Chapter 00167: Hello (Thanks to Food Grade Salted Fish for the Alliance Leader)
# Hello (Thanks to Food-Grade Salted Fish for the Alliance Leader)
Chapter 167
Novel: Above Destiny
Chapter 167: Hello (Thanks to Food-Grade Salted Fish for the Alliance Leader)
Silence.
In the office of the inpatient building, apart from the wails outside the door, there was only this oppressive silence.
In the midst of this silence, Lian Cheng stood frozen in place, already drenched in cold sweat.
A few minutes ago, the walkie-talkie had suddenly crackled to life, and his subordinate, sounding as if he had seen a ghost, had panicked and reported, "High Priest, something terrible has happened, there's—"
And then, the signal had abruptly cut off.
Immediately after, a terrifying explosion and roar shook the entire Time Ruins.
Looking out the window, the entire side wall of the outpatient building had cracked and crumbled, and the office where his trusted subordinate had been was now engulfed in thick smoke, with corpses scattered everywhere.
What the hell? What the hell happened?
Something terrible has happened, but what is it?
What's going on?
But no matter how much he urged and questioned over the walkie-talkie, there was no response.
Are they all dead?
What exactly happened, why all of a sudden...
And then, in that sudden moment, he was already drenched in cold sweat, frozen in place, an unbelievable conclusion forming in his mind: Could it be that the Security Bureau has attacked?
So soon?
How did they break through the Time Ruins' membrane barrier?
No, how could they?
Where did they get the guts?
How dare they risk the Time Ruins exploding in the center of Cliff City and force their way in from the outside?
Moreover, I haven't seen any of Haizhou's transcendent powerhouses appear.
The moment he realized this, he instinctively wanted to get up and rush to the scene, but then he froze again, cold sweat pouring down his back: No, if it's the Security Bureau, then this office is a trap.
A trap to lure me into walking right into their hands!
Fortunately, the inpatient building has pollution isolation and lockdown, and unauthorized outsiders cannot enter.
This is now his most important protection and reliance.
Not to mention the great authority granted by the Lord, he might not be completely helpless!
Finally regaining his composure, Lian Cheng sat back down, glancing up at the massive tumor and countless faces hanging in the hall, wailing, and felt somewhat reassured.
Soon, the walkie-talkie crackled to life again, this time with a sobbing voice.
It was another backup device.
"High Priest, High Priest, something terrible has happened!"
The subordinate, who had been hiding in the morgue crafting tools from the blood souls of the Chosen, reported in panic, "They're all dead, all dead, except for me..."
"Get to the point!" Lian Cheng impatiently interrupted him, "Who did it, how, how many?"
"It's... it's an outsider who came later, he..."
"One?"
Lian Cheng's voice rose, cutting him off, "Are you sure, just one?!"
"Yes, just one! Old Kong took people to deal with him, but somehow they all got killed, and he even stuffed a bomb into Old Kong's stomach..."
The already confused subordinate rambled on, "No, wait, there's also that guy named Xie, they might have..."
"Alright, I get it!"
Lian Cheng impatiently cut him off, not wanting to hear any more.
One person?
Never mind how Kong Yebai and the other two inexplicably died at the hands of an outsider, but a single bomb wiped out my entire team, all my subordinates?
Are you serious? Are you really not joking?
What kind of bomb was that? A military-grade phlogiston bomb? Or did it have some kind of cursed poison or radioactive material in it?!
Trash!
You're all a bunch of useless trash!!!
Now that he understood the sequence of events, Lian Cheng, aside from the relief that the Security Bureau hadn't arrived, was completely consumed by rage.
These worthless pieces of garbage, wiped out by a single bomb?!
And I had such high hopes for them.
They all used to pound their chests and swear they'd give their hearts for the cult, and I didn't believe them, but now, as soon as a bomb goes off, you all immediately hand over your hearts, huh?
