Chapter 181: Condolences

Summoned by Wen Gu for questioning, Ming Tiao had nothing to feel guilty about.

He was the one who signed off on the distribution of allowances, but he was not the one who issued the directives; he was merely acting on orders.

This order did not come from Pei Jun, but from Lao Zhao!

Mentioning this, Wen Gu and Ming Tiao walked a bit further away to speak privately.

Xue Yanzhi could no longer eavesdrop, but he still kept his attention on that side.

Off to the side, Ming Tiao told Wen Gu:

"This person is named Huang Ji, and his background is indeed somewhat special. He comes from the border mountain regions of the South, and he is a... Gu Master."

Ming Tiao lowered his voice.

The Evil Plague was raging, and all sorts of rumors were running rampant.

According to information from the upper echelons of the powerful, the Evil Plague originated from a type of Evil Gu; once infected by this Gu poison, one would become possessed and turn into a monster.

To the extent that everyone turned pale at the mere mention of "Gu."

For thousands of years, the powerful had always avoided matters of witchcraft and Gu like the plague. Now that the Evil Plague had triggered chaos in the world, they feared it even more.

It was indeed not appropriate to make it public that Lao Zhao had kept such a person.

Listening to Ming Tiao's explanation, Wen Gu could roughly guess Lao Zhao's objective.

People like Gu Masters had always existed.

Those folks who played with bugs!

Now that he had encountered a special Gu Master, Lao Zhao was both wary and held other expectations—he wanted to fight poison with poison!

The Evil Plague and Gu poison had been raging until now, and there was still no way to break them.

If one could fight poison with poison and find a breakthrough, it would indeed be more advantageous than an army of thousands!

"This Huang Ji fled here from the South during the hottest time last year. At the time, he only carried two earthen jars with him; one contained Gu insects, and the other contained food."

Speaking of this, Ming Tiao seemed to recall some terrifying scene; his complexion turned poor, and he stammered, not knowing how to describe it.

Wen Gu guessed and said, "He implanted Gu in himself?"

Ming Tiao nodded hurriedly: "Yes, yes! He had... implanted Gu insects all over his body! Not Evil Gu, but the kind of Gu insects he raised himself!" After easing his psychological discomfort, Ming Tiao continued: "When Huang Ji arrived in Beidi, Commissioner Zhao kept him. After his situation was secure, he... removed... all the Gu insects he had implanted in his body... manually..."

The sight of that Gu Master removing insects from his own body at that time had caused great shock and a massive shadow on Ming Tiao's soul.

After that, whenever Ming Tiao looked at Fu Pian's gloomy face, he felt it looked quite pleasant.

Wen Gu, however, heard something else in it.

This Huang Gushi had riddled himself with holes, but at the same time, had formed a defense within his body, so the Evil Gu could not invade?

Parasite versus parasite?

Interesting!

Compared to traditional medicine, this belonged to "Evil Cultivator" territory. But he had produced results!

No wonder Lao Zhao risked keeping this person; he had seen a glimmer of hope!

This was not an ordinary chaotic world; even an army of thousands might not be able to withstand this disaster.

Just as the doctors said, to treat an illness, one must prescribe the right medicine for the symptoms.

First, one must identify the symptoms!

Otherwise, no matter how much effort is put in, it is all in vain!

Xue Yanzhi was keeping an eye on Wen Gu's movements; although he didn't know what the two were saying, for a moment, Wen Gu's eyes brightened and the corners of his mouth curled into a distinct arc—Xue Yanzhi felt the hair on his entire body about to stand up!

He felt that the person who only took the allowance without doing any work was definitely going to be in trouble!

Over there, Wen Gu continued to inquire with Ming Tiao about detailed information regarding Huang Ji.

He asked: "In the year this Huang Gushi has been in Xinzhou, what merits has he had, and what contributions has he made?"

Ming Tiao weighed his words: "...... This Huang Gushi has been recuperating the whole time. This person has an unrestrained temperament and is unburdened by attachments..."

