Chapter 688: 114. Purpose and Sudden Incident (Two in One)_3
"Our ancestors died in shame and ordered their descendants not to go out, for we had no face to meet the other loyal Five Clans. Even after so many years, we continued to abide by the ancestral teachings, never communicating with the outside world, repenting our mistakes in each cycle of bloodlines... If it weren't for a sudden change in the tribe, we would never have left," Clan Chief Dal said with a serene expression. Beside him, the Snow Fox Species elder closed his eyes, seemingly struggling with the words he was about to say next,
"A month or two ago, we rescued a human climber on Snow Mountain. It was solely out of respect for life that we reached out to save him, but after we sent him away, a strange disease suddenly spread among our people... Some tribespeople had fevers and severe body aches, and some more severely affected developed black pustules. Over the past month, nearly half of our tribe has been infected..."
"We have lived a simple, natural life adhering to our ancestors' admonitions to this day. I don't blame the outsider we saved, I am just regretful that we are powerless in the face of this disease... We need the help of the Turand Family to cure the disease spreading through our tribe, and for this, I am prepared to break the taboo and leave the tribe that has been our home for generations,"
Miss Valentina nodded understandingly. Fortunately, she did not notice Heidlin, who had stood silently in the corner of the room and had closed her eyes upon hearing about the "Moon Princess lineage," or she would have seen a faint yellow scent emanating from her, which was the color of "nervousness and unease."
"So, it was an outsider who brought the disease to your tribe... But don't worry. According to Clan Chief Dal's description, this disease is indeed a headache and has indeed caused bloody slaughter in the past," Valentina continued.
Chief Dal, previously nervous, looked up in disbelief after hearing Valentina's words. Their tribe had tried all means to cure the disease without success, let alone the speed with which it incapacitated the ill within just a couple of days, leaving them bedridden and wailing in pain, completely unable to care for themselves.
Before seeking help from the Turand Family, they had hesitated, fearing that even the Turand Family might not be able to solve such a horrific problem. Some in the tribe even referred to the outsider they had rescued as "Phoenix's reckoning," likening the disease to an unbeatable adversary. However, seeing the faint golden scent on Valentina, Chief Dal felt reassured, as that scent represented "confidence and certainty."
"Does the Turand Family really have a solution?"
Valentina had not expected the negotiation to be resolved so simply. Her fingers, which fiddled with her ring, almost uncontrollably began tapping on her unsuspecting thigh in excitement, though her smile remained decent,
"To be precise, it's not that the Turand Family has a solution... According to Chief Dal's description, what you contracted might be the 'Death Rot Disease' that troubled humans long ago. It's normal for you to be at a loss, as in the distant Western Continent, this epidemic took the lives of millions over decades."
"However, for humans, thanks to the presence of a 'Decomposition Agent,' the current generation no longer suffers much from it, as those inoculated with the agent are immune to the disease. Nowadays, it seems that only native humans and demi-humans of the South Continent are susceptible to such diseases... The Snow Fox Species has not left their tribe for a long time, and actually, for the outside world, this is no longer a difficult problem,"
Chief Dal exchanged surprised glances with the elder beside him, both seemingly unable to believe such an easily devastating disease could be so easily resolved. If not for the bright golden light around Valentina, they might have started doubting the truth of this conclusion.
"So, Chief Dal, you might consider a different request, as this is not something difficult for us to fulfill. However, the Snow Fox Species Mark you brought is indeed something we truly need,"
Chief Dal opened his mouth, and after a long pause, he looked down at the Snow Fox Species Mark in the box, a strange demi-human with a fox-like face, yet endowed with precious honor. Dal then shook his head and spoke to Valentina,
"I thought it would take a long time to resolve this matter; we were ignorant. It seems we must rethink the necessity of following our ancestral teachings after we return... Thank you for your assistance. Given Miss Valentina's sincerity, I am willing to hand over the mark to you first, and then ask for your help to procure that... 'Decomposition Agent' for inoculation for our tribespeople, as their condition is very bad."
Valentina nodded with a smile and made proper arrangements,
"Thank you for your trust. Following this, I will dispatch members of the Turand Family to carry the Decomposition Agent and return with you to the tribe. If it is confirmed as Death Rot Disease, they will immediately assist in vaccinating your people; and if it is another disease, we will continue to help you until you are rid of its clutches... I am still curious, though, about who the human that appeared in the Snow Fox Tribe might be, especially since that area has entered the Sema Snow Mountain area..."