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“Here are grey rats, come quick!”
In the wilderness, cheerful shouts echoed back and forth. Everyone called their friends and made money together by hunting beasts. Amidst the fervent atmosphere, a hint of warmth was faintly discernible.
Tang Shaoyan’s face contorted.
No, this wasn’t right.
Grey rats were ferocious and had incredibly strong breeding abilities. Killing them had no benefits, they should be universally detested, not welcomed with excited shouts as soon as they appeared.
Then everyone swarmed, contending to kill the grey rats.
…
It was too strange.
How had things turned out this way?
Tang Shaoyan was utterly perplexed, feeling an indescribable sense of urgency. Despite his extraordinary enthusiasm for exterminating rats, the number of grey rats hadn’t increased in the past few days. Instead, it had gradually decreased, which was not good.
While hurrying along the road, he faintly heard whispers in the woods, “I heard someone is raising mother rats in a cave, waiting for them to give birth. Why don’t we take the nest down ahead of time while he’s offline?”
Another person joyfully replied, “Sure, let’s all go and share the spoils.”
Tang Shaoyan, “!!!”
He had been so careful, yet how had he still been discovered?
Tang Shaoyan’s eyes were full of disbelief.
In a daze, a hunting team of twenty people headed towards the cave.
It was one of Tang Shaoyan’s secret bases, specifically used to cultivate three-star grey rats. Now, several pregnant mother rats were about to give birth.
A cold light flashed in Tang Shaoyan’s eyes as he silently followed the group, intending to command the grey rats to wipe them out in one go.
Unexpectedly—
“Why are there so many grey rats?!”
“A huge contribution to the team points!”
“Don’t just stand there, call for more people!”
“We’re going to strike it rich!”
The group stared at over twenty three-star grey rats and over a hundred two-star grey rats in the cave, their eyes practically glowing green.
Despite the large number of grey rats, many were pregnant and not mobile.
“Those agile ones are mostly two-star, lower level.”
Although players couldn’t exterminate them in the short term, they could delay their time.
Tang Shaoyan was about to get closer when suddenly he heard a commotion of footsteps not far away. His heart tightened, and he quickly hid.
“I heard there are a lot of grey rats? Where are they?”
“Ah, the contribution points are mine!”
“All of these are money!!”
For some unknown reason (likely a money buff), the newcomers erupted with extreme enthusiasm, rushing towards the grey rats, launching a one-sided massacre.
Watching large numbers of three-star grey rats being killed, Tang Shaoyan’s heart bled.
But the situation was beyond his control. The grey rats couldn’t be saved, and he couldn’t afford to be caught in this.
With a grim face, Tang Shaoyan quietly left the cave.
The dappled shadows of the trees covered half of his face.
“I won’t let it end like this,” Tang Shaoyan gritted his teeth, silently determined.
***
By the 11th day of the event, as the number of grey rats decreased to a certain level, daily hunting became increasingly difficult.
“If the grey rats are wiped out, will the Autumn Hunt event end early?” With a hint of concern, Xie Shaoting went even more berserk with his spending, swearing to accumulate 10,000 contribution points before the event ended.
…
In the estate.
Finally, Yun Shan prepared the calming incense and delivered it to Lu Ming, “I’ve made a batch of calming incense, try it out, see if it works.”
As the name suggests, the calming incense was shaped like a pagoda.
A small piece, slightly larger than a melon seed, when placed in the censer, could burn for twenty to thirty minutes.
“The calming incense is suitable for use during sleep, while the medicine packet is suitable for daily use. If I develop other calming products in the future, we can rotate their use.”
Yun Shan pondered, using the same medicine repeatedly could lead to resistance. If she developed several types, she could definitely cure Lu Ming before they collectively lost their effectiveness!
Lu Ming instructed You Yi to light it up and tried a small piece.
As the smoke rose, a pleasant aroma wafted through the room, and he felt an unprecedented sense of calm.
“The divine doctor is thoughtful,” Lu Ming thanked softly.
“Is it effective?” Yun Shan asked with a smile.
Lu Ming nodded, “It’s effective.”
Yun Shan then asked, “Can I get a reward for this?”
