Chapter Forty-Eight: The Three Wishes

Seeing Su Lian behave herself, Liang Jin felt somewhat relieved.

Zhao Bao then asked, "Brother Jin, is the talisman water from Giant Ox Township really that miraculous?"

"I'm just wondering, what kind of illnesses can it actually cure?"

Zhao Bao had only just learned about the talisman water, so his attention was immediately hooked.

Liang Jin certainly knew what Zhao Bao was thinking, and with a smile, he said:

"If that talisman water can help you, I would have set some aside for you long ago."

With that, Liang Jin unfastened the gourd from his waist and handed it to Zhao Bao:

"Remember, don't let anyone know this comes from me. Just say it's a miraculous medicine you begged for to cure an illness."

"Otherwise, it will bring disaster to me and harm Xiao Lian as well."

Because Liang Jin's main body possessed the ability [Talisman Water Healing], the gourd was filled with talisman water he had made himself.

He had once used this very talisman water to cure the chilblains on Su Lian's hands.

Zhao Bao nodded with a solemn expression.

If he were to implicate the two of them because of his own affairs, he would rather die.

"Don't worry, Brother Jin!"

"I must be going now."

Having obtained the talisman water, Zhao Bao immediately departed.

He could not remain away from the Zongwu Mansion for too long and needed to rush back as quickly as possible.

After walking some distance, Zhao Bao turned his head to look back at Liang Jin and Su Lian in the distance.

Life in the palace was fraught with danger, and being able to receive the care and help of these two loved ones made Zhao Bao feel that this lifetime was not in vain.

Yet he also deeply felt that they, the lowly people at the bottom of the palace hierarchy, were like solitary leaves tossed upon stormy waves, easily swallowed by the surges at the slightest misstep.

Zhao Bao was truly sick of this precarious existence where life hung by a thread every single day.

A quiet resolve formed deep within his heart:

"I, Zhao Bao, am determined to contend against this humble fate!"

"If one day I, Zhao Bao, can climb to a high position, I will surely protect both you, Brother Jin, and Xiao Lian for the rest of your lives!"

A resolute light shone in Zhao Bao's eyes.

Climbing upward and protecting his loved ones—these were the only two dreams of his life.

He gripped the gourd tightly in his palm.

If the talisman water in this gourd proved remarkably effective and could restore health, perhaps it would be the key to shattering this dead end.

Pondering deeply, Zhao Bao finally left.

...

Back at the spot.

After chatting with Liang Jin for a while, Su Lian knew it was time for her to leave as well.

"Brother Jin, I'll come see you another day. I'm heading back now."

Bidding farewell to Liang Jin, Su Lian also departed.

As she walked, she recalled the care and affection Liang Jin and Zhao Bao had shown her.

She deeply relished this feeling, experiencing a genuine sense of happiness and joy.

She also knew that the other palace maids envied, and perhaps even resented, her.

This gave Su Lian a tiny spark of pride.

At the same time, it made her cherish the precious bond among the three of them all the more.

"Brother Bao and Brother Jin always worry about me and think I'm silly, but I'm not that silly at all!"

Su Lian muttered rebelliously to herself:

"You two are always helping me, but I never get to help you, and I'm not a little child anymore."

"Hmph! Just wait and see. Sooner or later, I, Su Lian, will become very capable, just like Lady Hu, and then I'll be able to help you both!"

She did not want the two of them to keep treating her like a little younger sister forever.

Little sisters grew up too, and she wouldn't need her older brothers to worry about her anymore—she might even be able to take care of her two older brothers instead!

After venting the melancholy in her heart, Su Lian's steps grew light and quick as she hurried toward the Washing Bureau.

...

Back at his post.

Liang Jin was still on guard duty.

With Zhao Bao and Su Lian gone, the place returned to its quiet and tedious routine.

The sky grew increasingly gloomy and cold.

It looked as though it wouldn't be long before rain or snow fell once again.

Days of cold winter rain and snow were exceptionally difficult for those at the bottom.

Looking at his system interface, Liang Jin frowned and sighed:

"Right now, I'm still not strong enough..."

He knew that Zhao Bao faced a massive threat, and Su Lian was likewise surrounded by hidden dangers.

Yet Liang Jin lacked the sufficient ability to protect them both.

If he were a high-ranking official or a powerful martial artist right now, he wouldn't have to worry so much about the two of them.

"It seems I must urge my avatars to take action and diligently strive to earn system rewards."

