Chapter 492: Professor Zaizen is in critical condition

PS: This year is a leap year, so what gives?

"Is Professor Zaizen in critical condition?"

When Uesugi Muneshige heard this news, he and the forensic pathologists of the Identification Department were intently performing an autopsy on a corpse, his movements precise and calm, his white coat spotless, each tool neatly arranged in its proper place.

Naturally, Uesugi Muneshige himself does not personally perform the autopsy, as he is extremely busy; if someone with his exceptional autopsy skills were to waste all his time on dissections and experiments, that would be a violent waste of talent.

However, if needed, Uesugi Muneshige still occasionally comes to the Identification Department to participate in some forensic autopsies to prevent his skills from becoming rusty.

And when Uesugi Muneshige heard the news coming from the special care ward of the Medical and Dental University, he froze for a moment.

Professor Zaizen wants to see me?

That doesn't make sense?

Since Uesugi Muneshige appeared in court, he and Tokyo Medical and Dental University have severed ties; naturally, the hospital doesn't need people who don't consider the organization, and according to Japanese societal unwritten rules, Uesugi Muneshige doing something like this would undoubtedly get him kicked out of the hospital, and he wouldn't even dare to think about finding new work in Kanto.

It's just that his background is deep enough and his abilities strong enough to withstand pressure, and other hospitals also dare to violate existing rules to take him in.

Therefore, Uesugi Muneshige's attitude toward Tokyo Medical and Dental University is one of non-interference—well water does not violate river water—although this university once did something wrong to him, it also nurtured him and tolerated and silently permitted his wild side ventures outside, even bringing about Saijo Yasuke, which led to a bloody accident involving death due to his own actions.

Now why does Professor Zaizen want to see me?

Uesugi Muneshige heard that after the trial, Professor Zaizen, unable to accept the verdict, fainted on the spot and was subsequently hospitalized; moreover, because of this incident, he must pay tens of millions of yen in compensation and suffer reputational damage—under these circumstances, if he doesn't hate himself to death, that's already not bad, yet he still wants to see me?

Damn, is Professor Zaizen hiding explosives in the special care ward, waiting for me to show up so he can blow us both up?

You have a special delivery!

Just as Uesugi Muneshige was thinking, Shiihara Mikoto also arrived.

"Uesugi!" the beautiful forensic pathologist burst in, pushing the door open urgently: "The Medical and Dental University Hospital called—it's an emergency, they're looking for you."

Uesugi Muneshige didn't even look up: "If it's a judicial autopsy, please have them submit the documents through proper procedure."

"No, it's... it's about Professor Zaizen." Shiihara Mikoto hesitated, saying: "He's critical, and he wants to see you."

Ikeda Erena looked surprised at the forensic beauty; at the same time, two notifications?

In Japanese culture, this isn't a request—it's nearly a plea.

Uesugi Muneshige's scalpel paused for a second, then he resumed work, wryly smiling as he said: "I and Professor Zaizen have no connection anymore."

"But... they said the professor insists on seeing you, saying it's... related to the Way." Shiihara Mikoto said somewhat hesitantly: "Professor Zaizen has already been issued a critical condition notice; he hopes to see you one last time before he dies."

This time, Uesugi Muneshige finally stopped working, slowly straightened up, gazed at the lifeless body on the autopsy table, and remained silent for a long time: "What illness?"

"Lung cancer, already metastasized—incurable.""

In the special care ward on the top floor of the hospital, Zaizen Gorō lay on pale sheets, the hands that once controlled countless lives now weakly resting beside the bed. An oxygen mask covered half his face, but his eyes remained sharp—though somewhat dulled by illness.

The hospital room door was gently pushed open.

"You came." Zaizen's voice was hoarse, yet still carried that familiar arrogance: "I thought you wouldn't come."

