On Eradicating the Plague (1)

"An imaging machine, then."

Zhou Zhi lowered his head slightly.

"Please raise your hands."

A synthesized mechanical voice rang out, and Zhou Zhi calmly complied.

"Please open your mouth."

The number of items in this round of examinations approached double digits.

Aside from a moment of slight tension when passing through the [Lungs] scan, there was nothing particularly unusual.

The disease-pathology index was not disclosed to Zhou Zhi; the screen ahead simply displayed the green word [Pass].

Was it that they didn't detect [Pneumonia], or that the disease-pathology index didn't meet the threshold...

Zhou Zhi pondered as he walked out of the examination room.

Outside.

Numerous members of the [Epidemic Prevention Center], dressed in uniform, waited in an orderly fashion.

Of course, these people were not waiting for Zhou Zhi, but for the current leader of this team to issue orders.

"Zhou Zhi, since you've passed the [Pathological Test], come with me."

Li Xun glanced at the official Plague Exterminator ahead and nodded.

The Plague Exterminator in front returned the gesture.

Zhou Zhi remembered that this was one of the official Plague Exterminators from Ni Jie's team.

"What about them?"

Zhou Zhi carried his black case and gestured toward the members of the Epidemic War Corps.

"Returning early certainly doesn't mean a vacation; they have their own tasks to complete."

"Changdu has over thirty million people and dozens of large districts... forget it."

Li Xun raised his hand and glanced at the mechanical watch on his left wrist: "The [Epidemic Prevention Center]'s tasks are not light. Although the vice-captain gave you a chance, I still have to say..."

"Don't believe what people on the outside say."

"Working at the Epidemic Prevention Center is not leisurely in the slightest."

Zhou Zhi looked at the young Plague Exterminator before him.

He felt this guy was a bit long-winded, but that wasn't a bad thing.

"So, right now is..."

Zhou Zhi raised his hand to ask.

"The vice-captain remained in [Blue Stone Town] to handle the cleanup and finishing work, and entrusted me to evaluate you... to see if you have the ability to assume the functions of epidemic prevention personnel."

Li Xun looked up: "Becoming a plague prevention worker is a glorious thing, but the path is also arduous and rugged. If you haven't made sufficient psychological preparations, I still suggest you consider it carefully."

The young Plague Exterminator spoke with great seriousness.

Zhou Zhi felt slightly helpless.

Although this Li Xun was a bona fide official-level Plague Exterminator, his student-like demeanor was still very thick.

"I have considered it clearly."

Zhou Zhi said calmly.

"I want to give it a try."

His gaze shifted, locking onto Li Xun's eyes.

Li Xun was stunned for a moment, then suddenly became very excited: "Good!"

"Then come with me."

Changdu.

[Suhui District].

In the middle of the roads in Changdu, there was a special mode of transport called the [Rail Train]. Unlike the epidemic prevention trains, the rail trains were very slow, traveling at about thirty to forty kilometers per hour.

The vehicles wove through the districts, emitting all sorts of sounds.

The entire district was busy but not chaotic.

The sounds of hawking were everywhere, and beneath the gray, hazy sky, there was a touch of strange color.

In the glass, a uniform wall of televisions was broadcasting a program.

"Welcome to today's [Changdu Briefing], I am the host Ai Ke."

"I am the host Weng Keji."

"This morning, Liu Zhaoguang, Dean of the School of Ophthalmology at [Hualu Medical College] in Feiguang Province, led his Epidemic War Corps team to arrive at Changdu First Medical College, in the spirit of the tradition of exchanging Plague Extermination Art and improving professional capabilities..."

"Professor Zhao Hong of Changdu Second Medical College has successfully published 'A New Type of Plague Extermination Art Based on Hepatitis' in the medical journal Xuanyuan Medicine, successfully filling the gap in hepatitis plague extermination techniques at Changdu Second Medical College!"

"..."

Zhou Zhi listened in a daze.

Upon arriving at Blue Stone Town, all he saw was a scene of devastation.

It formed a stark contrast with the Changdu of the present.

The air carried a hint of warmth.

Li Xun turned his head back and saw the expression on Zhou Zhi's face.

In his view, this was the standard expression of every small-town youth seeing the look of a big city.

This was not something worth mocking.

Therefore, the white-clad Plague Exterminator stopped to wait.

While waiting, the people along the street cast looks of respect and envy toward Li Xun, who was wearing his plague suit.

"Apologies, I was a bit distracted."

Zhou Zhi regained his focus and said in a low voice.

"It's fine, that's normal. I was the same way the first time I came to Changdu."

Li Xun said earnestly.

Following the tidy road, they wove through the crowd.

They arrived at the Suhui District Epidemic Prevention Center.

Standing in the center of the entire block, the [Lion Flag] bearing the Xuanyuan insignia hung above.

"Brother Li."

"Brother Li."

"Brother Li."

Along the way, the greetings from staff members in white uniforms were incessant.

Li Xun nodded in response to each one.

"The plague suits, or [Plague Armor], worn by official Plague Exterminators are different in style from those worn by regular staff, that is, Apprentice Plague Exterminators."

This was what Zhou Zhi had noticed.

In the entire Suhui Epidemic Prevention Center, there were not many official-level Plague Exterminators like Li Xun who had passed the professional qualification exam.

Walking all the way here, Zhou Zhi hadn't even seen a few.

"Li Xun, you're back."

Passing through the corridor, a woman in a white lab coat leaned against the wall, looking somewhat lethargic: "And who is that behind you? He has a bit of spiritual power; which family is he from?"

"Shu Ling, this is someone brought in by the vice-captain."

Li Xun said with a serious expression.

"Vice-captain... which one?"

The woman called Shu Ling twitched her eyebrows: "Oh, Vice-Captain Ni."

"Even though it's an extra-budgetary position, it's not something everyone can just get."

"The world hasn't been peaceful lately, and a lot of idiots want to send their own kids into the Epidemic Prevention Center... Heh."

The woman let out a yawn: "It's hilarious."

"Is there any place in Changdu more dangerous than here?"

Zhou Zhi watched the woman out of the corner of his eye.

[Shu Ling].

[Combat Power Level: Official-level Plague Exterminator].

[Disease Index: 5.42%].

[...]

[???].

[This woman's heartbeat is very fast; perhaps she excels in Plague Extermination Arts related to the 'heart'.]

After the modification by that [Xia Yu], the information Zhou Zhi could obtain had also evolved.

It could even reach a certain degree of peeking into the abilities of an official-level practitioner.

"Thank you, Miss."

Zhou Zhi nodded: "I will be mindful of my own safety."

Hearing this, Shu Ling was taken aback, revealing a half-smile.

Li Xun seemed unwilling to say too much to Shu Ling; he nodded slightly and walked deeper into the facility, his reflection visible on the smooth floor.

It had to be said, Zhou Zhi truly felt that this Epidemic Prevention Center resembled a hospital.

At the end of the deep, dim corridor, Li Xun pushed open the heavy doors.

Inside, a crowd of people had gathered.

All eyes converged on a single point.

"Li Xun, didn't you go out for an [Anomaly] event... back so soon?"

Standing on a high platform, a short man sat with his legs crossed.

At his waist, a small Plague-Slaying Blade swayed slightly.

"Senior Qian Yifan."

"I need to borrow your space for a moment."

Li Xun's movements were meticulous; he straightened his attire before looking toward Zhou Zhi.

"I am here to evaluate someone."