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nEditor: SimoB

nA veritable stampede of ghosts surged up the stairwell, crowding the room. Every one of their eyes were filled with the desire to live.

n“Is he the ghost doctor?!”

n“It really is a ghost doctor!”

n“Wuwuwu this is great. My head has been killing me recently… I thought I was going to turn into a wandering spirit.”

n“Aiya, if it isn’t Dr. Zhang! Dr. Zhang, you remember me don’t you? You treated my leg a year ago. I was really unlucky and had another car accident six months ago. I flatlined as I arrived at the hospital… Dr. Zhang, since you know me, you should treat me first.”

n“Shoo shoo shoo! Everyone line up! I was here first! Ghost Doctor-daren, I thought you would be an old man! No wonder I’ve searched several times without finding you.”

nZhang Haixiang looked at the sea of ghosts in front of him. “……”

nHe never thought that the hospital was filled with so many ghosts…

nThese ghosts may be crowded, but all of them instinctively knew to avoid Shi Qing and Meng Qing.

nShi Qing didn’t move either. He just yelled, “Doctor, you don’t need to treat patients like you did when you were alive! Just squeeze their injuries with your hands!”

n“With my hands?”

nZhang Haixiang tested this on the first ghost that came to heal a neck wound. Sure enough, the blood stopped flowing after he squeezed it.

nBut he accidentally pinched off part of the ghost’s skin since it was his first time.

nZhang Haixiang: “……”

n“Sorry sorry sorry! I’ll fix that for you!!”

n“It’s okay it’s okay.”

nThis ghost covered its neck and scurried out, “Thank you! My mom and I’ve been dead for twenty years! It’s time to be reincarnated! The last time I ran into a ghost doctor, he told me that if I didn’t hurry up, my mom in my next life was going to give birth to a stillborn. Ghost Doctor-daren! I’m off to the River Styx to get in line! May we meet again someday!”

n“Ah, wait a second.”

nHe scampered back and gave Zhang Haixiang a bear hug, “Daren, I know you’ve been crying. I’ll give you a hug, so don’t cry anymore, alright?”

nAfter saying that, he rushed off again.

nZhang Haixiang: “…What a lively ghost.”

nFor the rest of the time, it was as if he was a tireless machine that treated each of the ailing ghosts.

nBecause it was different from normal treatment, the healing was extremely quick, but standing still in one place was still a bit tiring.

nThe young man was already cured, but he wasn’t in a hurry to reincarnate. He watched from the sidelines. When he saw Zhang Haixiang stop and rub his eyes like he was tired, he suggested, “Dr. Zhang, why don’t you take a break? This isn’t good for you.”

nZhang Haixiang looked up at the line of ghosts and made an effort to straighten his back. “It’s fine. I’ll heal them all while I’m still here, otherwise they’ll have to wait again when I’m gone.”

nAnd there’s a chance that they won’t be able to wait for the next ghost doctor to arrive.

nHe just squeezed wounds and flashed a weary smile at the young man, “Healing ghosts is easier than healing people.”

n“Right?”

nHe stood up again and yelled, “Hey! Line up to the left! Don’t block Ghost Doctor-daren’s view of his wife and daughter!”

nThe group of ghosts all shuffled to the left. Without their cover, the mother and daughter pair who were waiting at the door fell into Zhang Haixiang’s view.

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nHe wanted to cry again.

nHe didn’t know exactly how long he squeezed wounds, but the queue of ghosts diminished as time passed.

n–Ding!

nThe elevator door opened.

nTwo elderly people helped each other walk over.

nFor Zhang Haixiang, time seemed to stop at that moment. He was startled as he watched them stagger to the door of the operating room.

nHis wife greeted them. Tears fell from her eyes before she could even speak.

n“Dad, Mom. You came.”

n“Haixiang, is Haixiang in there? I-I heard Xiao Liu say that things weren’t looking good?”

nHis mom spoke first. Watching her daughter-in-law covering her mouth and weeping, her own tears started to fall. “How could it be like this? How could it be like this?! Haixiang!! Haixiang, how can you go now?! Your daughter is still so young…”

nShe couldn’t see that behind her, her son was muffling his cries while continuing to treat patients without pause.

n“Dr. Zhang, are your parents here? Why don’t you go and have a look? We don’t mind.” the ghost he was treating couldn’t bear to see him like this and carefully consoled him, “Go and be with them. Say goodbye to your parents.”

nZhang Haixiang lowered his head wretchedly. “I’m not worthy to do so. I’ve been such an unfilial son, forcing them to mourn for me in their old age… They can’t see me if I go anyways. There’s not much time left. I’ll make the best of it.”

