At Tai Yu's foot-stomping gesture and seemingly unrelated question, Gong Zhou's eyes, squeezed into slits by the puffiness of his face, opened slightly. He stared at Tai Yu for a full three seconds before finally replying, "Yes. Those who can move about on their own are one category; those bedridden are another; and those beneath your feet, who need to be restrained and confined, are yet another."
Tai Yu blinked. "Confined?"
Gong Zhou parted his lips slightly. "Personnel with severe distortions and serious cognitive impairments."
"Distortions?" For some reason, Tai Yu was a little sensitive to that word. "What kind of distortions?"
Gong Zhou answered even more briefly. "Abnormal forms are 'distortions.' Physical and mental both count."
Tai Yu did not press further, only asking, "Are they hard to treat?"
Gong Zhou gave an "Mm." "Very hard."
The conversation had reached a dead end. Fortunately, Tai Yu did not dwell on it. He did not linger either, instead taking the initiative to move forward and continue their tour of the academy, smoothly changing the subject. "I've got at least a basic understanding of the cultivation framework for the 'Spine Boundary Pattern' now... Why are you shaking your head, Field Officer?"
Gong Zhou's mouth twitched. "Your understanding is anything but 'basic.'"
Tai Yu grinned. "If our judgments about the same thing differ, then we clearly haven't communicated enough. Let's not put on airs. Frankly, Field Officer, you're not good with words. There are some details within the 'Spine Boundary Pattern' that you haven't explained particularly clearly..."
Gong Zhou replied calmly, "Then ask."
Tai Yu sighed, then smiled again. "Language is certainly a tool of thought, but it's only a tool. Complete alignment and understanding aren't easy. Some people are poor at expressing themselves and aren't suited to teaching—like you, Field Officer,