Earth’s Redemption: Chapter 11

Chapter 11: Please call him King.

Proofread by Cloud Chip Cake

Before the apocalypse, only those with significant connections could run a hospital, and after the apocalypse, to open such a large hospital in the First Legion’s base meant not just having connections but also power.

This was the First Legion’s base, where every inch of land is valuable. Forget a psychiatric hospital; even government buildings from before the apocalypse that should’ve been demolished had already been taken down.

Moreover, after the apocalypse, people’s mental states often swung between extremes of intense strength and weakness, with more than a few suffering from mental issues. Even a small mental health clinic would be packed with patients, let alone a psychiatric hospital, where one would typically have to queue overnight. But this psychiatric hospital was so vast that there were hardly any patients in sight?

Strange, it was far too strange!

This feeling was akin to him being in the classroom after evening study in the game instance.

However, while he could clear instances, would he dare enter this place?

No, he wouldn’t!

Putting aside the identity of this beautiful doctor, just watching how effortlessly he navigated the game made it clear he wasn’t someone to be trifled with.

To succeed in the Pandora Game, one either had extraordinary talent, or backing from a large Legion. Plus, not following through on promises wasn’t Ning Buwen’s style.

Integrity was important.

Most importantly, he realized it was his own blindness.

He had to bear the consequences of his own actions.

How did his eyes end up like this? They would have been better off not existing!

In an instant, countless regrets surged through Ning Buwen’s mind.

But at the same time, a sense of excitement bubbled up within him.

He should go take a look.

What dragon lairs and tiger dens hadn’t he ventured into? Why would he be afraid of a mere hospital?

A voice in Ning Buwen’s head kept urging him on, awakening his inherent tendency for gambling and thrill-seeking.

A qualified gambler typically had two mental states.

During normal times, he may be a decent person, appearing gentle and harmless, but once he sits at the gambling table, he quickly transforms into a stranger.

Therefore, gambling can be quite harmful.

Ning Buwen often consciously controlled himself to avoid carelessly betting away his life.

However, even if he quit gambling, he couldn’t shake the curiosity ingrained in his bones.

Taking a deep breath, Ning Buwen decided to make one last effort.

“Come on, tell me if I’m on the wrong path.” He tossed the dice onto the ground.

The dice rolled around on the floor and landed on a 100.

“Is this really it? And there’s no room for error!” Ning Buwen didn’t know whether to marvel at how the beautiful doctor lived in a psychiatric hospital or be astonished that the dice yielded such a definite number.

“Well, I have to go regardless. Didn’t a martial arts novel from before the apocalypse say that the prettier a woman is, the more she’ll deceive you? This gorgeous man is likely even more deceitful than a beautiful woman.” As he talked to himself to bolster his resolve, Ning Buwen also secretly hoped that the people in the hospital would stop him from entering.

Such a hospital wouldn’t easily allow strangers inside.

By the way, does the beautiful doctor work at this hospital?

Thinking it over, it was highly likely that the doctor was also a doctor in reality, considering that he played the school doctor in the game instance.

Carrying the frame, Ning Buwen soon arrived at the hospital entrance, where there was a security office.

The guards in the office were lackadaisical, some playing cards, others sleeping. They looked rather relaxed—more like they were enjoying life than doing security work. When they saw Ning Buwen, they didn’t even lift their heads. “We’re not taking patients here anymore; please go to another place.”

“I’m not here for treatment.” Ning Buwen replied calmly. “I’m here to water the flowers.”

“Look at you! How can you say you’re not here for treatment?” One of the guards stood up. “Young man, I know times are tough, but this really isn’t a place for you. You should go somewhere else.”

Ning Buwen sized up the guard who stood, he noticed his well-defined muscles and aura as sharp as a knife.

Only someone more blind than him would think they were actually working as security.

They looked more like mercenaries hired at great expense by casino owners during the gambling competitions he used to attend.

No, there’s no way mercenaries from before the apocalypse could be compared to those after. The gap between them is like that between an adult and a child—completely different levels.

Most importantly, aren’t they a bit too good-looking?

The men were tall and charismatic, which already gave them extra points, but their faces didn’t let them down either?

How could such people be working as security guards here?

Even at the First Legion’s base, things wouldn’t be this extravagant.

“Are you really security guards and not mercenaries?” Or maybe models? Ning Buwen wisely refrained from asking the latter.

This didn’t stir any waves in the security office.

The ones playing cards continued to play, those sleeping remained asleep, and the ones reading the newspaper kept reading.

“Ha, yeah, we used to be mercenaries.” The guard who had stood up chuckled. “So what? Are we not allowed to change professions?”

