Chapter 407: Cunning and Devious

Cheng Shuili slowly curled her fingers, gripping that tooth tightly in her palm.

"Fine." Cheng Shuili lifted her head, her gaze sharp and resolute, "I'll take this position."

She said no grandiose words, yet those simple three characters carried a weight of a thousand pounds!

Xiong Ji had previously felt a bit distant from humans; now, seeing Cheng Shuili tuck away the token, he instantly felt this human was one of his own.

He raised his broad palm, restrained his strength, and patted Cheng Shuili's back warmly, saying, "From today onward, you are the king of our Bear Tribe."

While speaking, he suddenly stepped forward, emerged from behind the table, and before Cheng Shuili could react, with a "thud" he knelt on the ground; Cheng Shuili hurriedly bent down to help him up, but he had already straightened and fell down.

"Hail the King!"

The Bear Tribe's sense of ceremony about a "king" is truly strong.

Cheng Shuili felt a bit helpless, bent down to help Xiong Ji to his feet, and finally returned to the main matter.

It's just that now her status differs from before, so Cheng Shuili naturally said a bit more.

Upon hearing that it takes one hundred energy stones for a single use, and each use yields only three drops, after exchanging for three bottles of mineral water, Xiong Ji immediately furrowed his brows; evidently, he also realized how huge that number was.

"Your Majesty, how about we do it this way…"

Xiong Ji lowered his voice, and a shrewd glint flashed in his ever‑gentle, smiling bear eyes, making Cheng Shuili realize that his becoming king was also due to his own abilities.

"Externally we only say that this potion is extremely difficult to brew, requiring rare materials, but we need not specify exactly how many energy stones are needed."

"As for the Rat Tribe, since the Rat King has spoken, giving them the first batch of potion is a matter of course, but our Bear Tribe, as your most loyal sub‑tribe and the main force in mixing and distributing the medicine this time, is, both morally and logically, also entitled to be placed first."

The bear tooth is already in Cheng Shuili's hand, and Cheng Shuili naturally has no objections to this matter.

And Xiong Ji deliberately paused here, carefully observing Cheng Shuili's expression; seeing she did not object, he continued:

"As for the other races, the medicine will certainly be given, but who gets it first and who later—there are far too many manipulable variables. If they learn that spending a few energy stones can let their race heal ahead of schedule… they'd surely be eager to show some sincerity."

Xiong Ji's voice dropped even lower, carrying an unspoken implication, "We can set up an emergency relief fund, ostensibly for purchasing medicinal materials and keeping the hospital running. In reality, whoever donates more gets their people access to the medicine faster."

"This way we can both raise energy stones and make those high‑and‑mighty guys bleed a little; more importantly, we can seize the initiative and make them owe you gratitude!"

Cheng Shuili listened, her fingers unconsciously caressing the warm bear‑tooth token.

Xiong Ji's suggestion was very pragmatic, even a bit ruthless, but amid severe resource scarcity and widespread anxiety, it might be the most efficient and stabilizing solution.

Driving with profit moves far faster than empty talk of benevolence.

Moreover, just by this method, this fellow is truly quite cunning and devious.

Was it like this before?

Cheng Shuili recalled seriously; the first time she met Xiong Ji and the Bear Tribe beastmen in the hospital, she truly thought those beastmen were just simple, clumsy bears.

However… they actually suited her temperament quite well.

She paused thoughtfully, looked up at Xiong Ji, her eyes bright: "Fine. But two principles must be observed."

"Your Majesty, please command." Xiong Ji's expression hardened.

"First, critically ill patients, regardless of whether their race has contributed donations, must receive the most basic life‑sustaining care; that's the bottom line. We cannot stand by while they die, even if only to delay death."

Cheng Shuili's tone was resolute, but her gaze at Xiong Ji was gentle: "The hospital and your reputation must never be ruined by this matter."

Xiong Ji was momentarily stunned, then solemnly nodded: "Yes, I understand. I will allocate personnel to prioritize identifying critical cases, using conservative treatment to stabilize them first. And when the medicine arrives, it will be given to those beastmen first."

"Second," Cheng Shuili stood, walked to the window, and watched the still‑chaotic hospital corridor outside.

