Capítulo 248: Chapter 248: God, Aren't You Being a Bit Rash?
Huatian Hospital.
Li Laifu, knowing that patients were coming from Qingshan, was filled with anticipation. He missed Lin Fan dearly; it had been so long since their last encounter. He longed to see him again.
It wasn't just him. All the doctors at the hospital missed Lin Fan. A large part of their current, exceptional medical skills could be attributed to him.
If it weren't for his diligent "death-courting" antics, where would they have gotten so many hands-on opportunities?
Ordinary patients only required standard procedures, offering no real challenge. Only cases like Lin Fan's presented the ultimate test of their abilities.
A familiar voice drifted in.
Rain was falling outside.
Li Laifu led the doctors, waiting at the entrance. They were initially disappointed to learn the critically injured patient was a stranger. However, seeing Lin Fan and Old Zhang arrive lifted their spirits. It had been so long, and the reunion filled them with warmth.
"Director, can someone in this condition even be treated?" A doctor gasped, taking in Jiang Zhonghai's state. He felt the man was beyond saving.
Li Laifu spoke sternly, "As long as a patient is brought to Huatian Hospital, regardless of their condition, we get them on the operating table. Make immediate arrangements. You'll be the lead surgeon."
His position as director carried weight.
Very few patients warranted his personal attention. Only Lin Fan could compel him to don his white coat, pick up the scalpel, and embrace a new challenge.
As for other cases… other doctors could handle those.
"Director, with such a severe case, I'm afraid I'm not up to it." Despite his words, the doctor's voice was filled with determination. The director's trust in him, entrusting him with such a critical patient, was a great honor. He had to give it his all and not disappoint him.
Li Laifu clapped him on the shoulder. "The director believes in you."
"Yes! I'll give it my absolute best!" The doctor, immensely encouraged, seemed almost divinely inspired, his demeanor completely transformed.
Inside the operating room.
The doctors and nurses gasped as they saw Jiang Zhonghai's condition, contributing their share to global warming.
"Qingshan is a hidden trove of talent," a nurse marveled.
There was a reason why Huatian Hospital's doctors were so skilled. They constantly dealt with difficult cases, like Lin Fan's repeated brushes with death.
This forced the doctors to hone their skills, gaining true expertise through countless surgeries.
Quickly, everyone got to work. Once inside the operating room, they felt the weight of their responsibility, as if bathed in a guiding light.
In the patient ward.
"Little girl, how are you feeling?" Lin Fan asked, sitting by the bedside with a smile.
"Benefactor, she's recovering well." Zhang Hongmin was incredibly nervous. This man before him was his daughter's savior. If anything happened to her, his world would turn dark. But the crucial issue was that his benefactor was mentally ill, and that terrified him.
Harming me is fine. But please don't harm my daughter.
This silent plea echoed in his mind. Benefactor, don't look at my daughter, look at me! I have a plump posterior, and while my past dancing career is nothing to brag about, I was quite the mover. My physique is still decent despite my age; I've taken good care of myself.
The little girl liked the warm smile of the big brother before her; it felt like sunshine.
"This little one is lucky to have met you. She'll be able to leave in a few days, just like any other normal child, without any problems."
Li Laifu had witnessed the girl's recovery.
If it weren't for the incredible potency of Lin Fan's stem cells, her chances of recovery would have been slim.
"That's great. Once she's healthy, she can play and run around everywhere." Lin Fan stroked the little girl's head. His beaming smile, while slightly unsettling to adults, felt warm and comforting to the child.
Old Zhang chimed in, "She can play with us."
Zhang Hongmin felt like crying. Letting his daughter play with two mentally ill individuals was a terrifying thought. He worried she might not develop normally.
Because of this fear, he missed the opportunity to see what a bright future his daughter could have had with these two "mentally ill" individuals. Such a pity, such a regret.
May 22nd.
The air was humid after the heavy rain.
Lying in bed, Jiang Zhonghai stared blankly at the ceiling, his body wrapped like a mummy, unable to move. His mind was a blank canvas.
What was I doing yesterday?
Cultivating?
Cultivating my ass! It almost killed me.
He was incredibly lucky that the lightning strike hadn't ended his life. Perhaps it was a reward for past good deeds; heaven's protection.
A nurse came in to change his IV fluids. "You're lucky to be alive. We almost called the crematorium. Thankfully, our doctors never gave up and saved your life."
"Sigh, what's the point of talking to a mentally ill patient?"
The nurse, feeling a bit off herself, left after changing the fluids.
Jiang Zhonghai's empty gaze revealed his despair. He had pretended to be mentally ill to infiltrate Qingshan, never expecting this outcome.
He felt a flicker of retreat. Perhaps infiltrating Qingshan wasn't such a wise choice.
But he quickly dismissed the thought.
How could I think like that?
I, Jiang Zhonghai, am meant to successfully infiltrate Qingshan Psychiatric Hospital. I can't give up because of a little setback. I can't be afraid of danger.
With renewed determination, he wondered about Lin Fan's condition.
Logically, being struck by lightning shouldn't have left Lin Fan unscathed.
This thought brought him a strange sense of relief.
It's good to have company in misery.
If he knew Lin Fan was perfectly fine, he would have coughed up blood. Why am I the only one suffering?
At the Xia Du headquarters.
The atmosphere was heavy. Chief Xu's face was grim as he looked at the familiar yet strange man before him.
Madonna had arrived in Xia Du from Haiyun Nation.
Claiming to represent the will of God, his words were aggressive and condescending, making Chief Xu feel as if he were in Haiyun Nation instead of the Xia Du headquarters.
