Necromancer, summoning 055? What the heck?

Chapter 34 The Miraculous Drug X
Upon entering the inner corridor of the Drug Research Center of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Professor Li immediately spotted armed guards outside Laboratory No. 9.

An unusual commotion permeated the research center. Many researchers huddled in the shadows of the far corridor, craning their necks and whispering in the direction of Lab Nine, their eyes filled with confusion and curiosity.

As soon as Professor Li appeared, the crowd parted to both sides like waves cleaved by a water-avoiding golden-eyed beast, greeting him with "Teacher," "Professor," "Director," and "Academician Li."

The fact that the laboratory was directly sealed off, and that the incident alarmed the big boss of the research institute, made everyone even more curious.

After the guards checked his identity, they let him through. A few minutes later, after completing the strict cleaning, disinfection, and changing procedures, the isolation door opened, and Academician Li Yunhai entered the interior of Laboratory No. 9.

A refreshing fragrance wafted towards him, instantly invigorating the professor.

He tugged at his slightly curled gloves, walked steadily to the sampling table, and gazed at the small, jade-white cube.

Wu Mingzhe, the head of Laboratory No. 9 and Academician Li's third disciple, handed over the complete laboratory records, his voice trembling slightly: "The materials came from a military cooperative laboratory, which stated that they were a batch of drugs and commissioned us to conduct a comprehensive performance test."

"There were six types in total. Five of them were routine hemostatic and antibacterial plant products, and their parameters were all within the normal range. The original plants were unknown. We have made records for further observation."

"This last part, which we'll temporarily call Drug X, is clearly unusual when you open the outer package."

“We took a small amount of samples and used a high-throughput confocal microscope, a high-content imaging cell workstation, a fluorescent probe tracking system, a micro-well array immunoassay analyzer, and a real-time in situ metabolomics analyzer to conduct the most comprehensive cross-analysis.”

"The result... defied all expectations!"

“Professor, the biological sample was almost instantly ‘ignited’ after coming into contact with the drug! Look here,” he pointed to the high-resolution image on the record, “The mitochondria, the telomeres of the cell, were like being fully charged after only about 1.5 seconds of contact with the drug, resulting in a functional reversal beyond the normal range! The activity skyrocketed!”

"All observational data, biological indicators, and instrument feedback... all point to one incredible fact: this substance can completely stimulate cell activity and repair damaged organisms in an extremely short time!"

"Ingredients? Unknown! Mechanism of action? Unknown! Mechanism of action? Completely unknown!"

"I immediately called a halt to the subsequent expanded testing."

Wu Mingzhe's Adam's apple bobbed slightly: "I don't know how much the military still has in stock, but judging from their level of secrecy as if it were a major threat... the quantity of this thing must not be very large. In fact, I suspect it is a unique item that was discovered by accident."

“Professor, if the performance of this level of drug is consistent, every milligram could save a life at a critical moment! Or, we could advance the analysis of its components further.”

"We dare not waste it!"

"Well done!" Academician Li snapped his notebook shut, closed his eyes, and reviewed the image in his mind for several seconds. He looked back at the small piece of medicine, hesitated for a moment, and then instructed:
"Take another tiny sample! Immediately reproduce experiments 1, 2, and 5! Be quick! Be precise! You do it yourself!"

Throughout the entire experiment, the old academician didn't even blink. After all the parameters were tested, Professor Li Yunhai pondered for a long time, looking at the data that was enough to make one's blood boil. He then went into the office attached to the laboratory and dialed an internal phone line.

Li Yunhai is an academician of the Dongxia Natural Science Research Institute. Based on the importance that the Xia Kingdom attaches to such high-level scientific and technological talents, in theory, he can apply to contact any leader of Dongxia that he wishes to contact.

After waiting anxiously for a long time, the office staff relayed Academician Li's communication request to the leader in charge of Cangming.

"I am Li Yunhai, the leader of the Simu."

"Here's the situation: the military just sent a drug for testing, and based on the test results, I believe it's highly likely that it can help with Vice President Liu's condition."

"The military has strict confidentiality controls, and Vice President Liu's treatment plan does not support the use of drugs with unknown ingredients. However, I feel I need to try, so I can only make this application to you!"

"I urgently need your help in coordinating this! I need to know the stock of this drug! Is it enough to support animal experiments, or even an urgent human clinical trial?"

"I want to... try to give Vice Dean Liu a chance!"

After a few questions on the other end of the phone, Academician Li's voice grew increasingly low: "Yes, I spearheaded Vice President Liu's treatment plan. His condition... is... beyond saving."

