Chapter 31
Chapter 31
Did Big Dummy's family really not have the money to treat him? It was clear his father wasn't penniless, but had abandoned him because he was unwilling to spend a large sum.
"How long have you been lying here?"
Big Dummy tried to bend his fingers to count, but he couldn't even lift his hand. It was an unimaginable state for someone who was once so strong.
"One hand isn't enough..."
Big Dummy said. His words meant he had been abandoned in this mountain valley for more than six days, surviving on rainwater to cling to life. His family had left him to bleed out, quietly hoping he would close his eyes for good.
Shen Lang assessed the extent of Big Dummy's injuries. Five ribs were broken, and he had internal damage to his liver, stomach, and lungs. The only silver lining was that the broken ribs hadn't pierced any organs. Though his condition was critical, he could definitely make a full recovery if they spent the money to treat him.
Big Dummy looked at Shen Lang and smiled.
"Little Dummy, I'm going to die soon. I used to worry about you being bullied, but now you seem different. I can rest easy."
After saying that, he gently closed his eyes, his breathing growing fainter. Big Dummy still had a lingering attachment to life, but he wasn't afraid of dying. He was just heartbroken.
"No, you're not going to die. I won't let you die. I'll save you and take you with me."
Shen Lang took a slice of ginseng from his robes and placed it in Big Dummy's mouth. But Big Dummy's eyes remained lifeless, showing no will to live. It is said that there is no greater sorrow than despair. From the moment his father abandoned him, he no longer wanted to live.
He had been mistreated by his parents since childhood. He never ate his fill and was met with cold indifference from his family, yet Big Dummy believed his father simply didn't know how to express his love. Despite his enormous appetite, which set him apart from ordinary people due to his large frame, he ate only the bare minimum and worked desperately hard every day, all to earn his father's approval.
But when Big Dummy was seriously injured while saving his younger brother, his father abandoned him. Only then did he realize that his father truly did not love him.
Shen Lang lightly tapped Big Dummy's face and said loudly.
"Big Dummy, I'm still getting bullied. I need you to help me."
As if by reflex, Big Dummy flailed his arms, trying to embrace Shen Lang.
"Big Dummy, you can't die like this. You have to prove to your father how amazing you are and make him regret not recognizing your worth."
Shen Lang's words were a direct echo of Big Dummy's own heart. He stared blankly for a moment, then nodded with all his might. Big Dummy muttered to himself.
"That's right, I have to show Father how useful I am. I'll prove that I can take care of him when he's old. I can't die like this. I have to look after my father."
Even in this state, Big Dummy was thinking of his father. Shen Lang was at a loss for words.
"Move him into the carriage."
The two guards from the Count's estate were startled, but they nodded and replied.
"Yes!"
The two of them carried Big Dummy into the carriage.
***
Returning to Big Dummy's home, Shen Lang stared at his mother with an icy expression. In response, Big Dummy's mother gave an awkward grin and said.
"We didn't have the money to treat him, so we had no choice. Besides, everyone who lives in the mountains does this. We're not the only ones."
Just then, Big Dummy's half-brother sneered.
"Hmph! Who cares if a fool like that dies? You're no different."
Without another word, Shen Lang suddenly stepped forward and kicked him.
"Agh!"
Big Dummy's brother let out a wretched scream and rolled on the ground. Big Dummy's stepmother shrieked.
"Shen Lang, what do you think you're doing? Just because you're the Xu Clan's live-in son-in-law, you think you can run wild? I'll report you! I'll report you!"
She didn't yet know that Shen Lang had become the live-in son-in-law of the Count's estate.
"Consider yourself lucky. I don't hit women."
At the same time, he grabbed a wooden basin and elegantly filled it with water.
"As I said, I don't hit women."
After speaking, Shen Lang grabbed her by the head and shoved it into the water.
"Gurgle, gurgle."
The vicious woman struggled desperately, but she couldn't break free. The two guards from the Count's estate witnessed the scene and flinched slightly, but said nothing. After a moment, Shen Lang grabbed her hair and pulled her head out of the water. She gasped for air, coughed, and finally burst into loud sobs.
"For the past few days, Big Dummy must have waited for death in this same state of despair after being abandoned by you. I just wanted you to know what that feels like. If you want revenge on me, I'll be waiting. When your husband returns, tell him I'm at the Count of Xuanwu's Estate, and he can come find me anytime."
After speaking, Shen Lang left as if nothing had happened. He took Big Dummy and returned to the Count of Xuanwu's Estate.
***
As the sun began to set, Shen Lang hurried back to the estate. Since yesterday, he had been able to pass through the mountaintop fortress where the estate was located without being stopped. But suddenly, someone blocked his path.
"Halt!"
His name was Jin Zheng, commander of the estate's inner guard. He held the rank of Deputy Chiliarch and oversaw the Centurions. He had also been a candidate for the position of live-in son-in-law. Having grown up in the estate since childhood, his martial skills were formidable. He was skilled enough to pass the military examinations but had sworn to never leave the estate for his entire life.
This was because he was one of the many who were infatuated with Jin Mulan. Thus, his gaze towards Shen Lang was complex and cold. If he had lost to Wang Lian or Mo Ye, he would have had nothing to say. If he had lost to Jin Shiying, his heart would have ached, but he would have offered his sincere congratulations. After all, Jin Shiying was his idol, his elder brother, and a fine example. But to lose to Shen Lang of all people...
Jin Zheng dared not harbor any resentment toward Jin Mulan, his goddess and master. However, his contempt and disdain for Shen Lang remained.