No way? No way? No way? The believers are one thing, but you bunch of trash, you don't actually believe that dying for the cult will get you into eternal paradise, do you?
It's like... a joke!
Fury, shame, fear, and panic all mixed together, Lian Cheng's face twitched, gradually contorting into a grimace: "What's done is done, no use talking about it."
He said, "You go and prepare, tonight, release the disaster beasts on the second floor."
Since the outpatient building is no longer safe, then we'll just clean out all those troublesome people!
The plan is almost complete.
The Lord's power is about to descend into the Time Ruins, take root, and spread throughout Cliff City and Haizhou.
At this critical moment, we absolutely cannot afford any more mishaps!
"But... but..."
The voice on the other end trembled.
"But what?" Lian Cheng coldly retorted, "Are you going to disobey my orders?"
"I wouldn't dare, absolutely not!"
The subordinate responded in terror, "I'll follow your orders, I will!"
The communication cut off.
In the silent room, only the sound of rough breathing remained.
Lian Cheng coldly gazed out the window at the buildings, his mind racing.
One?
No, definitely more than one, there must be that guy named Xie behind this, stirring things up.
That damn guy...
If he wants to cause trouble, it's going to be even more troublesome.
But for now, there's no need to worry, unless he's gone mad, he wouldn't dare get close to the Immortal Sickness.
Among the Nine Calamities, the White Hall's fondness for vortex Chosen is well known.
Once the shadow of the White Hall is seen, all Chosen who seek the essence of life and immortality will one day enter the Hall of Eternal Bliss.
Without exception!
Now, after Lian Cheng steeled his resolve, his mood finally lightened a bit.
He took a deep breath and straightened his appearance.
But in this silence filled with wails, a crisp sound suddenly rang out.
A knock on the door.
So piercing, like a steel needle, sending chills down Lian Cheng's spine.
He took a deep breath and opened the door.
There stood the swollen, rotting figure of the hospital director, his pus-covered face wearing an exaggerated smile as he looked at Lian Cheng.
Lian Cheng forced a smile, "What is it, Director?"
"There's been an incident, we need to have a meeting."
The director clapped his hands, and from behind him, one grotesque figure after another emerged from the darkness, their scarred and mutated faces all wearing the same enthusiastic smiles.
Under the flickering lights, the shifting shadows danced between the smiles, outlining a sinister curve.
And the last to step out was a... surprisingly young face.
Also wearing a smile.
But so amiable and gentle, full of warmth and kindness, inspiring admiration and trust.
He nodded slowly towards Lian Cheng.
"Let me introduce you, this is the newest member of our infectious disease special treatment team, just recommended by Director Qian."
The director enthusiastically gestured to the newcomer, "He arrived a few weeks before you, so he's kind of your senior. Come on, say hello to your senior."
"Alright."
Ji Jue nodded, turned, and looked at Lian Cheng, warmly extending his hand.
Waiting for his response.
But an inexplicable sense of suffocation and panic suddenly rose in Lian Cheng's heart, making his heart race.
For a moment, his vision blurred, and the gentle smile disappeared, leaving only a skeletal face surrounded by countless blood-red spirits, eternally burning.
But then, the illusion quickly vanished.
Only Ji Jue's outstretched hand remained.
Quietly waiting.
Unwavering, as if it could wait until the seas ran dry and the rocks crumbled.
Until Lian Cheng finally came to his senses, his hand twitching slightly as he slowly raised it.
But before he could extend it, that hand had already eagerly reached out, grasping his fingers.
So enthusiastic, and yet, so forceful.
Like a hydraulic clamp delivering its first greeting to its intended victim!
"Hello, High Priest."
Ji Jue's right hand suddenly pulled, dragging Lian Cheng forward a step, warmly embracing him, so intimately.
Then, patting his shoulder, he whispered in his ear, telling him:
"You're next."
Lian Cheng's expression instantly froze, uncontrollably twitching.
But Ji Jue's hand finally let go.