“Even if you don’t have calming incense, if there’s anything you need, you can ask Lu Liu and You Yi,” Lu Ming’s eyes carried a hint of a smile, very subtle, “They will take care of it for you.”
Yun Shan solemnly stated, “I need more help in the kitchen.”
With nearly a hundred falcons moving, Chef Meng and Qin Wan were overwhelmed, and the kitchen urgently needed extra hands.
Lu Ming glanced at You Yi.
You Yi understood and replied, “I’ll make arrangements. It will be sorted out by tomorrow morning.”
“What else do you need?” Lu Ming asked Yun Shan.
“Nothing,” Yun Shan shook her head, “I don’t need anything for now.”
“That’s good,” Lu Ming continued handling official matters.
Yun Shan looked at Lu Ming, thinking, in this lifetime, the grey rat population was under control, and the plague prevention and control measures were in place. The situation shouldn’t spiral out of control, right?
Recently, Lu Ming’s periods of lucidity had been slowly increasing, and everything was moving in a positive direction.
It’s really good.
***
Just past 7 p.m., Yun Shan logged out of the game.
System prompt—
【Today’s accumulated online time: 480 minutes (8 hours), has reached the limit.】
【For your health, logging in is prohibited for the rest of the day.】
【Players are encouraged to balance work and rest and play games in moderation.】
At 7:25, Yun Shan cooked pork and cabbage dumplings and ate while checking her group messages.
The dumpling skin was thin, and the filling was generous. When she took a bite, the delicious broth spilled out.
In the game group, a few scattered group members were chatting.
“Goodness Gracious: It’s already the 11th day of the event, and I just realized, aside from grey rats in the wilderness, there are some hidden small-scale dungeons in certain places.”
“OMG: Small-scale dungeons? What does that mean? I don’t quite understand.”
“Soul: ??? Are we playing the same game?”
“Goodness Gracious: Like caves, dens, and such places, some are grey rat nests, with many small beasts hidden inside. Ten or more three-star ones, close to twenty, and over a hundred two-star ones. Clearing the dungeon and exchanging the grey rat bodies for points can earn you eight or nine hundred contribution points in one go!”
Yun Shan was enjoying her meal, but upon seeing this message, she paused—she had never heard of such small-scale dungeons in her previous life.
And this wasn’t a conventional online game; it couldn’t have intentionally set up beast-spawning points.
Unless… the rat disaster was artificial, with someone secretly breeding them on a large scale.
Yun Shan set down her chopsticks and quickly typed, “When did you discover the small-scale dungeons? Why didn’t I hear about it?”
“Goodness Gracious: Discovered one yesterday, found another one today, the lucky ones are making a killing.”
“Goodness Gracious: I remember after we completed the first dungeon, someone was excitedly spamming the chat. Didn’t the group leader see the messages?”
Yun Shan, “…”
With over 999 messages, why would she think to scroll back!
But to miss such important news was a stroke of bad luck.
The more she recalled the details from the previous life, the more she felt that something was amiss.
Yun Shan wanted to log in to warn Lu Ming, but her accumulated online time for the day had reached its limit, so she would have to wait until the next day to log in.
“Yun Shan: Is anyone’s online time today not reached the limit? Please relay a message to an NPC for me, and you’ll be generously rewarded! @Everyone”
Yun Shan sent three messages in a row, but the replies she received were—
“Spectator: I’d like to help, but I’ve run out of time.”
“Worse Off: Those who haven’t reached the limit are probably all in the game and can’t see the group messages.”
“Cat: What’s up with the group owner? Is there something that can’t wait until tomorrow to be said in person, and you have to pay someone to help?”
“Expert at Groveling: Is the group owner having another stroke of luck? Is it a mission chain, the kind that can get a registration code?”
Yun Shan: She had triggered an important mission, but it wasn’t a reward type, it was the kind that could affect whether the game would shut down or not.
Her growing sense of unease prompted her to edit and resend the message.
“Yun Shan: Three-star cubs, four-star masters, territory privileges, all can be arranged. Is there anyone willing to help?”
“Woah: ??? What did I just see?”
“Country Bumpkin: …So the group leader is actually a formidable figure in disguise? Only showing a glimpse of the iceberg?”
“Day and Night: Voicing what you want! But today’s online time has reached the limit, I’m gonna cry!”
