7: Chapter 7: As long as one is human, one possesses humanity.

"Hey!" Zhou Yun was very surprised and waved his hands repeatedly. "Why are you doing this all of a sudden? What punishment? What crime could you possibly have committed?"

"Get up quickly!"

"If we really must talk, let's not dawdle. Hurry up and go cook a pot of rice! The patient is still waiting!"

"Thank you, City Lord!" Lei Lie stood up, his gaze firm, no longer hesitating.

"This subordinate will go cook the rice immediately!"

After saying this, he picked up the bag of Spiritual Qi rice and strode away, his destination being the kitchen inside the City Lord's mansion.

Zhou Yun smiled and shook his head.

It was just cooking rice; why make it so serious...

Little did he know, it wasn't just Lei Lie who was serious.

The City Guards, and even the citizens outside, were all exceptionally serious!

Because this was Spiritual Qi rice!!

Although they had never eaten Spiritual Qi rice, they knew its function and value!

While it could indeed be used to treat illnesses, it was a precious item worth 100 silver coins per jin!

Why was Spiritual Qi rice only sold in Intermediate cities, and not in lower-level cities or small cities like Flower City?

The reason was too simple!

The Spiritual Qi in lower-level cities and small cities was too thin!

If Spiritual Qi rice were kept in such an environment, the Spiritual Qi would continuously dissipate!

As the Spiritual Qi dissipated, the value of the Spiritual Qi rice would naturally decrease significantly.

Which merchant would be willing to engage in such a losing business?

But what about Zhou Yun?

He actually brought such Spiritual Qi rice to Flower City!

Not only did he take it out, but he also intended to use this Spiritual Qi rice to treat an illness!

Extravagant!

Too extravagant!

It was just a cold!

If one could find a cleric, a fee of 500 copper coins would be enough.

If one could find a Healer, it would only cost 300 copper coins!

But using Spiritual Qi rice?

Even a small bowl cost over a thousand copper coins!!

As they thought about this, their eyes unknowingly grew moist.

In this world, what was the least valuable thing?

Of course, it was life!

Some lives were more expensive than a Divine Artifact!

Yet their lives were cheaper than grass!

Others saw it this way, and they themselves thought the same!

But in the eyes of this Zhou Yun, it seemed different.

He distributed steamed buns to them, smiled when he saw them eating, and nodded in acknowledgment when they expressed their gratitude.

He abolished the metal rings because he didn't want them to be driven out of the city.

Now, he had even brought out precious Spiritual Qi rice, just to treat a little girl he had just met who had caught a cold!

The more they thought about it, the less they understood...

But the more they thought about it, the more moved they were!

What was this warm feeling inside?

Even this cold winter seemed less cold...

"The rice is here!!"

Lei Lie's voice arrived before he did.

The people in the hallway quickly cleared a wide path.

In the middle of the path, Lei Lie walked over with large strides, holding a small jar in both hands!

Entering the room, he carefully placed the small jar on the table and then opened the lid.

In an instant!

A fragrant, delicate aroma surged out from it, instantly filling the entire room and then drifting outside.

For a moment, whether inside or outside the room, there were sounds of people swallowing their saliva.

"So fragrant!"

"This scent..."

"Gulp!"

"Is this Spiritual Qi rice?"

"I really want to eat a bite! No, even a single grain would be good!"

"Why did you only make such a small amount?" Zhou Yun was speechless as he looked at the small jar, which was only the size of a palm at the bottom.

Lei Lie placed the rice bag back on the table and cupped his hands, saying:

"Spiritual Qi rice is precious; this subordinate dared not waste it."

No matter how precious it was, it was still just food...

With a sigh in his heart, he stepped forward, scooped up a full spoonful, blew on it, and brought it to the little girl's mouth. "Come, be careful, it's hot."

The little girl, who had been very weak, didn't know where she found the strength, but she sat up on her own without needing support, and then swallowed the Spiritual Qi rice from the spoon in one bite.

Then, without even chewing, she just swallowed it!

Zhou Yun smiled happily. "Don't rush, don't rush, there's more!"

Lei Lie sensibly brought the small jar to Zhou Yun's side to make it easier for him to feed her.

Just like that, one spoonful after another.

The little girl actually ate all the Spiritual Qi rice in the small jar in one go!

Seeing the empty jar, Zhou Yun was quite surprised!

Although the jar wasn't big, this was clearly not a portion a child so small could finish!

However, the little girl even licked her lips, still wanting more!

At this moment, her older brother suddenly said in surprise:

"Little sister! You didn't cough at all just now!"

"Eh?" The little girl seemed to have just realized this, and then she felt carefully. "I have strength, and I don't want to cough anymore!"

"Brother... I think I'm better?!"

The Little Boy quickly stepped forward and felt the little girl's forehead. Immediately, bean-sized tears fell. "It's not hot anymore, the fever has gone down! She's really better! She's really better!!"

"Thud!" The Little Boy knelt down without hesitation. Before Zhou Yun could react, he kowtowed three times. "Thank you, City Lord, for saving her life! Thank you, City Lord, for saving her life!"

"Speak properly!" Zhou Yun lifted the Little Boy up quite seriously, sighing as he looked at his bloodied forehead. "A man has gold under his knees; don't go kneeling so easily!"

"Yes!" The Little Boy replied loudly. His mouth was stretched as if smiling, but tears were streaming down as if crying; it was unclear whether he wanted to cry or smile.

"Brother!" The little girl got off the bed and hugged the Little Boy tightly.

This scene made everyone feel touched.

To Zhou Yun, it was just a small effort.

But to them, it was a narrow escape from death!

Just then, someone among the citizens in the courtyard suddenly knelt down.

"City Lord! Please save my grandfather!"

Immediately after, another person knelt down.

"City Lord! Please save my father!"

Then a third person... a fourth person... a fifth person...

Lei Lie stared blankly at this scene, unable to speak for a long time.

He had originally thought that if one got sick, they had to accept being driven out of the city; this was the basic Law of Flower City, and everyone would strictly follow it.

Because this concerned the stability of Flower City.

But now... the facts were right before his eyes!

So many people were not following the basic Law he had believed in!

These people were all just like the Little Boy!

Even though someone around them had a contagious disease, they had deliberately hidden it!

His first reaction was anger.

But immediately following that was a wave of powerlessness.

Although Flower City was a small city, it had a population of over sixty thousand.

But what about the City Guard? Including himself as the captain, there were only a mere 21 people!

If the entire Flower City didn't follow it consciously, even if they wanted to supervise, how could they possibly manage to supervise everyone?

Zhou Yun looked at Lei Lie.

Although Lei Lie didn't say anything, his expression explained everything.

However, compared to Lei Lie's confusion, Zhou Yun could fully understand everyone's actions.

It was simple, because everyone was human.

To be human is to have humanity.

If it was someone else who was sick, hard-hearted people might be able to turn a blind eye.

But what if the person who was sick was a friend, a brother, or a relative?

Who could really remain indifferent?