Volume 2 Chapter 13: Gambling

The physiological structure of humans in this world was over 99% similar to that of humans on Earth. Their medical systems were also very alike, except that some elements and medicinal extracts differed from those on Earth.

Qin Lun had studied a complete set of clinical medicine in Handan Prison. Additionally, at the beginning of his entry into this world, he compared it with several basic medical books he obtained from the Stan Building. In terms of medical theory, he was definitely a qualified doctor.

From his first contact with the epidemic disease virus on the hunchbacked servant Frank, to performing surgery on Morrison in the town square, Qin Lun collected some of the epidemic disease virus. Since the Stan Building had been burned down, Qin Lun did not have suitable experimental equipment. However, this did not prevent him from conducting some simple experiments.

Through these experiments, Qin Lun confirmed two hypotheses. The first hypothesis was that this epidemic disease virus was a living microorganism with extremely strong devouring properties. For humans in this world, it could be described as cancer cells with their power enhanced a hundredfold.

The second hypothesis was that although this epidemic disease virus found it difficult to coexist with other biological cells, it was not completely impossible to neutralize. Using the “World Tree Dew” he had on hand, Qin Lun tested and concluded that if the nature of “World Tree Dew” was “life,” then the attribute of the epidemic disease virus was “death.”

This was also why “World Tree Dew” could drive away the epidemic disease virus: life and death were incompatible opposing attributes. However, Qin Lun accidentally discovered that under certain circumstances, these two attributes could reach a balanced state.

That was a few days after Qin Lun cured Morrison, before the Albert Castle had come to invite him, and when epidemic disease patients in Audiya Town were streaming in continuously. Among these patients, Qin Lun found one breastfeeding young mother who had just given birth and had been sick for a week but had not died yet.

After examining the young mother, Qin Lun found the reason she had not died was simple: her breast milk contained high levels of life essence, which partially offset the “death” attribute of the epidemic disease virus and delayed the onset of the illness.

This accidental discovery made Qin Lun’s eyes light up. Using breast milk as a base and blending agent, he added a small amount of diluted “World Tree Dew” to the epidemic disease virus. After multiple experiments, he obtained a “nutrient solution” with a shelf life of only about three to four days. This nutrient solution could delay the onset of the epidemic disease and extend the lives of patients by about a week.

For this experiment, Qin Lun used up a full two drops of “World Tree Dew,” which seemed like a waste. After all, saving both Frank and Morrison had only required two drops of “World Tree Dew.”

In reality, Qin Lun wanted exactly this weakened version of the “nutrient solution.” He had vaguely guessed that the epidemic disease was related to the Albert Family. His show was to get an invitation from the Albert Family. His purpose in wanting to go to Albert Castle was not to save people, but to explore and complete his Otherworld Mission.

The nutrient solution could only prolong the patients’ lives, not completely cure them. This way, he could stay longer in the castle.

When Qin Lun saw Little Miller, he realized his accidental discovery had turned the breast milk nutrient solution into the best medicine for the little one. The epidemic disease and immune system in Little Miller’s body had reached a balance. However, due to years of coma and bed rest, his physical condition was extremely poor.

The nutrient solution could not cure the disease, but it was, after all, a super nutrient enhanced with “World Tree Dew,” which greatly benefited improving Little Miller’s health. Qin Lun’s only worry was whether the balanced nutrient solution, when meeting the balanced state of Little Miller, would have the opposite effect. After all, the nutrient solution also contained the epidemic disease virus.

Fortunately, Qin Lun’s gamble succeeded! Little Miller’s body accepted the nourishment of the nutrient solution. The diluted World Tree Dew, using breast milk as a medium, did not clash violently with the epidemic disease virus in the little one’s body.

Qin Lun’s thoughts raced, and he gave an ambiguous answer to the old baron’s question.

“We still need to observe for a few days. If my medicine really has an effect on Young Master Miller’s health, then once his bodily functions recover a bit, he might wake up!” Qin Lun picked up his teacup again and said slowly, “However, this medicine is very precious, and the preparation process is extremely complex. Some materials need to be purchased from Audiya Town…”

“Bonnie, have Jason bring all the medicines stored in the castle. Let Doctor Stan see if there are any suitable preparation materials!” The old baron exchanged glances with his family, and a faint smile appeared in his eyes. Qin Lun’s mention of the medicine being precious and the preparation being complex, in their view, was naturally a request for payment.

But this was only reasonable! Since this young doctor could solve the epidemic disease that even the palace physicians were helpless against, and save Audiya and Little Miller, how could the Albert Family be stingy with a little money.

