The world has turned into Hell's Game, why should I stay human?!-Chapter 1308 - 802: Liu Zheng: It’s Not That I Can’t Afford a Feast, but Feed Is More Cost-effective (2)
Bai Yutang said.
The Bai Family Head doesn’t necessarily have to be the best in medicine, but they must be the best in both medicine and martial arts.
"I see. So is ancestral awakening a good or bad thing?"
Liu Zheng asked.
"It’s hard to say. If the bloodline awakens but the intelligence doesn’t, it’s naturally a good thing. If both the bloodline and intelligence awaken, it’s a mixed bag. If the bloodline doesn’t awaken and only the appearance and intelligence do, that’s a bad thing."
Bai Yutang sighed.
He was just about to say a few comforting words when his phone suddenly rang.
"Sorry, let me take a call."
Liu Zheng looked at the caller ID; it was from the owner of the "Zhengzong" massage parlor.
"Good afternoon, Master Lin."
He pressed the answer button and said.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Liu, I have investigated the matter you asked me to look into."
Lin Zhengzong said.
"Oh? That’s great, go ahead, Master Lin."
Liu Zheng said with joy.
"This matter is a bit complicated to explain, is there anyone else around you?"
Lin Zhengzong asked.
"Yes, but they’re not from the martial arts community and don’t know that father and daughter duo, so it’s fine."
"Alright then. Actually, Ma Fuguo isn’t sick at all; he made himself this way."
He said.
"Oh? How so?"
Liu Zheng inquired further.
"Didn’t he attend a martial arts exchange conference at that time? Before the official sparring, there’s usually a tea and chat session. That time, maybe Ma Fuguo was in a good mood, he bragged a bit too much. There was a disciple from the Golden Tripod Xingyi Sect, also young and impulsive, who whispered a couple of words that Ma Fuguo heard."
"Ma Fuguo didn’t say anything at the time but kept it in mind. Later, during the official sparring, he seized the disciple’s mistake to criticize a bit heavily. The disciple didn’t back down and argued with him."
"As they argued, they got closer, and suddenly the disciple spat in Ma Fuguo’s face, causing a huge commotion."
"Ma Fuguo was so furious that he wanted a deathmatch duel with the disciple. The sect leader of Golden Tripod Xingyi Sect knew he was at fault and didn’t stop him. In the deathmatch, Ma Fuguo used the Lightning Nine-Link Whip, drawing nine long thunder whips towards the disciple, and those nearby felt a tingling sensation."
"The disciple, knowing he was doomed, disregarded everything and charged at Ma Fuguo, intent on spitting in his face one last time before dying."
"Unexpectedly, the nine thunder whips struck the disciple, but he remained unharmed, not even his clothes were damaged. Seeing he was alright, the disciple didn’t hesitate and started beating Ma Fuguo until the sect leader realized the anomaly and intervened."
"Ma Fuguo sat on the ground for quite a while before standing up, muttering ’It’s all fake, all deceptive,’ and just left, ignoring everyone."
"The incident brought disgrace to both parties involved and tarnished the martial arts community’s reputation, so other sect leaders present unanimously agreed to keep it quiet."
Lin Zhengzong explained the situation slowly.
"That shouldn’t be the case. Wasn’t there talk before that he hadn’t even raised his hand, yet thunder came down and split the roof open?"
Liu Zheng said.
"That incident is true. I have an old friend who witnessed it firsthand; he wouldn’t lie to me."
Lin Zhengrong said.
"Then how come this time it couldn’t even damage a disciple’s clothes? Could it be a setup?"
He considered a possibility.
Like the disciple’s provocation was deliberate and his clothes were a Thunder Protection Divine Artifact, etc.
"I don’t think so. Although Ma Fuguo tends to boast a bit, he hasn’t made any real enemies. Besides, his Hunyuan Xingyi Sect hardly takes in disciples and isn’t in conflict with other sects."
Lin Zhengzong dismissed his speculation.
"Then what on earth is going on?"
"No one knows. It seems even Ma Fuguo himself doesn’t."
Lin Zhengzong replied.
"Got it, thanks, Director Lin. If you need anything, just let me know; I’ll help you out."
