Free Web NovelChapter 177: Chapter 122: Clarity of Thought, a Visualization Breakthrough
「That evening, at dusk.」
「Iron Ring District.」
The three-word sign for the "Hengwei Prosthetic Clinic" hung on the second-floor wall of a concrete building, fluorescent patterns flickering across its surface.
Looking down below, you could see the iron-barred gate on the ground floor was wide open, with people coming and going.
"Someone, help! Save my brother!"
"Doctor! Doctor!!"
A tattooed gang member supported his gunshot-wounded companion as they barged into the clinic. He yelled frantically, searching for a doctor.
Some office workers, rushing past with haggard faces, were unfazed by the sight. They paid it no mind, instead walking straight to the pharmacy counter to state they had an appointment to replace a prosthetic or buy neural stabilizers.
The crowd bustled, a constant din filling the air.
There were also some nearby residents who were just ordinarily sick, hoping to pick up medication.
"Hiss... Oww, oww."
The sound of someone sucking in a sharp breath came from a pharmacy area inside the clinic.
Looking closer, the bright floor tiles reflected the incandescent lights. Several chairs were placed in front of the medicine cabinets, and a few figures were seated in them.
The rather chubby Xiong Cheng was grimacing in pain. Not only was his forehead injured—swollen, red, and bleeding from a gash—
but he also had pulled muscles and misaligned tendons in his shoulder and elbow.
Zhao Yuanqing, dressed in a long white coat, stood before him, bustling about. He would occasionally wipe the wound with iodine to disinfect it or rub Xiong Cheng’s shoulder and elbow to reset the bones and tendons.
In contrast,
Fang Xu, on the other side, kept his lips pressed tightly together the entire time, enduring the other doctor’s examination and treatment without making a sound.
"Between these two, I have to say, that kid Fang Xu is really tough."
Chen Xiao said, standing by the door and nodding to himself in approval.
Fang Xu’s injuries were actually more severe, with both arms partially dislocated, yet he didn’t make a peep.
"I dragged them into this,"
Lu Chao said, shaking his head, his expression complicated.
He glanced down at his wrist device; it was a message from Wei Cangming.
It was a well-intentioned warning, containing background information on Mei Ning and the others, including her being cousins with Ruan Hui.
He had sensed from the very beginning that these people were targeting him.
After all, the people from the inner division had no conflict with his team. The only possible connection was Ruan Hui, who had once graduated from there.
But he still hadn’t expected the connection to be so direct.
"It’s not about you dragging anyone into anything."
Chen Xiao clapped him on the shoulder, consoling him. "Even if it wasn’t you, anyone else in your position would have faced the same thing."
"From the day we joined the Third Squad, none of us had a choice."
His tone was a bit low, and a storm of emotions flashed in his eyes as well.
There was anger toward Mei Ning and her group, but also the shame of being too weak to do anything but watch during the conflict at noon.
Lu Chao shook his head at his words, but a plan was already forming in his mind.
Then, during their small talk,
"About the gun, Captain Yang already had someone return it to you."
"Honestly, Old Lu, you were really something today,"
Chen Xiao’s tone shifted, filled with admiration.
Lu Chao knew what he was talking about.
Snatching a gun, assaulting an officer. It was precisely this excuse that allowed them to give Mei Ning and her group a taste of their own medicine, leaving them without a leg to stand on.
As for why he had two guns on him at the time...
The reason was quite simple.
Although Fang Xu was an intern, he was also a probationary second-class patrol officer.
According to regulations, as the team leader, Lu Chao was allowed to check out a handgun for him, but he could only give it to him in an emergency.
And as it happened, today it came in handy.
Just then, seeing that the bandaging inside the pharmacy was almost finished,
he ended the small talk and walked over.
He saw that Zhao Yuanqing’s hands were skilled; a layer of white gauze was now taped to Xiong Cheng’s head.
"Don’t worry, it’s nothing serious."
"In a bit, have them take two bottles of Nutrient Liquid, go home, and rest for a few days. They’ll be fine,"
Zhao Yuanqing said with a smile, signaling for him to relax.
A Prosthetic Repairer doesn’t just need to master prosthetics; they also need to be proficient in basic biology and medical theory.
This overlapped somewhat with the skills of an Alchemist. In fact, Lu Chao also had a certain grasp of injury theory, though he had less practical experience.
"Thanks."
Lu Chao nodded with a smile.
After some thought, he had decided it was better to bring them to Zhao Yuanqing for treatment.
After all, since this happened because of him, there was no need to use the Department’s resources and give people something to gossip about.
"Did something happen?"
Handing over two bottles of Nutrient Liquid, Zhao Yuanqing suddenly asked.
He knew the rules of the Patrol Department and naturally saw that bringing people here for treatment was unusual.
"Just a small matter."
Lu Chao shook his head as he took the Nutrient Liquid. He didn’t elaborate, not wanting to drag his friend into this grudge.
Zhao Yuanqing looked thoughtful but didn’t press further. Instead, he just brought out two more bottles of recovery potions.
"Heh heh, take them. We have internal benefits, so this stuff is free."
"If your squad members get hurt in the future, just bring them here. I’m always around anyway."
He didn’t say much more, letting his actions speak for his support.
Seeing his insistence,
a touch of warmth rose in Lu Chao’s heart, and he no longer insisted on paying.
Soon, after careful treatment from the other doctor,
Fang Xu’s dislocated arms were reset and bandaged. Lu Chao then led the two of them out of the clinic.
"All patched up?"
Chen Xiao looked at the two of them, asking about their condition.
Xiong Cheng lowered his head and called out, "Brother Chen," indicating he was fine. Fang Xu just pressed his lips together, still somewhat silent.
It was only now that the two of them finally started to recover, though their minds still went into a daze whenever they recalled the encounter at noon.
"This happened because of me."
Suddenly, Lu Chao turned to look back at them.
He met their gazes frankly and handed over the Nutritional Potions. "I offended Ruan Hui at the Department," he said seriously. "Those people from Ring Academy have high statuses, and they’re connected to him."