Uesugi Muneshige and Ikeda Erena stood at the doorway; the now-successful Uesugi chief gestured for Erena to wait outside, then entered expressionlessly: "I didn't expect to come either. But facing death's invitation, few can refuse."

"Especially for someone who constantly deals with death, right?" Zaizen weakly forced a smile: "Is forensic work still suitable for you?"

"It lets me speak for those who cannot speak, without interference from power or ambition." Uesugi's answer was blunt as a blade; he looked at Zaizen Gorō lying on the bed, his eyes filled with an emotion that defied words.

In Uesugi Muneshige's view, Zaizen Gorō is an outright ambitious man—his very being burns with a fire, an eternal flame named ambition; he is like a great politician, with lofty ideals and aspirations, climbing the white tower of medicine, striving to reach the very end of the medical path.

But he became like a resentful ghost, assimilated into the white tower, becoming part of it, a loyal follower and servant, transforming overnight into the tower's defender and oppressor.

That's how the system works: at first you hate it, resist it, but in the end, those unwilling to assimilate are purged, while the remainder unknowingly become part of it, until you realize you can no longer live without it, and you defend it faithfully—like a tiger repaying its debt.

"Yeah, you—you're right." Professor Zaizen closed his eyes, his breathing becoming slightly rapid, the monitor emitting regular beeps, especially piercing in the quiet room: "During this time, I've been hearing news about you—"

"I'm honored." Uesugi Muneshige stood by the bed, unsure what to say, feeling his emotions complex—resentment, sympathy, contempt, and regret.

Former teacher and student remained silent for a long time.

But the constant beeping of medical equipment and the ventilator's sound reminded them: time is running out.

"I'm dying soon," finally, Zaizen said: "Lung cancer, already metastasized. Isn't that ironic? A surgeon dying of the very disease he specialized in."

Uesugi stepped a few paces closer, but still kept his distance: "Medicine is fair to everyone."

"You're still the same—blunt, unwilling to compromise." Zaizen gave a bitter smile: "This is exactly why I originally expelled you from surgery."

"I thought it was because I questioned your surgical methods." Uesugi Muneshige also managed a weak laugh: "And, regarding the court appearance, Professor Zaizen, it seems he doesn't even hate me.

Zaizen, with difficulty, also managed a business-like smile, adjusted his posture: "In that white tower, no one is allowed to question those who have reached the top. That's the rule—foolish, but necessary."

"I believe medicine should not have a 'tower,' only equal pursuit and dedication." Uesugi Muneshige sighed: "But ideals and reality ultimately differ."

"Haha, indeed, people teach people nothing, events teach one lesson—cough cough cough!"

A violent coughing fit interrupted their conversation.

Zaizen winced, curling in pain; Uesugi instinctively stepped forward, professionally adjusting the patient's position and oxygen flow. His movements were precise and practiced—entirely those of a trained surgeon.

When the fit subsided, Zaizen weakly collapsed onto the pillow: "You should have been an excellent surgeon."

"I am still a doctor, just that patients don't complain about my treatment." Uesugi calmly replied: "They always agree."

"I owe you an apology," Zaizen suddenly said, his voice nearly drowned by the oxygen pump: "Not because of your ability, but because of..."

He paused, searching for the right words—this was a rare struggle for Zaizen Gorō.

"Because I was afraid," he finally admitted: "Your purity, your uncompromising attitude toward medicine, made me see what I once lost. I pushed you away not because you weren't excellent, but because you were too excellent—you reminded me of what I discarded while climbing the tower."

Uesugi listened silently until Zaizen finished, then softly said: "I was also wrong—I pursued so-called 'truth' too intensely, neglecting patients' feelings; back then, I lacked the empathy a doctor must possess."

"I'm not criticizing you—listen to me: I've spent my life chasing the summit of that white tower," Zaizen continued, gazing out the window: "I thought there lay the perfect surgery, the most advanced medicine, the power to conquer death..."

The only sound in the room was the hum of medical equipment.

