Chapter 38:

You Yi arrived at the manor with his team, medicinal herbs, and equipment.

The scene was ablaze with light at night, with several dozen pots boiling medicinal herbs, and everyone was bustling around.

“Here?” In the midst of her busyness, Yun Shan greeted You Yi.

“What do you need us to do? You name it,” You Yi solemnly replied.

“Both of you, help me prepare the medicine. The others should take the medicine bags and find space to brew the potion. Also, keep a dedicated team to deliver the medicine to the patients,” Yun Shan instructed.

“By the way,” she clapped her hands, “before starting work, everyone should drink a bowl of medicine to prevent infection.”

In no time, everyone was assigned their tasks clearly.

“Can this medicine really prevent and treat the rodent plague?” someone hesitated, feeling unsure about drinking it.

You Yi slapped the person’s forehead and said, “Her name is Yun Shan, and she’s a divine doctor!”

Although the effectiveness of the medicine hadn’t been verified, You Yi had full confidence in Yun Shan.

“Yun Shan? Why does that name sound familiar…” someone pondered.

A companion nearby quietly reminded, “She improved the formula for the premium purple grass ointment sold at the Red Maple Pharmacy. And only she knows how to make the coveted Concentration Incense at the trading market.”

With this realization, while others were at a loss, it was clear that she was the only one capable of treating the situation effectively.

“Drink up! It treats the sick and strengthens the healthy!”

Some of the guys, in private, immediately urged their companions to drink the medicine. Then, they followed the arrangements and got busy.

***

In the epidemic area, Manager Meng from the Crimson Maple Pharmacy and Manager Lin from the Miachun Hall were at odds, almost coming to blows.

“How many times have I told you, the rodent plague is spreading fast, and the condition is perilous. We need to administer potent medicine to cure it!” Manager Lin ranted.

Despite being a woman, Manager Meng exuded a commanding presence at 2.8 meters tall. She smirked coldly at Manager Lin and said, “You also recognize the severity of the disease and the precarious state of the patients. A strong dose of medicine could be fatal. Tell me, would the person survive after taking that? In my opinion, the dosage should be reduced to allow gradual recovery.”

“Gradual recovery? Do you see how many people are here? Does the Red Maple Pharmacy have enough reserves? What if the treatment fails, and the disease spreads even further? Are you prepared to bear that responsibility?” Manager Lin glared at her.

“What about you? Administering a single dose of medicine, are you saving lives or taking them? Or perhaps,” Manager Meng’s mouth quirked into a mocking smile, “if the treatment fails, direct cremation to eliminate the virus at its source is your ultimate goal?”

“You foul-mouthed person!” Manager Lin was furious and resorted to cursing.

Risking his life, he volunteered to go to the front line to aid the patients. How could someone suspect him of ulterior motives?

“Alright, alright,” other doctors intervened and separated the two, “We are all here to save lives. Let’s discuss things sensibly and communicate respectfully.”

“There’s no reasoning with her!” Manager Lin refused to engage with Manager Meng. “The situation is urgent, and she’s advocating for gradual recovery. What kind of mentality is that?”

“It’s not that slow, and we’ll have results in at most three days,” Manager Meng stated earnestly. “With a single dose, lives are at stake. The risk is too great, and I don’t want anyone to toy with patients’ lives.”

“Three days?” Manager Lin sneered coldly. “Do you think critically ill patients can afford to wait for three days?”

“In that case, let’s implement a phased treatment,” Manager Meng changed her tune. “For severely ill patients, we’ll seek their consent. Those willing to take the risk can do so, while those unwilling can take medicine gradually. We can consider other alternatives.”

“Mild cases should be treated conservatively, there’s no need to take unnecessary risks.”

…That statement sounds reasonable enough.

Manager Lin’s expression softened, and just as he was about to say something, the guards in protective gear, carrying buckets, ran while shouting, “It’s time for the medicine, time for the medicine!”

Manager Meng intercepted them, frowning deeply. “What medicine?”

“The concoction given by Yun Shan, a soup we all brewed together. They say it can cure the plague!” one of the guards exclaimed excitedly.

