Chapter 166

Dead silence.

In the inpatient building's office, aside from the wailing outside the door, only this dead silence remained.

Amidst the dead silence, Lian Cheng stood frozen in place, already drenched in sweat.

A few minutes ago, the walkie-talkie had suddenly connected, and his subordinate reported in a panic, as if he had seen a ghost: "High Priest, something terrible has happened, there is..."

Then, the signal suddenly cut off.

Immediately following that was a terrifying, massive boom and roar that shook the entire Time Ruins.

Looking out from the window, the entire side wall of the outpatient building had cracked open, and the office where his trusted subordinate had been was billowing with thick smoke, littered with corpses.

What the hell? What the fuck happened?

Something terrible happened, speak up!

What went wrong?

But no matter how he urged and questioned over the walkie-talkie, no one responded anymore.

Are they all dead?

What exactly happened, why suddenly...

Then, in that sudden moment, he was already drenched in sweat, stiff in place, as an incredible conclusion surfaced in his mind: Could it be that the Anquan Bureau had attacked?

So fast?

How did they break through the Time Ruins' boundary membrane to get in?

That's not right, how could they!

Where did they get the guts?

How dare they risk the Time Ruins rupturing in the center of Outside Yacheng by forcibly opening it from the outside?

Besides, he hadn't seen any transcendent powerhouses from Haizhou appear.

The moment he realized this, he instinctively wanted to get up and rush to the scene, but then he froze in place, cold sweat dripping: No, if it were people from the Anquan Bureau, then his current office was a trap.

A trap to lure him into throwing himself into the net!

Fortunately, there was pollution isolation and lockdown within the inpatient building; unauthorized outsiders could not enter. This was his most important protection and reliance now.

Furthermore, with the great authority bestowed by the Lord in his hands, he was not necessarily meat on the chopping block!

Having finally regained his composure, Lian Cheng sat back down, looked up at the giant tumor hanging in the hall with its wailing and countless faces, and felt his heart settle.

Soon, the walkie-talkie rang again, accompanied by sobbing.

It was another backup unit.

"High Priest, High Priest, it's bad!"

The subordinate, who had escaped disaster by hiding in the morgue to process the blood souls of the Chosen to make tools, reported in a panic: "They're all dead, all of them, except for me..."

"Get to the point!" Lian Cheng interrupted him impatiently. "Who did it, how did they do it, how many people!"

"It's... it's an outsider who came from the back, he..."

"One?"

Lian Cheng's voice rose, cutting him off: "Are you sure, only one?!"

"Yes, one! Old Kong took people to deal with him, but for some reason, they were all slaughtered, and he even shoved a bomb into Old Kong's stomach..."

The subordinate, already in a state of chaos, reported incoherently: "No, wait, there's also that guy surnamed Xie, they might..."

"Alright, I get it!"

Lian Cheng interrupted impatiently, not wanting to hear any more.

One person?

Putting aside how Kong Yebai and the other two died inexplicably at the hands of an outsider, a single bomb wiped out his entire foundation, so many of his subordinates?

Are you serious? Are you guys actually not joking?

What kind of bomb was that! The military's phlogiston bomb? Or was it mixed with sin-poison ingredients, or was it radioactive?!

Trash!

You're all a bunch of fucking trash!!!

Having realized the sequence of events, Lian Cheng, aside from the relief that the Anquan Bureau hadn't arrived, was now completely consumed by rage. This bunch of useless dog shit was actually wiped out by a single bomb?!

And to think he had held such high hopes for them.

They had all patted their chests, claiming they would offer their hearts to the sect, and he hadn't believed them, but now that a bomb had been triggered, you guys offered your hearts immediately, didn't you?

No way, right? No way, right? No way, right? Believers aside, you pieces of dog shit don't actually believe that dying for the sect means you'll ascend to the Heavenly Kingdom to enjoy eternal bliss, do you?

It was simply like... a joke!

Rage, shame, lingering fear, and panic mixed together; Lian Cheng's expression twitched, gradually becoming ferocious: "Since things have come to this, there's no point in saying more."

He said: "Go and prepare; tonight, release the calamity beast on the second floor."

Since the outpatient building was no longer safe, then he would cleanse all those troublesome guys!

