Sludge suction system

As dawn broke, Bai Pingping and Xia Mu packed their bags and prepared to set off. Villagers rushed to their aid upon hearing the news. The children clung to Bai Pingping's clothes, crying and pleading for her to stay, while the adults gathered around with food and water bags, their eyes filled with tears of gratitude.

An elderly man tremblingly grasped Bai Pingping's hand and said gratefully, "Dr. Bai, I will never forget your kindness. Please take care on your journey." Bai Pingping comforted the child with tears in her eyes, and Xia Mu also bid farewell to everyone.

Finally, they turned and left, their steps firm. The villagers stood for a long time, watching them go, filled with blessings and reluctance, hoping they would have a safe journey and continue to help and save people.

After a long and winding journey, Bai Pingping and Xia Mu finally arrived at the White Bird Capital.

This ancient capital city exudes a profound cultural heritage. The tall, sturdy city walls, constructed of rustic bricks and stones, bear the marks of time, their patterns seemingly narrating the rise and fall of dynasties, witnessing countless wars and peaces—silent recorders of history. Above the city gate, a plaque bears the four powerful characters "Bainiao Ancient Capital," said to be the work of a master calligrapher. The bold, vigorous strokes of the characters reflect the city's past glory and honor, drawing literati and scholars to pause and admire the exquisite beauty of the calligraphy.

Within the city, the traditional architectural layout is orderly and rhythmic. The wooden houses, joined by mortise and tenon joints, are exquisitely crafted, requiring no nails or rivets yet remaining incredibly sturdy, showcasing the superb skills passed down from ancient artisans. The beams are carved with beautifully detailed flowers, birds, fish, insects, and scenes from mythology, lifelike and symbolizing good fortune and abundant blessings. This is the culmination of generations of carving techniques passed down among folk artists; each carving reflects the artisans' wishes for a better life and their reverence for traditional culture.

The shop signs along the street adopt the traditional banner style, made of cloth or wood, and come in various shapes. They are decorated with patterns and characters representing the shops' business, exuding a strong sense of antiquity. Some long-established shops also display stone beasts that have stood the test of time. It is said that these stone beasts have the function of warding off evil spirits and protecting the shops. Their carving style is simple and unadorned, with smooth lines, which is a unique manifestation of ancient carving art in folk commercial culture.

Walking along the main street, one is greeted by a vibrant atmosphere. Street stalls display exquisite items crafted using traditional techniques. Among them are pottery figurines made from local clay, each with a unique shape, expressive faces, and distinctive use of color, preserving the ancient pottery-making process. There are also hand-embroidered handkerchiefs and sachets, their delicate craftsmanship and varied stitches featuring auspicious motifs such as ruyi (a type of scepter), peonies, dragons, and phoenixes. These embroidered works are not merely practical objects, but artistic treasures embodying local folk culture. Each element in the designs carries a specific meaning and story, passed down through generations, continuing the cultural lineage of Shiratori-do.

As the two walked with the crowd, they suddenly noticed a commotion ahead, a group of people gathered. Curious, they quickened their pace and approached. In the center of the crowd was a recently posted notice. The surrounding bricks gleamed coldly in the sunlight, adding to the somber atmosphere of the notice's contents. The notice stated that the old lady of the Yun family was suffering from a strange illness, bedridden, and the description of the illness was obscure and difficult to understand, with peculiar symptoms and a critical condition. The Yun family was seeking renowned doctors from across the land, promising a hefty reward to anyone who could cure the old lady's illness, and promising them a high reputation and status in the capital city of White Bird.

Looking at the notice, Bai Pingping's heart stirred. She thought to herself, "This illness is so strange that it must have left many doctors helpless. But isn't every illness a challenge? If I can conquer it, I can not only save a life, but also perhaps improve my medical skills and accumulate more valuable experience, laying the foundation for helping more people in the future." Her eyes grew more determined, revealing a resolute spirit.

