Zhu Yanyi smiled gently. "A shaman doctor is different from a witch. Witches are usually bad, but shaman doctors are not. They pass their skills down one by one. You need good talent and good character. For small things, they don’t care much. But if you offend them deeply, they might punish you a little. The ancestors of the villagers on this island probably offended a shaman doctor by accident in a special place. So, a curse was placed on them. It was just a small warning. If they stayed in Lu Province, with its good feng shui and beautiful nature, the sickness would have gone away soon. But they left China and came to this isolated island."
"So, according to you, they were cursed by a Chinese shaman?" Cole felt this was pure fantasy. How could magic exist in the world? But looking at Zhu Yanyi’s serious face, it seemed real. She stared at her, hoping to see a lie. "Did you learn this from movies or TV?"
Zhu Yanyi glanced at Cole. "I know you wouldn’t believe it. That’s why neither my master nor I told you at first. We just looked for medicine to fix it directly. If you hadn’t come to ask, I wouldn’t have said anything."
She spoke the truth. Westerners and Easterners differ in knowledge and culture. Westerners believe in Christianity and don’t believe in Taoism or Buddhism. Easterners believe in Taoism or Buddhism. Of course, some people who worship foreign things believe in Christianity, but that’s rare. Naturally, the beliefs of overseas Chinese are different.
Because of different beliefs, they trust different things. Westerners believe in witches, but think they are all bad, just like Easterners think monsters are bad. They trust Christ, but don’t believe in gods or Buddhas. So, Cole was half-believing and half-doubting what Zhu Yanyi said.
Zhu Yanyi only explained the illness and didn’t think too much. "Mr. Cole, if you don’t believe me, you can go to the village with me tomorrow to watch me treat them. I have nothing else to say."
"Are you sure the villagers on this island really have the Chinese curse you mentioned?" Cole needed certainty.
Zhu Yanyi smiled. "Yes. Why would I lie to you? Besides, if I lied, it would be exposed quickly. So, I can’t lie, right?"
Zhu Yanyi looked at Cole seriously. "I inherited Chinese medicine. Chinese medicine values the master-disciple lineage most. So, even if I were confused, I wouldn’t shame my lineage. It’s like you can’t go against God to do things against your heart. We just have different beliefs."
Different beliefs mean not understanding. Zhu Yanyi clearly meant to tell Cole this. The smart Cole heard the hidden meaning. Although still doubtful, she believed most of it. She nodded. "In that case, let’s do as you say. But tomorrow, when you treat them, I will still go to watch."