The Physician’s Gambit

Mo Bei sat in his temporary residence, a small but comfortable inn near the heart of the provincial capital. The oil lamp flickered as he reviewed his recent experiences. Between treating the governor's illness, navigating political intrigues, and setting foot in a system dungeon, his path had shifted dramatically. The system had granted him abilities and knowledge beyond his era, but each step forward came with increased scrutiny.

The loot from the dungeon had been unpredictable. While he had obtained several medical and combat-related items, the absurd rewards from the system—like a Common Healer's Underwear—reminded him that the system had its own sense of humor.

His main gains included:

Basic Combat Skill (Rare) – Allowed him to defend himself better. Iron Scalpel (Uncommon) – A sharper, longer-lasting scalpel that could be sterilized with the system's purification method. Herbalist's Grimoire (Common) – A book on rare herbs, useful for expanding his medical knowledge. Drainage System Blueprint (Rare) – A reward from treating a major illness in the slums, which showed a design for constructing an early sanitation system.

While the loot was valuable, his biggest gain had been experience. Fighting zombies, even in a system-controlled environment, had given him a glimpse of combat—something he couldn't avoid forever.

The system chimed in:

[New Title Acquired: "Beginner Monster Slayer"]

[Effect: Increases confidence in dire situations, slightly improves reaction speed.]

"Confidence boost? Is that your way of telling me I looked pathetic back there?" Mo Bei muttered.

[System Response: Host performed above average. But improvement is needed.]

Mo Bei sighed and closed the interface. His true battles were in the real world.

The next morning, word had spread about his recent treatments. A growing number of people sought his expertise, but not all attention was favorable.

Inside a medical guild meeting, whispers circulated about the "foreign blade" he had used. Traditional healers in the capital relied on acupuncture, herbal pastes, and incantations. The sight of a man making incisions and stitching wounds had caused alarm.

"He cuts people open and claims to heal them? This is not medicine—it is butchery!" said one elderly physician, stroking his long beard.

Another physician, a younger man named Liu An, interjected. "But the results cannot be denied. Patients he treated are alive and improving. Should we not seek to understand his methods?"

"We cannot allow this reckless practice to spread. If such foreign tools are accepted, what will happen to our ways?"

News of the controversy reached Mo Bei, who was summoned to a formal inquiry before the guild.

Seated before a panel of esteemed physicians, Mo Bei observed their expressions—ranging from curiosity to outright hostility. The head physician, an elder named Zhang Ren, tapped his fingers on the wooden table.

"You are a skilled healer, but there are concerns about your methods," Zhang Ren began. "This scalpel you use—can you explain why you resort to such drastic measures?"

Mo Bei remained calm. "I use the scalpel when necessary. Certain infections or injuries require precision. If left untreated, a patient will die. The scalpel is not an instrument of harm, but of healing."

One elder scoffed. "Traditional methods have worked for centuries. Why change them?"

Mo Bei stood, rolling up his sleeves. "Because people are dying. If I have the means to save them, I will. Would you prefer to watch a child perish because an infection spread too far?"

Liu An leaned forward. "Could you demonstrate?"

Mo Bei smirked. "Gladly."

A large crowd gathered in the city square as Mo Bei prepared to demonstrate his methods. A wounded soldier, suffering from a deep leg infection, had volunteered for the procedure.

Mo Bei spoke to the audience. "This man's leg wound has begun to rot. Left untreated, it will spread, and he will die. With precision, I will remove the infected flesh and cleanse the wound."

He sterilized his iron scalpel with boiling water—an action that caused murmurs.

The operation was swift and smooth. Mo Bei worked with confidence, his movements guided by the system's Observe Skill. When he finished, the soldier was stitched and bandaged.

Liu An and even some skeptics nodded in approval.

[System Notification: Medical Breakthrough Achieved!]

[Reward: Expanded System Pharmacy - Additional herbs and medicines unlocked.]

Zhang Ren finally spoke. "Your methods are unorthodox, but effective. We will allow you to continue… under supervision."

Mo Bei knew it wasn't full acceptance, but it was a start.

With his reputation rising, Mo Bei turned his attention to sanitation. Using the Drainage System Blueprint, he presented a plan to the governor.

"This design will prevent waste from contaminating drinking water," Mo Bei explained. "We can reduce illness by controlling where waste flows."

The governor stroked his beard. "An ambitious plan. But the nobles profit from water distribution. They will resist changes."

Mo Bei smirked. "They will, but once the people see its benefits, they will demand it."

A court official scoffed. "You challenge the city's structure?"

"I challenge unnecessary deaths," Mo Bei shot back. "The system rewards me for curing diseases, but I'd rather prevent them."

The governor laughed. "You truly are unlike any physician I have met. I will support this, but tread carefully. You are making enemies."

[System Notification: Urban Sanitation Project Initiated!]

[Reward: Increased Influence, Additional System Store Options.]

As Mo Bei left the governor's residence, a cloaked figure approached him.

"You disrupt the balance of power, physician," the figure said. "Some wish you gone."

Mo Bei's eyes narrowed. "Is that a warning?"

The figure smirked. "A promise."

[System Notification: Incoming Crisis Detected.]

[New Quest: Survive the Assassination Attempt. Reward: ???]

Mo Bei exhaled. Things were getting dangerous. But he had no plans to stop now.