Xia Mu stood to the side, looking up at the lone bird that occasionally flew across the azure sky, and thought to himself, "I've seen many difficult and complicated diseases on this medical journey, but this situation seems particularly troublesome. However, we've come a long way through hardships and cured many patients, so perhaps we can find a breakthrough in this strange disease."

Bai Pingping nodded slightly, having already made a decision in her heart: she would use her medical skills to examine this difficult illness and see if she could help the old lady of the Yun family relieve her pain, and also take the opportunity to get to know the Yun family, one of the legendary four great families.

Sunlight streamed onto the bluestone streets of White Bird City. Bai Pingping and Xia Mu stood before the medical notice seeking help, surrounded by a bustling crowd. Bai Pingping, dressed in simple men's clothing, stared intently at the description of Old Madam Yun's illness on the notice. The obscure and difficult-to-understand words seemed to her like a puzzle waiting to be solved. She slightly raised her head, her eyes revealing a hint of determination and confidence, silently considering her next move.

Xia Mu stood to the side, his posture upright, looking at Bai Pingping with concern. He knew the rescue mission was arduous, but seeing Bai Pingping's expression, a firm belief welled up in his heart. He looked up at the azure sky, where a few birds flew across the horizon, as if offering a silent encouragement.

"Xia Mu, let's accept the challenge," Bai Pingping said softly, her voice carrying an undeniable determination.

Xia Mu nodded slightly and replied, "Okay, Sister Pingping, I will go with you and we will definitely find a way to cure her."

Having said that, Bai Pingping stepped forward and gently peeled off the notice. Instantly, the surrounding crowd cast various glances—some surprised, some doubtful, and some expectant. Bai Pingping carefully put the notice away, exchanged a glance with Xia Mu, and the two walked towards the Yun family's residence.

Along the way, Bai Pingping silently recalled the medical knowledge she had learned, her mind constantly conjuring up various cases of illnesses and corresponding treatments, trying to find similarities to Old Lady Yun's condition. Xia Mu, on the other hand, carefully observed the surrounding environment, keeping an eye out for any usable medicinal herbs or other clues, just in case.

The shops lining the street were quaint and charming, and the occasional sounds of blacksmithing and hawking seemed to add a unique atmosphere to their unknown journey of rescue. Bai Pingping tightened her bundle, which contained some precious medicinal herbs and simple tools she had used for many years of medical practice. She took a deep breath, quickened her pace, and headed towards the Yun family home, preparing to meet this medical challenge and bring hope of life to Old Madam Yun.

Bai Pingping and Xia Mu walked along the wide main street of Bai Niao Capital and soon arrived at the gate of Yun Mansion. The vermilion gate of Yun Mansion stood majestically, with imposing stone lions on both sides, demonstrating the family's prominent status.

Just as the two were about to step onto the steps and enter the mansion, the servants at the gate stopped them, their eyes full of contempt. One of the servants smirked and said disdainfully, "Look at you, you dare to take up the challenge? Don't you know your own limitations? Don't think that healing the sick is child's play. Many famous doctors couldn't cure the old lady's illness. You two greenhorns probably can't even diagnose the symptoms!" After saying this, the surrounding servants burst into laughter, the laughter echoing in front of the Yun mansion, attracting the attention of passersby.

Bai Pingping frowned slightly, feeling somewhat displeased, but her eyes remained resolute. She clenched her fists inwardly, thinking, "I must not be deterred by these few mocking words. I must show them that medical skill cannot be judged by age and appearance." Xia Mu stepped forward, calmly saying, "Since we dared to accept the challenge, we naturally have some confidence. We hope you will be accommodating and allow us to go in and treat the old lady. Whether it's good or bad, we'll only know after we've seen her." Upon hearing this, the servants laughed even harder, their laughter filled with mockery and suspicion. They showed no intention of making way, as if in their eyes, Bai Pingping and Xia Mu were nothing more than two presumptuous clowns.

"Let them in!" A deep command came from inside the mansion.