Ten minutes later.
The night gradually dimd, and the setting sun also sank, as the Emperor stood in the Waterfall Pavilion watching the western afterglow of the sunset. His mood inexplicably grew heavy. The company president slightly opened his eyes to look in the direction of the sunset, a glint in his eyes. The wind gently rustled the surrounding woods, creating a rustling sound, and a few carefree birds chirped as they flitted from branch to branch.
A Ninja arrived hastily, with a heavy gaze, almost jogging up to the Emperor, respectfully bowing his head and said: "Your Majesty, sothing has happened."
"Yes." The Emperor's face darkened as he coldly commanded, while the company president also opened his eyes.
"Rats have gone berserk, charging around madly, biting anyone they encounter. The wounds of those bitten swell imdiately, difficult to heal, and already more than a dozen staff mbers have been bitten. Fortunately, the sewage has retreated," the Ninja quickly reported.
"Poisoned?" the Emperor asked in surprise.
The Ninja nodded. The Emperor's face turned grim as he looked at the company president. The president nodded and said: "Let's go take a look. Tell , what signs are appearing on the wounds?"
"Swelling, the wounds won't stop bleeding, likely carrying so kind of virus. By the ti everyone noticed, the rats had already burrowed into the underground pipes or surrounding woods and couldn't be found." The Ninja explained, bowing respectfully to the president, with a face full of sha.
"Hmm, since the incident happened suddenly, don't bla yourself. Pass my order: first-level alert, and be wary of enemies coming up from the underground pipes," the president said calmly.
"Yes," the Ninja quickly agreed, leading the way in front. They walked out of the Waterfall Pavilion, through a scenic path, soon reaching the staff quarters in the backyard, where a crowd was gathered in the small square. So people were lying on the ground, the Empress among them.
As everyone saw the Emperor and the president approaching, they automatically made way. The president hastily pulled the Emperor back, as he dared not let the Emperor get involved until the situation was clear, fearing contagious danger. His voice turned stern as he commanded: "Disperse, be careful of contagion."
The Emperor was puzzled as to why the president pulled him back, but upon hearing this, he imdiately understood, gratefully nodding as he pulled the Empress to retreat. Everyone else also backed away. The president held his breath as he approached one of the injured, gesturing for them to relax as he crouched down to examine.
The wound was on the ankle bone, not very large, just two tooth marks. But the wound wouldn't stop bleeding. Though not a lot, this abnormal situation worried the injured. Normally, a small wound's bleeding would soon coagulate. The president watched the wound intently with a serious gaze.
After a while, the president stood up, walked to the Emperor, gesturing for a private place to speak softly: "Soone has poisoned the underground pipes and blocked them. After the backflow, the water overflowed, and the rats, frightened, swam in the water to escape, drank the poisoned water, carrying the virus. After biting, it spreads. Inform them imdiately, the rats must be exterminated. These people must be urgently sent to the hospital for treatnt. Additionally, issue a dia blackout order."
"Alright." The Emperor was alard and quickly summoned a security officer to give instructions. The officer urgently agreed and went to arrange things hurriedly.
Once the security officer left, the Emperor looked at the injured, with a solemn expression, he softly said: "Uncle, could it be that Ghost? I'd heard he is extrely formidable. I never expected such a tactic to be used against the palace. It seems we must evacuate; there are poisonous rats everywhere. It is no longer safe here."
"Leaving would be falling right into their trap. I am sure the opponent is using this tactic to force us out of the palace. The palace's defenses are strict; it's not easy to break into. However, this poison is not simple; it resembles the plague. For us ninjas, it's straightforward, but for others, it's not sothing easily concocted. I recall that Ghost was a soldier, and soldiers are honorable in their thods. It's impossible they would use such a sinister strategy. Could it really be this person?"
"It's entirely possible. Since the Ninja can concoct such a virus, can it be cured?" The Emperor asked the president worriedly. The palace was filled with rats carrying viruses. It was soon to be dark, making it easy to be bitten. If a cure exists, it's sowhat reassuring, but if not, wouldn't the palace fall into chaos? Upon seeing the president shake his head, the Emperor was dumbfounded.
"This virus can only be concocted. There are ways to neutralize the toxicity but it requires a lengthy period of adjustnt to completely eradicate it. There's no imdiate antidote," the president said quietly, a glint flickering in his half-closed eyes, clearly angered. After pondering for a mont, he continued: "Since the enemy wants to force us out, we absolutely cannot leave."
"But who will protect the palace? Do we have enough manpower?" the Emperor worriedly asked.
The company president noticed the Emperor's exposed weakness, let out a discontented snort, thought for a mont, and said, "Ninjas cannot participate in the rat extermination action. Mobilize the entire security regint; even if it ans turning the palace upside down, we must capture all the rats. Also, seal off all the sewers."
"What about household water drainage?" the Emperor worriedly asked.
"Uh?" The president was taken aback and beca annoyed. As a master ninja, the president could go days without eating, drinking, sleeping, or excreting, but many ordinary people lived in the palace. How would they manage their daily needs? Moreover, the palace hosted visitors every day. Would those be restricted as well? This wasn't rely a matter of speech.
Just then, a security regint officer ran over with a grim face, alarming the Emperor. The officer disregarded formalities, jogged up to the Emperor, saluted while panting, and reported, "Report, many dia reporters have arrived outside. They've learned about the plague in the palace and co for interviews. Our injured were seen leaving by journalists, making it difficult to explain. The reporters request an audience with the Emperor."
"Damn it." The president's expression turned grim, losing his prior composure. The glint in his half-closed eyes now glead fiercely. Waving a hand to signal the security regint officer to step away temporarily, he looked at the Emperor and said, "It seems we've underestimated the enemy's tactics. Perhaps the enemy is lurking among the reporters. Imdiately announce that the palace is under renovation and cannot receive anyone. As for the injured, say they were accidentally injured while working."
"Understood," the Emperor agreed, imdiately calling over the security regint officer to give a few instructions. The officer, looking troubled, rushed out.
However, as soon as the officer reached the gate, he saw countless reporters breaking through the barricades and flooding in. The guards struggled to hold them off. The officer instantly realized a major issue. Being able to breach the security line, there must be soone among the reporters. Shocked, the officer turned and ran back the way he ca, simultaneously notifying guards along the route to stop the reporters from advancing inside. The truth was unclear, everything still a guess; the officer couldn't imdiately order arrests.
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