"No!"
Seeing the Xinglin Physician give him a puzzled look, Dong Dao realized he had refused too hastily. He softened his tone and tried to cover it up: "I mean, there isn't enough time. There are only fifteen of us Xinglin Physicians in Fengluo. The epidemic zone is far away, and there are too many uncertainties along the way. If something happens during the journey... Let me say something none of you will like hearing: it wouldn't matter so much if you and I, mere mortals of flesh and blood, were lost along the way. But if this strange disease spread through Fengluo City..."
Everyone's expressions turned grave and ashen.
They didn't dare imagine what kind of living hell that would be.
Dong Dao sighed. "The people are precious, and the nation is paramount. I owe my lord a debt for recognizing and employing me. If not for her, this old body of Dong Xingdao's would have been gone from this world long ago. How could I have enjoyed the life I have today? No matter the cost, I can't let this epidemic run rampant through Kang Country."
Everyone who heard him was moved.
Those more sentimental already had glistening tears welling in their eyes.
The Xinglin Physician who had volunteered to go to the epidemic zone was even more stirred.
"Dong Xingdao, what kind of thing is that to say? You make it sound as though we haven't received our lord's kindness too! As ministers, we give our loyalty to our ruler; as physicians, we relieve the people's suffering! These are our duties! You, Dong Xingdao, are willing to risk your life. Are the rest of us so greedy for life and afraid of death?"
If she had been afraid of death, she wouldn't have volunteered to go to