The plan was nearing success.

The Lord's power was about to descend into this Time Ruins, take root, and sprout, soon to be scattered across Outside Yacheng and Haizhou. At this critical moment, there could absolutely not be a single mistake!

"But... but..." the voice on the other end trembled.

"But what?" Lian Cheng asked coldly: "Are you going to defy my orders?"

"I wouldn't dare, I absolutely wouldn't dare!"

The subordinate responded in terror: "I will obey, I will obey!"

The communication cut off.

In the dead-silent room, only rough breathing remained.

Lian Cheng looked coldly at the building outside the window, his thoughts turning.

One?

No, definitely more than one; behind the scenes, that guy surnamed Xie must be coordinating and participating.

That damn guy...

If he wanted to stir up trouble, it would probably be even more troublesome. But there was no need to worry for now; unless he was insane, he would never dare to approach the Undying Malady.

Among the Nine Sins, the White Hall's fondness for vortex-system Chosen was well known. Once they caught sight of the White Hall's shadow, one day, the Chosen who craved the essence of life and eternal existence would all walk into the Hall of Endless Joy.

Without exception!

At this moment, after Lian Cheng made his ruthless decision, his mood finally eased slightly.

He took a deep breath and tidied his appearance.

Just then, amidst the dead silence filled with wailing, a crisp sound suddenly rang out.

A knock on the door.

It was so piercing, like a steel needle, making Lian Cheng's heart feel cold.

He took a deep breath and pulled the door open.

He saw the dean, swollen and rotting like a drowned corpse, with an exaggerated smile on his pus-covered face, looking at him.

Lian Cheng forced a smile: "What is it, Dean?"

"Something has come up, everyone, let's have a meeting."

The dean clapped his hands, and behind him, one eerie figure after another emerged from the darkness, walking out, their scarred and deformed faces all wearing the same enthusiastic laughter.

Under the flickering lights, the intermittent shadows danced between their smiles, outlining ferocious arcs.

And the last one to walk out was... an unexpected young face.

Also wearing a smile.

Yet it was so amiable, filled with affinity and gentleness, making one feel admiration and trust.

He nodded slowly toward him.

"Let me introduce you; this is a newcomer who just joined our Infectious Disease Special Treatment Group, recommended by Director Qian."

The dean waved enthusiastically toward the person behind him and said to the newcomer: "He arrived a few weeks earlier than you, so he can be considered your senior. Come, come and greet your senior."

"Alright."

Ji Jue nodded, turned his head, looked at Lian Cheng, and reached out his hand enthusiastically.

Waiting for his response.

But an inexplicable suffocation and panic suddenly surfaced in Lian Cheng's heart at this moment, his heart pounding; for a split second, his vision seemed to blur, the gentle smile disappeared, and all that remained was a skeletal face burning eternally, surrounded by countless blood-colored spirits.

But immediately after, all hallucinations seemed to vanish rapidly.

Only Ji Jue's outstretched palm remained.

Waiting quietly.

Unwavering, as if he could wait until the seas dried up and the rocks crumbled, with no intention of moving.

Until Lian Cheng finally came to his senses, his palm twitching slightly, and he slowly raised it.

But before he could reach out, that hand had already reached out enthusiastically, gripping his five fingers.

So enthusiastic, and also so... forceful.

Just like a hydraulic clamp offering its initial greeting to its intended victim!

"Hello, High Priest."

Ji Jue's right hand yanked suddenly, pulling him a step forward, spreading his arms enthusiastically to embrace him, so intimately. Just like that, patting his shoulder, he whispered in his ear, telling him:

"You're next."

Lian Cheng's expression stiffened instantly, uncontrollably spasming.

But Ji Jue's palm finally let go.

He took a step back on his own, finished the greeting, and returned to the dean's side.

Looking at him.

In the momentary eye contact, between the two stiff or calm smiles, their gazes were each different.

Rage and shock, coldness and malice.

Flowing silently.

Soon, it returned to silence.

Lian Cheng smiled reluctantly, but behind his back, his right hand, which had almost lost all feeling from the sharp pain, clenched angrily, veins bulging.

Fuck, fuck, fuck...

