Chapter 406: The Second Token

One person and one beastfolk wound around a few bends and finally found a secluded corner.

Cheng Shuili spoke first: "What's the situation at the hospital now? Does Director Xiong Ji know about the medicine?"

Lang Yu took several deep breaths, steadied his emotions, and then spoke: "Aside from the beastfolk in the wolf clan's territory who are safe in the king's secure zone, the beastfolk from other territories who are infected have almost all come to the town seeking medicine. This disease, however, is raging, sudden and fierce; even though the Director is experienced, he is helpless for the moment and can only resort to the old methods—first quarantine, then conservative treatment, administering medicines one by one while observing each patient's condition."

That was a bit too technical, but Cheng Shuili still caught a key point amid the chatter—the central town hospital has no solution for this plague yet.

"As for the medicine…" Lang Yu showed a smug expression, and Cheng Shuili instantly knew the answer: "King, how could I possibly be hiding such a good thing from you?!"

He squeezed his eyes at Cheng Shuili, as if he were acting on the king's (i. e., Cheng Shuili's) orders.

Seeing Cheng Shuili's forehead veins throb, she finally could not bear it and punched Lang Yu's head: "What are you showing off for? Why hide something like this?"

Cheng Shuili was speechless.

Lang Yu usually seems sharp; why does he do such superfluous things at the crucial moment?

No wonder the journey went so smoothly; it turned out no rumors had spread out of Shou Ren Xiao Zhen.

Cheng Shuili frowned, thought for a moment, and asked: "Did any beastfolk notice that none of the wolf clan are present?"

Lang Yu, still reeling from the blow, shrank his neck, and upon hearing the question immediately realized it might be a chance to make amends. He hurriedly nodded: "Yes! King, a few familiar beastfolk just asked me why the wolf clan seems unaffected—none have come to the hospital. I… I just gave them a vague excuse! Should I tell the truth?"

His voice trembled with panic; he clearly had lost his composure.

Cheng Shuili took a deep breath and became calm.

She promised the Rat King to contain the plague in Shou Ren Xiao Zhen, which meant the news would eventually spread and all races would learn of the special medicine's existence.

The top priority is to arrange the dilution of the medicine and ensure the information is released in the most favorable way for her.

"Take me to Director Xiong Ji," Cheng Shuili decided abruptly. "Lead me to him and you may leave. Remember, if any beastfolk later ask you about the wolf clan or the medicine, you must tell the truth—inform them that your king, that is, I, indeed have a special medicine against the plague. Moreover, because of the recent deal with the Rat King, this life‑saving medicine will be distributed to every beastfolk in need as soon as possible!"

【8】 She intends to use Lang Yu's mouth to spread the word, both to calm the panic and to involve the Rat King, reducing potential resistance while also obligating the Rat King to her favor.

【9】 Lang Yu nodded heavily, dared not speak further, and hurriedly bowed and led the way.

【10】 With Lang Yu as the "inside agent" clearing the path, Cheng Shuili soon entered an office piled with bottles and jars and met the frazzled Director Xiong Ji.

【11】 In just a few days' absence, the once vigorous old bear man seemed much older, with deep eye bags and fur that had lost its former luster.

【12】 He was sighing over a pathology report when Lang Yu entered; he merely lifted his eyelids and asked weakly, "Lang Yu? What is it? Didn't I say not to disturb me unless it's urgent?"

【13】 "Director, it's me," Cheng Shuili stepped out from behind Lang Yu, her expression solemn as she sat opposite Director Xiong Ji.

【14】 Lang Yu doesn't have many other skills, but he is completely adept at reading cues, especially the king's.

【15】 Cheng Shuili gave him a glance, and he dutifully lowered his head and stepped back.

【16】 Director Xiong Ji's expression was complex; under normal circumstances, he would certainly welcome Cheng Shuili.

【17】 But now the plague ravages, and she is such a frail human; even the beastfolk's strong bodies struggle against the disease, let alone her.

Director Xiong Ji began with deep worry: "Miss Human, why did you come at this time? The town's situation is terrible; the plague spreads faster than we imagined, the hospital is overcrowded, and the medicine also …"

He sighed heavily, his bear paw weakly pressing the report on the table, "We've tried many methods, but the results are negligible. This place is too dangerous; you'd better leave as soon as possible."

Cheng Shuili met Director Xiong Ji's weary, anxious gaze and calmly said: "Director, that's exactly why I'm here. The entire wolf clan is unharmed; don't you find that odd?"

The implication made Director Xiong Ji jerk his head up, a glint of sharpness flashing in his murky eyes: "The wolf clan? Could they …?"

He recalled that he indeed hadn't seen any wolf clan patients lately; he had previously assumed it was due to their special constitution or good quarantine, but Cheng Shuili's remark made him instantly realize something was amiss.

Aside from Doctor Lang Yu, he truly hadn't seen any wolf clan patients!

Even if other doctors didn't speak anxiously, at least the protective measures were in place.