'The nerve of you, Shen Lang! A country bumpkin like you, who knows where you crawled out from, becoming Lady Mulan's husband? Weren't you kicked out of the Xu Clan for your greed, for stealing their wealth and harassing a maidservant? Not even three days have passed, and now you've wormed your way into the Count's estate as a live-in son-in-law... Is there anyone in this world more shameless and vain than you?'
Even though Shen Lang was now the estate's live-in son-in-law, Jin Zheng couldn't suppress his hostility and contempt for him.
"Who are you to suddenly block my path?"
Seeing Shen Lang act like a master, Jin Zheng's anger flared, and he said coldly.
"I've blocked your path because I must inspect what's inside the carriage. We cannot allow just anything to be brought into the Count's estate."
Big Dummy was so heavy that Jin Zheng could tell at a glance that there was something weighty in the carriage. The guards couldn't disobey Jin Zheng's order, so they lifted the carriage curtain. Jin Zheng frowned upon seeing a blood-soaked man who looked to be on the verge of death.
"Shen Lang, you have some nerve. You may have become the estate's live-in son-in-law, but what right do you have to bring people into the estate as you please? Do you think this is your backyard?"
Jin Zheng was not wrong. The status of a live-in son-in-law was only slightly higher than that of a servant, a half-master at best. Shen Lang had no right to bring outsiders into the estate at will.
"Men, throw this unidentified man out."
At Jin Zheng's command, two guards behind him stepped forward, ready to toss out the barely breathing Big Dummy.
Shen Lang swiftly drew his sword and said.
"Who dares make a move? Touch this injured man, and I will not stand for it. If you're not afraid of the consequences, then go ahead and try!"
For a moment, no one dared to touch Big Dummy. Shen Lang then ordered the two guards behind him.
"Carry this injured man inside."
The two guards who had followed Shen Lang home looked at each other, unsure whose command to follow. Shen Lang was the Count's son-in-law, but Jin Zheng was their superior.
Jin Zheng said coldly, "Shen Lang, unfortunately, you are not a master of this estate, so you are not in a position to give orders. What are you two waiting for? Throw this unidentified outsider out at once!"
Shen Lang stared at Jin Zheng for a long moment, then nodded and said.
"Fine. Then I will take my brother to Xuanwu City for treatment."
As soon as he finished speaking, he sat in the driver's seat and turned the horse, preparing to head for Xuanwu City. Just then, the Count and Jin Mulan appeared in the distance. Jin Zheng stepped forward and said.
"My Lord, My Lady. Master Shen was attempting to bring a stranger into the estate, so I stopped him. It is against the rules."
The Count of Xuanwu frowned and asked.
"Shen Lang, what is going on?"
"The man in the carriage is my only friend. His life is in danger, so I wished to bring him into the estate to treat his wounds. But if that's not possible, I will take him to Xuanwu City for treatment."
The Count's estate had a large stock of medicinal herbs needed to treat Big Dummy, making it the most suitable place for his recovery. Upon hearing Shen Lang's words, the Count immediately ordered.
"Quickly, go and fetch Doctor An. Saving a life comes first."
"I'll do it."
Shen Lang was moved by Jin Mulan. In that moment, nothing was more beautiful than her. She was apologizing to him through her actions. He could read the meaning in her eyes.
'I'm sorry, husband. I've caused you trouble.'
Just then, Jin Zheng spoke up from the side of the road.
"Lady Jin, Shen Lang's actions violate the rules. Bringing an outsider into the estate without permission poses a potential threat to our safety. Furthermore, he even drew his sword and threatened us. What could be more malicious than this?"
Hearing his words, Jin Mulan put Big Dummy down. She said nothing, walked up to Jin Zheng, and immediately drew her whip, lashing out fiercely.
*Crack.*
"...!"
Unable to believe what was happening, Jin Zheng's face changed drastically. Lady Jin Mulan had always cherished the estate's soldiers as if they were her own children, and she placed great trust in Jin Zheng, one of her chief officers. Yet, she had just whipped him in front of the other soldiers, all for Shen Lang... Shen Lang's status was lower than his own, a man who had grown up in the estate. At best, he was a temporary puppet of a son-in-law. So why?
Jin Mulan said coldly.
"I struck you for two reasons. First, you stood by while a man was dying instead of trying to save him. That goes against the principles of our estate. Second, Shen Lang is my husband, which makes him your master as well. Your attitude lacks respect. Correct your behavior from now on."
Jin Zheng's face trembled slightly as he bowed his head and said.
"This subordinate will bear it in mind."
Seeing nothing more to be said, Jin Mulan coldly turned and entered the estate with Shen Lang. Inside, the estate's physician, An Jaese, was already waiting, having heard the news. He quickly examined Big Dummy's body and said.
"From the looks of it, his ribs are broken, and he has suffered internal injuries to his organs. There's also bleeding in his lungs, stomach, liver, and elsewhere."
Shen Lang was impressed. Doctor An's medical skills were truly profound. Without any special abilities like his own, he had accurately assessed Big Dummy's condition at a glance. Shen Lang had thought the internal bleeding and bruised areas would be difficult to diagnose, and he had been prepared to treat Big Dummy alongside the doctor if he couldn't make a proper diagnosis.
Doctor An carefully examined the external wounds, marking Big Dummy's body with a brush.
"This wasn't caused by a martial arts master, but by a tiger. The external and internal wounds correspond, so it's not difficult to pinpoint the areas of bleeding. First, we must drain the blood, then set the broken ribs."