Chapter 796 - Dawn of a chaotic world (1/2)

In the evening, the Trinity Institute convoy set up camp next to the road at a spot chosen by Wang Jing. Ren Xiaosu noticed that the location of the campsite chosen by the authoritative medical figure was quite particular.

Ren Xiaosu and Yang Xiaojin looked at each other. He whispered, “The terrain is flat, and we’re on relatively high ground. Although it’s close to a water source, it avoids the path where wild animals might take to get to the water source. He’s definitely experienced.”

Off to the side, Wang Jing was giving pointers to the doctors on how to set up their tents. He said with a smile, “I’ve made a lot of trips to the Kong Consortium over the years. You guys can take the opportunity during this trip with me to experience the vast world outside the strongholds. At the same time, you should also learn how to set up camp in the wilderness. As I’m getting older, there’ll come a day when I can’t even walk anymore. At that time, you’ll have to lead the medical exchange group to the Kong Consortium.”

A middle-aged man adjusted his glasses and said with a smile, “You’re still going strong, so you can bring us on a few more trips, I’m sure.”

Wang Jing shook his head. “No, I can’t anymore. My health is declining by the year, and my legs are starting to hurt as well. I can’t compare to you young people at all. The distance from Stronghold 64 to the Kong Consortium is 310 kilometers. Even if the cars don’t break down along the way, it still takes three days to arrive there. If anything happens, we still have to repair the vehicles by ourselves. I remember when I was young, we encountered a sudden blizzard on our way there. As it was spring, we did not bring along any snow chains for the trip. In the end, we got stranded for half a month on this 310-kilometer journey. It wasn’t until the snow had completely melted that we finally managed to get to the Kong Consortium.”

The doctors standing next to him listened quietly. Although these stories were of no practical help to everyone, they sounded very interesting.

Ren Xiaosu was putting on an act off to the side as he clumsily set up the tent while Yang Xiaojin started a campfire. As the saying goes, the insider knows the ropes, while the outsider just comes along for the ride. With Wang Jing’s years of experience in camping, he was a little surprised to see Yang Xiaojin’s proficiency in getting a fire started. However, he did not say anything. After all, this girl was only tagging along with Ren Xiaosu and was not considered a member of the Trinity Institute.

Wang Jing did not think too much of it either. He only felt the girl was quite good at her task.

He continued sharing his past experience, “Back then, the roads we took to get to the Kong Consortium were in terrible shape. We were trapped in the snow and couldn’t move at all. At that time, our relationship with the Wang Consortium was pretty bad, so they were unwilling to come and rescue us. They were probably thinking it would make us back off from organizing the medical exchange. We didn’t have enough food and clothing to go around in the wilderness. In the end, we even ran out of gas. It was so cold we nearly froze to death in our cars. You guys know Dong Li, right? He’s the director of the First Hospital in Stronghold 62? He used to be an excellent cardiac surgeon. But during the trip, he suffered frostbite on two of his fingers and could not perform any more surgeries after that.

“There was another time when we encountered bandits along the way. Fortunately, they only robbed us of some medicine before letting us go on account that we were doctors. Ever since then, all of our Trinity Institute’s doctors started practicing shooting after we got back. Didn’t you guys ask me why I needed to bring a gun for the medical exchange? That’s why.”

A middle-aged doctor next to him said with a smile, “Why do you all think Elder Wang always brings me along whenever he comes out? Is it because of my medical skills? No, it’s because I’m the best shooter among us!”

Wang Jing rambled on and on in the wilderness, sharing mainly interesting anecdotes that happened during the academic exchanges in the past years. The stories were more vivid than Ren Xiaosu had imagined, and it sounded like they had it much tougher as well.

Curious, Ren Xiaosu asked, “Don’t you find it tiring after all these decades? What is it that you’re after by working so hard?”

Since Wang Jing intended to train Ren Xiaosu, he decided to say a few more words. “This is for the cause we believe in. Now that the medical field is declining and with so many things still waiting to be researched, how can we just shut ourselves in? Besides, is what we do really that tough? Ancient folklore mentions a great person who thrice passed by a house without entering. Do you know who that was?”

Ren Xiaosu had never really read about ancient folklore, and there were no books that touched on them in Stronghold 88’s library either. He thought for a moment before saying, “The God of Wealth?”

Wang Jing was stunned. “Although your answer is wrong, it seems you do have some life experience….”

However, right at this moment, Ren Xiaosu was stunned. He turned to look at Yang Xiaojin. Then he realized she had also noticed that someone was quietly approaching.

Yang Xiaojin was already slowly reaching behind her back where she kept her pistol. She whispered, “Are we taking action?”

He stopped Yang Xiaojin and turned to Wang Jing with a smile. “Are you carrying a gun? May I have a look at it? I’ve never seen one before.”

The middle-aged man who spoke earlier laughed and said, “Guns are not for playing with. Since you’ve never held one before, it’d be bad if you accidentally fired it.”

Wang Jing waved it off. “It’s alright, he just wants to have a look. If he’s going to be traveling on this route often in the future, he’ll have to start learning how to handle firearms sooner or later.”

Everyone could hear the implied meaning behind Wang Jing’s words. He was basically saying he would frequently let Ren Xiaosu go on the medical exchange in the future!

With that, Wang Jing took out a pistol from under his arm. As a doctor, he actually carried a gun around with him all the time. However, Ren Xiaosu was not surprised. He and Yang Xiaojin had already noticed it.

Ren Xiaosu said with a smile, “Is it loaded? Can I try firing it?”

The middle-aged man said, “It’s better if you go back to the stronghold’s shooting range to practice first.”