Chapter 194

To the esteemed colleagues of Dunling University:

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

We deeply regret the tragic death of Lecturer Pitry, who fell victim to an attack by heretics. This is an unbearable catastrophe—a soul who devoted his entire life to the noble cause of medicine has been cut short by such savage cruelty, his earthly mission ended, returning 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 of time.

Westmin bears full responsibility for the lapse in security. After Lecturer Pitry's death, we reviewed his manuscripts, which reveal his classical, steady surgical methods—still of great demonstrative value today, affirming 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 honored rank of Court Knight, commemorating 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 Pitry's descendants. Regardless of gender, age, or status, they may obtain free access to study at any college.

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

During this 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 deteriorated after limb compression, progressing to suppuration, necrosis, and eventual blackening and drying—clearly meeting surgical indications. After obtaining his consent, surgery was performed.

During the procedure, the surgeon performed identification and excision of necrotic tissue, ligation and clamping of blood vessels, and suturing and dressing—all demonstrating profound mastery and application of *Human Anatomy*.

The specific details are too cumbersome to elaborate on here; in summary, this transparent liquid, named "ether," which temporarily renders the patient insensate, is exceptionally practical and convenient, with side effects negligible compared to its therapeutic value.

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

Unlike certain closed academic circles that hoard knowledge, cling to outdated traditions for decades, and cower before authoritarian power, we, at the inventor's own request and for the benefit of all, willingly share this technology free of charge with all colleagues possessing proper medical qualifications.

This includes certain institutions that have gradually stagnated, rising not through scholarly advancement but through mere location—black sheep, if you will. Of course, we do not specifically name any individual or society; we trust you agree we are entitled 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 formally dispatch 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 a 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 surgical approach to targeting lesions.

Signed: Duke of Westmin

Signatories of the 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?" Curious, Kraft took the letter before sealing it and read through it; his lips twitched slightly.

When mentioning Rivers University, many—including Ma Ding—liked comparing it to the North's universally acknowledged top institution, which lies closer geographically and overshadows Westmin; some rivalry was expected.

But this went far beyond "some rivalry"—it was as if they were crawling on all fours, leaping onto the face, their hostility screaming off the page. The unspoken aggression made it even more offensive than outright bluntness.

This was still after they lost a man on their own turf and were in the wrong. Had Pitry not died, he dared not imagine what this letter would have said. As for how the reception staff at Dunling University would react upon reading this, their expressions likely wouldn't be pleasant either.

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

Those with reliable sources likely already knew of the existence of anesthesia before Rivers' delegation departed.

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

"It's just banter. 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 personal vengeance disguised as academic courtesy. I hope his "old friends" there are truly, literally, old friends.

【Perhaps providing blank letters signed by the Duke was a mistake】

But this may not be entirely bad—Dunling's first reaction upon opening the letter will likely 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 every level of Dunling University—from professors to students—while Feiernan chats with his "old friends."

Thinking of this, he nodded approvingly: "Honest people do not fear expressing their true thoughts."

"By the way, about the oil-bath heating method I mentioned for improved ether production—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—I never even demonstrated the operation. 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.