Chapter 418: Representative!

Cheng Shuili had not yet spoken when a low, sonorous voice, obviously suppressing anger, rang out.

"She can certainly represent!"

The crowd followed the sound and saw Xiong Ji push through the onlooking beastfolk, striding to the center of the square.

His burly stature was like a mountain; his face was now as still as water, and his usually honest bear eyes burned with scorching anger.

He stood beside Cheng Shuili like a silent boulder, his gaze like a torch toward Bao Wen: "I, Xiong Ji, the current director of the town hospital, can declare on behalf of all the bear beastfolk here."

"Human Cheng Shuili is none other than the will of our Bear King, which is the will of the bear tribe! The Bear King's promise is the bear tribe's promise! If the Bear King must bear responsibility, my bear tribe above and below will have no hesitation in following!"

Each of his words struck the ground like iron stone, silencing the entire square.

Before Bao Wen could respond, a slightly aged yet utterly resolute voice came from another side: "The wolf tribe is the same."

The wolf tribe's priest, surrounded by a few wolf beastfolk, slowly stepped forward.

She leaned on a bone staff, her gaze sweeping over the crowd and finally resting on Cheng Shuili, her eyes filled with firm trust and reliance: "Since His Majesty the Wolf King has already made a promise, the entire wolf tribe will naturally share the burden!"

She knew these beastfolk did not care about the wolf tribe's attitude; in their view, whether the wolf tribe bore responsibility or not made no difference.

They only cared about the bear tribe's attitude.

If the bear tribe were a properly grilled slab of fatty meat, the wolf tribe would be a sesame seed sprinkled on it.

It could be there or not; it made no difference.

But for the wolf tribe, for her as a priestess, now is when the king needs support, when the king needs them; no matter what, the wolf tribe must step forward.

The priestess feared her voice would be too soft for those present to hear, so she took a deep breath and repeated it loudly.

Bao Wen's face was already unable to hold back; hearing such a loud voice, his long-suppressed anger immediately found an outlet: "Good! Very good!"

He laughed bitterly from extreme anger, the muscles on his cheeks twitching slightly: "The bear and wolf tribes are instead loyal to this human! If so, then let's sign! I want to see how she will eradicate it! If she fails, don't blame us for enforcing the contract!"

These words, spoken in exasperated defeat, actually amounted to a clear recognition of the situation and, in effect, a tacit agreement to sign the contract.

But the manner of this agreement was really unsightly.

The fox tribe chief covered her mouth and chuckled lightly: "Why must the leopard tribe chief get angry? We're all doing this for the town."

She turned to the Rat King and Cheng Shuili: "Since the leopard tribe chief also agrees and the other chiefs have no objections, let's quickly draft the contract details? After all, the longer we delay, the greater the chance of the plague recurring."

"The contract details..." Cheng Shuili calmly produced a trade agreement: "They're right here."

This development again left the beastfolk chiefs silent.

After a moment, the lion tribe chief reacted, looking at the Rat King and asking: "Wasn't the contract drafted by you?"

The Rat King's eyelid twitched almost imperceptibly.

The atmosphere in the square became subtle once more.

All eyes focused on the Rat King's face, filled with inquiry and a barely perceptible doubt.

This contract... was actually not prepared by the Rat King?

But rather, this human had written it in advance?

What does that mean? It means Cheng Shuili had already anticipated today's situation, even foreseeing that the Rat King would summon all the tribe chiefs to sign the contract together!

She was not passively responding; she had planned every step, calculating all possible developments and preparing the script in advance!

This scheming and control made a chill rise in the hearts of the chiefs present.

This human is far more difficult to deal with than they imagined.

The Rat King's smile froze for a moment, then quickly returned to normal, even carrying a touch of just-right surprise and approval:

"Oh? Little friend, you actually prepared everything in advance? It seems you are indeed far-sighted, concerned for the town's safety. In that case, why not read out the contract clause by clause, so we can all review it together? If anything is inappropriate, it can be amended; if there are no objections, we will naturally follow it."

Cheng Shuili's face was equally composed; she gave a light laugh and said politely: "That is only proper."

She pulled open the contract pages and gestured for the Rat King to find someone to read it aloud.

The Rat King merely moved his eyes, and the scribe at his side immediately stepped forward, beginning to read the contract clauses in a clear voice.

Every condition in the contract serves a single purpose: to restrict any possible meddling.

In Cheng Shuili's former world, this contract would have been utter nonsense. But here it is different; the system's power exists, so any violation of the contract will be punished and restricted!

