Chapter 184
Because of the heavy helmet, FrostNova couldn't judge Patriot's condition and asked with concern:
"Dad, how are you feeling?"
"Much better, quick, thank you, Divine Doctor."
Broca didn't know the Divine Doctor's name, but since the doctor wore a mask, he was most likely unwilling to reveal his identity.
"What do you want? As long as it's within my power, I will definitely fulfill your request."
Shi Lei shook his head, declining Broca's offer, and explained:
"No need. I saved people simply because I felt good about it. I didn't do anything for you, so I don't need anything in return."
"In that case, I am deeply grateful and deserve to bow in gratitude!"
Having extensive experience of being thanked, he anticipated the Patriot's prediction and stepped forward to stop him.
"You really don't need to do that, it's nothing."
FrostNova witnessed this scene and was deeply impressed by the masked Divine Doctor. Thinking of her fellow sufferers, she bit her lip and pondered for a moment before saying:
"Divine Doctor, with such superb medical skills, could you please help save others? Many members of the guerrilla team and the Snow Beast Squad are seriously ill and have no medicine."
"..."
Shi Lei did not respond after hearing the request.
For those like Patriot who vomit blood on the spot, we should help if we can. As for the others, their infection level is definitely not that serious, and they fall into the category of those who can be saved or not.
Furthermore, there should be the Rhodes Island led by Talulah near the camp. If we rescue the guerrillas, we can't just neglect them, can we? But if we keep rescuing them like this, when will it end?
With so many people around, it's easy for secrets to be leaked.
If the cure for Originium-related illness were to be revealed, who knows how many forces across this land would be attracted?
Broca FrostNova's words and stood up, his entire body as tall as a small mountain:
"You can't say that. Whether to save him or not is the Divine Doctor's prerogative. You can't demand it."
The Divine Doctor came wearing a mask and didn't publicly claim he could cure Originium-related illness. This indicates he didn't want to reveal his abilities to avoid getting involved in various troubles.
To save is to do good.
They shouldn't condemn us for not rescuing them.
Ultimately, curing Originium-related illness is a skill possessed by others. Offering to treat someone is akin to Morality blackmail and only breeds resentment.
FrostNova suddenly realized her mistake and sincerely apologized:
"I'm sorry, I misspoke. Divine Doctor, please forgive my rudeness."
"No need to apologize. You didn't do anything wrong. I completely understand your desire to save your companion. My reasons for saving people were firstly based on my mood, and secondly, I didn't want this matter to be exposed. I hope you can understand."
Upon hearing this, FrostNova nodded earnestly.
She knew that if the cure for Originium-related illness were revealed, it would bring unpredictable dangers to the guerrillas. If the various factions couldn't find the Divine Doctor, they would cause them trouble.
However, given the current scarcity of medical resources, FrostNova still wanted to try and proposed a compromise:
"Divine Doctor, I can't guarantee anything else, but the guerrillas will never tell anyone. If you're worried about leaks, you can get treatment here. The members called into the tent will have to swear a solemn oath before they can receive treatment."
Seeing that his master neither agreed nor refused, Mudrock, who was helping out nearby, unusually chimed in:
"Sir, the guerrillas have a good reputation in Ursus. They are very disciplined and do not commit arson, murder, or looting; they only punish military and police personnel who are unkind to the infected. If they are willing to swear a solemn oath, they are worth trusting."
This time, she set aside her prejudices and spoke up for those infected.
Admittedly, Patriot betrayed the Sarkaz and served the Ursus Emperor. But such betrayals are not uncommon among the Sarkaz.
Some mercenaries, after working with their employers for a long time, become unwilling to acknowledge their Sarkaz identity. For example, there are those who lack racial identity and claim to be Victorians.
When the guerrillas were gathering, Mudrock discovered women and children hiding in the shadows.
She has suffered a lot, so she hopes that these similar lives will not repeat her mistakes. If conditions permit, she will save as many as possible.