Arrogant. Utterly arrogant.
Chief Xu wanted to yell, Do you even know where you are?
However, Madonna was a foreign emissary and had to be treated with a certain level of respect. Despite his displeasure, Chief Xu remained composed.
"Chief Xu, the Sea God's Temple has emerged in our Haiyun Nation, representing the one true God. He wishes to protect humanity from evil, but requires your nation to erect statues of the Sea God to spread his divine power."
"As you can see, thanks to the Sea God, I've regained my youth. Believe in the Sea God, and his divine light will reach every corner of the world."
"Eternal youth is no longer a dream."
Madonna smiled, a strange aura surrounding him.
Chief Xu would never agree to such a demand. It was tantamount to surrendering their nation's faith.
He knew something was amiss the moment the request was made.
Help against evil was welcome, but building statues of a foreign god?
The first word that came to mind was… faith.
He might be old, but he wasn't out of touch. He understood the concept of faith and the power it held.
It was like the Buddhist faith described in ancient texts, once flourishing with incense and the gathering of something called "merit."
Now, with the appearance of the Sea God's Temple and Madonna's transformation, the existence of the Sea God seemed plausible.
Erecting statues was clearly a bid for faith.
Chief Xu didn't know what would happen if a nation's faith was usurped, but he knew it wouldn't be good.
"Are you joking?"
His message was clear.
Stop dreaming.
You're delusional.
Chief Xu didn't explicitly say it, but his meaning was unmistakable.
This is a rejection.
Don't bother arguing.
Madonna continued, "Don't be so quick to refuse. By the Sea God's decree, humanity faces imminent destruction. Only under his guidance can we escape this predicament. I hope you'll reconsider."
"Let go of your prejudices, and allow humanity to progress."
Madonna's tone was sincere, as if he truly cared for humanity.
Chief Xu replied, "Thank you for your offer, but we don't need it. We can defend ourselves against evil. Regardless of what other nations decide, we will not comply."
The negotiations reached an impasse.
Madonna didn't seem bothered, casually switching to other topics as if the previous discussion hadn't happened.
That night, posts appeared online.
"Haiyun Nation's Sea God's Temple Houses a True God!!!"
"Sea God Offers to Help Longguo Against Evil, But Special Department Refuses"
"Sea God's Simple Request for Statues as Conduits is Rejected"
These posts ignited a firestorm online.
"Holy crap! Holy crap! Holy crap!"
"There's really a god?"
"Oh my god, I've sworn on the lives of my dozen exes. Am I cursed?"
"Wolf in sheep's clothing! Good on them for refusing."
"Bullshit! Haiyun Nation has a real god, and we have nothing. He's offering to help us fight evil. What's wrong with building statues? They clearly stated they're just conduits. I don't understand what those idiots at the special department are thinking."
"You're an idiot! Building statues as conduits is like handing over control of our country, putting every action under their surveillance."
"Agree with the above."
"Damn, I regret not being born in Haiyun Nation. They have a real god, and we have nothing. I need to find a Haiyun Nation husband."
"I have nude photos of the person above…"
At headquarters.
"Chief, the online posts are creating a stir. Most support our refusal, but some think we should accept the offer."
It was obvious who was behind this.
Chief Xu frowned. "I was wondering if Haiyun Nation had good or bad intentions, but seeing this, I know we can't give in. No statues. We don't know if their Sea God is friend or foe. He might be worse than the evil we face."
"Should we delete the posts?"
Chief Xu said, "No. It might backfire. They wouldn't have publicized this if they planned to back down. If we delete them, new posts will appear."
"So, we let it be?"
"Yes. Let's see how this develops."
In Xia Du's most luxurious hotel.
"Ungrateful fools." Madonna sat with a darkened expression, taking a small statue from his pocket. He placed it before him and knelt. "Master, the negotiations failed. Longguo refuses to erect your statues."
The statue glowed, a blurry image appearing above it.
"Rejecting God's grace is an act of disrespect."
Madonna bowed his head. "Yes, they have greatly disrespected you. I implore you to punish them and show them your divine might."
"What is Longguo's most vulnerable city?"
Madonna replied, "Yanhai City."
"In three days, Yanhai City will face destruction by evil. The day of its demise will be the day of my arrival. They will regret rejecting my grace, but I will not abandon a single life. In their darkest hour, I will descend and protect them."
"Master, about Yanhai City…" Madonna felt uneasy. He knew a powerful individual resided there. If the Sea God's punishment fell upon that city, its impact might be lessened.
The Sea God's voice turned cold. "Are you questioning my decision?"
"I dare not." Madonna fell silent. He shouldn't doubt the Sea God's power. No matter how strong that person in Yanhai City was, they couldn't possibly rival a god.
He firmly believed the Sea God would make Longguo regret rejecting his grace.
The glow of the small statue gradually faded.
The Sea God had departed.
Madonna carefully put the statue away, standing by the window, looking out at the night cityscape, his expression turning sinister.
"God's grace cannot be refused."
He was a devout follower of the Sea God, considering himself the deity's spokesperson in the mortal world, a high-ranking divine servant.
No one knew the fervor in Madonna's heart.
He worshipped the Sea God, and anyone who defied him was his enemy.
Chief Xu was his greatest enemy.
Those who rejected the Sea God's grace deserved death.
He had wanted to inform the Sea God about the situation in Yanhai City, but the deity's displeasure frightened him.
He regretted his doubt. How could he question the Sea God's power? Mere humans, no matter how strong, were nothing compared to a god who could crush them with a single blow.
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