T/N: Thank you so much to Paigiegie for the Kofi donation! Here’s a double update!

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Qin Yu’s expression changed. “What?”

He Lan said matter-of-factly: “Didn’t you feel that my clothes are wet? It’s cold tonight, and I’ll be chilled by the wind if I keep them on, so I’ll take them off first and change after they leave.”

Qin Yu’s expression distorted, because either his leg or his hand was touching him, and something was being pushed against his back, constantly rubbing back and forth. A certain place gradually bulged out, making him flare up in anger.

He couldn’t bear it anymore. “He Yundu, are you looking for death?”

He Lan was thick-skinned. “It’s not my fault.”

Qin Yu thought this was truly absurd. Just as he scoffed, he felt something blow against his sensitive neck. Qin Yu’s breathing stagnated.

“Who made you soft and lush here? This is a man’s normal reaction. It’s not my fault, this happened because I was trying to save you.”

Qin Yu’s pupils shrank, and he was about to hit him with his backhand, but He Lan expected this and caught his arm behind his back. Due to their positions, Qin Yu’s hand rested on He Lan’s strong abdominal muscles. Qin Yu immediately felt as if his hand was burning. This fellow had actually taken off his clothes.

He Lan smiled and leaned in toward Qin Yu’s ear to whisper: “Why are you so anxious? It will go away after a while. If you continue to struggle so forcefully, my mind won’t be able to control my instincts. But whatever, don’t blame me for being a scoundrel.”

After speaking, he deliberately moved twice as a warning.

Such boorish behavior turned Qin Yu’s expression completely blank, and murderous intent accumulated in his eyes.

“Don’t move, the patrol is back.”

Qin Yu stopped breathing, gritting his teeth as he held his breath.

Qin Yu wasn’t moving anymore, and He Lan had no reason to move around, but he never said he would stop. With a shy and angry expression, Qin Yu pretended not to feel anything, but found that the hands of the person behind him gradually moved to embrace him. This felt less like being held hostage, which made Qin Yu feel awkward.

“Your body…..is so warm, ah.”

Qin Yu was stunned, and felt this person sniff his neck.

“And…..it smells so good. It’s my favorite scent.”

Qin Yu froze, and before he could react, there was silence behind him. A cheek pressed against his neck, and the unusual heat instantly caused Qin Yu to come to a realization.

Once it was quiet outside, Qin Yu pushed open the secret compartment and stepped out at once, feeling the person behind him fall straight out.

In the end, Qin Yu turned around and caught this shamelessly naked person.

Nothing was visible in the dark cabin, and Qin Yu could only fumble around to check on him.

Sure enough…..he had a high fever. How could his body be able to withstand sneaking in like that?

Qin Yu had brought medicine, and stuffed one into He Lan’s mouth, but He Lan seemed to be burning up. He curled up and cried out from the cold. Qin Yu dug out clothes from the luggage box to wrap He Lan up in, but He Lan continued to cry out that he was cold, and all he wanted to do was hug Qin Yu for warmth.

He Lan was not conscious, and only felt that his body was immersed in heavy ice water. But soon after, he felt himself hugging a very warm object. It was warm and very comfortable, so he couldn’t help but hug it tightly. When he opened his eyes in a daze, he was still in the dark compartment. It was already daytime outside the cabin, sunlight overflowing, so he could just barely see some things clearly.

He Lan used his gradually recovering clarity to clearly feel that he seemed to be touching someone’s skin. The two of them were wrapped in layers of clothing. No wonder he was so warm. He couldn’t help but hug the other’s body tightly, and the person he held didn’t seem to be asleep. He was awake, and when he felt He Lan’s movements, he moved with him. It seemed like he didn’t notice that He Lan was awake, and was just following the movements of a sick person.

The next time He Lan woke up, his clothing was in place and he was the only one in the hidden compartment. Just as he panicked and thought he had been left behind again, the compartment opened. Qin Yu stood outside with a cold expression, holding food and water in his hands. “Move, we’re changing places. I found a better hiding spot.”

He Lan was certain of something. He looked at Qin Yu lazily and raised his eyebrows: “I was sick?”

“En.”

Seeing Qin Yu’s cold reaction, He Lan was dissatisfied and said: “I felt very cold last night, but I warmed up quickly. Did you take care of me?”

“I just gave you medicine and left you in the compartment to fend for yourself. You’re lucky to be alive. Let’s see if you dare to be so reckless in the future.” When Qin Yu finished speaking, he led the way. The two avoided dangerous areas and came to an attic-like place. One could tell how safe it was from the dust inside.

As soon as he went up, He Lan found a place to lie down and continue to recover. His mouth answered the words just now, “I still dare, ah. After all, I know that as long as you are here, nothing will happen to me.”

Qin Yu looked over with disgust, and was about to retort when he saw He Lan look at him deeply and say: “Similarly, as long as I’m here, nothing will happen to you.”

