If he liked him, then he liked him. What’s more, Er-gou may have liked him for many, many years. Since he was tempted, he would have to pursue him. He had no idea what Er-gou was hesitating about.

Liu Zhenqing felt that he had been struggling with this matter for too long. In any case, no matter how long it took, he couldn’t come up with an answer. It was better to just stop thinking about it and get started!

In the evening, Liu Zhenqing went to Huo Fenglie’s room for follow-up treatment in place of the medicine boy and his master as if nothing was wrong.

As soon as he entered the door, Liu Zhenqing sensed Huo Fenglie’s gaze on him.

Heh, clearly you care about me to death. Let’s see how long you last, silly dog.

Yue Xuqian was also in the room, speaking to Huo Fenglie. When he saw Liu Zhenqing coming over with the medicine box, he asked curiously: “Why are you…..”

“I’ve learned a lot from my senior, and I was asked to do all the subsequent work. It is a test given to me by my senior.”

Upon hearing this, Yue Xuqian said at once: “You’re not going to Medicine Valley?”

Liu Zhenqing made up a lie and said: “Senior likes me very much, so he just gave me some guidance.”

Yue Xuqian said in surprise: “I’ve always thought Senior Miracle Doctor had a bad temper, and didn’t expect him to be so tolerant toward you.”

A bad temper. When he heard Liu Zhenqing’s request, he was so angry that he almost hit him with the medicine box. Because he had never taken the initiative to learn medical skills, the purpose of him making the request now was not pure. His master wanted to kill this incompetent disciple with a look.

Liu Zhenqing nodded shamelessly.

Yue Xuqian looked around and felt that he shouldn’t stay there as an eyesore, so he said with a smile: “I’ll leave so that I don’t interfere with the treatment.”

When the door closed, Huo Fenglie called out: “Qing-ge.”

Huo Fenglie was probably still frightened by what happened before, and was currently looking at him with some caution. If the millions of soldiers under his command saw such a distinguished general, they probably wouldn’t be able to recognize him.

Sure enough, Er-gou was only different in his presence. Hmph, and he said he didn’t like him!

“Don’t worry, I have studied very hard, and this is simply follow-up assistance. It was originally only the medicine boy. You know my master and that he must have taken the opportunity to train me. Troubling Er-gou to continue being my guinea pig?”

Liu Zhenqing’s tone was very natural, as if the previous events had really been brushed aside.

Huo Fenglie was taken aback for a moment, but remembered that no one but him was willing to be Liu Zhenqing’s experimental subject in the past. Liu Zhenqing had said that he was his exclusive guinea pig, and he was particularly happy when he heard this, because in his young mind, “exclusive” represented a unique relationship with Qing-ge. No matter how much hardship he endured, he would maintain this title of little guinea pig.

Huo Fenglie nodded. “That is fine with me.”

“Very good.” Liu Zhenqing walked to the bed with a smile, looked at Huo Fenglie from top to bottom, and said in a light tone: “Then take off your clothes.”

Huo Fenglie’s eyes flashed. Yes, one must remove their clothing for acupuncture and medicine. It was obviously a normal requirement, but he felt embarrassed under Liu Zhenqing’s smiling eyes.

“What? You don’t have the strength? Then let me help you…..” As Liu Zhenqing spoke, he began to help Huo Fenglie take off just one under layer.

Huo Fenglie hurriedly said in alarm: “Qing-ge, just let me do it.”

Liu Zhenqing retracted his hands and gazed at Huo Fenglie with leisure.

Under his eyes, Huo Fenglie was as nervous as a young girl entering the bridal chamber for the first time. After he stiffly removed his shirt and exposed his good figure, Liu Zhenqing stepped forward and sat down with a grin.

As soon as Liu Zhenqing came closer, the scent and heat he brought instantly made Huo Fenglie’s hair stand on end. He instinctively sat up straight so that this scent would be farther away from him and he wouldn’t be in disorder.

Liu Zhenqing approached with the needles. Huo Fenglie stared straight ahead without looking to the side, when suddenly his pupils shrank and in the next second, he was sweating in pain.

“Qing-ge, that location…..”

“Oh, it’s wrong? I’ll try again.”