“I heard that Doctor Stan has not yet obtained a formal medical license. For a doctor as skilled as you, this is simply an insult. After this matter is successfully resolved, the Albert Family is willing to vouch for you!” The old baron solemnly promised.

Qin Lun smiled without speaking. He did not need any medical license. As long as he could continue to stay at Albert Castle, he had already achieved his goal.

A moment later, the old butler Jason brought a basket of medical reagents. Qin Lun casually flipped through these reagent bottles. He knew these things were useless to him; breast milk was not a medicine, and “World Tree Dew” was not something from this world. However, his anesthetics and antibiotics had run out, so replenishing some here was still good.

Suddenly, Qin Lun’s hand froze. He stared at a small reagent bottle, his pupils contracting. This reagent bottle had the letters “J·R” engraved on it. Looking more carefully, there were other reagent bottles with letter marks like “H·C,” “Y·P,” and so on.

Looking at these reagent bottles marked with capital letters, Qin Lun’s gaze flickered uncertainly. Perhaps the Albert Family members thought these letters were drug names, but he knew these seemingly drug-like letters were not actual names.

Because, in his medical kit, there were also several unique reagent bottles marked with capital letters, such as: that tube of breast milk nutrient solution. These medicines had no drug names marked, and only the doctors who owned them knew what they were. These medicines were all special formulas privately prepared by doctors of this era.

The reagent bottle of Qin Lun’s nutrient solution was marked with “S·T.” This was not a drug name, but the capitalization of the surname Stan. The doctors of the Stan Family identified these special medicines not by drug names, but by the color of the reagent bottles.

The medicines in this basket were not things stored in the castle, but were the private medicines of certain doctors—those doctors who died in Albert Castle!

Touching these cold reagent bottles, the pores on the back of Qin Lun’s hand stood up. He picked out a few common anesthetics and antibiotics, then waved his hand to signal the old butler to take the medicine basket away.

“What I need is not here. I will have my attendant Frank purchase them from a few nearby towns!” Qin Lun stood up from his chair and walked toward the door. “In the next few days, I will stay to observe Young Master Miller’s physical condition. I apologize for the disturbance!”

“Doctor Stan, no need to be so polite! That Little Miller can receive your treatment is an honor for the Albert Family!” The old baron stood up with his two children and thanked Qin Lun. The old butler beside them immediately handed Qin Lun a silk pouch.

“Swish, swish!” Qin Lun tossed the silk pouch in his hand, the corners of his mouth slightly upturned as he walked side by side with Frank in the castle courtyard. The silk pouch was full of gold coins. This was the material procurement fee the Albert Family paid him, and of course, it was also payment for that tube of milky-white medicine.

“Frank, how is the matter I asked you to inquire about?” Qin Lun glanced around and asked softly.

“Young Master Wellington, that matter is no secret to the castle servants. I already know the general location, but I still need to check it out on-site!” Frank scratched his head and said in a muffled voice.

“Hmm! Remember, besides the things I asked you to buy in town, on the dawn of the fourth day, wait for me opposite the stone bridge of the castle. Hide well, don’t let anyone see you!” Qin Lun threw the entire bag of gold coins to Frank and instructed quietly.

“Young… young master, we don’t need this much, right?” Frank’s hand trembled, almost dropping the money bag.

“It’s all yours. From now on, you are the chief butler of the Stan Family!” Qin Lun grinned. What use did he have for this world’s gold coins? He was always going back to Shattered Starry Sky. It was better to give it all to Frank, thus fulfilling his previous promise. Let this loyal servant have a source of livelihood after he left, as Frank’s wages for this period.

Frank fell silent but still solemnly put away the money bag. Without looking back, he walked out of the castle and disappeared at the end of the mountain road.

…

“Doctor Stan, out for a walk so early again!”

“Yes, Jason, force of habit!” Qin Lun jogged across the stone bridge, smiling and waving to the old butler and the tailor in the courtyard.

In recent days, Qin Lun’s life in the castle had been uneventful. Each day, he observed Little Miller’s health for a while and chatted with several members of the Albert Family.

Only after each evening, the young doctor would stay in his room all night and instruct the old butler Jason not to let anyone disturb him, as that was his time for preparing medicines. And in the early morning, the young doctor would run out of the castle, take a walk outside for over half an hour before returning.

After two or three days of this, the whole castle knew about his habit. However, there was nothing particularly curious about it. The nighttime was quieter, which helped the doctor concentrate on preparing medicines, and morning jogging was perfectly normal.

Late on the third night after the hunchbacked servant left, to be precise, about an hour before dawn, a figure opened the small door on the city gate, ran out of the castle, and disappeared into the darkness along the stone bridge…