Chapter 22 High-Risk Specimen

Chapter 22 High-Risk Specimen

No one else understood, evidently only Jue had grasped the meaning behind Jing Rong's words.

Seeing the man before him turned red from head to toe, Jing Rong chuckled and waved his hand before making for the infirmary tent.

Only Jue’s gaze lingered despite himself on his departing figure. After a long moment, he lowered his head and chuckled low, saying, "Let’s go, we have a meeting to attend."

Everyone else obeyed and went inside, but Jue remained standing there, spaced out. You Tier glanced back at him. "Leader?"

Jue finally rubbed his forehead and regained his usual commanding presence. "Let’s go."

626 said, "Hey, don’t you think you’re kinda like that…"

Jing Rong bent down, examining a blade of grass in the snow. "Like what?"

626 said, "A kingdom-toppling temptress."

After saying this, 626 couldn’t help but burst into laughter in the chat interface.

Jing Rong replied, "I wouldn't go that far."

But he laughed too, and the pair burst out laughing together.

The military preparations in Jieke Town were nearing completion.

Everything was progressing faster than anyone had anticipated. As Jue reorganized the teams, reassigning guards, logistics teams, and recon units, many Orc soldiers and people from Flaming Isle set aside their prejudices and joined the integrated units.

Jue’s leadership and command presence were unmatched. In just a few days, the former POW camp had transformed into a functioning township. Everyone rescued—regardless of former side—was assigned housing and supplies. All those fit for duty worked together to prepare for winter while also regrouping into a new strike force.

This unit was estimated to consist of around forty members, each carefully selected by Jue. Together, they would board the westward-bound train to join the western campaign.

The next morning, 626 asked Jing Rong, "When do you plan to set off?"

Jing Rong said, "Soon. This winter will keep us busy."

626 whistled. "I like this kind of busyness too."

Jing Rong plucked a small piece of the grass in his hand, examining the serrated edges and veins of the leaf. "I think it’s good too."

He brushed aside the snow before him. Even in winter, patches of green grass remained. He gathered some and tucked them into his pocket.

Just as he stood up, Jing Rong saw You Tier—who should have still been in the meeting—rush out. Moments later, Jue emerged from the tent as well.

They had been in meetings all night and finally had a brief respite at dawn.

"Sir."

You Tier’s eyes shone with disbelief as he waved a memo excitedly in his hand, asking in astonishment, "The leader said you want me to continue serving as the guerrilla captain?"

Jing Rong nodded. "Yes. You’re excellent, and I believe the new guerrilla unit still needs you."

"This is… this is incredible." You Tier was so overwhelmed he could barely speak. "But I… I’m so sorry for injuring you…"

"No need to apologize. Conflicts often precede comradeship." Jing Rong smiled at him. "Besides, you’re a sharpshooter with perfect aim."

You Tier froze, his voice dropping. "I used to be. But ever since an Orc soldier wounded me…"

"Now you can’t see, right? And no doctor dares to operate." Jing Rong’s tone was calm. "It’s fine. I have a solution."

You Tier stood dumbstruck, speechless, stunned once again by the man before him.

Jing Rong said, "I’ll need about a week to prepare a specialized tincture for you, followed by surgery to remove some of the abnormal growths. But the operation might require Jue’s assistance. His hands are the steadiest."

Jue, standing nearby, was also surprised but accepted the task without hesitation. "Understood. Leave it to me."

You Tier was so overwhelmed with joy he forgot how to speak. Waving the memo excitedly, he turned and ran back, shouting, "I can be saved! That gentleman said my eyes can be healed…"

As You Tier hurried off, Jue walked up to Jing Rong, a small smile on his lips. "Brother."

Jing Rong said, "Weren’t you in a meeting? Why come out to find me?"

His voice was gentle, yet carried a possessive edge.

Jue remained composed. "Two minutes without seeing my treasure, and I missed him terribly. Had to come check."

As if the man who had been blushing uncontrollably moments ago had nothing to do with him.

626 remarked, "You were right. He really adapts quickly."

Jue lingered beside Jing Rong.

Surrounded by people, they never displayed intimacy in public. Even at their closest, the distance between them remained ordinary.

Though they had initially arrived in town under the guise of lovers, everyone assumed their relationship was purely professional, convinced it had been a strategic cover.

Jue’s gaze drifted to Jing Rong’s face, his voice softening. "Just two minutes…"

Jing Rong stood still, letting him look.

Those blue eyes brimmed with calm obsession and longing.

After a moment, Jue finally looked away. "I really have to go back now. Brother."

Jing Rong said, "Alright."

Jue added, "Your standing in Jieke Town is through the roof."

Jing Rong raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

Jue said, "Look behind you."

Jing Rong turned and saw a group of children, around seven or eight years old, hiding behind a tent, shadowing their every move—though Jue’s presence kept them at bay for now.

Jing Rong turned back, hands in his coat pockets. "Want some ginger cookies? I’ll bring some next time."

The leader of the children shook his head. "The adults said we can have time off and go study. But we don’t want to study—we want to help you. Whatever you’re doing now, we’ll do too."

Children’s trust and admiration for someone could reach absolute maximum so easily.

Jue said, "See? Only you can motivate them. Your influence has already surpassed mine."

Listening to him, Jing Rong knelt to examine the chilblains on the children’s hands. "The honor is mine."

He pulled out a basic balm from his pocket and handed it to the children to share. "I’m heading to the central peak of the southwestern snowy mountain to collect medicinal plants. If you want to come, each of you must go home, inform your guardians, and bring me their okay."

"We already did!"

The kid leader said, throwing a nervous, awed look at Jue, "The Chief knows about it too."

Jue nodded.

He mimicked Jing Rong by putting his hands in his pockets, his tone casual. "You take them, bro. Just watch yourself."

He looked a little tired, but his expression was gentle and calm. As he looked at the children before him, it was like he was seeing flashes of the past in them.

Jing Rong looked into his blue eyes and asked, "Do you want to go?"

Thinking he meant now, Jue replied, "Brother, I have to inspect the train this afternoon. There's no time—we need to hurry."

Jing Rong nodded.

Jue watched him, then leaned in. When no one was looking, his fingertips lightly brushed against Jing Rong's.

It was the quietest, most tender touch—unstoppable longing.