Shi Lei pondered for a moment, then nodded in agreement:
"Yes, but this needs to be done without Rhodes Island, including their leader Talulah. As for the Rhodes Island, their membership is complex. I've thought of a way that can provide treatment without exposing them."
Seeing his family members casting questioning glances his way, he pointed to his limbs.
Upon seeing this, Mudrock immediately understood.
All that's needed is for the Rhodes Island members to fall asleep in their camp. The master can then don a shield and detonate the Originium in their limbs, completing the healing without anyone noticing.
While it cannot be completely cured, removing the Originium that infected individuals are exposed to is already quite an achievement.
Mudrock looked at Shi Lei from the side, his admiration growing stronger.
As expected of its master, truly amazing!
The chain reaction triggered by the signal flare extended far beyond one location. Reconnaissance personnel lurking near Lake Vega noticed the anomaly and immediately dispatched someone back to report.
That afternoon, the intelligence was delivered to a military camp in a nearby city. The senior commander there was receiving a distinguished guest from the Royal Family.
I've heard they once exploited the Demons of the Northern Plains, isolating Abyssals from civilization. They also personally slaughtered princes and nobles, ensuring their glory wasn't tainted by the dust of rebellion. Each of them was a kingdom in themselves. The land beneath their feet was their homeland.
It's unclear when exactly, but these imperial Inner Guards around His Majesty the Emperor acquired a name that resounded throughout Ursus.
'The Emperor's Blade'
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247 Saying no (3K)
"No problem."
Upon hearing that Shi Lei was willing to help, Broca overjoyed. Only by experiencing it firsthand could one truly understand just how superb the Divine Doctor's skills were.
Some of the Originium in his throat had been removed, and he no longer felt the constant stinging pain when speaking. He no longer needed to pause after every few words, as he had before.
"You don't need to worry about the Rhodes Island. Talulah came here today to form an alliance with the guerrillas. I can use the pretext of an investigation to go to their camp and do some On-site Investigation. FrostNova will stay behind to assist later, and I'll leave all my subordinates in your care, Divine Doctor Healer."
Actually, the treatment of mine
For Shi Lei, helping patients with Shi Lei was a simple matter. He was a person who disliked trouble and didn't want to cause any problems. As long as this worry could be resolved, he would save as many patients as possible.
"Um."
Broca leaned forward, his mountain-like body showing him ample respect:
"Divine Doctor, we have 808 people here, 520 of whom are combatants. How long will your treatment take? I will try my best to stall Talulah."
Doing it one by one is too slow. Shi Lei felt that batch processing would be more efficient.
"I'm not sure, but it'll probably take at least four or five hours."
Having said this, he instructed his family and relatives:
"Also, don't tell Officer Chen about this. She doesn't know I know this. Mudrock, Exusiai, I'll have to trouble you to take her with you to the Rhodes Island."
"Yes, sir."
"No problem, leave it to me."
Exusiai patted her chest and assured them, but after glancing at the well-developed Mudrock, she reluctantly withdrew her hand.
"Divine Doctor, I'll go out and make arrangements first."
Broca left the tent and ordered everyone in the stronghold to be summoned. FrostNova followed, lifting the curtain to keep the upcoming medical treatment a secret.
After relaying the instructions, Patriot approached Talulah. He said he hoped to first understand the actual situation from the Rhodes Island before deciding whether to form an alliance.
Talulah had no reason to refuse and invited Broca to visit the camp. With the help of Mudrock and Exusiai, Chen also prepared to go and see what was happening, hoping to do something for the homeless infected.
As Mudrock left, she gazed at the tent in the distance. She knew that the owner was a hypocrite.
Although they often say they don't want to help, fearing they'll cause trouble, their actions betray their true intentions when they encounter someone who genuinely needs help.
Before leaving, Broca also called FrostNova aside for a private chat before departing.
Seeing that Talulah hadn't shown up, Shi Lei hesitated for a moment before deciding to return to the Rhodes Island camp first. If she could form an alliance with the guerrillas, she could move in there.
