Jing Shu's thoughts drifted back to the mysterious item Zhou Bapi had mentioned. For some reason, every time people talked about things like that, she felt they were somehow connected to other dimensions or perhaps deeper layers of the world she had yet to discover.
What kind of new item could it be this time?
Ever since the apocalypse began, all sorts of things that never existed in the old world had started appearing. It was also the birth of a new, unrecognizable one. She leaned back against the sofa, watching the steam rise from her cup.
Jin Tianci frowned as he set his tea down. "That depends on what kind of supplies you guys brought back this time."
Zhou Bapi laughed loudly, the sound echoing in the small room. "Lao Jin, you have heard the rumors too! Everyone says it's something amazing; you won't be disappointed. You know how hard things have been for our Medicinal Herb Association lately. Even the regular workers can't afford proper food anymore. Half of what we eat is bug meat. Don't you think it's time our welfare got an upgrade?"
Jing Shu rolled her eyes inwardly. The Association's welfare was already one of the best around. Half of them could still eat steamed buns, and at this point in the collapse, being able to eat anything solid was a blessing.
As she expected, Jin Tianci's expression hardened, the light in his eyes cooling. "You know how tight the food situation is. And the temperature has been dropping fast. According to the Research Department, this cold weather is killing off a lot of bacteria, which means certain illnesses will decrease naturally. The Association should adjust its focus to digestive and immune-related diseases. Start planting more ginger and similar herbs immediately."
When the conversation turned to serious topics, even Zhou Bapi hesitated. His thick brows furrowed deeply as he fell silent, his fingers tapping a rhythmic beat against his knee as he fell into thought.
Jin Tianci paused for a moment, then turned to his secretary. "Bring me the latest report." He flipped through the thick document, the sound of the paper crisp in the quiet room. "Based on the latest death and illness data, take this back and develop corresponding prescriptions according to the ratio analysis."
Then his tone grew heavier, and the temperature in the room seemed to drop a few more degrees. "Actually, I called you here today because there's something important you need to know."
He took a deep breath before continuing. "Recently, a new Darklife appeared in the south. It's a parasite that can live inside the human body. It breeds like crazy, devouring a person's internal organs until they die of multiple organ failure. The infection route is still unknown, but the parasite's contagiousness is low. Family and friends who live in close contact with patients rarely get infected."
In the early stages, the main symptom is severe abdominal pain, which makes it relatively easy to detect. However, none of our existing treatments—including antiparasitic drugs and surgery—work. The parasites are microscopic, only a few micrometers in size, and they hide deep in the bloodstream. The only silver lining is that they can't spread from one infected person to another.
As of now, there have been 940 cases in the south, with 680 deaths, and the number is still rising across the country. The Capital has ordered a total information lockdown, claiming it's just a common parasitic disease. Researchers are still scrambling to find answers. Wu City needs to start preparing as well.
Jing Shu's eyelid twitched violently. So that terrifying parasite outbreak she had once heard about had actually happened in the fourth year of the apocalypse!
At first, people only heard vague rumors about a parasitic disease, one that wasn't contagious but caused bloody diarrhea and unbearable pain. Later, when the truth could no longer be hidden, everyone learned the horrifying details; those infected were literally eaten alive from the inside out. Still, the actual infection rate remained incredibly low, less than one in ten thousand. Most people were too busy starving to death to worry about a rare disease, so the panic never fully spread.
Zhou Bapi's eyes went wide in shock. "Wu City doesn't have any cases yet, right? What measures have you taken? What do you need the Medicinal Herb Association to do? Do you have any detailed data on the parasite?"
Jin Tianci handed over another thick file to him and Jing Shu. "Wu City hasn't reported any cases so far, but several dozen have appeared in Xinnan, the provincial capital nearby. I will issue an announcement soon. Anyone showing severe abdominal pain will be quarantined immediately. Once the upper departments develop a treatment, we will follow through. If not..."
He sighed softly, a heavy sound of weariness. "All the details are in there. Most patients die within ten to twenty days of onset, and the longest recorded survival is thirty-two days.
According to current research, scientists suspect this outbreak was caused by eating red nematodes. Ninety-nine percent of the patients had consumed them. When some red nematodes survived processing and mutated at the genetic level, they evolved into this new parasite that hides inside the human body and multiplies rapidly. Of course, personal immunity plays a role too.
This is just a working theory, so don't spread it around. We can't risk causing a panic. Jing Shu, keep your Red Nematode Factory running as usual, but make sure to boil everything longer to completely eliminate bacteria."
Jing Shu finally felt the shock sink in. She never thought the parasite could be linked to eating red nematodes. She quickly nodded, her grip tightening on her cup. "Got it. I will tell the factory to extend the boiling time by ten minutes to make sure everything is completely sterilized."
She had never known before that this parasite originated from red nematodes.
She had worried for a while that her family might be at risk, but now it seemed unlikely given their diet and the Spirit Spring. Thankfully, she had planted so many Bodhi Trees. It was meant for self-protection, but if any friends or relatives ever got infected, she could use them to help. She didn't mind handing some over to the government either, as long as there's proper compensation for her efforts.
"Wait a minute."
Her face paled suddenly. "Then what about the livestock that eat red nematodes? Could they get infected too?" Some of her animals occasionally ate them as feed. If they got parasitized and people ate their meat, wouldn't that infect humans again?
Jin Tianci shook his head. "According to the research, the parasite needs a specific human gene to survive. Livestock don't have it. Scientists tried infecting chickens and cows to create experimental hosts, but none of them survived the implantation. So don't worry; animals can't be parasitized."
Jing Shu finally exhaled in relief, the tension leaving her shoulders. That last worry of hers completely vanished. With all those Bodhi Trees in her estate, she was more than prepared anyway.
Even though the infection was still small-scale, she knew how fast things could spiral out of control once panic set in.
"The higher-ups are taking this seriously," Jin Tianci said. "They are afraid it will turn into another disaster like that old epidemic. At first, no one paid attention, and then it was too late. So, I'm counting on you to help stabilize things here."
"Alright, alright, I get it," Zhou Bapi said, waving a hand. He didn't even bring up rewards anymore. If the parasite really was connected to red nematodes, then the number of future infections could be terrifying. He had to get back and prepare right away.
He turned to Jing Shu, her expression urgent. "Jing Shu, looks like you will have to take over for me. I was supposed to lead the team to the Capital for the competition, but that's impossible now. Too many things need my attention here. Three days from now, you will take the team instead. Do your best, I'm counting on you!"