(1)
It was still dark.
Feng Yin and Xu the Fourth had spent a half-hour together, hastily putting a roof over their heads.
They were both martial artists, and quite impressive iron rank assassins at that.
Finishing this task was a speedrun for them.
Feng Yin opened the door to the Sincere Medical Clinic in the early morning breeze, his sweeping gaze taking everything in but betraying nothing.
Many of the people he saw were from the martial world, grouping together in threes and fives.
Some, clad in the same attire and gathered in larger groups, were clearly from martial sects.
Those who stood in tidy rows were clearly of military background.
However, those who stood in scattered groups were hard to place.
There were also loners, maintaining a cold and vigilant demeanor, visibly independent fighters.
Clearly, everyone had their own hidden agendas, their eyes darting around, but refraining from engaging in any sordid conflict with others.
It was obvious that everyone was restraining themselves, trying not to be the first to stick their necks out.
...
Before much time passed, with a long whistle in the air, dozens of people in green outfits descended from the sky, moving gracefully like dragons and tigers.
These people, dressed in green from head to toe, even their hats, belts, and shoes, radiated an odd feeling of authority and looked condescendingly at the people below.
With the arrival of the green-clad group, all conversations in the town stopped almost immediately.
Feng Yin only took a glance before turning around and walking into the clinic, not daring to pause for a moment.
If I am not mistaken, members of the Special Department have arrived...
'Dressed in green, but with different necklines and cuffs. Some are adorned with two gold lines, others with three or four. And the man in the lead has five gold lines.'
'This signifies... the green uniforms of the Rainbow Heavenly Clothes belonging to the Great Qin Empire in the legends...'
Feng Yin felt his heart beat faster for no reason.
For a member of the Rainbow Heavenly Clothes, banishing the mundane is their raison d'etre.
Feng Yin was an assassin, and the person he dreaded most was the one belonging to the Rainbow Heavenly Clothes.
The thought of encountering them was even more terrifying than running into constables of the Six Fan Gate.
Because Feng Yin, despite his seasoned experience, still couldn't figure out the limits of the Rainbow Heavenly Clothes' jurisdiction.
Even issues like filial impiety and neighborhood disputes would attract their attention!
Moreover, when the Rainbow Heavenly Clothes got involved, the sentences they inflicted were ten times heavier than normal jurisdictional penalties!
The most well-known case was when a boy, guilty of disrespecting his mother, putting her in a leg cast and banishing her from their house.
Somehow, a Purple member of the Rainbow Heavenly Clothes came across the incident.
He immediately sentenced the ungrateful couple to death. That very day he swung the blade himself, neatly and cleanly, without batting an eye.
As if that wasn't enough, he sent their children to suffer at the frontier!
According to his reasoning: "The unkind descendants of such an unfilial figure are no better. Punishing all of them is the greatest kindness!"
"I and my deeds are the justice of the heavens!"
As for the old woman, the local government was instructed to take care of her.
It is said that she spent the rest of her life cursing the Purple Man of the Rainbow Heavenly Clothes day and night...
This clearly shows how domineering and extreme the Rainbow Heavenly Clothes' methods are.
Although I digressed, the harsh jurisprudence of the Great Qin Empire certainly wouldn't be so effective without the deterrence of the Rainbow Heavenly Clothes.
The most hair-raising fact about the Rainbow Heavenly Clothes is that they directly serve Lord Qing Ming.
Below Qing Ming, there is a rainbow across the sky!
Lord Qing Ming is a supreme figure who even the Qin royal family dares not provoke - because he is an ancestor to the emperors of the past!
They wouldn't put it past him to pull an emperor off the Dragon Throne and spank him then and there.
Even though this wouldn't harm the emperor, the humiliation would be unbearably intense.
...
At the right time, the lead green-clad figure stood on Main Street and clapped his hands.
A seemingly ordinary clap, but a thunderous sound echoed throughout.
Everyone instinctively turned to look at him, or perhaps followed the sound.
The green-clad man floated up to stand on the tallest tree, his hands behind his back and his clothes billowing in the breeze.
He proclaimed from his high position: "Everyone, I am Wu Tiejun of the Rainbow Heavenly Clothes, and I pay my respects to all the heroes here!"
Somebody far off replied: "Commander Wu is too kind. If you have any instructions, feel free to share them."