And Lang Yu, that wolf …

Director Xiong Ji recalled carefully and realized that Lang Yu hadn't even worn a mask.

Realizing this, his complexion darkened like the bottom of a pot. He immediately grabbed the phone on the desk, used the internal line, and called: "Doctor Lang Yu practices without a mask. Check which regulation he's violating and deduct his entire monthly bonus."

Xiong Ji opened his mouth, full of worry: "Human miss, why did you come at this time? The situation in the town is very bad now, the spread of the plague is far beyond our imagination, the hospital is already overcrowded, medicine also..."

He let out a heavy sigh, his bear paw weakly pressing on the report on the table: "We have tried many methods, the effects are minimal. This place is too dangerous, you had better leave as soon as possible."

Cheng Shuili met Xiong Ji's weary and anxious gaze, calmly speaking: "Dean, I came precisely for this. The wolf clan is all safe and sound; don't you find that strange?"

The director still has spare time to enforce discipline?

Unaware that his salary had been docked, Lang Yu, hands behind his back, hummed a tune as he walked to his office.

Director Xiong Ji hung up, took a deep breath, and stared at Cheng Shuili with burning eyes, his earlier fatigue replaced by a mix of hope and urgency: "Miss Human, just tell me straight. What's really going on with the wolf clan? What did you mean just now?"

Seeing her so eager, Cheng Shuili didn't beat around the bush and laid it out: "It means I have a special medicine that works wonders against this plague. The wolf clan took it in advance, so they are all immune."

"Really?!" Director Xiong Ji sprang up, dragging his chair backward with a screeching sound. "Where is the medicine? How much is there? What conditions are required?"

He fired off questions like a rapid gun, leaning forward, his massive bear paw pressing the table and trembling slightly with excitement.

"I have the medicine, but the current amount is limited; producing it requires a large amount of energy stones, and I need time to coordinate."

Cheng Shuili's voice was extremely steady:

"I came to you with only one request: you are respected and esteemed, and I hope you can step forward to temporarily stabilize the town's situation and soothe the emotions of all races. Tell everyone that the special medicine is already on its way and will arrive by tomorrow at the latest. However, the formulation takes time, so it must be distributed in order, in batches."

Director Xiong Ji's brows knit, instantly grasping Cheng Shuili's intent; his eyes flashed, and he suddenly asked, "According to what order?"

Cheng Shuili met his gaze without evasion: "To be frank, I'm here to solve Shou Ren Xiao Zhen's problem at the Rat King's request. Therefore, the rat‑clan beastfolk must be first, and the subsequent order …"

She paused appropriately, giving Director Xiong Ji room to contemplate, then added, "I'm fully willing to hear your arrangement, Director."

Director Xiong Ji was silent for a moment, his rough bear paw rubbing the tabletop; when he lifted his head again, his eyes were already reddened.

He had originally thought Cheng Shuili would use this chance to demand harsh terms or seize full allocation control for Black Feather or the Rat King's maximum benefit.

But he didn't expect that she would actually hand the decision‑making, except for the rat clan, over to him!

Director Xiong Ji slammed the table heavily, his voice trembling with uncontainable excitement and choking: "Good! Good! Miss Human, this friendship, and the one from last time, I, Xiong Ji, and our bear clan, truly have no way to repay…"

His voice abruptly stopped, a hint of realization appearing on his face.

A matter Xiong Ji had pondered for a long time suddenly yielded a different answer at this moment.

Since the juniors are incompetent, the throne should be held by someone capable and virtuous!

He raised his hand to wipe the tears from his eye corner, closed his eyes as if making a resolve, and took from his chest a small bundle carefully wrapped in brocade.

Cheng Shuili met his gaze, without reservation, "To be frank, I came to solve the problem of Shou Ren Xiao Zhen at the behest of the Rat King. Therefore, the rat beastfolk must come first, and the order afterwards..."

She paused appropriately, giving Xiong Ji ample room for imagination, then said with a smile: "I can completely follow the dean's arrangement."

Xiong Ji fell silent for a moment, his rough bear paw rubbing the tabletop; when he lifted his head again, his eye sockets were already red.

He originally thought Cheng Shuili would seize this opportunity to put forward harsh conditions, or take complete control of the distribution rights, seeking the greatest benefit for Black Feather or the Rat King.

But unexpectedly, she actually handed over the decision-making power, except for the rat tribe, into his hands!

Xiong Ji slammed the table heavily, his voice brimming with restrained excitement and choking emotion: "Good! Good! Miss Human, this kindness, and the kindness from last time, I, Xiong Ji, we bear tribe, truly have no way to repay…"

His voice cut off abruptly, and a flicker of realization appeared on his face.

Xiong Ji had been pondering something for a long time; at this very moment, he suddenly obtained a different answer.

Since the younger generation is incompetent, this throne should be occupied by someone capable and virtuous!

He raised his hand to wipe away the tears at the corners of his eyes, closed his eyes, as if making some resolution, and took out a small bundle carefully wrapped in brocade from his bosom.

