Chapter 65 and Chapter 66

Zhao Li, still in a daze, caught a whiff of a familiar fragrance, one that seemed to have lingered in his dreams long ago. Accompanying it was a gentle, soothing warmth. It felt as though his entire body were submerged in a pool of warm liquid, inducing a profound sense of comfort.

His subconscious was reluctant to wake, yet his Nameless True Qi began to circulate. It seemed that even while he was unconscious, the energy had never ceased its flow.

From somewhere far away, a voice called his name—a voice so soft, so alluring, that Zhao Li felt an urge to lose himself in it.

"Who is calling me?" Zhao Li mumbled. Upon hearing his voice, the calling stopped abruptly. A wave of relaxation washed over him, and he drifted back into deep slumber.

When he finally awoke again, he was met with excruciating pain radiating through his entire body. His chest felt as if two gaping holes had been torn into it, with scalding hot water being poured inside. Even the simplest breath was agonizing.

"Urgh!" Zhao Li groaned, finding slight relief in the sound. The moment he made a noise, he heard a soft, familiar voice whispering, "Zhao Li! Zhao Li!"

He struggled to open his eyes and beheld a face from his dreams. A pair of beautiful eyes gazed down at him, accompanied by a smile as radiant as a flower. He felt himself drawn into the beauty of the face before him. Where was he? Was this heaven? And why was there a woman who looked exactly like Christine?

"Christine?" Zhao Li rasped weakly. The effort triggered a fit of violent coughing, making his chest burn.

"Don't move, don't speak!" Christine placed her hand gently against his chest. A stream of soothing warmth flowed into him, immediately dulling the pain.

Seeing her familiar face and hearing her voice, combined with the sensation in his chest, Zhao Li realized he was not dead. He wasn't qualified for heaven yet. The person before him was indeed his former superior, Christine.

Where was he? Zhao Li shifted his gaze, taking in the clinical white surroundings. The blinking instruments and scrolling screens confirmed he was in a highly advanced medical ward.

The events leading to this moment flooded back into his mind. There had been a massive armed prison break. He had been attacked by three masked figures and was left severely wounded. Since he was in a hospital, the crisis must be over, but he wondered about the outcome—what had happened to the prisoners? What about the prison guards?

He tried to turn his head to get a better look, but Christine stopped him. "You are seriously injured. Don't move or speak." She placed a small tube to his lips. "This is nutrient solution. If you're thirsty, have some."

Only then did Zhao Li realize his thirst. He drank greedily. The cool liquid felt refreshing, though every swallow tugged painfully at his chest.

"Don't drink too much at once." She pulled the tube away and used a handkerchief, scented with that familiar fragrance, to gently wipe the corner of his mouth.

"You don't need to say anything. If you can sleep, do so. It will be good for your recovery." Christine was still wearing her military medical uniform, though he couldn't see her rank. Zhao Li felt no wariness toward her. Feeling drowsy, he closed his eyes.

The Nameless True Qi continued to circulate. Whenever it passed his chest, the impact caused sharp pain. Zhao Li was forced to engage his Basic Body-Strengthening Technique. Only when this technique was active did the Nameless True Qi remain docile in his Dantian, and he found that the technique itself aided his recovery.

It had surprised him more than once, and this time was no exception. As the condensed energy flowed through his body, it brought a cooling sensation that eased his suffering. Especially in his chest, it cooled the burning agony more effectively than the energy Christine had channeled into him. After all, his own energy was compatible with his body in a way that hers could never be.

The comfort lulled him into a meditative state. To an outside observer, he appeared to be in a deep, peaceful sleep. The ward remained silent, save for the rhythmic pulse of the heart monitor.

Christine watched him sleep for a moment before standing and leaving the room. She was exhausted. She had been in the middle of intensive training when she received orders to assist with a critical patient. She had traveled a long distance to get here and had been working non-stop ever since.

She hadn't expected the patient to be someone she knew. Seeing the lieutenant's insignia clipped from Zhao Li's uniform, she felt a sense of pride. He was truly the man who had withstood her temptations during the first phase of recruit training. In such a short time, he had already risen to the rank of lieutenant.

Yet, his injuries were terrifying. It looked as if he had been struck by heavy machinery or a warship's main cannon. His ribs were shattered, shards had pierced his lungs, and he had suffered massive blood loss. It was a miracle he was still alive.

There were three other medical experts present, but Christine was the only one from the Genius Academy. The others had been unable to stabilize him until she arrived. Her healing energy had prevented his condition from deteriorating further, earning her the relief of the other doctors.

Though she was a lieutenant colonel herself, she was puzzled. Why was there so much tension surrounding a lieutenant? Was Zhao Li constantly on the front lines? But soldiers died in war all the time; why such a massive mobilization for a single officer? Even a lieutenant general had inquired about his status via comms.

She sought answers from her mentor at the Genius Academy. She learned that the high-security prison Zhao Li oversaw had been breached by a massive armed force. All the guards were killed, leaving Zhao Li the only survivor. And he was the warden of that high-security facility.

The news shocked her. She knew Zhao Li's background; he had no major connections. How had he become a warden of a top-tier military prison in just two years?

With a head full of questions, she returned to the intensive care unit. Zhao Li’s tenacity was nothing short of miraculous. He had clawed his way back from the brink of death, defying the experts who had already advised the military to prepare for his funeral.

After a week of non-stop treatment—mostly spent channeling energy and whispering soft encouragements—Zhao Li had finally stabilized.

"His condition is stable. Once he wakes again, recovery is just a matter of time," she told the anxious officers waiting outside. She knew they were desperate to interrogate him, but she used her authority to shield him.

The investigation revealed that the prisoners had been taken without a trace. However, three of the attackers had been left behind, incapacitated with dislocated cervical vertebrae. Before they could be interrogated, they had committed suicide in their cells, leaving Zhao Li as the only witness.

When Zhao Li eventually regained consciousness, his pain had subsided enough for him to think clearly. He was now able to sit up, leaning against the bed.

Christine entered the room, her usual smile gracing her face. She checked the monitors and was delighted to see him awake and watching her.

"You're awake!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with genuine joy.

"Thank you for saving me," Zhao Li said.

"Glad to see you're back," she replied, ignoring his thanks.

Two intelligence officers waiting nearby requested an interview. Christine refused, citing his fragile state. "He cannot handle strenuous mental activity. He needs rest." The officers had no choice but to retreat.

"How do you feel?" Christine asked, brushing a stray lock of hair from his forehead. The intimacy of her gesture caused Zhao Li’s heart to race, making him blush.

"You naughty boy, you just woke up and you're already letting your mind wander?" she teased, tapping his forehead.

She eventually left him to rest. Zhao Li spent the time practicing his breathing and reflecting. He knew the interrogations were inevitable. When they finally came, he insisted on having his direct superior authorize the session and provide an observer.

The interrogators were impressed by his caution. A senior officer from the military district was assigned to observe.

Zhao Li recounted the events in detail, describing the breach, the enemy's tactics, and the fact that he had left three of the attackers alive behind the potted plants. The interrogators were stunned.

"You did well, Lieutenant," the officers said, saluting him before they left. "You are a hero."

As the days passed, Christine continued to treat him, often teasing him in a way that made his recovery both difficult and memorable. He was no longer the naive recruit he once was; his time as a warden had taught him to see past the surface. He knew his life had changed forever, and as he sat in the quiet ward, he waited for the next chapter of his life to begin.