Chapter 797: Forged into a Monster

This was the best news Dr. Merz had heard recently, bar none.

Although that young Great Demon King was already beginning to show his mettle in the field of sports medicine and was unstoppable, and Wembanyama's injury had nothing to do with the surgery, one could only say it was bad luck.

However, Dr. Merz was still very happy after hearing this news.

"What does the X-ray show? Did you do a Magnetic Resonance Imaging?" Dr. Merz hurriedly asked.

"I don't know yet, I made a call, the team doctor said they are examining him."

"What do you think?"

"I estimate there is a high probability of a fracture or ligament damage."

Dr. Merz felt physically and mentally delighted.

The Play-in Tournament, a single-elimination game; Wembanyama was taken off the court after being foot-stepped, so even if the injury wasn't serious, one could consider the Lakers out of the Playoffs, and Wembanyama out of the Playoffs as well.

As for next year, there was still a year of time.

That damn Neymar had better get injured too; countless thoughts appeared in Dr. Merz's mind, but only this one was the clearest.

"You actually didn't watch the game? I remember a while ago you were following the Lakers to watch games, I thought you were a Lakers fan, or at least a Wembanyama fan."

Dr. Merz smiled slightly, "What's the score now?"

"Very intense, Playoff intensity! It's a truly wonderful game, what a pity. I even suspect the player who did the foot-stepping participated in Sports Betting, damn Adam Silver, gamblers deserve to die."

Dr. Merz didn't mind, he shrugged his shoulders, "I'll contact their team doctor."

"Better not." That doctor stopped Dr. Merz's idea, "They must be very sad. When I called just now, I heard it was very chaotic over there, panic-stricken."

"Watch the game!" Dr. Merz took out his phone and clicked into the live broadcast of the game.

A huge close-up shot appeared before his eyes; Staples Center was packed with people, and as far as the eye could see, it was full of yellow jerseys and flags of the Purple and Gold Legion.

The last time to watch this season, Dr. Merz smiled.

That damn Great Demon King, just like that, charged into the field of sports medicine and occupied the most profitable surgical projects in a very short time; I really hope the athletes he has operated on retire on the spot.

Just as he was thinking this, Dr. Merz suddenly felt his phone vibrate.

Although the volume wasn't loud, that deafening shouting and cheering came through the phone.

Staples Center was instantly ignited with the appearance of a figure in the player tunnel.

Although Wembanyama's steps were still a bit unsteady, he walked out of the locker room, a king returning, back onto the court!

As more and more fans of the Purple and Gold Legion saw Wembanyama's figure, the roof of the entire stadium was about to be blown off by the huge sound waves.

With the addition of Sports Betting groups, the NBA has become increasingly entertainment-oriented, and the drama of a king's return is also the most capable of igniting human passion.

Dr. Merz stared blankly at Wembanyama; he almost cried out.

In the deepest part of his heart, Dr. Merz increasingly suspected that the young Great Demon King had performed body modification on Wembanyama.

Otherwise, how could Wembanyama recover so quickly!

Otherwise, why would Wembanyama return so quickly after being foot-stepped!

Otherwise...

Countless thoughts appeared in Dr. Merz's mind again, complex and tangled.

During a dead-ball opportunity, Wembanyama returned to the court.

Amidst the sound waves, he raised his hands high, as if holding the flag of the Purple and Gold Legion high, leading a team composed only of Undrafted Players and Second-round Picks to sprint toward the Playoffs.

The Championship Emblems and Retired Jerseys hanging high above Staples Center shone brilliantly at this moment.

Dr. Merz watched all this with a face ashen like death.

Hope...

Before his hope could be accurately realized, Wembanyama received a pass from a teammate, and a powerful, violent Poster Dunk announced the true return of the king.

The usually peaceful Wembanyama did not immediately return to defense, but roared at the opposing player who had fallen to the ground.

That was the person who had foot-stepped him.

Whether intentional or unintentional, Wembanyama gave the most violent retaliation.

Dr. Merz didn't notice these things; he keenly captured that Wembanyama's steps were still light, estimating it was just a sprained ankle, with no fracture and no ligament damage.