"Only by rapidly growing stronger can I prevent them from suffering harm."

Liang Jin made up his mind.

Thus, while maintaining his watch, he shifted his focus toward his various avatars.

………………

………………

Taiyang County.

The county seat.

While both the Western Desert and the capital remained in the grip of a bitter winter, Taiyang County in the south had already begun to feel a touch of warmth.

The climate here was mild, with snow a rarity throughout the year.

By this time, the flocks of birds that had spent the winter here were already beginning their migration back toward the north.

Spring would be arriving before long.

At this moment, a sedan chair carried by bearers was moving slowly along the main street of the city.

The curtain of the sedan chair was lifted slightly, and Magistrate Qiu Zhuo gazed absently at the sights outside.

Secretary Zhang You walked alongside the sedan chair and said enthusiastically:

"Your Honor, back when the plague was severe, all trades in the city withered, pedestrians were scarce, corpses littered the ground, and every household wailed in grief."

"But look at it now: the streets are bustling with heavy traffic and crowds, almost showing signs of congestion."

"Shops have reopened, and along the entire way not a single corpse is to be seen, nor are cries of mourning heard from any of the thousands of households. Everything is changing for the better."

"Now the people of the entire county are praising Your Honor's administrative talent and benevolent heart."

"Fortunately Your Honor chose not to ride in the official sedan today, otherwise you might have been surrounded by enthusiastic citizens singing your praises."

Aside from the flattery, what Zhang You said was largely true.

Compared to the height of the plague, Taiyang City was vastly better off now.

Although it had not yet fully recovered to its pre-plague state, at the current rate, it wouldn't take long.

Qiu Zhuo nodded slightly.

However, he soon noticed many people on the street wearing yellow turbans, as well as yellow cloth hanging outside the doors of numerous common households.

These were all adherents of the Taiping Dao.

This prompted Qiu Zhuo to sigh:

"I'm afraid the person the common folk are praising is not this official, but rather the Grand Preceptor."

Ever since Qiu Zhuo cooperated with the Grand Preceptor, the plague throughout Taiyang County had been brought under control with remarkable speed.

At the same time, however, the influence of the Taiping Dao had rapidly expanded, spreading across the entire county.

Zhang You smiled and said:

"Had it not been for Your Honor's wise decision, your decisive release of the Grand Preceptor, and your discerning eye in employing him and granting him great responsibility, how could we have achieved this thriving prosperity today?"

"That Grand Preceptor has merely the talent to heal the sick. But Your Honor, you possess the talent to govern the county and rule the people!"

Hearing these words, Qiu Zhuo finally felt much more at ease.

It had to be said that after cooperating with the Grand Preceptor, everything had become exceptionally smooth.

By now, Taiyang County's reputation for containing the epidemic had spread throughout Qingzhou.

Nearby counties had successively dispatched officials to the Taiyang County Yamen seeking assistance.

Even the Prefectural Yamen of Qingzhou had sent letters to inquire about the situation.

If Qiu Zhuo managed things properly just a bit longer, his official career would be completely secure.

Just then.

A sudden commotion broke out in the distance.

A large crowd of people was seen pouring into the city through the gates.

Pointing toward them, Qiu Zhuo asked:

"Who are those people?"

Zhang You took a look and replied:

"Those are commoners from other counties. Hearing that our Taiyang County can cure the plague, they have all come to seek treatment."

"Because the arrivals are so numerous, the city gate guards can only let them in in batches. A large number of outsiders are forced to gather outside the city waiting for clearance."

Qiu Zhuo nodded.

Then, thinking of something, he hastily gave instructions:

"Send people to post official notices and go out to make announcements to these people."

"Make sure they all understand that although the talisman water is provided by the Taiping Dao, the maintenance of order, the clearing of roads, the supply of provisions, and everything else is provided by the county yamen—by this official!"

Zhang You smiled and said:

"Your Honor, rest assured, I have already made arrangements."

Hearing this, Qiu Zhuo nodded with satisfaction.

The sedan chair moved onward.

Eventually, it stopped in front of the finest restaurant in the city.

The restaurant proprietor rushed out personally to lift the sedan curtain and respectfully welcome Qiu Zhuo down.

After alighting, Qiu Zhuo did not immediately enter the establishment; instead, he raised his head to look at the third floor of the restaurant.

"Has the Grand Preceptor arrived?"

Qiu Zhuo inquired.