Chapter 581: Chapter 581

Song Bin wiped his sweat. Not stir up trouble? After today, you all might be leaving horizontally.

「That very day」 was originally slated for the Imperial City Pharmaceutical Association’s live-streamed competition. However, rumors were flying, and everyone online who was keenly following the competition was also bewildered. "Come on, start already! This is about next year’s resource distribution! Otherwise, why would everyone go to such lengths to send their precious medicinal materials here?"

Indeed, a competition that had already started was abruptly halted. Rumor had it that one Medicine Association had caused the stoppage, leaving the others to only stand by, idly checking the barrage of messages on the big data screens.

Many dissatisfied individuals paced around the hall, while the well-informed relayed updates non-stop. Word had it that the Chief Referee had personally intervened, and even the Epidemic Prevention Department had gotten involved.

Of course, news from these bigwigs wasn’t enough to shock the participating Medicine Associations. After all, not all of them were from Imperial Capital, so they neither fully understood nor particularly cared about the extent of these individuals’ influence.

What actually brought a sudden silence to the venue was a flashing message on the big screen. It announced that the Fuhai Pharmaceutical Association had been disqualified from the competition for ignoring the rules. Furthermore, the Fuhai Association President had been directly removed from his post by the Emperor City General Pharmaceutical Association! The Fuhai Pharmaceutical Association was also publicly named and criticized.

This was immediately followed by another announcement: "The cancellation of the Wu City Pharmaceutical Association’s participation was due to an operational error by Team Leader Zhang and his group from the Imperial City Pharmaceutical Association. Team Leader Zhang and his group have now been dismissed. We apologize for the inconvenience caused to the members of the Wu City Pharmaceutical Association and the general public! We will learn from this lesson and improve our logistical support in the future..."

As soon as the news broke, those attentively following Wu City’s situation immediately reported it, causing another huge stir there.

「Imperial City Pharmaceutical Association Competition Venue.」

"Wu City Pharmaceutical Association got disqualified? I didn’t even notice."

"Now everyone knows! Holy shit, this is like an indirect apology, isn’t it? That’s so badass!"

"You’re telling me there’s no inside story? I don’t believe a mere operational mistake could lead to disqualification."

"That’s what you all don’t know. A while ago, Fuhai came to us seeking an alliance. They wanted to take first place and offered many benefits, but our president didn’t agree. Did they think we were fools? First place this time wins New Energy!"

"So what? What does that have to do with this?"

"Fuhai bribed the investigation team. They knew Wu City had reported a batch of Bodhi and were probably planning to seize Wu City’s Bodhi to win the pharmaceutical rights this time... But speaking of risks, Bodhi can’t completely suppress these parasites."

"Hmph, I guess Fuhai really messed up this time. They didn’t manage to take anyone down but got themselves kicked out instead."

"Sigh, none of that’s important now. What you need to know is that the Wu City Pharmaceutical Association might have indeed had their participation canceled, but now they’re back, apparently ignoring their disqualification. This competition, tsk tsk, is going to be quite a show."

"That just shows Wu City really has something valuable, something useful. Otherwise, who would bother with them?"

「While both sides were in a flurry of activity, things were much calmer on Jing Shu’s end.」 First, she compensated poor Song Bin. Then, she arranged the renewal of various agreements with the tank merchant regarding the Great Goose. After they all had a lively meal, a LOUD RUMBLING sound of vehicles approaching came from outside.

From afar, Danai’s excited voice could be heard, which then turned to surprise and panic. "Jing Shu, there are so many vehicles outside! So many... This doesn’t seem normal."

Song Bin, now full and much calmer, glanced at Danai. Your president has caused such a commotion; it’s definitely alerted many influential people. In all his years in Imperial Capital, he’d never seen these genuine academics act so deferential. True researchers are usually quite arrogant, but today, their attitude towards Jing Shu was exceptionally polite.

Song Bin looked at Jing Shu again and shook his head. It was just about examining a corpse, wasn’t it? How on earth did this person manage to win over the biggest BOSS?

The Pharmacists from the Wu City Pharmaceutical Association watched eagerly, whispering among themselves, "Could they be here to pick us up?"

"You’re overthinking it! This convoy is too grand for that!"

Just then, a man stumbled out of one of the vehicles. It was none other than Team Leader Zhang, the very person who had deliberately ignored the Wu City Pharmaceutical Association’s calls.

Spotting Jing Shu, who was calmly watching the spectacle, he rushed forward intending to embrace her but missed, grabbing at empty air. Unfazed, he began to cry and laugh simultaneously. "President Jing, you must have been waiting a long time! We’re here to escort you! I’m so, so sorry, this is all my fault! I’m not asking for anything else now, just please, come with us to the competition!" If they go to the competition, I’ll only be dismissed. If they don’t... Team Leader Zhang shivered.

The Pharmacists widened their eyes. What... what on earth is happening?

But even more shocking developments were to follow. Several more people disembarked, led by an individual being supported by Minister Zhao. They approached quickly. Minister Zhao, though his expression was stern, spoke in a surprisingly polite tone, "We’ve investigated thoroughly. The Imperial City Pharmaceutical Association made an error; your association did not violate any regulations. Therefore, the Wu City Pharmaceutical Association’s eligibility to compete will not be revoked. The individuals responsible for the mistake have been dealt with, and this matter has been announced publicly online. This is Brother Zhang... the Chief Referee of the competition."

The elderly man being supported, though his legs were unsteady, was in high spirits. He nodded with a cheerful smile. "Everyone responsible has been dealt with. If you have any other concerns or suggestions, please feel free to bring them up for discussion!"

Upon hearing this, Team Leader Zhang trembled violently. Who the hell could have imagined that an obscure, small place like Wu City possessed such immense influence? All these top figures were personally coming to extend an invitation! Did that Undead Chairman Wang still want to play dirty and double-cross them? Hah! Truly overestimating her own capabilities!

The Wu City Pharmacists were dumbfounded, finally realizing something was very wrong. It’s just a competition, so why have all these important figures shown up? And more importantly, do they seem to be here to apologize?

After enthusiastically greeting everyone and exchanging some pleasantries, Jing Shu suddenly asked, "Team Leader Zhang, what about Chairman Wang? The one who said she’d teach me what rules truly are? Didn’t she come along? Today, I wanted to principle with her: it’s not about who shouts the loudest or who has the grandest title. It’s about who possesses more value—that person *is* the rule."

Team Leader Zhang gave a wry smile. Just the other day, they were the ones high and mighty, the self-proclaimed Rule Makers who had cast aside the Wu City Pharmaceutical Association, capable of revoking Wu City’s participation with a simple scheme. And today? He’d heard Wu City had discovered the antidote, which explained this treatment. Their loss wasn’t unfair.

What were rules, anyway? This woman before him had shown him! So, the bold words she’d spoken that day weren’t just empty boasts; she truly possessed the power to back them up.

"Her? I’m afraid she won’t be able to make it. She’s already been escorted back to Fuhai. The Fuhai Pharmaceutical Association’s eligibility was revoked due to irregular operations."

Jing Shu raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised. Quite ruthless. But she liked it.

Team Leader Zhang then asked tentatively, "So, shall we depart? To the competition?"

"Alright, let’s go then," Jing Shu agreed, clapping her hands. "Take good care of our medicinal ingredients!"

"Absolutely, absolutely!"

「Later, at the competition venue...」

"They’re here, they’re here!"

"The Chief Referee is here! Minister Zhao is here too!"

"And the Wu City Pharmaceutical Association is with them! Heavens, why are they together? So the competition halt really *was* for them!"