The weight of his entire body and the violent trauma were all borne by the repaired ligaments, and they remained intact.

The young Great Demon King's seemingly simple and casual second surgery had indeed transformed Wembanyama into an indestructible warrior.

Dr. Merz felt despair in his heart.

If Victor Wembanyama sweeps the NBA, then will the surgeries for future top athletes all have to travel thousands of miles to find that young Great Demon King to perform them?!

This is the most profitable piece of the sports medicine field.

Dentists, plastic surgeons, and Cardiac Surgery doctors are considered the doctors who make the most money, but Merz was very certain that compared to the high-end field of sports medicine, those were insignificant.

Dr. Merz could already vaguely see the delicious cake being sliced away by the young Great Demon King, leaving only a few crumbs for himself.

He didn't speak, just watched the screen in frustration, watching Wembanyama's steps on the screen.

No problem, no problem at all! Wembanyama's steps were agile, and every offense and defense was impeccable.

Dr. Merz was helpless.

Block after block, Poster Dunk after Poster Dunk, Wembanyama's anger had been ignited by the malicious foul, and he was venting his emotions on the court without restraint.

And the two surgeries did not drag him down; Wembanyama, who had fully recovered his physical state, was almost like a superman.

Ubiquitous,

Omnipotent,

All of this would be watched by more of the basketball world and front offices.

No matter how far Wembanyama could lead the Lakers this season, the king's return he performed today and the various violent aesthetics that followed would have a profound impact on Dr. Merz.

Just as the fourth quarter began, the Lakers had already blown out the game, and when Wembanyama was substituted out to rest, he clenched his fists and roared at the player who had foot-stepped him.

At this moment, he was like a French monster, ready to swallow his opponent alive.

F***!

Dr. Merz was cursing incessantly in his heart.

How could this be possible? It was simply too absurd. Damn that Great Demon King, how on earth did he turn Wembanyama into a monster and a future soldier!

Even now, recalling that "simple" surgery, Dr. Merz still didn't know what the Great Demon King had done.

He had been defeated miserably, very miserably.

"My God!" the doctor beside him exclaimed.

Dr. Merz sighed; he must be astonished by Wembanyama's performance.

He was astonished too, but...

"Merz, do you know!"

"Know what?"

"Tom is going to the hospital you went to! He is going to seek treatment. I think Tom must have been observing Wembanyama's performance all along." The doctor practically roared the sentence.

"Tom? Which Tom?" Dr. Merz asked listlessly.

"Tom Brady! Tom Brady of the New England Patriots!!"

"Ever since he got injured, I haven't seen him at the Super Bowl. Tom Brady is the best guy, the best Quarterback!"

"My God, Tom Brady finally has hope."

"Merz, do you think it's possible for Tom Brady to return to his 2019 level? I thought he was going to retire, I didn't expect..."

The doctor was rambling on, and Dr. Merz's mood was gloomy to the Extreme Point.

Another super athlete was going to find the young Great Demon King for surgery!

This was the only thought in Dr. Merz's mind, making Dr. Merz incredibly frustrated.

Although Tom had been injured for many years, it was estimated that even if God himself stepped onto the operating table, he wouldn't be able to make a full recovery.

But!

This was just the beginning.

Following Wembanyama's heaven-defying performance, more and more top athletes were going to find the Great Demon King for medical consultations and surgeries after getting injured, instead of coming to Massachusetts General Hospital.

Damn it!

There was also that damn World Cup this year!!

Hopefully Neymar performs poorly, otherwise... Dr. Merz was even worried that the income of his clinic would plummet.

No, the drop in income must have already started. If Neymar leads his team to win the Hercules Cup, his clinic would become a second-rate clinic, selling manual labor like a truck driver to earn a little money.

To think about having a surgery worth millions of dollars again was basically impossible.

"Xiao Ji, is Wembanyama okay? That hit just now looked pretty heavy." Zhao Zhe held his phone and asked while sitting in the locker room.

"He's fine, prepare for surgery, stop watching the live stream."

"Wembanyama is really amazing!" Zhao Zhe smiled and put his phone away, "He recovered so fast."

"As expected."

Zhao Zhe was speechless at Ji Xiang's indifferent comment.

