Chapter 2967

Ouyang Tianyun and Yan Xiwan stepped out of the painting. Ouyang Tianyun dripped a drop of blood to seal the scroll away, then turned his attention to Yan Tieniu and Wang Suyan.

Yan Tieniu and Wang Suyan were asleep on the sofa. It seemed the demon spirit had put them to sleep. This was actually a good thing; at least Ouyang Tianyun and Yan Xiwan didn’t have to worry about them being terrified.

After checking Yan Tieniu and Wang Suyan to ensure they were unharmed, Ouyang Tianyun and Yan Xiwan carried them back to their rooms. By the time they woke up, they would have forgotten everything that happened inside the Thousand Li of Rivers and Mountains painting.

Yan Xiwan checked the time and went to prepare dinner.

Just as Yan Xiwan was taking the second dish out of the pot, Wang Suyan walked in.

"You two didn’t even wake us up when you got back," Wang Suyan said, smiling as she efficiently tied an apron around her waist. "Let me help."

"No, I’ll do it. It’s rare for me to be home, so today you can taste my cooking," Yan Xiwan said with a grin.

Seeing Yan Xiwan’s insistence, Wang Suyan didn’t argue. She just stood by to help. "When did you get back?"

"We returned a little after three, right after the wedding banquet. We saw you and Dad sleeping soundly, so we didn’t want to disturb you," Yan Xiwan said, looking at the dishes. "By the way, I left two bags of wedding candy on the shelf. You and Dad can eat them."

"Didn’t you take any to school?" Wang Suyan asked.

"Wushuang is getting married. She’ll bring wedding candy back to school then. If I want some, I can just ask her," Yan Xiwan shook her head. "Besides, although I like sweet pastries and food, eating candy all the time would ruin my teeth."

Wang Suyan nodded. "Your second brother called recently. He said he’ll find time to come home around the New Year, and he’ll bring his girlfriend with him."

"Second brother has a girlfriend? Where is she from?" Yan Xiwan asked curiously.

"He said she’s a battlefield nurse from his team. He said she’s a good person. We’ll know more details when your second brother arrives," Wang Suyan explained honestly.

Yan Xiwan nodded slightly. "So Second Brother finally has someone. That leaves only Little Brother single."

Wang Suyan laughed. "Originally, your father and I planned to go to Yan Village for the New Year. Your grandparents are getting old, and we wanted to spend more time with them. Every day together is one less day."

Yan Xiwan suggested, "How about we invite Grandpa and Grandma to the capital to celebrate the New Year with us? That way, they can meet Big Brother’s girlfriend too."

Wang Suyan considered Yan Xiwan’s suggestion. "That’s a good idea. But I still need to discuss it with your father."

Yan Xiwan didn’t make the final decision; she was just offering a suggestion.

During dinner, Yan Xiwan noticed Yan Zhicheng was missing. "It’s the National Day holiday. Didn’t Big Brother come back?"

"He did. But your sister-in-law Chunxiang’s family asked him over to discuss a new wedding date," Wang Suyan explained.

Originally, Yan Zhicheng and Tian Chunxiang’s wedding was set for the National Day holiday. However, a relative from Tian Chunxiang’s hometown passed away. The timing was awkward, so they had to postpone the wedding until the end of the year.

"Actually, the end of the year is fine too. By then, Second Brother and Little Brother might be back. Big Brother will have people to help him drink during the banquet," Yan Xiwan said with a smile.

Wang Suyan also smiled. "Even without your second and little brothers, your cousins will come. Don’t worry about no one helping your brother with the drinking."

As they spoke, the radio nearby broadcasted the news: "Latest report: A strange illness has appeared in Zebra City. Every patient has developed red rashes. According to experts, it is likely the HL disease."

Yan Xiwan froze upon hearing this. She stood up immediately. "I’m going to the shop to make a phone call."

Ouyang Tianyun understood Yan Xiwan’s intent. "Take your time."

Yan Xiwan didn’t hesitate. She went to the side to make a call, dialing Professor Feng first. "Teacher, is it true that HL has appeared in Zebra City?"

Professor Feng asked, "You’ve already heard the news?"

"The radio just broadcasted it," Yan Xiwan said.

"It’s true. The school is planning to organize a team of relevant personnel to go to the front lines in Zebra City," Professor Feng said.

"Teacher, give me a spot. I want to go too," Yan Xiwan said directly.

"Are you sure you want to go? It’s HL. The vaccine hasn’t been developed yet," Professor Feng warned.

"Exactly because the vaccine isn’t out, I need to go. Teacher, you know my pharmaceutical skills are better than average. I’ve also started researching HL recently. I believe that if I go to the front lines, I might shorten the time needed to develop the vaccine."

Yan Xiwan had her own reasons, so she stated her case clearly.

Professor Feng said, "I understand your mindset. It’s good for you to go, but you must tell your parents and your master. Only if they agree can I register you."

Yan Xiwan didn’t hesitate. She was determined to go to Zebra City. Since Professor Feng had set this condition, she naturally agreed. Besides, Professor Feng was doing this for her own good. So, she replied without a second thought, "Okay. I’ll talk to my parents about this right away."

