That night, the hashtag of the gas explosion at Jici Hospital trended across media platforms in Cliff City and the entirety of Hai Province, sparking heated debates.
Entire half of the outpatient block collapsed, while other buildings suffered various degrees of damage.
The public risks and negligence raised collective reflection among the public.
It all temporarily came to an end with the officials from city administration holding a press conference and bowing in apology.
But to everyone's surprise, such a severe accident at the hospital resulted in the death of only one doctor.
Reportedly, the deceased, Mr. Lawrence, had been working at Jici Hospital for seven years, devoted and skilled—he met with this sudden calamity, a truly regrettable loss.
On this matter, well-known paper-pusher from Tianmen University, obscure commentator, and direct victim of the accident, Mr. Ji Jue who did not wish to reveal his name, commented:
——"Feels like a kitty, pop the champagne!"
Alas, good death though it was, champagne remained unopened.
After such a major accident, Jici Hospital was forced into a state of necessary repair and maintenance.
Fortunately, the usually do-nothing but bow city hall turned out to be surprisingly prompt this time, transferring the inpatients to other hospitals and even covering a portion of the treatment costs—an insignificant amount for the bigwigs, but the sun seemed to rise from the west for everyone else.
Lying in his clean private room, Ji Jue felt shockingly pampered and unhesitatingly indulged in four luxurious nutritional meals in one day!
Two days later, Wen Wen suddenly showed up asking, "I accidentally knocked down half of the outpatient building with one punch. It will only cost over eight million to repair, but for some reason, the electric bikes and cars in both parking lots are totalled, the losses exceeding two thousand 'Gold Coins.' Do you have any clue?"
Ji Jue replied, "I'm just a victim, got hit on the head, suffering amnesia. How the hell would I know?"
"I lost my nearly new, 99 percent new, Nth-hand e-bike I bought from Lu Feng last year!"
"Did I say anything?"
Anyway, admitting guilt was absolutely out of the question. He had bled for the Federation, taken bullets for Cliff City, how could he stand such defamation? Definitely that dog Lawrence's doing!
Besides, he had his own sense of just righteousness, right? He had stepped in to bravely help Wen Wen when she faced the evil forces alone, weak and outnumbered, didn't he?
If he had known she was so formidable and nearly could slap out eighteen dragons with one palm, well, Ji Jue...okay, he'd probably still do the same.
Fighting, thrilling!
Always fighting, always thrilling!
Only now, the whole deal escalating to such a level, Ji Jue couldn't help but worry, "You didn't get pegged, did you?"
"Pegged? What pegged?"
Wen Wen scoffed, flicking ashes outside the window: "Do you really think I would pay for this? Believe it or not, if blowing up half a hospital outpatient building could squash a Shepherd from the Dragon Sacrifice Ceremony, tomorrow the Security Bureau could flatten every single hospital in Cliff City.
Moreover, thwarting terrorist plots and attacks saved tens of thousands of people in Northern Mountain District from harm, and even busted a Shepherd's head wide open. Considering the minimal losses, even the Governor would laugh himself awake in his dreams.
With this, Cliff City Security Bureau's KPI for the year is sorted. If those assholes weren't at odds with me, they'd be kowtowing to me!
The onlookers who were just there for the show must be kicking themselves. Had they but played their cards right, such a great achievement wouldn't have fallen into my lap alone."
"Merit? What merit? Is there a reward?"
Ji Jue's eyes sparkled; he wriggled up in bed, leaning in with an eagerness akin to a fawning dog, "Even if we don't split it, I contributed, right, boss!
I have DKP, you can't just roll the loot and exclude me!"
"Nope."
Wen Wen shrugged regretfully, patting her empty pockets: "What they gave me, you can't use, and you won't get any Security Bureau perks either, but..."
She paused, a smile creeping up: "Lawrence did have a bounty."
"How much?"
Ji Jue's eyes gleamed brighter: "Not to shy away, I quite fancy these worldly possessions!"
"Let me see, the Federation Security Bureau rewarded over ten million, not too much. The Empire offered over forty million, the nuts at the hospital pitched in a lot too, but they want him alive... all in all, it's all here."
Saying this, she pulled a list from her chest pocket.
The figure of fifty-three million on the list momentarily blinded Ji Jue's greedy eyes!
A pity it wasn't a check.
It was a donation form.
From the Northern Mountain District Security Bureau Office to the Chongguang Charity Foundation—always operating Jici Hospital—earmarked as a special donation for the repair and reconstruction of Jici Hospital.
Ji Jue stood there dumbfounded for a long moment before realizing this wasn't so bad.
Though Lawrence had done much evil over the years, it didn't mean Jici was some den of iniquity. For many patients without a penny and no way out, such a charitable hospital might be their last lifeline. In critical moments, even the shortest straw could save a life!
Besides, fifty million might seem like a lot, but Ji Jue alone couldn't spend it all, no matter how lavishly he lived. Yet for a place like a hospital, it was just a drop in the bucket—funding for a new building, a couple of new sets of equipment and machinery, and it would all vanish instantly.