Wembanyama had fully recovered, and his athletic ability hadn't declined but had actually improved. As the surgeon, Ji Xiang should be happy.

Yet Ji Xiang remained indifferent, as if all of this was within his expectations.

Too pretentious, but Zhao Zhe liked it.

"Doctor Ji Xiang, the agent of an aging football Quarterback called to inquire about surgery." Lin Jiuze walked back with the phone. Although he was forcibly suppressing his surprise, his micro-expressions were still obvious enough.

"Look at the scans after the surgery; the Quarterback's surgery isn't urgent," Ji Xiang said, "Let's go, let's head to the operating room."

Lin Jiuze habitually shrugged his shoulders.

Perhaps only Doctor Ji Xiang would be so indifferent to a football Quarterback coming to his door.

That Quarterback was the top player a few years ago, but his form plummeted following his injury.

Lin Jiuze also knew that the other party's physical condition definitely couldn't support a return to his peak, but for a doctor, this was of great significance.

But Ji Xiang truly didn't care; he was like a donkey on a production team, constantly turning in circles to grind the mill.

Arriving at the operating room, the Anesthesia doctor sat dejectedly by the machine, wearing Lead Clothing.

"Liu Ge, what's wrong with you? It's just one surgery, you won't be exposed to much radiation." Ji Xiang greeted the Anesthesia doctor with a smile.

"Didn't sleep well last night."

"Oh? Did you work overtime last night? Is it hard to work overtime at your age? But then again, it's enviable that you can still work overtime," Zhao Zhe asked with a smile.

This overtime was not that overtime; the atmosphere in the operating room was relaxed and joyful.

"What overtime, what overtime? My hobby now is fishing," the Anesthesia doctor said listlessly.

"Then what's wrong with you?"

"I was kicked out of the house by my wife yesterday."

"!!!" Zhao Zhe was very interested. He hurried to wash his hands and asked while disinfecting, "Lao Liu, what exactly happened? Did your wife catch you?"

"Catch me, my ass! I told her I like fishing. Unlike you, you're old and not married, you can sleep with whoever you want, no one cares. You envy me, but I envy you even more."

"Sigh, I'd like to, but someone has to be willing, right?" Zhao Zhe didn't care about the Anesthesia doctor's mockery at all and returned to the topic, "Did you get home late from fishing?"

"My wife is sick."

"..."

"When I got home yesterday, she insisted on asking me a question."

"Did she ask who you'd save first if she and your mother fell into the water?" Zhao Zhe asked with a smile.

"This question is already outdated," the Doctor said with a sigh. "She asked me what I should do if I went to the restroom and didn't have any paper, but I had a 5-million check and her photo in my hand."

"!!!"

"!!!"

This question was truly boring enough.

"Liu Ge," Tang Yan asked with narrowed eyes. "You didn't have a 'straight-man cancer' flare-up and choose the photo, did you?"

"I wish I hadn't."

"My god, you actually dared?! Speaking of which, you two have such a great relationship; your child is already so big, yet you can still ask such brain-dead questions." Tang Yan didn't want to bring the Doctor down, so she could only change the angle to compliment him.

"Sigh, I also think this question is brain-dead, so I gave an even more brain-dead answer."

"What did you say?" Zhao Zhe asked.

"No matter when it is, you are the first choice?" Tang Yan widened her eyes and said an answer in disbelief.

"Not at all," the Doctor let out a breath. "I wish I were as tactful as you, Xiao Tang."

"That's considered tactful?!" Tang Yan was inexplicably shocked.

"I said I'd use my finger to wipe it clean, then use my mouth to lick my finger clean, and when I was done, I'd go home, tell you I got a 5-million check, and give you a kiss."

"..."

"..."

"Liu Ge, get out," Tang Yan said with a blank expression. "Scum like you should just be destroyed; it's too disgusting, simply too disgusting."

"Surgery is starting!" Ji Xiang clapped his hands.

"You've made me want to throw up my breakfast today," Tang Yan said with disdain.

"You're studying medicine, are you still afraid of this little bit?" Ji Xiang asked with a smile.

