Chapter 788: Whos going to Medical City? (2/2)
Though everyone rejoiced over the orders, they were still confused. Ning Cheng the general was an obstinate man who insisted on having his own way. It was rare for him to listen to his advisors, and he never sent out soldiers without having them fight. What was different this time? As they left the scene, Ning Cheng took off his armor and changed into a set of black, tight fitting robes worn by mysterious jianghu figures. His deputy general stared blankly at him from the side before he finally asked, “Your Highness Duke of Ning, are you really going to go?”
“You’ll oversee everything in the few days that your lordship isn’t here. If there’s a situation in the army, send a flying hawk message to me immediately,” Ning Cheng said coldly.
“But…” before the deputy general could finish, Ning Cheng picked up his sword and strode out the door. By the time the deputy general ran out after him, he was already gone. His heart only groaned at the sight. Not only did he have to look after the army now, but also shoulder the pressures of Cloud Realm Trade Consortium. After all, His Highness Duke of Ning had left in secret. He was heading to none other than Medical City.
The deputy general had no idea why His Highness Duke of Ning would go there now of all times. By the time he arrived, the medical skills competition would have already finished. Then they’d pick the new academy head and everything would reach its conclusion.
Could it be that he didn’t send any troops to capture Han Yunxi because he wanted to kidnap her himself? The thought scared the deputy general. How could His Highness Duke of Ning be so illogical?
He was tormented by the thought all night before he told himself that the Duke of Ning must be playing out some important scheme that demanded him to be present in person!
Ning Cheng didn’t even tell Ning Jing that he was on his way to Medical City. That night, Ning Jing was curled up in Tang Li’s embrace, unable to sleep a wink. She really wanted to ask Tang Li why he had helped Han Yunxi, but in the end, she remained silent. She didn’t want Han Yunxi to attract Tang Li; more than that, she deplored the thought of them having a secret friendship or the like. She should have reported her suspicions to Ning Cheng immediately, but somehow, she didn’t write him anything. Now she carefully moved aside Tang Li’s arm around her waist, but his leg soon replaced it, curling around her own tightly and pinning her in place.
She didn’t push him aside, but huddled up against his embrace instead…
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Morning at Medical City was usually peaceful and lovely, but today was filled with clamor around the city. People crowded the streets beyond the Apricot Woods. Many of them had started waiting here since last night. Without invitations, all they could do was wait at the border of the forest and hope to be the first to get its news. Everyone was anticipating today’s medical skills competition and guessing who the next new academy head would be. Thus, the entire city was already making a hullabaloo.
And yet, a critical piece of news spread through Medical City before the competition even began: Gu Beiyue was going to participate!
Although the requirements for the competition were quite broad and covered 20 some members of the medical academy, the only people truly in the running for the championship were the three department heads. Their strength was obvious as seventh-ranked Sage Doctors, while their support came from existing factions within the academy. They had enough clout behind their voices and people to back them up.
But they moment they ascended the stage, Gu Beiyue joined them openly in his white robes, becoming the focal point of the entire scene.
“Gu Beiyue? You…” Department Head Lin smiled incredulously.
“Doctor Gu is going to participate in the competition as well? You haven’t gone to the wrong place, right?” Department Head Ouyang was calmer, while Department Head Hou simply smiled silently.
Yesterday, Han Yunxi had proved to be remarkable. They also knew that Gu Beiyue’s skills were beyond that of a fifth rank Divine Doctor, or else the man would never dare to step forward. But they assumed the man would participate in other competitions and raise his rank first, then get some supporters from the medical academy to improve his standing so he could speak up for Han Yunxi. However, they never expected Gu Beiyue to be aiming for the spot of academy head. What wishful thinking!
Even the audience offstage were in an uproar. Third Elder Shen and Luo Zuishan were equally astonished. The former finally understood why Gu Beiyue and Han Yunxi had stopped him from participating in the contest himself yesterday.
“Third Elder, this Doctor Gu….this…” Luo Zuishan didn’t know what to say.
“Esteemed wangfei this time has really...really risked things! Those three department heads have genuine skills, so things aren’t as simple as they think. The medical skills competition must display their ability in medicine. Even if they have new research results, it won’t help their case!” Third Elder Shen was heavy hearted.
Gu Qishao was sitting right next to Han Yunxi, caught in a rare moment of curiosity. He asked in a low voice, “Is this how he’s going to deal with matters?”
“You don’t have faith in him?” Han Yunxi asked.
“On what basis do you?” Gu Qishao challenged back.
“He’s saved Long Feiye before. Last time when an assassin stabbed Long Feiye in the heart, he almost died. It was Gu Beiyue who brought him back!” Han Yunxi murmured.
Gu Qishao narrowed his eyes. “He…”