Teacher Song confronts He Jiaqing about his betrayal and the misuse of the Mysterious Red Life Lotus, revealing the orphan student was endangered by He Jiaqing's actions. Meanwhile, a severe outbreak overwhelms Yuezhou Sanatorium, trapping Doctor Liu inside. Shen Jingye receives an order to escort a famous doctor, assembling a team including Chen Changrui and Candy.
Crabapple Fruit grumbled, "We’re just like Big Head, doing all the tough work. We’re the ones putting in the effort, yet we’re the ones who get blamed!"
Candy noticed this and quickly cautioned everyone, "The office will make a fair decision regarding Big Head’s situation. Please refrain from discussing it amongst yourselves."
The group ceased their chatter but collectively shot Candy a displeased glare.
Candy remained unfazed; she had grown accustomed to such looks long ago.
In a hushed tone, Light Bulb inquired of Dumpling, "Senior Sister, do you have any idea what's going on?"
Dumpling hesitated to speak, instead using her fingertips to write four words on her palm: "Famous Doctor, Epidemic."
The four characters appeared briefly on her palm before vanishing in an instant.
A flicker of understanding crossed Light Bulb’s face. Glancing back at Chuuni, he whispered, "Try to stay clear of the building later on."
Chuuni shook his head, responding, "We can’t avoid it. Once we're on-site, we must obey the captain’s orders."
Light Bulb expressed a degree of confidence, "We might not be able to completely avoid it, but let's be strategic about it."
When Kang Zhenchang was transported to Yuezhou Second Hospital, the crucial task of escorting the important mission upstairs was no longer their responsibility.
Being of lower rank, Light Bulb and Chuuni were assigned to guard duty outside the building.
Dumpling, whose techniques were unfamiliar and indiscriminate in their attacks, was also stationed downstairs as backup.
All the other team members ventured upstairs and hadn't emerged in days.
Upon entering the inpatient building, Kang Zhenchang observed two patients before summoning the department director and asking, "How many medical staff have contracted the illness?"
"Six," came the reply.
Two doctors and four nurses from the infectious disease department had already fallen victim.
Kang Zhenchang conducted a meticulous examination of the infected staff and arranged for the hospital to reassign them to different rooms.
"They are all mild cases, so treatment shouldn't be overly complicated," Kang Zhenchang stated, immediately prescribing medication before moving on to examine the other patients.
There were over three hundred patients in the inpatient building. After his assessment, more than two hundred and eighty were classified as mild cases and were relocated to lower floors for centralized care.
The remaining thirty-plus individuals were categorized as severe cases.
Kang Zhenchang had these individuals housed on the top floor of the inpatient building, each in a private room for individual treatment.
He was accompanied by only two assistants; no one else was permitted on the top floor without explicit authorization.
The first patient to receive treatment was a woman. Rashes covered her body, she struggled to breathe, and had already lost the ability to communicate. Her colleague, who worked with her, had tragically passed away from the severe illness early that morning.
Observing her condition, Kang Zhenchang recognized that her time was limited.
He leaned close and softly inquired in her ear, "Did you happen to see a beggar?"
The woman, though her consciousness was fading, nodded slightly.
Kang Zhenchang’s expression grew grave as he proceeded to the next ward.
In the adjacent room lay a young man, whose condition was relatively better, allowing him to still speak.
Kang Zhenchang posed the same question: "Did you happen to see a beggar?"
The man nodded and responded, "He was begging by the roadside. I accidentally kicked his bowl, and he seemed quite angry. Shortly after, I developed rashes."
Kang Zhenchang paused to consider, then asked again, "You must tell me the truth. Only by telling the truth can I cure you. Did you accidentally kick his bowl, or was it intentional?"
The man remained silent for a moment before admitting in a low voice, "I had a bit of a disagreement with someone earlier today and wasn't in the best mood..."
Kang Zhenchang nodded his head.
Judging by the developing symptoms, this man was also beyond saving.
Exiting the room, Kang Zhenchang made a phone call. "The situation is confirmed. The Greenwater Beggar has appeared in Yuezhou."
The voice on the other end clearly expressed disbelief, "Impossible! Unless he took a train, he wouldn't be able to get past Three-Head Fork!"
Kang Zhenchang calmly replied, "How he arrived here is not something I can answer; that is not my responsibility.
Based on the current patient symptoms, I can confidently inform you that the source of this epidemic is the Greenwater Beggar.
Nearly all of the initial cases had some form of encounter where they offended the Greenwater Beggar. These are the severe cases, with minimal chances of recovery.
The secondary cases contracted the virus from these initial patients; they had no direct contact with the Greenwater Beggar, hence they are mild cases with a higher probability of being cured.
No tertiary cases have been identified yet, which suggests the Greenwater Beggar is exercising some restraint."
The person on the other end questioned back, "Why is he restraining himself? What is his objective? There must be a reason for all of this, correct?"
After a moment of silence, Kang Zhenchang struggled to maintain his composure.
"Let me reiterate, this is outside my purview. I cannot possibly surmise the reasons behind the Greenwater Beggar's restraint.
It could be that he is unfamiliar with Yuezhou, or perhaps he intends to leverage this epidemic for some ulterior motive.
What I can assure you of is that his capabilities extend far beyond this current situation. If you possess the sufficient strength, my recommendation is to neutralize him without delay. Failure to do so will inevitably invite calamities of an unimaginable scale.
Should your strength prove inadequate, my advice is to enter immediate negotiations and arrange for his return to Puluo State. This is, by far, the most secure course of action."
Kang Zhenchang ended the call and departed from the executive floor.
...
Yuezhou University, an unoccupied lecture hall.
Li Banfeng found himself absorbing a focused lesson from Teacher Song.
To grasp the concepts of Dark Matter and Dark Energy, Li Banfeng recognized the crucial need to bolster his mathematical understanding. Mastering mathematics demands diligent effort, unwavering resolve, and relentless persistence. Teacher Song expounded with meticulous care, and Li Banfeng absorbed every word with rapt attention.
The day was sweltering, the classroom confined, and devoid of any air conditioning. Li Banfeng remained engrossed in his practice problems, perspiration glistening on his face as it trickled down his cheeks.
