After only making a brief phone call to Yiran, Guan Xing boarded Spennty's private jet the very next day. Along with more than a dozen others, they flew straight to the International Medical Alliance headquarters in Country M.
Spennty's invitation turned out to be far more appealing than expected. Most of the experts who had attended the symposium were interested in joining the trip, though some were unable to come due to work commitments. Those who could spare the time all followed along.
Guan Xing's presence added an extra layer of anticipation for everyone. Curiosity ran high, and along the way, Guan Xing made many new friends from different countries.
After more than ten hours of flight, they arrived at the New York headquarters the next day. Because of the time difference, it felt like traveling from one daytime into another. When Guan Xing stepped off the plane, the sky was filled with fiery red clouds, glowing and rolling as the morning sun slowly rose.
Cars were already waiting. In Country M, Spennty's status was like that of a godfather ruling over a domain. His students were spread all over the world. In his own country alone, more than half of the frontline doctors addressed him respectfully as their mentor.
No one felt tired. Those who could attend such symposiums were all fanatics when it came to medicine. During the long flight, everyone gathered around Guan Xing, discussing the development of medicine and future expectations. His theory of "realms" won unanimous praise. Traditional Chinese medicine was already mysterious in the eyes of outsiders, and when combined with the profound depth of Eastern martial arts, it became even more astonishing.
Even after getting into the cars, people continued to ask questions. Guan Xing's vehicle was so full that even Spennty couldn't squeeze in. Everyone wanted to learn more about the wonders of martial medical arts. Such enthusiasm left Guan Xing unable to refuse. Though they all understood medical theory, ancient Chinese martial arts were not something just anyone could master.
After about half an hour's drive, several Rolls-Royces stopped in front of the Alliance headquarters. The skyscraper, over eighty floors tall, gathered elite talents from all over the world. Calling it a medical alliance was almost an understatement—it was more like the world's most advanced medical research center. Inside were countless laboratories. For internationally renowned doctors who excelled in specific fields, private research facilities were provided, along with astonishing待遇.
Spennty had once promised Guan Xing the same treatment, but Guan Xing, free-spirited by nature, had refused. Rather than becoming a proper, rule-bound doctor, he preferred being a wandering healer. After completing his studies here, he had gone to Paradise Island to complete the fusion of Eastern and Western medicine.
Though the path had been harsh, Guan Xing never regretted that decision.
Despite his fatigue, Spennty wasted no time. Driven by everyone's eagerness, he led the group directly to the special-case treatment ward on the thirty-sixth floor. The two edema patients from two different countries were currently there, undergoing experimental psychological treatment. For such special cases, the Alliance provided treatment free of charge.
To put it bluntly, these cases were also research subjects for the Alliance—very much a "dead horse treated as if it were alive" situation. Still, both sides had consented.
After strict disinfection procedures, the group entered the immaculately sterile ward. Inside were three senior Alliance doctors dressed in white, along with two patients in plain clothes, their bodies severely swollen, lying on hospital beds. Instruments around them flickered with red and green lights, seemingly running various tests.
Seeing Spennty, one of the doctors—a Black man—gave instructions to the other two, then hurried out and closed the glass door behind him. Inside was absolute silence. Only then did he step forward to greet them.
"Yibi," Spennty asked eagerly, "how are the patients doing?"
This doctor was Africa's most renowned expert on human physiological mutation, rumored to have cured over thirty AIDS cases. He had made remarkable achievements in virus research.
A pleased expression appeared on Yibi's face. "Chairman, following your suggestion, I invited two psychological experts to evaluate the patients. The results are quite promising. The water content in their bodies does indeed fluctuate with their emotional states."
Then he added, puzzled, "But we still haven't found why emotional changes affect water molecules inside the body. From a medical standpoint, it's very hard to explain."
Clearly, even Yibi was skeptical of Guan Xing's theory. If not for the chairman's instructions—and the undeniable results—he would never have considered such a direction. It felt almost like magic.
