Chapter 55 – Tongwan Hospital (9)
◎ I want to kill a person ◎
Fang Zhixu, at the age of thirty-seven, was a chief physician with a medical doctorate. He was the head of the surgery department at Tongwan’s 119 Hospital, and an honorary professor at several top-tier hospitals, including the 123 Hospital and the 137 Hospital. He was renowned as the ultimate conqueror of difficult and critical cases, a genius surgeon acclaimed in District C. The myth he created in the industry remained unbroken to this day—every surgery he performed had a 100% success rate.
This was the information about Fang Zhixu that Song Ke had glimpsed in passing from a news snippet.
If one were to delve into the illustrious career and legendary feats of this individual, it would likely take up an entire three-page screen, and even the always decisive and efficient Lu Ning regarded him as the idol of his professional career.
No one could have imagined that this former star of medicine would fall to this extent, like burnt-out decayed wood, awaiting complete erosion.
Zhuang Qingyan’s repeated provocations caused the seemingly lifeless figure to react.
Fang Zhixu broke free from his restraints and awkwardly crawled a few steps, managing to sit up halfway after turning over.
“Who the hell are you?” he asked, disheveled and sneering. “How big of a grudge do you have against me? Going to such lengths to investigate me?”
Song Ke looked up sharply.
He didn’t deny it; he admitted to being “Fang Zhixu.”
“Dr. Fang, you’re overly suspicious,” Zhuang Qingyan said, wiping his fingers clean with tissue one by one, smiling slightly. “We have no prior acquaintance, naturally no grievances. I was also surprised when I found out about your identity.”
“Overly suspicious?” Fang Zhixu chuckled, his eyes sharp through the messy hair. “Since we’re strangers, are you so bored? Do you have to interfere in whether a stranger lives or dies?”
His voice lacked strength, but his words were dripping with mockery. “Don’t call me doctor, I’m not worthy. As for the compassion to save lives, you are the greatest saints and saviors of this century! Cheers to you!”
Song Ke: “…”
She pursed her lips, and regardless of what the other party said, she had only one thought in her mind—Fang Zhixu must not die.
If, from the beginning, they noticed him because of his special physique, being a person who had been bitten by zombies but hadn’t mutated, then Fang Zhixu definitely hid a secret. Knowing his true identity changed the significance of this person to them. According to the information provided by Lu Ning, Fang Zhixu was probably the only hope for curing Zhuang Qingyan. As of today, Song Ke was even more determined not to let him die.
“Stop beating around the bush. Just say it, what do you want to do?” Fang Zhixu’s tone was weary, and his face was full of world-weariness.
Zhuang Qingyan presented the results of the ability assessment device to him and asked, “What ability have you awakened?”
Fang Zhixu, an A-level awakener.
Among all the officially registered ability users in Tongwan, there were over 500 people, and only three were A-level, along with one D-level in the healing category.
Fang Zhixu not only possessed an A-level ability but was also a former outstanding surgeon. Even though hope was faint, what if? What if the ability he awakened was…
Steady like Zhuang Qingyan, his breath involuntarily quickened as he waited for an answer.
Song Ke and Xu Xing were equally nervous, staring at Fang Zhixu, waiting for him to speak.
“Oh, I see,” Fang Zhixu’s gaze slid past Zhuang Qingyan’s deformed calf, gradually understanding. He extended his hand, slowly raising it in front of him, his eyes coldly fixed. “An ability, so what? I’m just a useless person.
“I’m no longer a doctor, and I won’t pick up a scalpel again.
“I can’t do what you want.
“Leave me alone, let me die.”
Song Ke sighed silently.
This person, truly, could infuriate anyone with just his words. What gentle surgeon? Clearly, he was a dark reptile king. No, a reptile!
“Hey! You stinky old man, watch out we’ll throw you to the hospital and in front of your colleagues, won’t you be ashamed at all?” Xu Xing, with a fiery temper, couldn’t hold back and threatened fiercely.
“Whatever.”
Dignity and pride, Fang Zhixu had long abandoned them.
“Then we’ll… we’ll take you to the lab for dissection and research!” Xu Xing continued with the intimidation.
