Chapter 84 - Bullshit!
Tang Yue tirelessly examined the critically ill patients one by one until dawn. Some could be treated, while others were beyond help, and he could only witness their last moments.
The sense of powerlessness gnawed at Tang Yue. He had a wealth of treatment plans stored in his mind, but translating those ideas into reality proved elusive.
Emerging from the makeshift operating room, the sun had slowly ascended. Its warm, golden rays gradually dispelled the autumn chill.
The forest fire, which had raged throughout the night, was finally quelled. The once densely forested mountain peak was now visible in the distance, stripped bare, as if a layer of skin had been scorched away.
“What a tragedy!” Tang Yue inhaled the scent of smoke in the air and murmured. A vast expanse of the ancient forest had been consumed by flames.
His face had paled a bit after working through the night, and dark circles had formed under his eyes. Thankfully, his youth provided some resilience; otherwise, such an intense night could have left him utterly drained.
He had insisted on having Wang Zizhao rest in the middle of the night, entrusting Hu Jinpeng with his care.
“Young sir, have some hot water,” Hu Jinpeng offered a bowl of steaming water to Tang Yue. Grateful, he accepted it and downed it in one go. The warmth flowed from his mouth down his throat, gradually dispelling the chill in his body.
“Young sir, you truly are a remarkable physician!” Hu Jinpeng sighed in admiration. Tang Yue looked somewhat embarrassed and offered a rueful smile. “I could have saved more lives.”
With such medical skills, how could he be called a godly doctor?
Observing the sunrise, Tang Yue was resolute in pursuing the path he had chosen for his life. He turned to Brother Hu with a smile and said, “Brother Hu, you should get some rest as well. You've been working tirelessly for a day and a night.”
“You too,” Hu Jinpeng patted Tang Yue's shoulder and gave him a thumbs-up. “I'm looking forward to going to the battlefield with our young dandy.”
“Absolutely!” He had every intention of going. One day, he would lead his medical team to the places where they were needed most.
Smoke wafted from the kitchen, signaling that someone was already preparing breakfast. Tang Yue realized his hunger and decided to have a meal before going to bed.
The previous night had been so hectic that he hadn't had the chance to inquire about what had transpired with Wang Zizhao and the others. Had they managed to deal with the bandits? When would they return? However, it was advisable not to rush things; several severely injured patients were not suited for long-distance travel.
Upon nearing the kitchen, Tang Yue caught a whiff of the burnt aroma of roasted meat. He hurried inside and exclaimed, “Who's grilling meat? It's burnt!”
All the kitchen occupants turned their heads simultaneously. Tang Yue noticed their actions and felt his cheeks flush with embarrassment. He realized he had misunderstood.
The previous night's fire had been so intense that not only had it consumed the flora and fauna, but also the creatures that hadn't escaped in time.
“Young master, come and decide which meat you'd like to eat. I'll carve the most tender portion for you!” an elderly server called out, brandishing a kitchen knife. The others chuckled.
Tang Yue walked over awkwardly. He saw several baskets of roasted meat, and he couldn't discern the species or the specific cuts.
“Ahem… I'd like a few roasted chicken drumsticks, please. You know, the kind that's crispy on the outside and tender on the inside,” Tang Yue earnestly requested. Then, he clasped his hands behind his back, waiting to see their choice.
“Sure thing! Hang tight!” The elderly gentleman emptied a basket of meat onto the table, laying it out meticulously. He examined each piece before selecting two meatballs that didn't appear particularly distinctive. “Oh dear, we're down to just one leg. How about I roast a chicken wing for you?”
Tang Yue touched his nose and inquired skeptically, “How can you be so certain this is chicken? It might be a mountain rabbit or even a mountain cat, you know?”
“Hehe, I've been toiling in kitchens for over a decade, and I've served as a chef in restaurants for an equal span of time. My nose can identify all sorts of meats just by scent. If you don't believe me, give it a try.” He then trimmed away the charred outer layer and tore off a portion of chicken for Tang Yue.
Tang Yue took a bite and confirmed that it indeed carried a robust chicken flavor. This wild game meat was tougher and more mature than domestically raised poultry, but it was also more flavorful when chewed.
“I have another treat for you,” the elderly man mentioned as he poured a bowl of soup from a covered pot and handed it to Tang Yue. “You've been working tirelessly all night. You deserve a replenishing meal.”
Tang Yue sniffed the soup and inquired, “What kind of meat is this?” He had no intention of recklessly filling his stomach with unknown fare.
“Top-quality stuff. After you eat and get some rest, I guarantee you'll be full of energy.”
Tang Yue pushed the bowl away. “Forget it. What is it exactly?”
The others chuckled and teased, “Young master, just try it. Old Huo prepared it especially for you and Deputy General Hu. Even Wang Zizhao didn't have the privilege.”
Tang Yue harbored even greater doubts. Who on the entire team would dare to place Wang Zizhao right behind him? What was there that Wang Zizhao didn't claim for himself?
Nevertheless, he trusted that his comrades wouldn't poison him, so he cautiously sipped from the bowl and smacked his lips. He couldn't identify the soup's contents, but it tasted rather pleasant.
“Haha… not a bad flavor, is it? This is a potent tonic. Even in your youthful vigor, you should only have a single serving. Excessive consumption might leave you with pent-up frustrations.”
Tang Yue's face flushed, but as he comprehended the nature of the soup, his expression darkened.
