Spitting Blood from Anger

"Bai Yan!"

Inside the Pacification Bureau's pharmacy, Zhao Gaozhong lay on the hard plank bed, his bloodshot eyes glaring as he roared with malice.

"Sir, shall we go find Battalion Commander Wang?"

One Brigade Leader suggested slyly:

"Let's report Bai Yan to him. Battalion Commander Wang will surely side with you!"

Another Brigade Leader quickly chimed in:

"Exactly! We must report Bai Yan!"

"The Pacification Bureau has explicit rules against brawling among colleagues. If we bring our injury reports to the Battalion Commander, let's see how he explains himself!"

Zhao Gaozhong gritted his teeth tightly and said hatefully:

"Good. Help me up, we're going to find the Battalion Commander right now."

The two Brigade Leaders quickly stepped forward, grabbing his arms from either side. But as soon as they helped him to a half-sitting position, a crisp "crack" sound was heard.

"Ah—!"

Zhao Gaozhong let out a heart-wrenching scream, in so much pain he almost fainted.

"You two useless fools! Be gentler! Can't you see I'm injured?!"

"Apologies, Sir!"

The two Brigade Leaders, startled, quickly let go. Zhao Gaozhong slumped heavily back onto the bed, wincing in pain and gasping for breath.

Just then, the old doctor from the pharmacy slowly walked in, carrying his medical kit. He looked at Zhao Gaozhong, who was writhing in pain, and said with some exasperation:

"Didn't I tell you? Bones take a hundred days to heal. Don't move around until you're better."

"Honestly, after I finally set it for you, I have to do it all over again now."

As the old doctor spoke, he stepped forward and pressed down on Zhao Gaozhong's broken arm. He pinched firmly at the fractured bone with two fingers, and before Zhao Gaozhong could react, he gave a forceful pull and extension.

"Crack!"

The crisp sound rang out again, the bone snapping back into place.

"Ah—!"

Zhao Gaozhong let out another agonizing scream.

"Stop making noise!"

The old doctor picked at his ear, looking impatient.

"A grown man can't even endure this little pain, acting like a woman!"

"Doc... Doctor... Don't you use anesthetic powder for setting bones? Or at least acupressure to stop the pain!"

The old doctor paused upon hearing this and coughed awkwardly twice.

"I forgot. When you get old, your memory isn't what it used to be. Company Commander Zhao, please bear with me."

"Forgot?"

Zhao Gaozhong was instantly dumbfounded.

The old doctor said righteously:

"It's set now, isn't it? And we saved the cost of an anesthetic powder."

"The process doesn't matter, as long as the result is good."

He patted Zhao Gaozhong's shoulder and said earnestly:

"The most important thing when recovering from an injury is to remain calm and composed. You need to change your temper."

"Absolutely do not get out of bed these few days. If your arm breaks again, we'll have to amputate it."

After speaking, the old doctor packed up his medical kit and turned to leave.

But as he reached the doorway, he suddenly turned back, his face full of gossip, and asked:

"Oh, right. I just heard the young lads outside saying that Company Commander Zhao went to find trouble with Bai Yan because Bai Yan stole his beloved?"

Before Zhao Gaozhong could speak, the old doctor waved his hand, wearing an expression of "I understand," and chuckled:

"It's alright. You can win her back after you've recovered. A man shouldn't give up so easily."

With that, the old doctor walked away with his hands behind his back, humming a tune.

"I..."

"Pfft!"

Zhao Gaozhong was so enraged he vomited blood.

"B-Bai Yan! If I don't get revenge for this, I, Zhao Gaozhong, am no man!"

The Cloud Come Restaurant is located beside Cloud Lake in Yongtang City, a renowned scenic spot within the city.

Cloud Lake's waters are crystal clear, with vast expanses of mist and vapor rising from the surface, creating a breathtaking spectacle.

Viewed from above, it resembles a celestial pool, as if clouds themselves have descended into the lake, hence its name, Cloud Lake.

