Toxins, the Great Shaman, and the Wounded

Those who can be kept in wooden cages are all High-tier Extraordinary.

Besides Uncle Sam, there was a Sid, two Omar noblemen, and the last one was the leader of a large Scavenger Gang.

Without exception, they were all fifth-order "prisoners of war".

The prisoners had almost no food except for a little soup.

They were all bound by [magic-suppressing stone locks], unable to escape or die, and were simply waiting to be sacrificed to the "Morogos God" worshipped by the barbarians.

Among the Seventy-Two Divine Generals, the one ranked twenty-first is the legendary "God of Mountain Power".

Rein finally understood why Wudo had asked that barbarian to look after him before she left.

Because these newly arrived "prisoners of war" would be cared for, spat on, and pelted with stones by the elderly, women, and children who had lost loved ones in the war.

I won't die, but it's very uncomfortable.

Rein was spared a beating because that brat named "Obald" protected him; as for Tuster and Karl, one old and one young, the barbarian women and children didn't dare to lay a hand on them and didn't beat them much.

The one who suffered the worst ending was a certain legend, who was targeted and pelted with stones until his head was covered in bumps.

Fortunately, werewolves are tough and resilient, so even with the [Mana-Sealing Lock], this injury was a minor problem.

Watching Bazel bar his teeth menacingly at the savages who were throwing stones,

Uncle Sam next door sighed softly, as if he'd been there all along, "Hey, Senior Bazel, it's no use. The fiercer you are with them, the more you'll provoke their anger. They'll probably stuff your mouth with monster dung soon enough."

Upon hearing this, Bazel seemed to have some unpleasant memories stirred up again, his expression changed abruptly, and he stopped grimacing. He turned his back and let the stones hit his back.

Rein looked at the sturdy wooden cage, his brow furrowed.

The few people around him— Uncle Sam, Bazel, and the grandfather and grandson Tuster —were among the few he knew in this world who could be called friends.

The debt of gratitude he owed to Wudo was only enough for him to survive, but he also wondered what he could do to ensure that everyone could live.

After racking my brains without success, suddenly...

Karl, standing nearby, cried out anxiously, "Brother Rein, my grandfather is dying! Can you think of anything?"

Rein looked over and frowned. Although he still had some emergency medicine in his folded space, he couldn't inject it into the old man now.

Just then, unfortunately, Wudo also walked towards the wooden cage.

Wudo ordered the barbarian guards to open Rein's cage, seemingly to let him out.

At this moment, Rein quickly said, "High Priest Wudo, although we are prisoners, as you can see, he is an old man on his deathbed, and also a patient."

Before he could finish speaking, Wudo glanced at Tuster and said coldly, "He's been poisoned. In our Kolman Tribe, it's called 'Mandarin Flesh Paralysis Toxin.' The toxin devoured his flesh; living is torture for him."

In the primitive civilization of the Kolman Tribe, the "muscular dystrophy" caused by toxins was seen as being devoured by flesh and blood, which is understandable.

To Rein's surprise, Wudo immediately named the toxin!

Mandarin Flesh Paralysis Toxin?

Since they know the name, it means they have likely studied this toxin.

A flicker of joy crossed Rein's mind, and he quickly asked, "Does your Kolman Tribe have a way to deal with this toxin?"

To his surprise, Wudo nodded and casually said, "Yes."

It doesn't seem to be a difficult to treat toxin.

But she seemed to have guessed what Rein was going to say and poured cold water on it in advance, "The 'Witch Doctor' of this tribe can cure this poison. But don't even think about it, we will never cure an invader."

Rein also knew that if he pressed the issue any further, he would probably destroy any remaining goodwill Wudo had left.

He could only make one last attempt, saying, "You know I'm a doctor of life and death, and I don't want to see an elderly patient die like this. Even if I can't cure the poison, could I at least give that old man an injection to keep him alive temporarily? Don't waste your herbs, I have the finished product in my storage ring."

Wudo thought for a moment, her eyes showing a hint of difficulty, but she still agreed.

Turning to her, she said, "Come with me. My teacher wants to see you. I told him about how you saved me. As long as you don't say anything offensive, he should forgive you."