He lowered his head.

He reined in the murderous intent and rage that were about to erupt.

Just like that, he merged into the group.

Lian Cheng even forgot how he had walked to the conference room.

Along the way, amidst the horror and rage, his brain seemed to go completely blank for a moment, as if he were a walking corpse following the arrangements.

Like everyone else, he listened to the speeches and instructions, clapping on cue.

Finally, he took out the script he had prepared long ago to give his report, his voice somewhat hollow and intermittent, no longer possessing its former passion.

"In summary, after adopting the new therapy, the patients' condition has shown gratifying progress..."

But just as everyone was listening intently and clapping happily, another piercing noise appeared.

"Ahem, hold on."

For a moment, Lian Cheng's report was interrupted, and the entire conference room fell into dead silence; everyone looked over with dissatisfaction, frowning slightly at the newcomer who didn't know the immensity of heaven and earth and had interrupted the speech.

"Sorry, I know it's inappropriate to speak at this time, but as a doctor, I must be responsible for the patients' condition."

Ji Jue raised his hand, straightened the lapel of his white coat, and asked solemnly: "I only have one question..."

He paused, looking at everyone solemnly:

"Is this treatment method really useful?"

For a moment, in the brief silence, Lian Cheng's face became even uglier; before others could speak, he was the first to refute: "This is something everyone has seen with their own eyes, how could it be fake?

If you know nothing, then don't waste everyone's time here; for every minute and every second you delay, patients are suffering!"

Seizing this critical opportunity, Lian Cheng was the first to act, wanting to drive this guy out of the special group in one go.

Once these words were spoken, all the attending physicians nodded one after another.

It was clear they were already well aware of the large areas of withered limbs and rotting conditions appearing on the patients.

But before Lian Cheng could speak again, Director Qian had already raised his head and reprimanded coldly: "You are a newcomer; just bring your ears and eyes, and learn well.

This is not a place for you to speak!"

Lian Cheng's originally furious expression paused slightly; at this moment, Director Qian's words were less of a reprimand and more like... protection?

Are you serious?

Even he himself was amused by such a conjecture; a deformity in the Time Ruins would actually take the initiative to protect an outsider? Too absurd!

But Ji Jue didn't seize this opportunity to quit while he was ahead at all.

Instead, he flipped through the files and reports in his hand and said calmly: "But until now, not a single patient has been cured, right?"

Once these words were spoken, dead silence returned.

Then, Ji Jue continued: "Although everyone is stuck together and it's hard to tell who is who, isn't that precisely the problem?

How can we judge that this treatment method is effective, rather than just adding to the patients' torment?"

For a moment, in the conference room that had been filled with rage and displeasure, a flurry of whispers arose, and even doubt and wavering.

"I have already said—"

Director Qian raised his voice, bloodshot eyes appearing in his pitch-black gaze: "This is not a place for you to speak! If you do this again, get out!"

"Hold on, Director Qian."

At this moment, it was the dean, who had been silent from beginning to end, who spoke; that bloated face, which seemed to be deep in thought with lowered eyes, slowly raised itself, causing the entire conference room to fall into solemn silence.

"Your concerns are indeed not without reason. However, the current treatment method has already surpassed many previous attempts and has achieved many results.

Even if there is no success at the moment, I believe it is only temporary; after all, recovery from illness is like drawing silk, and the patients have been suffering from terminal illnesses for so many years, making it difficult to reverse; we must always have some patience."

He paused, and on his inhuman face, several eyes slowly opened wide, shooting out cold light, staring fixedly at Ji Jue, his voice becoming icy:

"It's just that, since you've said so much, do you have any brilliant insights? You might as well bring them up, and we can discuss them together."

Director Qian's expression shifted slightly.

He seemed to want to speak, but under the dean's gaze, he finally closed his mouth.

And under the gaze of all those cold eyes, Ji Jue remained as calm as ever, and even smiled.

"I wouldn't call them brilliant insights, just a small suggestion."

He raised a finger, "Just as everyone said, the patients have been ill for too long, it's difficult to reverse, recovery is like drawing silk, and wanting to cure them isn't simple, etc..."

Amidst a brief pause, his smile became even warmer: "But since that's the case, why not find a mild case to try it out on?"

