Chapter 40: Technique

Zeng Yi raised an eyebrow; he had also figured out the man's identity. This was likely a retired veteran who had seen combat, with a very strong aura of killing intent. His eyes were extremely cold, like those of a snake, devoid of any emotion, because professional soldiers do not need emotions, only the ability to follow orders.

Zeng Yi raised his hand, gesturing for the man to come in. "This is a clinic, but it hasn't opened yet. Are you here to see a doctor?"

"Can you set bones?" the bald man asked.

Zeng Yi took a closer look and noticed that the bald man's arms were hanging limply from his shoulders. The bald man stood so straight and showed no sign of pain on his face, which is why Zeng Yi hadn't noticed at first. "Your arms are dislocated?" Zeng Yi couldn't help but admire the man's endurance. Both arms dislocated must have been excruciating, yet the bald man remained composed, showing extraordinary patience and self-control.

The bald man nodded. "I need the best bone-setter. This injury is hard to set."

"Sit down, let me take a look!" Zeng Yi pulled out a chair and placed it in front of the bald man.

Chen Long breathed a sigh of relief. He was too accustomed to his profession; a man with both arms out of commission had made him nervous and sweaty.

Zeng Yi raised his hand and carefully felt the bald man's arms, then his expression turned puzzled. "Your injury was caused by a technique, and it's not easy to set it back."

The bald man nodded. "You can see that, so you must have some real skills. Do your best. If you can't set it, I'll find someone else..."

Zeng Yi shook his head, extended both hands, and grabbed the bald man's arms, pulling them straight back. "Was the opponent pulling like this at the time?"

The bald man nodded, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. "Yes!" The pain from his dislocated arms being pulled was excruciating.

"Then like this?" Zeng Yi twisted the bald man's arms backward, bending them into a position where they were twisted behind his back.

The sweat on the bald man's forehead turned into large drops, and he gritted his teeth, nodding. "Yes!"

"Finally, he twisted hard and pulled outward?" Zeng Yi made a motion to pull again.

The bald man quickly said, "No, he pulled outward first."

Zeng Yi tried pulling outward. "Is this it?"

The bald man shook his head. "The position is wrong, it's pulled forward..."

"Is this it... Is this it..." Zeng Yi kept asking, adjusting the angle of the arms. The bald man's back was drenched in sweat.

Finally, Zeng Yi found the right position. The bald man's eyes lit up, and he said urgently, "Yes, that's it, that's it..."

Before he could finish, Zeng Yi stepped forward, pulled hard, and then pushed with all his might. There was a "crack," and he put down the bald man's arms, patting his shoulder. "Done! Your arms are back in place!"

The bald man was still in shock, but after a moment, he moved his arms, finding that he could lift them. He stood up, clasped his hands, and said, "Impressive, brother, your skills are truly solid. This injury is not something just anyone can fix!"

Zeng Yi waved his hand. "You're tough too. Most people would have been screaming in pain. I saw that you were strong, so I had to deliberately pull in the wrong direction to distract you. Otherwise, it would have been hard to set your arms." Zeng Yi found a towel, wiped his sweat, and realized that setting the arms was both a technical and physical task. If the timing or strength was off, the arms wouldn't have gone back in.

The bald man, with his usually expressionless face, showed a hint of gratitude. "Brother, you're a straightforward person. I won't let you get involved in my problems. If he comes after you, just push it back to me."

Zeng Yi waved his hand. "Go, or I'll dislocate your arms again."

The bald man took out a fifty-yuan note, which was a bit crumpled, flattened it, and placed it on the table in front of Zeng Yi. He bowed and clasped his hands. "Brother, I'll remember this favor. See you later!"

After the bald man left, Chen Long spoke up. "Brother Zeng, that bald man looks like he can fight. If someone could dislocate both his arms, they must be even stronger or have a lot of power. You've picked up a big trouble today!"

"The person is already treated!" Zeng Yi smiled. "I run a clinic to treat people, not to get involved in their disputes. If he comes after me, let him come."

Chen Long's expression didn't change, but he silently reminded himself to have more patrols in the area, just in case something happened.

In the afternoon, Zeng Yi called Du Ruo. Du Ruo had been complaining about back pain a few days ago, but it wasn't serious, just from sitting too long. When Zeng Yi was preparing ointments for Fang Nanguo, he also made two for Du Ruo.