"After the news is released, there will surely be doubters, possibly even riots. The Bear Tribe must become the cornerstone of order. I want you to select the most reliable, strongest Bear‑tribe beastmen to maintain hospital order, ensuring the potion distribution is absolutely fair, at least procedurally fair."

She turned, her sharp gaze fixed on Xiong Ji: "We must let them know that we set the rules. Once set, they will be enforced, thereby demonstrating our credibility."

A hint of admiration flashed in Xiong Ji's eyes.

He proposed a stopgap measure, yet Cheng Shuili used it to pave the way for the future.

This is not only solving a problem, but also consolidating hearts and establishing order.

Xiong Ji felt a long‑missing surge of passion in his chest, straightened his back, and solemnly replied, "Rest assured, Your Majesty! The Bear Tribe will never disappoint you!"

"Go then," Cheng Shuili waved, "Spread the news quickly, and then… summon each tribe to send a decision‑making beastman, and we'll go talk with those beastmen properly."

Xiong Ji understood, hurried away to make arrangements.

Cheng Shuili remained alone in the spacious president's office, turned her head to glance at the furnishings, felt the hard texture of the bear tooth with her fingertips, and let out a gentle breath.

Xiong Ji left, yet she still felt as if she were dreaming.

The Supreme King, Wolf King, Bear King—titles pressing on her head multiplied, the burden grew heavier.

Yet for some reason, holding this token symbolizing responsibility and power, Cheng Shuili's personal resolve became ever clearer.

In chaotic times, heavy statutes; under deep affliction, potent medicine.

In extraordinary times, one must act in extraordinary ways.

She pushed open the office door, and the corridor was filled with the scent of potion mixed with the distinct beastmen odor, the clamor interspersed with painful moans and urgent shouts.

Cheng Shuili glanced outward, then closed the door and sat back in the office.

Without energy stones, everything is idle talk.

Under Xiong Ji's deliberate push, news of the special drug spread through the hospital like wildfire, instantly injecting a restless hope into the previously despair‑shrouded corridor.

The gazes of beastmen from all tribes turned toward the tightly shut president's office door, with endless whispers and arguments.

"Did you hear? That newly arrived Wolf King—no, it seems she's still the Bear Tribe's king now? She has the medicine in her hand!"

"Is it real? The Wolf Tribe hasn't had a single sick member; could it be because of this?"

"Isn't the Bear Tribe's king Director Xiong Ji? A human? What are you joking about?"

"Exactly! You haven't woken up yet? The Bear Tribe isn't that decayed Wolf Tribe; among all races, the Bear Tribe ranks in the top five, right? How could they pick a human as king?!"

"I don't care what this human's background is, I just want to know whether the special drug is real or fake?"

"Those few kitten‑like ones over there say they heard Director Xiong Ji say it himself; how could it be fake?"

"Where's the medicine? Where is it? Bring it out now!"

Anxiety and anticipation fermented in the air; some agitated beastmen tried to approach the office, but were silently blocked by several towering Bear Tribe caretakers who had rushed in upon hearing the news.

Although the bear‑tribe guards said nothing, their mountain‑steady aura and the faint sense of power effectively suppressed the stirrings of unrest.

At that moment, the tall figure of Xiong Ji appeared at the end of the corridor, followed by several bear‑tribe guards whose demeanor was steady and eyes sharp.

He ignored the surrounding clamor, walked straight to the office door, nodded to the bear‑tribe guard on duty, and then gently knocked.

"King, most of the capable representatives from each tribe have arrived; the meeting is set in the adjacent conference room."

The door opened from inside, and under everyone's gaze, Cheng Shuili stepped out.

Seeing that the person inside was indeed a human and was called "King" by Xiong Ji, the corridor erupted in a sudden uproar!

"It's really a human!"

"Director Xiong Ji calls her King?! I didn't hear that wrong!"

"What on earth is going on?"

Voices of doubt and exclamations surged like a tide.

But Cheng Shuili seemed oblivious to it all; her gaze calmly swept over the gathered beast‑folk in the corridor, and their startled, angry, or hopeful eyes did not move her a fraction.

"Let's go."

Her voice was soft, yet oddly pierced the noise, reaching clearly into every beast‑folk's perked ear.

Under the escort of Xiong Ji and bear‑tribe warriors, Cheng Shuili walked steadily through the crowd toward the adjacent conference room.