Numerous boats crisscross the lake, including passenger ferries, fishing boats, and countless pleasure barges.

On the other side of Cloud Lake lies Wanchun Alley, a place Bai Yan frequents. Both day and night, the brothels and pleasure houses of Wanchun Alley offer boat tour services.

The wealthy merchants, influential figures, and scholars of Yongtang all enjoy cruising Cloud Lake on these pleasure barges.

Taking a group of beauties on a tour of Cloud Lake's scenery and indulging in their company is far more elegant than listening to zither music and admiring dances in private chambers.

Bai Yan stood by the window of the Cloud Come Restaurant, looking down from his vantage point, taking in the entire beautiful vista of Cloud Lake.

At this moment, the sun was setting, and the orange hues of the twilight sky spread across the horizon, dyeing Cloud Lake a deep golden red.

The lake's surface shimmered, reflecting the weeping willows and pavilions along the shore. A gentle breeze stirred, creating ripples that added a touch of hazy poetry to the scene, more so than during the day.

"Lord Bai, the scenery here is quite lovely, isn't it?"

Ye Youcai approached, gazing out the window.

"The water sparkles brightly on sunny days, and the mountains are mysteriously beautiful in the rain. If we were to compare Cloud Lake to Xi Shi, she would be equally charming whether lightly or heavily adorned."

"Cloud Lake's beauty is famed throughout the land; naturally, it is exceptional."

Bai Yan nodded with a smile.

Ye Youcai clapped his hands in admiration:

"I never expected Lord Bai to possess not only profound strength but also such extraordinary literary talent. To recite such exquisite poetry off the cuff is truly admirable, old man."

"However, I wonder who this Xi Shi you mentioned is, and where the 'mysterious beauty' lies today, as it hasn't rained."

Bai Yan realized he had been too caught up in reciting poetry for show and hadn't considered the context, leading to an embarrassing gaffe.

"Ahem... it's not important. It was just a spontaneous expression for the sake of rhyme, a spontaneous expression."

Bai Yan coughed awkwardly and quickly changed the subject:

"Compared to poetry, I'm more interested in martial arts."

Ye Youcai didn't press the issue, chuckling as he replied:

"Lord Bai is too modest."

"Although I am a merchant, I did study for a few years."

"In my humble opinion, the impromptu poem Lord Bai just recited is likely beyond the capabilities of many scholars and even successful candidates."

After speaking, Ye Youcai looked at Ye Lingdang behind him and beckoned her over:

"Lingdang, come and pour Lord Bai a drink. Thank him for saving you yesterday."

Ye Lingdang's pretty face flushed slightly. Holding a cup of wine, she glided forward with delicate steps, bowed gracefully to Bai Yan, her voice as gentle as the waters of Cloud Lake:

"This humble girl thanks Lord Bai for saving my life. Please drink this cup."

Looking at Bai Yan's handsome and extraordinary face, Ye Lingdang's heart pounded.

Bai Yan smiled, accepted the wine cup, and said:

"Miss Ye is too kind; it was merely a small effort."

With that, he downed the wine in the cup in one go.

Afterward, Bai Yan and Ye Youcai took their seats together. The table was laden with the Cloud Come Restaurant's signature dishes.

Steamed Cloud Lake Hilsa, Amber Stewed Bear Paw, Glazed Jade Beads... each dish was as exquisite as a work of art, and their flavors were superb.

Bai Yan and Ye Youcai clinked glasses, occasionally chatting about interesting anecdotes from the martial world, and at other times discussing trivial matters concerning the Pacification Bureau. The atmosphere was very harmonious.

Ye Lingdang sat to the side, interjecting occasionally, but for the most part, she listened quietly, her gaze often drifting unconsciously toward Bai Yan.

Halfway through the banquet, Ye Youcai suddenly put down his wine cup, a gentle smile on his face, and asked seemingly casually:

"May I ask if Lord Bai is already betrothed?"