Chapter 641: [The Benevolent Heart of a Healer] (Part 1)

A medic's true nature reveals itself fully when faced with life and death. Hu Xiaotian does not consider himself particularly noble; he simply does what he wants to do now. Although the injured before him are only ordinary craftsmen, unlikely to bring him much reward, he still exerts his utmost effort. At this moment, there is not a trace of desire in his heart. In his medical career, the fundamental drive that pushes him to keep learning and advancing is achievement and fame. When he first arrived in this era, what motivated him to pick up the scalpel again was to change his own fate. Now he has suddenly reverted to that pure medic he once was—no desire, only reverence for life. This feeling is so familiar yet so distant.

When Liu Yucheng arrived at the scene with wound medicine, Hu Xiaotian had already begun his first surgery. Each of the seven severely injured had grave wounds, and each had multiple injuries. Using the surgical tools at hand and the medical techniques he could command, he did his utmost to save every life.

Sleepless night! Although they gave it their all, two of the seven critically injured died from excessive blood loss, leaving the five others temporarily out of danger. When Hu Xiaotian finished the final surgery, he finally exhaled in relief, tossing the needle holder into the tray. He left the room in silence; outside, the sky was already filled with morning glow.

Hu Xiaotian quietly gazed at the eastern sky, watching the morning sun slowly rise from the horizon. A long-lost sense of satisfaction welled up in his chest. He removed the Lan cloth covering his face, and suddenly felt the urge to shout. Yet his vision caught a sculpture-like figure.

The devil artisan Zong Yuan still stood in yesterday's spot, now wearing an extra cloak, his gaze dull as he stared at the extinguished kiln, his withered lips trembling slightly.

Hu Xiaotian walked over slowly and said with concern: 'Mr. Zong!'

Zong Yuan did not look at him, murmuring softly: 'If I had not dismantled that set of wing armor… perhaps I would not have suffered such misfortune… perhaps I would not have caused so many deaths…' He understood that the misfortune was inevitably caused by that wing armor.

Hu Xiaotian noticed that Zong Yuan's hair had turned almost completely white overnight; he inwardly sighed, the previous night's blow to Zong Yuan was so great it made his hair white in a single night. From Zong Yuan's words, it seems yesterday's attack by the winged warriors on him was entirely due to the wing armor, and it is likely nine out of ten that Hong Beimo instigated it.

Zong Yuan's body suddenly swayed, he tilted his head back and fell to the ground. Hu Xiaotian, being nearest, rushed forward in panic and caught him; the crowd gathered quickly. Fan Mingyu stepped forward, took Zong Yuan's pulse, checked his breath, and said: 'It's nothing serious; he just fainted. A good rest will see him fine.'

Zong Tang lifted his father's body and carried him toward the thatched hut.

Bai Jingxuan and his men also spent the night sleepless. After a night of searching they found seven more corpses, though five people remain missing, likely dead as well, bringing the death toll to twenty‑four. Everyone gathered, faces grim.

Zong Tang settled his father, then turned back and bowed to the crowd: 'Thank you all for your help; this great kindness and virtue, Zong Tang will never forget. Please accept my bow.' He wanted to kneel, but Bai Jingxuan grabbed him and sighed: 'Zong brother, there's no need for this; your sect has suffered this great calamity, your inner pain we share. May you grieve and adapt, rally your spirits, and handle the aftermath here.'

Zong Tang nodded.

At that moment, the sound of hooves came from the gate. The blacksmith shop, having suffered this disaster, naturally no longer had its former rule forbidding casual entry. A cavalry of about fifty approached, led by none other than the Eldest Imperial Prince of Da Yong, Xue Daohong.

Zong Tang and his group never expected the Eldest Imperial Prince Xue Daohong to come in person; they hurried forward to pay respects. Hu Xiaotian hid far off to the side, watching. As he was not a subject of Da Yong, there was no need to kowtow, and he himself did not wish to attract the prince's attention in this situation.

Xue Daohong naturally was not coming for Hu Xiaotian, nor would he notice a Dakang envoy hidden in the crowd. Though he did not see him, a young man at his side did spot Hu Xiaotian, his sharp eyes fixed on Hu Xiaotian in the crowd.

Hu Xiaotian also recognized him at the same moment—the handsome, suave rider was actually Li Chenzhou. Since parting in Yongdu they had not met again, and Li Chenzhou had not expected to see Hu Xiaotian here; a flicker of surprise crossed his deep eyes, then he gave Hu Xiaotian a friendly smile.

Hu Xiaotian returned the smile.

Xue Daohong dismounted and, surrounded by the crowd, walked toward the accident site.

Hu Xiaotian did not follow; he gave Liu Yucheng a look. Liu Yucheng came to his side and whispered: 'What's up, Brother Hu? Anything the matter?'

Hu Xiaotian said: 'Since things here are more or less wrapped up, we should also be on our way.'

Liu Yucheng did not understand Hu Xiaotian's meaning; he whispered: 'No rush, we still need to tell Mr. Zong.'

