Watching this scene, Xing Yue felt a warm current surge in his chest; his eyes even grew slightly hot.
Perhaps this was the version of Lantao City he was truly willing to protect with his life.
However, amidst the excitement, a calm voice rang out. It was the head of the Sun family, who had remained mostly silent until now.
"Everyone, what we are doing at this moment is indeed admirable, but in the end, it only treats the symptoms and not the root cause.
"Controlling the plague and managing the sleepwalkers are merely reactive measures.
"We must drag the source that created all of this out into the light.
"Otherwise, everything will be in vain!"
The Sun family head's words drew everyone into deep thought.
Indeed, in the current situation, all signs pointed toward the City Lord's Mansion.
Lin Zhixue pondered for a moment, his gaze sweeping over every family head present before he slowly spoke. "Brother Sun's words strike at the core of the issue.
"Whether it is controlling the epidemic or managing the sleepwalkers, these are only temporary measures.
"If we cannot solve the root cause, everything we do could be easily overturned one day.
"And that root cause, as it appears now, is highly likely to be the city lord himself."
He paused, his tone somewhat helpless. "This city lord of Lantao City has lived in seclusion for decades since taking office, and his temperament is unpredictable.
"Even for us, the heads of the major families, we only see him during the annual sacrificial ceremony or during major crises like a demon siege that threatens the city's survival.
"Otherwise, during ordinary times, requesting an audience with the city lord is harder than ascending to the heavens.
"The threshold of the City Lord's Mansion is higher than we imagined."
Zhao Qingtian’s brows furrowed tightly. "Brother Lin, are you saying we must storm that dragon’s den and force him to show himself?"
"Storming it isn't the best strategy," Lin Zhixue shook his head. "The City Lord's Mansion has a long heritage and many death soldiers. It is not something we can easily shake.
"But if we want to force the city lord to appear, perhaps we can rely on the power of that one."
"That one?" A sharp light flashed in Zhao Qingtian's eyes. "Are you referring to Elder Tortoise beneath Wolong Abyss?"
"Exactly." Lin Zhixue nodded with certainty. "Elder Tortoise is an auspice of our Thousand Isles County.
"Though he is not a combatant, he has lived for ages and understands human nature.
"Furthermore, he possesses the power to drive away disasters and ward off evil, and is revered by all spirits.
"His Excellency usually hides in the depths of Wolong Abyss, indifferent to the affairs of the mortal world.
"But now, Lantao City is plagued by a great epidemic and eerie shadows in the night. This is no small matter; it is a disaster that can shake the foundation of the entire Thousand Isles County.
"If our families unite and use the common people of the city as a reason, prepare tokens of our station, and sincerely go to Wolong Abyss to pray and explain the gravity of the situation...
"We might truly be able to invite Elder Tortoise to come out personally and preside over a ceremony to dispel the evil and avert the disaster for Lantao City."
As he spoke, his thoughts became clearer, and his voice rose in volume.
"When the time comes and the auspice descends under the gaze of tens of thousands, if the city lord still hides away, it would be unjustifiable in terms of reason, morality, and his own prestige.
"I believe this may be the only stable way to force him to show himself."
Zhao Qingtian clapped his hands and shouted, "Brilliant!
"You merchants certainly have many schemes. With Elder Tortoise making an appearance, let's see how that fellow who hides his head and tail can keep lurking."
Upon hearing this, hope was rekindled in everyone's eyes.
The name of the auspice was deeply rooted in the hearts of those in Thousand Isles County; if he could be invited, it would undoubtedly be a powerful reassurance.
"This matter is of great importance and requires careful planning."
The head of the Qian family immediately stepped forward. His slightly chubby frame appeared remarkably efficient and decisive at this moment.
"A joint petition requires the tokens and seals of each family as proof.
"Leave the coordination to me. Everyone, please hand your tokens to me for now. I will immediately arrange for my most capable clansmen to carry heavy gifts and rush to Wolong Abyss at full speed!"
Before his voice had even faded, several family heads had already unhesitatingly unfastened their jade pendants, seals, and other tokens that represented their family identities.
They then solemnly handed them to the Qian family head.
The Qian family head accepted them one by one, counting and recording them without delay. He then cupped his fists toward the group.
"There is no time to lose. I will go and make the arrangements now. I shall not fail your trust."
With that, he turned and led a few confidants out of Heart's Desire Hall, his figure quickly disappearing through the doorway.
"Good, we can rest easy with Brother Qian handling this," Zhao Qingtian laughed heartily. Then his gaze turned to Xing Yue and then back to the group.
"Since we're moving, we can't just rely on Elder Tortoise.
"We also need someone to scout the City Lord's Mansion and apply pressure.
"My Zhao family has served in the military for generations; we still have some old connections in the Blackwater Guard.
"My worthless youngest son is currently serving in the Blackwater Guard. Although his position isn't high, he can still manage to dig up some news."
He waved a large hand and said to Xing Yue, "Boy, you're coming with me!
"Don't worry about that coward Cheng Zhishan giving you trouble. With me, Zhao Qingtian, stepping in, I'll see which blind fool in the Blackwater Guard dares to touch you.
"Besides, you can tell my son everything you know. Let him realize that their Blackwater Guard is already rotting to the core."
Xing Yue looked at the old general, whose hair and beard were bristling with heroic spirit. A sense of respect welled up in his heart, and he nodded firmly. "Yes! General Zhao!"
