Chapter 412: Duty Fulfilled
Chapter 412: Chapter 412: Duty Fulfilled
Black Tiger knew the Ancient Forest better than anyone. Su Qing described the eight-hundred-year-old Purple Danshen she was searching for, but the tiger indicated that it had never seen such a plant in the forest.
Su Qing realized then that she likely wouldn’t find it in this Ancient Forest. It seemed her only hope now lay in Xiqing Mountain in Gansu Province.
Su Qing’s pills worked on Black Tiger. Sure enough, after taking the medicine she’d given it, the tiger no longer felt dizzy or weak-legged once they left the Ancient Forest. This development made both He Zhimin and Black Tiger very happy.
Since Black Tiger was carrying He Zhimin on its back, A Jin didn’t need to follow them out of the mountains. When they reached A Jin’s home mountain, Su Qing said her goodbyes. Though A Jin was sad to see her go, it could only watch as she departed once more.
On their journey out of the Ancient Forest, Su Qing would secretly channel some of the green mist into He Zhimin from time to time. She also occasionally added a few drops of juice from the leaves of the vine in the Bagua Pool to his food. She didn’t dare use too much, worried that an overly miraculous recovery would arouse suspicion. Even so, by the time they reached the outer edge of Da Hu Mountain, He Zhimin could vaguely perceive a sense of light.
"I think... I can sense some light," He Zhimin said, completely stunned. For the past three years, his vision had steadily deteriorated until he was left in total darkness. He had thought he would be blind for the rest of his life. He never imagined he would be able to perceive light again.
’Does this mean my sight could actually be restored?’
Although he was hopeful, He Zhimin didn’t dare to let his expectations run wild. He silently prayed that even if he couldn’t see clearly, it would be a blessing just to be able to make out the vague shapes of people in the future.
Hearing this, Su Qing smiled. "They say happiness is the best medicine. Maybe your good mood is helping you get better. I’ve heard doctors say the body has its own way of healing."
"Really? That’s wonderful!" He Zhimin’s face lit up with joy.
As they were about to leave the mountains completely, Su Qing worried that Heizi’s appearance would cause a panic. She had He Zhimin and the tiger wait in a cave while she went to call Qiao Wensong.
"Hello, you’ve reached the Chuncheng Public Security Bureau." Su Qing had the number for Qiao Wensong’s office, so she dialed it directly. Coincidentally, he happened to be in.
"Captain Qiao, it’s me, Su Qing," she said. "I have something to tell you."
"Su Qing!" Qiao Wensong was happy to hear her voice. "What is it? Just say the word. If it’s something I can do, I’ll do it without a second thought."
"Captain Qiao, do you remember a police officer from your bureau named He Zhimin?" Su Qing asked.
At her words, Qiao Wensong shot to his feet. He stood so abruptly that his chair toppled backward and hit the wall with a CLATTER.
But Qiao Wensong had no time to worry about the chair. He asked Su Qing in shock, "Su Qing, how do you know that name?"
Three years ago, He Zhimin had disappeared in Da Hu Mountain while pursuing a fugitive. The bureau had dispatched numerous officers to search the mountain, but they had all come back empty-handed. Everyone assumed He Zhimin had died in the line of duty, and many lamented his sacrifice.
The chief had even specially reported his case to have him posthumously declared a martyr. Since they couldn’t find his body, they had erected a cenotaph in his honor.
But now, three years later, Qiao Wensong never imagined he would hear that name from Su Qing’s lips.
"I was in the mountains gathering herbs when I happened to meet a man," Su Qing said, getting straight to the point. "He told me his name was He Zhimin and that he was an officer from your bureau."
"Is... is this real?" Qiao Wensong asked. "In Da Hu Mountain? You were gathering herbs in Da Hu Mountain?"
"Yes, that’s right," Su Qing confirmed. "I’m calling you from Changle Town right now, which is near Da Hu Mountain."
"Is He Zhimin with you?" Qiao Wensong asked excitedly, desperate to speak with him.
"He’s injured, quite seriously," Su Qing said. "He’s not with me right now. You need to come get him and take him for treatment as soon as possible."
"Okay, no problem. I’ll arrange for a car to head to Changle Town immediately. We should be able to get there in about two days," Qiao Wensong said quickly.
The journey from Chuncheng to Changle Town would normally take over three days by train with all the transfers, but by car, they could take a shortcut and avoid wasting time, making it possible to arrive in about two days.
Su Qing did a quick mental calculation. If Qiao Wensong arrived then, she would still have just enough time to get to Xiangcheng. "Alright," she said. "Let’s meet at the post office in Changle Town in two days. And remember to bring a spacious vehicle."
"Got it." Although Qiao Wensong didn’t know why she made that request, he always took her words seriously and agreed immediately. After hanging up, he reported to the chief, then got in a car with a colleague and drove straight for Changle Town.
「Two days later.」
Su Qing met with Qiao Wensong in Changle Town and led him directly to the cave where He Zhimin was waiting.
Even though Su Qing had already told Qiao Wensong about He Zhimin’s ordeal in the mountains, he was still stunned when he finally saw him. ’Is that the tiger that saved him, right there by his side? It’s bigger than a normal tiger, isn’t it? How can a tiger get that big?’
"Little Su, is that you? Are you back?" Inside the cave, sensing someone had entered, He Zhimin leaned on Heizi and staggered to his feet. He turned toward the light and the sound as he spoke.
"Old He, it’s me. You’ve been through so much..."
"Captain Qiao!" Hearing Qiao Wensong’s voice, He Zhimin was overcome with emotion, even though he had been expecting him.
Su Qing had already described He Zhimin’s injuries to Qiao Wensong, but seeing his comrade’s haggard face, injured legs, and vacant eyes, a pang of sorrow shot through the captain’s heart. He couldn’t help but step forward to take He Zhimin’s hand.
"Captain Qiao, watch out for the tiger!" The officer accompanying Qiao Wensong quickly grabbed his arm to stop him.
"It’s fine." Qiao Wensong shook his head and continued toward He Zhimin.
"Heizi, this is my captain. He’s a friend," He Zhimin said, quickly patting the tiger’s head.
*HUFF.* Black Tiger let out a soft sound. Its body, which had been tense and alert at the sight of the strangers, instantly relaxed. It settled down beside He Zhimin with a lazy air.
Qiao Wensong watched in amazement. He stepped forward and gripped He Zhimin’s hand tightly. "Old He, this is incredible. Just incredible. It’s so good to have you back alive."
Overcome with emotion, He Zhimin gave Qiao Wensong a salute. "Captain Qiao, I haven’t failed my mission. I brought back the list the fugitive was carrying. I hope it’s not too late."