The old saying goes, "share the spoils half and half."
Rounding up, that means I've pretty much donated over twenty million for charity, right?
Even though I'm quite impoverished, I'm still a genuine Chosen One after all. Am I worried about making money? No need to stress about student loans anymore, am I right? And if worse comes to worst and I'm pushed into a corner, can't I just mask up and swipe a couple of ATMs and then have everything I need?
Seeing Ji Jue clutching the donation slip, grinning from ear to ear, Wen Wen didn't see the reaction she had anticipated and found herself getting bored. She shook her head and handed over a bag from beside her.
"Forget it, I'll stop teasing you."
She said, "This is actually for you."
"Oh my, how can I accept this, oh↑ no↓ oh→ oh..."
Watching the guy feign refusal while his hand clutched the bag tightly, Wen Wen couldn't help wanting to smack him on the forehead. Now would be a good time to show some noble integrity, no?
"So much trouble, so much trouble. Honestly, I don't place much importance on these things. Sister Wen understands me. The way I see it, it's all about selflessness and dedication to giving…"
Even though he babbled on, Ji Jue's hands never stopped. As soon as he opened the bag and saw the box, and upon opening it, "It's a necklace, quite a unique design!"
After a customary compliment, he suddenly realized something was amiss and, startled, looked up at Wen Wen.
Something was definitely off.
Completely and utterly off!
We've only known each other for less than a week, and she's giving me watches and jewelry… What's this all about?
Are there too many tricks when it comes to women in society?
He was terrified at the thought of finding car keys next… The main issue is he felt his moral boundaries simply couldn't withstand such testing!
He was terrified of the prospect that after his fall from grace, he might lead a life of waking up daily in a seaside villa, indulging in feasts, drinking champagne, and driving luxurious cars.
"What are you thinking?!"
Wen Wen rolled her eyes, her patience wearing thin, and delivered a slap to the back of his head, followed by another: "This thing was left by someone from the Dragon Sacrifice Ceremony. I have no use for it, so I'm giving it to you. Take it if you want, or I'll take it back!"
"No, no, no, I'm just so moved!"
Ji Jue quickly covered the bag, smiling apologetically: "In my life here in Cliff City, I've never felt as much warmth as I have in the two days I've known Sister Wen. 'Little Pearl' is nearly falling out."
He said, gleefully examining the pendant in his hands.
It's another burst of Gold Coins from Lawrence!
As the saying goes, the fall of one brings life to many; Ji Jue just thought it was good that Lawrence was dead, but now it seemed his death got better and better! He hoped more people like that would die, ideally one every workday, and two on days off.
The small necklace was only as big as a pinky joint, and the base was inlaid with what seemed like a fragment from a statue, glittering golden, with half a face carved out, the only complete part being the lips, which bore a significant and enigmatic smile, both sad and joyous, mysterious and dignified, almost divine.
In the Security Bureau's assessment records, it was named the Ancient's Mouth.
Initially, it was an ancient alchemy artifact unearthed by the Empire from Central Earth.
According to expert studies, its history might trace back before the Cataclysm era, likely crafted during the height of the Central Empire's power, modeled after the Emperor's majesty, a sacred object worshipped in temples.
Simply put, it was a figurine.
Of course, for something worshiped by many people, it couldn't just be an ordinary figurine. Probably the sort that could casually fetch a few hundred million if sold, right?
Looking at it, it just oozes awesomeness!
Sadly, the artifact was originally intact but got damaged in the struggle and its pieces were scattered.
Even just a fragment harbored special abilities.
And it represented self-healing.
Able to speed up wound repair, eliminate toxins, and clear abnormal conditions.
This type of equipment always fetched high demand; after all, no one can guarantee they won't get a few bumps and bruises when out and about. Safety gear can never be too abundant.
In the hands of a Chosen One like Lawrence, with a precise Matrix fit, and if used properly, it could even restore severed limbs. Although Ji Jue didn't have the "Vortex" Matrix, getting even a fraction of its effects was plenty.
"After infusing it with spiritual energy, it can speed up healing or stabilize injuries, but its power acts on promoting cell division, so overusing it could shorten your life, which is why I suggest you don't just use it willy-nilly. It still works just by wearing it."
Wen Wen warned, "A side effect is that you'll get hungry quickly after an injury and your appetite will increase several times over, so be careful."
"No worries, I usually get hungry fast anyway, I'll just treat it as an extra meal."
Ji Jue cheerfully put the necklace on, completely unconcerned. After all, nutritional meals here were free on a self-service basis and not out of his pocket. Before being discharged, he was determined to leave no stone unturned in this cafeteria!
"Be serious, this is for your survival."
Wen Wen's expression turned grave: "I just received the investigation results from the Security Bureau today. The Dragon Blood contamination has been completely eradicated, hardly any left, it's negligible."
"Ah, isn't that a good thing?" Ji Jue was puzzled.
After all, based on what Wen Wen said, that Dragon Blood stuff could drive a regular person crazy by just smelling it, turning them into all sorts of horrid things.
If they can clean it up, isn't that just safe and sound?