Chapter 120 – Becoming Xiao Cheng’s Hostage

Jian Mei felt both a surge of excitement and a twinge of worry upon hearing Xiao Ban’s words.

The situation in this town was incredibly complex. To put it simply, it was a chaotic convergence of various factions, making the medical tent here one of the last remaining sanctuaries on this planet.

Jian Mei’s heart was filled with mixed emotions, and in his anxiety, he started walking briskly. Before he could fully react, he began coughing, but this time the cough was different—harsh and gut-wrenching, sounding quite alarming.

Seeing him like this, Xiao Ban became worried and quickly rushed to support him, asking, “Mei Mei, are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” Jian Mei shook his head. He said, “Xiao Ban, don’t come any closer.”

Although he was wearing a protective mask, he still covered his mouth and said, “I think I’m infected. You shouldn’t get near me.”

Hearing this, Xiao Ban felt as if he had been struck by lightning. He wanted to approach, but Jian Mei stepped back and shook his head, saying, “Stay back. I know my body and I can take care of myself. If you get infected, it could be very dangerous.”

Xiao Ban stopped a short distance away, looking at him with a pained expression.

Jian Mei sighed softly.

While he was lost in thought, someone else entered the tent and said, “Xiao Ban, the commander has ordered you to bring him over.”

Jian Mei was startled.

Xiao Ban, having been given a direct order, knew he couldn’t disobey. As a member of the rebel army, he had no choice. Taking a deep breath, he said, “Mei Mei, I’m sorry, but I have no other choice.”

Jian Mei understood. He had wondered why Xiao Ban, as a member of the rebel forces, would have the time to visit him in such a tense situation. It turned out he had a mission to carry out. Surprisingly, Jian Mei didn’t feel much disappointment or any other complex emotions at this revelation. He just smiled slightly and shook his head, saying, “It’s okay.”

Before leaving, Jian Mei quickly took the temperature of each patient and set the schedule for their afternoon medication.

Ping Ping, who was helping prepare the medicine, rushed over when he heard that Jian Mei was leaving. He grabbed Jian Mei’s sleeve and refused to let go, asking, “Mei Mei, where are you going?”

Jian Mei crouched down and said, “I have to go to another place. There are people there who need me too. Stay here and be good, okay? It’s very dangerous and chaotic outside, but this place is safe.”

Even though Xiao Cheng was ruthless, he wouldn’t harm doctors or patients.

Jian Mei had observed this, so he knew that no matter how chaotic the town became or how many corpses littered the streets outside, this place remained untouched by the ravages of war.

Ping Ping seemed to sense something. He tugged at Jian Mei’s sleeve gently, whispering, “Mei Mei…”

Jian Mei tightened Ping Ping’s mask, making sure it was secure in place. Not daring to touch Ping Ping any more than necessary, he turned and walked away.

This was just outside the city, but as soon as he stepped out, he was stunned. The sky above was filled with a dense array of warships, and even massive fire dragons were soaring through the air. The distant howls of wild beasts echoed, causing the ground to tremble slightly.

Someone ahead said, “Xiao Cheng originally planned for the aliens to fight against our royal family, but what he didn’t expect was that the Ministry of Defense had secretly been developing warships and the latest combat mechs since the Crown Prince took power a few years ago. These activities were all conducted in secret, so when the alien warships invaded, they didn’t gain much advantage. The chaos in the Imperial City has already been quelled.”

Xiao Ban commented, “Lu Xingwang is indeed impressive.”

Planning so far ahead and with such strategic foresight—this was something beyond the capabilities of most people.

As they spoke, they crossed the streets and arrived outside the City Lord’s Mansion. Here, the crowd grew thicker, and the smell of smoke and gunfire filled the air. They pushed through the crowd of people and found themselves at the entrance of the City Lord’s Mansion.

This was Xiao Cheng’s stronghold.

Xiao Ban looked at Jian Mei with concern, worried that he might be hurt or upset. But all he saw was Jian Mei’s calm, untroubled face, as if he had already anticipated this outcome.

Xiao Ban said, “Mei Mei, don’t be afraid.”

Jian Mei wasn’t afraid. What worried him was why Xiao Cheng had called him here. His greatest fear was that Xiao Cheng intended to use him as a hostage to threaten Lu Xingwang. If that were the case, it would devastate him; such a burden would be more painful than death.

He absolutely did not want to become a burden to Lu Xingwang.

There was one thing, however, that might be considered a silver lining in this dire situation: Jian Mei had managed to develop a formula for a medicine that seemed effective against the pandemic by studying medical books.

If the medicine proved successful, the pandemic could be brought under control.