“Well, that’s true.” Ning Buwen didn’t want to fight with these professionals. He could handle one-on-one fights, but mercenaries didn’t play fair.

“I’m here on someone’s behalf.” Knowing they were tight-lipped, Ning Buwen decided to cut the small talk and get straight to the point. He took out the frame from Cheng Meiren ¹. “He said he lives here, and that showing you this should allow me in.”

The guard’s gaze landed on the frame Ning Buwen presented, and his expression instantly changed.

One couldn’t help but wonder if this security guard had been a Sichuan opera performer before becoming a mercenary, given how quickly his demeanor shifted.

The speed of his change was almost suspicious, as if he had activated a special skill from Pandora’s customer service!

“I’m so sorry! I didn’t realize you were here to water the flowers for the King.”

As soon as the term “king” was mentioned, the security guard’s tone immediately softened.

Wait, “king”?

Ning Buwen was shocked by this title.

However, the people at the security office seemed even more astonished than he was.

In almost a second, the guards playing cards, sleeping, or reading the newspaper stood up, forming two straight lines, their bodies erect and their auras intimidating.

Now, this is the kind of presence mercenaries should have.

But it isn’t like they’re going into battle. Why are they so tense? Ning Buwen silently complained.

The guards couldn’t understand the confusion in Ning Buwen’s heart, just as he couldn’t grasp why they reacted so strongly.

The guy reading the newspaper even set it down, revealing a pair of heterochromatic eyes.

Ning Buwen hadn’t had a chance to compliment this mixed-race guy for his good looks and impressive aura—clearly someone fit to be a leader—when the mixed-race guy smiled and quietly said, “This guest, we will guide you. The King’s room is a bit hard to find; please follow me.”

Ning Buwen: …

To be honest.

Seeing these individuals, each sporting the striking good looks of top-tier mercenaries, speak such flattering words and make such ingratiating gestures made Ning Buwen feel an uncomfortable chill all over.

“What kind of title is ‘king’?” Ning Buwen quickly asked the crucial question. “You’re security guards, not bandits. Isn’t he a doctor?”

“Doctor?” The guy reading the newspaper coughed lightly and chuckled. “This guest, you’re quite amusing. Our hospital doesn’t have any doctors. Come, follow me. You guys, clear the way ahead.”

“Yes, boss.”

With the front-line mercenary-turned-security squad paving the way, the path suddenly became much easier to navigate.

Once they passed the security office, Ning Buwen understood why all the guards were mercenaries.

There were many patients here.

“Come on, let’s play mushrooms!”

“No way, you’re an enokitake, which is edible; I’m a yamabushitake(lion’s mane mushroom) we’re not the same kind.”

“Fish ah, fish ah, I’m a fish!”

“Hehe, Mom and Dad, your daughter is unfilial; something’s grown between my legs. I’m going to cut it off with a knife and become your pure daughter!” A patient waved a stick around, gesturing wildly at himself.

…

“Fujun ², Fujun, are you all here to take me away? But the Qing Dynasty has fallen; I would rather die alongside His Majesty!” 

Soon, the patients began to rush toward the security guards, many of them casting intense stares at Ning Buwen that felt almost menacing.

“You seem quite calm, guest,” one of the guards said to Ning Buwen.

“It’s not too bad,” Ning Buwen replied lightly. “I’ve seen my fair share of crazies in Las Vegas; I’m used to it.”

“They’re not crazies; they just see the world differently than ordinary people. Perhaps to them, we’re the ones who are crazy,” Ning Buwen added.

“No wonder the King chose you to take care of his flowers. We wouldn’t dare approach without orders,” the guard complimented Ning Buwen, then shouted to the patients, “Everyone be quiet! This guest is the King’s envoy, specifically here to care for the flowers the King has grown!”

Instantly, the atmosphere fell silent.

“Yes, we will obey the King’s wishes,” the patients all took on the demeanors of officials, bowing and slowly backing away.

Ning Buwen: … Wait, aren’t you all too obedient?

“Here, they only listen to the King,” the head guard shrugged. “What he says is like a decree, and he likes us to call him ‘king.’”

“Why not ‘boss’?”

“Because my brothers call me ‘boss,’” the head guard sighed slightly. “At one point, I thought I was going to die because of that title. Unfortunately, these guys are sharp, so no one dares to take on the title of ‘boss’ anymore; I’m stuck being the boss.”

The other guards nodded in agreement. “Boss, you will always be our boss.”

“Being a boss just means you have to work harder.”

“Boss, wait! I’ll go do a game instance and bring you back a beautiful NPC. Do you want a male, female, or androgynous one?”