Where she passed, the beast‑folk instinctively cleared a path, their myriad complex gazes glued to her back as if trying to see through this audacious human.

Inside the conference room, the atmosphere grew even heavier.

Along the long table sat seven or eight beast‑folk representatives of various races: a fox‑tribe elder with disheveled fur and weary eyes, a leopard‑tribe leader with a haughty expression and arms crossed…

Beyond them, most of the beast‑folk were standing.

Tall, short, plump, thin—every kind of beast‑folk was present. Cheng Shuili saw many races for the first time, inevitably glancing a few extra times, her heart unable to hide her astonishment.

In such a short span, Xiong Ji managed to relay the information to so many races—truly astonishing.

While she observed the beast‑folk, they in turn studied the human. Their gazes were full of scrutiny, doubt, and even unabashed hostility.

In comparison, they seemed as if they were looking at a monkey in a zoo.

"Xiong Ji, you'd better explain!"

Leopard‑tribe leader Bao Wen was the first to object; he slammed the table, leaned forward, his sharp gaze sweeping over Cheng Shuili before finally fixing on Xiong Ji.

"You let a human stand here and call her your King? Has the bear tribe collectively lost its mind? Or is the so‑called miracle drug merely a scam you concocted in collusion with the human race?!"

Those words were highly incendiary, instantly drawing a few echoes, and the hostility in the conference room flared immediately.

Xiong Ji frowned, about to speak, when Cheng Shuili gently raised her hand to stop him.

Cheng Shuili stepped forward, her calm gaze meeting Bao Wen's oppressive stare.

"The medicine is real," she said, her voice clear and steady, without a hint of wavering. "I can stand here for a reason. The bear tribe's acknowledgment of my status is an honor and a matter between us. Whether you believe it or not…"

She paused briefly, her gaze sweeping over every beast‑folk representative who held their breath in concentration.

"Whether the miracle drug can save your people has nothing to do with it."

Bao Wen was momentarily choked by her nonchalant yet incisive tone, then his anger flared: "Smooth talk and false smiles! Where's the evidence? Bring out the medicine for us to see!"

"Exactly! Empty words are no proof!"

"Produce the evidence!"

Several other doubtful representatives also voiced their agreement.

Cheng Shuili sneered, "No one in the wolf tribe is infected; the Rat King himself demanded it, which is the best proof of its efficacy."

Mention of the Rat King caused a stir in the conference room.

The mouse tribe's intelligence and the Rat King's standing are recognized among the beast‑folk races, undeniably adding weight to Cheng Shuili's words.

"Even if the medicine is real," the silent cat‑tribe representative began slowly, his voice hoarse and weary, "such a precious drug—how do you intend to allocate it? What is the price? Our fox tribe... can no longer offer much."

The helplessness and despair in her words resonated with many smaller‑race representatives.

Cheng Shuili retrieved the small vial, her gaze sweeping over every representative present.

"This is precisely why I summoned you all," she announced loudly. "I will do my utmost to provide the medicine. But to ensure a steady production of the drug and to heal more beast‑folk, we need to establish an emergency relief fund."

She restated Xiong Ji's proposal in more formal, grandiose language: "All races may, according to their circumstances, donate energy stones to the fund. The fund will be earmarked for purchasing medicinal herbs and sustaining the refining process."

"The amount and enthusiasm of donations will directly affect a race's priority in receiving the drug. For the critically ill, we will strive to sustain their lives with existing medical means, but the allocation of the miracle drug will follow this principle."

"You're clearly looting a fire!" Bao Wen roared immediately.

"Whether it's fair trade or looting a fire depends on how each of you views the chance to save your people's lives."

Cheng Shuili stared at him unflinchingly, "Resources are limited; we must establish a relatively fair allocation standard."

"Those who contribute the most take precedence; that's self‑evident."

"Or, does the leopard‑tribe leader have a fairer and faster way to gather large amounts of energy stones?"

Bao Wen was left speechless by her question, his face turning ashen, unable to rebut.

In the face of absolutely scarce resources, any notion of absolute fairness is merely idle talk.

Just as he racked his brain for a counterargument, the elephant‑tribe representative beside him said calmly, "I can donate a thousand energy stones, provided my people are rescued first."

"The fox tribe can also donate a thousand energy stones."

Having said that, the fox‑tribe elder gracefully slipped on gloves, seemingly already planning to depart.