Chapter 474: Conversation

Chapter 474: Conversation

"Classmate, since you're now conscious, your thinking should be normal too. You should understand what I mean—we’re doing this to cure you. Do you really want to spend your whole life in bed, with your mother taking care of you for the rest of her days?"

"She's already so old—can she really take care of you all her life? Can you bear to see her gray-haired, and still have you, at fifty or sixty, turning over and soiling yourself?"

"No, once I reach the pinnacle of cultivation..." Li Huowang’s expression was resolute as he slowly closed his mouth.

The two doctors exchanged glances, pulled out notebooks from their white coats, and quickly jotted down some notes.

After moving a bit further away, they conferred briefly before returning.

"Li, can we skip the rehabilitation training for now? Would you like to chat with me?"

"Don’t be nervous—it's just casual conversation between friends." When the younger doctor said this, the other nurses and the other physician stepped back, even the prison guard stationed at the door left.

The doctor took off his white coat and placed it aside, revealing his civilian clothes underneath. "Let me introduce myself—I’m Yi Donglai." He extended his hand and shook Li Huowang’s thin, claw-like right hand.

Compared to the previous doctor, this one was clearly much younger.

"You’ve become quite famous online. The story of how you rushed into school and rescued your girlfriend from several bandits has spread widely. Many people admire you, including quite a few beautiful girls."

Li Huowang’s lips trembled slightly but he didn’t speak—he was calculating how long he had until he could return.

"Do you play League of Legends? I do too. The game company recently made a limited skin of you as the Barbarian King. A lot of people bought it, and I spent ninety-nine yuan to get one myself."

"Hmm?" Li Huowang raised his head, looking at the doctor with a complex expression. "Are you treating me like an idiot?"

"Heh heh, just kidding, don’t take it seriously. But I watched the surveillance footage—wow, you were so cool back then, like a Barbarian King with a massive buff! If they could make that skin, it would definitely sell out!"

"What hero do you like to play? I like playing Jester. But Riot Games, who are always full of pits lately, actually nerfed Jester! Nerfed Jester?! Madness! Are people capable of such things...?"

Watching Yi Donglai chatter endlessly, Li Huowang completely ignored his stream of nonsense and quickly deduced his intent. This man was almost certainly trying to use gaming topics to build rapport, and once his psychological defenses were fully lowered, he’d proceed with treatment.

"Maybe... I don’t have to resist so directly. Maybe I can use this guy to escape the constant surveillance situation I'm in now," Li Huowang thought to himself.

"Any new heroes lately?" Li Huowang’s words made Yi Donglai feel a surge of joy—the patient in Bed 13 finally responded.

Any response was good; as long as there was feedback, psychological intervention and therapy could begin. "Yes! Yes, yes, yes! During your hospital stay, two new heroes have been released!"

"Is there a jungler? I like playing junglers."

They chatted about games for twenty minutes, both satisfied with the other’s reactions.

"I have to go. Let’s talk again next time when I have time," Li Huowang said.

Yi Donglai had many questions about how Li Huowang could control the timing of his episodes, but he knew he couldn’t rush things.

"Alright! Give me a time."

"How about dinner five days from now. Brother Yi, I’m leaving," Li Huowang said, raising his chin slightly toward Yi Donglai.

"Huh, wait before you go—haven’t even eaten yet!" With Sun Xiaoqin’s voice, everything around them began to collapse.

When Li Huowang came to his senses again, he saw Bai Lingmiao, Li Sui, and the Two Gods standing before him, staring at him.

"Senior Brother Li... the meal is ready..." Bai Lingmiao said softly.

"Oh, I know," Li Huowang turned and walked toward the carriage. He picked up a bowl and scooped up a serving of stewed rice. "Mom, I’m going to eat. Please feed me the remaining rice from the food box by opening my mouth."

Li Huowang opened his mouth wide, waited a moment, then took a big bite and chewed vigorously. After swallowing, he opened his mouth again and waited.

When the three of them emerged, they witnessed this strange scene.

"Eat, why stand there like a fool? We still have to travel tomorrow," Li Huowang told them. Hearing this, the three finally approached.

Bai Lingmiao held the bowl of stewed rice, her expression complex as she looked at Li Huowang, as if wanting to say something.

But seeing Li Huowang look her way, she smiled and started eating heartily.

The meal ended in an odd atmosphere. After washing the bowls, pots, and iron pans by the river, the carriage set off again.

Li Huowang pondered for a moment, then spoke to Bai Lingmiao: "Don’t worry about me. I can tell the difference now. Things will get better in time."

"Mm, Senior Brother Li, I believe in you," Bai Lingmiao nodded lightly beside him.

"I really—ah, forget it. You’ll understand later," Li Huowang took out a piece of turmeric paper, bit his fingertip, quickly wrote a talisman, and pasted it directly onto the horse’s back. The horse immediately galloped forward.

The carriage moved fast. As dusk fell, they arrived at a grove of peach trees.

The red evening glow spilled over the pink blossoms, making the green forest seem especially enchanting.

Li Huowang spread out the exquisite map from the Heavenly Surveillance Bureau and compared it with the surroundings. "This must be the place. Just hope we’re luckier this time."

The previous two failed attempts had left Li Huowang uncertain about the third location.

"I'll go in first. Wait outside. If anything strange happens, return to where we had lunch and wait for me."

"Okay, Senior Brother Li, go ahead."

Seeing Bai Lingmiao’s unfocused eyes, Li Huowang felt a pang in his heart. He turned and walked into the peach grove.

He bent slightly, shifting his body color to match the ground, becoming invisible as he slowly approached the center.

The peach grove was dense, and the flowers fragrant. Yet the trunks were covered with sticky amber-colored peach gum, adding an eerie touch to the entire grove.

After walking a dozen zhangs, Li Huowang realized something—this thriving peach grove was unnaturally quiet. No birdsong, not even insect sounds.

Li Huowang felt a spark of excitement. Could it be that this time, things might actually work out?

"Zhuge, you’ve seen much of the world. Have you ever encountered a spirit pestilence?"

"Yes, I once had a close friend who was plagued by one. He suffered more than death, every moment a torment. Eventually, he begged me to end his suffering."

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