What in the world? Did they not realize he was single? Why serve him such a concoction? Was it an attempt to increase the workload of his right hand?
The tent's curtain parted, allowing a gust of wind to rush in. Then, a familiar voice inquired, “Is there anything to eat? This Noble Heir is famished!”
Tang Yue turned to spot the newcomer and noticed the person's interest in his bowl. “What's this soup? It smells delightful! Fetch this Noble Heir a bowl too!”
Tang Yue's eyes widened, and he handed over the bowl. He quickly downed its contents and then nonchalantly remarked, “You're mistaken. This isn't some fine soup. It's a medicinal brew I had them concoct. It's meant to replenish our energy. It's gone now.”
What a jest. This young fellow had always been full of pranks. If he were to consume another serving of this so-called “perfect tonic” soup, the safeguard he had maintained on his desires for so long would undoubtedly falter.
What was even more concerning was the absence of any women in this wilderness. If his desires surged uncontrollably, he might inadvertently harm one of the handsome soldiers. That would be an even greater catastrophe.
“Then prepare another bowl for this Young Heir. I'm feeling rather feeble and in need of some nourishment!” He cast a pitiful look at Tang Yue and extended his arm to reveal the wound on his head.
Tang Yue drew him closer and examined him from head to toe. “Aside from this injury, are there any others?”
Ping Shun shook his head eagerly and proceeded to regale him with the details of the previous day's battle.
“Tang Xiaolang, you missed witnessing this Young Heir's valiant acts. The moment that assailant approached, I brandished my blade and swiftly decapitated him. Blood sprayed forth, splattering all over my face. It was still warm!”
Tang Yue sneered at the exaggeration but couldn't help but begrudgingly praise him, “You're quite impressive!”
“I, Young Heir, share the same sentiment. Even Wang Zizhao complimented me.” He wished the entire world knew of Wang Zizhao's praise for him.
Tang Yue was genuinely curious about whether he and Zhao Sanlang had accomplished their mission. However, after a night of not hearing his story, he casually responded, “The Young Heir is a true hero!”
Having finished his meal, he set the empty bowl aside and departed. Only as he exited the tent did he remember one more thing. He turned to the elderly man and remarked, “The Young Heir is in good health and doesn't require any special energy-replenishing concoctions. Don't go overboard with it.”
The old man nodded quickly. “Understood.” With that assurance, Tang Yue retired to rest contentedly.
Tang Yue slept soundly, oblivious to the events outside. Upon awakening, he discovered the sun high in the sky, but he had no idea what time it was.
“Someone, please…” Tang Yue sat up, his head throbbing heavily. He addressed the figure entering the room, “What's the time?”
“Young sir, it's the right hour.”
A mental clock flashed through Tang Yue's thoughts, and he realized it was already three o'clock in the afternoon. “Have you administered the medicine to the wounded soldiers? Are there any deteriorating conditions?”
Shan smiled reassuringly. “You can rest easy; the guards have been taking turns to attend to them. The soldier with the high fever from last night is doing better. He even woke up at noon and had some soup.”
Tang Yue breathed a sigh of relief. “That's a relief he's improving. I'll go check on them.” With that, he freshened up, changed into his white coat, and set off for his rounds.
There were no written records, so Tang Yue had to rely on his memory to document each patient's status. Often, he would stand there, envisioning another person's case.
He wasn't accustomed to this chaotic thought process. It appeared he needed to train more people; the shortage of personnel was becoming apparent.
“Where's Young Master Yue?… Help…” A wounded soldier limped in, leaning on a makeshift crutch.
Tang Yue recognized him. It was the injured man who shared a special connection with Xiao Qi. His face tensed. “Has Xiao Qi's condition changed?”
The man nodded and shook his head, his expression on the verge of tears. After a pause, he stammered, “Young master, please go see for yourself. Xiao Qi… he doesn't remember me.”
Tang Yue felt a sense of relief. As long as his condition didn't deteriorate, there was nothing to fear, right?
Nevertheless, he quickened his pace and hurried over to assess the situation. Upon entering the tent, he encountered a group of soldiers huddled around the patient, addressing him, “Xiao Qi, do you remember me? I'm Big Cow!”
“Xiao Qi, it's me, Uncle Zhang. Think about it, we're from the same village…”
“Xiao Qi, don't tell me that you've lost your memory to the Hell King?”
Tang Yue cleared his throat and shooed away the group of visitors, thinking he really should put up a sign at the door. This was no time for social calls during Xie's recovery!
“How are you feeling? Are you experiencing dizziness, disorientation, or nausea?” Tang Yue inquired of the soldier named Xiao Qi.
The soldier nodded, his actions exacerbating his dizziness. He slumped onto the bed and gazed at Tang Yue with a blank expression.
Tang Yue conducted a thorough examination, assessing the patient's pupils, heartbeat, respiration, body movements, and wounds. He offered reassurance, saying, “Don't worry too much. These symptoms are typical of a concussion. Stay in bed, rest, and avoid getting up or walking around. Maintain a positive mindset. You'll recover.”
The patient was about to nod but hesitated, still troubled by the recent episode. Eventually, he managed to respond, “Yes.”
Tang Yue prescribed medication to calm his nerves and alleviate the pain. He could only treat it as a concussion for now, hoping there was no intracranial bleeding or clotting, as that would pose a more serious challenge.
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