ENTER THE EPICENTER AREA 2

Since everyone was staring at Qing seriously, Qing was agonized for a moment, then looked for an excuse that did not match what she really wanted to say, "Your Highness... you are a Fan Wang! What if you are killed by that dreadful contagious disease?"

"That's right, Your Highness." Liu Ku chimed in. Of course, he had to prevent Zhu Su from going to Shuanghu District. "Who knows, you may not be as lucky as the last time. Moreover, you are dealing with an outbreak that kills dozens of people, of course, it is much more violent than The Southern Maggot!"

"I agree with Liu Changshi." Shao Rong also said. "Since they claim Shuanghu District as their territory, then just let them take care of this. You don't have to bother yourself with it. It's not your fault anyway, it's them who want to take away the responsibility."

Zhu Su's hands clenched tightly. His mouth was set in a hardline.

"You are wrong..." He said slowly. "Just because I am a Fan Wang, I have to make the people live peacefully no matter how severe the risk I have to face. Including passing through this danger. Don't worry," Zhu Su forced a smile as if he was very confident. "Before I go there, I'll take some stamina-boosting medicine to support my body. I won't be that stupid, getting into a dangerous area without any preparation." He sighed. "And more. I'm not that type of frustrated leader, the rebels just claim the area belongs to them insolently, but actually Ming is still the sovereign there. Therefore I, as a legitimate leader, still cannot run away from my responsibility!"

Zhu Su used the excuse that a leader must be responsible for the welfare of his people. It was correct... but not entirely correct. The truth was, he was very curious about the mysterious outbreak. Nevertheless, this was his nature, the mystery of the medical science would always make him interested in uncovering it no matter how difficult the hardships he must pass through!

***

In a dimly lit pavilion, Qing asked forcefully, "So you are still continuing that mission?"

Liu Ku, who was surrounded by all the members of the Team of Wellbeing, looked back at them and laughed sarcastically, "Of course! Her Highness agrees with me, and after all, didn't you guys agree and even support this mission at first? Because you guys are also angry with Huan Shikang and want him to be punished in this way?"

"But now His Highness has regained his vigor, Liu Changshi. And His Highness dislikes when innocent people become victims," Rui expressed his opinion.

"Yeah, and that's your wrong perspective. From ancient times, if you want to kill rebels until it's really finished, you must be willing to see innocent people die!"

"Okay, maybe your opinion is correct, Liu Changshi... but your action has violated humanity!" Xiong exclaimed.

"But that humanitarian path has not yet to show any significant result."

"Be patient, Liu Ku. First of all, we recruit people to be loyal to us. We haven't yet arrived at the time to subjugate them!"

"I don't like that suggestion, because in reality the suggestion always leaves a tiny problem which will swell in the future!"

"You are indeed a shrewd strategist... but it turns out, that you are also a ruthless person, Liu Changshi!"

Silence. Liu Ku glared at Xiong, who said earlier, in annoyance.

"Looks like you want to oppose me." Liu Ku said calmly. "So, you want to report it to His Highness?"

"If you cross the line, of course, we..."

"Then you'll face with Her Highness Wang Fei."

Silence again.

"Her Highness Wang Fei loves Zhou Wang so much. She does this, because of her deep love for her husband. She has figured out that his enemy is so ruthless, can send The Maggot to kill Zhou Wang. They are also very shrewd, because they dare to kill within the palace... even how they put the poison is still undetected!... So, facing such a cruel and shrewd enemy, should you fight it with a soft attitude? It is Wang Fei herself who wants to use this method. So I warn you. If you oppose this plan, you will face Wang Fei."

Liu Ku crossed his arms, face filled with a triumphant expression. That was indeed a magical sentence that would force everyone to be silent. He was idle to argue with them anyway, his way of thinking with them was not in line. The debate would never end. Of course, he must close it as soon as possible.

So that he could keep focusing on the success of his goals.

***

Of course, Hu Nayin disapproved Zhu Su's departure so much. She kept gripping Zhu Su's hand tightly. "Your Highness... you can't go!"

"Have I told you, that I won't catch the disease, so don't worry, okay?... Stay here with our child and wait for my return."

Hu Nayin still did not let go of her hand. Zhu Su began to get annoyed.

"Let me go, Nayin. I have to go." Zhu Su waved his hand. But Hu Nayin still did not release her grip.

"You can't go! You must stay here!"

"Nayin! What's wrong with you?! Come on, release my hands!"

"No! You can't go!"

Zhu Su began to be tensed up. But on the other hand, something flicked his mind. He never saw Hu Nayin to be like this. Hu Nayin always nodded in approval of whatever his activities, even though he found that the Wang Fei did not really like it, but she would still follow him. But now, why was she different? Even Hu Nayin looked at him with wet eyes as if she was about to cry in a moment.

"Nayin! How can you be so childish?! Or you wish me to say, "This is an order, you have to let me go!" then you just let me go?!"

"Your Highness... please don't go... I beg of you..." Hu Nayin's cry finally broke out. "For me... and our baby... please..."

Hu Nayin cried aloud. Zhu Su bit his lip. He was really goofy with Hu Nayin's behavior. She looks afraid, as if I would die if she lets go of his hands?! Does a woman have a strange thought in the third semester of pregnancy? But his mind was really roily because of Hu Nayin's loud crying. He had no other way but to give in. "Alright... Nayin... I stay here..."

Hu Nayin's eyes sparkled happily. "Really, Your Highness?!"

"Yes."

Hu Nayin immediately stopped crying. She beamed. "Thank you, Your Highness! I am just worried... because it is such a terrible place! I am afraid that you can be killed by that terrible disease! I am afraid of losing you!"

Zhu Su smiled. He embraced Hu Nayin in a hug. Then stroked her head. "Yes, my dear Nayin. Don't worry anymore, okay? I'll be fine, I'll be with you, and we'll live happily ever after."

"Yes... Your Highness..." Leaning on Zhu Su's chest, Hu Nayin burst into tears once again. But this time, that was the tears of joy.

And Zhu Su himself, he was still stroking Hu Nayin's head, but his mind was busy thinking about another thing. Yes, Nayin. I will stay here right now... but I can go later, and at that time, you can't stop me.

That's right. I will find a way so that she can't prevent me from leaving here. You must understand that, my dear Nayin. That is, once I have been determined to do something, nothing will be able to stop me. Including you.