After saying that, Wudo added, "This is the most I can do to help you. From today onwards, I will not owe you any favors."

Rein nodded calmly. "Thank you."

Isn't Wudo's teacher the mysterious "Great Shaman" Mafat, the supreme leader of Kolman?

The wooden cell was opened.

The ropes binding Rein were also removed, and he followed Wudo through the barbarian tribe toward the largest building in the tribe, Bamboo House decorated with beautiful bird feathers on its roof.

Along the way, countless barbarians cast curious glances at him.

Because they had also heard that there was a fellow among the "invaders" who could speak their Coleman Language. Now, the Great Shaman Mafat wanted to see him.

Before long, the wooden building came into view.

Rein could clearly see several large snakes, each as thick as a water vat, being kept under the stilted thatched hut.

When he followed Wudo onto the Bamboo House, the presence of a stranger made the eyes of the large snakes light up, as if they had spotted food, and they swam over.

Rein's eyelids twitched, and he quickly followed closely to Wudo's side.

Various dried herbs hung everywhere outside the Bamboo House, emitting a strong medicinal aroma. He himself was a pharmacist and was very sensitive to these smells.

However, in pharmaceutics, these medicinal materials are usually only taken from the parts with definite effects, which are ground into powder or extracted into liquid form. It is rare for them to be preserved together with the roots and stems.

Although I was curious, I didn't stay long.

Because he heard some rustling sounds coming from certain corners of the Bamboo House.

Clearly, besides the large snakes underground, there were many other strange "living creatures" in the Bamboo House.

Not long after,

Wudo led Rein into the largest room of the Bamboo House. She said to the old man who was bent over the table, writing and drawing on animal skin, "Teacher, I brought him."

Rein's gaze fell over there.

"Great Shaman" Mafat was an old man with gray hair, and he did not appear to have the imposing presence of an "elder" that would make everything around him pale in comparison.

He's more like an ordinary old man.

This gave Rein the feeling of seeing Master Cavo for the first time in the library, both of them reaching that state of returning to simplicity.

At first glance, he knew this person was very capable.

Mafat's face was deeply wrinkled, bearing the marks of time. He looked so aged, almost like a dried-up corpse that had crawled out of a grave. He wore a headdress made of a pale white bull skull, and the colors of the totems on his skin were dulled by the dark, sallow complexion of his skin.

After thinking for a moment, Rein took the initiative to greet him, putting his hand over his chest in a general salute, and said, "Rein Hermes, a physician from a distant land, greets the esteemed Great Shaman of the Kolman Tribe."

The Great Shaman was much kinder than expected.

He was still writing and drawing, without looking up, when he replied in his old, hoarse voice, "I've heard Little Wudo say that 'doctor' is the term used in your civilization to refer to 'Witch Doctor.' They are also a kind and neutral group among you."

When Rein arrived here, he realized that although Wudo seemed indifferent, she had said a lot of nice things to him.

He immediately responded, "Saving lives is a doctor's duty. Indeed, as you said, being a doctor is a relatively neutral profession."

At that moment, the Great Shaman seemed to have finished writing and looked up at Rein.

In that instant when their eyes met, Rein felt as if he had been "penetrated" through.

Those were incredibly wise eyes, as if all the conspiracies in the world could not hide from them.

Rein stiffened slightly, but quickly regained his composure. He hadn't done anything wrong, and there was nothing he couldn't face.

But one can imagine that if someone with ulterior motives were standing here, being stared at by that one glance would likely cause serious trouble.

"I heard from Wudo that you have a great talent for languages, and now that I see it, it is indeed true."

The Great Shaman paused for a moment, then said, "It's rare to find an enemy I can communicate with. Could you answer a few questions for this old man?"

Rein: "Please go ahead."

The Great Shaman, "Our Kolman Tribe has lived peacefully in this forest for generations, never seeking conflict. Why must your civilization slaughter my people like this?"

Rein responded, "For an energy fuel, coal. Our steel castles require a lot of coal resources to operate. And someone has discovered rich coal deposits in this forest."

Is this it?

At that moment, the Great Shaman picked up a piece of High-Combustion Coal that looked like a black diamond from the table.