For some reason, whenever the name “Yun Shan” was mentioned, he felt a hundred times more confident, as if he held a solution in his hands—curing all ailments!

Given by Yun Shan?

Manager Meng was slightly reassured but still couldn’t help asking, “Could there be any side effects?”

Side effects? He hadn’t heard of any.

The guard thought for a moment, uncertainly saying, “Maybe it’ll make you drowsy and sleep heavily?”

Manager Meng, “…”

“What kind of side effect is that?”

Manager Meng stepped aside. “Go deliver the medicine.”

The guard team member acknowledged and hurriedly went on his way.

Several doctors present exchanged glances and quietly followed.

They saw a severely ill patient with a high fever, joint pain, and a complexion so terrible that it seemed like he could close his eyes at any moment.

“Lift him up to administer the medicine,” Director Lin said, moving forward to help.

The guard member filled a bowl of medicine from the bucket and handed it over.

The severely ill patient, breathing rapidly, struggled to swallow the medicinal soup, one gulp at a time.

“How does it feel? Is it getting any better?” asked another doctor.

“Mmm… It seems like the pain is lessening… tired,” the severely ill patient said, closing his eyes and falling asleep.

The doctors, “…”

With caution, Director Lin reexamined the patient. After a while, he looked complex, announcing, “The patient is experiencing a fever reduction.”

A high fever caused by the plague, and its reduction indicates an improvement in the patient’s condition.

“The medicinal soup really works.” Manager Meng’s eyebrows relaxed, and a smile appeared in her eyes. “Yun Shan is truly remarkable.”

Her dispute with Director Lin was merely a difference in choice.

One took bold action, intending to quickly control the epidemic. The other opted for conservative treatment, hoping to save more lives.

However, Yun Shan’s medicinal soup was more effective than heavy doses, with the treatment process carrying no risks. Striking a balance between the two aspects, she directly outshone Director Lin.

At this moment, Manager Meng even wondered, ‘What were they arguing about with Director Lin?’ They shouted themselves hoarse, almost eager for a fight, only to end up wasting their efforts.

“Later, organize a schedule, and everyone takes turns resting.”

With the matter settled, Manager Meng showed a hint of weariness but forced herself to stay alert. “If any patient’s condition worsens, remember to wake them up and use your healing abilities for rescue.”

It wasn’t effective earlier because there were too many patients in need of treatment, and the abilities were nearly depleted, requiring a desperate breather.

Pausing slightly, she added, “Manager Lin is older and can’t withstand too much. Go rest first.”

Their argument stemmed from the conviction that their own plans were more reasonable, so they staunchly defended them, arguing logically. However, once a more suitable treatment plan appeared, they would set aside their differences and work together to save lives.

Manager Lin gave a vague, disdainful hum and compliantly headed towards the resting area.

***

The medicinal soup brewed pot after pot, and the stockpile of firewood was almost depleted. You Yi was busy coordinating supplies and arranging manpower, turning in circles.

Fortunately, the situation finally stabilized.

News from the epidemic area indicated that patients were slowly recovering, and the number of new cases was gradually decreasing.

“Divine doctor, thanks to your formula this time!” You Yi expressed heartfelt gratitude.

Yun Shan stopped and looked into the distance. “The matter isn’t over yet.”

You Yi: ?

Before he could react, a giant gray rat appeared to the south of the camp, standing at least four meters tall. Its eyes were red, filled with violent emotions.

With a swish of its tail, a building collapsed.

“What’s this?” You Yi exclaimed.

The next second, his black wristwatch went berserk, incessantly beeping like mad.

Glancing over, the contents were largely the same. They all talked about a group of gray rats infiltrating the camp, attacking residents everywhere, causing chaos.

“Hurry, go save people,” Yun Shan urged.

“Alright.” You Yi didn’t think too much and immediately followed orders, leading the team to rescue.

After walking a distance, a teammate started muttering, “This doesn’t seem right. We’re leaving, what about the Divine doctor?”

Upon hearing this, a sudden chill rose behind You Yi. While running back, he roared, “Quick, go back!”

***

After You Yi led the team away, Yun Shan stayed in the courtyard to supervise the medicine brewing.