…

The atmosphere here really fits the theme of a mental hospital.

It feels utterly out of place in this post-apocalyptic world.

Have the people here always been this disjointed?

Ning Buwen didn’t notice whatsoever that he was walking and chatting with these people who seemed so out of place, blending in effortlessly.

“Speaking of which, do you choose your security guards based on looks here?” Ning Buwen said casually, pretending to be nonchalant. “I thought you picked your boss based on appearance.”

The security guards’ expressions grew slightly stiff.

Then, they all began to vent their frustrations to Ning Buwen.

“Well, mainly because the King said he doesn’t like to see ugly people wandering around in front of him.”

“Bro, don’t judge me by how I look now; I used to be at least twice as fat as I am now.”

“I’m worse off; I used to have single eyelids that looked great, but the King didn’t like them, so I got scared and went for double eyelid surgery the next day. Look at my European-style double eyelids now!”

“Ah, to be honest, we have to use skincare products every day now. The brother who was caught with a face full of acne is still lying in the hospital!”

“Cough, why are we even discussing this?” The boss waved his hand to stop them from going on.

“This is it; you can go in now.” The head guard brought Ning Buwen to the front of a patient room and refused to go any further.

“… Are you sure this is the right place? This place is so big; since he’s the King, shouldn’t he have a palace?” Ning Buwen inquired diplomatically.

“The King lives here.” The head guard straightened the sign that read “Room 01.” “Inside, three patient rooms have been connected, and the King’s flowers are right in front.”

“What about the water?” Ning Buwen paused for a moment. “Is there running water in this patient room?”

“Oh, the King’s flowers don’t drink running water.” The guard thought for a moment, brushed his fingers over the Pandora tattoo on his wrist, and pulled out a card. “This is a item card for watering the flowers. You can take it; we’ll be leaving now. Goodbye.”

As soon as the card was handed to Ning Buwen, the guards instantly pulled out a magic carpet and flew away.

Yes, they flew away.

That magic carpet must also be a powerful item.

Ning Buwen looked down at the item card in his hand and was momentarily stunned.

[River God’s Blessing]

“Generally, item cards that include the word ‘God’ must be at least B-Level,” Ning Buwen thought, suddenly feeling like this card was extraordinarily heavy.

Using a B-Level item card to water flowers—is it really so extravagant?

“I’d better prepare myself mentally for what’s next,” Ning Buwen muttered to himself. “If such a precious item card is used for watering flowers, the species in question must be extraordinary.”

He gave himself three seconds to calm down before placing his hand on the doorknob and gently twisting it.

The door opened.

In the distance, the guards huddled together, whispering among themselves.

“Boss, is it really okay for us to leave like this? Those flowers can eat people.”

“He’s holding something written by the King and has the King’s aura on him, so he shouldn’t get eaten.”

“The King even let an outsider water his flowers; it seems he won’t be back for a while—long live!” 

“Boss, can I take a month off? My second brother asked me to help train new recruits in their Legion, and their cafeteria’s roasted chicken is really delicious.” 

“Go ahead.” 

“What about that brother?” 

“… Pray for him.” The head guard made a cross over his chest. “Meeting the King was bad luck for him.” 

Since the establishment of X City Psychiatric Hospital, their most difficult and overpowering madman boss had driven away all the doctors, and no one could escape once he set his sights on them. 

You can mess with anyone, but don’t mess with a lunatic. 

And this lunatic was extraordinarily powerful. 

“Honestly, I think that brother was probably deceived by the King’s looks.” 

“Hey, you make it sound like we weren’t deceived as well.” 

“Damn, who knew that just calling out ‘Meiren(beauty)’ would land me here as a security guard? Y’all didn’t stop me at the time either!” 

“… So, aren’t we here accompanying you to be security guards?” 

Meanwhile, 

“… Aren’t these flowers a bit too big?” Although Ning Buwen had mentally prepared himself, seeing the nearly twenty-meter-tall, over two-hundred-square-meter room filled with just three flowers still left him stunned. 

When faced with such gigantic flowers, the first thought that flashed through Ning Buwen’s mind was, “These flowers probably wouldn’t die even if they were watered only every few months.”

The author has something to say:

Ning Buwen: Author, author, is there really no problem with this little gong you’ve written? He seems a bit off in the head.  

Author: A person with beauty and strength, if their brain were still good, would not be interested in someone who carries a huge debt. Be a little clear headed!  

Ning Buwen: …That seems a bit reasonable.

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Translator Notes

1. Meiren – beauty/belle[↩]
2. Husband- honorific[↩]