Qin Yu stared blankly at He Lan for a moment, then sat down silently to meditate and ignore him.

At the same time, Liu Zhenqing and Huo Fenglie waited for the miracle doctor to arrive at last.

The carriage slowly came to a stop, and an old man with white hair and a white beard stepped out with the help of a medicine boy. Seeing that his master had hardly changed at all, Liu Zhenqing felt as if he was living a lifetime ago.

Although his master was a doctor, his heart was completely different.

He still remembered that when his master went to see him for the last time, he checked his pulse and asked him to resign from his official position and follow him.

How could Liu Zhenqing leave? When he refused, he was scolded to death by his master.

“You only have one life. There are so many lives in the world, but can you save all of them? It makes no sense for one person to be burdened with all of those people. Do you know those people? Do they have anything to do with you? Do you really think of yourself as a saint, saving the common people? It is better to save yourself first! Look at how much appreciation you get from those people who are entrusted to you. Don’t bother with them, you don’t owe them anything! You take care of all of them, but do any of them take care of you? If the Great Zhou Dynasty is to fall, how can that be your responsibility? You stinky brat, you were lazy all the time I spent teaching you, so why can’t you use some of that laziness here, ah!”

This was the first time Liu Zhenqing had been rendered speechless by his master. He could only coax the old man to leave first and prepare his treatment. The old man listened, but never again waited for him to go to the hospital for treatment.

Thinking about it now, when his master heard the news of his death, there was probably more scolding than tears. 

Huo Fenglie stepped forward respectfully and saluted.

The miracle doctor kept a straight face and waved his hand. “Don’t be humble, where is the brat who wrote to me?!”

Huo Fenglie glanced back at Liu Zhenqing.

Liu Zhenqing quickly stepped forward to give a respectful salute.

The miracle doctor told Liu Zhenqing to raise his head, and he obediently let his master examine him. However, he saw his master go from earnest to disappointed, and there finally seemed to be a sheen of water in his eyes.

“I thought it was…..right, how could it be possible?”

Others would not understand such an incomplete sentence, but Liu Zhenqing did.

The miracle doctor’s downcast mood swiftly changed, and he asked directly: “Who are you, boy? How do you know such strange treatment methods?”

Using Liu Xiaozhu’s identity, Liu Zhenqing introduced himself.

The miracle doctor was stunned for a moment. “The Liu family…..it really is a coincidence. Perhaps it is heaven’s will.”

“We are at fault for bothering Senior Miracle Doctor to make this trip, but General Huo’s body is really in danger. Don’t worry, I have already prepared the information you want, and you can take it at any time.”

The miracle doctor scoffed coldly. He was indeed unhappy. Since the death of his unfilial disciple, he had stayed in Medical Valley and never wanted to go out again. Because once he went out, he may hear people cursing his disciple. He was always so furious that he wanted to poison those idiotic people, so he might as well not come out and get angry.

But now he no longer hesitated, and moved into the courtyard at Yue Xuqian’s invitation.

In the quiet room, one could hear a needle drop. Huo Fenglie expressionlessly let the miracle doctor check his pulse. Liu Zhenqing and Yue Xuqian both watched the miracle doctor’s expression anxiously, fearing that he would frown or sigh.

However, the miracle doctor naturally looked calm throughout the whole process, then asked, “How many years do you want to live?”

Yue Xuqian, who was not familiar with the miracle doctor, immediately paled in fright.

Huo Fenglie glanced at Liu Zhenqing for a moment with an unclear look in his eyes.

Liu Zhenqing was also shocked, but he understood his master’s personality, so he responded: “Senior, don’t worry. No matter what treatment Senior wants to do, General Huo will cooperate.”

Liu Zhenqing sent Huo Fenglie a calm look in return. 

It seemed that Liu Zhenqing had the right words and temperament, and the miracle doctor began to describe the treatment method he had developed himself. “Although the process of my treatment method is radical and dangerous, it can allow you to live for an ordinary human lifespan. If other methods are used to treat it slowly, I fear they will not be able to manage your condition, and your life will be lost at any time.”

Huo Fenglie said: “Senior, please say it. No matter how difficult it is, I will cooperate. I want to live longer.”

“Fine, get ready. It will take three days to perform the acupuncture, and the process is painful. This opportunity depends on a person’s potential. If you can’t endure it and interrupt the treatment, if the needles drop, I won’t be able to save you.”

With that said, the small courtyard got busy making preparations. However, when the miracle doctor began the treatment, Liu Zhenqing and Yue Xuqian could only stand outside the door. After all, the secret acupuncture method inside could not be leaked to the outside world, so every day, Liu Zhenqing could only sit on the steps outside the door and keep watch.

It was very quiet on the first day. When the medicine boy emerged to change the medicine, he sighed that General Huo was a godlike person and didn’t even scream. At this time, Liu Zhenqing could still sleep peacefully.