As the chiefs of the great beast tribes listened, they grew increasingly alarmed; the contract was clearly not hastily drafted, but the result of deep consideration and repeated refinement—a formal agreement.

As each stringent clause was read out, the faces of the tribe chiefs grew ever more solemn.

Cheng Shuili quietly watched the beastfolk's reactions, and the more she watched, the more satisfied she became.

She even goofed off in public, opening a private chat page to send a commendation message to Xinxue and the others.

The beastfolk saw her behavior but could not blame her, after all the contract was produced by the human; she alone knew its contents best, so there was indeed no need to waste time listening to them together.

Bao Wen's face had darkened to the point of dripping water; he stared fixedly at the contract, as if trying to burn it with his gaze.

Once this contract is signed, he will truly have no reason or opportunity left to openly obstruct Cheng Shuili.

Even his leopard tribe must provide manpower and materials as required, or else...

After hearing it, the tiger tribe chief fell silent for a moment, then slowly nodded: "The clauses are detailed, rights and responsibilities clearly divided, far more thorough than a hasty draft. I have no objections."

His gaze toward Cheng Shuili, besides the earlier scrutiny, now carried an added sense of caution.

Being able to prepare such a contract in advance, this human's intellect is not to be underestimated.

The lion tribe chief also said in a low voice: "It's acceptable."

The fox tribe chief's eyes glimmered, her smile deepening: "Truly thorough, Your Excellency the Bear King is indeed meticulous. This way, no one will dare to do what they shouldn't. I have no objections."

Seeing this, the other chiefs also expressed their agreement one after another.

Although the contract is strict, it is indeed fair, with clear objectives; for the ordinary beastfolk yearning to be free of the plague, it is undoubtedly the greatest safeguard.

Finally, everyone's gaze once again fell on Bao Wen.

Bao Wen's chest heaved violently a few times; he could feel the invisible pressures around him—the Rat King's calm gaze, the other chiefs' silent stares, and the countless ordinary beastfolk in the square casting looks of urging and dissatisfaction.

He knew he had been completely backed into a corner.

If he continued to stubbornly oppose, it would not only be meaningless but would make him the target of everyone's ire, and he might even be dealt with by the Rat King as another destabilizing factor.

After he spoke out in opposition, the few attendants beside the Rat King kept frequently casting their gazes upon him.

Bao Wen was no novice fresh out of the woods; he naturally understood the warning implied in those gazes.

"... No objection."

He squeezed these three words out from between his teeth, almost exhausting all his strength, the veins on his forehead bulging out.

"Good!" The Rat King had been waiting for this moment; he would give no one a chance to back out, and he proclaimed loudly: "Since that's the case, the contract is established! Please, all clan chiefs, come forward in turn and sign the contract!"

The last clan chief set down his pen, and the contract in multiple copies was formally signed.

The Rat King's attendant clerk carefully rolled up the contract and tied it with a specially made ribbon.

One copy was kept by the Rat King, one by Cheng Shuili, and the remaining copies were respectively kept by the Tiger, Lion, and Fox clan chiefs, to ensure fairness and mutual supervision.

The Rat King drew a deep breath, facing all the beastfolk eagerly watching in the square, he raised high the freshly signed contract whose ink was still wet, his voice infused with power, carrying in all directions:

"The contract is established! From this moment on, all tribes of the Beastfolk Town shall discard past grudges, unite our efforts, and jointly resist the plague! Whatever is stipulated in the contract shall be iron law! May the plague be swiftly eradicated and our homeland forever peaceful!"

"Plague gone swiftly! Homeland forever peaceful!"

"Long live the Bear King!"

"Long live the wise Rat King!"

……

The square instantly erupted with cheers like a mountain‑shouting, sea‑roaring tide!

Countless beastfolk waved their arms, faces brimming with hope and excitement.

The gloom of the plague seemed to have been dispelled somewhat by this collectively signed contract at this moment.

Cheng Shuili stood amid the cheering waves, feeling the fervent gazes and surging emotions, yet her heart was unusually cold.

The contract was settled, with no beastfolk scheming behind the scenes; all she had to face was natural disaster.

The square remained lively for a long time, until the sun slanted westward, and the clamor gradually subsided.

The clan chiefs dispersed, each with their own thoughts; the ordinary beastfolk in the square also gradually drifted away, and soon only Cheng Shuili, Xiong Ji, the Rat King, and his few close attendants remained here.

The Rat King's smile faded, returning to his usual somewhat aloof demeanor.

