A Shocking Dream

Lin Wunian frowned slightly, feeling annoyed. She was already exhausted from the plague, and now faced with this situation, she felt even more exhausted. But she knew that now was not the time to worry about these things. Controlling the plague was the top priority.

Lin Wunian spoke slowly, "I believe everyone is aware of the plague mutation. I just killed some mutated zombies with the Sage King at the old mill in the south of the city, and they weren't dead. I wonder if anyone has noticed any unusual mutations in the patients you've been treating these past few days?"

Everyone's gaze shifted from discontent to focus, only then realizing how filthy her clothes were. Her once-pristine white dress was stained with dark brown blood and dust, her hair was a bit disheveled, and beads of sweat still clung to her forehead. But her gaze remained as resolute as ever, oblivious to her own disgrace. A physician frowned and said, "Miss Lin, while treating patients, I've indeed noticed several becoming unusually agitated, with strange markings appearing on their bodies. It seems to be related to the mutation you're describing." The other physicians nodded in agreement, recounting similar experiences of their own. A solemn atmosphere permeated the small room.

Lin Wunian's brow furrowed deeper and deeper, a look of solemnity flashing across her eyes. She leaned forward slightly, listening carefully to each doctor's words, her hands unconsciously clenching the corners of her clothes. When she heard the key information about the patient's manic symptoms and the strange markings on his body, her lips trembled slightly, as if confirming her own bad suspicions.

"How long after these symptoms appear, I'm afraid the patient will completely mutate." Lin Wunian spoke anxiously, her voice a little hoarse, and her eyes full of anxiety. She knew that this was related to the life and death of countless people, and every detail might be the key to controlling the plague.

"Regarding the plague mutation, do you have any countermeasures?" Qin Ruoyu asked, his brow furrowed, his eyes filled with worry. The incident in Linzhou had become a major event. The city seemed shrouded in a dark haze. The people trembled under the shadow of death, their cries and cries for help intertwined like a tragic song.

The doctors exchanged bewilderment. For a moment, the room fell silent, the only sound emanating from the dim candlelight flickering restlessly, as if it too feared the plague's ravages. After a long pause, an elderly physician spoke slowly, "Your Highness, I believe the most urgent task is to find herbs that can combat this plague. Ancient texts suggest that snow lotus seeds from the Northern Desert may be miraculous. This plague has mutated to a terrifying degree. Victims first develop black spots all over their bodies. These spots spread and merge, seemingly alive, until they cover most of their skin, as if entwined with black vines. Then, their eyes become bloodshot, the whites of their eyes gradually turning yellow, their gaze shone with madness and bloodlust, and they begin to spew black mucus. This mucus carries a pungent stench, and drips onto the ground, corroding tiny holes."

Lin Wunian shook his head. "Snow lotus seeds are too rare. Far water can't quench a nearby fire. Perhaps we could start by isolating the patients showing signs of mutation and placing them separately. Then, we can try to formulate new prescriptions using existing herbs. These mutated patients are extremely strong and completely insane. They bite anyone they see. Within a few hours, those bitten will begin to show symptoms. Their bodies will become extremely cold, as if they were dragged out of an ice cellar, yet their internal bodies seem to be burning with a raging fire, with a terrifyingly high body temperature."

At this time, another doctor said, "We can set up braziers throughout the city and burn things like mugwort to repel the plague. Using the smoke to purify the air might help curb the spread of the plague to some extent, especially the mutated poisonous gas."

Another doctor proposed developing an antidote serum by extracting blood samples from survivors who were infected but had not fully mutated and who had resistance to the virus. The blood samples were analyzed to produce the serum.

Another doctor suggested, "We could dig deep trenches in the city, fill them with lime and special herbs, and surround the main residential areas as a simple line of defense to prevent those mutant patients from approaching."

Everyone fell into deep thought. Qin Ruoyu's eyes swept over everyone one by one: "No matter how the process goes, I just hope that there will be a way to control this plague as soon as possible, and don't let Linzhou become a dead city." After that, he looked at the darkness outside the window, as if he could see the plague savagely dancing in the darkness, devouring all life. It seemed as if there were countless pairs of mutants' terrifying eyes peeping in the darkness.

"At the moment, we still need to send more people to search for mutated zombies. Attacking the spinal cord can be a fatal blow. Everyone should tell this method to everyone involved in the fight against zombies. This is the most effective way to kill the enemy that we can master quickly." Lin Wunian said solemnly, her eyes sweeping across everyone present with a firm look.

"We need to arrange for more strong men to patrol and stand guard in the city, and have them be more vigilant. Especially at night, we cannot let our guard down. Mutated zombies are even more dangerous in the dark." Lin Wunian continued, his voice steady but with a hint of urgency. "For those who have already shown symptoms, they must be isolated and controlled. They must not be allowed to have any contact with ordinary people, not even relatives. This is the key to preventing the further spread of the plague."

At this point, Lin Wunian paused, a trace of helplessness and pain flashed in his eyes, "If it mutates, I have no way to treat it. I can only... I can only eliminate it to prevent it from endangering more people. We must all be mentally prepared. This war against the plague does not allow us to have any mercy." When everyone heard this, although they felt reluctant, they also understood that this was the most cruel but effective plan at the moment. Everyone's face was full of determination, ready to do their best to protect Linzhou.

"Everyone has tried their best. Where is Lord Zeng? Why is he not present for such an important speech?" Qin Ruoyu frowned slightly and searched the crowd before realizing that Zeng Mu was not there.

"I asked him to go to the old mill in the south of the city and burn the zombies that were killed." Lin Wunian said, her eyes showing a trace of fatigue. "There are many zombies in the old mill in the south of the city. If we don't deal with them in time after killing them today, once the zombies turn into zombies, the consequences will be unimaginable. Lord Zeng is a prudent person, so I will give him this important task."

Qin Ruoyu nodded slightly. "Miss Lin has considered everything. We really can't leave hidden dangers in the old mill in the south of the city. But these zombies are becoming more and more difficult to deal with. I wonder if Master Zeng will be in danger when he goes there."

At that moment, near the old mill in the south of the city, the night was as dark as ink. A fierce wind howled through the dilapidated buildings, making a sound like ghosts and wolves howling. Zeng Mu led a group of elite soldiers, holding torches, and carefully approached the mill. The light of the torches swayed in the wind, as if it would be swallowed by the darkness at any moment.