Jiangzhong City is the capital of medicine.
Eighty percent of the world's traditional Chinese medicines are shipped from here.
There are pharmaceutical conglomerates with market capitalizations exceeding hundreds of billions, as well as hundreds of thousands of medicinal processing factories, large and small.
Here, every street and alley is lined with traditional Chinese medicine clinics.
Jiulong Street is a vibrant and diverse street in Jiangzhong City, home to antique shops, KTVs, bars, and massage parlors.
At the heart of Jiulong Street stands a clinic.
"Mortal Clinic."
This is where Xiao Hei, Jiang Chen's subordinate, has settled in Jiangzhong.
Jiang Chen is a miraculous doctor. Xiao Hei has followed him for many years and has some medical experience. He can easily treat colds, flu, and injuries.
Mortal Clinic, a small operating table.
Jiang Chen looked at Tang Chuchu, whose face was covered in blood, her knees were scraped raw, and her flesh was stained with dust.
Tang Chuchu had endured torture that ordinary people could hardly endure.
She was exhausted, physically and mentally, and had lost so much blood that she fainted.
Jiang Chen's face was grim and terrifying.
He stroked Tang Chuchu's face, his resolute features etched with guilt. The corners of his eyes moistened, tears rolling down.
He had promised never to let Tang Chuchu suffer again.
But he hadn't kept his promise.
He owed Tang Chuchu too much, a debt he could never make up for in this lifetime.
He dared not think about what would have become of Tang Chuchu if he had been a moment later.
Even if he had killed Xiao Zhan, it would not have been enough to dispel the hatred in his heart. He would make the Xiao family pay back a hundredfold, a thousandfold, for the injustice and pain Chuchu had endured.
He pulled out his medical kit and began carefully tending to the wound on Tang Chuchu's face.
"General Xiao, it really wasn't me, it really wasn't me. Please, let me go..."
Jiang Chen gently touched the wound on her face, and she cried out, curling up into a ball and trembling slightly.
Her expression was like a sharp knife piercing Jiang Chen's heart, and he choked, nearly crying.
He quickly picked up several silver needles and inserted them into Tang Chuchu's body, calming her, numbing her wounds, and relieving her pain.
Tang Chuchu finally calmed down and quietly closed her eyes.
Jiang Chen carefully cleaned her wounds, began preparing medicine, applying dressings, and bandaging her.
Xiao Hei returned, but he stood aside, not interrupting her.
After treating the wounds on Tang Chuchu's face and some scrapes on her legs, Jiang Chen picked her up and carried her to the back room of the clinic.
He laid her on the bed, pulled the quilt over her, and held her hand tightly.
He held Tang Chuchu's hand, staying by her side.
Xiao Hei remained at the door, never leaving.
Tonight was a true earthquake for Jiangzhong.
To rise in power, the Xiao family orchestrated a scheme, using cheap items to auction off at exorbitant prices, raising a substantial amount of funds.
Xiao Zhan even sought revenge on the Tang family.
However, no one expected the ghost-faced man who killed Xiao Biehe to reappear and kill Xiao Zhan at the auction.
The police have launched an investigation, but due to Xiao Zhan's unique status, relevant departments have also intervened, though the subsequent details of the incident have not been released.
The night passed silently.
The sun rose, illuminating the dark earth. Citizens rose, washed, and began a new day.
Morning, Qianjun Building, Chairman's Office.
"Mr. Ye, something serious happened last night." A voluptuous and beautiful woman stood beside Ye Xiong and recounted the events of the Xiao family auction.
"Xiao Zhan captured Tang Chuchu and the Tang family?" Ye Xiong was slightly stunned upon hearing this, then asked, "Did Xiao Zhan die in the end?"
"Yes, Director Ye, according to the intelligence I received, Xiao Zhan planned to deal with the Tang family first, then Qian Jun. But just as he captured Tang Chuchu and was about to establish his authority, the ghost-faced man who killed Xiao Biehe arrived and killed Xiao Zhan."