"You’re too kind, Mr. Liu."
Liu Zheng hung up the phone and fell into thought.
"Mr. Liu, if it’s convenient, can you share the story with us? Though I’m not very bright, Tianshi has been smart since childhood; maybe he can offer some insight. Of course, if it’s inconvenient, just consider me presumptuous."
Bai Yutang noticed his furrowed brow and offered.
"There’s no presumption here."
Liu Zheng shared the story of Ma Fuguo’s illness with him.
"Well, Tianshi, what do you think?"
Bai Yutang pondered for a moment, seeming to have a clue but chose to ask Bai Tianshi first.
"I’m not a psychiatric doctor, but I think his behavior resembles somatic manifestations of depression."
Bai Tianshi replied.
"Yes, it indeed looks like an emotional illness."
Bai Yutang nodded.
Emotional illness, as mentioned, refers to bodily dysfunctions caused by imbalances in seven emotions: joy, anger, worry, thought, sadness, fear, and shock.
"It’s a pity I’m no longer at the hospital; otherwise, I could have taken him to my psychiatric colleague."
Bai Tianshi said regretfully.
"Forget it; taking him to your hospital’s psych ward could scare a person into illness."
Liu Zheng rolled his eyes.
Even without considering Ma Fuguo’s personal opinions, Ma Baoli wouldn’t let them take her father to the psychiatric ward.
If he were diagnosed and couldn’t be treated, he might end up in a mental institution.
Bai Tianshi chuckled and didn’t argue.
After all, he’s no longer hospital staff and has no obligation to defend its image.
Granted, it’s practically true.
"Since that’s the case, let’s try my methods then. Is the patient convenient to move?"
Bai Yutang asked.
"Not very convenient, and I don’t have enough trust with his daughter yet; she probably won’t agree to move her father elsewhere."
Liu Zheng shook his head.
"Well then, I’ll go prepare the instruments and medication, and await your call for an on-site diagnosis."
Bai Yutang said.
"Alright, let’s settle it then."
He nodded.
Looking at the time, only about ten minutes remained.
He had intended to use the meal delivery time to tally tasks, but ended up with an uncovered task and bumped into a new character; plans really couldn’t keep up with changes.
Hell’s Game sure has a high degree of freedom.
He summoned Doctor Nile, and the four of them chatted for a while; Liu Zheng then let Bai Yutang sign for the takeout.
Back in the restaurant, he called Ma Baoli.
"I already know the cause of your father’s illness."
He said straightforwardly.
"Who’s the culprit?"
Ma Baoli clenched her teeth and asked.
No matter if the person is an elder martial artist or a newcomer of the martial world, she’ll make them pay the price they deserve.
"I’m not sure if he’s the culprit. I’ll tell you what happened, and you can judge for yourself."
Liu Zheng recounted the story Lin Zhengzong told him.
"Impossible!"
Ma Baoli exclaimed emotionally.
Liu Zheng scratched his ear, said nothing, and waited for her follow-up.
"If the Hunyuan Xingyi Tai Chi Boxing is fake, then where did my martial arts come from? Plus, last time when I pummeled you, you know very well whether it’s fake."
Ma Baoli continued as expected.
"Hey, examples are fine, but don’t embellish—clearly, you were beaten to your knees, okay."
Liu Zheng disagreed.
"Hmph!"
Ma Baoli pursed her lips.
However, she also knew Liu Zheng was the boss now, so she didn’t argue back.
"But, what you said makes sense. By the way, did you learn your boxing by observing manuals or by training with your father?"
Liu Zheng thought of a question.
"Initially, I trained with my father, but later he said he couldn’t teach me much and let me study the manuals myself."
Ma Baoli said.
"So how long did you train with him, and how long have you been self-studying the manuals?"
"I started martial arts at two, trained with my father until ten, and have been studying the manuals independently since then, for about ten years."
Ma Baoli thought aloud.
"Have any of your fellow disciples succeeded?"
"No, their aptitude is poor; they can’t even pass the Body Refining stage, let alone develop Fist Intent."
Ma Baoli shook her head.
"Then I think we’ve solved the mystery."
Liu Zheng shrugged.