Huo Fenglie’s entire body shook once more, and a layer of pale sweat appeared on his forehead. “Qing-ge…..”

“Wrong again. Should I try once more?”

Huo Fenglie endured five needles. It was not that Liu Zhenqing placed the wrong needles, but that they force and angle would be very painful if the needles were placed slightly differently.

Huo Fenglie somewhat suspected that Liu Zhenqing was doing it on purpose, and couldn’t help but glance at him.

Sure enough, the corners of Liu Zhenqing’s mouth were slightly raised, along with his eyebrows. It was obvious that he was playing a prank.

“Qing-ge, are you still angry with me?”

“I’m not, ah.”

Huo Fenglie was silent for a while, and finally whispered: “It hurts.”

Liu Zhenqing heard this and smiled. Sure enough, the pain vanished, but his movements seemed to be slower.

Huo Fenglie initially breathed a sigh of relief, but then gradually felt that something wasn’t right. Soft fingertips passed across the left side of his chest, and he felt a small itch like an electric current penetrating the skin. His pupils quivered.

Did Qing-ge’s hand touch him on purpose?

His eyes suddenly moved downward. He saw Liu Zhenqing holding a needle with a serious expression, a few fingers on the other hand continuously exploring his chest as if touching it carelessly.

He understood that this was Liu Zhenqing looking for acupuncture points. He had experienced it when he was a child, and he was just a little shy.

But now he felt as if he was sitting on pins and needles.

Huo Fenglie gritted his teeth and forced himself to divert his attention, but the gentle touch was more lethal than a blade, causing him to gradually turn red, his heart as hot as coal.

Did he…..feel wrong? Why did it feel as if it was taking a long time to find an acupuncture point? Those acupuncture points were very common, and he knew where they were. How come Qing-ge…..was he afraid of hurting him?

Just as he was lost in thought, he heard Liu Zhenqing whisper: “Ai, it’s been a long time since I’ve given someone acupuncture. My master asked me to do this right from the beginning. I said that I was fine at applying medicine, but acupuncture was too difficult for me. He even scolded me. I haven’t done this since I was a youth, so how could I be familiar with it? You’re just right.”

“En…..en.”

“So, ah, Er-gou, don’t blame me for being slow. I have to confirm each acupuncture point carefully before putting the needle in. I can’t poke you by mistake again. It wouldn’t be good if it hurt as much as it did now, right?”

He would do better than poke!

Huo Fenglie could only say in an aggrieved, obedient manner:  “I….I’m fine. Qing-ge, just go ahead and poke.”

As he was speaking, a few needles had already been inserted, and that mischievous hand was already moving down his abdominal muscles. It was supposed to be touching acupuncture points, but it felt as if every inch of his torso was being touched.

Huo Fenglie’s scalp gradually went numb. His ears felt hot, and his body was soaked in sweat. Every muscle tensed like a soldier who had been commanded to attack as Liu Zhenqing’s strokes passed over him.

If Qing-ge liked him, he would have suspected he was doing it on purpose.

No, it might be that he was purposely being tortured and punished. Hadn’t he bit him last time? If he let his imagination run wild, he would have already fallen into the abyss like Qing-ge’s group of confidantes.

“By the way, let me tell you an interesting story,” Liu Zhenqing said abruptly.

Huo Fenglie returned to his senses. “What?”

Liu Zhenqing recalled slowly: “Didn’t I save you when you were just born?”

“En.” Huo Fenglie couldn’t help but become serious when he heard this.

“At that time, your older brother was holding you as you came to, looking left and right, and said it was a pity that you were not his sister.”

Huo Fenglie was doubtful. “Why?”

Liu Zhenqing gave a light chuckle and raised his head. Because he was already so close, he was already almost within arms reach when he looked up. The tip of Liu Zhenqing’s straight nose almost touched Huo Fenglie’s jawline, causing Huo Fenglie to hold his breath in an instant.

Liu Zhenqing regarded him with a half-smile. His expression was flippant, and his round eyes seemed to gradually change, becoming a bit like the peach blossom eyes of the past. The light amber color was full of character, bright and high-spirited.

Huo Fenglie was slightly stunned.

“Because if you were a sister, you could repay my life-saving grace with yourself.”

