Luo Yan's heart gave another pang.
He was beginning to wonder if he really was getting old.
The thought flashed through his mind, but he forcibly stamped it out.
He turned away, no longer looking at the child, who was almost unnervingly calm, and walked over to one of his deputies, trying to regain the sense of control that came with familiar procedures.
"Report the casualties from this operation."
"Reporting, Captain. The operation was a complete success."
The deputy snapped to attention and saluted, delivering his report in a loud, meticulous voice.
"We captured 215 people involved in the Evil Pill trade and 38 remaining members of the cult. Seventy-three were killed."
Up to this point, everything was within Luo Yan's expectations.
He nodded slightly, signaling the deputy to continue.
"The Imperial Capital Special Investigation Team has suffered no deaths and eight injuries. They've received preliminary treatment. Three of them were contaminated by Evil God Power. Their injuries are severe, and their condition is unstable. Please advise us on the next steps, Captain."
The deputy paused.
Luo Yan keenly noticed that although his trusted subordinate of many years was asking him for instructions, his gaze kept drifting past Luo Yan's shoulder toward the rear.
Wang Anguo and Chen Yan stood in that direction.
No, more accurately, he was staring at Chen Yan.
Everyone present had seen the child's strange ability to absorb Evil God Power directly.
Sure enough, the deputy drew a deep breath, as though he had to summon enormous resolve, and finally finished his question.
"I wonder... if this young man might be able to try treating our team members?"
At the question, every Special Investigation Team member stopped what they were doing and turned to look.
Their eyes shifted between their captain and the child, who remained