What exactly is the summit of the white tower? Uesugi Muneshige and Zaizen Gorō locked eyes, each seeing confusion in the other's gaze.

The doubt of healers.

Even now, their answers remain completely different—this is the eternal contradiction between former teacher and student.

But this time, the sharpness in Zaizen's eyes softened.

"Perhaps you're right." He rarely conceded: "But this is my way—the only way I know."

Zaizen raised his hand with difficulty, gesturing for Uesugi to come closer: "I called you here not to seek forgiveness, but to tell you that medicine needs different voices. It needs those who climb the tower, and it also needs those who question on flat ground why such a tower should exist."

"Uesugi." He tightly gripped the former student's hand: "That day in court, you were right—medicine's future... should not have only one tower."

"I am just... unwilling! I am so unwilling! I am unwilling that I have already given so much for this tower, I have climbed for so long, I am unwilling! I am unwilling for it to end here! I am unwilling—why does heaven treat me like this!!!"

Professor Zaizen finally could not hold back his tears, he tightly gripped Uesugi Muneyuki's hand, crying as he said: "Perhaps I do not see patients as everything like Doctor Satomi does, nor can I speak for the dead and defend the living's rights like you, but I have given everything for this path of medicine, I am so unwilling!"

"I have always, always, always been serious—I studied seriously, I performed surgery seriously, whatever I did, I must do it to the best! For medicine I can give up everything—give up my hometown's mother, give up my surname to become a son-in-law, give up my dignity to beg the dean for help, even—give up those impractical morals, I indeed have some unscrupulous methods, but why has it come to this?"

"Lost the lawsuit! Reputation ruined! Then got lung cancer! Originally, finally becoming professor of the First Surgery Department was the time to make a difference, but now it ends here—I am unwilling!"

"If I were to give myself a score for my life, I would give myself 100 points! Because at any stage, any moment, I have already given my all for it!"

After saying this, Professor Zaizen panted heavily, coughing violently: "Uesugi, you are now a doctor at Tokyo University, tell me! Is my level truly not comparable to that of Tokyo University's surgery professor? Am I truly not worthy to climb to the peak of the White Tower??"

Uesugi Muneyuki fell silent, he looked at Professor Zaizen's longing gaze, knowing, the other was waiting for an answer.

An answer that would deliver a final verdict on his life.

Uesugi Muneyuki took a deep breath, then slowly nodded: "You are the strongest professor of surgical skill I have ever seen, without equal, including Tokyo University as well!"

Mori Brother, you truly are no worse than Jerry X!

Zaizen Gorou finally relaxed, lying back on the pillow.

Beneath the oxygen mask, he almost revealed a faint smile.

"Thank you—having you say this, my life has not been in vain!" he whispered softly: "Now, please let me face the final surgery alone. This time, there are no spectators."

Uesugi Muneyuki bowed deeply, more respectfully than any bow he had made as a student.

At this moment, once adversaries, once mutually hostile on the path of medicine, and ultimately turned into enemies, this teacher and student, reconciled.

It was at this moment that Uesugi Muneyuki truly began to examine his former self—one who single-mindedly pursued so-called truth and authenticity,

completely disregarding the patient's needs and feelings—was he truly right?

On Professor Zaizen, he simultaneously felt deep love and hatred, a strong yearning for the living and complete indifference toward death,

This professor, full of controversy, no matter how unwilling he may be, will meet the end of his life.

This is death—before death, all beings are equal.

But just as Uesugi Muneyuki understood all this, the Qinghui Stone suddenly radiated light ten thousand zhang bright.

"Ah, such a sweet soul—after many years, finally another soul has resonated with me."

Rain Woman Princess Arimura Hana appeared, holding an oil-paper umbrella, wearing a snow-white patterned kimono, her usually plain and cold face rarely showing a hint of a smile.

"Uesugi, you have given me another great surprise!"

"Indeed, signing the contract with you was correct!"