Pupils quivering, Huo Fenglie stared at Liu Zhenqing in astonishment.

Liu Zhenqing’s gaze locked onto Huo Fenglie’s dark eyes as if with hooks, until his face was completely reflected in them. Then he continued: “I asked back then, a boy won’t repay the favor? What do you think your older brother said?”

Huo Fenglie shook his head stiffly. If he was a girl…..perhaps he wouldn’t have been reduced to this.

“Your older brother was only ten years old at the time, and he was still a dull-witted straight-talker. I obviously meant that a boy should repay the favor by being my younger brother, but your older brother thought I was asking if a boy could be my wife. As a result, your brother said that as long as I liked it, you could also be my wife. He wanted to high-five me as a promise.”

Liu Zhenqing’s tone was still light and slow, as if he was really remembering something amusing.

Huo Fenglie didn’t know whether he was harboring ulterior motives, but no matter how he listened to it, he felt that the sound was captivating.

Making the cup of water in his heart overflow again.

He should have smiled along, but instead, as if hypnotized, he said: “Then you high-fived on it?”

Liu Zhenqing raised his eyebrows and said: “Guess.”

Huo Fenglie smiled bitterly and said: “Probably not.”

Indeed not. Now that Liu Zhenqing thought about it, he felt a little regretful for not accepting the offer. Even if it was a promise from a child, a promise was a promise. No matter what happened after that, he wouldn’t have any psychological burden toward Huo-dage.

But according to Huo-dage’s character, he would probably be the first to laugh.

After finally enduring his front being pierced, Huo Fenglie felt much better about his back being done next. After all, the back was not as sensitive.

But Liu Zhenqing couldn’t help but frown. He was still half-joking as he did the front, but there were some recurring things that stimulated Liu Zhenqing’s nerves in the end, especially on his back. 

The scars told of a history of pain. The wounds on his back should all be caused by enemy sneak attacks. Unlike the front, where the vital points could be avoided, almost every scar on the back was close to vital points. 

Because of his medical knowledge, Liu Zhenqing felt even more heartbroken upon seeing them.

Liu Zhenqing didn’t apply acupuncture for a long stretch of time. Huo Fenglie made a sound of confusion, then suddenly felt Liu Zhenqing’s fingers sliding along a place where there were clearly no acupuncture points. Before Huo Fenglie could think about that location, he heard Liu Zhenqing ask in a low voice: “How did this come about?”

Huo Fenglie realized that Liu Zhenqing was asking about his scar.

And the location of that scar was…..

Huo Fenglie was silent for a moment before saying: “When I was eighteen, Xiheng invaded. I was injured when I killed the Xiheng general.”

Liu Zhenqing ignored the fact that he had passed away that year, and said: “I heard about that before. It is said that you killed three in a row and left the Xiheng army without a leader. They could only send for peace talks in despair.”

Huo Fenglie glanced at him and said darkly: “The peace talks were fake. They requested that someone come back and take charge, so that was why they were delaying.”

After a year’s delay, he learned this truth on the battlefield. Otherwise he would have returned to Qing-ge, accompanied him through everything, and not let anyone hurt him.

Liu Zhenqing didn’t press further, but touched another scar that nearly penetrated his spine. “This one?”

“I was stabbed by the barbarian king in the north when we invaded the Monan Royal Court.”

Liu Zhenqing recalled the rumor that a ceremony to offer sacrifices to the gods was held beside the Tianchi river where the ancestors of the Huo family once watered their horses. Such a scene was so glorious and spectacular. Now that Liu Zhenqing thought about it, a stab to the spine was the kind of injury that could pretty much paralyze a person. The news must have been hidden. Many people were watching him eagerly, so he could only perform the big ceremony and play off his injury, so that everyone would think he was uninjured and still majestic and powerful. Naturally, this would deter all enemies who wanted to stab him in the back.

This sort of injury would take a long time to heal. At that time, he had to pretend nothing was wrong and go through with the ceremony. Liu Zhenqing couldn’t imagine how he persisted.

His eyes soon shifted.

“This one?”

“Shot by a random arrow while assisting the besieged Yongcheng.”

“That one is in a song.”

“En.”