"Yesterday, he was only conscious for less than two hours. He insisted that we give him a painkiller injection and even tried to organize documents on his sickbed. I feel that if there is any hope, I implore the leaders to do something for him!"

"Okay! Okay! I'll wait for your news!" Academician Li gripped the microphone tightly, his knuckles turning white.

What followed was an anxious wait.

A dozen minutes later, the leader of Cangming called back.

"Comrade Yunhai," the leader's voice was somewhat grave, "the drug you currently possess is all you have. It's uncertain whether you'll be able to obtain more in the future, and whether your current stock can support clinical trials is a judgment you must make yourself. However, if you believe it will be effective for Elder Liu's treatment plan, I authorize and approve its use!"

Li Yunhai was silent for a moment, then said decisively, "Please grant me authorization, sir!"

Central-level authorization is a rather complicated process. While waiting for authorization, Professor Li returned to the hospital's intensive care unit and sat silently by Vice President Liu's bedside.

The elderly man, who was lying quietly on his sickbed and had become emaciated, was the vice president of the Natural Science Research Institute of Dongxia Kingdom, an academician of the Engineering Technology Research Institute, and a scientific giant who had dedicated all his life energy to the technological leap forward of Dongxia Kingdom.

He had been lying in this intensive care unit for more than four months. Although Dongxia Kingdom tried its best to save his life, severe telomere damage and multiple organ failure inevitably brought this old man to the end.

Li Yunhai crossed his hands to protect the old man's skeletal hands, feeling their slightly cool body temperature, and his eyes couldn't help but sting.

There was a knock on the door.

Outside the door stood his disciple, Wu Mingzhe, followed by two solemn-looking soldiers in military uniforms.

Wu Mingzhe carefully held a temperature-controlled combination lock box, while the soldier held a sealed document bag. Clearly, the authorization process was complete, and the medicine had arrived at the scene.

Li Yunhai took a deep breath, pushed open the door, and said, "Let's go to the emergency room!"

Outside the emergency room, Vice President Liu's wife and children were already waiting after being notified. Seeing Li Yunhai, his longtime attending physician, they quickly came forward. The old lady's voice trembled: "Director Li, what happened? My husband, it's...it's..."

"We've discovered a new, potentially effective emergency treatment plan! We need your immediate signature and authorization! Time is of the essence!" Li Yunhai explained rapidly while quickly disinfecting his hands and, without turning his head, signaled his assistant to hand the informed consent form to the family members.

The children looked at each other, but under the assistant's repeated urging, they had no choice but to hurriedly sign the papers.

The emergency room door closed, and Li Yunhai checked the dosage of the drug that the laboratory had repeatedly calculated one last time. With a slightly trembling voice, he ordered: "Take 35 mg of drug X and 10 ml of 0.9% sodium chloride injection, and let it stand for five minutes to hydrate and dissolve."

"Establish a dedicated, independent venous access line to the right elbow!"

"Start infusion, 1.0 mg/min, monitor the instruments!"

Please repeat!

The assistant and circulating nurse repeated in turn: "Drug X, 35 mg, 0.9% sodium chloride injection, 10 ml, let stand to hydrate and dissolve..."

"Repeat complete. Execute immediately!"

Outside the emergency room, the children waited anxiously, arguing amongst themselves.

"What kind of mess is this! They signed it without even realizing it!" The younger son paced back and forth in frustration, stomping his feet loudly on the floor.

The eldest daughter's eyes were red: "No...didn't we say there was no other way, that we wouldn't make things difficult for Dad? Why does he still have to suffer like this..."

"They didn't explain the treatment plan clearly, but they just kept urging us to sign documents..."

Suddenly, the door to the emergency room opened.

Two nurses pushed out a hydraulic gurney. Although their faces were covered by masks so their expressions couldn't be seen, their eyes were wide open like bells as they kept glancing at the gurney.

The time was too short, so short that it didn't feel like a surgical procedure, which caused great anxiety in the family.

The youngest son, the most impatient of them all, rushed forward, his voice trembling with tears: "Doctor! My dad... how is he? Is he... is he still alive?" The word "alive" stuck in his throat, and he couldn't get it out.

Before the doctor could answer, Old Liu, who was lying on the hospital bed, suddenly raised his head slightly and spoke in a slightly hoarse but powerful voice.

"You little brat! Stop cursing me! I'm perfectly fine!"

"Give me my computer, I still have work to finish!"

(End of this chapter)