Chapter 768: Chapter 768

Fang Bai’s generosity earned the trust of the father and son, settling their hearts.

Seeing his father accept the money, the son smiled at Fang Bai and said, "Brother, do you think this works? You come back with us and stay at our place for the night, and early tomorrow morning we’ll invite a few hunters to head into the mountains with us... Not to hide anything from you, but my dad and I just came out from the mountains yesterday, a bit tired, and we’d like to rest at home for a day to fully recover our energy and spirit..."

Fang Bai smiled and nodded, waited for the father and son to pack up their stall, and walked with them towards Zhao Family Village.

Zhao Family Village was located more than ten miles to the east of the market town, separated by only a small hill from the vast primeval forest.

During the walk, Fang Bai chatted with the father and son, learning that the father was called Zhao Yunjian and the son Zhao Guoqiang. Their ancestors had been hunters, and the father and son had inherited their craft, being skilled at hunting.

There used to be a lot of animals, big and small, in the primeval forest, but now, with increased human activity and excessive hunting, it was no longer possible to find wild animals like pheasants and rabbits on the edges of the forest; one had to go deeper in.

Inside the depths of the primeval forest roamed large wild beasts such as wild boars, wolves, and bears. These animals were powerful attackers, posing a great danger during hunting encounters.

Therefore, some of the hunters from Zhao Family Village would usually go into the mountains in groups equipped with crossbows and hunting rifles for defense, just in case.

The game the hunters captured together in the deep, snowy forests would be distributed back in the village according to the effort put in and then sold individually at the market town.

Father and son, Zhao Yunjian and Zhao Guoqiang, were leaders among the many hunters of Zhao Family Village, highly respected, with almost all the hunters heeding their words.

"Young man, there’s something I’d like to discuss with you..."

At the entrance of Zhao Family Village, Zhao Yunjian stopped walking and said to Fang Bai, "Our village has over a hundred households, among which a dozen or so are hunters like us, though not all of them are well-off. Tomorrow, my son and I will bring more hunters into the mountains. If we can find the things you are looking for, I would like to share part of the money you give us. What do you think?"

"Uncle Zhao, you are so kind! I’ll hand the money over to you and your son, and as for the distribution, of course, it’s up to you to decide! If we have a good haul this time, I’ll give out an additional reward bonus to share with you all!"

From Zhao Yunjian’s words, one could tell that he was not only honest and good-hearted but also very benevolent. This made Fang Bai’s impression of him increasingly positive.

As for someone as purely kind and benevolent as Zhao Yunjian, Fang Bai was never stingy. He decided that after finding the "Earth Immortal Ginseng," he would give them a good deal more money, for money meant basically nothing to Fang Bai; it was better used to help those in need.

The three entered Zhao Family Village, and after Zhao Yunjian settled Fang Bai in his own home, he had his son prepare lunch, while he took a walk around the village to gather a dozen or so hunters in their home’s courtyard.

"My fellow villagers, this young Mr. Fang here wants such things from the mountains, and he promises ten thousand yuan for each plant... He has already given several tens of thousands of yuan as a deposit, all with me right now... If anyone is willing to join my son and me to go into the mountains to search for these things, I will distribute money to you... If you’re willing, just let me know, then go home and get ready. At first light tomorrow, we’ll set off!"

Zhao Yunjian disliked beating around the bush. His gaze swept over the hunters as he spoke directly, showing them the Earth Immortal Ginseng and introducing Fang Bai to everyone.

The Earth Immortal Ginseng was something that the hunters who had gone hunting in the mountains with Zhao Yunjian and his son a few days earlier had also seen, but at the time no one paid it much attention. It was only Zhao Yunjian who, out of curiosity, had dug up a few. He did not expect to encounter a customer like Fang Bai, willing to pay a high price for them.

The hunters of Zhao Family Village didn’t know what made "Earth Immortal Ginseng" valuable, but the promise of ten thousand yuan per plant truly moved them. Despite knowing the dangers of entering the mountain, they decided to join Zhao Yunjian and his son on their venture the next day.

So the excited hunters each went back home to start preparing for their mountain trip the next day.

At noon, Zhao Yunjian and his son accompanied Fang Bai for a meal. Because of their poor financial situation, the food wasn’t lavish, but Fang Bai didn’t mind. He happily clinked cups and engaged in enjoyable conversation with Zhao Yunjian and his son.

During the meal, Fang Bai inquired about the illness of Zhao Yunjian’s wife, Liu Fang. Zhao Yunjian’s expression darkened and he sighed before saying, "Your aunt has blood cancer... what people commonly refer to as leukemia. Guoqiang and I have to take her to the city hospital for treatment every now and then. The doctors say it’s hard to cure; we can only maintain her condition..."

"We had some savings at home, but since your aunt fell ill, a single hospital visit costs thousands. Our savings have been depleted, and we’ve also borrowed quite a bit from relatives and friends. To make ends meet, we father and son have been going up the mountain more often than before... life is tough!"

Zhao Yunjian lamented, and Zhao Guoqiang drank silently on the side. If it hadn’t been for Liu Fang’s illness, their family of three could have been very happy.

Right now, Zhao Yunjian wasn’t thinking too much; he just hoped to keep his wife alive.

"Uncle Zhao, let’s go take a look at Auntie’s illness together! I’m a doctor, I practice Traditional Chinese Medicine, maybe I have a way to cure Auntie’s illness!" Fang Bai said to Zhao Yunjian after they had finished eating.

Zhao Yunjian was taken aback and then gave a wry smile, "Traditional Chinese Medicine... how could that cure her? Little Brother Fang, I appreciate your kindness..."

Before his father could finish, Zhao Guoqiang interjected, "Dad, let Brother Fang take a look! If there’s even the slightest hope, we should try it!"

Fang Bai said, "Guoqiang is right, we should try if there’s even the slightest hope... I have a family secret formula that’s very effective for treating leukemia..."

Zhao Yunjian didn’t really believe what Fang Bai said, but Fang Bai was well-intentioned, so he didn’t refuse further and took Fang Bai to his wife Liu Fang’s room.

Liu Fang lay on the bed, her face gaunt and sallow, her complexion poor. Upon seeing a guest, she struggled to sit up.

"Auntie, I’ve come to treat your illness! Here, let me take your pulse first..."

Fang Bai sat by Liu Fang’s bed, explained his purpose, and then took her left hand, placing his fingers on her wrist pulse.

Liu Fang had heard from her husband about Fang Bai’s identity before, knowing that he was a wealthy young man, but she hadn’t expected him to also be a doctor. However, just like Zhao Yunjian, she didn’t hold any hope for Fang Bai’s treatment.

"The condition is not too severe... I have a pill here. If you take it and sleep, you will feel a significant improvement in your condition. You should recover completely in two to three days!"

As he spoke, Fang Bai took out a "Marrow Cleansing Pill" and handed it to Liu Fang, indicating for her to take it.