“Heh heh, I can’t wait for it.”
Whatever was said, it seemed like nothing could provoke his emotional change.
Fang Zhixu closed his eyes, and lay back down, looking completely indifferent.
Song Ke approached Zhuang Qingyan, looking down at the assessment device. The prominent ‘A’ level on the screen seemed like the most absurd joke.
There’s a simple truth, actually. Regardless of whether Fang Zhi Xu had awakened a healing ability, regardless of these subsequent conditions, he was still a top-tier genius doctor.
They couldn’t just give up like this.
Song Ke and Zhuang Qingyan locked eyes, and with a subtle, unwavering nod, they made up their minds.
Fang Zhixu, they were determined to have him.
Zhuang Qingyan realized what she meant and lowered his eyes.
Fang Zhixu’s experiences, words he said, and subtle expressions flashed rapidly in his mind, taking turns like a revolving lantern.
A sudden light appeared, dispelling the desolate fog, making all the details instantly clear.
When he spoke again, Zhuang Qingyan’s voice was incredibly calm, “Dr. Fang, I return the same question to you: What do you want to do?
“After all this time, you haven’t succeeded in dying. Don’t blame it on the physique of an awakener. Instead, ask yourself: Are you really willing to die like this? What do you really want to do? What is your obsession?”
It was time to relax during the meal, and the shelter was bustling with activity. The footsteps and muffled conversations could be heard outside the window, making the room they were in even more pin-drop silent.
Fang Zhixu tilted his head back, and for a few moments, Song Ke suddenly felt a kind of painful twitch on his face.
“What’s it to you?” he said hoarsely after a while.
Song Ke took a deep breath and took a step forward, “You, t-tell me, and I’ll do it f-for you.”
This was her commitment. No matter how difficult, she would definitely follow through.
“Just with you all?” Fang Zhixu half-opened his eyes, looking disdainfully at the three of them.
One in a wheelchair, one with an unpredictable temperament, and the remaining one…
Song Ke stood straight, her eyes burning, “Just me.”
“I’m Song Ke, A-level Gold-type, a p-powerful and offensive type a-awakener. Whatever y-you want to d-do, I’ll do i-it for you.”
The spiritual weapon transformed in her palm, gradually condensing into the shape of a willow leaf blade.
Outside the window, there were exclamations as someone’s mutation worsened, turning them into a zombie. Others were in a frenzy, knocking things over, and the screams for the security team could be heard intermittently.
Just then, a freshly turned zombie jumped in through the window. Before it could show aggression, the sharp willow leaf blade pierced through its head, and the heavy body fell to the ground, the pale eyeballs facing Fang Zhixu.
Fang Zhixu slowly sat up straight, then suddenly laughed, followed by increasingly manic laughter. His voice grew louder and louder.
“Zombies, hahaha, what do zombies even matter?
“What do I want to do?
“I want to kill a person, a magistrate from District C.
“Can you do it?”
Song Ke’s eyes widened slightly.
“Can you do it!”
Fang Zhixu shouted hoarsely, the full extent of his grief and pain almost overflowing.
He pounded the ground with his fist, leaving bloody marks on his joints.
Song Ke remained silent, first glancing at Zhuang Qingyan’s legs, then back at Fang Zhixu.
She crouched down, her gaze firm, staring straight into his eyes.
“I can do it.”
…
Song Ke took Fang Zhixu away. His intense emotions were only exposed for a moment, and then he quieted down. The last thing he said was, “Whether or not you can do it should not just be empty words. Let me see your abilities first.”
Regarding Song Ke’s strength, Fang Zhixu still had reservations and, therefore, was unwilling to reveal more of his secrets. However, there was some good news; at least he was no longer entirely fixated on seeking death.
The sound of running water came from the bathroom.
Zhuang Qingyan’s wheelchair stopped at the door, and he communicated with Song Ke, who stood by the wall: “Sometimes I wonder, do you have some sort of collecting habit?”
“Ah?” Song Ke looked puzzled.
“You go out for a bit, and you bring someone back. How many times has this happened?”
“A-aren’t you the s-same? I brought y-you back,” Song Ke retorted.
