Infinite Mask Game.

Just as Lin Ming was feeling a little guilty under Wei Miao's gaze, she changed the subject: "However, the information you provided was very valuable. What reward do you want?"

Instead of hoping that players will work for the government out of a sudden burst of kindness, it's better to hope that the people behind the scenes will come forward on their own.

Wei Miao's words were a test of his dungeon mission.

Lin Ming said with righteous indignation, "I do not need any reward. After hearing the prophetic poem, I foresaw that a plague would break out in the capital. I wanted to fulfill my responsibility as a doctor and save the people from this disaster."

Wei Miao: "That simple?"

If the mission is simply to save people from the plague, then it's merely a test of medical skills.

Lin Ming: "I also want 'Miss Crow,' the mastermind behind this plague, to pay the price! Her methods are truly immoral!"

Containing the plague and killing the ringleaders—that's what a main game quest should feel like.

There is a difference in strength between the two players, and Lin Ming is at a disadvantage, but he can take advantage of the situation. This is a preferential treatment given to the weak by the system.

Although Lin Ming embellished his report, trying his best to get the Imperial Clerk and the Directorate of Astronomy to hunt down Miss Crow, it was still in line with Wei Miao's interests.

Miss Raven is undoubtedly a player whose mission is related to the current plague and who is hostile to Lin Ming.

Finding her might provide clues to the real mastermind.

In such events, even top-tier martial artists are merely pawns leading the charge.

As for whether Lin Ming was lying, Wei Miao believed she had some discernment. Lin Ming must know very well what the consequences would be of offending two major imperial forces at the same time.

In fact, most players try to avoid antagonizing large factions in dungeons, because many times players are lone wolves, fighting against local natives by themselves. Even a powerful dragon can't suppress a local snake.

Players tend to exploit factions, and it's ideal to have NPCs work for them.

“You are a noble person,” Wei Miao said casually. “I can arrange for you to go to the Medical Academy and conduct research with them. Yang Zi, the leader of the Mingding Sect, is also there, and you can discuss things with him.”

It would be even better if players could work for them.

Wei Miao asked, "How long do you estimate it will take to develop the drug?"

Lin Ming: "It's uncertain; we need to conduct an experiment first."

Wei Miao: "So, you said you can completely cure patients, but to what extent exactly can you do that? For example, what price would you need to pay?"

"This is a special technique of mine that requires me to consume my own essence, energy, and spirit. I also cannot cure the problem of severed hands and feet. If it were the original Sphinx, it would take me an hour to recover after each treatment, but this weakened version will not take much time to treat mortals."

Wei Miao was flipping through unfinished documents on the table when she heard this. She looked up at him, a meaningful smile appearing on her beautiful face: "Is that so..."

If Wei Miao weren't a player, she might have believed it. Even with the original version, Lin Ming wouldn't have needed much effort. Because the virus's advantage lies in its high transmissibility and ability to infect large numbers of people; high lethality doesn't mean it possesses high resistance to treatment.

For people of similar ability, treating a group of people might be exhausting, but treating just one person is at most a bit troublesome.

This is an inevitable systemic balance.

Lin Ming still prefers to develop a cure-all drug to solve the problem once and for all, rather than using himself as a medicine.

He was taking precautions to prevent himself from being completely drained if the original Sphinx were to wreak havoc later.

Wei Miao set aside his ulterior motives, looked him straight in the eye, and said in a gentle, consultative tone, "I want you to do something for me, which, of course, aligns with your purpose." Lin Ming replied, "Please tell me, and I will do my best to complete it."

He figured he probably had no choice but to agree. But given Pei Wenwei's methods, he figured he wouldn't be put in too much trouble.

"I want to portray you as a reclusive master of medicine with superb skills, who practices medicine to save lives because he can't stand the suffering of the people."

"I need you to publicly denounce that this plague was deliberately instigated by rebels to spread rumors and mislead the public. The court's efforts to relieve suffering and provide for the sick are in accordance with the will of Heaven and morality, and it will surely prevail. As for you, you were born under the call of Heaven and have the means to eradicate the plague."

"Then, in full view of everyone, he cured a seriously ill patient and claimed that he was already cooperating with the Medical Academy to study a prescription and that the plague would soon be solved."

"After that, you just need to continue your research within the Medical Academy."

After Wei Miao finished speaking, Lin Ming did not reply immediately.

He thought for a moment and said, "You mean... to lure the snake out of its hole?"

Wei Miao: "That's right. We destroy whatever the enemy wants. The same applies to them."

This not only stabilizes morale but also sends a signal to the enemy.

The government has the ability to resolve the plague in a short period of time.

Lin Ming is a key figure in this.

“Indeed. I know Miss Crow, and she knows me too. She knows I have some ability.” Lin Ming didn’t dare to be too certain. “Her mission is definitely the opposite of mine. She can’t just sit by and watch me solve the plague. She might directly take action to eliminate me.”

"But the problem is, even if I deal with Sphinx, she still has other...poisons." Lin Ming almost let slip, "enough to poison the capital city several times over."

“She can’t be without any restrictions.” As a fellow player, Wei Miao naturally understood the intricacies of the situation. “Moreover, with repeated poisoning, everyone can see that the plague was man-made. This makes it difficult for the mastermind behind the covetous position to win people’s hearts. At that time, the doubts from all over the world will make it difficult for him to stand firm.”

"He may play a savior-like role, ending the plague after it has swept through the capital."

There's one more thing Wei Miao hasn't made clear.

In the Princess's Secret Realm dungeon of "Crazy Thursday," she and her companions must constantly be aware of the Realm's Will, which forces them to use the Prince to fight against the Princess.

The Mandate of Heaven is real and undeniable.

The existence of divination systems in this world indicates the existence of a destiny that can be foreseen.

Destiny, to a large extent, represents the will of all living beings. Because all living beings create history, and history is the foundation of the world.

If you go too far with murder and arson, you'll become a public enemy. The will of the masses can influence destiny, and you might even unlock the legendary experience of choking to death while drinking water or being hit by a meteorite when you go out.

Although the capital city is too small compared to the whole country, and the people of one place cannot make a difference, the capital city is the place where the country's fortune gathers, and the prophetic poem is widely circulated, so that anyone in the world with a bit of information knows about it.

"Lord Supervisor, I completely agree with this. But I am just a minor first-rate martial artist, and I'm afraid it will be difficult for me to withstand an attack." Lin Ming knew that this was a trap, but the benefits were obvious.

Wei Miao assured her, "Don't worry, Gu Jianzheng and I will protect you. This afternoon, I will arrange for you to appear in the southwest corner."

"I am willing to serve you, Master!" (End of Chapter)