nThe clock hanging on the wall continued ticking away. Time passed little by little.

nFinally, at 12:43, the hallway was ghost-free.

nThey’d all been healed and went to the River Styx to line up.

nShi Qing also got up and yawned as he urged Zhang Haixiang, who was so tired that his hands were shaking. “Doctor, it’s time to go.”

nZhang Haixiang looked up at the clock in a daze, then at his relatives. “Isn’t there still ten minutes left?”

n“There’s a surprise if you go early.”

nShi Qing has a clock but he didn’t bother looking at it. Instead, he pulled Meng Qing’s arm over and glanced at the watch on his wrist. “What’s going on? Don’t guides go to work half an hour early? Where did that guy run off to?”

nThe young man who had been following Zhang Haixiang cautiously gave a coy smile, “I just saw the guide. But he took a glance at you two from afar and ran away.”

n“Oh…” Shi Qing nodded in understanding and said to Meng Qing, “I guess that guide’s a veteran that saw me beating up the King of Hell. Forget it then. We’ll make our own way. Doctor, it’s time to go. Do you still have something you want to say?”

nZhang Haixiang looked at the lit operating room, the relatives waiting outside, and then down at his own trembling hands. “I guess I’ve been a good doctor.”

n“I want to recite a passage.”

nShi Qing leaned against Meng Qing, “Your turn.”

nThe doctor stood there, looking at his family from afar.

n“I dedicate my life to the matters of health.

nAs I enter this sacred institution of medicine, I solemnly swear:

nI volunteer to devote myself to medicine, to love my country, to be loyal to the people, to abide by medical ethics, to respect my teachers and discipline, to study hard, to be diligent, and to keep improving myself in all areas.

nI am determined to do my best to remove all the pain that mankind suffers, to help them remain healthy, and to maintain the sanctity and honour of the medical profession. I will save the dead and help the wounded, not balking at any hardships. I will remain steadfast in my pursuit of social medicine, health and the development of human physical and mental health for a lifetime!”

n***

nOn the River Styx, countless ghosts were lined up.

nThe ghosts were maintaining a semblance of order: “Men on the left and women on the right! Everyone else can stand in the middle.”

n“Those that are on a time limit should go right for the expedited line! The rest of you just wait your turn patiently! Don’t cut in line or be too anxious to reincarnate! Reincarnation isn’t based on your place in line, but your fate! If you don’t want to reincarnate then go in the river instead of standing around here.”

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nThere were also ghosts with carts passing by.

n“Peanuts, sunflower seeds and watermelon!”

n“Coke, milk tea and coffee!”

n“One cup is only 100 million Underworld medals!!”

nZhang Haixiang, who was watching this scene: “…Isn’t this just a train station?”

n“Pretty much. Now that more and more young people are dying, that old antique, the King of Hell, learned how to change with the times.”

nThe eyes of the ghosts who were originally in line lit up when they saw Zhang Haixiang.

n“Ghost Doctor-daren, you’re here too! That was fast.”

n“Aiyo, are you in a hurry Daren? We can switch spots if you like, I’m closer to the front.”

nThis was Meng Qing’s first time visiting the River Styx. His eyes brightened as he took in the picturesque sight.

n“It’s beautiful.”

nHe felt the demon king’s soft hand slip into his own. Suddenly, he felt his heart beating very fast.

n“Shi Qing…”

nThe young cultivator couldn’t help but call out, but he froze when he turned around.

nThe demon king was placing a collection box on the floor with several large words written on it.

n‘Ghost Doctor Fundraiser.’

nMeng Qing didn’t understand. “Shi Qing, what are you doing?”

n“Making the exchange.”

nThe demon king raised his hand and the contract within. With another gesture, the contract floated lightly to the ghost doctor’s side.

n“Ghost Doctor, give me your accumulated merit and I’ll bring you back to life.”

nZhang Haixiang widened his eyes and nodded without hesitation, “Yes! Yes!”

n“Okay, just sign it then.”

nWith trembling hands, he picked up the pen and scrawled his signature at the bottom.

nShi Qing retrieved it and examined the doctor’s signature with satisfaction.

n“I can bring you back to life, but how long you get to live depends on how much the patients you’ve saved are willing to give you.”

nHe cleared his throat, “Everyone! This ghost doctor here is accepting donations of lifespan! Those who have been saved by him, donate if you want! Pretend you didn’t hear a thing if you don’t.”

nZhang Haixiang guarded the box nervously.

