Dashing Student

The Moon Shadow Village Priest Noige saw Chen Nan approach, and initially thought he was here to cause trouble.

If truth be told, even if Chen Nan killed him, it wouldn’t be unjust.

Yet clearly, Chen Nan had no such intention; in fact, he seemed to be offering them a chance to survive.

Noige’s eyes lit up, and he quickly asked, "What do you mean, benefactor?"

The previous man in black robes had said himself that he was originally near their village, and only chased after seeing Chang Qing.

So, this incident couldn’t really be blamed on Chang Qing.

And with Chen Nan helping them solve the black-robed man’s problem, he surely deserved to be called "benefactor."

"Immortal Epidemic!"

Chen Nan pointed to the houses in the camp, each with one or two patients suffering from the Immortal Epidemic.

Thinking that Chen Nan might spare them, they were pleasantly surprised by this turn of events. Noige nearly jumped up, grabbing Chen Nan’s hand eagerly.

"Can you treat the Immortal Epidemic?"

Little wonder he was so excited, since even the King Gu Nine Tribulations Heavenly Silkworm couldn’t handle the Immortal Epidemic, which was basically considered a death sentence.

If anyone else had said it, Noige wouldn’t have believed them.

But these words came from Chen Nan, whose astonishing combat strength Noige had seen with his own eyes—there was no need to deceive him.

"Yes, I can resolve the Immortal Epidemic."

Chen Nan walked to the side, leisurely sat down, and did not continue speaking.

This was not something to rush; otherwise, it wouldn’t be appreciated.

Hearing Chen Nan’s confirmation, Noige was overjoyed, but upon seeing Chen Nan’s demeanor, his savvy nature realized something was up.

"Benefactor, what do you require from us?"

Chen Nan smiled slightly, seeing that Noige was quite perceptive.

"Only one thing, and that is for you all to merge into the Moon Tower Dong Village!"

Upon hearing this condition, Noige took a sharp breath. Merging into another village in the Heavenly Border meant becoming slaves to that village by default. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Slaves had no dignity and would have to abandon the village where they had lived for generations, so Noige began to hesitate.

Agreeing meant they would become slaves of the Moon Tower Dong Village, but not agreeing meant ten out of ten people in the village might die. Either choice seemed untenable.

Seeing the conflict in his heart, Chen Nan chuckled and said, "Having you merge into the Moon Tower Dong Village is truly just merging; it doesn’t mean becoming slaves."

"Moreover, you could take your village name as your surname."

Noige suddenly remembered that some Moon Tower Dong Village people had introduced themselves as Huotang so-and-so. He’d wondered why they had such strange surnames.

Now he understood; it must be that people from other villages had merged into the Huotang Village as well.

It seemed they were truly not slaves and were treated no differently from the original people of the Moon Tower Dong Village.

"If that’s the case, I can agree for them, but this matter still needs to be discussed with everyone."

"Naturally," Chen Nan nodded, "but I’m pressed for time, so if you agree, I’ll help you save people and you’ll have to leave with us."

Noige took two deep breaths; even though they’d have to abandon their ancestral land, following Chen Nan didn’t seem out of the question.

He could see that with Chen Nan’s abilities, given time, he would undeniably soar to great heights!

However, when Chang Qing heard this news, she became furious.

"Chen Nan, between us it’s a fair trade, but how much time will saving them take?"

Worried about her tribe, she was naturally unwilling for Chen Nan to waste time at Moon Shadow Village.

Healing took time, sure, but Chen Nan actually intended to take them along, which could delay them three to five days.

In those three to five days, who knows how many people in the village would die.

"I have my own plans. If you’re unwilling, I simply won’t go."

Though he knew he was in the wrong, he had his reasons, and he had to do this!

Surprised, Chang Qing looked at Chen Nan, and then, in anger, laughed mockingly, "Fine, fine, fine, I didn’t expect you to be this kind of person. I must be blind!"

With that, she stormed off.

Not far away, Agin heard their conversation, looked at Chen Nan, then turned to chase after Chang Qing.

"Sigh, I have no other choice either."

Chen Nan gazed into the distance, with a sharp glint suddenly flashing in his eyes.

...

The people still able to move in Moon Shadow Village were quickly gathered together, numbering just over two hundred, with eight to nine hundred suffering from the Immortal Epidemic.

After repeating Chen Nan’s proposal, everyone fell silent, their expressions clearly showing reluctance.

Noige grew anxious and hurriedly said, "What are you hesitating for? Although the village would be gone, we would still be alive, and the Moon Shadow Village would exist through us."

"Do you really want to watch our people die?"

A woman was finally moved; she tearfully came before Chen Nan, dropped to her knees, and pled earnestly, "Benefactor, I’m willing to follow you, even if it means becoming a workhorse or a team. Please save my daughter!"

Chen Nan bent down to help her up, smiling, and said, "Alright, bring your daughter here, and I’ll help you treat her."

This time, he didn’t intend to hide the treatment process from everyone.

The woman expressed endless gratitude and hurriedly had her daughter carried over, along with her husband.

Chen Nan first approached the little girl, seeing her emaciated form from long hours without food; she appeared like a candle near extinction.

"Benefactor, I beg you!"

The woman knelt, offering fervent prayers.

For her child, she was willing to sacrifice anything, even her life.

"Don’t worry, she’ll get better."

Reassuring her, Chen Nan summoned the little snake.

During this time, the small snake had consumed a lot of Gu Insects, and though it still looked tiny, it had grown several faint black patterns on its body.

Flicking its tongue, the little snake seemed to detect the aura of Nine Tribulation Celestial Silkworm, and its eyes sparkled brightly with excitement.

It slithered onto the little girl’s body, raised its head to look at her pale, thin face, and then bit down on her neck.

"Ah!"

The onlookers around became immediately tense, including the people from Huotang Village, gazing curiously.

Even though they had been saved by Chen Nan before, they hadn’t been told how it was done, hence their keen curiosity.

As soon as the little snake bit down, everyone held their breath collectively, feeling somewhat disdainful towards Chen Nan.

"Can this really save people? Could I just find a Gu Insect to do the same?"

"This is ridiculous; does he think his Gu is the King Gu?"

Mocking voices rose, even causing Noige to doubt.

Holding that cold Iron Mask, he regretted trusting Chen Nan so easily.

"Can he really treat the Immortal Epidemic? Let’s hope it’s true."