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Chapter 182 182. Song Jun
Yin Ju narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze lingering on Xia Qizhen for a moment, before speaking in a neutral tone:
"That's quite unusual. When did Elder Xia become so kind and compassionate?"

The Light faction has always been adept at scheming, and Xia Qizhen must have something in mind for this trip.

Faced with this subtly pointed question, Xia Qizhen remained calm and composed, a gentle smile playing on his lips:

"I do indeed have other plans. However—"

Her expression shifted slightly:
"My plan does not contradict the needs of the Water Resources Bureau Director. I wonder if Lord Yin would be willing to listen?"

Yin Ju raised an eyebrow slightly and said calmly:

"Appreciate further details."

Xia Qizhen cupped his hands again and slowly said:
“The flood in Haidu was followed by a great plague, and the people covered in pus and blood in this tent are the best omen.”

"This disease is ineffective with medication and can only be treated by those with healing talents—but this disease is highly contagious, and the next few days will be the peak of the outbreak. Can you really find enough people with healing talents?"

Yin Ju simply took a sip of tea and remained silent.

Although he is affiliated with the War Alliance, if he were to apply to the Alliance for assistance from healing talents, he would most likely be rejected by the command headquarters.

This stems from the unique nature of Haidu, where criminal elements are rampant and organ smuggling and other trades are common, much like Myanmar before the apocalypse. Legitimate forces are unwilling to support such a criminal trading hub, fearing that healing-type talents sent out might not return.

Therefore, if such a large-scale epidemic breaks out, the only option is to find local healers—but is it really possible to find one?
This is also a big problem.

Yin Ju looked up and glanced at Xia Qizhen, then asked:

"So what do you want to say?"

Xia Qizhen smiled slightly:
"I have a candidate I recommend. Let's see if Lord Yin is willing to give him an important position."

With a wave of her hand, the girl beside her stepped forward.

The girl's back was as straight as a pine tree, and when she clasped her hands in a salute, her sleeves remained perfectly still. Her clear voice, though still somewhat childish, was firm and resonant.

"Song Jun of the Song family, a top-tier S-level healer with exceptional talent, is willing to share your burdens, sir."

Yin Ju paused slightly, glanced at the girl, then turned his gaze to Xia Qizhen, trying to discern the true purpose of this strategist from her dark eyes:
"I've never heard of any female descendants in the Song family this generation. Is this her biological daughter, or...?"

—What about those that were picked up and then had their surnames changed?

Xia Qizhen's smile remained unchanged as she slowly said:

"None of that matters. What matters is that she's an S-rank healing talent user, and a female descendant, isn't she?"

Yin Ju didn't ask any further questions; he suddenly understood Xia Qizhen's purpose.

The first head of the Song family was a woman, because only female descendants could obtain powerful healing abilities. Therefore, the heads of the family in subsequent generations have all been women, and there has never been a male successor to this day.

This generation, however, has made a mistake, producing a bunch of male offspring, none of whom are fit to succeed them.

In her early years, the Song family head wasn't worried, thinking that she would have a daughter sooner or later. However, as one son after another was born, she gradually began to panic.

Before his youngest son was born, the head of the Song family heard that there were feudal superstitions in ordinary society, and that if you prayed before the child was born, you could get what you wanted.

So she traveled a long way to the scene, only to find that everyone there was asking for a son.

She had already walked into the temple when she saw that the statue of the god of children was holding a baby boy. She immediately felt extremely unlucky and rushed back. Then she heard the devastating news that her youngest son had been born, and she was almost on the verge of collapse.

Just like in ancient feudal dynasties, once the main line of the dynasty had no male heirs, ministers would promptly "discover the emperor's missing offspring," meaning the right of succession would never fall to the princess.

Xia Qizhen was playing this role, but in the realm of talent, strength is valued. Therefore, the child she chose was not only a girl, but also possessed healing abilities that could easily surpass Song Jingjun's. Now everything was ready, except for a brilliant start to bring Song Jun into the Song family head's sights and into the center of power within the Song family.

Yin Ju understood immediately; Xia Qizhen was planning to use the Haidu epidemic as an opportunity to pave a bright future for Song Jun.

He lowered his eyes and looked at the little girl in front of him.

Song Jingjun of the Song family was only eight years old, while Song Jun in front of them was about ten years old.

Although his face still looks very young, his brows reveal a determination beyond his years.

His speech and demeanor were measured and his manners were clear. His slender figure standing in the tent exuded a steadfast integrity. Anyone with discerning eyes could tell that he was no ordinary person.

—The Light faction certainly knows how to pick people; they really did choose a good successor for the Song family.

Yin Ju thought of Song Jingjun again. He himself did not intend to participate in the Xuanwu Gate incident of the Song family, but the situation in Haidu was urgent, and Song Jun's arrival was indeed the only hope for the epidemic in Haidu.

Therefore, he nodded slightly, his eyes filled with scrutiny and expectation.

Yin Ju slowly extended his right hand, his tone solemn:
"It's a pleasure to meet you, future head of the Song family."

Song Jun remained calm and composed, extending her hand to shake his without being humble or arrogant.

The girl's slender fingers, however, exuded a formidable strength, and her voice was clear and resolute:
"I will certainly live up to your trust in dealing with the epidemic in Haidu."

In the slanting morning light, a hint of admiration flashed in Yin Ju's eyes. This child's demeanor truly had the bearing of a future family head.

He then looked at Xia Qizhen behind the girl and said:

"To be honest, there's something else I'm curious about."

"You say."

Xia Qizhen said.

"I heard about the underwater contaminated area from Jiang Jianxin. There was a male elder from the Dream Pavilion with her named Xia Qizhen. Is he some kind of relative of yours?"

Yin Ju asked.

Xia Qizhen laughed:
"That's my second personality—you may not have heard of it, but my ability [Multiple Personalities] allows me to split into several different versions of myself with different experiences and identities."

"No wonder, I was wondering why... a frail member of the Light faction would personally venture into the contaminated zone, it turns out he was just your clone."

Yin Ju looked straight at her:
"So, the pandemic wasn't something you planned in advance, was it?"

Xia Qizhen chuckled softly upon hearing this, a hint of mockery flickering at the corner of his eyes:

"Lord Yin is joking. If I truly possessed such abilities, I would likely be an elder in an asylum right now, not in the Song family."

She lightly touched her cuff with her fingertips, her tone humble and composed:
"I am merely a fisherman who casts a wide net, and I just happened to catch the fish I wanted."

After saying this, she bowed and led Song Jun away gracefully.

Xiao Zhang quickly followed, leading the two to their lodgings.

Silence returned to the tent, with only Yin Ju standing there.

He sipped his goji berry tea slowly, the rising steam obscuring his thoughtful expression.