Jian Mei had even been taking the medicine himself, but strangely, it had little effect on his body. Instead, his condition seemed to be worsening. He had a troubling suspicion—perhaps his body on Earth was slowly recovering, and his time on Stan Star was running out.

“Come with us.” A stern voice called out from ahead. The speaker’s scrutinizing gaze fell on Jian Mei as he asked, “Is this the one?”

Xiao Ban replied, “Yes.”

The man said to Xiao Ban, “You don’t need to follow. He’ll come with me.”

Xiao Ban, worried that Jian Mei might be scared, whispered, “Don’t be afraid. They won’t harm you. I heard that Xiao Cheng is injured. They probably need you to treat him, so don’t be scared…”

Jian Mei shook his head and said, “I’m not afraid.”

As long as he wasn’t being taken as a hostage, there was nothing to fear.

After passing through several corridors, Jian Mei finally arrived inside a room where many people were gathered. He saw Lord Jia Si and even noticed the young master, but Jian Mei’s gaze didn’t linger on anyone for too long. His eyes were drawn to Xiao Cheng, who was seated at the head of the room, with one of his arms hanging limply—likely broken.

There was a healing priest beside him trying to treat the injury, but it wasn’t working.

The priest said, “It seems that a curse has been placed on the wound, preventing divine healing.”

Xiao Cheng sneered, “Lu Xingwang really is ruthless.”

He belonged to a family of sorcerers. Though they usually stayed out of sight, they’d appeared at this critical moment. It seemed that no matter what, the sorcerer family would always protect their own.

Xiao Cheng then looked at Jian Mei and ordered, “You, come here and treat me.”

Jian Mei stepped forward. The hall was full of people, and countless eyes were on him, but he didn’t feel overly afraid. He walked up to Xiao Cheng, crouched down, and examined his arm. After a careful assessment, he said, “Your arm needs surgery. Otherwise, it will become useless. But there’s no surgical equipment here, and… I don’t have any experience performing surgery.”

Xiao Cheng’s expression darkened. “Are you kidding me? You’re a doctor, but you have no experience?”

Jian Mei sighed, “I’m an intern.”

“You’re an intern… you…” Xiao Cheng trailed off, momentarily at a loss for words. He had originally wanted to ask, “If you’re an intern, why are you on the front lines? If you’re an intern, why are you taking care of so many patients?” But in that moment, he found that he understood Jian Mei, and the realization was strangely comforting.

“Boom!”

The ground outside suddenly shook.

Someone rushed in from outside to report, “Sir, there’s a warship approaching, and someone is breaching the defenses around the City Lord’s Mansion.”

Xiao Cheng cursed under his breath and said, “Understood. Prepare our transport ship immediately; we need to retreat.”

Xiao Cheng is someone who could adapt to situations. If he wasn’t, he wouldn’t have been able to escape from Lu Xingwang’s clutches in the past. Seeing the situation turning against him, he knew it was time to retreat.

One of Xiao Cheng’s subordinates quickly responded, “Yes, sir!”

Jian Mei, standing nearby, began to worry. If Xiao Cheng managed to escape, who knew what kind of evil he would commit in the future?

But before Jian Mei could even begin to panic, Xiao Cheng turned to him with surprising speed and pointed at him, saying, “You, you’re coming with us.”

Jian Mei was shocked and took a step back. “Where? I’m not going anywhere!”

“You don’t have a choice,” Xiao Cheng said, showing no fear and clearly unconcerned about Jian Mei’s thoughts. Seeing Jian Mei’s resistance, Xiao Cheng sneered and pulled out a gun, aiming it directly at Jian Mei. “If you don’t come with us, you’ll die here and now.”

…

The tension in the room escalated sharply.

Suddenly, someone broke the silence. The young master chuckled softly and said, “Mr. Xiao, there’s no need to get upset. He’s just a little doctor who doesn’t understand the situation. He’s probably just confused. Jian Mei, what are you standing around for? If Mr. Xiao tells you to go, then go.”

Jian Mei looked at the young master.

After everything he had been through, Jian Mei didn’t know who to trust or rely on. But in that moment, the young master gave him a subtle wink.

Jian Mei seemed to understand something. Finally, he nodded and said, “Alright, I’ll go with you.”

Only then did Xiao Cheng look satisfied.

A number of Xiao Cheng’s loyal men surrounded him, providing cover as they retreated. Outside the City Lord’s Mansion, the sound of explosions and gunfire filled the air, making the situation seem extremely dangerous. Jian Mei was forced to follow them through the corridors until they finally reached the transport array for the warship. He recognized the design of the array; he had seen it on Lu Xingwang’s desk, and even on the young master’s desk in his study.

…

If he could find a way to disrupt it, maybe Xiao Cheng…wouldn’t be able to escape.

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