Li Runyu and Yan Qiao hadn’t expected Gao-Yuan to be so bold, insisting on drinking it himself first!

The commander gazed at Gao-Yuan in surprise.

Wang Hanzhang spoke up, “I’ve heard that the most exquisite fish is none other than the pufferfish, and among pufferfish, the fork-tailed species is supreme. But the skin, bones, and blood of the fork-tailed pufferfish are incredibly toxic, and only a skilled chef can navigate around these poisonous parts to extract the most delicious meat.”

“Thus, there’s an old rule before a fork-tailed puffer is served—the chef takes the first bite to ensure that diners won’t be poisoned, displaying the chef’s absolute confidence in their knife skills.”

The commander nodded slightly, then asked Gao-Yuan, “Are you sure you won’t be poisoned?”

Gao-Yuan glanced back at Li Runyu and Yan Qiao, then said, “If I can’t steady my hand, how could I serve in the army? And if I can’t handle poisons, how can I call myself a doctor?”

The commander was taken aback by Gao-Yuan’s unshakeable confidence.

Li Runyu and Yan Qiao were fuming; Gao-Yuan’s words were aimed directly at them.

Li Runyu retorted loudly, “If the patient dies from poisoning, you’ll be held responsible!”

Gao-Yuan shot back, “If he’s poisoned, I’ll die first. Just watch; no need to worry yourself.”

“You!” Li Runyu’s neck bulged with frustration.

The commander frowned. Though he had little hope of Su Pingchuan’s recovery, he also didn’t want him to die immediately from poisoning. In his current condition, Su could at least hold on for a few more days, and that was his concern.

After some thought, the commander nodded, “Proceed.”

Yan Qiao grew tense. “Please reconsider.”

Having made his decision, the commander didn’t hesitate. In a firm voice, he said, “Proceed. There’s no better option now. In war, words are no trifles. Since you dare to make such a pledge, I’m willing to let you try!”

Li Shengli hurried down to fetch the herbs.

Li Runyu and Yan Qiao exchanged a glance, each shaking their heads. They wanted to persuade him otherwise, but seeing the decision, they could only stand back.

Finally, with Li Shengli gone to fetch the medicine, Gao-Yuan’s thoughts grew unsettled. He rubbed his face, exhausted, and said, “I’m going to wash up.”

Gao-Yuan headed outside.

“He’s not planning to flee, is he?” Yan Qiao whispered.

Miao Ran shot him a glare.

Wang Hanzhang looked his way as well.

Yan Qiao fell silent.

Qiao Zheng followed Gao-Yuan outside, watching as Gao-Yuan drew a bucket of water from the well and splashed it on his face, gasping for breath.

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“Dr. Gao, what’s wrong? You seem unusually tense today,” Qiao Zheng asked.

Gao-Yuan wiped his face; the icy water cleared his mind a little. He couldn’t help but smile bitterly. Today he was more on edge than usual—seeing Wen Hui at the clinic earlier had thrown him.

Reborn into this life, he strove to change his tragic fate and those of his loved ones—for his mother, for Wen Hui, for his children.

If he could, he wouldn’t dream of leaving Wen Hui behind.

No one could understand the pain he felt looking back at her as he left the clinic.

“Phew…” Gao-Yuan exhaled deeply, remaining silent until his emotions finally calmed. He dried his face with his sleeve, then told Qiao Zheng, “I’m fine.”

Still unconvinced, Qiao Zheng offered another reminder: “You really ought to be careful. If you end up killing a war hero, you’ll face the consequences.”

Gao-Yuan straightened his collar, tidying himself up, and said to Qiao Zheng, “Thank you. Don’t worry.”

Qiao Zheng shook his head slightly. He could tell Gao-Yuan wasn’t listening, but there was only so much he could say.

Back in the sickroom, Gao-Yuan quietly took a seat by Su Pingchuan’s side, watching over him.

Then, Li Shengli brought up the medicine.

All eyes turned to Gao-Yuan.

Gao-Yuan stood, his face calm. “I’ll drink it first.”

Seeing he was serious, Li Runyu and Yan Qiao blanched.

But the commander stopped Gao-Yuan. “Young doctor, if I’ve decided to use your prescription, it’s because I trust you. Since when do doctors taste their own medicine? How could a doctor treat patients if his heart grew cold?”

Looking at the commander, Gao-Yuan said sincerely, “Thank you.”

The commander extended a hand. “Let’s give Su Pingchuan the medicine.”

Gao-Yuan brought the bowl to Su Pingchuan, and with Li Shengli’s help, they fed him the medicine spoon by spoon.

Seeing Su Pingchuan drink it down, Li Runyu and Yan Qiao swallowed nervously.

Li Runyu whispered to Yan Qiao, “How can he be so confident? Could it really be safe?”

Yan Qiao shook his head. “Impossible. Decades ago, back in the late Qing era, I once prescribed a single mace of Sichuan aconite. The patient carelessly added a few more maces by accident and was immediately poisoned. No one was there to help, and he died instantly. Gao-Yuan’s dose is much higher—it can’t be safe. I swear on my fifty years of medical experience.”

Li Runyu nodded slightly.

After giving the patient the medicine, Gao-Yuan didn’t leave.

Li Runyu and Yan Qiao kept close watch, looking for any signs of poisoning.

Half an hour passed, and the patient showed no reaction.

Li Runyu shot Yan Qiao a suspicious look—hadn’t he sworn on fifty years of experience?

Yan Qiao tugged at his goat, nearly pulling it off in frustration. The two were even more anxious than Gao-Yuan.

After a while, they noticed Su Pingchuan’s eyes close, his head tilting to the side.

Yan Qiao’s hand jerked, pulling out a tuft of his beard. “He…he…”

Li Runyu clenched up, “This isn’t good.”

They rushed over to examine him but were met with a deep, steady snore.

“Snore…”

Their expressions froze.

“He’s…” Li Runyu stammered.

“Snoring?” Yan Qiao added.

Li Shengli looked at them. “What did you think?”

Other doctors looked at them with bewildered expressions.

They were dumbfounded.

The commander, hearing the noise, hurried over, “What’s happening to him?”

“He’s asleep,” Gao-Yuan replied.

The commander’s face lit up. “Asleep? And snoring?”

Gao-Yuan nodded slightly.

Li Shengli beamed, “See, Commander? I wasn’t exaggerating. Dr. Gao specialises in treating critical cases.”

Wang Hanzhang also smiled.

Li Runyu and Yan Qiao looked at each other, baffled. Their medical expertise didn’t seem to match this reality.

Gao-Yuan felt slightly at ease. “Same prescription; go fetch another dose and brew it.”

“Yes,” Li Shengli responded.

“More?” Yan Qiao was incredulous.

Li Shengli smirked, “What, still want to swear on your fifty years of experience?”

“I…” Yan Qiao was at a loss for words.

Gao-Yuan told Yan Qiao, “We won’t change an effective prescription. Get the same medicine, three times daily and once at night for four doses.”

Yan Qiao was stunned.

Li Runyu was speechless.

The two felt utterly defeated.

Li Runyu glanced at Gao-Yuan, at a loss. He wanted to echo Miao Ran’s disbelief, “How is this even possible?”

Yan Qiao could barely calculate how much Sichuan aconite and prepared aconite this fierce young man intended to administer in a single day.

The commander looked at Su, who was finally resting peacefully. He hadn’t slept this well in a long time. His confidence in Gao Yuan had grown considerably. Anxiously, he asked, “What are Su Pingchuan’s chances of survival?”

Gao-Yuan looked at Su Pingchuan and answered, “As long as I’m here, he won’t die.”