Just then, a voice from behind said: 'Sir Hu, how did you also end up here?'

Although Hu Xiaotian did not turn around, he recognized the speaker as Li Chenzhou; he slowly turned and saw Li Chenzhou alone not far behind him, smiling at him.

Hu Xiaotian smiled, showing a neat set of white teeth: 'General Li, I never expected to meet you here.'

Li Chenzhou chuckled lightly: 'Indeed surprising. Though your time in Yongdu has been short, your presence seems everywhere.'

Hu Xiaotian said: 'I've always been the sort who can't sit still; when idle I like to wander about and make friends. Actually I had originally planned to visit General Li's residence today, but I hadn't gotten there yet when I ran into you.'

Li Chenzhou laughed: 'I also intended to pay a visit to General Hu; it seems we had the same idea.'

Liu Yucheng sensed there was more between their lines, feeling it improper to stay, and quietly stepped aside.

Li Chenzhou said: 'Sir Hu, you truly hide your talents; I never knew you were also a master of the medical arts.'

Hu Xiaotian smiled: 'Nothing of the sort; just a few family‑passed medical tricks, not worthy of the grand hall.'

'Why be so modest, Sir Hu? The Empress Dowager's stubborn ailment left the imperial physicians helpless, yet you resolved it at once—isn't that the best proof?'

Hu Xiaotian sighed: 'Just a lucky coincidence! The Empress Dowager's illness happened to be curable by my family's secret recipe—her blessing and my fortune. I ought to thank her favor and trust.' He said this with a self‑satisfied expression.

Li Chen Zhou saw this in his eyes, of course understood that he was speaking for himself to hear, meaning that Hu Xiaotian had a favor to the Empress Dowager, now different from before. Li Chen Zhou said: "When will Sir Hu arrive?"

'This morning yesterday!'

'In other words, Sir Hu was already here before the attack on this place.'

Hu Xiaotian said: 'General Li, if you have something to say, speak plainly.' Li Chenzhou's words hinted at suspicion—could he be doubting that this attack was related to him?

Li Chenzhou laughed: 'Sir Hu, don't be nervous; I'm just discussing the matter, certainly not targeting you.'

Hu Xiaotian said: 'That's right—I arrived early and was present throughout the whole assault; I didn't leave last night either. Most of these wounded were saved by my hand. The attackers were two winged warriors; because they wore masks I couldn't see their true faces. Is my explanation clear enough? Are you satisfied, General Li?'

Li Chenzhou said: 'Sir Hu, truly a benevolent medic! As I understand it, the winged warriors appear to belong to Dakang's Heavenly Mechanism Bureau.'

Hu Xiaotian said: 'As for the Heavenly Mechanism Bureau, I have no idea.'

Li Chenzhou asked: 'Do you know why they came here to launch the attack?'

Hu Xiaotian replied: 'Do you think I should know?'

Li Chenzhou was about to speak when he saw the Eldest Imperial Prince Xue Daohong and his entourage approaching, so he paused. Xue Daohong called from afar: 'Chenzhou, immediately issue orders—lock down the whole city and be sure to capture the culprits.'

Li Chenzhou bowed to Xue Daohong: 'The subordinate obeys!'

Xue Daohong fixed his piercing gaze on Hu Xiaotian and said: 'This person is…'

Hu Xiaotian had no choice but to step forward and bow with clasped hands: 'Dakang envoy Hu Xiaotian pays respects to Your Highness.'

Xue Daohong nodded: 'You are Hu Xiaotian; I have heard your name. How did you come to be here?'

Pretty much everyone thought the same; Hu Xiaotian inwardly sighed, realizing he would have to waste a lot of breath explaining today.

Zong Tang, who had been accompanying Xue Daohong, said: 'May I report to Your Highness, Sir Hu is our honored guest; had he not assisted last night, the casualties would have been far worse.'

Xue Daohong said: 'Then we really ought to thank Sir Hu.'

Hu Xiaotian said: 'Not at all, not at all!' He felt a twinge of regret—he should have slipped away earlier to avoid all this trouble. While he was worrying how to deal with this crowd's questioning, the Eldest Princess Xue Lingjun arrived.

Xue Daohong was also quite troubled by this willful aunt, yet out of courtesy he had to go greet her. The Eldest Princess Xue Lingjun stepped down from her carriage, covering her nose with a handkerchief; seeing the scene of utter ruin before her, she could hardly believe her eyes and exclaimed in shock: 'What happened? How did it become like this overnight? Daohong, did you bring people over to tear down the houses?'

Xue Daohong gave a somewhat helpless smile and said, "Aunt, last night this place was attacked; I came to inspect the damage."

Xue Lingjun's gaze, however, searched the crowd for Hu Xiaotian; upon seeing Hu Xiaotian, she instantly broke into a smiling blossom, quickly stepped forward to Hu Xiaotian, grabbed his hand in one grasp, and said, "You're fine, that's good!" (To be continued~^~)