Dashing Student Chapter 983: No Cure

The clan members fell ill, which was something A Yin hadn’t expected, and she vaguely guessed the truth of the matter.

It was impossible for things to happen so coincidentally at the same time.

She hadn’t told the clan about the reason for Uncle Fu and the others’ deaths, fearing the clan might act impulsively and make a mistake.

But now, the situation had come to their doorstep, igniting a fury in her heart.

So she was quickly led into a clay house, where she saw a middle-aged man lying on the bed.

The man’s cheeks were sunken, lips ashen, and he was already at his last breath.

After checking several people in a row, all with the same situation, A Yin’s face turned pale.

"How could this be? This is clearly the Immortal Epidemic!"

"What?!"

The clan members who came with her were all shocked and terrified upon hearing the words Immortal Epidemic.

"Leave first; none of you can get close to these patients except me!"

A Yin bit her lip and instructed, her face gray, clearly finding even this disease troublesome.

Chen Nan had been following behind all along and felt utterly confused at this moment.

What kind of sickness is the Immortal Epidemic? How come he had never heard of it?

Finally, someone noticed Chen Nan and asked in confusion, "Who are you?"

Luckily, Chen Nan had learned the Heavenly Border dialect, so he wasn’t caught out.

"I am Mu Lang, I’ve returned."

"Mu Lang?" The young man widened his eyes upon hearing Chen Nan’s words, "Is it really you? I’m A Bai; don’t you recognize me?"

"I’ve been away too long; you’ve changed a lot."

"Why are you wearing a mask?" A Bai asked curiously.

Chen Nan sighed, "Got my face injured outside."

A Bai nodded, patted Chen Nan’s shoulder, but couldn’t muster any enthusiasm, only sighed and said, "It’s good you’re back, good you’re back."

After casually exchanging a few words, Chen Nan finally came to stand in front of A Yin.

"What is the Immortal Epidemic?"

Although A Yin forced herself to appear calm, the panic in her eyes betrayed her.

"It’s a disease from our Heavenly Border, said to be a curse from the Demon Gu, incurable. Once it appears, the tribe faces a catastrophe, and even cultivators aren’t spared."

This piqued Chen Nan’s curiosity even more. Supposedly, a cultivator’s body has shed the mortal coil and should be immune to all illnesses; how could there still be a disease that even affects cultivators?

After watching A Yin leave, he entered the room, gently placing his hand on the patient’s pulse, and a strand of mana flowed from his fingertips into the patient’s body.

At this moment, the King of Ten Thousand Gu suddenly became restless, conveying a complex array of emotions to Chen Nan: excitement, wariness, even a trace of fear.

Chen Nan raised an eyebrow, utterly shocked; he had never received any emotion akin to fear from the King of Ten Thousand Gu.

Even when faced with formidable foes, the King of Ten Thousand Gu was never afraid.

This situation was unprecedented.

Soon, A Yin returned, handing Chen Nan a small bottle.

"Inside is the medicine I concocted; it might be useful for your injury. You should leave quickly."

She didn’t address Chen Nan as Uncle nor as an elder; her tone conveyed deep helplessness and despair.

Originally, Chen Nan was just trying to escape from being pursued, hoping to find a quiet place to cultivate, and dreaded being caught up in trouble.

Upon seeing the situation in the Moon Tower Dong Village, he had already thought of leaving.

After all, this matter had nothing to do with him and might even cause him trouble.

But when he saw A Yin giving him medicine for his injury, wanting him to leave this troublesome place quickly, Chen Nan felt he couldn’t leave.

At least, not now.

"You, so afraid of death when it comes down to it, yet always considering others in times of danger. If I left now, wouldn’t that be disloyal?"

"Who asked me to be your Uncle?"

A Yin gave a bitter smile, "But there’s no guarantee I can treat the Immortal Epidemic; it might even involve you. This terrible disease is contagious!"

"Don’t worry about me; I’m curious to see how you will treat it." Chen Nan said nonchalantly.

...

A Yin planned to use the methods of the Heavenly Border Village to treat the Immortal Epidemic, as the remaining clan members set up a stack of firewood in the camp’s center, placing Uncle Fu and the others’ bodies on top.

This was their unique way of cremation.

As the fire blazed, the villagers around the fire began a strange dance, singing a chant Chen Nan couldn’t understand, desolate and solitary.

The song gradually vanished into the night.

After dealing with Uncle Fu and the others’ bodies, it was already noon the next day.

A Yin called for a patient to be carried out and placed on a bed, while she herself changed into special clothes, the silver accessories on her jingling.

All the clan members looked solemn, and A Yin was somewhat nervous as well, as she had only recently become a priestess and was doing many things for the first time.

She walked to the patient’s side, placing one hand on the patient’s face while raising the other high as if reaching for the sunlight.

The ancient chant began again, but this time it lacked that desolate feeling, sounding more like a mantra being recited, over and over.

After a long time, A Yin suddenly opened her eyes, appearing like a completely different person, with only coldness in her gaze, no panic.

Chen Nan, at this moment, was suddenly startled; the King of Ten Thousand Gu within him was restless.

Moreover, he saw A Yin’s gaze pierce through the crowd, landing on him.

Although she quickly looked away, Chen Nan felt a chill, as if he had just been noticed by a powerful presence.

"Bloodletting, summon the Demon Gu!"

Upon command, the young man named A Bai came forward holding a small silver knife.

A Yin picked up the silver knife and gently cut the patient’s wrist, causing blood to slowly drip and pool on the ground.

At the same time, she kept her hand on the patient’s face, continuing to chant the ancient melody, while a fine layer of sweat appeared on her forehead.

In this situation, the patient seemed to truly improve, with a hint of color returning to their pale face.

Alas, before there was any time to rejoice, the patient’s face paled again; their breath like a candle in the wind, ready to extinguish at any moment.

A Yin collapsed to the ground, exhausted, and despair filled her eyes once more.

"It’s useless; the King Gu has abandoned us."

Upon hearing this, the faces of all the clan members fell instantly; a look of utter hopelessness, as if they were the walking dead just waiting to die.

"It’s my fault; I can’t save Uncle Fu, nor the clan..."

A Yin covered her face and began to cry, and the other villagers also wept in sorrow, as though it was the end of the world.

The only King Gu in Heavenly Border was not only all of Heavenly Border’s belief but also the source of all the villages’ power.

When things went awry, the village priest could communicate with the King Gu, asking for its power to resolve the situation.

But this time, it was clear they had failed; even the King Gu’s power couldn’t cure the Immortal Epidemic.

Watching their sorrowful expressions, Chen Nan slowly walked over, "Perhaps, I can give it a try."