Seeing the anxious faces of these soldiers, so deeply concerned for their comrade, Xu Ze felt a touch of emotion. He smiled slightly and nodded. “He should be able to recover.”
“Really?” Upon hearing this, Captain Li grabbed Xu Ze’s shoulders, unable to contain his joy. “Mr. Xu, you can really cure Hu Qiang?”
Xu Ze smiled and nodded. “There shouldn’t be much of a problem. I’m over eighty percent confident.”
Seeing the excited smiles on everyone’s faces, Xu Ze paused for a moment before continuing. “However, Captain Li…”
At this word “however,” everyone grew tense again. Could there be a complication?
Captain Li quickly looked at Xu Ze and responded, “Mr. Xu? Is there a problem?”
“Well… there is one small issue,” Xu Ze said, not wanting to keep them in suspense any longer. He smiled. “Captain Li, to treat Hu Qiang, I still need a specific medicine… I’ll have to trouble you to acquire it.”
“Medicine?” Captain Li was momentarily stunned, but then readily agreed. “Mr. Xu, what medicine? As long as it’s available for purchase, it’s not a problem.”
Xu Ze nodded with a smile. “This medicine isn’t available for purchase. Right now, only the Xijing Biochemical Research Institute is developing a type of Neural Stimulation Repair Fluid. It’s almost ready, currently in the testing phase… I need that. Ten vials will suffice.”
“Xijing Biochemical Research Institute?” Captain Li frowned; he wasn’t familiar with this place. He looked at Xu Ze and asked, “Mr. Xu… are you absolutely sure this Xijing Biochemical Research Institute has this… Neural Stimulation Repair Fluid?”
Xu Ze smiled. “Yes, they do. Captain Li, I’m counting on you to get it. I have no way of obtaining it myself.”
“Alright. As long as it’s confirmed they have it, I’ll report it to my superiors and make sure we get it,” Captain Li said, gritting his teeth. If it was available through official channels, he would get it. He nodded firmly.
“Good… Once we have the medicine, we can start the treatment. Just notify me then,” Xu Ze nodded.
Staying for breakfast at the base, Xu Ze discovered that the military’s breakfast spread was quite impressive—steamed buns, mantou, noodles, fried dough sticks, eggs… you name it, and the taste was pretty good too…
Looking at the fresh air surrounding the base, Xu Ze was reminded of something. He turned to Captain Li and said, “Captain Li… would it be possible for me to stay here for a while?”
“Stay here?” Captain Li looked at Xu Ze curiously.
“Yes. Staying in the city… I don’t find it very comfortable. The air quality isn’t great,” Xu Ze stated truthfully.
“Of course, certainly! You’re more than welcome!” Captain Li was actually delighted at the prospect of Xu Ze staying for a while, as it would make treating Hu Qiang more convenient.
Captain Li promptly arranged a quiet room for Xu Ze and also provided him with a pass for easy access throughout the base. Normally, this wouldn’t be allowed, but since Xu Ze was introduced by Old Master Li, Captain Li trusted him completely.
And so, Xu Ze settled in at the base. He went into the city twice daily to administer acupuncture to Old Master Li. When he had no other tasks, he would cultivate in his room, finding it much more comfortable than the hotel.
At least now he could ensure a sufficient supply of energy daily, unlike at the hotel where he had to run out of the city every midnight just to get some energy replenishment.
Hearing that Xu Ze had a way to treat the injured soldier, Old Master Li was also quite pleased. Having come from a military background himself and still holding the rank of General, he held a deep care for the soldiers. He was very happy that Xu Ze was stepping up to help the military and began to hold Xu Ze in even higher regard.
Captain Li acted quickly. Despite the Xijing Biochemical Research Institute’s high security clearance, he managed to obtain ten vials of the Neural Stimulation Repair Fluid within three days and delivered them to Xu Ze.
After receiving the vials, Xu Ze opened one to run some tests. The capabilities of the system, referred to as “Xiao Dao” (Little Knife), were quite powerful. The drug analysis function didn’t seem too difficult and appeared to be a Level 3 function. After extracting a small sample with a probe, Xiao Dao quickly confirmed the neural repair properties of the fluid.
“Hmm… not bad. However, because the development is somewhat crude, there are some side effects,” Xiao Dao reported cheerfully.
“Side effects?” Xu Ze raised an eyebrow. “What kind of side effects?”
“Neural Stimulation Repair Fluid… this fluid is highly stimulating. It acts directly on the nerves to promote repair, but it will be very painful… very painful… most people might not be able to withstand it,” Xiao Dao confirmed.
“Very painful?” Xu Ze rubbed his chin, thinking of Hu Qiang’s resolute expression, and smiled. If Hu Qiang could endure the initial pain from the neurotoxin, this probably wouldn’t be a big issue for him.