He took a step back, completing the greeting, and returned to the director's side.
Looking at him.
In that brief moment of eye contact, the two faces—one stiff, one calm—wore different expressions.
Rage and shock, coldness and malice.
Silently flowing.
Soon, it returned to silence.
Lian Cheng forced a smile, but behind his back, his right hand, almost numb from the pain, clenched in anger, veins bulging.
Damn it, damn it, damn it...
He lowered his head.
Suppressing the killing intent and rage about to erupt.
And so, he joined the group.
.
Lian Cheng even forgot how he made it to the meeting room.
Along the way, amidst the shock and fury, his mind seemed to go completely blank for a moment, like a mindless zombie following the arrangements.
Like everyone else, he listened to the speeches and instructions, clapping on cue.
Finally, he took out the prepared script and began his report, his voice hollow and disjointed, lacking the usual fervor.
"In summary, after adopting the new treatment method, the patients' conditions have shown promising progress..."
But just as everyone was focused and applauding with joy, another jarring noise interrupted.
"Ahem, hold on."
Instantly, Lian Cheng's report was cut off, and the meeting room fell into silence.
Everyone looked over with displeasure, frowning at the newcomer who dared interrupt.
"Sorry, I know it's not the right time to speak, but as a doctor, I must take responsibility for the patients' conditions."
Ji Jue straightened his white coat and asked seriously, "I just have one question..."
He paused, looking at everyone solemnly:
"Is this treatment method really effective?"
In the brief silence that followed, Lian Cheng's expression grew even uglier.
Before anyone else could speak, he retorted, "This is something everyone has seen with their own eyes, how could it be fake? If you don't know anything, then don't waste everyone's time here. Every minute you delay, patients are suffering!"
Seizing this critical moment, Lian Cheng lashed out, hoping to drive this guy out of the special team in one go.
As soon as he spoke, all the attending doctors nodded in agreement.
Clearly, they were already aware of the patients' withered limbs and rotting conditions.
But before Lian Cheng could say more, Director Qian looked up and coldly reprimanded, "You're a newcomer, just bring your ears and eyes, and learn. This is not the place for you to speak!"
Lian Cheng's expression of rage faltered slightly.
Director Qian's words seemed less like a reprimand and more like... protection?
Seriously?
Even he found this thought amusing.
A mutated being in the Time Ruins, actively protecting an outsider? How absurd!
But Ji Jue didn't take the opportunity to back down.
Instead, flipping through the files and reports in his hands, he calmly said, "But so far, not a single patient has been cured, right?"
As soon as he spoke, silence fell once more.
Then, Ji Jue continued, "Although everyone is stuck together, making it hard to tell who's who, that's precisely the problem, isn't it? How can we determine that this treatment method is effective, rather than just adding to the patients' suffering?"
Instantly, the meeting room, previously filled with anger and displeasure, erupted in murmurs, and even doubt and hesitation.
"I've said—"
Director Qian raised his voice, his dark eyes tinged with bloodshot veins, "This is not the place for you to speak! If you keep this up, get out!"
"Hold on, Director Qian."
This time, it was the director who had been silent all along who spoke.
His bloated face, as if deep in thought, slowly lifted, and the entire meeting room fell silent.
"Your concerns are not without merit. However, the current treatment method has already surpassed previous attempts and achieved many results. Even if there's no success yet, I believe it's only temporary. After all, curing a disease is like pulling silk—patients have been suffering from this terminal illness for so long, it's deeply rooted. We must be patient."
He paused, his inhuman face with its multiple eyes slowly opening, emitting a cold light, staring intently at Ji Jue, his voice icy:
"But since you've said so much, do you have any brilliant ideas? Feel free to share, let's discuss."
Director Qian's expression shifted slightly.
As if he wanted to speak, but under the director's gaze, he ultimately closed his mouth.
Under the cold stares of everyone, Ji Jue remained calm, even smiling.
"Brilliant ideas? Not really, just a small suggestion."
