Ch. 261Special Message (1)
Summary of Chapter: "Special Message (1)"
Key Plot Points
- Zhou Zhi explains to Little Mushroom why she beat Di Qiuyan: she was inherently stronger, but Di Qiuyan had found a counter to her fungi. At equal levels, Little Mushroom might have lost. Zhou Zhi emphasizes using the right remedies over raw power.
- Zhou Zhi wonders why his perfect-score exam paper—which introduced radical concepts like early radiotherapy—caused no stir. He suspects noble families and academic factions monopolize knowledge.
- Sixth Advanced Medical Academy reaches the New Plague Exterminator League finals, attracting media attention and invitations. All nine Xuanyuan Alliance schools court Zhou Zhi and Gu Zhun.
- Shenwu Pharmaceuticals offers Zhou Zhi the Shenwu Biological Talent Fund (with strict high-tier terms) and a future P5-level position. Life Bank offers a 1-million-interest-free loan; Zhou Zhi accepts only the loan.
- Little Mushroom's innocuous interview is twisted by the Xuanyuan Plague Extermination Daily, painting him as a sinister "Demon King" / "Taisui Star Lord." Little Mushroom is upset; Zhou Zhi comforts him.
- The finals are announced: Sixth Advanced Medical Academy vs. Shenwu Medical Academy. Heatstroke Pestilence has gripped the Great Capital.
- Before the match, Zhou Zhi receives a mysterious message: “Zone Two, VIP Room Four. Come quickly. — Chen Chaosheng.” He abruptly leaves, telling Gu Zhun and Little Mushroom to fight first and second, saying he has something to handle.
Character Developments
- Zhou Zhi: Strategic and mentoring; teaches Little Mushroom about cost-effective combat. Pragmatic, cautious about contracts, but willing to accept a loan. Slightly suspicious of the lack of reaction to his exam paper. He trusts his teammates enough to leave mid-preparation.
- Little Mushroom: Earnest and humble in learning; powerful yet childlike. Easily hurt by media misrepresentation, but quickly recovers. Confident in himself and Zhou Zhi, believing they can win even without him.
- Gu Zhun: Calm, competitive, and reliable; willingly adjusts the battle order when Zhou Zhi leaves.
- Tong Ge: Hardworking and self-aware; compiles enemy intel while acknowledging his own relative weakness.
- Fang Hui: Connected to the underground plague-extermination underworld; supportive but informally crude.
Significant Themes
- Privilege and monopoly: Academic and aristocratic factions control knowledge and resources; the influence of pharmaceutical and banking powers is immense.
- Media distortion / reputation vs. reality: Little Mushroom is villainized by sensationalist press, contrasting his true innocent nature.
- Preparation and adaptability: Zhou Zhi's "right remedy" philosophy and Tong Ge's intel show that victory isn't only about raw strength.
- Trust and teamwork: Zhou Zhi’s departure relies on his faith in Gu Zhun and Little Mushroom.
Character Interactions
- Zhou Zhi mentors Little Mushroom; she listens seriously, mentions her father's similar advice.
- Little Mushroom clutches Zhou Zhi’s sleeve when upset about media portrayal; Zhou Zhi pats his head and jokes to console him.
- Tong Ge and Gu Zhun discuss opposing team details; Little Mushroom recognizes Xue Yun as the “Snake Eye” they met on the lake and vows to beat him again.
- Zhou Zhi receives the message from Chen Chaosheng and leaves; Gu Zhun offers help, but Zhou Zhi declines smiling, hinting at a secret purpose.