Chapter 242: Fourth Chief

Chapter 242: Fourth Chieftain

At that moment, Cheng Ge could be seen struggling to half-open his eyes again, those originally unfocused pupils now gathering a faint glimmer of light.

He was glued to those herbs, like a desert traveler spotting water.

His eyes reddened, tears welling up, as his gaze shifted with difficulty from the herbs to Lei Biao.

"Big... Big Brother... a real lifesaver..."

He gasped for breath, like he was about to kick the bucket, and continued to explain in fits and starts.

"Just... just now, Doctor Sun even said... that my injury... was too severe...

If it weren't for that old ginseng to keep me going... I fear... I fear I might..."

He choked at the perfect moment, as if still trembling with fear, and tears finally slid down the corner of his eye.

Then he looked at the doctor again, his eyes full of meaning.

The doctor: "..."

Stuck in that situation, the doctor had no choice but to brace himself and follow Cheng Ge's lead, stammering, "Uh... yeah... right! What Master Cheng says is spot on!

If... if there were aged ginseng sliced and held under the tongue, to build up his constitution and keep his heart going... perhaps... perhaps it could truly... win a chance at life!"

After speaking, his back was drenched in sweat; this was seriously pushing his medical ethics to the limit.

Lei Biao was overjoyed upon hearing this. He knew the heavens wouldn't let him down, that his brother wasn't meant to die.

"Excellent, I knew it would work!" Lei Biao excitedly opened the top box, revealing an old mountain ginseng with intact roots and excellent form.

"Then cut some for him—whatever it takes. If it's not enough, I'll find another way!"

Cheng Ge let out a weak groan right on cue and closed his eyes.

But the hand pressing on the medicine box tightened quietly, its fingertips turning slightly white, as if clutching a final lifeline.

That only made Lei Biao more convinced.

Yet the matter wasn't over. Cheng Ge piped up again, his voice so faint it could have been carried away by the wind.

"Just now... Doctor Sun also mentioned... that I have suffered a great loss of vitality...

Even with the ginseng, I'll need super delicate meals from now on...

If I could also use cordyceps and deer antler as warming supplements... it might help me recover a bit faster..."

After saying this, his eyelids drooped, his chest rose and fell faintly, like he was about to croak any second.

The doctor: "..." When did I ever say that?!

Doctor Sun's mouth twitched almost imperceptibly; inside, he was freaking out.

This Master Cheng could lie without blinking an eye, and he only asked for the pricey stuff!

This was a bit too greedy, huh...

He felt his entire medical ethics were going down the drain today.

"Uh... indeed, that is true. Although ginseng has strong medicinal properties, it is ultimately for emergency use.

The young master is weak, his foundation is damaged, and recovery needs to be gradual.

Cordyceps helps the lungs and kidneys; deer antler builds yang and nourishes the blood. Both are excellent mild tonics.

If used in food therapy over time, they'd do a lot for rebuilding his foundation."

He paused, racking his brain to recall terms from medical texts, and added:

"Moreover... observing the young master's pulse, there's a deep-rooted cold condition, which needs these warming things for gradual treatment."

The second he finished, Cheng Ge started coughing violently, his thin shoulders trembling.

An unnatural flush spread across his pale face, making him look so pitiful.

"Deep-seated cold?!" Lei Biao latched onto that word, his heart feeling as if struck by something heavy.

He instantly remembered those nights when Cheng Ge warmed the bed for him first, then curled up on that hard wooden armchair...

So he'd had this cold problem all along, and he had warmed the bed for him every night without him ever thinking deeply about it.

A rush of guilt, gratitude, and fierce brotherly love hit Lei Biao.

He couldn't hold back anymore. He shot up, his voice steady and firm.

"Brother! Hang on! I'm going to the storeroom right now to grab all the cordyceps and deer antler for you.

Just tell me what you need. If it can heal you, I'll spend every last penny." With that, he turned to rush out.

"Big... Big Brother..." A cold hand gently pulled at his sleeve.

Cheng Ge had somehow opened his eyes again, his eyes shimmering with tears, full of emotion and reluctance.

"Don't... don't go to so much trouble for me... this worthless life of mine isn't worth it...

Those goodies should go to you to keep you strong... I can tough it out..."

His voice choked, every word dripping with brotherly devotion.

But the hand tugging at the sleeve trembled slightly, perfectly showing the torn feelings between "don't want to be a burden" and "want to live."

Seeing this, Lei Biao's heart ached even harder. He grabbed Cheng Ge's cold hand tightly, his own eyes glistening with tears: "Bullshit! You're my sworn brother in blood!

Your life is worth more than anything. Who counts the cost? Stuff lost can be earned back! If I lose a brother, where would I find another?

You just rest. I'll go get them right now."

He gently placed Cheng Ge's hand back under the quilt, tucking in the edges for him.

Then he turned and strode out, his steps quick and urgent, as if afraid that a moment's delay would endanger his brother's life.

When Lei Biao's footsteps faded away, Cheng Ge on the bed quietly cracked one eye open.

Then he yawned widely, turned over, and left the doctor with a round, full back of his head.

"I'm gonna nap a bit. Call me when the food's ready." After saying that, soon his steady breathing filled the room.

The doctor: "..."

---

Because Cheng Ge risked his life to save Lei Biao, his popularity and status in Axe Ridge is at an all-time high.

Not only does he have a concubine attending to him daily, while he sips the life-restoring soup made from that old wild ginseng, cordyceps, and deer antler,

but even Lei Biao's luxurious loft has been temporarily cleared out for him to recover.

Cheng Ge takes it all in stride; he either lies around drowsy and weak all day,

or sits in a self-made wheelchair to get some fresh air, pushed by three concubines within the stronghold's limited area.