"Third Master!"
Qi Dazhu happily led over a woman with a scar on her face and bowed to Wang Yan.
After they had wiped out the Japanese pirates within Chun'an County, the front lines had grown tense, and able-bodied men had been drafted from the rear to handle logistical grain transport. It had been a compulsory levy. Qi Dazhu had volunteered for the assignment, so Wang Yan had simply granted his request. Sure enough, after going out to fight, he had found himself a wife.
Wang Yan nodded with a smile. "Not bad. You earned quite a bit of military merit on this trip, and even brought back such a beautiful wife."
"This humble woman greets Third Master. Dazhu saved me. Without him, I fear I would have died long ago."
"Very good. That makes for quite the heroic tale of a hero saving a beauty."
"Third Master, how could a lowly fellow like me be any hero?" Qi Dazhu chuckled foolishly, then said, "But my wife truly is beautiful. It's just that the Japanese pirates slashed her face. Third Master, you're a divine physician. Could you take a look at my wife?"
"Removing it completely is impossible, but I can make the scar lighter. I'll take care of it for you in the next few days."
Wang Yan agreed readily, then clasped his hands toward Zhu Qi beside him. "Seventh Master, it has truly been too long. Dazhu suddenly brought back a wife, and it caught me by surprise. I certainly did not mean to neglect you."
"We're brothers. Why bother with such empty formalities?" Zhu Qi said with a smile. "But you, on the other hand—you've truly made us see you in a new light."
Before Wang Yan could show his confusion, Zhu Qi continued, "I heard that