I am the old, fiery-faced man from the senior department.

Ah Xi...

The artist looked at his elder brother.

She probably understood.

But... this is too reckless.

Exploring the taboos surrounding life and death...

"If I were you, I would quietly wait for him to return at the place where we parted, instead of breaking the rules and running around the world looking for him."

His elder brother's words of advice echoed as he left, shattering the thought that had risen in Jiang Xi's heart.

"Ah Xi...when will you come back..."

The artist stood there for a long time, staring at the unfamiliar capital city.

As a sigh faded, the painter, holding an umbrella, slowly walked away.

###

"I really hope you can hold on a little longer, poor child, we'll be in Syracuse soon."

Jaden patted the completely wrecked car with a regretful expression.

How far is the nearest village from here?

During the day, Bai Zhou fed Tian Sha a Source Stone and asked Zetton a question.

"It's about ten kilometers to the northwest."

"The blueprints are from last year; I don't know if that village still exists."

Before Bai Zhou could speak, Jaden defended himself again:

"However, there are no signs of natural disasters around here. If that village wasn't just bored, they probably wouldn't be moving around like this."

"Is it confirmed? Northwest, about ten kilometers?"

Bai looked at the two of them during the day.

"It's confirmed, boss. But we have to walk there; we'll probably have to camp out in the wilderness tonight."

Jaden stood up to lead the way, only to find his feet sinking into the "ground".

"Don't resist, this is my ability."

Bai Zhou snapped his fingers, and a huge shadow emerged from the shadows of the two men.

"Able to traverse short distances."

"Short? Distance?"

Jaden glanced at the map; this "short distance" probably wasn't referring to the distance shown on the map.

Or perhaps you, boss, have some misunderstanding about the term "short distance"?

"Alright, let's get ready to go."

When Bai Zhan raised his hand, Rams, who was as immovable as a mountain, was enveloped in shadow and dragged into the deep, bottomless dark realm like bait on a fishhook.

"Gudong~"

Jaden swallowed hard, closed his eyes as if facing death, and was swallowed by the shadows like his companion.

In the daytime, it leans back gracefully and enters the water.

"Holy crap... I really ran this far!"

Jaden stared in surprise at the small village in the distance, then touched his intact body, his gaze turning fervent as he looked at the daylight.

This saved him a whole day, and he seemed quite relaxed...

"Boss, can your ability teleport other things? Like my trillion-degree fireball."

"No, shut up. Let's go."

"Give it a try, boss. I can do more work for you. We can form a brand new team. My trillion-degree fireball combined with your powerful abilities will definitely make Terra shine."

"madness."

Rams glanced at his whimsical companion, wanting to snap him out of his reverie with his shield.

He's nothing like that idiot who's obsessed with how to more effectively activate the "trillion-degree fireball".

Rams looked at the daylight ahead, his heart filled with respect and vigilance.

I respect him because he is a strong person.

I was wary of him because he was a strong person.

Regardless of the strange armor, the calm demeanor, or the powerful abilities that had just been revealed, Rams did not believe that the other party was just a mercenary.

The identity of being a mercenary was merely one he had prepared specifically for easier movement and finding people.

and……

What kind of person could someone go to such lengths to find?

Return of the five wanderers and the plague doctor

"I will cure all diseases, and you will be reborn."

Even though a long time has passed, Simon still remembers when he met the doctor.

He remembered that the sun was very cold that day, cold enough to freeze even the thickest-skinned pack animals to death, but the doctor felt warm around him, as warm as a mother's embrace.

In Simon's view, doctors are like the sun shining on earth, bringing warmth and hope to those who are desperate.

"Waaah..."

Simon awoke from a dream filled with light.

He rubbed his slightly messy hair and remembered the things he had to do today.

"Thank you, great doctor. You have driven away our illness and suffering and brought us life and hope."

Like the most devout believer, Simon prayed in a certain direction.

"So, let's try to do something for doctors today as well."

He put on his simple but comfortable clothes, put on his worn but sturdy straw sandals, pushed open the door, and greeted a new day.

"Praise the doctor."

May you remain healthy and well.

From afar, Ximen spotted him.

The doctor wore a long black robe, a black fedora, and a bird-beak mask that covered his entire face. He had no arms; instead, he had two outstretched black wings.

He probably lost both arms for some reason. The doctor is a good person and deserves to be rewarded.

Simon didn't understand.

Without thinking much, Simon walked quickly toward him.

Good morning, doctor.

Good morning, Ximen.

Although he knew the doctor remembered everyone's name, Simon was still overjoyed to receive a greeting from him.

Is there anything I can help you with?

He looked at the doctor with great interest.

No, it's not necessary.

The doctor refused him, just as he refused everyone who wanted to help him.

"However, if you encounter someone who needs help, please bring them to me."

"No problem, doctor, I'll be careful."

"Well then, goodbye, Simon."

Goodbye, Doctor.

Simon had never seen anyone help others with such sincerity and dedication as the doctor, without asking for anything in return.

The doctor's arrival stemmed from a strange illness that had struck the village a few months earlier.

The disease is like a plague, appearing suddenly. Those infected soon become feverish and weak, losing even the strength to open their eyes and speak. Although their bodies are burning hot, the patient feels the world is icy cold, and even the scorching sun cannot dispel this chill.

Because no one understood how terrible the disease was, no one took precautions, resulting in no one in the entire village escaping its clutches after it appeared.

People succumbed to the disease one after another. One person died after another, and everyone lived in fear of death approaching.

At that time, only silence remained in the village, and people hid in their homes, barely clinging to life, praying not to die such a painful death.

The doctor appeared at that time.

Disease and suffering were miraculously "killed" in his "hands," and one villager after another awoke from their coma.

"I'm here for treatment. If you need anything, come to me. I'd be happy to help you."

After treating each patient, the doctor would say this to them.

The doctor's arrival saved the village.

People were grateful to him and gave him food and money in return.

The doctor refused all gifts. He told everyone, "I'm just doing my duty, saving everyone who deserves to be saved. That's enough for me."

"A doctor passed by and saved these people who were dying from the disease, and the people loved and respected that doctor. That's how it is."

Jaden told Rams about the information he had gathered during the day.

"That's a good story. So, have you found where we'll be staying tonight?"

Looking at the sky during the day, the sun is about to set.

"Found it, boss."

Jaden pointed to the house at the very back of the village.