In the hospital ward, all available doctors were examining Su Pingchuan, including most of the county hospital staff.

Standing in the back, Yan Qiao and Li Runyu hadn’t yet had their turn to assess the patient. As directors of the county’s two affiliated clinics, they were known as the top traditional medicine practitioners in the county, so they were often called for any major case.

Despite being colleagues, they maintained icy expressions towards each other. Yan Qiao was still holding a grudge. They had originally agreed to ostracise Gao-Yuan together, but Li Runyu had backstabbed him. For his part, Li Runyu, not known for his tolerance, saw no need to initiate any cordiality either.

Their glares at each other had practically become a part of the scenery.

Dr. Qiao finished examining the patient, administered some oxygen, and began leafing through the medical records with a heavy expression. Although he had prepared himself mentally, reading the records firsthand made him acutely aware of his helplessness.

Miao Ran noticed the two bickering practitioners, Yan Qiao and Li Runyu, and asked, “Would you two like to conduct your traditional medicine assessment?”

Both looked up at her.

Li Runyu replied icily, “Are you questioning our role here?”

Yan Qiao added, “Assess? Do you think we came here to sightsee?”

They exchanged a glance, momentarily united in their blunt replies.

Miao Ran blinked in surprise, then flared up. “I was just trying to be considerate. Is that such a problem?”

Li Runyu responded with detachment, “We were simply answering your question.”

“And why are you so worked up?” Yan Qiao added.

Miao Ran, fuming, looked like she was going to explode.

The other doctors, used to her tendency to clash with people, simply shook their heads. She often got on everyone’s nerves; it was no surprise she got pushback now.

She glared at the two, thoughts drifting to Gao-Yuan—so much more easygoing than these two!

Before the argument could escalate, Dr. Qiao interjected, “Leadership is just outside.”

The bickering subsided.

Just then, Wang Hanzhang and a high-ranking officer walked into the ward. Wang glared at the doctors, his expression severe; he had overheard their arguing. Had the officer not been present, he would have berated them already.

Yan Qiao and Li Runyu, mindful of the higher-ups, finally stepped forward to assess the patient. Both furrowed their brows as soon as they started; Su Pingchuan’s condition was worse than they’d anticipated.

Suppressing his frustration, Wang Hanzhang asked, “How is Comrade Su’s condition?”

Neither wanted to speak first.

Wang sighed and said, “Dr. Li, you go first. Be direct.”

Stolen novel; please report.

He then turned to the officer and explained, “This is Dr. Li, the county’s most skilled traditional medicine practitioner, and beside him is Dr. Yan, deputy chair of our medical association, with over fifty years of experience.”

The officer nodded at both men. “Please, be straightforward.”

Li Runyu finally spoke up: “Well, the patient has severe cold stagnation penetrating deep into the blood. Put simply, it’s as if he’s frozen solid from the inside out.”

He trailed off, hesitant to continue.

The officer nodded grimly. “It’s not surprising. In the Korean War, temperatures reached extreme lows. Many of our soldiers froze to death, and we even saw entire ‘ice sculpture’ units... Su Pingchuan and his comrades displayed remarkable tenacity.

“They defended their post for seventy-two hours without retreating an inch. Su barely survived but sustained extreme frostbite; his condition has steadily worsened. We tried various treatments after his return, but none succeeded, and his health has only deteriorated.”

Wang Hanzhang glanced at Dr. Yan.

Yan shook his head slightly, looking troubled.

Wang asked, “Is there any way to stabilise Comrade Su’s life?”

Yan’s face showed hesitation.

Li Runyu, who usually refused cases with less than a 60% success rate, shook his head.

The officer’s face fell.

Suddenly, Dr. Qiao, close to Su Pingchuan, leaned in, hearing Su mumbling something faintly.

“What is it, Pingchuan? Do you want to say something?” The officer leaned in, listening intently.

In a voice barely audible, Su Pingchuan whispered, “Commander, don't waste medicine on me. Save it for those who need it more. I know I’m not going to make it. I want to be with my old comrades again. I have two last requests.”

The officer’s voice softened. “Tell me. I’ll do everything I can.”

Struggling, Su touched his chest, every word stabbing at him with pain. “Our unit…may be gone, but please…keep our unit number alive. We’re iron-willed men who didn’t fall to the Americans. Rebuild our unit…tell our story.”

The officer’s eyes reddened; only those who had been on the battlefield knew the weight of this honour. “Yes, I promise you. I promise.”

A faint smile crossed Su Pingchuan’s face. “If it's not too much trouble, please bury me by the riverbank at Wuyun Ridge in Xin Village. It’s where our unit passed, where I enlisted. I can’t forget that place. I want to keep walking with the troops in my next life.”

The officer wiped his eyes with the back of his hand.

Suddenly, Su clutched his chest in agony.

“Pingchuan, what’s wrong?” the officer asked anxiously.

Dr. Qiao intervened. “It’s angina. Get the nitroglycerin!”

The doctors hurried into action.

The officer, torn with worry, turned to Wang Hanzhang and asked, “Where is that traditional doctor you mentioned, the one skilled in treating cold syndromes?”

“He’s at the Zhang Village Clinic—his name is Gao-Yuan,” Wang replied.

Yan and Li faltered, thinking, Gao-Yuan again?

Dr. Qiao, however, looked thrilled. “Yes, how could we forget Dr. Gao? He might be able to help.”

The officer watched in confusion as the doctors lit up at the mention of Gao-Yuan.

Yan scoffed, “This is beyond what the province’s experts can handle. How can one rural doctor make a difference?”

The officer sighed, well aware of the dangers of holding onto unrealistic hopes.

Miao Ran seized the moment and countered, “That’s not fair to say. Remember Vice Principal Hu Xingyan’s youngest son from our county high school? He was discharged from the provincial hospital in critical condition, practically on the verge of death. And it was Dr. Gao who saved him! Dr. Li, weren’t you there that day? You even said it would take nothing less than divine intervention to save him. Have you forgotten?”

Li Runyu gasped, the veins in his neck bulging.

The officer, surprised, asked, “Really? There’s a doctor this skilled?”

Wang Hanzhang, equally taken aback, had not heard of this case before. Once again, Dr. Gao-Yuan had managed to surprise him.

“Yes, Dr. Gao is exceptionally talented,” he quickly confirmed. “I suggest we call him in to help with this treatment.”

The other county hospital doctors nodded in agreement.

“Alright,” the officer replied decisively.

But Li Runyu interrupted, “But Dr. Gao has serious political issues. Is it really appropriate to call him in to treat a war hero?”

The officer frowned, looking over.

Miao Ran sneered, “You’re clever, aren’t you? You’re quick to shift blame when your skills fall short, and then look for other ways to discredit him.”

This jab startled the officer. Wasn’t Dr. Li supposed to be the best traditional doctor in the county?

Wang Hanzhang was even baffled. When had Gao-Yuan surpassed him? And why hadn’t anyone told him?