Chapter 036: Coercion and Temptation

With a swift motion, five vivid streaks of crimson appeared on Ruoyan’s pale arm. She let out a soft cry, and the number “-22” floated above her head.

Zhao Ming and four militiamen rushed forward, but Li Zhan, standing between them, stretched his arms out to block their advance. He remained silent, his gaze fixed intently on the two battle wolves, watching their reactions. Though Zhao Ming and the others were puzzled by Li Zhan’s intervention, they could only continue to observe the unfolding situation.

Ruoyan’s arm hovered in midair, her expression twisted slightly in pain, but she did not move. The battle wolf with the wounded face kept its paw on her arm, sharp claws protruding at the end of the bloody marks. The wolf glanced at Ruoyan, at the sashimi beneath its feet, and at its weakened companion. After a moment’s hesitation, it retracted its claws and withdrew its paw from Ruoyan’s arm.

With silent acknowledgment, Ruoyan was finally allowed to touch the head of the wolf whose leg was injured. The wolf gazed at her in confusion, uncertain of her intentions, but as Ruoyan gently stroked its brow, an unprecedented sense of comfort washed over it. Gradually, it closed its eyes, surrendering to the soothing touch.

Ruoyan examined the wolf’s injured leg: the hind limb below the joint was clearly fractured, causing the entire leg to tremble with pain. She traced the wolf’s body and found the wounded leg, causing the wolf to shudder, which made its companion tense up. However, seeing that Ruoyan meant no harm, the companion gradually relaxed.

Ruoyan then turned her attention to the wolf with the wounded face. Its injury, worsened by prolonged immersion in river water, had festered, exposing flesh streaked with red and white. When Ruoyan reached out, the wolf instinctively pulled its head back, but her hand still touched its nose, then traced up to its bridge. The wolf watched silently, savoring the unfamiliar comfort. It wished to close its eyes and enjoy the moment as its companion did, but with its friend gravely injured, caution prevailed, even though this human seemed harmless.

Having checked both wolves’ injuries, Ruoyan rose and walked back toward the dock. Behind her, the two wolves stared at her departing figure, a faint sense of reluctance stirring within them.

“We must treat these two battle wolves.”

Back at Li Zhan’s side, Ruoyan spoke with unwavering resolve, determined not to rest until her goal was met.

Li Zhan considered the situation. From his observations, these wolves were not like ordinary beasts; their emotions were surprisingly complex. His resolve to help them only strengthened. Yet, in the tribe, the only one capable of healing magic was the sly old priest, and persuading him to treat wolves would be no easy task.

After some thought, Li Zhan said to Ruoyan, “The priest is the only one who can help, but whether he’s willing is uncertain. Let’s try together to see if we can convince him. Also,” he turned to a nearby female villager, “go to the horse paddock and bring Li He and Jin Xue here to the dock and wait for us.”

The villager acknowledged and hurried off. Li Zhan and Jin Xue walked together, discussing how best to persuade the priest. They finally decided to use both threats and incentives, convinced that the old rascal would succumb.

The priest lived alone in a small wooden cabin. After knocking twice with no response, Li Zhan pushed the door open and entered. The priest lay sprawled across his bed, snoring contentedly.

He had no duties in the tribe, living as an idle man. Aside from rising for meals, he spent most of his time napping in bed.

Li Zhan coughed loudly, but the priest showed no sign of waking. So Li Zhan strode to the bedside and struck the headboard firmly. The loud noise startled the priest, who nearly leapt up, blinking sleepily at Li Zhan and Ruoyan.

“Has the church been built?” he asked.

Li Zhan’s prepared speech was immediately derailed by the question. How could there be a church in these dark times? In irritation, he replied, “No!”

“Then why bother me if the church isn’t built?” the priest grumbled, preparing to lie down again.

Li Zhan and Ruoyan exchanged glances, nodded, and began their campaign to persuade the priest.

As Li Zhan had anticipated, the priest balked at the request to treat the battle wolves, shaking his bald head vigorously and protesting that he had principles and would never do veterinary work—though in truth, he was simply afraid. Li Zhan, his expression dark, pressured the priest like a ruthless landlord. The priest, unable to withstand the coercion, groaned and complained—the generous rewards offered tempted him, but treating wolves still unsettled him deeply. Seeing the moment was right, Ruoyan quickly offered further incentives, promising to design new clothes for him and stew a pot of rabbit meat for him that very night as a reward. (Here, about seven hundred words have been omitted, as Old Wu sometimes finds his own narration too tedious—he’s aware of it. If you have any feedback on Old Wu’s writing, please do share; he thanks you in advance.)

With Li Zhan's pressure weakening his resistance, and the promise of new clothes and rabbit meat, the priest’s resolve melted away. Grinning from ear to ear, he set aside his principles and eagerly followed Li Zhan and Ruoyan out of the cabin toward the dock.

Li Zhan and Ruoyan led the way, while the priest, full of anticipation, trailed behind. The two exchanged a subtle glance, relief evident in their eyes. With the priest’s cooperation, there was hope for the wolves’ recovery, and both were delighted.

At the dock, Li He and Jin Xue were already waiting. Seeing Li Zhan and Ruoyan approach, they hurried forward.

“Chief, what do you need us for?” they asked, smiling at Ruoyan in greeting. Both had once been Ruoyan’s villagers and had joined Li Zhan’s Yanhuang Tribe together with her, and their relationship was close.

Li Zhan glanced at the two wolves still lying at the edge of the dense forest and said, “I’d like you to calm those two wolves so the priest can treat them smoothly. How confident are you?”

At this point, the priest finally shook off his reverie, glanced nervously at the wolves in the distance, and quickly added, “Yes, yes, how confident are you? Don’t risk this old man’s life!”