By now, Guan Xing was confident in his judgment. This edema was indeed a depressive disorder triggered by emotional factors. He stepped forward and smiled.
"Dr. Yibi, the reason isn't actually that hard to find. To be honest, if a patient's emotions spiral out of control, it can cause drastic changes in the body's water molecules. The result could be an explosion."
An explosion caused by water in the human body sounded utterly fantastical. Yet at this moment, no one dared accuse Guan Xing of exaggeration.
Yibi cried out in shock, "An explosion? How is that possible?"
"Why not?" Guan Xing replied calmly. "Edema is caused by excessive water retention. Water molecules are composed of oxygen and hydrogen—the most basic elements of combustion and combustion support. When edema increases the body's water content to over eighty percent of total body weight, an explosion becomes possible. It's like a water bomb—it's not difficult to form."
Everyone sucked in a sharp breath. Only Spennty burst into laughter.
"Yibi, this is China Star—the Eastern Divine Hand you've always wanted to meet. The psychological mutation theory came from him. Don't doubt his words. It's absolutely possible."
"So you're China Star!" Yibi's doubts instantly vanished. "It's an honor—truly an honor to meet you. You're a genius!"
As one of Africa's greatest doctors in the past century, Yibi possessed an intense passion for medicine. Though already in his forties, his pursuit of medical knowledge burned even stronger than that of many younger doctors. He had often mentioned the Eastern Divine Hand in front of Spennty, longing for a chance to exchange ideas. He never expected that wish to come true today.
Spennty then turned to Guan Xing. "Star, from this moment on, you'll take over the research on these edema cases. I'll assign the most professional psychological experts to assist you. I hope we can find a mental 'antibody' as soon as possible. Of course," he added with a smile, "if you really manage to create a water bomb, I wouldn't mind either. Even a small theoretical breakthrough could earn our Alliance double the funding from the Ministry of Defense. With that, we could save even more lives."
As soon as he said this, several people volunteered enthusiastically to become Guan Xing's assistants. Yibi and Bores were even more persistent, each grabbing one of Guan Xing's arms, refusing to give anyone else a chance.
Bores laughed. "If we really invent water explosives, maybe we should switch careers and sell weapons."
Although assistant positions were limited, Spennty allowed them unrestricted access to the ward for observation at any time. Only then did everyone calm down.
No actual work began that day. After more than ten hours on the plane—two days and one night, totaling thirty-six hours without rest—Spennty ordered everyone to start work the following day.
Guan Xing had worked here before and already held many privileges. Now, his access was further expanded. Except for the top three floors above the eightieth, which remained off-limits, he could freely enter anywhere else. That night, Spennty personally delivered his access card and had his palm print registered—records that already existed from before.
Even the usually proud Bores couldn't hide his envy. He joked with Spennty, asking if he could have one too. Spennty laughed and said he would grant him one after this assistant assignment—but only with access to three additional floors. It still couldn't compare to Guan Xing's privileges.
Everyone laughed it off. After dinner and a bit of wine, they all went to rest. The intense work ahead made everyone disciplined. Though doctors often lived colorful lives to relieve stress, this opportunity was too important. No one wanted to miss it, so everyone turned in early.
From his room phone, Guan Xing informed Sun Yiran that he had arrived safely and explained he would be staying for a while. He had intended to call Hua Rubing as well, but halfway through dialing, he hung up.
At this moment, she was probably still wavering, torn between choices. There was no need to disturb her.
Deep down, Guan Xing didn't want Hua Rubing to leave. Yet ever since two women had entered his life, he felt trapped in a swamp. His former carefree nature had turned into hesitation and concern. He was no longer the man he used to be.
Only after leaving Kyoto, leaving China, and coming here did he realize that all this indecision came from genuine feelings.
Now, he would find his own heart again and enjoy life. Even if Hua Rubing truly left, he would have no regrets. Free, unrestrained, and unbound—he would return to being his original self.