Chapter 187 Refugees
When I saw the small statue, my nerves tightened, thinking that they had been possessed by the Apocalypse Sect.
But upon closer inspection, it doesn't seem to be the case.
The statue's silhouette was clearly inspired by my previously vague image of "Starry Sky Lord." Its figure stood tall, a white veil covering its face, and its clothing was covered with tiny shards of glass to simulate the effects of stars. One hand hung at its side, while the other was raised, palm up, holding a rough sphere that looked like a planet.
In front of the statue, there are even a few fresh, simple wreaths made of wild flowers that may have just been found from the ruins.
When the Black Dragon Gang members passed by the statue, they would involuntarily lighten their steps.
It wasn't Zhao Kui who soon appeared. With an almost fanatical excitement on his face, he walked up quickly and said, "Second in command! You're back!" He looked at the statue with great pride, "Look! This was erected spontaneously by our brothers! Now we all understand that only by believing in Lord Xingqiong can we survive in this ghost world and have hope!"
No buddy, is that right?
I was a little amused and confused. Although this didn't seem like a bad thing, why did I feel so embarrassed when I saw my own statue?
"Second in command, why don't you say anything?" Zhao Kui was a little confused when he saw that I didn't speak for a long time.
"Ah... yes, I think you are right." I nodded solemnly.
Suppressing the slight sense of shame for the moment, I turned my gaze back to the statue, my heart moving slightly.
The erection of the statue means that faith is no longer limited to words and thoughts, but begins to have concrete sustenance.
This will undoubtedly greatly enhance the cohesion and spread of faith. More importantly, I can clearly feel a trace of power from faith that is more condensed and purer than ever before. It is passing through the statue, across space, and flowing into my body. Although the total amount is not large, it is extremely stable and pure.
Bai Zang also rushed over upon hearing the news. He first briefly explained to me the situation at the base over the past few days: the defenses were solid, the search for supplies was going smoothly, and the few members who had undergone mental training had made significant progress and had become the backbone of the team.
Then, he changed the subject and mentioned the real point: "I'm back just in time. Our stronghold is basically stable at the moment, but if we want to develop in the long term, sticking to one place is not enough. We need to expand our influence and attract more people and resources."
Do you have a goal?" I asked.
"Yes." Bai Zang nodded.
“There’s a group of people, about a dozen or so, who were recently evicted from shelters elsewhere and are wandering around in dire straits.
I've sent people to contact them, and they're all elderly, weak, sick, and disabled. They were expelled by the shelter under the pretext of 'optimizing resources' and 'lack of productivity.'
He paused and added, "There are quite a few sick children, their families, and some elderly people inside. From what Aaron has gathered, there were actually more than 30 people who were driven out at the beginning, and most of them died along the way."
At this point, Bai Zang sneered: "Tsk tsk, the word 'optimization' is really high-sounding."
The old, weak, sick and disabled usually mean a burden in the end times.
But looking at it from another angle...
Judging from Bai Zang’s expression, he should have the same idea as me.
Without me saying much, Bai Zang took me to the temporary hiding place of the group of expellees.
That was something he arranged secretly.
To be honest, I was a little surprised. After all, Bai Zang didn't give me the impression of being a compassionate person before.
But perhaps he also has his considerations.
This temporary hiding place is actually an abandoned shop.
Their faces didn't look too good, their eyes dull, and they were clutching coughing children. A few elderly people huddled in a corner, waiting for their silent end. Disease and malnutrition were rapidly draining their already fragile vitality.
When they saw us, a group of people with weapons who did not look like good people, there was a flash of extreme fear in their eyes, and then it turned into a dead silence of resignation.
I didn't say anything more, my eyes scanning the sickest children. Pneumonia, high fever, severe infections... Given the current state of medical care, they were practically sentenced to death.
I walked over to a little girl who was half-hearted and crouched down. Her mother tried to stop me in fear, but when she saw Bai Zang's eyes, she swallowed in fear.
I stretched out my hand, and instead of the healing energy contained in my fingertips, I quietly wielded the illusory authority that had already been sublimated.
This takes some effort because I need to use my illusory authority to make their discomfort seem fake.
"Your illness is imaginary."
"Your body is healing quickly."
"Warmth and strength are returning to you."
I silently "steal" the pain from their bodies.
This is not a cure, but a deception: a deception of the illness itself, a deception of the feeling of physical weakness.
Under the vigilant gazes of those around her, the little girl's rapid breathing actually calmed down. The fever on her forehead subsided at a noticeable speed. She even drowsily opened her eyes and muttered softly, "Mom... I'm hungry..."
Then, like a chain reaction, the coughs of the other patients who were enveloped by my mental power weakened, the painful groans stopped, and a hint of blood returned to their pale faces.
The actual damage to their bodies remained, and the viruses and bacteria hadn't vanished. But thanks to my abilities, their "sense of illness" was temporarily shielded, their immune systems no longer suppressed by pain and despair, and they even received a subtle positive boost from the psychological suggestion of "recovery," maximizing their bodily functions and giving them a chance to breathe.
If they are provided with clean food and water, they may be able to survive on their own.
This scene was undoubtedly a miracle in the eyes of those who were expelled and the surrounding Black Dragon Gang members.
"Lord Xingqiong...it's Lord Xingqiong who has appeared!" Zhao Kui was the first to kneel down on the ground excitedly and shouted fanatically.
Immediately afterwards, the families of those who had been cured followed suit, kneeling down with tears streaming down their faces, kowtowed repeatedly. The previously numb and hopeless expellees' eyes rekindled with an unbelievable fire of hope, and they followed suit. Even some of the veteran Black Dragon Gang members, who had previously only revered the power, now had a more devout look in their eyes.
Bai Zang watched all this silently, not knowing what he was thinking.
"Take them back to the base and properly settle them down." I instructed Zhao Kui.
"Yes! Second in command!" Zhao Kui's tone at this moment was unprecedentedly respectful.
These abandoned people were quickly taken back to the base and properly settled. The sick were isolated, while the healthy ones were quickly divided into groups.
Taking in these abandoned people may seem to increase the burden, but in fact it brings in valuable wealth far beyond material resources - human resources.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