After opening it layer by layer, a tooth lay unmistakably inside.

The object looked somewhat familiar. Cheng Shuili was about to say something when the other party grabbed her hand and pressed that tooth firmly into her palm.

"I am the current chieftain of the Bear Clan, but as you can see, I am old and should retire. The younger generation of the Bear Clan is disappointing; I wish to step down, yet I cannot even pick out a successor." Xiong Ji's voice carried a trace of weariness and helplessness. His rough fingers gently stroked the bear tooth, warm and smooth as jade yet brimming with boundless power, and he said solemnly: "This is the Bear Clan's chieftain token, the token of the king. Human miss, would you be willing to become the Bear Clan's next king?"

Cheng Shuili was completely stunned.

What was all this about?

Wasn't she here to resolve the plague? Wasn't she here to find Xiong Ji and ask for his assistance?!

How was she suddenly supposed to become the Bear Clan's king?!

How could this be right?!

She instinctively tried to pull her hand back; that heavy bear tooth felt as though it were burning her palm.

"Dean Xiong Ji, you… have you gotten so anxious you've lost your mind? This is absurd! I am human, I am the Wolf King, how could I also serve as the Bear Clan's king?"

"Why couldn't you?" Xiong Ji gave a bitter laugh, yet his eyes were exceptionally clear and resolute. "Human miss, my choice of you is absolutely not a hasty decision. The Bear Clan's younger generation…"

It seemed that bringing up the younger generation of his own clan gave him a headache. He locked his brows tightly, his eyes narrowing slightly in distress, wanting to say something yet swallowing it back down, as a thousand words dissolved into a single sigh.

He firmly held down Cheng Shuili's hand as she tried to pull it back, his grip so strong it brooked no refusal: "I am not joking, nor am I a senile old fool. I see very clearly that this world is undergoing drastic changes, and the old order is collapsing. If the Bear Clan does not change, if it does not choose a new king, then when the next disaster strikes, all that awaits us is annihilation!"

As if worried that Cheng Shuili would not believe him, he spoke earnestly and continued: "Isn't the Wolf Clan the best example? You are not a beastman, so you may not be clear about what the Wolf Clan used to be like—corruption, decay, the people suffering miserably! If not for you, their new king, the Wolf Clan would definitely have been among the races wiped out in this disaster! King, you could save them, so why can't you save us?"

That's not right!

Cheng Shuili hadn't even accepted the token yet!

And even if she had, wasn't Xiong Ji, the old king, still not retired? How did it fall to this guy to call her "King"?!!

Forcing her onto the throne?

The Cheng Shuili of now was no longer the ignorant human she had been before.

After handling the Wolf Clan's affairs, she deeply understood what it meant to enjoy the privileges of being king while shouldering the responsibilities of being king.

If another race were added…

Cheng Shuili frowned in deep thought.

The Bear Clan and the Wolf Clan were not the same.

The Wolf Clan had deteriorated to the point of reverting to a primitive society, whereas the Bear Clan even had businesses within Shou Ren Xiao Zhen—they ran a hospital!

Cheng Shuili looked at the heavy bear tooth in her hand, then looked at Xiong Ji's eyes, filled with expectation and even a hint of desperation, weighing rapidly in her heart.

Refuse?

That seemed to be the easiest choice.

But Xiong Ji had already gone this far, practically betting the Bear Clan's future on her. This "trust," or rather "entrustment," was too heavy; a direct refusal could well shatter the hard-won friendly relationship they had built.

And accepting… meant the burden on her shoulders would multiply.

At the same time, if she could truly integrate the Bear Clan's strength, Hei Yu An Quan Qu would gain a solid ally of pivotal importance in the beastman world, a stable source of medicine and technology, and a military force not to be underestimated!

This would undoubtedly be a tremendous boost to Black Feather's future development, especially for establishing a foothold in this chaotic world.

To wear the crown, one must bear its weight!

Thinking of this, Cheng Shuili took a deep breath, looked back at Xiong Ji, and asked in return: "Dean Xiong Ji, you are entrusting me with such a heavy responsibility—can the Bear Clan internally… accept it? Will that younger generation be willing to follow the command of a human, an outsider?"

Hearing this, a bitter yet resolute expression appeared on Xiong Ji's face: "Won't accept it? Then beat them until they do! The Bear Clan reveres strength, and also respects the wisdom that can lead the clan to survive. You resolved this plague, which means you saved the lives of countless Bear Clan youths—this is the greatest act of grace and proof of power! As for those obstinate fools who know nothing but infighting…"

A glint of severity flashed through his eyes: "This is the perfect opportunity to clean house! Before you take over, I will clear away as many obstacles for you as possible. As long as you nod, this old bag of bones can still shoulder the rest for you for a while!"

With things said to this extent, Cheng Shuili knew that Xiong Ji was dead set on tying the Bear Clan to her.

An ally delivered right to her door—how could she possibly refuse?