Chapter 194: The Delegation

To the esteemed colleagues of Dunling University:

By divine grace and under the protection of the monarchy and the rulers of Westmin, despite numerous setbacks, the Third Oak Grove Academic Gathering of Rivers University has been successfully held as originally planned prior to the writing of this letter.

We deeply regret the tragic death of Lecturer Piteli, who fell victim to an attack by heretics. This is undoubtedly an unbearable catastrophe—a soul who devoted his entire life to the noble cause of medicine has been cut short by such savage and cruel acts, his earthly mission ended prematurely as he returned to the embrace of the Heavenly Father.

Fortunately, the perpetrators have been brought to justice and received the harshest punishment possible, though still insufficient to atone for their crimes; may their souls burn in hell until the final judgment at the end of time.

Westmin bears undeniable responsibility for the lapse in security. After Lecturer Piteli's passing, we reviewed his manuscripts, which reveal his classic, steady surgical methods—methods that hold immense demonstrative value today and confirm the undeniable success of traditional approaches.

Therefore, upon unanimous vote by all attending participants, it has been decided to posthumously confer upon him the title of Professor and grant him the honorable status of Court Knight, in commemoration of his academic achievements and his sacrifice in the struggle against evil.

Compensation accompanies this letter. The gates of Rivers University will forever remain open to Piteli Professor's descendants. Regardless of gender, age, or status, they may freely obtain permission to study at any college without charge.

To ease our grief, we also bring news that has delighted the entire academic community.

During this very academic gathering, surgery has finally achieved a breakthrough capable of utterly transforming its status. The pioneer of this revolutionary technique—true painless surgery—arrived from the northern kingdom and, under the joint witness of esteemed authorities, performed a miracle of a procedure.

Though words cannot convey even a fraction of the emotion felt at that moment, we still record here this brief, yet destined-to-be-historic exchange.

"Did you feel any pain?"

"No."

The patient was a dockworker whose condition had steadily deteriorated after limb compression, progressing to suppuration, necrosis, blackening, and hardening—clearly meeting surgical indications; after obtaining his consent, surgery was performed.

During the procedure, the surgeon performed a series of operations—identifying and excising necrotic tissue, clamping and ligating blood vessels, suturing and dressing—demonstrating profound understanding and application of *Human Anatomy*.

The specific details are too lengthy to recount here; in summary, this transparent liquid, named "ether," which temporarily renders the patient insensate, possesses exceptional practicality and convenience, with side effects negligible compared to its therapeutic value.

We had intended to speculate here on further potential applications, but due to the inventor's strong opposition to such bold explorations, and out of respect for his views, we have decided to discuss them in person.

Unlike certain insular academic groups that hoard their knowledge, cling stubbornly to tradition for decades, and cower before power, at the inventor's own request and for the benefit of all, we willingly share this technique free of charge with all colleagues possessing proper medical qualifications.

This will include certain "black sheep" who have gradually stagnated, rising in status not through academic advancement but through location alone. Of course, we do not specifically name any individual or institution—yet we trust you agree we have the right to express dissatisfaction toward those who reap the benefits of technological progress without contributing to its creation.

Your university and ours share a long-standing historical connection, with extensive cooperation and healthy competition since our founding. To promote painless surgery, Rivers University will now officially send an official delegation to transmit the technical details.

To demonstrate our seriousness, our newly appointed professor, head of the society, and pioneer of painless surgery will accompany the delegation to Dunling; we trust your institution will extend reception befitting his stature.

If opportunity permits, an incomplete tuberculosis treatment protocol will also be included in the exchange. Proposed by our Tuberculosis and Rare Disease Medical Society, it presents a novel approach to resolving lesions through surgical means.

Signed: Duke of Westmin

Signed by visiting society and members:

Rivers Oak Leaf Society, Division of Human Anatomy and Surgery: Professor Lin Deng, Lecturer Maynard, and several students.

Rivers Oak Leaf Society, Division of Internal Medicine and Pharmacology: Professor Feiernan, Professor Kleinsmann, Lecturer Maynard, and several students.

Rivers Tuberculosis and Rare Disease Medical Society: Professor Kraft and his attendants.

……

……

"What's this?" Out of curiosity, Kraft took the letter before sealing it and read through it; his lips twitched slightly.

When mentioning Rivers University, many—including Martin—like to compare it to North, the universally recognized top institution nearby, whose geographical influence overshadows Westmin; some rivalry between them is unsurprising.

But this goes far beyond "some rivalry"—it's as if they're crawling on all fours, leaping onto the face, radiating unmistakable intent. The unsubtle subtlety makes its effect even more extreme than outright bluntness.

This is still after they lost a man on their own turf and were in the wrong; had Piteli not died, he dared not imagine what this letter would have said. As for how the current content will land on the faces of Dunling's reception staff, their expressions likely won't be pleasant either.

But they must endure it, for the delegation truly comes for technical exchange. A revolutionary change has arrived; Dunling University cannot afford to fall behind or acquire secondhand information slowly from elsewhere.

Those with reliable information likely already knew of the anesthetic technique before the Rivers group departed.

"Don't worry, Professor Kraft." Professor Feiernan pulled the letter from his hands, slipped it into a specially made envelope, melted sealing wax over a candle flame, and stamped it shut.

"It's just a joke. I have many old friends there, though we haven't seen each other in years."

Even so, it's hard to say how much of this is disguised personal vengeance; I hope the "old friends" he knows there are truly, literally, old friends.

【Perhaps allowing the Duke to provide blank letters bearing his personal signature was a mistake】

But this may not be entirely bad—Dunling's first reaction upon opening the letter will almost certainly be emotional outrage, not suspicion that someone with ulterior motives has infiltrated the delegation.

As the core of the exchange, Kraft will have ample legitimate opportunities to interact with members of Dunling University—from professors to students—while Feiernan engages in conversation with his "old friends."

Thinking of this, he nodded approvingly: "A sincere person does not fear expressing his inner thoughts."

"By the way, about the improved ether production method using oil bath heating—did you find suitable oil?"

"Oh, that? They're testing it." Feiernan stamped the wax, shaping it into a symbolic circular emblem.

"I didn't just give them the procedure details—I haven't even guided them on operation yet. Where are they?"

"Upstairs."

A sharp crack of shattering glass—both men looked up in unison, then turned toward the window, where half a curtain burned and drifted down.