Surgery Godfather-Chapter 623 - 557: The Duke

An ancient European castle.

A Mercedes car comes to a stop at the gate, then abruptly honks its horn.

The caretaker drops his lawnmower, turns to look outside the iron gate, and curses under his breath, "Who’s this uncouth jerk!"

The creaking sound of iron as the gate slowly swings open, and Doctor August poked his head from the car window. Recognizing him, the caretaker realizes that this is the duke’s good friend. fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm

Though the system of inheritance no longer exists, the owner of the castle still likes being addressed as the Duke.

"Make way! I need to see the Duke right away!"

Doctor August rushes the caretaker.

Just a few hours ago, August had already arranged over the phone to meet the Duke at this hour.

The caretaker opens the iron gate completely and steps aside.

The Mercedes zooms into the estate, rushing down the broad main road all the way to the castle’s front door. Doctor August gets out of the car, tosses the keys to the pursuing caretaker, who barely catches them in a hurry.

Brother, you always make me park your car for you.

And this car of yours throws a tantrum and stalls so easily.

The front door is open, Doctor August bolts inside, following the winding staircase upward, where the Duke is resting on the terrace.

On sunny days, he enjoys gazing at his estate from the terrace.

Compared to estates in Sweden, Switzerland, Austria, and Liechtenstein, he prefers this one here.

"There’s hope!"

Doctor August exclaims loudly.

The Duke, lowering the newspaper hiding his face, looks bewildered, "Old buddy, what’s going on? I could hear your crappy car’s engine from miles away."

"There’s a way to treat your precious son."

August has finally climbed the terrace, panting heavily.

With such fright every day, it’s bound to cause premature wear of the cartilage in your knee joint.

"What did you just say?"

Like being struck by lightning, the Duke becomes rigid on his classical deck chair.

His younger son, a patient of spiral spine, has the same condition.

This young man is a PhD from the University of Göttingen. Despite his young age, he has deep knowledge in physics. However, due to his spinal deformity that compresses his heart and lungs, the doctors predict that this genius will not live past his thirties.

This inspiring young man, who draws parallels to Hawking, is the child of the Duke’s last wife.

The Duke loved this wife dearly, but she tragically passed away in a car accident ten years ago. This plunged him into prolonged agony, and he never remarried.

For his son, he invested significant resources and wealth, seeking treatments everywhere on this planet, and financed doctors in researching his son’s condition, hoping to see him recover within his lifetime.

However, breakthroughs in medical research can’t be achieved in a short span of time, even money can’t expedite the process.

At this moment, the good news brought by August has struck the Duke like a lightning bolt.

Awakening from the rigidity, the Duke rolls off his deck chair, scrambling to his feet. His movements are so swift they appear mismatched with his age.

"Sit down!"

"A Chinese doctor I know—no, a friend, actually, we’re closer than friends—his new technique has made a breakthrough, it’s now applied clinically," Doctor August, now breathing steadily, told the Duke to listen carefully, "and don’t be panicked."

"Take your time, I’m not in a hurry."

"Listen to me—"

"Yes, I am listening. Go ahead."

"Don’t fret!"

"I’m not fretting at all. Please, tell."

The Duke, mouth slightly agape, ears perked, is all ears.

"No matter how severe the curvature of the spine is, with his surgical technique, under the aid of a device that straightens the spine, the spine will gradually straighten itself over a few months. This slow correction allows the spinal cord and the internal organs to adapt to the adjustment process. It rarely results in complications,"

August thinks that his description might not be accurate enough. He glances at the table before him and sees a small silver spoon.

"Do you mind if I bend this?"

"Go ahead. Bend it all you want - it’s a utensil from the Hohensohlen dynasty palace," the Duke replied nonchalantly.

A utensil is nothing when even the Duke himself could be bent easily.

August is strong. He bends the silver spoon, then slowly straightens it out, demonstrating the process.

"In our surgery, we would cut this bent spoon then rejoin it. But this genius doctor’s method is completely different from ours. They slowly straighten the spine, and it seems as if under a magic spell the spine gradually straightens itself."

August demonstrates again with the small silver spoon, bending and straightening it repeatedly. After a few times, surprisingly, the spoon breaks.

It’s rather awkward—

A utensil from Hohensohlen dynasty palace—

"Straightening it like this, it won’t break the spine, will it?" the Duke cautiously inquired.

"Of course not, the entire process is carried out naturally. It’s very harmonious, like a seed sprouting quietly. This is Ilizarov’s application of genius in spine correction. Even if I explained, you wouldn’t understand. It’s like a baby tree growing up straight."

August finds it challenging to articulate the idea to the Duke.

"Bottom line is, this new technique can fix your son’s spine and save his life!" Doctor August grows tried of beating about the bush.

The Duke was moved to tears. He’d finally get to see his son recover in his lifetime and could break free from the curse of not being able to live past thirty.

Sometimes, he wondered what would become of his lonely son once he returns to God’s side. Now, there was finally hope.

"My dear friend, get this doctor for me, quick. Send a private jet. No matter how much it costs, August, my old friend, I’m counting on you." The Duke was so excited he could jump with joy.

August has been in charge of his son’s treatment since he was a kid, and still is.

"This technique is still in clinical trial. We have to legalize it in Germany or send the young Duke to China. I think the former is more viable. The latter could be problematic due to legality issues; their clinical trials might reject foreigners," August attempted to calm the Duke down.

However, the Duke couldn’t cool down, "What are we waiting for? Just legalize it then! We’ll invite your friend to Germany."

August shakes his head, "This Chinese doctor is not that easy to invite. I’ve decided to visit him in China personally for this matter."

"Shall I accompany you?" The Duke was excessively thrilled.

"No need. I should go alone."

Having only met Professor Yang once in Malaysia, whether he would acknowledge this friendship upon his arrival in China is uncertain.

It’s best to scout ahead, so as not to cause any awkwardness.

The excited Duke has already pulled out his pill container, popping pills into his mouth.

"Don’t get too excited, take it slow!"

"I’m not excited!"

After swallowing the pills, the Duke sits down and starts crying uncontrollably, hiding his face in his hands.

"Buddy?"

"I’m fine. I’m just happy."

"I’ll head to China once I’ve dealt with my affairs. Then you’ll hear the good news."

"Thank you!"

The Duke clutches August’s hands.

"Cost is not an issue. You understand?"

"I understand!"