"Well then, we'll see each other next time."
"Find some shelter and wait obediently, I'll come get you when I'm done. Don't even think about leaving without permission. Without a pass, you can't go anywhere. Breaking the competition rules is the same as forfeiting," Zhang Xian threatened.
The bus doors closed, and it slowly pulled away. The girl in the big padded coat got off, smiling under the lights and waving at them as if she were sending off family.
Zhang Xian couldn't understand it. Even after humiliating her this much, why was she still smiling so sweetly? He didn't get a shred of superiority from it, and his frown deepened as a sense of unease crept in. "This woman knows we're targeting Wu City, she's bound to do something… what if we really alert the higher-ups…"
The middle-aged woman didn't even flinch. "Don't worry about it. Right now the capital is in chaos because of that matter, no one has time for this. What matters is, whoever solves a problem at a critical moment becomes a hero. To be a hero, we have to act this way. Don't you agree?"
Zhang Xian rolled his eyes in his mind. He was just along for the ride, not worth paying a heavy price for, but he still asked, "Is the second phase of the plan going ahead?"
"We'll pick them up from the site tonight as usual. Don't leave any loose ends. After all, there's still a lot they'll need to cooperate on."
President Wang tapped her leg, confident the method wasn't crude. It wasn't just about making them wait for a few hours or humiliating them. The key was delaying time. The humiliation alone wouldn't help, though it felt satisfying. Lao Zhou was too rigid. If everyone shared the resources this time, and the glory went to her, wouldn't that be better? Rules… what exactly are they?
Jing Shu smiled and pulled out her phone.
Soon, trucks with passes from the Food Regulation Bureau carried the fully loaded herbs away, disappearing entirely into the night.
...
"President Jing, this place doesn't look like the capital's Medicinal Herb Association at all! This is… way too…"
"Yeah!" It really didn't look like it.
"Why are you so fussy? No matter where we are, the president's gotta lead us for the competition," someone muttered, trying to calm everyone down.
The pharmacists were cold and hungry. They'd finally settled in, checked on the precious herbs, and had a quick meal of dry food with hot water. Only then did they start noticing their surroundings. Something felt off.
The place looked like a huge warehouse—empty, echoing, well sealed, and eerily isolated.
Jing Shu sipped her goji-red date-ginger tea and smiled. "You all know there are too many people now. It'll be a long wait for the Herb Association to come get us. For now, we'll rest here, get some sleep, and wait for them. Danai, arrange the night watch. Everyone else, rest."
"Got it," Wang Danai said, blinking. "Wait a second, does this mean if they don't pick us up, we just… stay here?"
She had quietly asked Jing Shu earlier why, after finding a vehicle, they didn't just go straight to the competition site. Jing Shu had just smiled and said not to rush, and to disappear for a few days to scare them. Wang Danai swallowed hard and didn't say another word. Wu City wasn't exactly powerless; even if they vanished, no one would really care.
Jing Shu left the warehouse with the Xiao Dou, and at the door, they were met by Tank grinning.
"Mirror, everything's settled? Don't worry, this used to be a Food Regulation Bureau storage warehouse. Your herbs are safe inside. Come on, come on, my sister made porridge patties and egg soup, warm yourselves first."
Tank felt guilty. They had gone to Mirror's place, where he had been served the best meat and rice, and here, after traveling to the capital, this was all they could offer.
"Food's fine, thanks for the thought, but there's something more important I need you to do…" Jing Shu frowned, starting to explain.
That Fuhai Herb Association situation could only be a few things: old grudges, blocking their profits, or upcoming conflicts of interest. She represented Wu City's interests, so they had a reason to interfere.
If it was just old grudges, fine. But if it was about profits, things would get complicated. They'd have backup plans. It was better to step out of their trap first, gather information, and act accordingly.
Tank nodded slightly, understanding. "Makes sense. Your first day in the capital, and you're already being targeted. If nothing's up inside, I wouldn't even believe it. And as you said, the competition was announced suddenly. Something's definitely going on.
Unfortunately, our position doesn't give us much info. The Jun family should know some inside details. I'll go check. But yes, something unusual has happened in the capital recently."
"What unusual things?"
"Reported death rates spiked in several regions, then martial law was imposed. Previously, corpses were sent to special research sites. Now, all corpses are being cremated or buried secretly. Nobody knows why."
Jing Shu raised an eyebrow. She knew the higher-ups had been repurposing corpses before. Now, they were being destroyed outright.
But were these matters related? Why did death rates rise? Did it have anything to do with the competition?
...
The capital's night was as peaceful as usual. Yet, this night was destined to be anything but. Some were busy, some running, and some were cursing at the airport all night.
Zhang Xian never imagined that a bunch of rural bumpkins would vanish, daring to leave without waiting for him! And they turned off their phones! He'd made threats; leaving without permission broke the rules! Weren't they afraid of being disqualified?
How had a few people taken several trucks of herbs and disappeared? With martial law in place and trucks controlled, who the hell dared pick them up? Were they robbed? Losing so many people and herbs like this couldn't be covered. Higher-ups would hold someone accountable.
Zhang Xian's mind spun in chaos. Shaking, he called President Wang to explain the situation.
"The real show's coming later. Wait for Wu City Herb Association to show up themselves, then report disqualification. The plan remains the same," President Wang said, hanging up. Half an hour later, she summoned her secretary, handing over a brand-new plan with instructions:
"No matter what, we have to secure this production right!"
Zhang Xian swore in frustration. The first half of the night he'd been cursing the Wu City idiots for being reckless. The second half, he'd cursed Fuhai for being ungrateful and treacherous. Two days passed with no word from Wu City Herb Association. All other associations had arrived, and the competition was about to start. Only then did he truly panic, and he finally called President Wang for help again.