Chapter 21: Betting with the Shaman

"You female, what are you saying?"

A Yue didn't expect this female to be so sharp‑tongued; she was forced by Nan Qinghuan to retreat step by step. This female is bold enough to slander her? "A Yue sister, Qinghuan healed A Tu's illness; I believe she can save…"

"Shut up, what do you know? She's not one of our tribe; how could she sincerely help us?"

"She is our Oum, Ying just said it, you must pay respects to Oum."

"What Oum? I don't acknowledge it."

A Yue stamped her foot in anger, about to throw a tantrum, when mother hurried over to Nan Qinghuan's side, "Qinghuan, can you really save those females? Don't talk nonsense, this is a serious matter."

"Mother, I'm not lying, I truly can save these females. Ying, you believe me, let me try."

"Ying, you must never listen to her; she'll kill them."

Ying, seeing Nan Qinghuan voluntarily request to save those females, thought of the marvelous treasures she carried; perhaps his Qinghuan will have a way.

Nan Qinghuan, seeing Ying silent, hurriedly added, "Since they're all doomed, why not try? Try to see if there's still a chance of life?"

Ying, seeing her so confident, also worried, "Qinghuan, come with me back; their lives and deaths are destined by Heaven."

"No, I don't believe in Heaven; I believe man can overcome Heaven."

After saying that, she turned her head toward Ying's mother, "Mother, help me."

She knew this mother was kind‑hearted and would surely help her save people.

The mother, seeing her grasp his hand with sincere eyes, finally relented, thought for a moment, and looked at A Yue, "A Yue, even the Shaman Healer can't save them; let Qinghuan try?"

"Mother, do you believe this outsider?"

Mother shook her head, "I only trust what my eyes see. Those females won't hold on for long. You are the tribe's Shaman Healer; if you can't cure them, let Qinghuan try."

"But…"

"Thank you, mother, please take me to see them."

"Qinghuan, you…"

Ying was somewhat angry that she disobeyed and went to rescue people; he slung his bow on his back and left. Nan Qinghuan realized his objection stemmed from fear that the tribe would kill him; he thought she couldn't save those women in difficult labor, what a joke—space is in his hand, the world is his, what does this difficult birth matter? Axi, seeing Ying leave, was a bit worried, "Qinghuan, Ying is angry; you shouldn't have provoked him. If he no longer likes you, then…"

"It's okay, I will prove it to him."

She wants to prove to the tribe that Nan Qinghuan is by no means worthless; as for Ying not liking her, that's even better—she'll eventually have to leave this cursed place.

When the mother finally spoke, the Old Clan Leader then relaxed and looked at Nan Qinghuan, "Nan Qinghuan, you may go see them, but if you can't save them, remember: once you leave Ying's protection, all the tribe's members here will kill you."

The Clan Leader's gaze was sharp and ruthless; as the Old Clan Leader, he naturally speaks for the tribe's lives and deaths, which made Nan Qinghuan realize that if she can't save those women tonight, she's doomed.

"No more idle talk, where are they?"

A Yue fell silent, standing there with a gloomy stare at Nan Qinghuan, thinking this female still dares to boast about saving people—dream on.

Mother had intended to take Nan Qinghuan there, but unexpectedly A Yue stepped forward first and said to Nan Qinghuan, "I'll lead you; if they can't survive, you'll die too."

Nan Qinghuan ignored her words, then turned to mother, "Mother, thank you, I'll be back soon."

After saying that, Nan Qinghuan, led by A Yue, prepared to head toward those caves, and Axi, uneasy, followed her.

One must admit, people of the Remote Antiquity Era lived a truly hard life; this dwelling had nothing at all. She knew they lived in groups within caves, but upon arriving here, she was also shocked by the scene before her.

The cave was drafty everywhere, the ground littered with loose stones and a mess of rubbish; several birthing women lay on the rocks, heavily pregnant. She was startled, thinking how could people give birth in such a place? A Yue saw Nan Qinghuan silent, assuming she was scared, and said, "Now that you regret, it's already too late; if you can't save them, just wait to die."

Nan Qinghuan really disliked A Yue; after several attempts to harm herself, she said, "A Yue, if I am to ensure mother and child safety, you must kneel and apologize to me."