Mortal Dawn and Dusk, My Eternal Life - Chapter 34

The thrilling street rescue in Tianjin and the subsequent miraculous medical skills of the young female physician, who brought someone back from the dead, were like a stone dropped into a calm lake, quickly stirring up ripple after ripple. People enthusiastically discussed “Divine Doctor Su’s” miraculous revival skills, and various embellished legends quietly circulated among the common folk.

However, not everyone’s gaze was filled with admiration and curiosity. Just as Su Mingyue performed her golden needle technique, pulling the dying young girl back from the brink of death, in a secluded alley corner not far away, a sinister and sharp pair of eyes watched her every move, unblinking, through the gaps in the crowd.

It was a man dressed in ordinary coarse cloth, of medium height, with an unremarkable face. He blended into the crowd of onlookers like a drop of water merging into the ocean, drawing no attention. But his gaze was distinctly different from the curious or amazed looks of those around him. It was a gaze like a hawk eyeing its prey, filled with scrutiny, calculation, and a hint of barely perceptible… greed.

He quietly watched Su Mingyue perform the needling, watched the young girl miraculously regain vitality, and watched Director Liu of Peking Union Medical College Hospital’s obsequious behavior, a faint, cold smile always playing on his lips. It wasn’t until Su Mingyue, surrounded by the crowd, prepared to leave the scene that this inconspicuous man quietly retreated, disappearing like a ghost into the labyrinthine alleys.

The man took several turns and arrived at a large, dilapidated compound that seemed to have been abandoned for many years. The courtyard was overgrown with weeds and littered with broken walls and crumbling ruins, emitting a damp, decaying odor. He walked with familiarity into a rickety, dilapidated wing-room in the deepest part of the courtyard, and closed the creaking wooden door behind him.

The room was dimly lit, with only a small window letting in a few faint rays of daylight. The man walked to a dirt wall covered in cobwebs in a corner of the room and lightly pressed an inconspicuous protrusion on the wall. A soft “click” sounded, and the dirt wall silently slid open to one side, revealing a dark, cavernous opening. A cold, damp aura wafted from the opening. The man stepped into the hidden door without hesitation.

Behind the door was a narrow and steep stone staircase, winding downwards, leading to an unknown destination. He walked down the stone steps for about the time it takes to burn one stick of incense before the space suddenly opened up. Here, it was actually a quite elegantly furnished underground secret chamber.

Although the secret chamber wasn’t large, its furnishings were meticulous. There were Zitan wood tables and chairs, several landscape paintings with profound artistic conception hung on the walls, and a good quality sandalwood incense burner burned in the corner. This contrasted sharply with the dilapidated courtyard outside.

At this moment, a thin-faced middle-aged man with a goatee, dressed in brocade robes, sat upright in a grand armchair, resting with his eyes closed, toying with two walnuts in his hand. Although his eyes were closed, he exuded an imposing aura of authority.

“Master, I’m back.” The inconspicuous man who had returned from the street respectfully stood before the man in brocade robes, bowing.

The man in brocade robes slowly opened his eyes. They were sharp as a hawk’s, gleaming with shrewd and profound light. “How… did things go?” he asked, his voice calm, betraying no emotion.

“Reporting, Master,” the inconspicuous man quickly replied, “Everything went smoothly. I have thoroughly investigated those ‘goods’ as you instructed.” As he spoke, a greedy smile appeared on his face.

The man in brocade robes’ lips also slightly curved upward, revealing a satisfied smile: “Very good. Since you have already selected them, then… prepare to act. Remember, this matter is of great importance; it must be done cleanly and leave no loose ends.”

“Yes! Master, rest assured!” the inconspicuous man quickly responded. “I have already made arrangements. We are expected to… act in two days.”

The man in brocade robes nodded, picked up the teacup on the table, and took a light sip. Then, as if remembering something, he asked: “Oh, by the way, any news on the streets today?”

The inconspicuous man’s eyes flashed slightly at the question, and he quickly said: “Reporting, Master, there was indeed a strange incident on the street today. Near the Quanyechang, a young girl was hit by a car and was on the verge of death. Even Director Liu of Peking Union Medical College Hospital was helpless. But then, a young female physician suddenly appeared, and with just a few silver needles, she revived the dying student! Truly miraculous!”

“Oh? Such a thing happened?” The man in brocade robes showed a hint of surprise in his eyes upon hearing this. “A young female physician? Her medical skills are so profound?”

“Indeed!” The inconspicuous man vividly described, “That female physician looked only seventeen or eighteen, and her clothes were very plain, but her medical skills were absolutely amazing! I saw with my own eyes; the girl’s heart had stopped, and with a few needles, she brought her back to life! She’s far more capable than those old famous doctors who boast to high heaven! Now, it’s spread everywhere, saying she’s a ‘Divine Doctor’!”

The man in brocade robes listened, his brow slightly furrowed, and a barely perceptible glint flashed in his eyes. He pondered for a moment, then suddenly asked: “Is that female physician… a local? What’s her name? Where is she staying now?”

The inconspicuous man was surprised for a moment, not expecting his master to be so interested in a female physician. He quickly replied: “Her accent suggests she’s from out of town. As for her name… I didn’t catch it. However, after she saved the person, she seemed to head towards the south of the city. I’m not sure where exactly she’s staying.”

The man in brocade robes heard this, and his fingers lightly tapped on the tabletop, his eyes becoming somewhat profound. He himself actually suffered from an unspeakable hidden illness. This hidden illness was neither severe nor minor; normally, it caused no problem, no different from an ordinary person. But whenever night fell and yin energy was at its strongest, it would flare up, causing him excruciating pain and suffering. He had sought renowned doctors everywhere, both Chinese and Western, but all were helpless. He could only temporarily suppress it with strong medicines, but not cure it. Over time, he could feel his body being slowly hollowed out by this hidden illness. This was also one of the reasons why he was so eager to proceed with that “selection” and “action.”

Now, hearing his subordinate speak of this highly skilled young female physician, his heart couldn’t help but stir.

“A young girl who was clearly dead was revived by her…” The man in brocade robes murmured, a strange light flickering in his eyes. “Perhaps… she truly has a way… to cure my illness?”

Once this thought arose, it was like a seed of hope planted in his already despairing heart.

“You,” the man in brocade robes looked up and commanded the inconspicuous man, “Send someone to inquire about that female physician’s whereabouts. Remember, do not alarm her; observe her secretly first. If she truly possesses such miraculous medical skills… perhaps, we can ‘invite’ her to the mansion.” When he said the word “invite,” his tone was calm, but a hint of undeniable meaning flashed in his eyes.

“Yes, Master! I understand!” the inconspicuous man quickly bowed in response, but secretly cursed in his heart. He knew all too well his master’s “inviting” methods. It seemed that young female physician was probably in trouble.

The secret chamber returned to silence. Only the sandalwood incense continued to burn, emitting a reassuring fragrance.