Suddenly, the voice of a stranger rang out, “Heard you can cure the rat plague, thought you had some skills, turns out you’re just a fool. Can’t even protect yourself and sent guards to rescue others.”

Yun Shan looked up.

A NPC appeared in front of her, with the black name “Tang Shaoyan” hovering above his head.

Around him, more than a hundred three-star gray rats revealed a fierce glint in their eyes, as if choosing their next prey.

“Unexpected things happen in everything,” Yun Shan casually remarked, “like you, spreading the rat plague, hoping to attack the camp during the chaos. However, after waiting for half a day, the opportunity didn’t present itself, and instead, the rat plague was brought under control.”

Tang Shaoyan’s face turned pale.

Yun Shan was right.

He intentionally poisoned the water source, hoping the rat plague would spread, residents would fall seriously ill, and the camp would descend into chaos. Then, he planned to lead a massive army of gray rats to attack the camp.

However, he didn’t anticipate that things wouldn’t go smoothly from the very beginning.

Residents who fell ill were swiftly taken to the epidemic area, isolated from others.

He believed the rat plague was incurable, but within a few short hours, the camp had devised countermeasures.

As soon as the raiding gray rats appeared, they were chased down and killed by the patrol teams.

In short, it was a big, unfortunate disaster.

Tang Shaoyan considered giving up, but he couldn’t accept it. He unleashed meticulously raised four-star gray rats to cause trouble in the camp while he followed the guards, arriving at the estate.

Originally, he just wanted to see who would come out on top. Little did he know, after a quick look, he was utterly speechless—

Casually leading the guards away, is this their level of intelligence? Just this??

Tang Shaoyan’s gaze wandered, and he saw a few scattered two-star guard wolfhounds standing in the courtyard, with almost negligible defensive strength. His thoughts couldn’t help but stir.

Just as the idea emerged, a swarm of three-star gray rats rushed towards Yun Shan. Their momentum seemed like they could tear Yun Shan apart in the next second!

“Divine doctor!”

Exclamations rang out.

At the same time, Yun Shan calmly commanded, “Everyone step back.”

As soon as she spoke, dozens of wolfhounds emerged, standing in front of Yun Shan.

With dozens of them completing the encirclement, they blocked Tang Shaoyan’s retreat.

“Damn lunatic!”

Tang Shaoyan had never expected that while he thought about killing people and fleeing, Yun Shan’s plan was to leave both him and the rats behind.

Dozens of two-star wolfhounds actively provoking hundreds of three-star gray rats—was she serious?

In the midst of contemplation, a chaotic battle erupted between the rats and the dogs, with biting and tearing between the two sides.

The advantage of the gray rats lay in their ability to reproduce, with individual strength not being particularly formidable, fortunately being of level three stars.

The wolfhounds were adept hunters, agile in their movements, but ultimately two-star and still not fully grown.

Seeing the situation reach a standstill, Tang Shaoyan was about to call nearby two-star gray rats to join the fray when countless “flapping” sounds echoed from the sky.

Tang Shaoyan focused his gaze.

He saw nearly a hundred three-star falcon-like magical beasts circling in the sky. Occasionally, one would dive, inflicting serious injuries on the gray rats.

It’s worth noting that falcon-like creatures prey on rats, making them natural enemies of gray rats. With the rats also entangled by the wolfhounds, their movements were noticeably slower than before.

“Retreat! Quick, retreat!”

Under the desperate protection of over twenty-three-star gray rats, Tang Shaoyan fought while retreating.

Unexpectedly—

When the two-star wolfhounds were deep into the battle, they raised their heads and howled.

In almost an instant, their bodies doubled in size, fur became more robust, and their overall level rose to three stars.

The magical beasts evolved!

Tang Shaoyan broke into a cold sweat on his forehead. Just as he thought of escaping, he heard howls rising and falling.

In the blink of an eye, he was surrounded by over sixty three-star wolfhounds. He appeared feeble, pitiful, and helpless.

“Surprised? Pleased?” Yun Shan’s tone was indifferent. “Didn’t I tell you, everything has its surprises? If I didn’t disperse the guards, how could I lure in such a big fish like you?”

However, even though she easily hooked him, she hadn’t anticipated it in advance.