I started out with seven husbands, and I worked hard to support my family while crying.

Chapter 338: Healing and Saving Lives Does Not Discriminate Based on Gender

Stepping through the temple gate, a stench of decay assaulted the nostrils. Sunlight streamed weakly through the dilapidated roof and windows, casting a few dim, yellowish rays, in which dust swirled.

Many wounded soldiers lay sprawled on the ground, their painful groans echoing across the ground. Some had bloody, mangled wounds, while others were as pale as paper, barely breathing.

Upon seeing this scene, Fang Xiaoxiao's heart clenched, and her eyes instantly welled up with tears. Without thinking twice, she offered to help treat everyone's illnesses.

To his surprise, the lieutenant, seeing that she was a woman, frowned, his eyes widened, and his face was full of disbelief and contempt. He then sneered, "How could a woman possibly cure illnesses? Don't cause trouble here!" His lips curled down, and his eyes were full of doubt and disdain.

Fang Xiaoxiao was taken aback at first, then straightened her back, looked firmly at the deputy general, and a stubborn look appeared on her face: "Don't underestimate women. Healing and saving lives knows no gender!"

The lieutenant snorted coldly, crossed his arms, and turned his head away: "Hmph, you? Don't make things worse!" His face was full of distrust, and a mocking smile hung on the corner of his mouth.

At this moment, the leader of the troops looked at Fang Xiaoxiao, then at the deputy general, and said, "Why not let her try? The brothers' injuries can't be delayed any longer."

The lieutenant looked reluctant and muttered, "General, this..." But seeing the commander's resolute attitude, he said no more, only glaring fiercely at Fang Xiaoxiao.

Fang Xiaoxiao immediately got to work, not bothering to wipe the sweat from her forehead, her eyes focused and serious.

She first went to the side of a soldier who was seriously injured, squatted down, and gently peeled off his blood-stained bandages. The soldier gasped in pain, and Fang Xiaoxiao's brows furrowed, her face full of heartache.

She took out some herbs and simple tools from the bag she carried with her; her hands trembled slightly, but her movements remained gentle.

At first, the lieutenant stood aside, glancing sideways, occasionally letting out a cold snort, and constantly shaking his head.

But as Fang Xiaoxiao successfully treated several of the more serious wounds, the soldiers' groans of pain gradually subsided, and the deputy general's expression grew increasingly surprised. His mouth opened slightly, and his eyes widened.

When Fang Xiaoxiao stopped the bleeding of a seriously wounded soldier and relieved his pain, the deputy general finally couldn't help but say, "I didn't expect you to be so capable, woman." A hint of embarrassment appeared on his face, and his eyes showed more admiration.

Fang Xiaoxiao smiled slightly, without responding, and continued to focus on treating the injured, as if everything around her was irrelevant to her, and she had only one thought in her mind: to save lives.

But at this time, Fang Xiaoxiao discovered a big problem: a shortage of medicine.

She looked at the few remaining herbs for the wounded soldiers, her brows furrowed, her eyes filled with anxiety and worry.

So, without hesitation, she decided to go into the city alone to find medicine. Just as she was about to step out of the dilapidated temple with firm steps, the lieutenant rushed over like a bolt of lightning, his tall and sturdy body firmly blocking her way.

The lieutenant's face was filled with solemnity and worry; his usually resolute features now appeared even more serious.

His brows furrowed, forming a deep furrow, and his eyes revealed his genuine concern for Fang Xiaoxiao's safety.

He said loudly, "Young lady, it is too dangerous for a woman to go to the city alone!" His voice was deep and powerful, with an undeniable authority, as if he were issuing a military order.

Fang Xiaoxiao raised her head, met the worried gaze of the deputy general, and said firmly, "I am familiar with the city. If we don't go to find medicine now, the soldiers' injuries will only get worse."

The lieutenant gritted his teeth, his cheek muscles bulging slightly, revealing his inner turmoil.

He clenched his fists, seemingly trying his best to control his emotions, and said, "But we don't know what the situation is in this city now; danger lurks everywhere."

"Young lady, you are alone and vulnerable. What if something happens to you? How can I face the general, and how can I live with myself?"

His words contained a calm analysis of the current situation, admiration for her courageous actions, and deep concern for her safety.

Fang Xiaoxiao gently pushed away the deputy general's hand, her gaze still unwavering, and said, "I appreciate the general's kindness, but saving lives is urgent and cannot be delayed any longer. Every moment of delay increases the danger. I will certainly act carefully and return safely."

The lieutenant looked at her resolute back, a complex light of helplessness and admiration flashing in his eyes.

He sighed deeply, straightened his back, as if he had made up his mind, and said, "Fine, since you are so determined, I will send two elite soldiers with you to ensure your safety!" His voice echoed in the dilapidated temple, revealing his decisiveness and sense of responsibility.

Meanwhile, in the dark and damp prison of the Dounan County Prefect, a stench of decay and blood permeated the air. The torches on the walls flickered weakly, making the scene inside the cell even more sinister and terrifying.

Pei Yan knelt beside his mentor, the prefect, gazing at his mentor's body, ravaged beyond recognition by the monk Hua, his heart aching as if pierced by a thousand arrows, unable to breathe. His eyes were bloodshot, and tears streamed uncontrollably down his face, dripping onto the filthy ground.

Pei Yan's mentor lay weakly on the cold, withered grass, his wounds shocking to behold, each scar like a knife mark etched into Pei Yan's heart.

However, despite suffering such inhuman torture, when the mentor looked at Pei Yan, he still tried his best to force that familiar and warm smile.

"Pei Yan..." His master's voice was so weak it was almost inaudible, as if it came from a distant place, "I'm afraid I won't make it. If you can escape, help me find a woman and a girl in Dianchi County. That woman... is the person I owe the most in my life."

He had to expend a great deal of effort to utter each word, and his breath grew weaker and weaker.

Pei Yan held his mentor's withered hand tightly, as if he could transfer his strength to his mentor and help him get through this difficult time.

He nodded frantically, his voice trembling with grief: "My dear teacher, rest assured, I will do it even if it costs me my life!"

The light in my mentor's eyes gradually faded, and the look that had once held a hint of expectation dimmed.

He laboriously pulled out a warm jade pendant and fifteen taels of silver from his pocket. The jade pendant still emitted a soft luster in the dim light.

“Take this…” His mentor’s hands trembled as he handed these things to Pei Yan.