In the hospital room, Li Xuan calmly gazed at the elder lying on the bed, his body filled with tubes. His withered face, hidden beneath the oxygen mask, appeared lifeless.
Who would have thought that the supreme commander of Hua Nation would end up in such a state? Li Xuan sensed with his divine consciousness, a look of admiration slowly appearing in his eyes.
As he sensed, Li Xuan found that the life force within the elder before him was dwindling. If not for the machines maintaining him, he would have long since succumbed and journeyed to the netherworld.
And within the elder's body, especially near the heart, a bullet had long since rusted. With every pulse of blood, the rusted bullet also swayed. This seemingly weak sway was enough to cause the elder immense pain.
It was hard to imagine how the elder had endured for so many years.
After confirming the elder's physical condition, Li Xuan breathed a slight sigh of relief.
Although the elder before him looked nearly seventy years old, it was not a sign of his lifespan nearing its end.
If the bullet within his body and the sequelae of his previous injuries could be resolved, this elder could live for at least another ten years. His bodily functions were sufficient evidence of this.
"If it were in the past, it might have required some effort, and the success rate would likely be less than fifty percent," Li Xuan said with a slight smile, his control over his soul and the density of his spiritual energy far exceeding what it was before.
Li Xuan took a deep breath and formed a hand seal. A surge of spiritual energy shot out, instantly entering the elder's body and stabilizing his life force.
Furthermore, Li Xuan's divine consciousness split into two streams. While ensuring the elder's body was stable, another stream of divine consciousness, fused with spiritual energy, rapidly advanced towards the rusted bullet near his heart.
...
As time passed, Elder Li and Niu Lijun, who were waiting outside the ward, glanced at the quiet room and then shook their heads at the somewhat anxious Zhao Guosheng.
Having personally experienced Li Xuan's methods, Elder Li and Niu Lijun were quite impressed. If anyone in this world could help the former leader recover, it was likely Li Xuan.
"Commander Niu, it's already been two hours," Zhao Guosheng said, standing up again as time ticked by.
Adding to the fact that the ward's surveillance mysteriously failed, making it impossible to monitor the situation inside, Zhao Guosheng could no longer sit still. If not for his reverence for Niu Lijun's status, Zhao Guosheng would have already rushed in.
"Little Zhao, when Mr. Li treated me, it took nearly two hours. Look at me now, I'm perfectly fine. Don't worry, as long as Mr. Li has agreed to help, the old leader will surely recover."
"Moreover, it's precisely because Mr. Li has been in the ward for two hours that our hopes are greater. If Mr. Li had come out at the beginning, do you think the old leader would still have hope?" Niu Lijun said upon hearing this.
"This... alright, I'll wait another half hour. If it's still not finished, I will absolutely go in to see the old leader!" Zhao Guosheng hesitated for a moment, then slowly nodded and said.
In truth, Zhao Guosheng understood the old leader's physical condition. Many renowned doctors had diagnosed him before, and their conclusions were all that he could only be maintained in his current state. Zhao Guosheng was acting this way out of fear that the old leader might not even have these last days.
"No need to wait for half an hour, you can go in now." Just as Zhao Guosheng finished speaking, the ward door suddenly opened. Li Xuan looked at Zhao Guosheng with a slight smile and then gestured for him to enter.
Niu Lijun, Elder Li, and Zhao Guosheng all stood up and quickly walked into the ward.
"Old leader!" As Niu Lijun and Elder Li entered, they saw Xi Huairen, who was already sitting up. He looked nothing like someone gravely ill.
The two were visibly moved to tears and then saluted Xi Huairen together.
Niu Jianguo and Li Enzhong also stood at attention and saluted, their faces filled with excitement.
"Leader, how are you feeling?" Zhao Guosheng, also shocked, saluted and then quickly approached Xi Huairen's bedside, asking.
Seeing Niu Lijun and the others suddenly barge into the room, Xi Huairen's initially dazed eyes quickly focused, and he slowly nodded, "Is that you? Have I been asleep for a long time?"
"Old leader!" Upon hearing this, Niu Lijun and Elder Li cried again.
"Alright, alright, a person with one foot in the grave is still crying. Little Zhao, help me off the bed." Xi Huairen said with a smile, waving his hand, then lifted the covers and spoke to Zhao Guosheng.
"Yes, leader!" Zhao Guosheng saluted in response and then carefully helped Xi Huairen off the bed.
Feeling the strength in Xi Huairen's arm, Zhao Guosheng instantly confirmed that Xi Huairen's body had indeed recovered.
Moreover, after taking a few steps off the bed, Xi Huairen pushed Zhao Guosheng away and walked directly to Niu Lijun and Elder Li, pulling down their saluting hands.
Seeing this, Zhao Guosheng's gaze shifted to Li Xuan. Besides gratitude, there was naturally a trace of apology.
"I never thought I, Xi Huairen, would be able to walk again. I never imagined I would see my old comrades again," Xi Huairen said with emotion, holding Niu Lijun and Elder Li's hands.
His gaze then shifted to Li Xuan, "Young man, can you tell me how you did it?"
Upon hearing this, Elder Li and Niu Lijun looked at Li Xuan with some difficulty. However, given the former's status, they could only cast apologetic glances at Li Xuan.
Li Xuan shook his head slightly and replied, "I'm sorry, my methods cannot be disclosed."
"Oh, it's alright. But you healed me, so you deserve a good thank you. Young man, what do you want?" Xi Huairen nodded slightly and then asked Li Xuan.
Li Xuan shook his head again and said, "If it were for remuneration, I would not have acted. Old leader, if you truly wish to give me something, then work harder for the welfare of the people of Hua Nation."
"To be able to refuse my gift, you are truly the foremost person in our Hua Nation. Although you are young, sir, your character is truly admirable. If all the sons of Hua Nation possessed such a heart, it would be a blessing for all beings."
"Since you do not want anything, please accept the highest tribute from an old soldier!" Xi Huairen said, nodding in admiration, and then stood straight and gave Li Xuan a solemn military salute.
"The blessing of all beings also requires your policies, old leader. I hope my actions today will allow the common people to feel your sincerity," Li Xuan said, returning a salute to Xi Huairen.
Xi Huairen nodded slightly, then extended his hand towards Li Xuan and said, "We shall see!"
Li Xuan smiled slightly, then extended his hand and clasped Xi Huairen's, saying, "We shall see."