Chapter 1543

After Qin Yutong left, the Hall of Benevolence was put under Fang Fang's charge; although there were many senior sisters and brothers, they lacked a mainstay. To say that Fang Fang indeed has talent in medicine—although she started later, her innate intelligence and hard work have made her medical skills advance rapidly, and she now stands out among her fellow disciples.

Fang Fang's hands were covered in blood, the patient's chest was still gushing bright blood, her forehead was beaded with sweat, her expression tense to the extreme, yet she still could not accurately locate the source of the bleeding.

At the critical moment, a figure walked over, picked up a hemostat and accurately clamped the bleeding artery, saying calmly and steadily: 'Hemostat!'

Fang Fang was stunned for a moment, then realized Hu Xiaotian had come to her side. She could hardly contain her excitement; in treating external injuries, Hu Xiaotian was truly a master, even Qin Yutong could not compare. She hurriedly picked up a hemostat and handed it to Hu Xiaotian, who quickly began staunching the bleeding. Wei Sa also changed into surgical clothes, put on gloves, and came to help.

After hemostasis, they began debridement and suturing. Hu Xiaotian's movements were as smooth as flowing clouds and water. Fang Fang and Wei Sa assisted from the side, especially Fang Fang, who carefully recorded each of Hu Xiaotian's steps. While performing the surgery, Hu Xiaotian explained to her, and afterward Fang Fang naturally benefited greatly.

This Elder Xue is the Nine‑Bag Elder Xue Zhenhai of the Beggars' Sect, also one of the sect's law enforcement elders; his martial arts are naturally extraordinary. From his wound, it appears he was stabbed by a single sword, and the skill of whoever could injure him is easy to imagine.

Hu Xiaotian staunched his bleeding and performed debridement; after completing the vascular anastomosis, he handed the remaining work to Fang Fang. Surgery is like that—only through actual practice can one improve. Because he joined the effort hastily, Hu Xiaotian's body was also splattered with quite a bit of blood.

Wei Sa walked over and smiled: 'The patient should be fine.'

Hu Xiaotian nodded, then walked slowly to the door. The group of beggars gathered around again, all concerned about Elder Xue's condition. Seeing Hu Xiaotian come out, with blood still on him, they all clamored, asking about Xue Zhenhai's condition.

Hu Xiaotian smiled: 'Everyone, don't worry. Elder Xue's life should be all right.'

Among the crowd, a Six‑Bag disciple stepped forward to Hu Xiaotian. He was Lu Sanfan, a disciple of Elder Xue and also the chief of the Beggars' Sect's Yongjiang branch. Lu Sanfan said: 'Young Master Hu, may we go in to visit the elder?'

Hu Xiaotian said: 'Please stay calm for now; it's not yet suitable to visit Elder Xue. Once his condition stabilizes, I will naturally let you see him.'

Hu Xiaotian whispered something to Wei Sa, who nodded and hurried off.

These people of the Beggars' Sect held Hu Xiaotian in high regard. Hu Xiaotian called Lu Sanfan aside to ask about the cause of Elder Xue's injury.

Lu Sanfan sighed: 'We don't know either. We heard the chief had come to Dongliang Jun, so we came to pay our respects, but we were ambushed outside the city at Shaojiao Town.'

Hu Xiaotian furrowed his brows; Shaojiao Town was within his territory. For someone to dare openly attack the Beggars' Sect, their gall is truly not small: 'Did you see clearly who did it?'

Lu Sanfan shook his head: 'No. The opponent's martial arts were very high; at the time Elder Xue was alone, and when we arrived he had already been assassinated. The assassin fled immediately after striking, and we couldn't catch up. Worried about the elder's condition, we first sent him to the city for treatment.'

Hu Xiaotian said: 'Never mind, you and your brothers rest well. I will pay close attention to Elder Xue's matter; once he awakens, everything will naturally come to light.'

Lu Sanfan gratefully said: 'Thank you, Young Master Hu.'

At that moment, Long Xi Yue heard the news and rushed over. When these Beggars' Sect disciples heard that the new chief had arrived, they immediately knelt down en masse.

Long Xi Yue said: 'Everyone, please rise quickly; no need for such great ceremony.'

Everyone rose. Long Xi Yue inquired about Elder Xue's condition and assured the Beggars: 'Rest assured, I will investigate Elder Xue's matter to the end, swiftly find the culprit, and obtain justice for him.'

The Beggars saw that although Long Xi Yue was delicate, her words were very decisive. Although they did not yet know this chief well, and could not say they fully trusted her, the chief's future husband is Hu Xiaotian, whose fame shakes the world, and the lower Yongjiang is his territory; he will not ignore the Beggars' Sect's affairs.

When Long Xi Yue and the Beggars' Sect disciples held a meeting, Hu Xiaotian did not participate; outsiders are best to avoid such matters. At this point Fang Fang had finished the surgery, washed her hands, and came out, letting out a weary sigh. Wei Sa walked over to support her and asked: 'Are you tired?'

Fang Fang shook her head, came before Hu Xiaotian, and bowed: 'Thank you, my lord, for your help; without your intervention I could not have managed this myself.'

Hu Xiaotian smiled: 'It's nothing; even if I hadn't come, you could have saved him just as well.'

At this moment another group of beggars came to inquire about Elder Xue's condition. Hu Xiaotian had Fang Zhitang explain, so as not to overtax Fang Fang, and he and Wei Sa accompanied Fang Fang to the rear courtyard to rest.