"..."

The dean was momentarily stunned.

"Find a mild case and use the current method to treat them."

Ji Jue spread his hands openly, looking around at the many stunned expressions: "As long as they can be successfully cured, doesn't that prove the treatment method is credible and effective?"

"That's complete nonsense!"

Lian Cheng, unable to control himself, flew into a rage, slammed the table, and stood up, pointing at Ji Jue and cursing: "All patients are aggregated into one body, where are you going to find..."

But before he could finish his sentence, he suddenly felt a chill in his heart.

Or rather, a thorough chill.

Oh no...

"Isn't that simple?"

Ji Jue looked over, smiling, looking at him, filled with admiration, expectation, and well-wishes: "Of course, whoever proposes the treatment method should be the one to prove it!"

Lian Cheng was stunned, frozen in place, and just as he was about to speak, he heard Ji Jue's voice following immediately after.

"Or are you saying that as a doctor, you don't have the confidence to practice your own treatment method?!"

Ji Jue slowly stood up, pressed his hands on the table, and leaned in.

Across this overly narrow table, he finally revealed his true colors, and from within his smile, he asked one last question: "Could it be that even you yourself don't have any confidence?"

"How is that possible!"

Lian Cheng's cold sweat instantly seeped out from his back; he subconsciously widened his eyes and rebuked, as if trying to build confidence for himself. Then, he wanted to change the subject or find a point of contention, and then drag this damn guy into the water too.

"But..."

There were no more 'buts'; before he could finish, he was interrupted by Ji Jue again.

But this time, what Ji Jue said made even him find it hard to believe.

It was as if he understood his difficulties.

Standing from his perspective, he said:

"Indeed, clinical trials are not such a hasty matter after all; it's impossible to suddenly have the physician who proposed the plan conduct the verification; that would be too harsh."

After Ji Jue finished speaking, he turned his head back to look at him, as if suddenly realizing something: "Wait, you don't mean to say... that whoever raises the question should be the one to verify it, right?"

Lian Cheng's face turned red instantly, in a rage he had never felt before.

You 【censored】! I 【censored】 you! You 【censored】!

Everything you 【censored】 said was my line! It was all 【censored】 my line!!!

If this weren't a conference room, Lian Cheng, in his current state of fury, would probably have already pounced on him.

But had even this step been anticipated by the other party?

Just as his heart sank to the bottom, he heard Ji Jue speak again and froze in place.

First it was confusion and bewilderment, then it was incomprehension and suspicion, and finally, what surfaced was actually fear!

Because Ji Jue said:

"Alright."

Opposite him, that amiable face smiled again, nodded, and told him: "No problem, that's fine, I accept; how about we do it this way, what do you think?"

"I am willing to accept the inoculation of the Undying Malady with you, following the clinical trial, as the control group receiving the placebo."

Ji Jue spread his arms, as if bathing in non-existent holy light, piously and solemnly offering everything he had to the white tower.

This was Isaac's sacrifice, Abraham's burnt offering!

For the sake of curing the patients, for the sake of letting the sick enjoy a peaceful death and end.

The newcomer doctor took the initiative to stand up, accept the live experiment, stood on the moral high ground, looked down, and asked one last question: "In that case, you surely have no objections now, right?"

Lian Cheng remained stiff, completely petrified, only his eye sockets twitching constantly, unable to control himself, his expression spasming.

But in this dead silence, the sound of sobbing arose.

Crying and choking.

Tears fell slowly.

It was the dean, but not just the dean; at this very moment, everyone lowered their heads in silence, winding blood-tears slowly sliding down their faces.

They were moved beyond words!

"Each generation of talent emerges, the Yangtze River's waves push the ones before them."

"I'm old, I'm old."

"Director Qian, you've done well, done well!"

"You've cultivated a good doctor!"

In the conference room, the deformed physicians shed tears, choked, their expressions changing—gratification, admiration, approval, lamentation... involuntarily, they offered applause for this great sacrifice!

Finally, pair after pair of fanatical eyes looked back.

Looking at...

Lian Cheng.

Lian Cheng opened his mouth several times but couldn't speak.

He was already, eyes splitting with rage!