Chapter 700: 689 You Are His Ceiling (Alliance Leader lunar_coco Bonus Chapter 5)

Mu Tao immediately sorted out his position.

He wasn't a professor, nor a mid‑career technical backbone, but a junior doctor learning the craft from his master.

When Zheng Ren held his chest and looked at the X‑ray, Mu Tao had no complaints; a pelvic X‑ray really had nothing to see, he was surely just putting on airs to overwhelm him with presence.

Mu Tao knew the score: others could see more information from the X‑ray, while he couldn't—that was a matter of skill. Besides, judging from his knowledge of Zheng Ren, this person wouldn't do such a thing; if it were Zheng Ren's assistant, however, it might be possible.

After carefully disinfecting, Mu Tao then said softly, "Chief Zheng, go scrub up."

Just as when he had first become a student of Wu Haishi and Wu Lao, everything was done with great caution and care.

At that moment Zheng Ren was engaged in an internal struggle.

From the little information on the X‑ray, he could picture in his mind a 64‑slice 3D reconstruction, like a huge cake, drawing him in.

Performing surgery amid aftershocks, Zheng Ren broke through technical barriers and gained new insights into many technical aspects.

But he knew that now was not the time; he absolutely could not devote his limited energy to this.

But… that unknown blue ocean was truly tempting…

After hearing Mu Tao's words, Zheng Ren calmed himself; the pain in his chest became increasingly clear. He slowly turned and said softly, "Thank you for your hard work, Teacher Mu."

Saying that, Zheng Ren went to scrub up.

Mu Tao began laying out the drapes; after Zheng Ren stepped up, he scrubbed again, then put on sterile gowns and stood beside Zheng Ren.

The femoral artery puncture was already finished; when he stepped up, the screen had already lit up.

The guidewire and catheter were in place—what speed! Mu Tao exclaimed again, then immediately began observing the vessel morphology.

After just one glance, Mu Tao knew the score.

He didn't keep looking at the screen; instead he lowered his head to watch Zheng Ren's right hand at work.

Zheng Ren's usual cross‑hand operation; when Mu Tao stepped up, there was nothing for him to do.

His right wrist twitched slightly—three moves? How could he still not see it? Mu Tao felt puzzled.

At the same time, looking up at the screen, the guidewire had already super‑selectively entered the vessel.

Even at this close range, he still couldn't make sense of it?

Although he had known there was a gap, full of confidence and preparing to steal techniques, Mu Tao was stunned.

He couldn't even see what was going on—what technique was there to steal?

"Contrast." Zheng Ren finished the super‑selective maneuver and said softly.

Zheng Ren was still dazed, recalling his own hand movements, and hadn't heard what he said. He also hadn't noticed that the super‑selective step was over and, as the assistant, he should have injected the drug to perform embolization.

Zheng Ren was a little unhappy, but instantly realized why Mu Tao had spaced out.

"Teacher Mu, inject the drug!" Zheng Ren nudged Mu Tao with his elbow.

"Oh, oh." Mu Tao came to, had no time to study, and immediately began injecting the drug.

As a scholar, a young scholar, research and technique are ingrained in his bones; Mu Tao also felt a bit embarrassed.

This is the front line; we can't waste time, he kept telling himself over and over.

During the super‑selective approach to the second branch of the internal iliac artery, Zheng Ren didn't stay silent as before but said, "Teacher Mu, I'll do and explain at the same time—just listen."

"……" Mu Tao, not knowing what had happened, remained silent.

"The vessel branches at a 65° angle, running upward obliquely; at this point the wrist should press down slightly to a 13.5° angle, then, after the microguidewire tip enters, lift it quickly while the left hand feeds the microguidewire forward." Zheng Ren finished briefly, and the microguidewire had already entered the branch of the internal iliac artery.

Only two moves—this vessel doesn't seem difficult. But a 13.5° angle, is it really that precise?

Mu Tao said he was just assisting, but without realizing it he had become a close‑range observer on the platform.

His sole task was to inject the drug and perform embolization.

That remark of Zheng Ren's, only fifty‑seven characters, Mu Tao pondered over and over, gradually chewing out a different flavor.

His own level was already high, and Zheng Ren wasn't deliberately hiding anything; he was stating the essential points.

No need for further explanation; those who can understand those fifty‑seven characters will naturally understand.

If you can't grasp it for now, you'll have to perform countless surgeries; once your skill improves, you'll also understand what was meant.

After the branch of the internal iliac artery was occluded, the patient's bleeding symptoms eased; Zheng Ren then started shouting again, asking Director Jiang to bring up the next patient.

Mu Tao helped lower the patient from the operating table and lift another onto it; only then did he slip quietly out of the operating room, mulling over Zheng Ren's remark in his mind.

Even so, he forgot to thank Zheng Ren.

A person stepped into his path; Mu Tao looked up and saw a handsome face appear before him.

"Well, well, isn't this Professor Mu?" Su Yun snapped, his trademark sarcastic tone—something he'd never change in a lifetime.

"Doctor Su, greetings." Mu Tao replied politely.

Su Yun opened his mouth to retort Mu Tao twice, when Zheng Ren's voice suddenly came: "Su Yun, now that you're awake, go disinfect right away!"

Uh… this guy…

Su Yun had slept for over an hour and felt much more energetic; he charged straight into the operating room, and Mu Tao had to step aside.

The gap between surgeon and assistant really is huge, Mu Tao reflected.

He didn't mind, didn't linger, and kept savoring Zheng Ren's words in his mind, tasting ever more flavor.

Step up, operate, and improve yourself in real combat!

"Boss, what's that Mu Tao guy doing here?" Su Yun asked while disinfecting.

"He said he was just setting up the table; I guess he wanted to watch my operation up close." Zheng Ren answered indifferently.

"Others keep their orders hidden, afraid of being seen. You, though—did you have water in your brain?" Su Yun muttered while disinfecting.

"It's just a few words; I'm not saying he won't eventually get it." Zheng Ren kept his usual pose, looking at the film, and added: "Besides, if his surgical skill can improve, many wounded will benefit. There are too many surgeries—even I couldn't finish them all here."

MB! Su Yun cursed in his mind.

How could he be so full of confidence, even a bit narcissistic, and still have the nerve to say that?

It remained just as plain, just as logical, and just as irrefutable.

"You're right, everything you said is right!" Su Yun said angrily.

"It's fine." Zheng Ren looked at the film and said, "No matter how much he improves, his ceiling will only reach your level."

Oh? Is this praising myself? At first hearing it sounds like that, but Su Yun pondered repeatedly, and the more he thought, the less it seemed that way.

His later words meant that it was just this level, posing no threat to me……