"In that case, we shall each return to our posts and, as agreed, do our best to gather resources and mobilize manpower."
"Lin family, the matter of settling the patients is in your hands."
"Everyone, move out and stay in touch."
No one spoke further. They solemnly cupped their fists to one another and then quickly left Heart's Desire Hall with their followers and newly assigned tasks.
The front hall, which had been crowded moments ago, instantly became much emptier.
Only the Lin family members, some volunteers who stayed behind, and the residents of Heart's Desire Hall remained.
Plague Rat had been watching all of this coldly.
The stench of the human-face sores filling the air made him increasingly irritable.
"Dammit, a bunch of idiots noisy and clamorous here, while the real bedbugs have almost finished building their nest right under their noses!"
He cursed under his breath, a flash of violence crossing his blood-red eyes.
He was almost certain that the outbreak of these human-face sores was definitely linked to that fellow, the Plague-Eating Stove!
He was all too familiar with that filthy scent hidden deep within the venom, carrying the power of the plague's origin.
That was an old rival he had been entangled with for countless years.
The Plague-Eating Stove was good at hiding and used vicious methods; mortals couldn't deal with him.
He had to at least drag that fellow out and then report it to the master.
Plague Rat’s body blurred, about to transform into a shadow and vanish.
"Lord Rat!" a cautious voice called out. Jiu'er had run over at some point, grabbing the hem of his black robe, his small face full of worry.
"Where... where are you going? It's very unsafe outside right now."
Plague Rat looked down impatiently, glaring at the little sprout who didn't know the depth of the danger. "Do I need to report to you where I go? Let go!"
Jiu'er shrank his neck back, frightened by his fierce gaze, but he didn't let go. He looked at him stubbornly.
Plague Rat became even more irritated, but he couldn't bring himself to actually strike a small child. He could only growl ill-temperedly, "Let go! I'm going to get revenge."
Hearing this, Jiu'er's eyes blinked. After hesitating for a long time, he slowly let go of the hem and whispered.
"Then... then be careful, Lord Rat.
"I know you're a good person. I'll lend you my luck; it will protect you."
As he spoke, he even blew a breath toward Plague Rat in a serious manner, as if he were truly transferring his good fortune.
Plague Rat: "..."
The corner of his mouth under the mask twitched violently.
Plague Rat sneered in his heart.
A good person? Like hell he was!
He wasn't even human.
But in the end, he simply waved his hand irritably and left one sentence: "Just worry about yourself! Stay in the room with that bald ass and don't fucking run around!"
With that, his figure swayed, and like a drop of ink merging into water, he instantly vanished into the shadows of the room.
Jiu'er watched the place where Plague Rat had disappeared and clenched his small fists, seemingly cheering himself on for his bravery just now. Then, he turned and ran back to help carry medicinal herbs.
Although he was young, leading a group of even smaller children through the streets of Lantao City for many years had made him more mature than his peers and better able to distinguish right from wrong.
The good or evil in a person's heart was never determined by their appearance.
The kind merchant uncle Erya had mentioned had pointed them toward Heart's Desire Hall while he was unconscious.
But Jiu'er could feel that it wasn't out of kindness; he simply wanted to see them walk into an evil cultivator's trap.
But this Lord Rat used the harshest words to hide his softest heart.
Whether it was the gratitude for a meal or the kindness of providing shelter, Jiu'er only hoped his luck could help him at a critical moment.
If he was going to get revenge, Jiu'er hoped Lord Rat could beat his enemy to a pulp and then return safely.
Inside and outside Heart's Desire Hall, the area had now become a temporary medical station.
Lin Shaobin wore a mask, directing servants and volunteers who had already been infected with human-face sores to settle the incoming patients.
The houses along the street that had just been urgently cleared out were rudimentary, but they at least provided shelter from the wind and rain and allowed for basic isolation.
Being close to Heart's Desire Hall made unified treatment more convenient.
A steward from the Qian family stood on the steps at the entrance of Heart's Desire Hall, using his spiritual power to amplify his voice.
He explained the dire situation Lantao City was facing to the growing crowd outside, as well as the decision of the major families to unite for self-preservation.
As soon as the news came out, it caused a massive uproar!
Panic, doubt, anger, worry...
All sorts of emotions spread through the crowd.
"What? The city lord is gone?"
"Sleepwalking? We can't go out at night?"
"Heavens! What on earth is happening!"
"What should we do?"
The commotion nearly escalated into chaos.
Fortunately, members of the Zhao family arrived just in time. Teams of well-trained and heavily armed family guards quickly took over the outer perimeter and began to guide the crowd.
"Fellow citizens, please remain calm!"
"The Lin family, the Zhao family, the Zhang family... all the major families have united in action!"
"There are experts from Heart's Desire Hall presiding here!"
"We need hands to help settle the sick, distribute medicine, and maintain order!
"Those with strength, please contribute. Those unwilling, please return home quickly, close your doors tight, and wait for further notice!"
Amidst the chaos, quite a few brave and responsible ordinary cultivators stepped forward to join the self-rescue team.
There were also able-bodied mortals who immediately participated in carrying supplies, setting up temporary stoves to brew medicine, and assisting in maintaining order.
Under the threat of an unknown disaster, when someone sounds the call to action, there will always be resilient souls who gather in response.
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