Xuanyuan Plague Exterminator Zhou Zhi (3)

"Everything is not a problem?"

Zhou Zhi wore a faint smile on his face. "In Changdu, not even those above the Formal level would dare to say such a thing."

"While our people are fighting the Changdu Plague Exterminators to the death outside the city, you hide inside the city to recuperate... I really want to see which 'Deacon' this is."

Zhou Zhi lowered his head slightly, seemingly sighing.

"Forget it."

"With Eternal Heaven above, come to think of it, I cannot blame you."

"Gather everyone tonight."

Zhou Zhi's gaze turned toward the woman.

That gaze made the woman flinch.

"Your meaning is..."

Zhou Zhi shook his head. "Su Rongrong is not here; shouldn't you have already sent her to Suhui Central Academy?"

"With so many groups of people... there must be some who haven't been sent yet."

"Since that is the case, notify them to assemble tonight."

"First, to coordinate with that Deacon of the Longevity Path; after all, it is not an easy task for a Formal-level individual to sneak in."

"Second, to let you idiots recognize my face."

Zhou Zhi said indifferently.

"But..."

The man sitting on the ground wanted to say something more, but the woman's expression changed. "Yes, My Lord!"

Zhou Zhi slowly stood up.

He pushed open the door.

Leaving only the pale-faced couple behind.

"Was it... a bit too easy?"

The man gasped for air and whispered, "We..."

The woman spoke in a low voice, "Those who are not of our Longevity Path cannot possibly remember the Longevity Sutra, let alone recite it."

"Eternal Heaven is the source of [Resurrection], [Eternity], and [Regeneration]. For non-believers of our path, it is nothing but poison that causes one to lose their mind."

So that's how it is.

I was wondering why they believed me so quickly.

Outside.

Zhou Zhi, who had been gripping his Plague-Slaying Blade, finally let go.

He left.

To a Plague Exterminator, ordinary people are truly insignificant creatures.

Especially those ordinary people who understand neither spirit power nor basic knowledge of plagues.

Yet, Zhou Zhi felt that such ordinary people were quite useful.

Not long ago.

Aunt Mei lived up to her reputation as a local snake in Suhui.

She had easily rounded up some drifters hanging around the streets of Suhui.

"Based on that strange triangular symbol, it can be roughly determined that the source lurking inside the school and creating the Chickenpox Plague chaos should be members of the Longevity Path who have infiltrated Changdu."

"Then... following conventional logic, why would this guy hide there and even incite pathological changes?"

When Zhou Zhi pondered this question, other information provided the answer.

If one were to guess, in an ordinary school, there is only one place that would attract the attention of a Plague Exterminator.

The [Spirit Power Class].

These are the seeds of future Plague Exterminators; in such an ordinary school, they are the only ones who can come into contact with epidemic prevention knowledge.

There were not many people in the Spirit Power Class, about thirty, and in Suhui, most of them knew each other.

From Su Rongrong, Zhou Zhi had obtained the specific addresses of these individuals.

The next step was simple: have the people Aunt Mei found investigate any newcomers residing near the homes of the Spirit Power Class members. It was originally just a preliminary investigation, and Zhou Zhi had not expected that the Longevity Path members would strike at Su Rongrong that very night.

"Those who are not of the Longevity Path cannot remember the Longevity Sutra, but I can. Perhaps it is due to the information, or perhaps some other reason..."

Zhou Zhi's calm face remained as still as an ancient well.

A group of Longevity Path followers, hiding in Suhui where Formal-level Plague Exterminators were scarce—what exactly were they trying to do? Capturing students with spirit power and hiding under the pretext of Strange Incidents.

Zhou Zhi walked out of the inn and headed toward the outskirts of the road.

After walking for a while.

In the shadows of the street corner.

The gaunt, middle-aged man glanced around.

"No one is following. These low-level cult recruits rarely think for themselves; they are driven more by hope for the unknown and a craving for futile goals... If not for the current circumstances, people like this would have been purged long ago."

Zhou Zhi said indifferently, "Mr. Su, I have already told you about the Longevity Path. Rongrong's location should be confirmed by now; she is at the Suhui Central School."

"Mr... Mr. Zhou..."

Su Xing whispered, sounding very anxious, "Aren't we leaving right now?"

"Of course not. Broad daylight is no time for an operation."

Carrying his Blade Case, Zhou Zhi walked with a steady gait. "Before we suppress them, I need to find one more... guide."

"A guide?"

Su Xing was stunned.

Zhou Zhi did not speak again.

Suhui.

Epidemic Prevention Center.

At this moment, the place was much busier than when Zhou Zhi had first visited.

"My Lord... My Lord!"

"I want to report a case!"

Someone shouted at the top of their lungs, agitated, "There is a pathogen... there is..."

All sorts of noises echoed through the lobby.

Upon seeing Zhou Zhi passing by in his Plague Armor, people immediately crowded toward him.

"My Lord..."

Zhou Zhi turned slightly, bypassing the crowd.

With so many Strange Incidents occurring recently, the vast majority originated from the common folk.

The shortage of manpower had left the Epidemic Prevention Center completely overwhelmed.

"Brother Zhou."

Someone spotted Zhou Zhi.

At the Epidemic Prevention Center, Apprentice Plague Exterminators who possessed spiritual power and basic Plague Extermination Arts naturally held a higher status than ordinary people.

"Where is Sun Shun?"

Zhou Zhi asked calmly.

After receiving directions, Zhou Zhi walked steadily toward the corridor.

He pushed open the door.

Sun Shun seemed to be lost in thought and was startled awake.

"Zhou... Zhou Zhi..."

"What are you here for?"

Sun Shun coughed.

Zhou Zhi closed the door.

"To put it simply, I intend to go on a mission with you."

The young man's voice was calm, like a lake without a single ripple.

"It concerns the [Mission at Suhui Central School]."

As Zhou Zhi's voice rang out, an expression of disbelief appeared on Sun Shun's face.

All preparations were complete.

In the room.

Zhou Zhi gently fiddled with the Blade Case in his hands.

Then, he opened it.

An Anti-Plague Blade, resembling white jade, appeared before Zhou Zhi.

Unlike a standard Plague-Slaying Blade, its design was refined—one could even call it elegant.

The hilt was carved with a White Jade Flower, and it felt comfortably cool to the touch.

It had no name.

"Since I am about to take action, I suppose I must give you a proper name."

Zhou Zhi touched the blade.

"I'll call you... White Jade."

Whenever Zhou Zhi spoke that name, he was always reminded of the shattered Bai Xiu.

White Jade.

[Pathogenization Index: Unpathogenized]
[Item Grade: Low-grade Fine-tier Scalpel]
[This weapon can inflict additional damage to the cardiopulmonary region.]
[Provides a moderate bonus to (Cardiopulmonary) category Plague Extermination Arts.]
[Using this scalpel significantly increases overall physical capabilities and grants the Plague Extermination Art (Adrenaline Boost).]
[Using this scalpel significantly increases heart rate and grants the passive Plague Extermination Art (Intermediate Arrhythmia Resistance).]
[Using this scalpel improves cardiopulmonary function and grants the special Plague Extermination Art (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation).]
[...]
[Crossing the threshold into the Fine-tier, even at the lowest grade, is something an ordinary Plague-Slaying Blade cannot compare to. It is as if... stepping onto a higher rung of the ladder, what a different perspective it offers to a person.]
[This Plague-Slaying Blade is currently in perfect condition.]