He acted like a desperate soul, utterly alone, and like a fool unable to defend himself regardless of his words.
Even after landing in such a state, he still had to figure out how to gather the funds for your medical treatment."
He Jiaqing lowered his gaze and confessed, "I never intended for things to unfold this way. My actions back then were solely for self-preservation."
Teacher Song let out a wry chuckle. "I truly never imagined you'd continue to spew such falsehoods to my face. If your sole aim was self-preservation, why didn't you permit me to rescue you?
On the very day you departed, I made a deliberate trip to see both of you, standing right downstairs from Lu Xiaolan's dormitory. I am your teacher; had you only reached out for assistance, I would have undoubtedly aided you.
You are my student. I entrusted the Mysterious Red Life Lotus to your care because I believed you possessed the potential to bring about change in Puluo State. However, I never conceived that you would draw him into this predicament.
If, in pursuit of your objectives, you are prepared to employ any means necessary, then what distinguishes you from your father's generation or your grandfather's? What significance does the Red Lotus hold when bestowed upon someone like you?"
He Jiaqing remained silent for a considerable duration before replying, "Now that the Red Lotus has been passed to him, perhaps he can achieve greater things."
Teacher Song shook his head repeatedly. "He is merely a pitiable orphan. Among all my students, he is the most unfortunate. My wish was for him to endure less suffering, for him to live out his days in peace and safety.
You disguised yourself as him and concealed the Red Lotus within a locker at the campus convenience store. This action inevitably ensured that the Red Lotus would ultimately fall into his possession.
Do you have any awareness of how the Dark Star Bureau nearly took his life over this matter? Do you comprehend that he almost failed to even board the train? I had to implore Lucky Star to intervene merely to ensure his survival, do you understand?
He lacks any cultivation level, possesses no weaponry, has no fundamental understanding of any Dark Ability, and has no one to depend on. How, in your estimation, is he expected to navigate the perils of Puluo State?
Your intention was to render his survival impossible, and subsequently utilize the Red Lotus to reconfigure the power dynamics of Puluo State, is that not correct?"
He Jiaqing found himself utterly speechless for an extended period.
Teacher Song sighed deeply. "Why have you sought me out? If your purpose is medical treatment, I am powerless in that regard. Kang Zhenchang is not someone I am well-acquainted with."
He Jiaqing nervously rubbed his hands together and explained, "I wished to convey something to Li Banfeng, but the matter is rather sensitive, making it difficult to broach directly. I was hoping you might be able to..."
Teacher Song retrieved a pen and paper, meticulously jotting down a phone number. "This is his contact information. Whatever it is, you must communicate it to him directly."
He Jiaqing accepted the slip of paper with the number and began, "I was hoping you could..."
"I cannot, nor do I wish to assist you further. Our relationship as teacher and student concludes at this juncture." Teacher Song rose to his feet. "And there is one more matter I must address: cease your incessant talk about my birthmark. You have never even laid eyes upon it – why do you persist in spreading such fabrications? A man who boasts about such things is truly pathetic!"
He Jiaqing attempted a weak defense: "Li Banfeng also bragged about it..."
"He was not bragging. He witnessed it with his own eyes. I presented it to him openly and honestly – he has seen it unequivocally and without question." Teacher Song turned and departed, casting no further glance in He Jiaqing's direction.
He Jiaqing once again focused on the phone number clutched in his hand, a desire to contact Li Banfeng stirring within him. He held his phone aloft for a prolonged moment, but the number consistently failed to connect.
...
At the Yuezhou Sanatorium, every single ward within the infectious diseases department was completely occupied. Beds lined the corridors, packed so closely they were nearly touching, and a significant number of patients who could no longer bear to stand simply collapsed onto the floor.
A physician, identified by the surname Liu, called out to a nurse to assist with a dressing change, but the nurse remained stationary, making no move to comply.
Doctor Liu urged her again, with increased urgency: "Quickly!"
The nurse slowly removed her gloves. The skin on her hands was marred by a dense proliferation of blisters.
The doctor stood utterly dumbfounded. The nurse then began to weep, her body wracked with sobs. She had contracted the infection.
The patients confined to the ward all exhibited the same distinctive rash. Once afflicted by this malady, death could occur within a mere few hours.
The doctor retreated to his office, sat in pensive silence for a short interval, and then retrieved a pack of cigarettes from a desk drawer.
He held a cigarette firmly in his hand and addressed the department head, stating, "I'm stepping out for a smoke. I shall return shortly."
He descended using the elevator, but before he could reach the building's exit, two security guards materialized, blocking his path.
"Doctor Liu, you are not permitted to leave the premises."
"I am merely going out for a brief smoke."
"If you require a cigarette, you may do so at the main entrance."
"It would be highly inappropriate for me to smoke near the entrance of the inpatient building. I intend to proceed to the adjacent grove. I shall return promptly."
The security guards held him fast, preventing any further movement. "Doctor Liu, we have just received explicit instructions. This building is designated for entry only, with absolutely no exits permitted. Even we ourselves dare not venture outside. Please, do not complicate matters for us."
...
As the clock struck two in the afternoon, Shen Jingye received an urgent directive: to escort the renowned physician, Kang Zhenchang, to the Yuezhou Second Hospital. The order explicitly detailed the home address of Dr. Kang Zhenchang.
Upon receipt of this command, Shen Jingye promptly summoned Chen Changrui. Without revealing the identity of their charge or the specifics of their undertaking, he instructed Chen Changrui to assemble a team of seasoned operatives and commence the mission without delay.
Chen Changrui harbored a distinct feeling that this assignment was far from ordinary. On occasions like these, he often felt a strong desire to take some of the team members out for practical, real-world experience.
For instance, Candy—an individual who was in dire need of rigorous training. Her cultivation level was not particularly high, her seniority within the ranks was limited, and her combat prowess was somewhat lacking, yet her position was not negligible. Exposing her to specialized missions would prove beneficial for her personal growth and also aid in the overall management of the team.
However, a lingering question remained: what if he brought Candy along, only for her to falter disastrously at a crucial juncture?
Chen Changrui's apprehension was not unfounded. The deficiency in strength of a single individual could very well lead to the downfall of the entire team, a scenario he had encountered on multiple occasions.
After a considerable period of deliberation, Chen Changrui ultimately included Candy's name on the roster. The action group comprised thirty individuals in total; Brick, Huajia, Preserved Fruit, Crabapple Fruit, and Cone—these veteran members, possessing genuine skill, were all part of the contingent.
Dumpling, Chuuni, Light Bulb, and Ming Xing were also selected, their recent performances in a series of operations having been exceptionally commendable.
En route to rendezvous with their target, Cone couldn't resist voicing his thoughts, "These kinds of jobs, Big Head used to be involved in them. I have no clue how Big Head is doing these days."