From Herb Boy to Great Physician

[Ancient political intrigue > Medical arts rivalry > Turmoil over a pharmacopoeia > Righteous confrontation > No System > Ancient political intrigue > Good versus evil > Ensemble cast > Heartbreaking > Sacrifices > No romantic pairing > Plot-driven]

A royal pharmacopoeia lost for a thousand years reveals a battle between good and evil over the healing arts. When a remedy meant to save lives becomes a deadly poison, how can a group of physicians devoted to the people preserve their commitment to healing and compassion amid a whirlpool of conspiracies? During the Zhenghe era of the Northern Song, the court's compilation of the Formulary of the Bureau of Universal Benefit shook the realm. Imperial Physician Zhao Shizhen was ordered to verify the entire work, only to discover that someone had altered its prescriptions, adding a highly addictive poison. The mastermind was the powerful minister Cai Jing and his adopted daughter, the “Poison Lady” Su Miaomiao. They intended to use the prescriptions to control the court and the realm. Zhao Shizhen joined forces with his junior fellow apprentice Lin Qingyin, the wandering physician Chen Banxian, and twelve other righteous healers to fight the evil forces in a battle for their lives.