73: Chapter 73 A Healer's Compassion! Top-Tier Doctor Su Xiaoming, Online Service!

The night wind from the wilderness blew in, making the tent fabric flap loudly.

The atmosphere was momentarily awkward.

Shen Qingci hugged a rabbit pillow, sat on her sleeping bag, and stared at Su Ming opposite her with the gaze of someone escorting a prisoner.

Su Ming, however, acted as if nothing was wrong, sat cross-legged with complete peace of mind, and even pulled out his terminal phone, his fingers tapping rapidly on the screen.

He typed a line in a post: "Family, camping in the wild with a beautiful senior for the first time, what do I need to pay attention to? Waiting online, it's quite urgent."

After posting, he shoved his phone into his pocket.

He cleared his throat, and a complex expression appeared on his face, one of "I really want to, but I must remain reserved."

"Senior, look at this desolate wilderness; it's really not appropriate for a man and a woman like us to sleep in the same tent, right?"

He looked troubled and conflicted, his mind undergoing a major ideological struggle.

"But in order to fulfill my duties as a partner and to better protect you, I... I can sacrifice my reputation! Tonight, I will reluctantly protect you in this tent!"

When he said this, his fox tail was already raised to the ceiling, and even Da Huang's two heads poked in from outside the tent curtain to take a look.

Shen Qingci was amused to the point of anger by his shameless statement and coldly spat out two words: "No need."

"Don't be like that, Senior!" Su Ming got anxious.

"Look at how big the temperature difference is outside. If the cold seeps into my body at night and I freeze to death, what then? I'm your temporary partner for this mission; I'm an important asset!"

Shen Qingci glanced at him, her tone chilly: "If Da Huang can't be frozen to death, how could you be?"

"Is that the same?" Su Ming argued righteously.

"Da Huang has two layers of fur and a body of fire. What do I have? I only have a heart full of passion and a handsome exterior!"

Shen Qingci couldn't be bothered to deal with him and lowered her head to rub her ankle.

After a whole day of fighting, even for a Tier 2 peak Awakened, muscles would still get sore.

She unconsciously squeezed her toes, her delicate, pink feet swaying in the warm light of the tent.

A plan formed in Su Ming's mind, and his eyes lit up.

"Ahem, Senior, to tell you the truth."

He looked sincere, "Besides being handsome and strong, I actually have a hidden identity—the top foot reflexology master in Jiangcheng."

Shen Qingci looked up at him, her eyes full of vigilance.

"Back in the day on Foot Bath Street, everyone would request me, Gold-Medal Su Xiaoming, and they'd have to wait in line and draw numbers."

"..."

"Look at your ankle; the Source Energy is stagnant and the meridians are blocked. If you don't massage it in time, it will definitely affect your combat ability. Today, considering we fought side by side, I, your junior, am willing to provide you with a free service—"

As he spoke, that thick hand reached toward Shen Qingci's ankle.

"!!!!"

The hairs on Shen Qingci's body stood on end. Like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, she yanked her leg back.

"Get lost! Pervert! Lecher!"

Su Ming sighed with regret, withdrew his hand, and his tone was filled with the desolation of "a pearl cast into darkness."

"Sigh, you don't understand. If I'm not mistaken, your talent is related to your own bones, right?"

Shen Qingci rolled her eyes at him.

Isn't that nonsense? My blades grow from my bones, and you're only guessing that now?

Su Ming completely ignored her eye-roll and continued on his own:

"Before I studied foot reflexology, I also earned the title of 'Bone-Setting Pioneer' back home. With your bone-type talent and high-intensity combat, local Source Energy circulation is blocked, leading to bone damage. Come, don't be afraid, let me help you..."

"Stop! Shut up!"

Shen Qingci's cheeks were burning.

She felt that if she listened any longer, her head would start smoking. How does this guy have such a string of twisted logic!

Seeing this, Su Ming not only didn't restrain himself but moved closer to her, lowered his voice, and said mysteriously:

"Senior, if you really mind the foot reflexology and bone-setting..."

He paused, as if laying the groundwork for some earth-shattering move.

"I actually secretly studied another specialty... Royal-grade high-end essential oil massage and back Source Energy therapy, focusing on soothing the body and mind, and promoting blood circulation to remove stasis. Why not let me..."

"Su Ming! Get out!!!"

Shen Qingci finally couldn't take it anymore, grabbed the thin blanket beside her, and threw it right at Su Ming's face.

Her chest heaved violently; she was clearly driven to the brink of collapse by this guy's "versatility."

"Look at you, getting anxious again."

Su Ming retreated toward the tent entrance, still stubborn:

"A healer's heart is benevolent! You can't deny my sincere technician's heart just because I look like a rogue!"

"Besides, you're sleeping in such a big tent all by yourself, I'm really not willing... ahem, not at ease. I even let you ride my dog, what's one tent..."

"Fine, the tent is yours, I'll sleep outside!"

Shen Qingci interrupted him through gritted teeth.

Su Ming shut his mouth in disappointment.

When he lifted the tent curtain and crawled out, Da Huang was lying at the entrance, both heads looking over in unison, its four eyes filled with sympathy that said, "You've come to keep me company."

"What are you looking at?"

Su Ming leaned against Da Huang and pulled its tail over to use as a pillow.

"Tonight, you are my bed."

The night wind howled.

One man and one dog curled up together.

...

2:00 AM.

Northern suburbs of the Imperial Capital, Lu Family Manor.

A bell tolled, ancient and dull, resounding through the night sky.

[Crimson Dragon Roar]!

This was the highest alert representing an extinction-level crisis!

The last time it was rung was thirty years ago, during the darkest moment when the Federation was almost overturned by a beast tide...