nHe looked at the dazed ghost faces and tried to cheer himself up in his heart. Even if it was just a day or two, as long as he was allowed to go back and spend more time with his family, it would all be worth it.

nThat young man was the first to step forward. “One year from me. I’m sorry Dr. Zhang. Although my next life is a bit far away, that person will still be me. One year is all I can spare.”

nZhang Haixiang couldn’t even speak. He nodded his head vigorously.

n“One year is more than enough, thank you!”

nAnother ghost came forward. “One year from me as well. Dr. Zhang, if it wasn’t for you, I would’ve had to wait again. Thank you.”

n“Half a year here. I’m sorry doctor, I just went to ask and the guide said I’ll only live to forty-eight in my next life, so I’ll have to donate less.”

n“I can live to ninety! Doctor, here’s two years on me!”

n“One day from me! Wuwuwuwu doctor…I’m going to fall to the ground dead in my next life. I’ll get a total of two days so I’ll share one with you!”

nZhang Haixiang continued to thank every ghost that stepped forward.

nAlmost every ghost said to him: “I’m the one who should be thanking you. If it wasn’t for you, doctor, I wouldn’t have had a chance to reincarnate in the first place.”

nThere were a countless number of ghosts in a hospital after all.

nShi Qing approached the collection box.

n“That’s enough. If you donate any more, the doctor’s going to live to become an old, wrinkled prune.”

nZhang Haixiang no longer knew what to say. He could only keep bowing.

n“Thank you. Thank you all.”

nMeng Qing just stood to the side and watched as the Shi Qing who always insisted he was the demon king, shook the collection box and placed all the accumulated lifespan on Zhang Haixiang.

nHis gaze gradually warmed.

nOn the River Styx, glittering stardust drifted through the air. It was more breathtaking than the Milky Way in all its glory.

nThe young cultivator walked over and gently held the demon king’s hand.

nShi Qing turned to look at him, “What are you doing?”

nMeng Qing blushed and softly called out, “Demonic fiend.”

nAs the contract’s power flared to life, he leaned in and pressed a fleeting kiss to the demon king’s fair cheek.

n***

n“Dr. Zhang has stabilized for now. His vitals are all strong, so it’s only a matter of time before he wakes up. Sister-in-law, you’ll have to be patient and wait.”

nZhang Haixiang slowly opened his eyes as he heard the words of his colleague.

nHe looked at the ceiling and froze for a long time before he shouted, “ErEr…”

nHis wife ran over and almost jumped onto the bed, “Haixiang, you scared me to death!!!”

n“I won’t do it again, promise…” Zhang Haixiang moved his fingers with difficulty to comb through his wife’s hair as he softly comforted her. “We’ll live together until we’re 85.”

n“What nonsense are you talking about now?”

nHis wife calmed down and wiped her tears. Standing up, she gently caressed her husband’s gaunt face.

n“Look at you. You’ve lost so much weight. Huh? Why is your head swollen? It wasn’t when you went down to the operating room before?”

nZhang Haixiang tried to reach out and touch the swollen lump on his forehead. He smiled, “It’s fine. It’s good that it hurts so much.”

n“Are you confused from sleeping for so long? What do you mean it’s fine if it hurts?”

nZhang Haixiang recovered faster than anyone expected. On the third day, he was already able to walk around the entire building, with his wife’s help.

nToday, he visited the obstetrics and gynecology department. One of his mentors worked here, and Zhang Haixiang was waiting for him to get off work.

nSitting down, he suddenly heard the loud wails of a child.

nOne of the doors of the patient rooms opened, and a grandma holding her grandchild came out, whispering to the baby, “Little Ancestor, please don’t cry anymore. How can you cry so much when you’re only three days old?”

nAn obstetrician passing through leaned over curiously: “Aiya, what’s wrong with the child’s neck?”

n“He was born like this, but the doctor said it’s fine. It’s just a small extra piece of flesh. It should be okay to remove it later on.”

nZhang Haixiang slowly walked over and looked at the child who was crying in his grandmother’s arms. There was a small skin tag sticking out of his neck.

nHe stretched out his hand and said to the grandma, “Let me hold him. I’m good with children.”

nShe didn’t mind and carefully handed over her grandson.

nZhang Haixiang cradled the infant and gently rocked him side to side.

n“I’ll give you a hug, so don’t cry anymore, alright?”

nThe little baby looked at him with big dark eyes and wordlessly smacked his lips.

nHe didn’t understand anything at the moment. He couldn’t speak or understand words, but the warmly smiling doctor in front of him gave him a sense of comfort that transcended language.

nAfter smacking his lips for a while.

nThe baby stopped crying.

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