He stepped a few paces closer, looked at Cheng Shuili, and said slowly: "Young friend, you have fine tactics. In this round, I have underestimated you."

These words could not be taken as either praise or blame; they sounded more like a plain, straightforward statement.

Cheng Shuili, neither humble nor arrogant, replied: "Rat King, you overpraise me. I merely did what ought to be done and said what ought to be said."

"\"What ought to be done… what ought to be said…\" the Rat King chewed on these words, his eyes deep, \"I hope that the young friend's forthcoming duties will also proceed as smoothly as today…\""

His words seemed to carry a deeper meaning, but he did not spell it out.

Immediately, he shifted his tone: "Since the contract has been signed, I will naturally fulfill it. I hope you understand, young friend, that the town's peace is hard‑won. Some means, when used against the plague, are of immeasurable merit. But if used elsewhere…"

He did not finish, merely giving Cheng Shuili a deep look.

Cheng Shuili certainly understood the Rat King's meaning, but understanding did not mean she liked hearing it; she frowned slightly and still politely replied: "Rat King, rest assured, I only want what is rightfully mine. But if anyone covets what is mine, I will naturally not stand by idly."

The Rat King's eyes flickered, and he finally nodded: "That would be best."

He said no more, and with the soft thud of his staff on the ground, he turned and departed amid the escort of his attendants.

Only after the Rat King's silhouette vanished at the far end of the square did Cheng Shuili exhale lightly, her straight back relaxing a little.

Xiong Ji had all along stood behind her, watching the Rat King's retreating figure together with her.

After a good while, Cheng Shuili clicked her tongue lightly, turned back, and said: "Let's go."

Xiong Ji answered and immediately followed.

"Your Majesty should be able to rest well tonight."

"\"Rest? \" Cheng Shuili's steps did not pause; she shook her head: \"We cannot rest. Speed is essential in warfare—tonight we will distribute all the medicine. We must settle the plague cleanly tonight, lest prolonged delay bring more complications. \"

Upon hearing this, Xiong Ji first startled, then his tiger eyes widened, a blazing light bursting within: "Yes! I will obey the Queen! I will now arrange personnel to re‑inspect the encampments of all tribes."

"Furthermore," Cheng Shuili recalled a post she had seen online in her previous life, and instructed: "Tomorrow, no beastfolk of any tribe shall be allowed to go out. Arrange our personnel to carry out a comprehensive disinfection of the Beastfolk Town."

"Yes!" Xiong Ji's blood boiled with fervor, wishing he could fly back at once.

Seeing someone so old yet still so full of vigor, Cheng Shuili had never encountered such a person before.

Looking at Xiong Ji's appearance, as if he wished he could sprout wings and fly back, she couldn't help but shake her head and laugh.

But the smile quickly faded, and her gaze turned sharp once more.

"Go, act swiftly—especially the encampments of those tribes that previously hid the sick; they must be prioritized for inspection, leaving no corner unchecked."

Cheng Shuili added once more: "Now this place is ours; if we encounter obstruction or suspicious circumstances, being a bit firmer is no great harm."

"Your Majesty, rest assured!"

Xiong Ji nodded firmly, then strode off with heavy steps, thudding toward the hospital, his heavy footsteps echoing across the empty square,

Cheng Shuili, meanwhile, directly returned to the vehicle.

Having stayed among the beastfolk for so long, she still did not know what the situation was like on the human side.

The vehicle was quiet and comfortable; Su Rui seemed to have fallen asleep early, with no lights on.

Cheng Shuili walked around outside the bedroom, saw nothing amiss, and then turned back into the bedroom.

Having wasted too much time in the Beastfolk Town, it is now late; those who should rest have already done so.

Cheng Shuili had just opened the regional channel when she was almost overwhelmed by a flood of despairing messages that filled the screen instantly.

Between the lines lingered an almost tangible panic and dead silence.

"\"Save me… who can save my brother… he has started coughing blood, his whole body burning like charcoal…\""

"\"Water… give me water… who has water… I am about to die, I just want a sip of water, I beg you to show kindness. \""

"\"If you're dying, don't come begging; supplies are for those who can still live! \""

"\"It's the seventh… my good friend lost seven this morning… can anyone still survive if this goes on? \""

"\"That antibiotic hanging on the trade channel… priced at fifty thousand game coins? Is that a human‑set price? Is it trying to take our lives? \""

Burn it, burn it, let everything burn to death… This damned place never intended to let us live…

What should we do? Someone already said earlier, why are Black Feather's people unharmed?! Why is everyone suffering so much, yet Black Feather's people can still coldly look on?!