After six months of hard work, The Divine Land of Justice had reached a new level of development under its king's forward-thinking leadership. People were receiving their monthly rations when they heard a deep rumbling and the sharp whistle of the wind. The breeze grew stronger and colder, carrying the scent of wet earth. Then came the first drop of rain, marking the beginning of the year's first rainfall—a week-long downpour that would test the kingdom's preparedness.

  People were largely confined to their homes, though some still ventured out to work and fetch water from the wells. In the court hall, Jian Zhi voiced his concern. "Mr. Wén, if this rain continues, how will our people endure the cold? How will they manage their daily water needs?"

  Scribe Wén replied, "Your Majesty, your care for the people is clear. We have wells throughout the kingdom, and the people should have enough water. We have also distributed essential firewood that can last a month. While I believe we are prepared, it is wise to be cautious and plan for any damages this heavy rain might cause."

  Jian Zhi thought for a moment. "Mr. Wén, the rainwater will stagnate on roofs, roads, and the ground. We should build a system to guide this water to the rivers and into an underground pipeline. This could create a steam system to heat our houses during rainy and snowy seasons."

  Scribe Wén was stunned by the king's complex and visionary idea. "Your Majesty, I will immediately inform the engineers of the Alchemic and Blacksmith Branches to implement this." As Scribe Wén moved to carry out the order, Jian Zhi continued to mentally simulate the system. He quickly identified a potential flaw.

  "Mr. Wén, wait!" Jian Zhi called out. "Instead of pipes, use chains or straight rods to guide the water and snow. The density of snow could cause blockages in pipes." Scribe Wén nodded in agreement and hurried to relay the updated instructions.

  Just then, the messenger Lǐ Wéi (李维) rushed into the hall, panting. "Y-Your Majesty! There's a problem in the kingdom! In Dawnbreak Vale, people are falling sick—their bodies are burning with fever!"

  Jian Zhi remained calm. "Do you have a report from the district's medical branch?" Lǐ Wěi handed him a scroll detailing the disease.

  Mire-Fever (泥沼热 - Nízhǎo Rè)

  Mire-Fever is a debilitating but non-lethal illness that spreads in damp, unclean conditions, serving as a potent lesson in public health for those who ignore the laws of hygiene.

  · Cause: Prolonged exposure to contaminated water and dampness, combined with poor personal hygiene, allows a waterborne pathogen to thrive.· Symptoms: · A persistent, low-grade fever that comes in waves. · Aching joints and muscles, as if weighed down by mud. · Skin irritation and small, itchy blisters. · General weakness, fatigue, and mental fogginess.

  After reading the report, Jian Zhi summoned the medical branch. When they arrived, he explained the situation. Yù Huái, the head of the branch, offered a solution. "Your Majesty, I have seen these symptoms described in Dr. Kaelen's book, but the cure requires an herb not found in our kingdom."

  "Show me what this herb looks like," Jian Zhi commanded. She opened the book, and upon seeing the illustration, a memory sparked in his mind. "Where is it? Where?... [Ah!]... [He snapped his fingers] Found it!" He remembered encountering this unique leaf in the Giant Tree Forest. "It's the leaf of the Giant Tree. I had a feeling it was special, so I documented its characteristics. Here." He handed his notes to Yù Huái.

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  The Soul-Soothing Sylvan (安魂神木 - ānhún Shénmù)

  This is no ordinary tree. It is a majestic, colossal entity whose bark has the texture of polished jade and emits a faint, soothing warmth. Its leaves are massive, shield-like structures the size of a man, with veins that pulse with a soft, golden luminescence. They possess an incredibly efficient photosynthetic process, absorbing pure CO? and converting it into complex medicinal compounds.

  Its unique properties are a direct result of its environment:

  1. The Flow of Magic Waterfall: The tree's roots are constantly bathed in enchanted waters, absorbing the dissolved nutritional essence of the Dragon Scale Crystals, which catalyzes its miraculous growth and imbues it with potent healing energy.2. The Magma Streams: The geothermal heat from the magma veins beneath provides a constant, stable energy source, allowing for year-round growth and metabolic activity impossible for any normal plant.

  After reading the notes, Yù Huái said, "Your Majesty, I believe we can prepare a medicine from this herb. It might even be more effective than the original due to its unique environment." The medical branch set to work and successfully created the medicine, naming it after the tree itself: The Soul-Soothing Sylvan.

  When the rain finally stopped, Jian Zhi and the medical branch traveled to Dawnbreak Vale. At the station, Governor Bái Lù awaited the king's arrival. "Welcome, Your Majesty. I have prepared a camp for the sick, gathering them in one place for efficient treatment. This way, please."

  At the camp, the medicine was administered to the patients. One man drank it and soon began sweating profusely. "Wh-Why am I sweating so much? Is it even working?... [He checked his temperature] Your Majesty, I feel much better now! Thank you so much!" Soon, all the patients were sweating heavily, and within minutes, they were cured.

  Jian Zhi replied, "Do not thank me. Thank the medical branch of our kingdom." The gathered people immediately showered the medical branch with gratitude, moving its members to tears. Yù Huái whispered to Jian Zhi, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for giving us this opportunity." Smiles and happiness bloomed across the camp, and the importance of the Law of Self-Hygiene was powerfully reinforced.

  As the joy of the healing settled over Dawnbreak Vale, a different kind of pull began to tug at Jian Zhi's spirit—a pull towards the unknown secrets of his own palace, a mystery waiting in the quiet of the night.

  That night, Jian Zhi walked through the palace corridors, his steps leading him to the library. There, he noticed a unique statue. As he picked it up, a low rumbling sound filled the room, and a bookshelf slid open, revealing a hidden passage descending into darkness. Driven by curiosity, Jian Zhi stepped into the unknown.

  At the same time, Captain Zhào was sleeping in his room. His consciousness drifted into a dreamscape—his Heart's Domain (心域 - Xīnyù).

  [An Unknown Voice]: "Welcome to your Xīnyù: The Silent Frost-Forest (寂霜林 - Jí Shuāng Lín)."

  [Captain Zhào]: "The Silent Frost-Forest? Xīnyù? Who are you? Where am I?"

  [The Voice]: "Me? I am your Guardian. And your guide. Look here."

  Captain Zhào's eyes locked onto the source of the voice. There stood the Rooster (公鸡 - Gōngjī), its feathers gleaming like polished steel in the faint light. It fixed a profound gaze upon him, and a clarity—not of sound, but of pure understanding—flowed into his spirit.

  [The Rooster]: "You are a hidden blade, not a raging fire," the knowledge settled in his soul. "Your core is Metal—the discipline that holds your form, the sharpness of your strategy, the unyielding pursuit of order. It is the conductor's baton in your hand. But a blade alone can grow brittle. The Earth beneath you is your patience, the foundation that has borne the weight of your long silence. And the chill in this air? That is the Water within you, deep and still, allowing you to adapt and reflect, to wear a mask without it becoming your true face. Yet, you lack the vibrant growth of Wood and the transformative spark of Fire. You have been a winter soul, enduring. To truly awaken, you must find the seed that can grow in this snow, and the single spark that can warm this frost without melting your resolve."

  The Rooster paused, its gaze unwavering. "Are you ready to explore your Xīnyù?"

  Captain Zhào felt a mixture of confusion and sudden clarity. He was ready to follow his guide, even as questions raced through his mind: What is this place? What is its importance? Will I be able to return to the real world? The journey into his own soul had begun.