Jiang Ke’er understood that until an antidote was developed, all her explanations would be powerless. Even most Medical Cultivators believed Sun Shizhang’s theory had a higher feasibility.
After less than ten minutes of unity, the Human Clan and the Demon Race had ultimately split into two factions once more.
Perhaps it was because Jiang Ke’er looked far too young and unreliable, or perhaps it was because her status in the Demon Race made them unable to trust her motives.
In the blink of an eye, all the Human Clan forces leaned toward Sun Shizhang’s side, completely following his lead.
Jiang Ke’er did not waste any more time arguing with them.
She knew that every second counted right now, and there was no time to squander on bickering.
“Are you just going to let it go?” Jie Shui felt extremely indignant on Jiang Ke’er’s behalf. “That guy is just a bastard who jumped out to take all the credit!”
“It’s actually good to have someone like him help me share the burden of command so I can focus entirely on developing the antidote,” Jiang Ke’er said, feeling a sense of relief instead.
“Let’s return to the Taiming Sect.”
Jiang Ke’er could understand Sun Shizhang’s choices, and she didn’t care about her own reputation being damaged—having a professional like Sun Shizhang take the lead was much better than someone like the brainless Emperor Jing.
At the very least, Sun Shizhang continued to strictly implement Jiang Ke’er’s isolation strategy, guiding things in a positive direction without performing any suicidal maneuvers.
Their goals were aligned; they only differed in their methods of action.
The only problem was that most of the Medical Cultivators who could have helped her had run off to follow Sun Shizhang’s orders.
She would have to complete the research and development of the antidote on her own.
“I’ll help you,” Yiqin said with a forced smile. “I believe in you.”
“Shifu…”
A wave of emotion washed over Jiang Ke’er, but she had no time for a display of sentiment. She simply said decisively, “Fine!”
With the Medical Cultivators now in action, the lives of all those who had fallen ill could likely be extended by three days under the full maintenance of various medical techniques.
Meanwhile, Sun Shizhang would conduct his research on Immune Awakening Therapy.
If he could succeed within three days, that would naturally be for the best. If not, she could only rely on herself.
In fact, stepping down from the position of commander was a good thing for her.
This way, she could make full use of the Stellar Transdimensional Training Field, granting her twenty times the amount of time.
However, even with that, Jiang Ke’er had no confidence.
No one knew if there truly existed a specific small-molecule component that was unique to the virus and not present in the host cells—and this component had to be critical enough to play a decisive role in the virus’s survival.
She could only steel herself and search for it.
The survival of the entire civilization of Cultivators and Shenzhou depended on the research results of her and Sun Shizhang.
“Sun Shizhang, thanks to you, we avoided a disaster caused by that demonic talent in power!” Emperor Jing walked toward Sun Shizhang with a cheerful expression and a smile.
“Stay away from me.” Sun Shizhang gave Emperor Jing no face at all; he felt a wave of nausea just looking at him.
“Once this Epidemic Poison crisis is resolved, I will definitely reward you handsomely!” Emperor Jing promised solemnly.
Sun Shizhang finally glanced at Emperor Jing and said, “Your Majesty, I don’t have time for you. Can’t you just stay quietly in the Qin Palace? You have no business speaking right now.”
Emperor Jing was choked with anger. “Are you revolting too?”
“If it weren’t for your decisions, Shenzhou wouldn’t have fallen to such a state,” Sun Shizhang said bluntly.
“After this is over, you can kill me or do as you wish. For now, don’t bother me. I really don’t have time to talk to you.”
Emperor Jing raised his hand in anger but could only mutter a cold “ungrateful” before flicking his sleeves and heading back to his chambers to lie down.
“Why hasn’t the protective equipment arrived yet?” Sun Shizhang asked Yellow Coward in surprise.
“I’m not sure,” Yellow Coward also felt a sense of strangeness.
“When the medical halls were closed down, the imperial court seized a lot of protective equipment. Although some were burned or sold… there should still be quite a bit in stock. I already ordered people to transport them earlier. They should have arrived by now.”
“Burned?” Sun Shizhang was stunned.
Yellow Coward looked at him with sympathy.
First it was himself, then it was Qing Yi, and now it was Sun Shizhang…
Regardless, anyone standing in this position would surely have their mental state blown apart by various bizarre operations.
“Ask where they are,” Sun Shizhang said, clutching his chest.
“Currently, only the Medical Cultivators from Lingyin Valley have protective equipment. Even if Lingyin Valley is assisting us with all their might—producing more and opening their equipment reserves—it’s still far from enough. We must find that batch of seized equipment.”
“Report!”
Judging by the messenger’s expression, the news he brought was clearly not good.
“Smoke is rising from all over Shenzhou! Lords and sects in many places are taking advantage of the Epidemic Poison outbreak to cause chaos in the imperial court, plotting rebellion and blocking the supply of materials!”
Sun Shizhang clutched his heart, nearly fainting from anger.
“Rebellion at a time like this? Intercepting supplies? Those bastards… if the Medical Cultivators all die, none of them will escape!” Sun Shizhang roared.
“Report!”
Looking at the second messenger running over in a hurry, Yellow Coward showed an expected expression. Given the trend of the past few months, bad news usually arrived in a series of consecutive strikes.
“Many Cultivators have snatched protective equipment and started selling emergency supplies at high prices on the streets! Many Cultivators are risking their lives to loot them, and things have gone crazy!”
Sun Shizhang stared at the messenger while trembling. He now felt immense regret for taking the command position from Jiang Ke’er.
It was too disgusting!
Everything happening in Shenzhou—the naked, undisguised evil of the Cultivator Realm—disgusted him so much that he even felt a bit disheartened.
“Report!”
“There’s more?!” Sun Shizhang stared at the third messenger in despair.
‘A triple strike. Yes, as expected,’ Yellow Coward nodded calmly.
“Rumors are once again spreading everywhere that the Epidemic Poison was dispersed by Medical Cultivators! A small number of Cultivators have been incited and are causing a ruckus outside medical halls everywhere! Many medical halls are in chaos and are completely unable to treat patients!”
“Report! There are also rumors that a certain Dan Medicine is effective against the Epidemic Poison. Now, Danxiu have started roaming the streets to sell various Dan!”
“Report! After those rebelling lords and sects looted the supplies, they are fully equipped. They have started organized mass arrests of Medical Cultivators, attacks on medical halls, and are burning government offices! They claim—if you want to live, join us!”
Sun Shizhang collapsed to the ground.
He suddenly began to laugh maniacally. As he laughed, two lines of murky tears fell.
“Some people have lost their families and homes, while others take this opportunity to make a fortune! The one who carries the firewood freezes to death in the wind… who will save Shenzhou?”
“Pass down the order. Have all the Demon Race armies enter the Great Sima Nation. Protect the Medical Cultivators and supplies at all costs. Show no mercy to the rebelling Cultivators.”
In this moment of crisis, it was Li Shimin who stood before a group of Human Clan officials and spoke in a deep voice.
“The Demon Race is sending its army? Then what will happen to your Demon Race?” Sun Shizhang looked at Li Shimin in disbelief.
Li Shimin gave a contemptuous smile and glanced at everyone present.
“For thousands of years, every single day the Demon Race has experienced has been more difficult than today. A mere Epidemic Poison isn’t enough to make us lose our composure.”