Return of the General's Daughter
Chapter 55: The Vengeful Healer

Chapter 55: The Vengeful Healer

Healer U-Mao’s eyes narrowed, his voice rising in irritation. "What kind of attitude is that? Of course, I am here to check on Darius’ wound."

Abel, standing firm in the doorway, didn’t budge. "Darius’ wound looked fine before you treated him the other day, and now his condition has worsened." His words were sharp, carrying an accusation that struck deep.

A flicker of something unreadable—guilt, perhaps—passed through U-Mao’s eyes, but it was gone before Abel could catch it. The healer’s jaw tightened. He hadn’t forgotten the injuries his two sons suffered at the hands of that damned soldier. Three days had passed, yet their bruises remained black and blue.

The healer saw an opportunity, a way to extort more silver to soothe his wounded pride—and his sons’ aching bodies.

"Watch your words, young man." U-Mao’s voice lowered, but the warning in it was unmistakable. "What do you know? Wounds are unpredictable. Infection can set in at any time. If healing were guaranteed, patients would not need to go for follow-ups."

Abel bit his lip. He had to admit the healer had a point.

U-Mao exhaled dramatically. "Do not delay me further. Your brother’s wound did not look good yesterday and might have worsened overnight. I brought rare herbs to treat it, but they are expensive. You’ll need to pay extra."

Inside the house, Lara, silent until now, smirked as she listened. So that’s what this was about. Greed. She had already given him more than enough.

"But Healer U-Mao, didn’t Sir Kane give you more than enough? You even said it would cover treatment for the entire next year." Abel’s voice carried newfound realization. He had been blind to it before, but now it was glaringly obvious—the village healer was a greedy man.

U-Mao’s expression darkened. "That was for my consultation. This is for the cost of the herbs. Now, step aside."

Lara swiftly decided that confronting him was pointless. She could not always be there to protect this family, and drawing unnecessary attention might cause them more trouble.

Slipping into Darius’ room, she turned to Delia. "Tell him we called a physician from town because Darius’ fever worsened. He won’t suspect anything—the neighbors saw the bullcart earlier."

Delia nodded. The idea made sense. Kane wouldn’t want this to escalate. They had to live in this village, after all. And the healer U-Mao... he was not a man to cross lightly. Who knew what he might do in retaliation?

Delia stepped forward, emerging behind Abel. The moment she greeted U-Mao, the healer blinked in surprise. The last time he had come, Delia had been too weak to even rise from bed. Now, just two days later, she looked... healthier. She was still thin, still carrying the remnants of exhaustion, but there was color in her face. The pale specter of death no longer clung to her.

How did she look a lot better in just two days?

Delia’s voice was calm as she spoke. "There is no need to see Darius anymore, Healer U-Mao. He had a high fever last night and was delirious, so we called a doctor from town early this morning. He already treated Darius and left us medicine."

Something in U-Mao’s eyes changed. His gaze lingered on Delia a moment too long, roaming over her features. She was beautiful, refined—even after six children, her figure was still alluring. Unlike his own wife, who had grown plump and shrewish over the years. Before, he never entertained such thoughts—her husband had been too strong, too formidable. But now? He was gone. Perhaps never to return from war.

Delia’s lips pressed into a thin line as she caught the look in his eyes. Abel noticed it too. His fists clenched, and he stepped forward, blocking U-Mao’s line of sight.

The healer’s lips curled in displeasure. "Why didn’t you call me? Why seek an outsider instead? That is disrespectful."

Abel’s voice was steady. "My brother was delirious, and his wound is serious. Didn’t others in the village also seek the town’s physician for injuries even less severe than his?"

U-Mao faltered. Abel was right. He could only handle simple ailments and wounds, and many villagers had sought better-trained physicians when the situation demanded it. But the silver those siblings had earned from selling the tiger... that was what he wanted.

"We’ve already paid for the physician’s services and medicine," Delia continued. "He advised against disturbing the wound further. It has already been treated."

U-Mao’s face twisted with frustration, but there was nothing left for him to do. With a final huff, he stormed out of the Lenard household, his mind already scheming. Fine. If they did not need his services, then so be it. He would never treat that family again.

As his footsteps faded, Lara stepped into the living room. "Be careful of him, Abel. He has evil intentions. You must grow stronger, for your mother and your brothers. Come to the backyard—I have something to teach you."

Abel followed her, his two brothers trailing close behind. Even Eva and Flora, having just woken, were drawn by curiosity.

"The three of you, pay close attention. I cannot stay long, so you must remember these techniques."

Lara assessed them. They were strong—not pampered children, but ones who chopped firewood and carried water daily. Still, brute strength alone wouldn’t ensure their survival. They needed skill.

For the next hour, she taught them self-defense—heel-palm strikes, eye strikes, knee strikes. She showed them different kicks, how to recognize their enemy’s weaknesses, how to subdue an attacker with holds, how to break free, and even how to disarm an opponent wielding a knife.

"Practice every day," she instructed. "Mastery comes with repetition."

As she trained them, an uneasy feeling settled in her chest. These siblings had endured two years without an adult male in the house, yet the danger around them was growing. Could they really fend for themselves?

She exhaled, pushing the thought aside. They had survived this long. They would continue to do so.

After two hours, Lara finally prepared to leave. But before she did, she checked on Darius.

A sharp cry met her ears. "Sir Kane!" Delia’s anxious voice rang through the house.

Lara’s heart pounded as she turned. "What happened?"

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