Jiangcheng—once a bustling metropolis—was now shrouded in a pall of dread. At first, people thought it was nothing more than an ordinary flu. Nobody paid much attention. But soon, with reports of unexplained pneumonia cases linked to the XXX Seafood Market spreading rapidly, and infection numbers climbing sharply, every WeChat group buzzed with frantic messages:
"It spreads person-to-person—don't go to the hospital!"
"Wear masks!"
"People are already dying!"
Fang Zhiguo, after making over a dozen urgent calls, finally snapped, "We're moving out. To Jiangcheng."
Inside the provincial government's conference room, a high-level video meeting was underway. Er-Ge and I had never witnessed such a scene. We sat obediently in the back row, not daring to breathe too loudly. By now, the sudden appearance of Daoist Master Zhang hardly surprised me anymore.
Renowned respiratory expert Elder Lin spoke first. Though seventy-five, his voice still carried a powerful resonance:
"There is now clear evidence of human-to-human transmission, and it can spread through aerosols. The virus primarily attacks the lungs, causing pneumonia. At present, there are no reliable treatments. Antibiotics and oxygen therapy are being used, but with poor results. The fatality rate is still uncertain."
Professor Zhao Kangcheng continued:
"Based on our earlier research into the EASV virus, and comparison with the current samples, I can confirm that this outbreak is caused by a mutated strain of EASV. Its incubation period is roughly fourteen days. From the intel provided by our national security colleagues, this was a premeditated bioweapon attack. The situation is urgent. We must take decisive measures to halt its spread—or the consequences will be unimaginable."
"What measures? How should we coordinate?" someone asked.
"Lock down the city!" Elder Lin and Professor Zhao said in unison.
The faces of the provincial and municipal leaders turned ashen.
"Lock down the city? Jiangcheng has over ten million people! There is no plan in place. Food, water, sanitation—everything will collapse."
Elder Lin pressed on:
"Not only must the city be sealed, but residents must also be placed under home quarantine. Infected individuals must be identified and isolated for treatment immediately."
Virologist Dr. Zhang followed:
"Our infection models estimate roughly two thousand people are already infected. At this pace…"
He paused, sweeping the room with his eyes.
"…you all know what this means. The healthcare system will soon be overwhelmed. We are urgently developing a vaccine against EASV, but we'll need at least a month. And…" He glanced at me. "There will be risks—and you will need to bear them."
I met his gaze firmly and nodded. At that moment, I finally understood: If my country lives or dies, how could I shy away for fear of my own fate?
Later, inside Jiangcheng's epidemic command center, Daoist Master Zhang was discussing plans with the engineers of China State Construction. Pointing to a map, he declared:
"Two hospitals will be built—Huoshenshan here, and Leishenshan there—symbolizing yin and yang in the Taiji."
Then he turned to me. "Come here."
Before I knew it, he had grabbed my hand. His right hand clasped my middle finger, while his left traced a sharp line across it. A sudden cut opened, and blood spurted forth.
Er-Ge's eyes widened.
"Damn—that's real sword qi!"
From his robes, Master Zhang drew two yellow talisman papers and spread them on the table.
"Repeat after me."
Ignoring the pain in my bleeding finger, I nodded vigorously.
He began chanting:
"Heaven and Earth in harmony, Nine Decrees of Law. By my stroke, all demons hidden. With the ancestral sword, let the heavenly spirits move, let the divine troops be summoned. By the second stroke, evil gods perish, no fiend dares approach. With the third stroke, all calamities suppressed. The Three Pure Ones above, the soul in resonance below—order is given, so let it be done!"
As he chanted, he guided my finger across the talismans, painting strange symbols with my blood. I could feel some force flowing out of me. By the time both talismans were complete, I collapsed to the ground, weak as if struck by a terrible illness.
"These two blood-seals will serve as the emblems of Huoshenshan and Leishenshan Hospitals," he instructed the engineers. "Bury them at the center of each construction site."
Er-Ge rushed over to help me.
"Fa-Ge, you look like hell. Just from a little blood loss?"
Dizzy and drained, I lacked the strength to argue.
Master Zhang explained solemnly:
"Don't blame him. This cost him at least ten years of his life. But in return, it will save millions. Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. His blood carries pure yang power, a natural counter to the plague spirit. There could be no better offering to suppress this scourge."
He then produced two jade Pixiu charms, placing them in my hands.
"Your heart is pure. These Pixiu are yours. Keep the yellow one for yourself, and give the white one to the one you love. This is my gift to you, to perhaps change the ill fate between you two."
I accepted them. Strangely, instead of being cold, the jade felt warm in my hands. Peering closely, I noticed a tiny golden light flickering within.
I bowed my head.
"Thank you, Master."
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