The next morning, more and more refugees joined the ever-growing camp outside of the southern wall.
Due to the extreme increase in population, rations were cut short and the city leader, sect master Zhu Li, had a headache. Not only had he already dispatched a third of his sect's forces to the southern wall, but also military and awakened ones, yet it was still not enough to maintain peace and stop riots from occurring in the refugee camp.
Riots and peaceful protests were something he could deal with, albeit stressful. However, just last night, a pyro awakened had gathered the majority of awakened in the camp, acting as their leader through coercion and threatened to break the southern walls once more.
Not only was the Zhu sect supplying the refugees with food and relative safety being the guards, but they were also promising them a place within the city walls after 3 days quarantine. He didn't expect these survivors to be so impatient and unwilling to wait.
Currently, the head elder in charge of the southern wall, Zhu Pao, was bowing Infront of him and awaiting his orders.
He had received viable information from one of the less impatient refugees that an attack was imminent by the awakened refugee group led by Yang Hao.
He now had to decide what to do. Would it be peace by intimidation? Killing the ringleader? or through mutual conversation, although this was unlikely due to the demands made from the other party.
'These scoundrels wanted complete control over the southern district, and even went as far as to demand weaponry and supplies for months?' Zhu Li was truly angry. After pondering for a while, he made up his mind.
"Pull our guards out of the refugee camp back to the southern wall. Reinforce the border and be vigilant at all times. It's likely they will attack a perceived weak point in our defences, make sure that doesn't happen" He sternly ordered elder Pao.
"Yes Sir" Elder Pao bowed once more and respectfully replied, before continuing, "However, the refugees have amassed awakened in the hundreds, although not many have truly useful powers or skills, a small army of awakened will certainly cause serious casualties to our guards. I suggest we end the ringleader before this conflict escalates." He replied.
----
Hundreds of miles to the east in Shanghai, the new government were experiencing similar issues. Riots of an increased scale demanding compensation of their property, awakened ones exploiting others with their powers, and others ceaselessly harassing army personnel to withdraw martial law because there was no longer danger.
The new government, however, had a much different viewpoint on the matter. They had not released the knowledge to the public about the incoming plague nor had the capacity to quarantine the entire central district.
In fact, there was a serious shortage of doctors and healers within the government after the mainland was split into factions. Luckily, a solution was found; numerous unique and regular classes pertaining to the art of healing. Almost magical-like powers able to heal wounds within the blink of an eye, some rare unique classes were even able to reattach an arm or leg in seconds, replacing many of the now lost doctors and allowing the government to maintain hospitals throughout central China.
Currently, advisor to the president and disciple of Tang Sheng, Tao Jue, was behind a glass window overlooking four scientists operating on a chained half dead middle-aged man.
This man had been taken far from the new governments western borders in order to prepare for the coming danger. Although the civilians were rioting, attempting to disturb the peace and harassing military officials, he paid no regard to them at all. In fact, he was almost glad for the plague. He believed that the civilians would shut themselves inside to stop associating with plague victims once the horrifying disease reached inside the borders, making them obedient to the government for protection and a cure. Over a thousand years of life changed his mindset significantly. He now understood the perspective of his master that long time ago, not involving himself in the disputes of civilians unless necessary, uncaring to the general populace. This was exactly why he himself did not run for president, and instead had one of his many disciples do it.
After observing the failed procedure, he lit himself a cigarette. Sighing gently, he turned to walk towards the meeting room, in which the best scientists, doctors and surgeons were awaiting him with reports.
Opening the door, the round conference table of over thirty personnel stood up with their backs straight. On the end of the table, was a beauty of the highest standards, with long black hair and a perfect hourglass figure, dressed in an all-black suit and carried a stern look. She was the only one that hesitantly did not stand up as a greeting, showing her status as the president of China's new government. She wanted to stand to show respect to her Master and father like figure, but when meeting the eyes of Tao Jue, she kept silent.
Tao Jue was the first to speak, not taking a seat but instead staying stood up.
"Miss President" He nodded his head, "I believe we have less time than we thought. our intelligence has shown that refugees in the west have reached districts just two over from our own, and within two weeks they will show up at the western borders, with adequate vehicles, half of that time. I assume we have had no luck on the captured patients?" He eyed the scientists, doctors and surgeons.
Dr Tan, head of science within the new government, an elderly man in his seventies that reenlisted from his retirement to assist with the plague, stood up and answered, "Advisor, this is unlike anything we have ever seen. We have barely touched the tip of understanding the disease, not to mention finding an antibody through experiments and enough patients. I don't believe a cure could be developed even within months, as some similarities with rabies have been found. You should know how many dozens of years it took just to manufacture a lesser cure for rabies and even that is only usable if it's treated in time. If... If the plague truly infects our borders in only two weeks, it will be a catastrophe" He took a deep breath before continuing. "Never have I ever seen a virus or disease so easily passed to another human, barely ten seconds to completely infect the brain from a bite or scratch. I need more patients to further understand the situation, but we need to quarantine anyone that approaches our borders, or we won't last a week when this plague breaks in."
The president of China had a gloomy look on her face. She, unlike her master, deeply cared for the citizens of China. She thought of something and spoke up with an idea, "What about the healer classes? perhaps we can use their unique skills to improve symptoms?" She suggested with bright eyes, unfortunately, there had yet to be a successful case even including their most powerful healer unique class, angel of light. She was nicknamed 'Goddess of Healing' when the masses witnessed her multiple times reattaching limbs and curing blindness with a wave of her hands.
Dr Tan replied, "I'm afraid not, President. The Goddess of Healing has had no ability to cure diseases or remove viruses, just to assist with physical conditions. The most we can do is continue our research whilst the quarantine buys us as much time as possible." The doctors nodded their heads.
"Very well, no progress has been made and no new ideas were suggested. We will continue to monitor the situation in the west and ensure no infected breaches out borders. Meeting adjourned." The advisor said, before swiftly leaving the meeting room in a rush. He had received shocking news from his intelligence in Nedong district.