Method of Rescue

"Brother, how are you? Please rest for a moment, this doctor will treat your injuries right away."

The bearded man knelt beside the stretcher, helping up the man lying on it. The latter's face was ashen, and he coughed weakly twice before trembling, "Daniu... cough cough cough, come here, come." Zhao Daniu leaned in, hearing his elder brother's weak, cold laugh:

"Your friends and brothers can drive away a respectable doctor?"

Before he finished speaking, a palm as large as a cattail fan shot out and slapped Zhao Daniu hard on the left cheek. Despite his serious injuries, the blow was incredibly vicious, making Zhao Daniu see stars and bleed from the corner of his mouth. The man seemed to have aggravated his internal injuries from the exertion, coughing violently and spitting up blood.

"Captain!"

Two soldiers on either side rushed to help, but he waved them off. His eyes, sharp as a hawk's, fixed on the pale-faced Zhao Daniu, and he trembled again.

" Cough cough cough, Daniu, come here, come..."

Zhao Daniu steadied himself, then leaned in again. The man slapped him again, this time on his other, uninjured cheek, which also turned red and swollen. The man grabbed Zhao Daniu by his collar, struggling to stand. He panted like an ox, his voice hoarse and stern, "Zhao Daniu! I've led you for seven years, seven years! Have I ever taught you to bully the good and kind?! Have I ever taught you to threaten people with dire warnings?! When did I, Tie Bingwei, ever issue such an order?! Huh?! How come I don't know about it!"

Zhao Daniu fell to his knees with a thud, kowtowing like he was pounding garlic, and cried, "Brother, please don't be angry. I only wanted to get this doctor to save you. I'll take the punishment myself. Daniu is not worth mourning, but please, brother, take care of yourself and don't get angry, don't get angry!"

"Insolent!"

The man roared, pushing the soldiers aside. He hunched his back and swayed, saying with a look of bitter disappointment, "Foolish, foolish! My death is a small matter, but our army's name is great!"

Stumbling a few steps, he was a tall man in black armor, though there were many shriveled marks around his waist, as if struck by heavy weapons. But upon closer inspection, they were clearly fist imprints. Even the patterns on the back of his hands were clearly visible, making one wonder what kind of monster possessed such terrifying strength.

The man swayed, pretending not to see Zhao Daniu. He clasped his hands and bowed deeply to Li Kangsheng, who was merely dressed in white. "I have failed to discipline my subordinates, causing you to laugh, sir. Cough cough cough, I will, I will strictly supervise them!"

Li Kangsheng's expression softened slightly. He raised his hand to support the bowing man, but the latter, clad in armor, insisted on bowing. Li Kangsheng couldn't stop him, and with a crack, he knelt straight down. The iron armor on his knees cracked the bluestone beneath him. His expression was solemn, clearly not faked. Li Kangsheng sighed inwardly. He was a righteous man, and it was difficult to get angry at the other's treatment of him. He spoke:

"General, you are too kind... I was also somewhat out of line just now, but regarding your injuries, I am truly powerless."

The man clasped his hands again. "I am merely a captain, not worthy of the title 'General'. Cough cough cough, please, please speak plainly, sir."

Li Kangsheng stroked the few long whiskers under his chin.

"If it were a normal injury, I could naturally handle it. However, the Captain's pulse indicates stagnation and obstruction, clearly an injury from Inner Qi. It requires needling with Inner Qi. But I am just a humble doctor, without the strength to even lift a chicken. How could I possess Inner Qi cultivation? Moreover, this method of needling with Inner Qi is a secret family art passed down from my wife's side. Her ancestor explicitly stated that it cannot be taught to anyone who is not a relative or disciple..."

The Captain opened his mouth, but then fell silent. Cultivating Inner Qi was difficult. Local guards like them usually practiced simple external martial arts. Even if they found someone who cultivated Inner Qi, why would they teach their family's secret art to an outsider for their sake? As for rushing to other cities, let alone whether such medical skills existed, there simply wouldn't be enough time.

For a moment, he felt death was imminent. Even though he was naturally bold and open-minded, he now felt the despair of everything turning to dust. Li Kangsheng also sighed and turned his head away. The bearded man, as if knowing hope was lost, collapsed on the ground and wailed. His injured right hand repeatedly slammed the ground, blood smearing the dust, making him look pitiful. But just then, another hesitant voice came from the side.

"Uncle Li... may I ask if this needling technique has any requirements for Inner Qi cultivation?"

Li Kangsheng's expression froze slightly, and a flicker of light appeared in the Captain's eyes. He turned to look at the young man dressed in a blue short tunic. The latter, facing their gazes, raised his right hand. As he channeled his Inner Qi, a powerful, hot current immediately emanated from him. He clearly possessed Inner Qi, and it had not been cultivated in a short time, but rather had reached a considerable level!

Li Kangsheng's eyes brightened. He paced a few steps, then slammed his right hand into his palm, gritting his teeth. "Wait here for now. I'll go ask my wife first."

As he finished speaking, he hurried into the back room. In the pharmacy, Wang Anfeng retracted his right hand. With this sudden turn of events, the Captain felt as if he were dreaming. In the inner room, Li Kangsheng explained the situation to his wife, then said hesitantly, "Madam, although I said I could treat this injury, this needling technique is ultimately a family art... Anfeng, Anfeng is not your family's descendant after all, this..."

He hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth. "If it's not possible, I'll say Anfeng's cultivation is insufficient and he can't use the needling technique."

The woman frowned upon hearing this and gave her husband a somewhat reproachful look, saying, "Taking matters into your own hands. When did I say I wouldn't teach him?"

"This... Madam, what are your thoughts?"

"My family's Taisu Needle Technique may be crude, but it was passed down from my great-grandfather. Because there were only daughters in my generation, it was passed to me. When he was dying, he said it could not be taught to anyone who was not a relative or disciple. I would certainly hesitate with others, but if it's Feng'er, I have no hesitation at all."

Li Kangsheng was slightly stunned, then heard his wife continue, "That child has only been here a day or two, and he's already helped us solve so many problems. He's refined in appearance, polite, and upright. I like him very much. Even if you hadn't said anything, I would have planned to teach him this technique. It's hard to avoid getting injured when traveling the world, so how can one not understand medicine?"

"It's a pity he's a bit older, otherwise he would be a good match for Yanan."

While Li Kangsheng was still stunned, his wife had already neatly tied up her hair. She took a rolled-up white cloth from a carved chest under the bed and looked up at her husband, smiling, "What are you staring at?"

"The King of Medicine, Great Physician's Integrity, said: 'A great physician treating illness must calm their spirit and settle their will, without desires or demands.' With you like this, you're worse than when you were a young apprentice back then."

After giving her husband a sideways glance, she pushed open the door and walked out first. Her dark hair was like ink, further accentuating her fair neck. Her movements now exuded a girlish charm. Li Kangsheng almost thought he saw his junior sister from years ago. Snapping back to reality, he was overjoyed, both for the chance to save a life and for his wife's understanding. Waving his sleeve, he quickly followed her out.