If this was the reason, Commander Yong truly felt he could never forgive himself.
Jiang Chen didn't dwell on this, continuing, "Over time, the Metal energy you cultivate has continuously damaged the Wood energy in your wife's body. Wood energy governs a person's vitality. Wood signifies flourishing life. When Wood energy is strong, vitality is strong. When it's weak, vitality weakens. Normally, the Five Elements within a body form a natural cycle. However, since your wife is not a cultivator, she cannot establish the internal microcosmic circulation that a martial practitioner possesses. Therefore, she lacks the ability to automatically purge your aggressive, killing energy. Gradually, her vitality grows weaker. This is the root of her illness."
This reasoning went back to first principles.
Most supreme alchemists wouldn't be able to perceive things this clearly, let alone connect this illness to Commander Yong himself.
That was why so many alchemists had been unable to pinpoint the true cause.
They all held a misconception, assuming this Lady Ah Tang had encountered some evil energy or been poisoned, which weakened her vitality.
But Jiang Chen, well-versed in the Heavenly Dao, possessed insights and deductive abilities far surpassing this world's alchemists.
Thus, once he applied his speculation to this condition, the answer became clear.
"Master Jiang, given this situation… is there a cure?" Commander Yong still cared most about this question.
Jiang Chen nodded. "Although her vitality is weak, it is not extinct. As long as life persists, there is a remedy."
"How? Do I need to procure large quantities of Wood-attribute Spiritual Medicine? I'll go buy them now." Commander Yong grew extremely anxious.
Jiang Chen shook his head. "That wouldn't work. A weak body cannot withstand heavy supplementation. Your wife is not a cultivator. It is precisely because she doesn't practice that your killing energy could invade her. Your children have cultivated since youth; their foundations allow them to interact with you without being affected. Your wife's constitution is rather special; her innate Wood energy is insufficient. The Five Element cycle within her body is not robust, which is why this happened."
"If you rashly force Wood-attribute Spiritual Medicine into her now, it will only be counterproductive."
"Why?" Commander Yong didn't understand. If her Wood energy was being consumed, shouldn't they hasten to replenish it?
"The reasoning is simple. Your wife's constitution is frail. Forcing her to take Wood-attribute Spiritual Medicine won't save her; it will harm her. Her body simply isn't condition to absorb that much Wood-attribute spiritual energy all at once. It's like a gentle stream—you cannot demand it bear the flood peak of a great river. That would be disastrous." Jiang Chen explained in the most straightforward terms possible.
Commander Yong finally realized this, nodding with dawning understanding, then offered an apologetic smile. "Master Jiang, forgive my haste. Seeing your confidence, you must have a solution, correct?"
Jiang Chen did indeed have a solution.
In fact, he had an excellent one.
Jiang Chen pondered for a moment, then produced a small bottle from his possession. This bottle contained the essence of the Wood Spirit Spring he had collected.
He always carried this essence of the Wood Spirit Spring for unforeseen needs.
Nothing in this world was more suitable than this Wood Spirit Spring essence for treating Commander Yong's wife's condition.
"Commander Yong, here are several drops of Wood-attribute spiritual liquid. You should also purchase a large quantity of pure Wood-attribute herbs, refine them into juice, and then combine them with this liquid. Have your wife take a medicinal bath with the mixture, three times a day. This method will cleanse her thoroughly—from pores to flesh, from muscles to internal organs, to the meridians. Only then can this ailment be fully healed."
To save a life, one must see it through. Though this Wood Spirit Spring essence was precious, Jiang Chen was not lacking in it. To do a favor and save a life could be considered a form of karma. Jiang Chen wouldn't begrudge it. After all, seeing such devotion between this couple, he had no reason to stand by and let her die.
"Just… just that simple?" Commander Yong was clearly surprised.
"Exactly that simple." Jiang Chen smiled faintly. "If you don't believe me, you may try it now. The first bath will show remarkable effects—almost immediate. The subsequent baths are only to aid recovery; their impact won't compare to the first."
In this world, no one could question Jiang Chen's medical skills.
Commander Yong still harbored some disbelief, but at this point, he had no other options. Furthermore, Jiang Chen was someone he had personally invited, so he felt he could trust him.
Soon, Commander Yong prepared the Wood-attribute herbs and distilled a large bucket of medicinal juice.
"Master Jiang, how many drops?" Commander Yong now regarded Jiang Chen's words as divine decree.
"Three to five drops are necessary." Jiang Chen smiled gently.
The essence of the Wood Spirit Spring was extremely rare. Three to five drops were indeed very precious. However, for the first application, a higher concentration was required.
Since this was a medicinal bath, not direct ingestion, it wouldn't possess the same overwhelming, violent force. This was the only method a mortal body could withstand.
Ingesting spiritual liquid for someone without cultivation would be suicide—it would certainly cause the body to explode.
Once everything was prepared, Jiang Chen said with a smile, "Commander Yong, I will wait outside the courtyard. It would be best if you weren't present either. Your killing energy cannot yet be controlled at will. For your wife, it remains a tremendous pressure."
Commander Yong nodded repeatedly, supporting his wife. "Ah Tang, after I prepare your bath, I will leave. It was my fault. I've dragged you into this."
Ah Tang quickly covered her husband's mouth. "Brother Yong, don't say that."