"Let's meet up tonight at the place you mentioned. I'll bring the ointments. Ha, my old back will finally be saved." Du Ruo was very enthusiastic on the phone. When Zeng Yi mentioned the place Chen Long had booked, he agreed.

"I've also invited Director Chen," Zeng Yi said.

Du Ruo understood immediately. It was likely that Chen Long had asked Zeng Yi to make the call, but he didn't refuse. "More people, more fun. See you tonight."

Hearing that Du Ruo agreed, Chen Long was very happy. He went back to the police station, tidied up, and brought the carefully prepared gift for Du Ruo, then drove Zeng Yi to the booked place.

Not long after they arrived, Du Ruo called. "Start eating without me. I might be a bit late. There's an emergency in the city."

Zeng Yi explained the situation to Chen Long, who immediately said, "As the head of the bureau, Director Du is responsible for the safety of millions of people in the city. He must be very busy. If the city's top leaders have an event, he has to personally handle the security. I understand, I understand!" He said this, but he was a bit disappointed.

"Director Du said we don't have to wait for him. Start eating!"

"Alright, let's have a little to eat, and we'll start a new table when Director Du arrives!" If it were Chen Long, he would have waited there, but since Zeng Yi was there, he couldn't let Zeng Yi wait on an empty stomach.

They ordered a few dishes and started eating, but they didn't drink, waiting for Du Ruo to join them.

After a full meal and two more hours of waiting, Du Ruo's call finally came. "Brother Zeng, I'm really sorry. Did you wait long? I'm almost at the place you mentioned."

Less than five minutes after hanging up, Du Ruo rushed in. "I'm really sorry. A superior leader arrived unexpectedly tonight, and I had to accompany the city's top leaders to the airport. I broke our plans, so I'll drink three cups as a penalty."

Chen Long immediately stopped him. "Director Du, you're handling official business. That's important! We can drink anytime."

Zeng Yi also smiled. "Brother Du, don't do that. I'll be too intimidated to drink with you in the future."

Du Ruo, seeing Zeng Yi's reaction, took the opportunity to back down. "Alright, I'll owe you. We'll settle it next time."

Chen Long quickly invited Du Ruo to sit. "Director Du, you must be tired from the evening's work. Please sit down, and I'll have the dishes brought out."

"No need for more dishes!" Du Ruo waved his hand. "I have to leave soon. The security for the superior leader in Rongcheng needs my personal attention. I just stopped by to pick up the ointments."

Zeng Yi said, "Ah, if I had known you were so busy, I would have delivered them to you."

"How can I do that? I can't have the same treatment as Secretary Fang!" Du Ruo joked. "I really have to go. Brother Zeng, I'm sorry this time. Next time, I'll treat you and make sure you drink well."

"Alright, if it's Brother Du's treat, I'll definitely join you!" Zeng Yi took out the ointments from his bag. "Here are three patches. One patch lasts three days. After using all three, your back will feel much better."

"Ha, I trust Brother Zeng's skills!" Du Ruo put the ointments in his handbag and left.

Outside the restaurant, Du Ruo said, "Brother Zeng, I'm on my way. Do you want a ride back?"

Chen Long immediately stepped forward. "Director Du is so busy. Let me take care of this. I'll make sure Expert Zeng gets home safely."

"Speaking of which, the Health Bureau is really lacking. Your work is so important, how can you not have a car?" Du Ruo complained. "I'll help you get one."

"No need, having a car just means getting stuck in traffic!" Zeng Yi laughed.

"Don't worry about it. Leave it to me. I'll make sure you don't get stuck in traffic." With that, Du Ruo waved and got into his car, the number one car of the Rongcheng Bureau, and drove away.

Watching the car's tail lights disappear, Chen Long sighed heavily. He was a bit disappointed. He hadn't found the right moment to give Du Ruo the gift he had prepared, nor had he gotten any substantial information from him.

"Brother Chen, why the sigh? You're about to get a promotion!" Zeng Yi laughed.

"Ah... It's not certain yet!" Chen Long shook his head.

"I think it's a sure thing. Director Du coming tonight was a sign of reassurance, wasn't it?"

Chen Long thought about it and felt his hopes rise again. Of course, Director Du understood the meaning of tonight's dinner. His presence was a signal.

"Brother Zeng, let's go. Since Director Du is busy, I'll keep you company!" Chen Long grabbed Zeng Yi's arm. "We won't stop until we're drunk!"

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End of Chapter 40