Shi Lei stayed inside the tent the whole time, not showing his face. He condensed and purified the Originium in the wooden barrel, saving it for future research.
Shortly after, the assembly bell rang outside. FrostNova quickly entered the tent and respectfully said:
"Divine Doctor, your friend and Talulah have left. All the guerrillas are now on standby in the valley. Please follow me."
Shi Lei followed and lifted the curtain to go outside. Looking at the dark mass outside, the scene was quite spectacular.
Some guerrilla members, unaware of the true situation and having only assembled upon hearing the bell, looked on with confusion. Seeing that women, children, and other children were present, they guessed that something important was about to be announced.
Shi Lei arrived at the tree stump Broca previously given orders and surveyed the assembled troops.
They were grouped according to their military branches and arranged in an orderly fashion. Their posture was upright, and they displayed remarkable discipline.
"Those who are not infected can go back first."
FrostNova stood beside the Divine Doctor and loudly repeated the instructions. Although everyone was puzzled, they obeyed the order and evacuated one or two hundred people.
Shi Lei looked around, feeling a bit like he was reviewing a military parade. One can only say that the Patriot had done a good job training them.
"Next, an opportunity to cure Originium-related illness is presented to you. Those who can keep this a secret, please stay; those who cannot, please leave."
The guerrillas looked at each other, most of them thinking that curing Originium-related illness was simply a pipe dream. They said they didn't believe it, but none of them went back.
Some members heard that FrostNova had woken up shortly after fainting. They didn't expect a cure for Originium-related illness; they just wanted relief from the daily pain.
Seeing that no one had left, FrostNova reiterated:
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to treat Originium-related illness. Whether you believe it or not, you'll have to try it to see the results. Answer me, can you keep this a secret?"
"Able!"
The strong sense of déjà vu from this small company's morning meeting, with its chanting of slogans, almost gave Shi Lei a severe case of embarrassment. He quickly waved his hand at FrostNova, signaling her to stop talking.
In reality, Shi Lei had neither the means nor the time to confirm whether these guerrilla members had leaked information. He could only try to minimize the risk of exposure.
He flew directly into the air and looked down at the living beings below:
"Put down your weapons and raise your hands. It will hurt a little, so please bear with it."
Shi Lei cast Jade Shield on everyone present, and then summoned a resonance stone to detonate it on the group.
The Originium on his limbs heated up and swelled, causing many guerrilla members to turn pale with fright. They quickly picked up their weapons, preparing to fight back against the masked man.
The explosion was even faster, turning the exposed Originium on the limbs into dust within seconds.
The Originium that was originally attached to the skin miraculously disappeared, drawing gasps of amazement from everyone present.
"Look, the Originium in my hand are gone!"
"Hey, me too."
"Holy crap, the Originium on my ** is gone!"
The guerrillas only accept carefully selected infected individuals and will not accept overgrown children who make a fuss over minor injuries.
The crowd cheered with joy at the disappearance of the Originium, completely disregarding the wounds left on the affected area.
Seeing the genuine smiles on the faces of those infected, Shi Lei was equally pleased:
"Listen up, everyone. Please line up in a long queue and enter the tent one by one to receive treatment. Before entering the tent, please cut your fingers with a weapon."
A wound of about one centimeter makes it easier to remove Originium.
After saying that, he descended to the ground. He told FrostNova to bring over a few more empty buckets, and then went into the tent.
Having witnessed this scene firsthand, FrostNova no longer doubted the Divine Doctor's abilities and excitedly reiterated:
"Listen to my orders and line up in one row. Keep everything that happened today a secret. If anyone dares to disobey, don't blame your father and me for being ruthless!"
The guerrillas agreed in unison, their faces beaming as they began to line up. Some members with milder cases voluntarily moved to the back, hoping their comrades suffering from Originium-related illness could receive treatment sooner.
They were filled with boundless curiosity. But they also knew that further investigation was pointless. They needed to cure the Originium-related illness first, and deal with the rest later.
Shi Lei returned to his tent, and soon someone brought in seven or eight empty buckets.