"The Shuanghu District has been cursed. You'd better not go there, otherwise, perhaps you won't be able to come back alive."
It soon raised their curiosity. "What curse?"
"The curse of rising rebellion against the Ming government." The floor was creaking, stomped by their feet as they walked. "Well, we do know that our ruthless emperor only knows about oppressing the lower class people, but I think no need for us to launch a rebellion. Now the Ming government is launching a jinx to eradicate rebellions, it's us the people who will suffer in the end." He sighed. "After all, I believe in karma. The emperor has been so cruel, he will definitely get his retribution. Let's wait for it."
They turned dumbfounded, not because they were afraid to hear about the curse, but because they did not expect that innkeeper turned out to be the pro-rebels. And more, there were rumors that the disease was caused by the Ming government!
"How do you know that it is the government that passes the disease on to people?" Zhu Su raised an eyebrow, trying to control his emotions that suddenly flared up.
"That's what everyone said! Everyone knows it very well, that Shuanghu District, along with Shuizhen District, is the harshest in setting the rebellion because almost the totality of its residents is involved in it. Then both districts, which were cool and calm earlier, suddenly are attacked by this deadly disease. But other districts are okay. That's why the question comes up, maybe it is the central government who becomes the mastermind?"
Finally, they arrived at the room located at the end of the corridor. The innkeeper opened the door. It showed a well-arranged room with a large comfortable bed inside it. Wu Qi had reserved the best room in this inn so as not to let Zhu Su miserable while staying outside the palace. "This is the best room in our inn, Sir. Have a nice night." He invited Zhu Su in. "And you, this is your room." He invited Wu Qi and two other San Hu Wei soldiers to a room whose comfortable was at a level below Zhu Su's.
Even when he had been lying on the bed, Zhu Su could not immediately fall asleep. The innkeeper turned out to be an anti-government fellow. Wu Qi is right, Shuanghu District is very dangerous for me to do propaganda. This inn still locates in the border area of Shuanghu District, what about the locals? They hate us so much that they slander us to pass the disease on to Shuanghu District, whereas I am here to free them from the disease! Ah, forget it! Thinking about it is a useless action, I'd better sleep first! Preparing to face it tomorrow!
***
"But it is indeed them who spreads the disease. I am too certain about it."
Rumilie, who usually looked down on Yun, was now amazed. "How can Master say that? Even Suo Junhuan can't find the cause of this outbreak."
"Because Nayin is my disciple. I have memorized all patterns of my disciples. She thought she is canny, but apparently, she still leaves traces that can be read by me."
Rumilie sighed. "From a long time ago Hu Wang Fei has been a formidable opponent and often bothers us. I thought that after becoming Wang Fei, she would be rotten in the glamor of palace life and be sluggish to cultivate her skills. I never thought that she will even be more terrible than before."
"Blind and dirty love." Yun said in disdain. "It's her blind and dirty love that makes her become like this."
"More important, Master; have you got the antidote for this outbreak?"
"I keep knitting the pattern. But Nayin's pattern is mixed, suddenly tangled halfway there. So I have to tidy up it first."
"You must tidy it up quickly. The slower we let this, many more will we lose our volunteer soldiers."
One of his subordinates rushed forward, reported, "Sir Rumilie! Sir Wan Ya falls sick!"
Rumilie's face which always went poker-face suddenly turned pale. "What?!? Can it be... he is infected with the disease?!?..."
The subordinate nodded.
"Where is he right now?! Take me to him right now, quick!"
"I heed your order, Sir." That subordinate escorted Rumilie, who followed in a hurry.
Zhu Su, Wu Qi, and two other San Hu Wei soldiers had to cover their mouths and noses as they witnessed that calamitous, terrible sight.
They could see several bodies lying on the ground. No one had them buried. Maybe their families were also infected by the disease so they were not strong enough to bury them, or maybe all the corpses were one family, no one knew. But the sick even seemed unable to endure any longer. It was quite similar to the situation in the shelters when an outbreak occurred at the suburban area of Jiangsu in the era of Jianwen Emperor, but this was even worse. Flies swarmed the smelly corpse, and maggots began to appear gnawing on the corpse. Zhu Su really wanted to vomit and immediately ran away from the area, but he kept reminding himself to strengthen his mind and go on.
Zhu Su and the others drank a small bottle of medicinal herbs before starting the investigation, then approached a young woman whom they considered as the healthiest to be asked.
"Hello, Sis." Zhu Su greeted the woman kindly. "Can we have a chat for a moment? About the outbreak in this Shuanghu District?"
The young woman who was daydreaming immediately shocked as her reverie was forcibly disrupted. "Ah... yes Sir! What do you want to ask?"
"How long has the disease spread out in Shuanghu District?"
"For about a week."
A week? Then it meant that it occurred since he just recovered from illness. "Can you tell us the condition when the disease first occurred?"
"Everything was fine before. But suddenly, the people fell ill one by one. And their symptoms were not from the mild, yet immediately severe. They complained of headaches, then they got high fever and seizures. On the next day, they died..." The young woman pressed her lips, she looked sad and tormented when she ended her story.
"You said, their symptoms are headache, then high fever and seizure. Is there something else?"
"Only that. Hmm, some complain that their necks are stiffened."
Was it the disease that attacked the part of heads and necks? "Sis, I am a physician and I am doing research about this outbreak. Can I examine you for a while?"
The young woman had not yet answered, the other people around suddenly had been forming a circle around them.
"You are a physician?! Then please examine me!"
"Examine me too, Physician!"
"Please heal all of us!"
They were all crammed, busy reaching their hands out to be examined by Zhu Su. Wu Qi immediately shouted. "Alright! We will examine all of you! But one by one, don't squeeze! If the results are messed up, it is you who suffer the consequences!"
In conclusion, Zhu Su had examined all of them. With so many people being examined, he got many more samples. He thus concluded that the symptoms of this disease were; the early signs were mild - such as dizziness and fatigue, then it continued to high fever, severe headache, convulsions, and eventually death. The time interval of the early signs and the death lasted from one to three days, what a breakneck pace.
While writing on his notes, Zhu Su's mind was busy analyzing.
It seems similar to the symptoms of Heat Toxic, but much more severe. Because it attacks the head which is a very important part of the body, it can cause death in a short time. A little signs of Wind Pathogens also appears. The district is also arid, with barely any plants grow here. They don't have physicians, those who cannot heal themselves will eventually die. Rub salt into the wound!
"This is all because the government jinxes us!"