"This is the most disgusting answer I've ever heard," Tang Yan said. "'No matter when it is, you are the first choice' was already brainless enough."

"When you were in school, you studied Cholera in Infectious Diseases, right?" Ji Xiang asked while performing the surgery.

"I studied it, so what?"

"Let me test you with a question."

"Go ahead."

"How are the three developmental stages of Cholera pathology divided?" Ji Xiang asked leisurely.

Tang Yan was stunned for a moment.

Infectious Diseases itself was a very niche subject, and with the word 'pathology' added, she definitely didn't know.

"I don't know, how are they divided?" Tang Yan asked.

Ji Xiang didn't speak, focusing on the surgery.

"Ji Xiang, how exactly are they divided? Hurry up and tell me." Tang Yan urged.

"Hahaha, Xiao Tang, Doctor Ji Xiang is joking with you." Lin Jiuze interrupted Tang Yan's questioning with a laugh.

"Telling half a story—I know he's deliberately trying to disgust me, but what's so disgusting about pathological classification?" Tang Yan shook her head, though she was wearing a sterile cap, so her ponytail didn't fly up.

"Don't ask anymore."

"No, hurry up and tell me!" Tang Yan's stubborn temper flared up.

"What did you eat for breakfast? Fried dough sticks and soy milk?" Ji Xiang squinted at the screen while performing the Super-selection.

"Hey, I knew you were deliberately trying to disgust me. I didn't have fried dough sticks and soy milk this morning; I had porridge, an egg, and some small pickled vegetables!" Tang Yan said triumphantly.

"The pathology of a Cholera Patient's stool is divided into three types: early stage: egg-drop soup-like; middle stage: black rice porridge-like; late stage: white rice soup-like."

"..."

"Xiao Ji, you really are more disgusting than me," the Doctor said helplessly. "I also had porridge in the cafeteria this morning. Speaking of which, the rice porridge in our cafeteria is so thin you can see your own reflection; it really is a bit like the white rice soup-like presentation of Cholera."

"Pfft." Ji Xiang finished the Super-selection nimbly and said with a smile, "Just a joke, don't overthink it."

"Can you say something nutritious?"

"Isn't white rice porridge nutritious?"

"Disgusting!"

"Angiography." Ji Xiang raised his hand.

Although everyone was chatting, it didn't delay the surgery in the slightest. They connected the high-pressure Syringe and began the Angiography.

"Let's talk about something nutritious. I once met a teacher who was very prone to sweating, especially when he was nervous."

Ji Xiang said softly while squinting at the screen.

"Use Gauze. When Sui Zhuren from the Orthopedics Department performs surgery, he has to tie two strips of Gauze on his head. Otherwise, he'll sweat. I don't know where he gets so many sweat glands."

"Right, I think Sui Zhuren's sweat glands all grew on his head."

"That's not what I'm talking about." Ji Xiang squinted at the screen. "That day I was observing the surgery from the back. The surgery was very difficult, and as he was doing it, he asked the Circulating Nurse to wipe his sweat. But the Circulating Nurse had gone to get blood, so I took a piece of Gauze to wipe it for him."

"As soon as I wiped it, I saw his hand tremble, his whole body stiffened, then went limp, and then I got scolded."

"Scolded you? Why?" Tang Yan was puzzled.

"It turns out that teacher had Friction Allergy," Ji Xiang answered calmly.

"!!!"

"What is Friction Allergy?" Tang Yan asked, blinking her large eyes.

"For those with certain congenital allergic constitutions, as long as the skin is subjected to friction, even slight stimulation, it will cause a certain Allergic Reaction. The area of friction will develop localized edema, with red halos around it, accompanied by itching."

"Xiao Tang, don't listen to him," the Circulating Nurse pressed the intercom and said from outside. "Ji Xiang is 'driving' (making dirty jokes)."

"How is he 'driving'? I didn't feel it."

"Xiao Ji, is that teacher you mentioned married?" the Circulating Nurse asked with experienced insight.

"No, he's always been single."

"I told you, you dirty pervert, saying things like that to our little Tang." The Circulating Nurse released the intercom with a look of disdain.

Tang Yan finally understood what it meant and glared fiercely at Ji Xiang.