Wu Tiejun's face turned serious as he replied: "I am undeserving of the title 'Commander' - I am merely a small team leader. Please refrain from misusing the term. If the real Commander were to hear of this, I fear I would be in a very difficult position."
"Also, I came here only to greet the heroes. I don't dare give orders. Please don't use the word 'orders' either."
His words were tough, and even Feng Yin felt embarrassed for the boot-licker.
A hoarse chuckle came from afar.
The one who laughed must have felt humiliation.
"I came here under orders, on official business. If there are any conflicts with all of you heroes during the task, please understand. And also, please cooperate."
"I also know what you all want. We all have our own needs. I will never interfere or snatch benefits. But when it comes to national interests, please weigh your pros and cons, don't ruin your future."
"That's all I have to say. I wish you all heroes success and satisfaction."
As he finished speaking, he raised his hands in front of him and bowed deeply.
All around, countless people returned the salute.
"Captain Wu is too kind!"
(2)
...
Feng Yin returned to his room, lost in thought, but deep down he was full of admiration.
"This Captain Wu, acted both gracious and strict from the start, said all the nice words he could. Given his meticulous personality, I'm certain he'll strike without a word at any sign of conflict. Such a tough character is challenging to deal with if he's an enemy, but if the stance is similar, he isn't that difficult to handle..."
While pondering.
Suddenly footstep sounds were heard, with a unique rhythm. Just hearing the footsteps, one can sense the overwhelming dominance.
They stopped at the door.
Seemed to be looking at the plaque of the clinic.
He chuckled.
"Interesting couplet."
Then there was a flash of blue, and in came the same Captain Wu Tiejun who spoke before.
He stepped inside the clinic with two men in blue.
"Are you the doctor of this clinic?" Wu Tiejun's hawk-like eyes narrowed on Feng Yin's face.
His voice and gaze were both oppressive.
"Please."
Feng Yin nodded and gave a respectful welcome, scrutinizing the Captain up and down.
His hair was meticulously kept, his whole appearance neat. Even his hat sat squarely on his head. His bright-lined blue cap and uniform were clean, even the white inner sleeve at the cuffs was spotless, dust-free like snow.
There's not a single stain around his collar, even his shoes were impeccable; his nails were neatly trimmed, even the nail spaces were invisible, and his face was cleanly shaven with a blue glow.
'He's either a neat freak or has OCD. Such a person can be easy or difficult to handle, depending. He's probably stubborn....'
While Feng Yin came to a conclusion, a warm and compassionate smile spread across his face: "Yes, a hereditary medical skill that isn't well honed, I'm afraid. I can't practice medicine throughout the world to save all the people, which is really a shame. All I can do is make a meager contribution to the local people."
He figured it out at first glance.
This Captain Wu seems to be a man of principles.
For such people, flattering him or singing your own praises won't pose any problems.
Certainly, upon hearing phases like 'hereditary medicine, medical practice for the world's people,' Captain Wu's expression remained the same, but his eyes softened slightly.
He walked into the clinic and sat down dominantly.
His body straight where he sat.
Two men in blue behind him also found a spot to sit.
Three glasses of tea were then brought by Feng Yin: "This is my homemade mountain tea. I call it Happy Water. Please enjoy."
"Happy Water, a clever name." Captain Wu sipped carefully.
Then he turned to Feng Yin.
"May I ask your surname, sir?"
"I dare not be addressed so formally, my surname is Feng, the wind in 'wind, cloud, water, fire.'"
"A noble surname!"
Captain Wu praised with dignity: "As long as you keep your original intention and study medicine diligently, even if you are not proficient in medical skills for the time being, with daily efforts, you will certainly be able to practice medicine to save the world and the people in the future. Your name, like your surname, will surely become well-known."
"Your excellency is too kind. I'm just a third-rate quack doctor who clings to his ancestors' clinic to make a living, and to keep my ancestral craftsmanship alive. I'm content with that."
"But work bears fruit. The local folks here, they can't do without me as their doctor. I manage to do a few things for everyone, hence fulfilling the expectations of my ancestors."
Feng Yin asked: "I wonder what business brought your excellency here?"
He implied.
I'm important to the local folks here. If I'm gone, they'll have no doctors.
His preemptive reluctance was as if it was nagging you into guilt.
Uncertainty flashed across Captain Wu's face.
...…
[Desperately seeking recommendations, to make up for yesterday.]