After confirming the Neural Stimulation Repair Fluid was viable, Xu Ze prepared to begin treating Soldier Hu Qiang. After all, when it came to nerve damage, the sooner the treatment, the better. Delaying would only reduce the effectiveness.
Several nurses carefully assisted Xu Ze, while many of Hu Qiang’s comrades waited anxiously nearby, watching as Xu Ze prepared to start the treatment.
The first vial of Neural Stimulation Repair Fluid was ready. Looking at Hu Qiang, whose eyes were full of excitement, Xu Ze spoke seriously, “The nerve repair process will be extremely painful, especially when using the Neural Stimulation Repair Fluid and during the treatment itself. The pain will be particularly intense. Can you endure it?”
Hearing Xu Ze’s words, a look of determination flashed in Hu Qiang’s eyes. He blinked, indicating that he could definitely endure it.
Seeing Hu Qiang’s resolute expression, Xu Ze nodded. He wasn’t too worried about this. Having withstood the severe pain of the neurotoxin days before, the Irritating of this medication should be manageable.
Seeing that Hu Qiang was prepared, Xu Ze didn’t hesitate further. With the nurses’ assistance, they positioned Hu Qiang on his side in a curled-up posture suitable for a lumbar puncture.
After the nurses disinfected the area and placed the drapes, Xu Ze took the syringe handed to him. Looking at the few milliliters of fluid in the barrel and the exceptionally long needle, Xu Ze’s hand was steady. His X-ray vision was already active, clearly showing the spaces between Hu Qiang’s lumbar vertebrae. He inserted the needle directly into the intervertebral space.
The nurses nearby were startled, seeing that Xu Ze didn’t palpate or confirm the landmarks on the spine before inserting the needle so directly.
But seeing that Xu Ze inserted the needle perfectly in one go without any apparent resistance, they were astonished. This young doctor was incredibly skilled. Such technique was something even experienced veteran doctors might not possess.
Xu Ze remained completely composed. Performing a lumbar puncture was simple for him, but now, to save time and achieve the best effect, he was utilizing his full capabilities.
Once the needle tip entered the spinal canal, Xu Ze didn’t hesitate. He gently pushed the plunger, injecting the few milliliters of Neural Stimulation Repair Fluid into the canal.
Within two seconds of the injection, Hu Qiang’s face contorted. His mouth, previously unable to speak, began to let out low, pained moans…
Captain Li and the others, although forewarned by Xu Ze about this side effect, grew increasingly anxious seeing Hu Qiang in such extreme agony.
Captain Li asked Xu Ze with concern, “Mr. Xu… this won’t cause any problems, will it?”
“It won’t… We just hope he can hold on. This intense pain will actually be quite beneficial for his nerve recovery,” Xu Ze nodded.
“Oh… I see…” Hearing that the irritating pain would aid Hu Qiang’s recovery, Captain Li promptly fell silent. He stepped closer to Hu Qiang and encouraged him, “Hu Qiang… you have to hang in there… Once you get through this, your chance of recovery increases.”
Hearing Captain Li’s words, Hu Qiang clenched his jaw tightly, determined not to make another sound. However, the distorted expression of pain on his face made his watching comrades feel heartache.
Seeing Hu Qiang’s determined expression, Xu Ze didn’t soften. This situation required strong willpower to endure to the end. And this was only the first time; there would be eight or nine more sessions. He had to persevere through them all.
Seeing that the Neural Stimulation Repair Fluid was taking effect, Xu Ze didn’t delay. He took a sterilized silver needle handed to him by a nurse and inserted it again into Hu Qiang’s lumbar spinal canal.
“Initiate neural impact repair using bio-electric energy,” Xu Ze commanded, pressing the ring on his index finger against the silver needle. The automated response system quickly activated, and strands of bio-electric energy began stimulating the nerves within the spinal canal.
As the bio-electric energy flowed in, the expression on Hu Qiang’s face became even more pained. He gritted his teeth so hard they seemed on the verge of cracking.
His comrades watching nearby felt a deep pang of sympathy. But they all knew this current suffering was for Hu Qiang’s own good, so they could only offer soft words of encouragement, urging him to hold on.
Time passed minute by minute. Gradually, the effects of the Neural Stimulation Repair Fluid subsided, and Xu Ze slowly stopped the bio-electric energy input.
Hu Qiang’s pained expression gradually relaxed, but his whole body was steaming with sweat…
Xu Ze quickly withdrew the silver needle and had the nurses turn Hu Qiang onto his back to lie flat. Looking at Hu Qiang, whose face was exhausted but whose eyes still held a firm determination, Xu Ze couldn’t help but sigh with admiration. “Well done… But there are still about eight or nine more sessions like this. Can you persevere?”
A look of resolve appeared in Hu Qiang’s eyes. He looked at Xu Ze and blinked, indicating that he could…
“Good… As long as you can persevere, I will definitely cure you…”
