Dashing Student Chapter 991: A Difficult Choice

The situation in Huotang Village is dire, with two-thirds of the villagers infected with the Immortal Epidemic. If it’s not resolved, it will be a catastrophic disaster.

So hearing there was a way to cure the Immortal Epidemic, the priest’s first thought was disbelief.

After all, even with the use of secret techniques and the power of the King Gu, he couldn’t cure the Immortal Epidemic.

Even the King Gu couldn’t do it, how could there be another way?

However, a sliver of hope lingered in the priest’s heart.

What if?

"It’s true!" A cultivator nodded vigorously, "If you don’t believe it, ask Priest Ayin."

Only then did the priest turn to look at Ayin, hoping to find answers on her face.

"That’s right, we can cure the Immortal Epidemic."

Ayin nodded heavily, "Surely Priest Uncle has also summoned the King Gu? But the King Gu couldn’t solve it."

"Our village also had an outbreak of the Immortal Epidemic, but now it’s completely cured."

At this point, she didn’t know how to continue and could only look pleadingly at Chen Nan.

The old priest was overjoyed, his aged body almost leaping up.

During this time, his hair had almost fallen out from worry over the Immortal Epidemic; now seeing a turning point, he just wanted to laugh out loud three times.

But before he could laugh, a voice interrupted him.

Chen Nan didn’t disappoint Ayin and proceeded to explain everything she found difficult to say.

"We do indeed have a way to cure the Immortal Epidemic, but there’s a condition."

"And that is for your Huotang Village to merge into Moon Tower Dong Village, retaining only the name of Moon Tower Dong Village."

Initially, hearing that the Immortal Epidemic could be cured made the old priest’s heart soar with joy.

But upon hearing Chen Nan’s words, his heart plummeted from the clouds to the depths.

This demand was practically a death sentence!

However, the old priest, having experienced much, looked at Ayin and asked, "Ayin, who is this?"

"He is..."

Ayin suddenly hesitated, as she’d always referred to Chen Nan as a senior, yet never knew his real name.

"I am Mu Lang," Chen Nan answered, conveniently using the Heavenly Border name Ayin had given him.

"Yes, his name is Mu Lang, and he’s now an elder of our village," Ayin continued.

"Elder?"

The old priest widened his eyes further, studying Chen Nan up and down. Despite his scrutiny, he could only see a cultivator of the Third Layer of Foundation Establishment.

Have the thresholds for being an elder become so low?

"Priest Uncle, it’s not the kind of elder you’re thinking of; he’s an elder appointed by our village, but he’s definitely not weaker than a real elder. Only he can cure the Immortal Epidemic!" Ayin explained.

Although Chen Nan’s strength was lacking, simply having the King Gu in his possession made him more than qualified to be an elder.

The priest fell into deep thought. Clearly, this person before him could cure the Immortal Epidemic, yet he wanted to merge their village.

Should he save the people of the village or preserve their village?

"I need to discuss this with the villagers."

"Alright, but you only have one day," Chen Nan nodded, "If you haven’t decided by tomorrow, then we won’t stay any longer."

The priest knew that the man in front of him was in charge and, unsure where Moon Tower Dong Village found such a master, became much more respectful.

"I understand, sir. Please, come inside the village to rest, then."

The group headed toward a house in the village’s center, the old priest deliberately falling back to walk alongside Ayin.

"Ayin, is there more to the matter with Hu Luo than meets the eye?"

Having lived over a hundred years, he had seen many storms and easily discerned that there was more to these circumstances with Hu Luo.

Otherwise, why would a priest from Moon Tower Dong Village come and tell him this information?

Ayin pouted and smiled bitterly, "You can’t hide anything from Priest Grandpa."

So she shared everything Hu Luo had done.

The challenges against Moon Tower Dong Village people, the murder of Ayin, the intent to destroy Moon Tower Dong Village.

Even the old priest’s eyes widened in shock.

"How can he dare to defy the Heavenly Border’s rules? Aren’t they afraid of the King Gu’s punishment?"

Ayin sighed lightly, shaking her head as she spoke, "Priest Uncle, do you still believe in the King Gu? It couldn’t even resolve the Immortal Epidemic; must we just wait for death?"

"Ayin, what do you mean by this?" Hearing Ayin question the King Gu, the old priest released a sharp presence, his expression turning much sterner.

Ayin remained composed, meeting the old priest’s eyes directly.

"I just feel that the King Gu has abandoned us."

That phrase carried a sense of desolation, instantly dissipating the old priest’s momentum.

Yes, if not utterly disappointed in the King Gu, how could Ayin utter such blasphemous words?

Even the old priest sometimes wondered whether the King Gu had truly abandoned them.

"Priest Uncle, the reason I came today is actually for your benefit, trying to find you a rearguard as well."

The old priest looked at Chen Nan, who was walking ahead.

A rearguard? Is it him?

...

Soon enough, the old priest gathered all the people of Huotang Village, but only about thirty or so came, all looking lethargic and with sadness etched across their faces.

Their family members had all contracted the Immortal Epidemic, and even the King Gu was powerless, leaving them only to await death.

This kind of despairing emotion had crushed them completely.

"I’ve gathered everyone today to discuss something that will determine the life and death of our village!"

"Moon Tower Dong Village can cure the Immortal Epidemic!"

These words immediately reignited hope in the eyes of those present.

"Priest, is it true?"

The old priest nodded, knowing Ayin wouldn’t deceive him on this matter.

"It’s true, but they have a condition."

"And that’s for our Huotang Village to merge into Moon Tower Dong Village."

This statement was like lighting a powder keg, instantly causing several young villagers to jump up.

"No way! Moon Tower Dong Village is too despicable, using this to blackmail us?"

"Yes, we absolutely cannot compromise!"

"I would rather die from the Immortal Epidemic than merge into Moon Tower Dong Village; we’ll always be from Huotang Village!"

Seeing their agitation, even Chen Nan felt a bit restless.

After pondering for a moment, he whispered something to Ayin.

Ayin’s eyes lit up, and she quickly ran out of the house, coming to the old priest’s side.

"I am Ayin, the priest of Moon Tower Dong Village. I know you don’t want to merge, but now it’s about saving your people."

"However, we can compromise too. Although the merger will retain only the Moon Tower Dong Village name, we’ll allow your village’s people to add your village name to theirs."

"For example, Zhen Li will be called Huotang Zhen Li, and Hu Luo will be called Huotang Hu Luo."

"That way, your village still exists."

Suddenly, all the people of Huotang Village widened their eyes.

Is such a thing possible?