Players, Please Board the Train

Xu Huo lost consciousness so suddenly that he was unconscious before the car even reached the hospital, being wheeled straight into the intensive care unit.

Yan Jiayu insisted on going inside, and even though the doctors and nurses tried to stop her, they couldn’t hold her back. Team Leader Liao had no choice but to nod in agreement.

This hospital had specially prepared potions for players. Since ordinary medicine would have little effect on Xu Huo’s condition, they used a specialized sedative injection. After administering the medication, his condition improved slightly, but his forehead with bulging veins looked terrifying.

”Will his head explode?” Yan Jiayu asked the doctor.

”Don’t say such frightening things at such a young age. Nobody’s head just explodes for no reason.” The doctor, following his medical experience, gave Xu Huo some other medication. Just as he was about to draw blood, he was stopped.

”You can’t draw his blood.” Yan Jiayu said seriously.

The doctor’s face darkened, ”I’m trying to save him now. How can I identify the cause without drawing blood?”

”Can you really identify the cause? And if you find it, can you treat it?” Yan Jiayu looked at him with suspicion, ”Anyway, you can’t casually draw blood.”

”We’re doctors, we’re not going to harm him.” The doctor grew frustrated and told the nurse to pull her away, but Yan Jiayu stood in front of the hospital bed, gripping the railing with one hand, and the intact railing immediately deformed.

The doctor was stunned speechless and could only say, ”I can’t reason with you. I’ll get someone who can talk sense into you.”After saying this, he left the ward. Yan Jiayu kept a watchful eye on the remaining nurse while pulling out Xu Huo’s phone to send a message to Painting Woman. She quickly received a reply, and after confirming, she put the phone back.

Soon the doctor returned with Team Leader Liao and Team Leader Wu. Team Leader Wu had rushed over after hearing the news and was even more anxious than Team Leader Liao. He questioned Yan Jiayu, ”Why won’t you let the doctor draw Xu Huo’s blood? Your actions could delay his treatment!”

Yan Jiayu crossed her arms, blocking the way in front of Xu Huo, ”I said no blood drawing means no blood drawing. Who knows if you might secretly use him for experiments? I’ve seen this kind of scenario in movies.”

”This is pure nonsense!” Team Leader Liao slapped his thigh, ”Players have become common among the population now, and the state encourages ordinary citizens to become players. Why would we use players as test subjects? Step aside immediately, or we’ll have to take measures!”

”Thud!” The Demon-Subduing Pestle pressed against the wall. Yan Jiayu looked at them seriously, ”I said no means no.”

Seeing this, Team Leader Wu suddenly calmed down. He pulled Team Leader Liao outside and asked in a low voice, ”Did Xu Huo say anything before he lost consciousness?”

”No, he just mumbled a couple of incoherent phrases. I couldn’t make out what he said.” Team Leader Liao replied, ”What should we do now?”

Team Leader Wu remained silent for a moment before saying, ”This is a special case. Report it up the chain.”

The report was quickly filed. The fact that several cities including Ting City and Flower City had been shrouded in dense fog had already attracted national attention. Expert teams had arrived, but before they could figure anything out, the incident had been resolved. Now that the key person involved in this event had suddenly fallen critically ill, Capital City was also taking it very seriously and immediately wanted to transfer Xu Huo to a hospital in Capital City.

Team Leader Wu explained this to Yan Jiayu, but she still wouldn’t budge.

”If there’s any place in the entire country that can treat players, it’s Capital City. Do you really want to see Xu Huo continue like this? The problem is in his head. If treatment is delayed, can you take responsibility for him?” Team Leader Wu said urgently.

”Why should I take responsibility for him?” Yan Jiayu said righteously, ”Treating illness is the doctor’s job. Since the best doctors are in Capital City, then have them come here. What’s the difference between sending Xu Huo there and bringing them here? Why are you making things difficult for Xu Huo?”

Team Leader Wu gritted his teeth, ”Capital City has the most advanced medical equipment...”

”Can’t you send that along too?” Yan Jiayu said, ”You’ve spent all this time talking to me - the equipment could have been loaded onto a plane by now.”

Faced with her complete stubbornness, Team Leader Wu had no choice but to contact Capital City again.

”This young lady is probably carrying out Xu Huo’s instructions.” Minister Fan said, ”Do your best to persuade her. If necessary, mention family - isn’t Xu Huo’s family also in Capital City? Wait for further instructions on other matters.”

Team Leader Wu felt that the Special Defense Department would likely have to compromise in the end, so after hanging up, he had the hospital clear space.

”Is it really necessary to make such a big fuss over one player?” Team Leader Liao asked privately.

Team Leader Wu responded, ”One elite player is worth this much attention. After players evolve, their brainwaves become slightly more active than normal people’s. You saw Xu Huo’s EEG earlier - his brain activity is at least ten times that of an average Evolver. Combined with what Sima Xiao Er and the others said, he’s probably undergoing a special evolution in mental capabilities. This is our country’s first case, so the nation will only pay more attention.”

”Then we need to deploy more personnel.” Team Leader Liao took out his phone. The player who had been driving for him earlier approached with two bottles of water and asked, ”Team Leader, the guys are asking if they can leave. They still have special training.”

”Have them all stay.” Team Leader Liao said, ”Guard the area outside the hospital. Hou Song, explain it to them properly. Be careful and thorough. Report any suspicious people immediately. Support will arrive soon - coordinate with them when they get here.”

Hou Song acknowledged and left.

Team Leader Wu glanced at his retreating figure, then contacted Ting City before returning to the ward to communicate with Yan Jiayu.

”...Think about Xu Huo’s current condition. Wouldn’t he want to see his family? What’s wrong with going to Capital City? Besides, even if doctors come from Capital City, you’re still blocking them from treating him. How can that work?”

”I’m not stopping them from treating him, I’m just stopping them from drawing blood.” Yan Jiayu said, ”Didn’t you say they’re very skilled? They should be able to treat him without drawing blood.”

There was no one else in the ward at the moment. Team Leader Wu lowered his voice, ”Did Xu Huo tell you to do this - not to let doctors draw his blood? This isn’t good for him.”

”Doesn’t this clearly tell others that he has secrets? He’s unconscious and can’t leave. How long can you hold out alone?”

Yan Jiayu gave him a strange look, ”Since you know he has secrets, why don’t you respect his decision to keep them confidential? You people are so strange - do you have to dig out everyone’s secrets?”

Team Leader Wu was momentarily speechless, then said, ”But this might relate to the nation’s future. Wouldn’t it be good to cooperate, as long as it doesn’t harm his body?”

”No.” Yan Jiayu said without hesitation, ”If he wakes up, you can ask him if he’s willing.”

Seeing her like this, Team Leader Wu knew further persuasion was useless, and became even more certain that Xu Huo had indeed instructed her to do this. Their previous interactions had already been somewhat unpleasant. Wait until Xu Huo wakes up to ask him? Don’t even think about it.

”Aren’t you worried he might die?” He asked this final question before standing up and walking out.