Fang Fang took the fragrant tea handed by her junior sister, drank a few sips, smiled at Hu Xiaotian, and said: 'My modest skills have caused you to laugh, my lord.'

Hu Xiaotian asked: 'Has Qin Yutong been gone this long without returning?'

Fang Fang replied: 'She has returned. Last month she had something come up and went to Da Yong, saying that the Divine Farmers' Society had some incidents, and she went to check.'

Hu Xiaotian nodded. He also had close ties with the Divine Farmers' Society; Liu Changsheng and Liu Yucheng father and son are his friends, and Qin Yutong's relationship with the Society is likewise close. Even when he went to Da Yong earlier, it was Qin Yutong who personally wrote a letter asking the Society to help look after him.

Fang Fang asked: 'Did Zhan Peng not come back with my lord?'

Hu Xiaotian smiled: 'I came this time precisely to explain this matter to you; Zhan Peng was slightly wounded in the Red Wood River, and I worried he was not suited for long‑distance travel, so I let him stay there temporarily to recuperate.'

Upon hearing this, Fang Fang's eyes reddened at once; although she tried to hold back, she still worried greatly. She knew Zhan Peng's temperament very well—he was extremely loyal to Hu Xiaotian, and for Hu Xiaotian he would not hesitate to sacrifice his life. This injury must be serious; otherwise he would not have stayed in the Red Wood River.

Seeing her state, Hu Xiaotian hurriedly said: 'Don't worry, his injury is not serious.'

Fang Fang nodded and said: 'My lord, you only need to tell me whether he's all right.'

Hu Xiaotian said: 'With me around, I certainly won't let anything happen to him. I think he should now be able to get out of bed and move about; the climate in the Red Wood River is warm, which is good for his recovery. He may need to stay there for several months, but there are many beautiful women there, so I cannot guarantee he won't develop some thoughts.' Hu Xiaotian deliberately said this.

Fang Fang couldn't help laughing at his words: 'He dares!'

Hu Xiaotian said: 'If you're truly worried, in a couple of days I'll have Xia Zhangming send you over.'

Fang Fang asked: 'Is he going to the Red Wood River?'

Hu Xiaotian said: 'There are still some matters he needs to go settle somewhere, and I won't hide it from you. Zhan Peng's injury probably won't fully heal in less than half a year, so it would be good for you to go take care of him.'

Fang Fang heard Hu Xiaotian speak the truth; although her heart felt heavy, she ultimately knew the reality, confirming that Zhan Peng's life was not in danger. Deep down she secretly thought: even if Zhan Peng lost his hands and feet, I would still spend my lifetime with him.

After Hu Xiaotian finished telling Fang Fang this matter, he left Wei Sa to keep her company.

Coming to the front courtyard, he saw Long Xi Yue and those Beggars' Sect disciples emerging after their meeting, walked over, and said: 'I'll take you in to see Elder Xue.'

The two entered the room; Fang Zhitang and two disciples of the Hall of Benevolence were standing guard beside Xue Zhenhai. Seeing them come in, several people hastily rose to their feet. Hu Xiaotian smiled and waved his hand, indicating they need not perform salutations.

Accompanying Long Xi Yue to the bedside, they saw Elder Xue's face as pale as gold paper, still anemic, but his breathing had stabilized.

Long Xi Yue had not wanted to disturb Elder Xue, planning to look and then leave, but Elder Xue woke up at this moment, slowly opened his eyes, and seeing the unfamiliar man and woman before him, murmured: 'Could it be that I have already… died?'

Hu Xiaotian couldn't help laughing at his words: 'Do we look like ghosts to you?'

Elder Xue strained his gaze. Seeing this handsome man and beautiful woman, he finally confirmed he was still alive, let out a breath, and said: 'Old man, I thought I was done for… it was you who saved me… please excuse this old man's injury… I cannot…' He then noticed the green bamboo staff in Long Xi Yue's hand, which she had brought specially just now to prove her identity to the Beggars.

Elder Xue struggled to rise, but Hu Xiaotian pressed him down with one hand and asked: 'What are you doing?'

'"Old sir… old sir wishes to pay respects to the chief…"'

Hu Xiaotian really felt a mix of laughter and exasperation; the lifesaver kept saying he was injured, yet upon seeing the chief arrive he disregarded his wound—this old man is truly laughable.

Long Xi Yue said: 'Elder Xue, you should just rest and heal.' Her words were quite effective; after hearing them, Xue Zhenhai became obedient and murmured: 'Xue Zhenhai pays respects to the chief…'

Long Xi Yue smiled: 'We can talk about anything later; the brothers outside are all worried about you and have been standing guard. I'll go out and tell them you've awakened.'

Xue Zhenhai said: 'The one who wounded me is… a person from the Sword Palace…'

Hu Xiaotian stared in surprise upon hearing this; the Sword Palace's main base is located in Yongdu, and they actually dared to come to his territory to assassinate—this Sword Palace's gall is truly not small. Those capable of assassinating a Nine‑Bag Elder of the Beggars' Sect are few, and with a little investigation the suspect can be pinpointed.

Long Xi Yue comforted him: 'Elder Xue, don't be anxious; I will handle everything for you in this matter, so try not to make a fuss, lest complications arise.' Long Xi Yue's consideration of the matter is still very thorough; if the Beggars' Sect disciples outside heard that the Sword Palace was responsible, they would certainly seek revenge on the Sword Palace. Although the Beggars' Sect far surpasses the Sword Palace in strength, should a real conflict erupt, it would likely cause many unnecessary casualties, which is clearly not what Long Xi Yue wishes to see.