Rein nodded. "Yes, the piece you have in your hand is a more valuable 'High-Combustion Coal'."

Mafat sighed again, "This stuff is of little use to us except as a substitute for firewood. It's everywhere in the forest. Do you think what you're doing is right?"

Rein felt he should now appease the old man and say, "No."

But clearly, he knew that this was not what the other person wanted to hear.

Moreover, while resource plunder is bloody and cruel, it is almost inevitable between different civilizations. From a certain perspective, the countless wars waged in Rein's previous life were all for the redistribution of resources.

This is not a question of right or wrong.

It's human nature.

Thinking of this, Rein said, "Powerful beings all have the instinct to conquer the weak. The law of the jungle is not only the law of the forest, but also the law between civilizations. Your Excellency, Great Shaman, I have no disrespect for nobles. Personally, I would prefer to forge a friendship with the Kolman Tribe. But I'm sorry, the war between the two tribes is not something a small person like me can control."

Hearing this, the old man's expression remained completely unchanged.

This wise old man had long seen through everything.

This is not just a resource war, but also a conquest of the weak by the strong.

The invaders coveted not only the coal mines, but also all the resources in the forest, including those of the Kolman people.

Unless the Kohlman Clan are willing to be slaves and give everything, they will never satisfy the appetite of the aggressor.

This war, from the very beginning, was destined to end with one side making a complete compromise.

"."

The Great Shaman Mafat asked a few questions that weren't very important, and Rein answered them all.

Finally, we came to the last question.

"We, the Kohlman Clan, are a people who know how to be grateful. Since you saved Little Wudo, in return, we will let you leave the forest alive."

At this point, the Great Shaman glanced at Wudo beside him and said, "Little Wudo pleaded for you, saying that you and your companions are kind people. However, you should understand that the vengeful spirits of those innocent Kolman people who died need blood to appease them. It's regrettable that you cannot take your friends with you."

Rein listened, his heart skipped a beat.

The old man's words, though calm, conveyed a resolute determination that left no room for negotiation. This completely eliminated any chance for him to utter the words he had prepared.

"I"

Rein wanted to say something more, but the old man seemed to ignore him and said, "Wudo, take him out. Have the warriors escort him out of the forest."

Wudo: "Okay, teacher."

Rein's eyes trembled, unable to hide his anxiety.

He knew very well that this was his only chance to see the Great Shaman, and if he didn't seize it, Karl and the others would be doomed!

Just as he was pondering what conditions he should propose to persuade the Great Shaman...

Suddenly, a commotion erupted from the tribe!

It looked as if a large group of people were rushing towards the Bamboo House.

Upon hearing the footsteps, both Mafat and Wudo inside the house frowned simultaneously. Clearly, these hurried footsteps must be good news!

Sure enough.

A few breaths later, someone appeared at the door, shouting anxiously, "Priest, something terrible has happened! High Priest Hela is injured! Not long ago, those damned invaders attacked the Fengshan Tribe, and the priest was seriously wounded while protecting his people. The Witch Doctor are helpless; please, you must save him!"

In the short time it took for this person to give his report, the entrance was already packed with people.

The two tribes are currently locked in fierce combat, and it is only natural that the outer tribes are attacked; casualties occur almost daily.

Rein looked closely and saw a group of people carrying a female High Priest covered in blood in front of the attic door.

Great Shaman Mafat was not only the leader of the Kolman Tribe, but also the most powerful Witch Doctor in the tribe.

Upon hearing this, he walked solemnly to the wounded soldier.

Wudo had no time to pay attention to Rein anymore and rushed over anxiously.

The barbarians were all very tall, and when they were all gathered together, it looked to Rein as if a row of "black bamboo forests" had appeared before him.

His gaze pierced through the long, dark legs and Rein saw a female barbarian lying on a wooden stretcher with an arrow stuck in her left eye socket.

Great Shaman Mafat examined her injuries, and Rein also saw that the arrow had pierced her skull, with a large portion protruding from the back of her head.

It's lucky I'm still alive with such a penetrating wound. The fact that I've held on until now is entirely due to those "Witch Doctor" forcibly maintaining my vital signs with healing spells.

But if it's not dealt with, they'll die sooner or later.

