been through a lot, and their mental fortitude was still pretty good.

Bai Ruozhu had been working hard to treat the electrocuted guard whose name was Liu Xinyu, a trusted aide Jiang Yichun had with him since his time working at the communication department. Fortunately, there was still some ointment left from what she had prepared for treating Auntie Zhang’s illness, and over the past two days, it had been used on Liu Xinyu, which somewhat relieved his pain.

But the ointment was running out and with the extent of his burns being so large, it was gone after two days. The ingredients for preparing the medicine were hard to find. Originally, Bai Ruozhu was only able to find them through the Du Family that ran a large business in medicinal materials, and even then, it had taken a considerable amount of time. So, now that she was in the Western Regions, coming up with the complete formula was proving extremely difficult.

Besides, she still couldn’t access her Space, and Furball was still in a deep slumber. She wanted to ask the fish in the pond what had happened, but those silly fish simply couldn’t talk, and without access to her Space, she couldn’t get a single live fish.

Shengyao City was the closest large city to Gaochang. Passing through Shengyao City and after some small villages and towns, one could reach Gaochang.

Jiang Yichun privately asked Bai Ruozhu if they should leave Qingyan in Shengyao City, to which she thought for a moment and said, ”Since we’re escorting him west, and since we’re not far from Gaochang, let’s just take him with us.”

After settling the sick, Bai Ruozhu and Jiang Yichun went shopping on the streets and also had Muyu take some of their prepared goods to inquire about prices in a show of shopping. These goods were ready before they left the capital early that morning and consisted of fine silks and satins, textiles that were rare in the Western Regions.

The cost of goods in Shengyao City was high, so Bai Ruozhu didn’t pick much. However, Nilu, who had stopped feeling pain, shamelessly recommended a market where bargains could be found. She and Jiang Yichun went to have a look and found that the place described by Nilu was similar to a modern flea market.

Because they were all used items, the prices were low. Bai Ruozhu found several antique trinkets that appeared to be quite old. She simply bought them, thinking there would always be the opportunity to trade them and make money.

After browsing the flea market for a while, she suggested a visit to the Pharmacy to see if she could find any medicinal materials for treating burns. However, she soon discovered that the pharmacies in Shengyao City had very few types of medicinal materials. After visiting several, she found that all were the same and that these pharmacies hardly had any business. She watched for a long time but saw no one come in to get medicine.

It was Nilu who took the initiative to explain, ”Madam, you might not know the customs of the people in the Western Regions. When they feel unwell, they prefer to seek blessings in the Holy Hall rather than go to the Hospital for a checkup or medicine.”

Bai Ruozhu was surprised. Not seeking medical treatment when sick but instead praying for recovery? Weren’t they afraid of minor illnesses becoming serious?

”The holy maidens in the Holy Hall, and the branches of the Main Temple regularly pray for the people. Many who feel unwell recover after they pray,” Nilu further explained.

”Can all ailments really be cured?” Bai Ruozhu asked skeptically. Wasn’t this just using faith to mythologize the existence of the Holy Hall?

”Not really. Only general malaise can be treated with blessing. Injuries like your guard or Qingyan have, those are beyond what prayers can help with,” Nilu replied.

Thinking of the Drug Powder the holy maiden gave to Jin Jing’s mother, Bai Ruozhu guessed that the people from the Holy Hall probably knew some medical skills, and perhaps some had in-depth expertise. The water used for praying might treat common ailments like colds, diarrhea, or rashes, which is why blessings could cure minor illnesses.

”So what happens if it’s a serious illness and blessings don’t work? They still wouldn’t go to the Hospital for treatment?” Bai Ruozhu asked again.

Nilu shook his head, ”If it’s a serious illness, the Clinics can’t cure it either. People in the Western Regions believe they are those whom the gods wish to take away. The family then prepares a Funeral and sends them off joyfully to meet the gods.”

Having done business in Danliang Country for many years, Nilu’s thoughts were much more progressive than those of the people of the Western Regions. Over the years, he had fallen ill and visited the Clinic, naturally not believing in the idea that one should not seek medical treatment when ill and simply wait for a god to take them away. Hence, his tone was tinged with a hint of sarcasm as he spoke.

Bai Ruozhu glanced at Jiang Yichun and couldn’t help saying, ”Is the Western Regions this backward? Surely the people in the Holy Hall don’t just silently wait for death when they fall ill?”

”It is said that the people in the Holy Hall of the Western Regions live very long, especially those in high positions; they are supposedly the chosen servants of the gods, hence most favoured by the deities,” Jiang Yichun said, followed by a snort of cold laughter.

”I suppose those members of the royal family and aristocrats aren’t just quietly waiting for death, right? The Holy Hall must send someone to pray for them specifically?” Bai Ruozhu asked again.

Nilu nodded, lowering his voice as he said, ”Although I have never witnessed it, I can guess it’s secret medical treatment.”

Alright, the situation was quite obvious. The Holy Hall intended to rule the people with faith, not only to control their minds but also to decide their life and death.

”Dressing up as gods and playing tricks,” Bai Ruozhu muttered disdainfully, thinking that the common people of the Western Regions were really pitiable; to be kept in the dark like that, not seeking medical treatment when ill, just waiting for death. No wonder the Western Regions had been declining over the years. Such actions by the Holy Hall would only lead the Western Regions to ruin.

At that moment, Bai Ruozhu saw the main gate of a branch temple of the Holy Hall not far away. It was said that the branch temple in Shengyao City was second only to the main temple in Gaochang, indeed grand and majestic; even from a distance, she felt intimidated by its presence.

Yet, that place was inhabited by a group of despicable and hypocritical people, using faith as a front to achieve their greedy and evil goals.

Suddenly, a bamboo palanquin carried by two people brought a woman into the branch temple of the Holy Hall. The woman was dressed in plain white clothes, giving the impression from behind that she could be a servant from within the Holy Hall; however, Bai Ruozhu saw clearly that the woman being carried was that nauseating Jin Jing!

Jiang Yichun followed her gaze and saw Jin Jing’s back but did not recognize her. He couldn’t help asking, ”What’s wrong?”

”It’s Jin Jing. I didn’t expect her to still be alive. It seems we really shouldn’t underestimate the medical skills of the Holy Hall,” Bai Ruozhu said with a sneer.

Jiang Yichun’s face darkened, ”Jin Wanliang might also be in Shengyao City. I will send someone to find out; it’s time to teach him a lesson.”

Bai Ruozhu opened her mouth with worry, but then thought better of it and said nothing further. She knew Yichun was a person who knew when to stop, and taking revenge for Liu Xinyu was also the wish of the other guards; they had all been holding their breath on this trip.

The group hastily returned to the inn where they were staying, and soon, Jiang Yichun’s subordinates dispersed to gather information. Jianqi and Chenfeng had obtained several sets of Western Regions clothing, already changed into them, and were ready to go and deal with Jin Wanliang with their faces covered.

Before long, the dispatched men returned with news: ”Jin Wanliang is drinking tea at Wangxianju, and he is accompanied by a woman from the Western Regions who seems to have some status.”

”Could it be the mother of that favoured lady who is always with the ’Holy Woman’ mentioned by Jin Jing?” Bai Ruozhu was intrigued; she really wanted to see what sort of woman could raise a daughter like Jin Jing.

”I am not quite certain, but I saw Jin Wanliang’s servant addressing her as ’Madam’.” the guard replied.

Bai Ruozhu winked at Jiang Yichun, ”Come on, let’s go take a look.”