The next day, Huo Fenglie’s deep roar would come from inside from time to time. When he heard it the first time, Liu Zhenqing and Yue Xuqian were conversing, and that sound instantly made them go mute.

They both knew what kind of person Huo Fenglie was. No matter how painful the situation was, it was not easy for such a person to scream. Even if he made a sound, it would be a muffled groan at most, and it would be impossible for him to scream, so his roar sounded very strange and shocking to both of them.

It was clear that the pain went beyond instinct, and the person screamed even after losing consciousness. 

The medicine boy continued going in and out, changing the water. Pots of bloody water came out, and pots of medicine went in.

Liu Zhenqing and Yue Xuqian’s eyes were practically stained red by the bloody water.

Even the medicine boy’s face gradually turned pale. Liu Zhenqing couldn’t help but stop him and ask about the situation.

The medicine boy could only say: “I’m also not sure, but the miracle doctor’s treatment is not over, and he made it clear that…..there is still hope.”

That night, Liu Zhenqing couldn’t sleep, and could only wait outside the door. Those screams seemed to tell the origin of Huo Fenglie’s old problem, how painful it was to bear, and how it led to such difficult treatment now.

As the morning light came, the sounds inside gradually vanished. Every minute and second that followed was agony for Liu Zhenqing. He was afraid that his master would suddenly come out and say that the treatment had failed. If even his master failed, how many years would Huo Fenglie have to live  in the future?

He hadn’t thought about it at first, but now he had to consider the various possibilities. 

He had finally returned and found out that Er-gou liked him. He couldn’t be so unlucky.

A selfish thought suddenly flashed through Liu Zhenqing’s heart. If…..if it failed, then he would take Er-gou away and prevent him from being a general any longer. He would make Er-gou take good care of his body in order to live one more day. If Er-gou didn’t agree, he would use coercion and bribery, and tell Er-gou that if he wanted to be with him, he must be obedient.

The more Liu Zhenqing thought, he realized that he understood how his master had felt back then. It turned out that Liu Zhenqing could ignore all the people in the world and only want his own people to live well.

Yue Xuqian didn’t sleep well, probably because he was worried too, so he came out very early to persuade Liu Zhenqing to go back and rest. Liu Zhenqing shook his head, and Yue Xuqian sat on the steps with thim, watching the sun steadily rise.

Suddenly, there was a shout of “Qing-ge” from inside.

Liu Zhenqing stood up reflexively and went to rush in, but when he got to the door, he didn’t dare disturb them.

Yue Xuqian also came over, but his expression was a little embarrassed, as if he wanted to explain something.

The words “Qing-ge” came from inside again.

Yesterday’s roars quickly turned into today’s “Qing-ge.” It seemed like his only salvation after the pain.

Yue Xuqian was covered in cold sweat at the shouts, and he glanced at Liu Zhenqing’s expression awkwardly.

After a while, the medicine boy emerged and said to them habitually: “He has completely lost consciousness. The miracle doctor says that if he loses the golden needles in his body during this process, then it will fail. Now we can only pray for heaven’s will. But although the miracle doctor hasn’t said as much, if the Qing-ge he is calling for can be found to accompany and talk to him, maybe he can regain consciousness quicker. If his subconsciousness is docile, he will be a little safer.”

The medicine boy also wondered why the miracle doctor didn’t mention this solution.

When he finished speaking, Yue Xuqian’s expression also changed. But Liu Zhenqing suddenly said: “Can you please help me ask the miracle doctor? Since it is the final stage, can we go in and stay with him?”

The medicine boy said: “Can’t you find the one named Qing-ge? He should come…..”

Yue Xuqian could only say, “That man passed away.”

The medicine boy quickly gave an awkward nod, then turned back around to ask. After a while, Liu Zhenqing and Yue Xuqian walked in.

As soon as they entered the door, they saw a large bathtub. The person was sitting inside, but it was still covered with a lid, so it was not clear how many gold needles were stuck into his body and what his specific condition was. Only his head and two hands were left out, as if he was in shackles. Steam rose from the tub, and there was a scent of medicine and blood.

At this time, there was almost no color to Huo Fenglie’s face. If his lips didn’t move occasionally, he would have looked like a dead person. 

The miracle doctor sat on the couch, eyes closed as he held a golden thread in his hand. The other end of the golden thread was attached to one of Huo Fenglie’s wrists.

Yue Xuqian stepped forward and called out twice, but Huo Fenglie didn’t respond.

Suddenly, “Qing-ge” sounded out again.

By the tone of voice and sudden grimace, it seemed like he was having a nightmare.

Yue Xuqian’s expression became even more awkward. He was about to try talking to Huo Fenglie when he heard Liu Zhenqing behind him reply softly.

“En, I’m here.”

“Qing-ge…..don’t leave!”

“En, I won’t leave.”

“Qing-ge!”

“En, I’m here.”

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Chapter Sixty-Eight << Table of Contents >> Chapter Seventy