Moreover, Rein, with his sharp eyes, also noticed that the arrow was no ordinary one; it was a particularly vicious "Armor-Breaking Alchemical Centipede Arrow".

Besides the arrowhead, the shaft is covered with barbs resembling centipedes. Once pierced by the arrow, no matter which direction you pull it out, it will bring out a large mass of flesh and blood.

Now that it has penetrated the brain, it needs to be forcibly pulled out; even the strongest "healing magic" cannot save it.

The Great Shaman Mafat examined it carefully and also noticed the strangeness of the arrow, his brows furrowing deeper and deeper.

The medical system of the Kolman Tribe is still in a very primitive stage.

Ninety-nine percent of external injuries are treated in the same way: apply a lump of dark, crushed herbs to the wound, bandage it with leaves, and wait for it to heal.

For particularly large wounds, there are also simple suture methods, which involve taking small pieces of biological casing and stitching them together with a fishbone needle about the thickness of a sewing needle.

Of course, this is related to the physical condition of the Kolman people. In many cases, this treatment works fine, but the infection mortality rate is not low.

They didn't compare, nor did they feel there was anything wrong with it.

As for "witchcraft healing," that's a treatment reserved for very serious patients.

These healing "witchcraft" spells are actually the same as the Transcendent spells of the clergy. Their spell principle is to use Transcendent power to stimulate the activity of human cells, accelerate wound healing, or forcibly stimulate the secretion of human hormones to maintain vital signs.

In many cases, this is a very useful treatment method.

However, if certain special injuries are not completely eradicated, even the most powerful magic cannot save them.

For example, like the one right in front of us.

Rein a doctor himself, when he sees wounded soldiers, his mind reflexively thinks about how he would handle the situation if he were in that situation.

Ever since he almost got his head chopped off and died in City of Radiance, Rein has devoted even more effort to studying life-saving emergency surgeries.

Whether it's a gunshot wound to the head, a knife wound, or an arrow wound, Rein had carefully analyzed and practiced all these injuries in his Mind Core.

As long as he doesn't die on the spot, he'll think about how to save himself.

Of course, if you can save yourself, you can save others.

As Rein had predicted, the Great Shaman was very powerful.

He scooped up a ball of green, magical light and pressed it against the wound on the priestess who had been shot with an arrow. In the blink of an eye, the bleeding stopped completely, and all her wounds visibly healed.

In the blink of an eye, the scabs fell off, and the newly grown skin was completely healed. This healing effect was like a miracle.

However, the arrow stuck in his eye socket was still not pulled out.

What he did only temporarily relieved the priestess's injuries, but the most fundamental problem remained unresolved.

Pulling out this "centipede arrow" will surely lead to death, but leaving it incurable is impossible, putting Mafat in a dilemma.

After much deliberation, no conclusion was reached.

Looking at the expectant and anxious eyes of his people, the old man sighed and shook his head.

With that sigh, everyone understood.

Even the high priest couldn't do anything about it; it was practically a death sentence.

No one in the tribe could cure her.

The hope in the eyes of these barbarians quickly turned into tears and despair.

"Priest, those invaders are despicable! They've already begun to encroach on the outer edges of the forest!"

"Priest, let's fight them!"

"Yes! Kill them all and avenge our people..."

"."

The crowd was filled with righteous indignation, and their sorrow instantly turned into hatred, which grew stronger and stronger.

The atmosphere inside the small building was very oppressive.

But suddenly,

A discordant voice suddenly emerged.

"That... High Priest..."

These words seemed to possess a magical power, freezing the air in place.

All the barbarians in the room turned their heads to look over.

In the heat of the moment, no one noticed the white dwarf in the house. Now that they looked, they finally noticed Rein.

Huh?! A damned invader has actually managed to sneak into their most sacred place?!

Even Wudo looked surprised, her eyes filled with anger and anxiety.

At this critical juncture, wouldn't it be better if you just kept quiet?

This is terrible! She has angered her people, and even if she wanted to save them, it would be too late!

Rein felt his hair stand on end under the furious gazes of this group of powerful figures, who were practically spitting fire. He quickly finished his sentence.

"What I'm trying to say is that I'm also a doctor. I can treat this injury."