It was unknown if the person saw that their “King of Beiding” had a sharp arrow stuck in his back when they were composing the music. It might kill him at any time, but he didn’t have a chance to deal with it, so he could only persevere and lead the soldiers and common people out of a difficult situation.

“I still haven’t heard it yet. I will have to listen to it later.”

“Yes.”

“What about this one?”

“A venomous sting while repelling the three southwest kingdoms.”

“How did such small countries dare do such a thing?”

“That was when news came out that I was seriously ill. They all thought I would not live long, and they could be regarded as the early birds to invade the Zhou Dynasty. Later, I met a master who saved my life at the last moment, so I returned to fight.”

Was that the one that caused his condition that time, when his internal force went out of control and he lost his mind? Not only did he defeat those small countries, but he also left behind the famous line, “Withdraw to the river border, or your souls will be buried here.” 

Liu Zhenqing asked one by one, and Huo Fenglie answered one by one. Sure enough, behind every exciting rumor was a scar on Huo Fenglie that could have killed him at any time.

Finally, Liu Zhenqing’s hand stopped at the position closest to the heart. That scar was placed almost at the heart, but the angle was a bit tricky, or else there would be no Huo Fenglie now.

This may be one of the injuries that brought Huo Fenglie closest to death. The scar looked very old, and should have been left there when he was younger.

Huo Fenglie felt Liu Zhenqing’s hand rest on that last scar, which he least wanted to recall.

He despised himself for his weakness at that time. If it hadn’t been for this, he wouldn’t have…..

But Liu Zhenqing still asked.

He would not refuse to answer Qing-ge’s questions.

“Seventeen.”

Liu Zhenqing’s hand froze on the scar. Seventeen, that was…..the year Huo Feihan died. He sent Huo Feihan’s body back, and Huo Fenglie also rushed over from the northern battlefield. That was the last time the two of them saw each other. After that, Liu Zhenqing became more cold and ruthless, and his methods of handling government affairs became more radical. Those methods paid no heed to his posthumous reputation, only to achieving his goals. Huo Fenglie took over the Huo Family Army and went to the most difficult battlefield in the west to resist Xiheng Kingdom.

At that time, Huo Fenglie had wanted to negotiate peace and sent a letter back, but Liu Zhenqing severely rejected the idea.

Was it because of his rejection that Er-gou suffered such a terrible wound?

“I’m sorry,” Liu Zhenqing said suddenly.

Huo Fenglie’s expression changed several times. He didn’t know what Liu Zhenqing was apologizing for, but no matter what, his Qing-ge never had to apologize to him. 

“Qing-ge, you never need to say those two words to me.”

As soon as Huo Fenglie finished speaking, he felt that person behind him lean over. It seemed that he was pressing his forehead against the scar, against the position closest to his heart. Huo Fenglie’s heartbeat accelerated and intensified, as if it wanted to leap out and embrace the sad person behind it for its owner. 

“Er-gou. Did it hurt? Did it hurt a lot?” Liu Zhenqing asked hoarsely.

Huo Fenglie was silent. Then he suddenly thought of something and said: “It hurt a lot at the time, but I can no longer feel it after so many years because I found the best medicine to heal the injury.”

Liu Zhenqing thought Huo Fenglie was talking about the good medicine given by Li Xingruo. “She didn’t help you remove the scar.”

Huo Fenglie seemed to chuckle, and said: “There was no need.”

His tone was magnanimous. After a while, Liu Zhenqing raised his head to say something, but heard Huo Fenglie say anxiously: “Is it…..very ugly? If you feel uncomfortable looking at it, I can seek medicine from Senior? I remember that there is a medicine in the Medical Valley that can…..”

Liu Zhenqing was inexplicably amused. Where was that cool and magnanimous behavior just now that showed no care for scars?

He reached out and patted Huo Fenglie’s back. “Don’t worry, just keep it. It doesn’t look ugly.”

Whether he kept it or not, seeing it every day in the future would also remind him of the debt he left behind.

The Author Has Something to Say:

How will he be able to see it every day?

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T/N: Please forgive the lack of editing, I was trying to get this out as soon as possible!

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Chapter Seventy-One << Table of Contents >> Chapter Seventy-Three