Xuanyuan Plague Exterminator Zhou Zhi (1)

Ignoring the words of the elderly gatekeeper.

Zhou Zhi withdrew his gaze.

He observed the exterior of the school gate.

"Has this Longevity Path attack reached such a level? Logically speaking, once a Strange Incident occurs in a place like a school, it should be suppressed immediately. Changdu's response is intriguing."

While others might not know, Zhou Zhi was well aware.

This time, the plague inside the school was the [Chickenpox Plague].

In his past life, this was not considered a major disease; it almost always healed on its own and rarely resulted in death.

But here, it was different.

"Sigh, it's a pity about the Plague Exterminator from a couple of days ago."

The old man behind him continued to sigh and lament: "Although an old man like me shouldn't be saying these things, I think we should find some experienced Plague Exterminators. We can't just keep sending greenhorns to their deaths, don't you agree?"

Zhou Zhi did not care what the elderly gatekeeper was saying; he was observing the school gate.

Then, he composed his emotions.

Beneath the sign at the school gate, there was a strange triangle that would be difficult for a normal person to notice.

It was not a normal triangle; it was slightly distorted and bizarre.

[Someone's Emblem].

[It seems to be some kind of religious symbol].

After a moment of silence, Zhou Zhi stood up and left directly.

The old gatekeeper shrugged at the entrance.

The inn.

Aunt Mei's smile was gone, and she looked somewhat terrified.

Seeing Zhou Zhi return, her brows finally relaxed.

"Brother Zhou, you've finally returned."

Zhou Zhi turned slightly and sat down.

Aunt Mei had heard that many Plague Exterminators had died at Su Rongrong's school, which had left her feeling quite uneasy, leading her to decide not to go out after eight o'clock in the evening.

"How is the situation?"

Aunt Mei lowered her voice.

Zhou Zhi shook his head, rarely showing much emotion: "I don't know. As for the plague in the academy, for now, we can only wait for further developments. After all, I am not a formal Plague Exterminator."

He looked up: "Aunt Mei, is there something you want to say?"

Aunt Mei looked up toward the second floor.

"Brother Zhou... I think there's a problem."

"It's that couple who checked in yesterday; there's something wrong with them."

Aunt Mei glanced at the second-floor staircase again, and after confirming no one was eavesdropping, she continued in a hushed voice: "Last night, I heard strange sounds coming from their room."

Zhou Zhi was silent for a moment: "Aunt Mei, eavesdropping on others isn't very good... and besides, how strange it is, is their own business."

Aunt Mei waved her hand: "That's not it."

"I was just passing by and heard it for a split second."

"Then it stopped immediately, as if they realized something and cut it off right away."

"[Chanting]."

"They seemed to be chanting. Although I'm not entirely sure, that's what it sounded like."

Aunt Mei's voice was very soft, fearful of being overheard: "You know, we in Xuanyuan don't practice that..."

"I understand."

Zhou Zhi said. Aunt Mei wanted to say more, but seeing Zhou Zhi's calm face, she didn't speak again.

"Inn [Chanting Guests]."

"School [Chickenpox-Infected Class]."

"And that suspicious Sun Shun."

When things are abnormal, there must be demons.

The entire Suhui area seemed shrouded in an eerie atmosphere. Having lost the protection of formal Plague Exterminators, various plagues were emerging from the shadows.

Among them, the most suspicious was that Sun Shun.

Of the eight Apprentice Plague Exterminators who joined forces, six were dead and one was in a coma at the hospital, yet he was still eagerly trying to re-enter the academy.

"By the way, why didn't the clinic next door open today?"

Zhou Zhi asked.

Aunt Mei replied, "Doctor Su went out on a house call today, to another district. He seemed quite happy this morning, saying the consultation fee was decent."

His gaze fell upon the street.

Complex emotions swirled within Zhou Zhi's heart.

"Aunt Mei, help me find a few people I can trust."

After waiting a moment, Zhou Zhi spoke.

Nighttime.

Su Rongrong sat alone at the medical clinic's counter.

Following her father's instructions, she did not run around outside, waiting patiently for the Plague Exterminators to return and clear the epidemic from the academy so classes could resume.

"It's truly terrifying, what was that plague called again?"

Su Rongrong recalled the scene of only two Plague Exterminators escaping from inside the school; the strange symptoms surging beneath their skin had been an absolute assault on her sensibilities.

Although her dream was to become a Plague Exterminator, her father certainly wouldn't agree to her dealing with such dangerous things.

But it didn't matter; one didn't necessarily have to go out and slay plagues to be a Plague Exterminator. Being like her father was fine too.

That was what Su Rongrong thought.

Her father had gone out for a house call today and still hadn't returned, which was a rare occurrence.

However, Su Rongrong wasn't worried. Her father was a Formal-rank Plague Exterminator, and he usually looked down on epidemic prevention personnel like Zhou Zhi who patrolled the streets.

"They are nothing but ordinary people... calling them apprentices is really overestimating them."

Those were her father's exact words.

Tap, tap, tap.

The door was knocked upon.

A low voice sounded from outside.

"Is anyone there?"

"Cough, cough..."

Su Rongrong straightened her posture.

Even though she wasn't a Plague Exterminator, she still had to manage the family business well.

"Yes, there is... but my father went out on a house call. Would you like to wait here for a while?"

As she spoke, Su Rongrong stood up. "What seems to be the problem? I can record it first, and when my father returns..."

A wooden, expressionless face appeared.

Su Rongrong froze for a moment, then realized something.

The man before her seemed to be the husband of the couple who had recently been staying at Aunt Mei's inn.

His figure was gaunt, his eye sockets sunken, and he always seemed to lack vitality.

"It is not me; it is my wife."

"My wife has contracted the flu... or perhaps some other illness."

The man's expression was cold, like a doll devoid of emotion.

Su Rongrong waved her hand. "Sorry about that, my father is out today, and I'm not a Plague Exterminator, so I can't treat illnesses."

She seemed to recall something. "Oh, if you really need treatment, Zhou Zhi might be able to help... he's that epidemic prevention worker staying at Aunt Mei's inn with you. Don't let his youth fool you; he is an Apprentice Plague Exterminator..."

Su Rongrong had not yet finished her sentence.

A strange surge of spiritual power rippled out.

A bizarre sound of scripture began to emanate from the man's mouth.

"Daily food and drink, seal the mouth and sit upright, let not a single thought arise, forget all worries, preserve the spirit and fix the intent, eyes see nothing, ears hear nothing..."

The strange sound spread through the air.

Su Rongrong's pupils gradually turned hazy, then unfocused.

The young girl's body went limp, slumping onto the wooden man's shoulder.

"[Eternal Heaven]... attain longevity."

The man lifted his head. On the inner side of his neck, in the shadows, a triangular mark appeared faintly, only to vanish in an instant.

At night, outside the clinic, the treetops swayed.

Inside, the lights flickered and suddenly went out.