He raised a finger, "As you all said, the patients have been ill for too long, deeply rooted, curing them is like pulling silk, not easy, and so on..."
In the brief pause, his smile grew even warmer, "But if that's the case, then why not try it on a mild case?"
"..."
The director was momentarily stunned.
"Find a mild case, use the current method to treat them."
Ji Jue openly spread his hands, looking around at the bewildered expressions, "If it can be successfully cured, wouldn't that prove the treatment method is reliable and effective?"
"Complete nonsense!"
Lian Cheng couldn't hold back, furious, slamming the table and pointing at Ji Jue, "All the patients are fused together, where would we suddenly find..."
But before he could finish, his heart suddenly turned cold.
Or rather, completely chilled.
Oh no...
"Isn't it simple?"
Ji Jue looked over, smiling at him, full of admiration, expectation, and well-wishes, "Of course, the one who proposed the treatment method should prove it!"
Lian Cheng stood frozen, stiff, about to speak when he heard Ji Jue's next words.
"Or do you, as a doctor, lack the confidence to personally test your own treatment method?!"
Ji Jue slowly stood up, placing his hands on the table, leaning forward.
Across the narrow table, he finally revealed his true intentions, smiling as he asked, "Could it be that even you yourself have no confidence in it?"
"Impossible!"
Cold sweat instantly broke out on Lian Cheng's back, instinctively glaring and shouting, as if to bolster his own confidence.
Then, he wanted to change the subject or shift the focus, dragging this damn guy down with him.
"But..."
There was no "but" left, as he was interrupted again by Ji Jue.
But this time, what Ji Jue said left him in disbelief.
As if understanding his predicament.
Speaking from his perspective:
"Indeed, clinical trials aren't something to be taken lightly. It's not appropriate to suddenly have the doctor who proposed the method verify it, that's too harsh."
After saying this, Ji Jue turned back to him, as if suddenly realizing, "Wait, are you trying to say... the one who raises the doubts should be the one to verify them?"
Lian Cheng's face instantly turned red with unprecedented rage.
You ▇ing ▇! I ▇ you ▇! You ▇▇!
You ▇ing said all my lines! All my ▇ing lines!!!
If this weren't a meeting room, Lian Cheng, in his fury, might have lunged at him.
But even this move had been anticipated?
As his heart sank further, he heard Ji Jue speak again, leaving him stunned.
First confusion and bewilderment, then doubt and suspicion, and finally, fear!
Because Ji Jue said:
"Alright."
Across from him, that amiable face smiled again, nodding, telling him, "No problem, I accept. How about this?"
"I'm willing to undergo the Immortal Sickness inoculation with you, as part of the clinical trial, as the placebo control group."
Ji Jue spread his arms, as if bathed in nonexistent holy light, devoutly and solemnly offering everything to the white tower.
This was the sacrifice of Isaac, the burnt offering of Abraham!
To cure the patients, to let them peacefully face death and the end.
The new doctor stepped forward, volunteering for the live experiment, standing on the moral high ground, looking down, and finally asking, "This way, you have no objections, right?"
Lian Cheng remained frozen, completely petrified, only his eyelids twitching uncontrollably, his face contorted.
But in the silence, a sobbing sound emerged.
Crying and choking.
Tears slowly fell.
It was the director, but not just the director.
At this moment, everyone bowed their heads in silence, bloody tears winding down their faces.
Moved beyond words!
"Each generation has its talents, the new wave pushes the old."
"Old, so old."
"Director Qian, you've done well, very well!"
"You've nurtured a great doctor!"
In the meeting room, the mutated doctors wept, choked, their expressions shifting—approval, admiration, agreement,感慨...
Unconsciously, they applauded this great sacrifice!
Finally, their狂热 eyes turned.
To look at...
Lian Cheng.
Lian Cheng opened his mouth several times but couldn't speak.
Already, his eyes were wide with rage!
(End of Chapter)