So he just doesn't do any work and is just being kept?

Wen Gu pondered and asked again: "Was the microscope given to him?"

Ming Tiao said: "Not yet. The production of that divine tool is insufficient, so currently, it is prioritized for the doctors and pharmacists. But he knows this thing exists. Commissioner Zhao told him about it."

Lao Zhao wanted to use the microscope as bait, but unfortunately, Huang Gushi didn't bite.

"Huang Gushi said his body has not yet recovered and he needs time to consider it further," Ming Tiao said.

Wen Gu thought for a moment.

Huang Ji had fled all the way here, managing to travel alone from South to North during the most dangerous times when Plague Ghosts were most active. He was indeed a "Evil Cultivator" with exceptional talent! It was no wonder Lao Zhao had always treated him favorably and was willing to keep waiting.

But Lao Zhao being willing to keep waiting was his own business.

Wen Gu looked through the allowance records issued to Huang Ji and had other plans.

After finishing the matter, Ming Tiao took Xue Yanzhi back to the Main Courtyard.

The Main Courtyard and the East Office were not far apart; Xue Yanzhi found a spot with the best view and stared at the movements in the East Office.

Ming Tiao was very puzzled by this.

Why did this Xue Er Gongzi, who came from a prestigious family, have such a strong sense of guilt?

He hadn't done anything shady!

... He shouldn't have, right?

Ming Tiao said to him: "Xue Er Gongzi, I see you keep thinking about that side; why don't you just transfer to the East Office?"

Xue Yanzhi said decisively: "Not going!"

Ming Tiao asked again: "Aren't you here to discuss some business with Deputy Envoy Wen?"

Xue Yanzhi said: "I can wait patiently a little longer."

He had to wait for the best opportunity; now was definitely not the right time, as it would be easy to get caught in the crossfire!

Xue Yanzhi explained, "You don't understand, people like them, in this state, are very aggressive!"

This kind of aggression is not the kind of injury you can see on the surface like with swords or blades.

Xue Yanzhi guessed, "He is going to mess with someone!"

Ming Tiao was puzzled: "Who?"

Xue Yanzhi said: "Wen Gu!"

Ming Tiao asked: "Mess with whom?"

Xue Yanzhi: "The one you all talk about, the person who just takes the stipend and doesn't do any work!"

Ming Tiao immediately said: "That can't be, the compensation was promised by Commissioner Zhao, and Deputy Envoy Wen has already looked into it."

Not only that, Lao Zhao has a special use for this person, Huang Ji. Without permission, even the three big bosses of the Patrol Guard Division cannot see him. Xue Yanzhi sneered: "How naive! Just you wait and see!"

He said to Ming Tiao again: "You often go to the East Office's study, haven't you noticed?"

Ming Tiao was confused: "Noticed what?"

Xue Yanzhi reached out and drew an arc in the air: "An invisible whip!"

Ming Tiao: "..."

Ming Tiao could not understand, and even doubted the mental state of this Xue Er Gongzi.

Xue Yanzhi had a sense of melancholy, feeling that "everyone else is drunk while I alone am sober."

No longer explaining, he continued to observe the East Office.

Ming Tiao had said that Commissioner Zhao already had arrangements for that person who "just takes the stipend and doesn't do any work," but Wen Gu clearly had other ideas.

He wanted to see if Wen Gu could change Lao Zhao's mind this time.

He would use this to decide in what manner he should go to find/beg Wen Gu.

Xue Yanzhi thought that if it were fast, there should be some movement from Wen Gu's side within three days.

However, that very day, Wen Gu made a trip to Zhao Fu.

Immediately following that, Ming Tiao received an order from Zhao Fu: take Wen Gu to see Huang Ji the next day, and cooperate with Wen Gu's actions.

The explanation Wen Gu gave was: he wanted to go and offer condolences to this distinguished guest from the South.

Ming Tiao could not help but look at Xue Yanzhi.

Xue Yanzhi made a "black tiger steals the heart" gesture and mouthed silently: "Condolences!"