Driving isn't scary; not understanding the slang is what's scary.

Whoever doesn't understand is the one who feels awkward.

"Remove the tube, we're done." Ji Xiang turned and stepped off the platform; the subsequent work would be handled by Lin Jiuze.

Lin Jiuze had long since grown accustomed to being a junior Doctor under Ji Xiang.

"Rough work" like removing tubes and applying pressure to stop bleeding was all his.

"Bang~"

Ji Xiang tore off his Lead Clothing and threw it on the floor.

"How many times have I told you, hang the Lead Clothing up directly!" The Circulating Nurse kicked open the Airtight Lead Door and nagged as she walked in.

But she didn't scold him like she scolded others, nor did she grab Ji Xiang's ear to make him follow Operating Room discipline and hang up the Lead Clothing; instead, she picked up the Lead Clothing herself and started tidying up.

"Xiao Ji, you're something else, you don't even look for a partner, yet you drive faster than those old perverts."

"I was just stating a fact, Sister. I wasn't driving, you're the one who overthought it." Ji Xiang scratched his head and chuckled.

Suddenly, the technician outside the Lead-lined Glass stood up, looking serious and extremely polite.

The Circulating Nurse paused and looked through the Lead-lined Glass.

Bai Chuzhang walked in wearing a blue cap.

"Bai Chuzhang."

Although the Circulating Nurse was inside the Operating Room and Bai Chuzhang certainly couldn't hear her greeting, she still stood at attention and greeted him.

"Bai Chuzhang, why are you here?" Ji Xiang walked out to greet Bai Chuzhang.

"Wembanyama's post-operative recovery is truly excellent!" Bai Chuzhang said excitedly, "Xiao Ji, you did a great job on the surgery!"

"It's alright, within expectations."

"Do you think that foot-stepping incident will have a major impact?"

"No, Wembanyama's recovery rate is very high. I don't think that ankle sprain is a big deal."

"That's good then," Bai Chuzhang said with a smile.

"Bai Chuzhang, what did you mean by coming here..."

"I just saw Wembanyama's outstanding performance and came to see if you were happy about it too."

Ji Xiang looked at Bai Chuzhang seriously, seeing the smile on his face, he couldn't tell what he was thinking at all.

Looks like I need to pay attention, Ji Xiang thought to himself.

The NBA is a bit annoying; the Playoffs happen right during work hours. However, Ji Xiang doesn't watch the games much, just knowing the result is enough. If he has time, he'll glance at Wembanyama, and seeing that he has no issues moving around is enough.

More than a month later.

Although leading a group of Undrafted Players, Wembanyama's form was indeed outstanding, descending like a god of war from a black-seven seed to the second round, and then to the Western Conference Finals.

After winning the Western Conference Finals 4:2, Ji Xiang received a call from Wembanyama, inviting him to watch the Finals.

"Knock knock knock~"

Ji Xiang knocked on the door of Bai Chuzhang's office.

"Bai Chuzhang, hello," Ji Xiang said politely.

"Come in, Xiao Ji." Bai Chuzhang waved his hand, greeting Ji Xiang to enter quite casually, "Something up?"

"Wembanyama made it to the Finals."

"I know, the surgery was done quite brilliantly. Recently, even well-known Sports Medicine Experts in the country have been consulting me."

"Oh, that's not it." Ji Xiang produced an envelope as if by magic.

"This is?" Bai Chuzhang frowned.

"Front-row tickets for the Finals. Wembanyama's agent flew over specifically and just delivered them to me."

"!!!"

"Five tickets for every game. Could you help me observe Wembanyama's recovery progress up close?"

"I don't have any vacation time," Bai Chuzhang said with a miserable face.

It was visible that Bai Chuzhang was already drooling.

"Vacation? This has nothing to do with vacation," Ji Xiang said. "Observing the recovery of post-operative Patients to open up new horizons for our hospital's Sports Medicine field, I think this is the Medical Affairs Department's duty."

"The only problem is the Lakers are down 0:2, so the games after returning home might not be that good to watch."

Bai Chuzhang looked at Ji Xiang with a beaming smile.

This kid is truly considerate.

(End of chapter)