Zhang Heng frowned, staring intently at the Golduck in front of him; its injuries were truly troublesome.
He had done his best to stop the bleeding from the external wounds, but facing such severe injuries, he felt an unprecedented level of tension and pressure.
In the center of this vast and boundless lake, there was no modern medical equipment, and medical supplies were extremely scarce. Meanwhile, Golduck's life hung by a thread.
Just then, Golduck let out a faint cough, and bright red blood trickled from its beak. That crimson stain, like a declaration of death, was heartbreaking. Zhang Heng's eyes widened, filled with anxiety.
"What should I do?" he murmured to himself, his eyes searching everywhere for a possible solution. But around them was only endless lake water, cold and mercilessly lapping at their ankles.
Time was pressing; if they couldn't find a way to treat it in time, Golduck might leave them forever.
"Zhang Heng!"
At this difficult moment, Chen Meng's loud shout pulled Zhang Heng back from his contemplation.
It turned out that Wailmer was flapping its huge fins, carrying the other five people to within a few meters of the edge of the mudflat.
As he approached the mudflat, Lin Yue took a deep breath, then unhesitatingly jumped into the lake and swam forward with all his might. His movements were swift and determined, as if an endless power was driving him. When he finally climbed onto the mudflat, he didn't stop, but stumbled towards Golduck.
At this moment, Golduck was already lying on the ground, seemingly having lost its breath of life. Lin Yue's heart was filled with fear and worry; his eyes revealed despair and helplessness. He seemed to have used all his strength just to barely make it here.
He knelt in front of Golduck, gripping its webbed hand tightly, tears streaming down his face like a broken dam. Every tear carried the deep pain and sorrow in his heart, and his voice was choked, unable to utter a complete sentence.
"Gol... Golduck, I'm here..." he murmured, his voice filled with endless grief. His gaze was fixed on Golduck, as if hoping to see a glimmer of life through its closed eyes.
Several Researchers came jogging over, carrying the medical equipment Zhang Heng had brought: "Zhang Heng, all your equipment is here."
Zhang Heng said gratefully, "This is perfect timing!"
Zhang Heng calmed down, looking for every possible means to save this Golduck. He began to recall the medical knowledge he had learned.
He spoke: "Brother Yue, don't worry. I'll stabilize Golduck's injuries first. You hold Golduck's upper body up to keep its airway clear. If necessary, I will perform airway management and intubate it. I will assess its breathing and provide oxygen support."
As he spoke, he put on white sterile gloves.
He then began to treat the shoulder and waist injuries. After local disinfection, he used a special pressure bandage to firmly secure the shoulder, controlling the external bleeding. Its severed arm had already been chewed and swallowed by the deceased Sharpedo, so there was no possibility of reattaching it, which made the treatment particularly quick.
Treating frostbite is more complicated; it's not like in games where you apply a Potion, feed it a Potion, and it's all good, ready for another fight.
Frostbite in the Pokémon world requires applying a medicinal liquid prepared from Magcargo shells. This continues until the frozen area softens and the skin and nail bed return to a normal color, often taking 30 to 60 minutes. However, internal injuries, such as organ damage, require further thorough examination.
Under Zhang Heng's leadership, the emergency rescue on the mudflat proceeded in an orderly fashion.
Turning his gaze back to the lake surface.
The Sharpedo, knocked down by Bastiodon, had once again dived to the bottom of the lake, biding its time.
On the shimmering lake surface, Shiny Elgyem floated quietly, its eyes gleaming, seemingly observing everything around it carefully.
And on the mudflat not far from the lake, Dr. Chen stood quietly, his gaze fixed on the Water Blade Gang members — Xia Yong and others — on a small speedboat in front of him. His eyes were filled with vigilance and focus, as if waiting for some important moment.
Suddenly, a dark shadow shot out of the water; it was the lurking Sharpedo. It darted out of the water at extreme speed, its mouth gripping the corpse of the Sharpedo that Golduck had previously suffocated with its self-created skill, then quickly dragged it back underwater. Immediately after, this Sharpedo swam back to the speedboat and placed the corpse beside the boat.
The Trainer of that deceased Sharpedo, holding its body, gritted his teeth and said to Dr. Chen on the mudflat, "Don't worry, one good turn deserves another. You won't escape."
Zhang Heng had already given Golduck emergency treatment; now it could only rest. Further examination and treatment would only be possible once they returned to the Research Institute.
Zhang Heng and Bastiodon slowly walked over to Dr. Chen. Looking at the corpse they brought back, he wondered if they would feel sad or guilty after seeing their companion perish?
After all, being able to personally bring back a companion's corpse is also a sign of responsibility.
However, what happened next was completely beyond Zhang Heng's expectation.
He saw that Trainer pull out a specially made steel knife from his waist, then begin to skin the dead Sharpedo's body. His movements were decisive, without the slightest hesitation or softness. With each swing, the sharp blade precisely cut into Sharpedo's body, slicing its skin inch by inch. After skinning it, he threw the excess body into the lake, and scarlet blood began to spread in the lake water...
Dr. Chen spoke: "It seems you are beyond saving."
Besides the medicinal value, like the Magcargo mentioned earlier, Pokémon bodies can also be used to craft items. For example, the teeth of Dragon-type Pokémon can be used to make Dragon Fang.
And Sharpedo with the Rough Skin ability is the best material for making Rocky Helmet. Moreover, the higher the Pokémon's potential, the higher the grade of the item produced.
For medical personnel like Zhang Heng, life, death, and bloody scenes were already commonplace, but a surge of anger still rose in his heart towards someone who would insult a companion's corpse in such a way.
Xia Yong: "Do you think we can't do anything to you?"
A sharp bird cry pierced the sky.
A man in a standard red and black leather outfit stood on the back of a massive Bombirdier, circling above everyone's heads.
Chen Meng and the other Researchers were startled when they recognized the newcomer. "It's the Little Boss! That notorious, Poison-type expert fugitive."
A sharp voice rang out: "Attack!"
Little Boss: "Sharpedo! Aqua Jet!"
Beheeyem didn't have time to react and was violently struck in the chest by the priority move, falling back several meters.
Dr. Chen: "Energy Ball."
Zhang Heng: "Bastiodon! Use Rock Slide on Bombirdier!"
The Little Boss spoke contemptuously, his sharp voice extremely unpleasant: "You and your old man, these doctors, have hearts blacker than anyone else. Your moves are all aimed at people. Go! Trap Bastiodon for me!"
A low roar came from beneath the lake surface, and heavy Ground-type energy moved towards Bastiodon on the mudflat. The mudflat beneath Bastiodon's feet showed signs of collapsing, forming a quicksand vortex to restrain it...