Shangguan Wen waved his hand with a hint of annoyance. "Alright, alright, cut the nonsense. We finally have a chance to rest, and you're still bickering. Do you want to set off now?"
His words instantly silenced the previously chattering and laughing group.
The burly man's embarrassment was evident. "No, no, no, we won't set off. The Commander-in-Chief is right, your subordinate was wrong."
The refined man chimed in, "It is my fault as well. I won't joke anymore."
With that, the two began to organize their belongings, preparing for their rest and the journey ahead the next day.
Bai Xi watched Shangguan Wen without speaking.
He Mu, however, used his flushed red hand to offer the wine Bai Xi had given him earlier to Shangguan Wen. "Being in good spirits is also an important factor for good health. The journey through the Ice Ridge Mountains is arduous; relaxing appropriately will help overcome future challenges."
Due to Bai Xi, Shangguan Wen had disliked He Mu from the start. The growing concern his subordinates showed for He Mu further fueled his aversion to the man before him.
He did not accept the wine from He Mu. Instead, he stated coldly, "Doctor He is considering the situation from a physician's perspective, while I am looking at these issues from my position as the Commander-in-Chief of Island City. Naturally, our thoughts and methods will differ. Furthermore, everyone in the Island City Defense Department is firm in their resolve and possesses high stress tolerance; their emotions do not affect their performance."
He then turned to the people he had brought. "All personnel of the Island City border defense force, replenish your energy and rest early to prepare for tomorrow!"
"Yes!"
The simultaneous reply echoed almost instantly.
The faces of the Island City Defense Department personnel grew serious. They either quietly gnawed on their rations by the bonfire or began organizing their cold-weather sleeping bags near the flames.
Shangguan Wen swept a casual glance over his people. He gave He Mu a slight bow, acknowledging him, and then walked away into the distance.
Seeing this, He Mu said no more. He smiled as the border defense personnel moved away, slowly retracted the wine flask he was holding, opened the lid, and took another sip.
This time, he seemed to have adjusted somewhat and did not choke.
The spicy taste still spread slowly in his mouth.
After drinking a couple of gulps, he turned the wine flask back towards Bai Xi. "Thank you, Miss Bai."
Bai Xi had watched the confrontation between Shangguan Wen and He Mu without saying much earlier. Now, as he returned the wine, she said, "Doctor He, please keep this flask. If you feel cold, a sip might prevent frostbite."
He Mu did not refuse. "In that case, thank you, Miss Bai."
Bai Xi looked at He Mu before her.
This man was clearly capable. When all the famous doctors Island City had hired with great expense couldn't find a way to detoxify, he had found an opportunity.
This man was clearly kind and gentle. No matter who was injured or in pain, regardless of their status or the severity of their condition, he always treated them with utmost care to alleviate their suffering.
This man even bore so many resemblances to a figure from her memory, repeatedly bringing back those painful memories that gave her headaches.
Yet, why was it that whenever she saw him, she couldn't bring herself to like him?
Even... she felt a strong sense of aversion.
This feeling, which hadn't been as intense when they first met, had only emerged recently.
Could it be that this dislike stemmed from the person her brother had mentioned before... who had wronged her?
She had never liked to implicate the innocent. Such a pointless transfer of anger...
Bai Xi furrowed her brow slightly and said calmly, "The Commander-in-Chief has his own way of doing things, Doctor He. You needn't take it to heart. If you can truly cure the poison affecting the people of Island City, Miss Bai will certainly deliver the promised bounty in full, and even double it."
Although defining a person's worth by money was vulgar, everyone's life was inseparable from these vulgarities. Forcing someone valuable and capable, who had helped countless others, to endure poverty and hardship was truly absurd.
It was like Xue Huai.
He could have his integrity and beliefs, but she couldn't let him be left with only integrity and beliefs.
One should not let those who bring fire for others freeze to death in the wind and snow.
He Mu looked at Bai Xi, his eyes gentle, as if emotions were stirring within him.
After a long moment, he slowly lowered his head. The glass of his metal-rimmed spectacles reflected a gleam, the faint red light cast by the bonfire: "Miss Bai, I am not offering my help because I covet the generous reward."
Bai Xi frowned slightly.
After all, wanting money was the simplest, purest, and easiest thing for someone to desire.
If he wanted something else, it would be relatively more difficult to achieve.
But it was alright; merit deserved reward.
After a moment's hesitation, she said, "I know Doctor He is noble and eager to save lives, concerned for the patients suffering from poisoning. However, that bounty is what Doctor He deserves, and you need not refuse it. Or perhaps... if Doctor He has any other needs, you can tell me, and I will do my best to fulfill them as long as I can."
It was like Xue Huai needing a better hospital.
If He Mu were to truly save the people of Island City, and if his wishes could not be met with cash, perhaps they could be realized by leveraging the influence of Island City and the Dark Department.
He Mu's hands were still somewhat red, as if not fully recovered. At this moment, he slowly raised his gaze, his eyes holding a subtle determination and seriousness. "Miss Bai, I wish to be with you."
With those words, the entire cave fell silent.
Only the sound of burning wood cracking could be heard: "crack..."
The next second, Shangguan Wen leaped up. "What did you say? How dare you covet the Eldest Miss!"
Although there had been rumors of the God of War having a past romance with a doctor, he could tell it definitely wasn't this He Mu.
While the Eldest Miss was polite in her words to him, there was no intimacy.
And as they had traveled together, he had vaguely sensed He Mu's wolfish ambitions towards the Eldest Miss.
What was this He Mu's status, and what was his appearance, that he dared to harbor such desires for the Eldest Miss, showing no respect? Even he, having climbed through hardships to reach the position of Commander-in-Chief of the Island City border defense force, only dared to admire and worship her silently in his heart. How could this insignificant doctor dare!
Who gave him the audacity!
For a moment, the atmosphere in the entire cave turned tense due to Shangguan Wen's outburst.
He Mu smiled and stood up. "Commander-in-Chief Shangguan must have misunderstood my intentions. I am not coveting anything I shouldn't, I merely wish to stay by the Eldest Miss's side, to be of use to her, to be hers."
Such a statement... was still ambiguous.
Between two men, it was the most sincere form of following.
But between a man and a woman, it inexplicably became ambiguous.
Shangguan Wen frowned. "Doctor He, it would be best to speak clearly to avoid misunderstandings."
He Mu merely smiled and looked at Bai Xi.
At this moment, Bai Xi spoke directly. "I agree."
Staying by her side meant joining the Dark Department.
Having a skilled military doctor in the Dark Department was not a major issue.
It was just, when he had said he wanted to be with her earlier, why had she experienced a moment of headache again, and even faintly glimpsed a figure.
That name, which had appeared countless times around her, yet she could never recall it – Han Mo?