Chapter 77: Unexpected Turn

“Good morning and welcome to the morning news. I’m your host, Bai Jie. Today’s main headline: geological disasters have erupted in numerous regions across our nation, but fortunately, casualties remain minimal. Now, let’s look at the details.”

“In the northwest, northeast, and Jiangnan, we’ve witnessed the earth shifting. Rescue teams are now working further to aid those affected…”

Lying in his hospital bed, Zhao Jie watched the morning news. Five days had passed since the secret realm upheaval, yet his head still throbbed with lingering pain.

“Here, Xiao Zhao, have some breakfast. I owe my survival to you this time.”

Su Jun, a Digimon Tamer sharing the same ward, walked in from outside, carrying two cups of soy milk and a steamer basket of buns.

“Brother Jun, you’re too kind,” said Zhao Jie, sitting up from the bed, a little embarrassed.

“Don’t be so formal with me. These are just cheap snacks—my life must be worth at least this much, don’t you think?” Su Jun put on a mock stern face.

“That’s not what I meant!” Zhao Jie hurriedly waved his hands, protesting.

“Then let’s eat together.” Su Jun divided the breakfast, giving a portion to Zhao Jie, then settled himself on his own bed, eyes fixed on the morning news.

“Alright!” Zhao Jie agreed, no longer insisting.

His family had no idea about his injuries. He’d merely told them that his cultivation would take longer this time, and his parents hadn’t questioned it further. The world of Digimon Tamers was beyond their understanding.

“Hey, this time it’s really something extraordinary.”

Su Jun sighed as he watched the news, eating.

“What’s so extraordinary?” Zhao Jie asked curiously.

Wasn’t it just a few natural disasters? Nothing too unusual, he thought.

“Xiao Zhao, you don’t know—the beast tide didn’t just break out in Wuling City; it surged all across the country. What’s more, these outbreaks happened in small secret realms previously deemed harmless.”

“Look at the news—these disaster zones are all small cities. This isn’t some natural calamity, it’s Digimon riots causing the chaos.”

What?

Zhao Jie’s heart jolted. He thought again of the black ring around the neck of the Dark Gokumon.

Could it be that all this was planned?

“We really owe it to you this time. If not for you, Wuling City might have ended up like so many others.”

Su Jun took a sip of soy milk, patted his stomach, and gazed wistfully at the news broadcast.

“Were all the other cities breached by Digimon?”

“Not all. A few secret realms were brought under control in time, but seven weren’t, resulting in heavy losses.”

“That’s enough about that. How’s your recovery going?” Su Jun turned to Zhao Jie, who sat on the bed, lost in thought.

“It’s much better now. The headaches have eased a lot.” Zhao Jie scratched his head. Since yesterday, the pain had mostly faded—now, only the occasional stab remained. He believed he’d be discharged in a few days.

“That’s good. You’re so young—your Digimon partner is sure to achieve super evolution in the future.”

At the mention of super evolution, a hint of yearning flashed across Su Jun’s face, though the light soon vanished. He knew that in his lifetime, his Digimon partner would likely never reach such heights.

“Super evolution?” Zhao Jie murmured, recalling the unmatched strength of the Dark Gokumon. If only they’d had a second fully evolved Digimon, their resistance wouldn’t have been so desperate.

Luckily, that Dark Gokumon had such a fatal weakness. Otherwise, Wuling City might have truly suffered a massacre.

“By the way, don’t mention any of this to ordinary people!” Su Jun cautioned as Zhao Jie rose to leave.

“Don’t worry, Brother Jun. I understand.”

With that promise, Zhao Jie left the ward.

He was heading now to the Digimon Recovery Center. After so many days without the noisy presence of Agumon, he found the silence unsettling.

The Digimon Recovery Center stood right next to their building.

As soon as he entered, he saw Digimon gathered in clusters, playing together.

Watching them, Zhao Jie felt his spirits lift, dispelling the heaviness lingering from Su Jun’s words.

“How’s Agumon?” Zhao Jie approached a staff member, asking softly.

“Sorry, Zhao Jie. Agumon is still undergoing treatment—it’s not convenient for you to visit right now.”

The staffer was a delicate young lady, who offered an apologetic smile upon seeing him.

“It’s been three days. I’ve asked around—the other Digimon are all allowed visitors. Why is my Agumon still in treatment?” Zhao Jie frowned, sensing something was amiss. By rights, Agumon should have recovered by now.

“We’re truly sorry, Zhao Jie. Agumon is still being treated and it really isn’t convenient for you to see him. Please go back for now—when you can visit, we’ll notify you immediately.”

No matter what Zhao Jie said, the young woman insisted he couldn’t go in.

“Step aside!”

Zhao Jie’s eyes narrowed; after the fierce battle, he radiated an aura that made the girl involuntarily hold her breath. Despite being older than Zhao Jie, she was unable to utter a word, instinctively moving aside to open half a path.

By the time she regained her composure, Zhao Jie was already heading up the corridor toward the upper floor.

“Zhao Jie, you really can’t go up. Please believe us—Agumon is still in treatment,” she pouted, stamping her foot as she hurried after him.

“What’s going on here?”

As they reached the second floor, a middle-aged doctor appeared before them, his gaze directed at the girl trailing Zhao Jie.

Clearly, he was speaking to her.

“Director, this is the situation: Zhao Jie wants to see Agumon, but Agumon is still under treatment, so it’s not convenient for a visit,” the girl quickly explained.

“Oh, I see. You must be Zhao Jie—pleased to meet you. I’m Agumon’s attending physician.”

The doctor adjusted his glasses and peered closely at the boy before him, then extended his hand.

He had heard much about the young man who saved Wuling City.

PS: A late-night update to show my sincerity—three chapters today. Please recommend and bookmark.