His entire family perished in battle; he rose from the ashes to conquer the world.

Sweat beaded on his pale face, but his eyes shone with an astonishing brightness. "If... someone were to speak out of turn and it got out... the new commander-in-chief would collapse after uttering just a few harsh words... and this army would be beyond saving."

Qin Hongxiu was both angry and amused, her chest heaving: "At a time like this, you're still thinking about saving face?"

"No...it's not a matter of face, it's about people's hearts." Mu Yuan gasped for breath, gripping Qin Hongxiu's slender wrist tightly. He wouldn't let go no matter what: "Quickly go back...back to the Mu Prince's Mansion, and ask your second sister-in-law to come here."

Qin Hongxiu was stunned.

Second sister-in-law Su Wanqing comes from the Su family, renowned for their medical skills. She is considered by many in the city and even the military to be a reincarnation of Bian Que (a legendary Chinese physician). Going to her is indeed a thousand times more reliable than going to an ordinary doctor.

"Don't die, or I'll just have to settle things with you and your brothers!"

Qin Hong spoke ruthlessly through her sleeve, pried his hands off, and immediately fled like the wind. The tent fell silent.

After an unknown amount of time, the tent flap was lifted once again.

A cold wind blew in, carrying a unique, subtle fragrance, seemingly the scent of medicine, yet also like a natural body odor...

Su Wanqing was dressed in a spotless white robe. She wore a bamboo hat and carried a small wooden box in her delicate hand.

She walked very fast, but her expression showed no sign of panic. Qin Hongxiu followed behind her anxiously.

"Second sister, come and see him!" Qin Hongxiu pointed at Mu Yuan on the bed, her tone filled with an urgency she herself didn't realize.

Su Wanqing walked a few steps to the bedside without saying a word.

She first carefully observed Mu Yuan's expression. Her usually gentle and mild eyes narrowed slightly. Then, she extended her fair, jade-like fingers and gently tapped Mu Yuan's wrist.

The tent was completely silent for a moment, with only the faint sound of breathing.

Mu Yuan tried his best to open his eyes and looked at the gentle woman.

In his memory, his second sister-in-law was always quiet and methodical, always brewing herbal medicine and mending wounds, like a beautiful painting of a lady from Jiangnan.

However, Mu Yuan's observation skills were not to be underestimated. Soon, he noticed the sharp glint in her eyes.

I'm afraid my second sister-in-law isn't as simple as she seems.

After a moment, Su Wanqing withdrew her hand.

"Are you alright?" Qin Hongxiu asked anxiously.

Su Wanqing did not answer. Instead, she took out a roll of silver needles from the box, picked it up casually, and made a move as fast as lightning, leaving only a blur in front of her.

Puff, puff, puff.

With a few soft clicks, three tiny silver needles were precisely inserted into Mu Yuan's acupoints, without the slightest deviation.

Mu Yuan felt a cool sensation pour down from his temples, and his head, which was about to explode, suddenly felt much more comfortable.

"My brother-in-law has a congenital illness that weakens his body. These past two days, he has been severely exhausted, which has triggered his old ailment and caused his qi and blood to decline even more." Su Wanqing slowly put away the silver needles and said unhurriedly, "In plain terms, his body can't withstand such a huge drain."

Mu Yuan secretly praised his second sister-in-law, saying that she was quite capable and had figured out the truth in a short time.

"What should we do? He has military training tomorrow!" Qin Hongxiu exclaimed anxiously, "If he goes like this, isn't he just sending himself to his death?!"

Upon hearing this, Su Wan's usually gentle eyes turned stern. She stared at Mu Yuan and said, "Brother-in-law, your sister-in-law is right. In your current state, if you continue to overwork yourself like this, let alone physical training, you might even die suddenly after running a couple more laps. As a doctor, my suggestion is that you return to the Prince's Mansion immediately to recuperate and obtain some rare medicinal herbs to prolong your life. There is still a glimmer of hope."

"But... but what if I don't do that?" Mu Yuan lay on the bed, his voice weak, but he showed no intention of turning back.

"Not doing that?" Su Wanqing seemed amused, her delicate body trembling slightly, amusement on her pretty face. "Then we'll just have to prepare a fine coffin in advance. Your brothers are still waiting in the mourning hall; it would be perfect if you went, making sure everyone is accounted for?"

These words were rather harsh, completely unlike the gentle and mild-mannered second sister-in-law she usually was.

Mu Yuan laughed, but soon, he coughed up blood and foam from his mouth, staining his pale face and making him look indescribably strange.

After finally stopping coughing, he looked directly into Su Wanqing's eyes: "I've heard that the Su family's secret technique, 'Taiwei Nine Needles Flow,' can heal the dead and restore flesh to bones. As its inheritor, I don't believe you can't cure a weak person."

Su Wanqing's eyes suddenly sharpened.

"How did you know?" Her voice was icy.

The Su family of Langya has indeed passed down medical skills over the generations, but they are always passed down to men, not women. Su Wanru secretly learned them, and this matter has always been kept extremely confidential. Even her deceased husband did not know about it. How could this eighth son, who has always been bedridden, know about it?

Su Wanqing, of course, had no idea that Mu Yuan had only deduced the truth based on Su Wanqing's previous actions and the rumors about the Su family in the original owner's memories, in order to trick her first.

"How I found out isn't important now." Mu Yuan gasped for breath. "In the current situation, the Mu family absolutely cannot do without me. What will happen to the Mu family if I fall? What will happen to you, sisters-in-law? And what about those hundreds of thousands of soldiers? Second sister-in-law, you don't want to just watch the Mu family perish, do you?"

Su Wanqing couldn't help but stare at him for a long time.

Previously, this younger brother-in-law didn't even dare to look his sisters-in-law in the eye, but now he seems to have become a stranger to them.

His tone and demeanor clearly resembled that of a lone wolf; even though he was severely injured, his imposing presence remained undiminished.

After a moment, she sighed deeply, the cold smile on her lips fading. She returned to her usual gentle and delicate self as the second sister-in-law.

"If you don't value your own life, of course I can't stop you."

As she spoke, she opened the hidden compartment at the bottom of the medicine box, took out a white porcelain bottle, poured out a jet-black pill, and held it to Mu Yuan's lips.

"This substance is called 'Marrow-Sucking Powder,' and its medicinal properties are potent. After taking it, it can unleash the potential within your body, making you physically strong and free from fatigue and pain within a day. However, after the effects wear off, you will suffer double the pain, probably several times more than you are now. Furthermore, each time you take this medicine, it will deplete your lifespan."

Upon hearing this, Qin Hongxiu's face turned deathly pale, and she reached out to stop him.

But Mu Yuan did not hesitate. He struggled to raise his head, his Adam's apple bobbed, and he actually swallowed the marrow-absorbing powder.

It's as easy as swallowing a delicious meal.

"Brother Yuan!" Qin Hongxiu cried out in disbelief.

Mu Yuan closed his eyes and felt a surge of heat rising in his lower abdomen. The heat rapidly expanded and intensified, gradually spreading like scorching magma and rushing into every part of his body. Wherever it went, the chronic illness in his body vanished swiftly and irrevocably.