The group chat was buzzing, but no one was able to help. Yun Shan felt even more agitated.
After some thought, she set an alarm clock and decided to log into the game early in the morning.
After completing these tasks, Yun Shan quickly finished her dinner and lay down to rest.
***
The 12th day of the event.
The clock struck midnight, and the alarm clock rang right on time.
Yun Shan woke up, put on her holographic headset while still yawning, and logged in.
Persistent, unwavering gaming had undoubtedly brought about significant changes in her constitution.
Ten seconds later, Yun Shan was fully awake. She felt invigorated, as if she could immerse herself in the game and battle fiercely for 24 hours.
Upon returning to the estate, she found the camp brightly lit, filled with commotion. Lu Ming, You Yi, and Lu Liu were all absent, and the beasts were agitated, pacing back and forth, an unusual sight.
Fortunately, the NPC tenants were still awake. Yun Shan grabbed one and asked, “What’s going on?”
“Huh? At this hour, why are you…” the NPC began.
“I’m asking you a question! Answer,” Yun Shan demanded sternly.
The NPC trembled and said, “Many people have high fevers and are coughing up blood. They’ve been taken to the medical center. Sir You Yi mentioned it might be a plague.”
Just a plague?
Yun Shan calmed down and inquired further, “Besides the plague, what else?”
What else?
The NPC looked bewildered, “Nothing else, I haven’t heard of anything else.”
“Wake up everyone in the estate and call them over to help,” Yun Shan ordered.
Though the NPC didn’t know what to do next, they promptly went to gather everyone.
Yun Shan messaged Lu Ming and the others using her black wristwatch.
As soon as the message was sent, the NPCs had gathered.
“Follow me,” Yun Shan waved her hand, leading the group to get busy.
***
Lu Ming’s eyes turned icy, a storm brewing in their depths. “What’s the situation outside?”
You Yi reported, “Currently, there are over three hundred people who have fallen ill, and the number is still increasing. There are one-star, two-star, and three-star individuals affected. Doctors are discussing treatment plans, but the progress isn’t optimistic. It’s unclear when there will be results.”
On the other hand, Zuo Xin added, “The plague is highly contagious, and the patients have been isolated.”
“During diagnosis, the doctors took precautions to avoid infection,” Zuo Xin continued.
“But this situation is very strange. After the grey rats were hunted, the guards immediately incinerated them. In theory, there shouldn’t have been widespread transmission, let alone a sudden outbreak.”
Lu Ming sneered, “The rat disaster is man-made. The other party can certainly manipulate it in secret to make a large number of residents contract the plague.”
Thinking of the infuriating situation, a surging killing intent welled up from the depths of the heart.
“What do we do now?” You Yi seemed quite at a loss.
“Where’s Manager Meng?” Lu Ming asked.
Zuo Xin replied, “Treating patients in the designated epidemic area. Heard there were disagreements in perspectives, almost got into a fight with doctors from other medical centers.”
“No matter how difficult it is, we must save the residents,” Lu Ming said each word deliberately, “Tell them to give it a try and let go. All the medicinal materials will be provided by the Red Maple Pharmacy.”
“Understood.”
Zuo Xin had just thought of going out to convey the instructions when he heard a “beep beep beep” sound from the black wristwatch that had been unresponsive for thousands of years on Lu Ming’s wrist, a piece that seemed as useless as a decoration once worn.
Immediately after, You Yi’s black wristwatch received a message, and he exclaimed with great excitement, “The divine doctor is at the estate! She says she has a formula for treating the plague and preventing it, and she urgently needs help in brewing the medicine!”
She had returned.
The moment he heard the news, Lu Ming seemed to be comforted, and his raging and tumultuous volatile emotions suddenly diminished by half.
“Take enough manpower to the estate, listen to her commands, and cooperate well if there’s anything.”
“Yes!” You Yi responded loudly, as if gaining confidence.
“Zuo Xin,” Lu Ming suddenly called.
“Yes Lord,” Zuo Xin replied, awaiting orders.
“Dispatch additional manpower for patrols; there might be trouble tonight.” Lu Ming had seen the warning message sent by Yun Shan and had a faint premonition.
The mastermind behind the scenes could no longer contain themselves and would soon take action.