Zhuang Qingyan raised an eyebrow. “Can you compare me with them?”
“?” They were all picked up; what’s the difference? Song Ke muttered to herself.
Zhuang Qingyan’s expression turned serious. “Are you really going to kill for him?
“This is probably the most difficult task we’ve taken so far.”
To reach the position of the magistrate, to rule over an entire C district, none of them were good people. For instance, the super artificial intelligence Ilya they encountered, or the magistrate of Tongwan, who single-handedly preserved peace and kept the entire C60 district intact.
Moreover, Fang Zhixu hadn’t told them yet who the magistrate he wanted to kill really was.
Song Ke didn’t respond immediately, but thought carefully. “What are your thoughts on his ability?”
Zhuang Qingyan shook his head. “It’s hard to determine; he’s tight-lipped.”
Song Ke remained silent and provided the answer in her mind.
‘If Fang Zhixu can really heal your legs, I’ll do it for him.’
The bathroom door suddenly opened, and Fang Zhixu came out, looking at the two guarding the door with a mocking tone. “What’s the matter? Regretting it?”
He had washed his face, cut his hair, and even shaved, no longer looking untidy. He appeared much neater, with a height of around 1.75 meters, very thin, with sunken cheeks. One could vaguely see the former elegance from his facial features, but unfortunately, as soon as he spoke, that impression was completely shattered.
“No, I’m not re-regretting i-it,” Song Ke explained unhappily.
Fang Zhixu snorted and went to a room, falling asleep again.
This person…
Song Ke sighed.
Xu Xing passed by while biting on a jelly, leaving a resentful remark: “I hate him.”
Xu Xing’s “Hate List” was updated again. His grudge notebook was filled with names. Counting from the beginning, the names were Lin Youyou, Zhuang Qingyan, Su Cha. Now, a new name, Fang Zhixu, had been added, and the rank was steadily rising.
…
After a good rest for two days, the news of the Throne Race’s Round of 32 came out.
This competition would be held at the Ferrara Central Tower with the theme “Fight Against Fear.” The specific format had to wait for the on-site announcement. It was said that due to the lively ticket presales, the organizers would use the most advanced holographic projection for real-time synchronized broadcasting.
V587 should return to Ferrara as well.
Starships in various districts were not operating, so they had to resort to the old-fashioned transportation method. They rented a private off-road vehicle and drove back on autonomous mode.
Xu Xing held Song Ke’s hand, bouncing around like on an outing, happily getting into the car.
As soon as they got in, they noticed a person lying in the back seat.
Fang Zhixu was wearing a large cotton coat and pants, hands tucked into the sleeves, showing half of his head, soundly asleep.
They had informed him yesterday that they were leaving this morning, and he hadn’t shown any reaction. However, he came on his own. It seemed to be his style. In a day of 24 hours, he was fine with sleeping 25 hours if possible.
Xu Xing’s good mood was mostly ruined. He pouted and sat in the middle row, while Song Ke and Zhuang Qingyan got into the front seats.
After driving for a while, the atmosphere in the car quieted down. Xu Xing’s eyes slyly glanced around.
Taking advantage of the inattention of the two in front, his fingertips moved slightly, and thin ice and snow flowed out silently, floating towards the back seat.
After fighting in U-Lab, Xu Xing’s ability control had improved. The clear and translucent frost first enveloped Fang Zhixu’s shoes and then gradually spread, connecting with the seat, freezing into ice lumps.
Fang Zhixu had slept in the same position for a long time and subconsciously turned over. However, his shoes were frozen solid, catching him off guard. His head was upside down, and his upper body fell crookedly to the ground with a “thud,” hitting the bottom of the car.
He looked dazed and sluggish, half-opening his eyes. Only then did he realize that his lower legs were completely immobilized, and ice crystals were falling off. Someone was playing a prank on him with abilities.
“Hahaha!” Xu Xing laughed heartily, holding his stomach mercilessly.
But he soon couldn’t laugh.
Fang Zhixu didn’t mind him at all. He took off his shoes, turned over directly on the ground, and continued to sleep in a daze.
Xu Xing was dumbfounded.
