Flames of Ambition

35: The Huge Epidemic Event

Chapter 35: The Huge Epidemic Event

"Are you okay? You look pale," Zexel turned her head and saw Feng Zhengying walking out of the training room. His expression was gentle and filled with concern.

He couldn't help but gaze dotingly at her as he walked to her side. "It’s still early. Why are you outside?" Feng Zhengying asked as he helped Zexel take a seat.

He held her hand, intertwining his fingers with hers, attentively waiting to hear what she had to say.

"I had a nightmare… It was the day I died. I don’t know why, but it’s a rare occurrence. The last time I dreamed of it was two years ago," Zexel explained.

Feng Zhengying immediately pulled her into a comforting hug from behind, making her feel warm and safe.

"Don’t let your mind be occupied by someone so insignificant. He’s not worth it," Feng Zhengying said softly. Zexel nodded, allowing the silence to consume them both for a while.

--*--

Fan Yaoli's Auction House had quickly risen to become one of the most promising auction houses in the entire Da Country. Every week, they held auction events, and every item presented was worth noting.

They auctioned all sorts of items—especially herbs, weapons, armaments, potions, cultivation pills, medicinal pills, cultivation aids, elixirs, and more.

People from the capital began to curry favor with the shopkeeper, hoping to gain access to rare items. But many failed, as Fan Yaoli had strictly instructed him not to entertain anyone and to keep a low profile.

As days passed, the entire capital gradually learned that the Auction House had changed ownership—and judging by the rare and expensive items now available, the new owner clearly had powerful backing.

--*--

Meanwhile, in the poorer regions of the kingdom—where those abandoned by society struggled to survive—an unknown illness began to spread.

Some people were vomiting blood. Others developed extremely high fevers, convulsed, or simply died due to a lack of proper medical care.

The problem escalated steadily, and by the third week, it could no longer be ignored. People were sent to the palace to request doctors, and nearby physicians were brought in to examine the sick.

However, no matter who examined the patients, the result was the same: “There is nothing wrong.”

The palace ignored the situation.

To the emperor, these citizens were insignificant—mere dirt beneath his feet. He didn’t even acknowledge the problem seriously.

--*--

On the fourth day of the third week, Fan Yaoli noticed something strange.

She saw more and more people begging doctors for help. Each day, the crowds grew larger, and the doctors became increasingly helpless.

Fan Yaoli decided to act. She changed into the signature attire of ZUGC operatives—a black leather jacket, padded black skinny pants, high-cut black boots, and a matching black mask that covered her mouth and nose. She skipped the helmet but used her hair to cover her eyes, clipping it back in a way that resembled a man’s hairstyle.

Her mask had a voice changer, making it nearly impossible for anyone to recognize her.

“Make way!” a cold voice echoed across the crowd, chilling everyone who heard it. They turned and instantly froze, recognizing the distinctive outfit and powerful aura of someone associated with ZUGC.

Everyone instinctively moved aside as Fan Yaoli approached the cluster of sick citizens and panicked doctors.

“I want to see the patient,” she said coldly, her commanding tone silencing the group.

In the blink of an eye, a silver medical box appeared in her hand, shocking everyone. The group quickly led her to the patients, and the crowd followed.

They arrived at a makeshift sickbay where numerous people lay on dirty floors, barely conscious.

“Sis, I need help. You’re a doctor, right? There are too many patients here,” Fan Yaoli spoke through their mental link. Their twin pagodas allowed them to communicate silently.

“What happened?” Zexel asked. She had been having a peaceful meal with Feng Zhengying when she received the message.

“I’m not sure yet, but I think it’s an epidemic,” Fan Yaoli answered.

Zexel immediately stopped eating, her face growing serious—something that alarmed Feng Zhengying.

“Are you okay? Why did you stop eating?” he asked, frowning with concern.

Zexel smiled gently. She didn’t want him to worry too much.

“Yao’er needs my help. There’s an epidemic in the city. You know I’m a doctor,” she said softly.

Feng Zhengying nodded, though he couldn’t hide the worry in his eyes.

“I’ll be there right away,” Zexel replied through the mental link.

Feng Zhengying remained silent. He knew he couldn’t stop her. It might be dangerous, but he understood her heart.

Meanwhile, Fan Yaoli had already begun diagnosing the patients using traditional Chinese medicine. But no matter what she did, she couldn’t detect anything abnormal.

After checking five patients, she sighed in frustration.

She then pulled out a stethoscope and began using Western medical techniques.

Immediately, she discovered irregularities—abnormal heartbeats and unstable blood pressure.

She used various diagnostic methods and jotted down all the anomalies she could find.

Just as she finished diagnosing the first patient, Zexel arrived at the site and frowned at the filthy environment.

“We need a cleaner place. Otherwise, complications will only worsen during treatment. Has the emperor responded to the situation yet?” Zexel asked as she glanced at the suffering patients.

Although she already knew the answer, she still asked out of habit. The palace wouldn't make a move until the fourth week, when the disease would start affecting noble families—triggering public outrage and breaking the people’s trust in the government.

“No response. Even though it’s been reported, no one from the palace has done anything,” Fan Yaoli answered bitterly.

Zexel sighed deeply. She hated this.

She hated seeing people suffer because of the indifference of those in power.

--*--

Someone ask me what is the difference between Armaments and weapon. From my understanding, Armaments uses powers and energy it can also be a powerful using your own cultivation power while weapon is only and ordinary items that can't use power and energy. An armament can be weapon but can't be Armaments. That's only my opinion, if I'm wrong please correct me,

Ybrehl