Chengyun's Scheme, the Xue Clan of the Northern Lands (I)

Banquet's End Continent, at the Selection Tournament.

Zhou Zhi had been killed in a single strike by Luo Nian using [Blocking Is Useless].

Not even a corpse remained—aside from a pair of hands, which barely counted as something left behind.

Everyone knew this: any pestilence could potentially be avoided, but death alone was an unavoidable point.

Zhou Zhi had truly died.

His precious daughter, Beigong Dongzhi, had been heartbroken for a long time.

Even Bei Gongru had thought that there truly seemed to be no Plague Exterminator more suitable to become the Prince's Consort of the Bei Gong Prince's Mansion than Zhou Zhi.

Exceptional talent, a clean background, and impeccable emotional intelligence.

Only after losing something did one understand regret.

Especially when, just moments ago, there had been someone like [Zhou Ran], who had behaved exactly like a standard villain from a novel or picture book.

It made Bei Gongru involuntarily compare him with Zhou Zhi.

If Zhou Zhi could come back from the dead...

And then—

Zhou Zhi appeared before Bei Gongru once more.

"Prince Bei Gong."

Zhou Zhi bowed in greeting.

Little Mushroom happily took Zhou Zhi's hand and pulled him toward the seats ahead. "Don't sit so far away. I can't even see Zhou Zhi's face clearly."

Bei Gongru remained expressionless, looking even sterner than he had when facing Zhou Ran.

At that moment, Zhou Zhi gently patted Little Mushroom's hand. "Let's discuss business first."

Little Mushroom gave an "Oh." "Okay, okay."

She obediently sat to one side, placing her hands on her fair thighs.

"What do you mean?"

Bei Gongru asked coldly.

Zhou Zhi spoke calmly. "Prince Bei Gong, it was... Fang Tianzhao."

"According to the Apricot Grove Guard's assessment, the Medical Department will end its lockdown and reopen in at most half a year."

"At