"Alright. Once they agree, call me, and I’ll register you," Professor Feng said.

Yan Xiwan hung up and returned home.

Ouyang Tianyun saw her enter and said knowingly, "You want to go to the front lines."

"Yes," Yan Xiwan nodded.

"I have no objections," Ouyang Tianyun said. He had been through similar situations himself. Whenever there was a need for him, he always went to the front lines alone.

Although he was worried and reluctant to let Yan Xiwan go, he wouldn’t stop her. After all, this was related to Yan Xiwan’s growth.

Yan Xiwan smiled slightly at Ouyang Tianyun. She knew she understood her very well.

Yan Xiwan then walked to her parents. "Mom, Dad, our school is organizing outstanding students to go to Zebra City. I want to apply."

Yan Tieniu and Wang Suyan fell silent.

"Is it absolutely necessary for you to go?" Yan Tieniu asked.

Yan Xiwan nodded slightly. "Actually, I’ve been researching the HL vaccine for some time. But without direct observation, progress was slow. Now that HL has broken out in Zebra City, if I go, I can help treat the patients. More importantly, my main task will be to research the vaccine. I have more experience in this area than they do."

Hearing his daughter’s words, Yan Tieniu pondered again. Then he said, "What if your mother and I are worried and don’t want you to go?"

"Dad, Mom, I promise I will return safely," Yan Xiwan told Yan Tieniu and Wang Suyan.

"Fine, go," Yan Tieniu finally agreed.

Wang Suyan sighed. "I originally thought that since you studied medicine, you would be safe. I didn’t expect that the outbreak of HL would send you to the front lines."

Yan Xiwan knew Wang Suyan was worried about her. She smiled and said, "Mom, don’t worry. Your daughter will definitely be fine. This time, I will definitely develop the HL vaccine."

Wang Suyan looked deeply at Yan Xiwan. "Even if I oppose it, it’s useless. Your father has agreed, so I agree too. But you must promise your mother that you will come back whole and unharmed."

"I promise I will return without a single scratch," Yan Xiwan assured Wang Suyan.

"You two can go talk outside. I’ll go prepare some dry rations for you," Wang Suyan said, finding an excuse to leave, even though Yan Xiwan hadn’t left yet.

Ouyang Tianyun held Yan Xiwan’s hand and walked out of the house. They walked slowly along the road.

"Return safely," Ouyang Tianyun said. He didn’t say anything else. He understood Yan Xiwan’s mind, so the only thing he could say were these four words.

Yan Xiwan nodded firmly and said, "Don’t worry. I will definitely return safely."

Seeing Yan Xiwan’s serious expression, Ouyang Tianyun smiled lightly. "To be honest, I really don’t want you to go. But I know I can’t stop you, so I can only let you go."

Hearing this, a smile appeared on Yan Xiwan’s face. "Don’t you know me? I am your only Dao companion."

"Yes," Ouyang Tianyun said. "I believe in your ability. Developing the HL vaccine won’t be difficult for you. Try to come back as soon as possible."

"Actually, I already have the HL vaccine in my space. It was left by my mother. But I can’t just take it out rashly, so the research process is still necessary," Yan Xiwan didn’t hide this fact.

Zhuyan Yi was originally a mortal who ascended, so she naturally knew about various epidemics in the mortal world. After knowing her daughter studied medicine, she naturally left samples of various vaccines.

Yan Xiwan had wanted to take out the HL vaccine for a long time. However, since she hadn’t experienced the outbreak herself, if she just produced the vaccine, no one would believe her.

Yan Xiwan had originally planned to switch to another project. Unexpectedly, the HL virus appeared now. This was good; she could take this opportunity to bring it out.

"En," Ouyang Tianyun said. Although he was reluctant to let Yan Xiwan go, he knew that with Yan Xiwan’s abilities, there would be no danger. There might be some fatigue, but that little bit of tiredness was nothing for cultivators like them.

"Go early, return early." Again, four words.

"Okay," Yan Xiwan smiled and agreed again.

After convincing her parents, Yan Xiwan went to find Old Yuan.

Old Yuan also knew that the front lines truly needed someone like Yan Xiwan, so she agreed. Thus, Yan Xiwan went to find Professor Feng early the next day, and Professor Feng submitted her name.

The school gave each registered student three days to prepare. Three days later, they would gather at the school and form a convoy to go to Zebra City.

Yan Xiwan didn’t rest during these few days. She had to prepare everything thoroughly because on the front lines, no one knew what might happen.

Three days later, Yan Xiwan and other students from the school, led by Professor Feng and another professor, set off for Zebra City.

The outbreak of HL in Zebra City was the first viral attack since the founding of the country.

Hospitals in Zebra City were already filled with a large number of patients.

By the time Yan Xiwan and her group arrived, they had been on a long-distance bus for three days and three nights.

The bus operated in shifts, running twenty-four hours a day. Except for brief stops to rest and use the restroom, Yan Xiwan and her group spent the entire journey on the bus.