After a full day on the road, finally having a place to rest brought Joseph a quiet sense of relief.Once inside, the boy brought him a cup of hot tea. After a sip, the comfort deepened.“This is my fifteenth senior brother—Brady Kim.”“And this is my sixteenth senior sister—Nicole Kim.”“My name is Seventeen Wilson. You can call me Seventeen, just like they do.”Though young, Seventeen carried himself with surprising confidence, speaking freely without the slightest trace of shyness.“Nice to meet you all. My name is Joseph—you may call me Uncle, or whatever you prefer.”Joseph said with a warm smile.“Hello, Uncle Wilson. Master should be back soon. We’re preparing dinner—I’ll get back to it. Please make yourself comfortable.”Brady Kim said politely.“Go ahead, don’t mind me.”Joseph replied with an easy smile.“Oh, Nicole, Seventeen—there’s quite a bit of food in my pack. You’re welcome to take a look and see if there’s anything you like.”Joseph said to the two of them.“Yes, yes

“Good day, sir. My name is Joseph Wilson. I’ve come to Hidden Dragon Village to find someone.”Joseph spoke as he caught sight of the old man.From what the children had been saying, the elder before him was most likely their master, Kim Frederick.“A Wilson, looking for someone?”The old man’s brows drew together slightly at the words.“Master, this is an uncle we picked up on the road. His cooking smells amazing—though we haven’t eaten yet, it already smells incredible.”“He even made your favorite roasted lamb. It smells so, so good—seriously, unbelievably good.”“It’s making me drool.”Seventeen Wilson chattered nonstop. Joseph was beginning to understand the boy—young as he was, he was undeniably a chatterbox, always brimming with things to say.“What is Eugene Wilson to you?”The old man asked again.“Eugene Wilson is my master. I’m an orphan—I had no parents growing up. He took me in, raised me, taught me medicine and many other skills, and treated me as his own son.”Joseph an

“Not at all. I was just sharing a drink with the old gentleman.”Joseph replied.“Hahaha, I could smell it from a distance. That’s the old man’s special brew—I’d recognize it anywhere.”Xavier burst into hearty laughter.“Old Xavier, you followed the scent all the way here, didn’t you?”Kim Frederick said with a chuckle.“Of course! You know me—I’ve got a taste for this sort of thing, especially your homemade wine. The flavor is unmatched, and it’s good for the body too.”Xavier spoke with animated enthusiasm.“Wellness aside, too much is still too much. Drink in excess, and it will harm you all the same.”Kim Frederick cautioned seriously.“Yes, yes, I remember everything you’ve said.”“Fourteenth girl, come—pour your uncle a drink.”With that, Xavier gestured for Myers Paula to serve the wine.“Pour him a drink.”Kim Frederick added.“Come, come—let’s have a bowl.”Xavier invited.Joseph and Kim Frederick raised their bowls and drained them in one go.“Young man, you’re from outside

Before long, the door opened, and an elderly woman in her sixties appeared before them.“Katie, sir—you’ve come?”“Oh? And this gentleman is…?”Though advanced in years, the woman’s eyes were still sharp, and she quickly noticed Joseph.“This is…”For a moment, Myers Paula wasn’t sure how to introduce him.“A friend of mine. He heard about your condition and came along to take a look. He’s an excellent physician.”Kim Frederick said with a genial smile.“I see.”“Please, come in—have some tea first.”The old woman welcomed them warmly.At her invitation, the three stepped into the courtyard. It was simple in appearance, yet kept neat and tidy.Aside from the elderly woman, there was also a child of three or four playing inside—likely her grandson.“Please, have a seat.”The woman gestured.Joseph and the others took their seats around the stone table in the center of the yard.“Vanessa Robinson, how have you been feeling lately?”Myers Paula asked first.“After you and the old gentlem

Kim Frederick studied Joseph’s prescription with great care, a pipe in hand as he smoked thoughtfully, utterly absorbed.It seemed he was not merely reading, but reflecting as well.“Excellent, truly excellent.”“A prescription may be fixed, but an experienced physician knows how to adapt it to the patient’s condition.”“You’ve adjusted this formula with insight and originality.”“And those who dare to alter established prescriptions are people of conviction. I didn’t expect someone so young to possess such resolve.”“To build upon what is given and yet reshape it—that shows you are not someone who studies blindly.”After finishing, the old man spoke with clear admiration.It was evident he was highly satisfied.“Master, I’ve seen this prescription before, but Uncle Wilson has made some modifications to it. That really takes skill—and courage.”Myers Paula remarked, equally impressed.“That is what conviction looks like. When your abilities reach his level, you too will have the confi