Infinite Mask Game.

Wei Miao: "You mean, the plague poison in their bodies disappeared on its own without any external intervention?"

In modern terms, this means the virus self-destructed.

Lin Ming: "Yes, their own immune system is not strong enough to do that."

Wei Miao didn't dwell on certain words and continued to ask, "What do those newly joined martial artists think?"

Lin Ming was taken aback and looked at her in surprise: "They share my opinion."

Wei Miao mentioned the new martial artists who had entered the Medical Academy because she believed that there were quite a few players among them.

In the ten days or so since she left, several martial artists have emerged who have been able to cure the plague using the Joyful Harmony Technique.

The scribe investigated each person's background and found that they did not have a distinguished lineage, were not from a famous sect, and were previously unknown.

There aren't that many unknown, reclusive masters; those who suddenly appear are likely players who have mastered healing techniques.

Although players have the infamous reputation of being the "Fourth Calamity," it's because they believe the game world is virtual, so they feel no guilt when killing NPCs.

But if they realize that the game is full of real people, they probably won't be so unrestrained.

Years of social education have instilled in players a clear moral understanding, with many being law-abiding citizens in reality. When the line between reality and virtuality becomes blurred, players subconsciously adhere to real-world behavioral norms and are less likely to cross moral boundaries—a psychological protection mechanism.

There will always be players who are willing to lean towards the benevolent side. Even in a game of life and death, some people will always have their own principles and bottom lines.

In fact, judging from the prevailing sentiment on gaming forums, conservatives, or so-called centrists, make up the majority. They are occasionally sentimental, but most of the time prioritize tasks. Extremely benevolent and extremely brutal are both in the minority.

Therefore, choosing to save lives during a plague is a logical and emotional act, even if it is not part of their mission.

After all, there's not much risk involved at the moment, and it can even bring reputation and comfort one's conscience.

When she has time, Wei Miao will go to the medical clinic to see how many players are actually mixed in there.

However, the more important thing now is the statue of Fu'an Gong.

The clay statue in front of me was clearly freshly made, its paint glossy and vibrant.

He was slightly plump, sitting cross-legged on the altar, with a kind smile on his face. He wore a red official hat and a loose robe with wide sleeves that reached his knees.

He holds a white porcelain bottle in his left hand, and makes a mudra with his right hand, his ring finger and thumb touching, and his palm facing upward.

A green snake was coiled around its legs, its head raised and its tongue flicking forward.

Wei Miao carefully sensed it and confirmed that it was indeed an inanimate object, with no power attached to it.

"Worshiping Fu'an Gong can cure a disease? It's just a sales tactic. So the goal is to get more people to worship this god? But this god is just a wooden puppet or clay statue..."

She asked Lin Ming, "Can Miss Crow take the initiative to cure the plague?"

“Of course. When making poison, an antidote is also made at the same time.” Lin Ming immediately understood her meaning. “You think that Miss Crow is behind Duke Fu’an?”

Wei Miao: "Based on the signs you've described, no one but her should be able to do it."

Since he couldn't see anything wrong with it, Lin Ming took the clay statue with him when he left.

Before nightfall, Wei Miao went to the palace to report on her duties.

In the imperial study, when she mentioned that she had not discovered any rebellious intentions from Prince Chu, Lu Shaoqing remained calm.

But when she mentioned that the person behind it might be Dantalin, Lu Shaoqing stopped writing the memorials he was reviewing and looked up at her.

Where did you learn that?

Wei Miao concealed the matter of the Five Lucky Rats. Lu Shaoqing was extremely ambitious in his cultivation, and if she were to tell him about this rashly, there might be unexpected changes.

She also hoped that the Five Lucky Rats would reveal more secrets.

"I met a strange man on the road and learned about him by chance. He seemed to have worked with Dantalin before."

"Where is that extraordinary person?"

“Dead.” Lu Shaoqing’s gaze was as cold as a sword as he stared at her.

Despite the pressure, Wei Miao remained calm and composed.

Finally, he chuckled softly, dispelling the invisible oppressive feeling: "But Danling? Long ago, when the Great Ancestor was marching, he passed through a place and happened to find a statue of a god, learning that its title was 'But Danling'. The statue was evil and powerful, and the Great Ancestor ordered people to hide it, and its aftermath is unknown. It is said that the statue can control a thousand troops by itself."

"This was originally a royal secret, and even I do not know the final whereabouts of that statue. But I guess it was one of the treasures that the founding emperor intended to leave to his descendants."

"But word of mouth is not enough to be safe. My nephew took the imperial seal with him before he left. I searched the entire palace but found no instructions about its secrets."

"The essence of its culture is hidden within the jade seal."

Lu Shaoqing revealed in a very ordinary tone the secret that only those close to this position knew.

"It seems that my good nephew has already gained the help of Tatarin."

Wei Miao: "Should we renovate it?"

Lu Shaoqing shook his head: "How can a martial artist change his cultivation? Perhaps he is one of his descendants."

Common sense dictates that he doesn't believe Lu Kaiyi could control Dan Lin.

Wei Miao asked curiously, "Aren't all his descendants..."

Both are dead and there is evidence to corroborate this.

"He might be an illegitimate child who was lost among the common people." His tone was no longer so certain.

Both of them remained silent.

Lu Shaoqing concluded, "You no longer need to concern yourself with matters of the court; I will handle them myself. You only need to resolve the issue of that prophetic poem."

He was referring to Lu Kaiyi's dispatch of people to win over various court officials, intending to personally give a warning to those who were eager to make a move.

The unrest in the capital was handled by the Secretariat and the Imperial Observatory.

Upon receiving the new information, Wei Miao bid farewell to the palace.

When they returned to the ceremonial hall, the sky was as dark as ink.

She saw a familiar figure at the door of the study.

Xie Yinyao stood there with his upright posture, bowing slightly: "Chief Supervisor".

Wei Miao gestured for him to come in.

The Xie family of Yinhong is quite interesting this generation.

The eldest brother is a chivalrous hero of the martial arts world, a veteran of the Seven Great Clans; the second brother works for the imperial court's secret service; and the third brother is new to the martial arts world, making friends with a group of unknown origins.

When Wei Miao returned, she had someone investigate the Five Lucky Rats and the Four-Person Group.

Among them, the second-rate manager disguised as the Five Lucky Rats was promoted in accordance with the rules of Futang, and his place of origin can be traced.

But this place of origin was probably carefully fabricated by the Five Lucky Rats, who themselves don't know how long they've lived.

The statues of the Five Lucky Rats have existed for a long time, but they were not widely known before the establishment of Futang and were passed down among generations of martial artists.

The Five Blessings are longevity, wealth, health, virtue, and a peaceful death, each corresponding to a specific Dharma gate in the Blessing Hall.

Longevity is symbolized by white, and those who practice this method can extend their lifespan. The Five Lucky Rats can influence space and time through this, since lifespan is indeed related to time.

The symbolic color of wealth and nobility is red. This method involves fortune, and practitioners can slightly increase their wealth, but they cannot see fortune like the Five Lucky Rats.

Kangning, symbolized by the color blue, lies between harmony and authority; it can ward off disasters and heal oneself.

Good virtue, symbolized by black, is a method that allows one to control their own emotions; those with high levels of cultivation can control the emotions of others. The Five Lucky Rats used this method to quell her murderous intent.

The symbolic color for death is yellow, and cultivators can extend their peak period. While others grow old and frail, one still has the strength to fight. (End of Chapter)