Chapter 2978

The officialdom of Lingxu City has bad habits; officials immersed in it deeply understand the principle that excellence invites destruction, and each practices self-preservation through prudence. This is a skill they have honed over decades; as long as there is room to maneuver, they will not rise in rebellion.

Nie Xiaolou sighed and patted his shoulder.

"For these two days, you should lay low; you can come to my Qing Palace."

"No, I still need to rush back to the office. In recent months, a large number of residents in the city have fallen ill one after another. The Emperor has issued me several orders in succession, commanding me to quickly investigate the cause. I have finally found a clue, but the Emperor..." Wang Qun said gloomily.

Nie Xiaolou asked casually: "What illness?"

"Patients become restless and agitated. Those ill for a longer time are not only irritable and combative, but even here," Wang Qun pointed to his own temples, "are somewhat impaired. I had the coroners open the skulls of several deceased, and found their brains truly atrophied, with large areas turning gray-green." "This illness seems to be spreading nationwide as well; I have heard officials elsewhere reporting similar cases, but no one has brought it to Wang Ting for public discussion." Wang Qun frowned tightly, "After all, restlessness and combativeness are not in themselves a serious illness; many demons are naturally like that. Moreover, the Emperor is also concerned, as public discussion might trigger nationwide panic, which would be of no use."

This is the Demon Realm, where barbarism and advancement coexist, and conservatism and reform go hand in hand. Even if many problems arise, they will be covered up.

"Green mold growing in the brain?" Nie Xiaolou hissed softly, "Before I rushed to the Crown Prince's mansion, Ling Mountain and the Worry-Free Emperor of Mou State sent me messages. Besides testifying for Jiuyou and the Earth Mother, Mou Emperor also mentioned to me the strange illness recently prevalent in Mou State, which matches exactly the symptoms you described!" Wang Qun said seriously: "How long have Mou State's citizens been infected with this illness?"

"Unclear; this illness is too hidden." Nie Xiaolou instinctively lowered his voice, "Moreover, Mou Emperor confirmed that this epidemic was created by the Lingxu Holy Venerable using the life divine essence."

"What!" Wang Qun nearly jumped up, "Is the Lingxu Holy Venerable secretly infecting the people of Bekka?!"

How could this be! How could this be! How many sincere believers of Lingxu are there in Bekka!

Chi Ye really dared to strike!

"As for people's view of gods, they are merely domesticated cattle and sheep, you know that, and how strong can the Bekka people really be?" Nie Xiaolou continued, "Looking at it this way, those infected are not only Bekka and Mou State, but perhaps the small and large states surrounding Bekka cannot escape either. Hmm, I don't know if Cangyan has seen an outbreak."

After all, Cangyan is very far away.

"By the way, you said you had a clue earlier—what did you mean?"

"Although I don't know where it comes from or what symptoms it will cause, I seem to have found a way to prevent it." Wang Qun said seriously, "According to my investigation, over three hundred households near Litao Street may have been infected with green mold, but two shops—a old tailor shop and the adjacent grain store—have sixteen people whose temperaments remain very peaceful. Half a month ago, the tailor shop's daughter-in-law died in difficult labor; the coroner examined her brain and found it completely normal. I have had people observe them for several months, and found their daily lives no different from others', except for one thing: they only drink boiled water."

"Boiled water?"

"Just water that has been boiled." Wang Qun explained, "They use the same water as neighbors, bought from the nearby Luanxi Stream. But after buying it, they always boil it and let it cool before drinking, a habit they have maintained for many years. Because these two families originally fled from southern oppression and disease."

Lingxu City is too large; although the Huhe River and streams run through the city, most people do not live by the water, and well water drawn is bitter, so they regularly buy water from water-delivery teams. The latter's dry business consists of taking water from the source and delivering it to customers' homes.

This has already become a very complete industry in Lingxu City, even giving rise to "Water Tyrants." After water-delivery teams collect water, they must, according to Lingxu City's requirements, use talismans or medicinal powder to disinfect the clear water, removing impurities and insect eggs, before they can sell it.

And city residents have grown accustomed to drinking raw water, after all, boiling water still costs firewood, that is, money.

Nie Xiaolou then asked: "Is this measure effective?"

"I have had several people test it for three months." Wang Qun nodded firmly, "Truly effective! Not a single civilian who drank boiled water has contracted green mold." "I understand." Nie Xiaolou nodded, "Let this matter rest for now; we will discuss it after the Emperor finishes handling posthumous affairs."

Matters have priorities of urgency and importance.

However, he can share this news with Mou State.

Seeing Wang Qun insist on returning to work at the office, Nie Xiaolou could only concede:

"I will assign people to protect you. Wang Cheng Guard"

He patted Wang Qun's shoulder, solemnly saying:

"Take good care of yourself."

Wang Qun nodded and strode away.

Nie Xiaolou himself also exhaled, lifted his head, and gazed at the sky.

Today, in this direct confrontation, they have temporarily stabilized the Crown Prince, preventing him from falling into the hands of the Heavenly Palace.

But how long can this situation last?

The Lingxu Holy Venerable will not give up easily, so the Heavenly Palace will not give up either; they must be eliminated before swift action can be taken.

Even Nie Xiaolou feels confused:

Exactly which direction should his resistance take?

The late emperor has passed; I, Nie Xiaolou, guard the foundation and dragon god bloodline left by the late emperor—what else should I do?

Lingxu City is storm-tossed, officials are lost and disoriented, and no one knows what future the empire will have.

Only with direction can there be strength, only then can hearts be united.

Nie Xiaolou could not help but look up to the sky and let out a low cry:

"Emperor, you left too early!"

The great undertaking remains unfinished, a lifetime of regret.

At this moment, a rustling sound came from behind. Nie Xiaolou heard it—that someone had deliberately intensified their footsteps.

He turned around and saw—it was actually the Frost Leaf National Preceptor.

This fellow wasn't he supposed to have left long ago? Nie Xiaolou's heart jerked.

This fellow appears and disappears mysteriously; now it's even harder to tell friend from foe.

He suddenly recalled the Demon Emperor's evaluation of Frost Leaf.

Frost Leaf National Preceptor walked over, smiling very kindly: "The Dean's white hair—has it recently increased again?"

"In troubled times, one fears taking a wrong step." Nie Xiaolou glanced at Frost Leaf, unable to help but sigh at this monster's ageless visage and unchanging state, "How unlike the Autumn Palace National Preceptor, who has remained the same for a hundred years."

After saying that, he lowered his voice and asked: "What were you just doing?"

Frost Leaf had previously offered advice to the Crown Prince, accepted the invitation from Jiuyou for the late emperor, gone to Bing Mountain to plot revenge. With Nie Xiaolou's city mansion, for a moment he also could not see through his intentions.

What does the Autumn Palace National Preceptor want to do—is he trying to stop Bekka from raising troops to annihilate Shen State?

Frost Leaf National Preceptor smiled and glanced at him, answering irrelevantly: "If I were you, at this moment I would spend more thought on myself."

Nie Xiaolou jerked.

He of course knows that since the late emperor's death, he has become a thorn in the eye of the heavenly gods.