Chapter 4
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Minutes later.
Zairen, Alivia, and Grandpa Dinran were all sitting across from each other in the small guest bedroom, happily getting to know each other as family. Now that they had all somewhat opened up to each other, conversation flowed naturally.
Zairen talked a bit about things he had experienced in his youth, of course hiding the fact that they had occurred more than twenty years ago and modifying then heavily, while Grandpa Dinran revealed that he and Alivia had been living in Bindan village for five years now, starting from when Alivia was four years old.
After the emotional embrace, Zairen felt that he had become much closer with Alivia and her grandfather, and began to feel even more like he was part of the family.
“Wow Zairen, you’ve had some very interesting experiences for someone your age.” Grandpa Dinran was a bit surprised.
“Yeah, I’m two years older than you and haven’t experienced even half of what you have!” Alivia exclaimed.
“It’s not much.” Zairen laughed as he waved his hand, denying that his experiences were that great.
Just as he said that, he paused and then took a meaningful look at Grandpa Dinran’s disabled leg.
Although not particularly discolored in any way, the leg was unusually skinny compared to the other leg, and seemed to lack any capacity for movement.
“What’s wrong?” Grandpa Dinran saw Zairen’s glance.
“Well… Grandpa Dinran, if you don’t mind me asking…” Zairen hesitated. “I’m really curious about happened to your leg. Is it injured?”
Grandpa Dinran’s face showed a bit of an amused expression. “Oh, don’t worry about that. It’s an old injury I got from fending off some wild beasts, many years ago. Nobody knows what’s wrong with it, so I’ve just accepted my disability.”
“Wild beasts? Zairen responded thoughtfully, stroking his chin. Staring at the disabled leg, he nodded slightly.
A moment later, he looked up at Grandpa Dinran and continued. “Hm… Well, I’ve been meaning to ask: could you maybe let me take a look at it?”
“...Hm?” Grandpa Dinran looked up, with a surprised face. “You want to try to treat my leg?”
Zairen nodded.
“Let me tell you: even the best doctors in the village were unable to find the source of the paralysis.” Grandpa Dinran laughed, then looked at Zairen curiously. “But if you want to try, I won’t stop you.”
At that moment, Grandpa Dinran seemed like a grandfather appeasing his overconfident and naive grandson - of course, he wouldn’t actually believe that a seven year old boy would have any medical knowledge.
Alivia suddenly spoke out warmly. “Grandpa, Zairen has many unique experiences; maybe he has some way to help you!”
Grandpa Dinran gave a light chortle, but inwardly shook his head.
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Zairen only smiled. “I’ll try my best.”
Having said that, he immediately went forward and knelt in front of Grandpa Dinran’s skinny, paralyzed leg, bringing his hands forward.
Shiuu… shiuu…
Zairen’s hands began to touch his injured leg gently, feeling around the paralyzed flesh.
“...!” Feeling Zairen’s small hands touch his leg, Grandpa Dinran couldn’t help but cringe slightly. Furrowing his brows and glancing down at Zairen, he couldn’t help but have his doubts.
Ignoring this look, Zairen continued to intently conduct the physical examination. Starting out slowly, he began to caress the leg, feeling every tendon and muscle. This process lasted for about half a minute.
Suddenly, Zairen furrowed his brows. “Grandpa… About nine years ago, were you bitten by a black fox with red spots?”
From his relaxed position, Grandpa Dinran’s face twitched and he let out a gasp of surprise. “Yes… I did get bit by a black fox with red spots. And it happened exactly nine years ago! How did you know?” His surprised gaze stared at Zairen in disbelief.
“Actually, it may not look like it, but I have quite a bit of medical knowledge.” Zairen glanced at Grandpa Dinran’s disbelieving expression. “I could tell from a glance. The venom from this particular type of fox has a very distinct effect.”
Grandpa Dinran stared at Zairen incredulously. “You could really tell from just a glance?”
Hearing Grandpa Dinran’s skepticism, Zairen laughed and said: “Of course! When I first saw your leg I was only 99% sure, but now that I have felt your tendons, I’m 100% sure.”
Of course Zairen recognized the venom in Grandpa Dinran’s leg! He had treated countless people in the past, and many of those previous patients had Grandpa Dinran’s exact injury.
“...” Staring at Zairen, Grandpa Dinran was silent, his brows furrowing in incredulity. ‘He’s just a seven year old child! How could he be able to detect my disease while the best doctors in the village couldn’t? And with just a glance!’
Grandpa Dinran couldn’t help but be suspicious of Zairen’s words.
“So how severe is it? Could it be that you know a way to treat it?” Grandpa Dinran asked slowly. He decided to go along with Zairen’s sentiment, but didn’t get his hopes up; after all, Zairen was only a seven year old boy. In his mind, there was no way he would know how to cure his paralysis.
“Of course! This type of thing is easy for me to cure. The type of fox that bit you is called Black Devil Fox. It releases a specific type of neurotoxin that paralyzes the body. Your case is not so severe; only your leg is paralyzed!” He smiled. “All I need to do is massage your leg, and within a day, your disability will completely heal. Of course, my massage is very special; not just any massage will dispel the toxin!” Saying this, he playfully flexed his arm, as if demonstrating his prowess.
“...” Hearing this, Grandpa Dinran couldn’t help but silently stare at the young boy in front of him, his face at first showing incredulity, and then moments later, skepticism. Zairen was just a little kid! Even the best doctors in the village couldn’t cure his leg, but a seven year old could? Not even that, but in only a day? What kind of nonsense was he hearing?!
“Aiya! Little brother, are you really that amazing?” Alivia’s small face was filled with an enthusiastic expression.
Zairen smiled at Alivia and nodded. “Just watch big sister; you’ll be impressed!”
He turned to face Grandpa Dinran and said: “Grandpa, just relax and let me try. If it doesn’t work, the injury won’t get any more severe anyway.”
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