Ye Xiong waved his hand slightly. "Alright, leave."
After the secretary left, Ye Xiong smiled faintly, muttering to himself: "To dare to provoke Tang Chuchu is truly courting death. The Deputy Commander of the Western Territory is nothing. Even the King of Freedom himself would have to bow down before the Black Dragon."
Ye Xiong paid little attention to the Xiao family's affairs, nor did he participate heavily in the Tang family's.
Mortal Clinic.
After a night's rest, Tang Chuchu had already awakened. As soon as she awoke, a pair of strong hands grasped her.
She felt weak all over and tried to get up, but a searing pain shot through her face, causing her to cry out.
Jiang Chen had fallen asleep beside the bed, clutching Tang Chuchu's hand. Tang Chuchu's cry startled him awake. He hurriedly called out, "Wife, are you awake?"
Hearing the familiar voice, Tang Chuchu weakly asked, "Chen, where am I?" Jiang Chen replied, "You're at the Mortal Clinic, a clinic run by a friend of mine. Last night, something happened at the Tang family; they were arrested. Luckily, I was quick-witted and escaped early. I quietly followed you to the Jiangzhong Hotel and saw you lying on the street outside, so I brought you to the clinic."
Jiang Chen didn't want Tang Chuchu to know his identity.
Tang Chuchu was just an ordinary person. Knowing this would have a significant impact on her life. He just wanted her to live a carefree life.
"I'm sorry, I didn't protect you well," Jiang Chen said, his face filled with remorse.
Tang Chuchu recalled what happened last night, feeling a pang of resentment. Her nose tightened, and she burst into tears. "Wow, why, why does God treat me like this?"
Last night, she experienced despair, endured torture unbearable for ordinary people.
Seeing Xiao Zhan's heartless face, she felt despair and helplessness. She begged and pleaded, but what awaited her was a knife-like slash on her face.
She broke down, weeping bitterly.
Jiang Chen held her hand tightly. "I'm sorry, it's my fault. I should have gone with you."
He apologized repeatedly.
He felt guilty towards Tang Chuchu.
Without him, Tang Chuchu wouldn't have experienced all this.
Tang Chuchu cried herself tired, or perhaps exhausted. Her sobs grew quieter, and she fell asleep.
Jiang Chen finally let go of her hand, got up, and went outside.
"Brother Jiang."
Xiao Hei, who had been guarding the entire night, took out a cigarette and handed it over, saying, "As you instructed, no Western Border troops were left alive at the Jiangzhong Hotel, and I haven't touched a single member of the Xiao family. I've done my research, and the painting of Flower and Moon at the auction is a fake. I've also questioned Xiao Ruoran, and the real painting has been gone from the Xiao family for ten years. As for where it is, Xiao Ruoran doesn't know, only the deceased Xiao Zhan knows."
Jiang Chen lit a cigarette.
The painting of Flower and Moon at the Mountain is a Jiang family heirloom. Grandpa values it more than his own life. No matter where it is, he must get it back.
But he doesn't have the time right now.
Chuchu had just survived a disaster, and from now on, he needs to be by Tang Chuchu's side and make up for his debt to her.
Xiao Hei paused, then continued, "There's one more thing. The five major military regions of Jiangbei, Jiangzhong, Nanhua, Haicheng, and Tianhai are being reorganized and merged. King Xiaoyao of the Western Territory has been transferred from the Western Territory to become the commander-in-chief of the five armies, taking office immediately. The document was just issued this morning."
Hearing this, Jiang Chen looked indifferent and said calmly, "It has nothing to do with me."
"Brother Jiang, based on merit, the new commander-in-chief should be you. What does King Xiaoyao have to do with him?" Xiao Hei said, defending Jiang Chen.
Jiang Chen waved his hand slightly, saying, "Alright, forget it. Whether the reorganization takes place or not, or who becomes the new commander-in-chief, it's none of my business."