Chapter 48 The Decision to Migrate, the Difficulty of Leaving Homeland, and the Light of Hope...
Although their bodies remained weak and their eyes glazed over, at least the Silent Ones were no longer the mindless, unresponsive zombies who let life slip away. They began to talk quietly, to help each other move around, and some of the children, after finishing their porridge, even had the energy to chase after the sparks flying around the fire.
Looking at this scene, Lin Yue felt incredibly smug. He now truly understood what it meant for people to have food as their most important necessity, and what it meant to win someone's heart through their stomach. He hadn't just cooked a pot of porridge; he had clearly cooked up the KPIs for an entire tribe.
"It seems that to win over these aloof noble descendants, I'll still have to rely on my skillful hands that can turn the rotten into the magical," Lin Yue thought to himself with satisfaction. "Once I bring them back to Hope Town, I'll definitely give them a special VIP dietary therapy package for the Silent Ones, making sure they're completely obedient and call me... uh, Master Curator every day!"
Of course, a single meal isn't enough to move them. The most crucial issue right now is how to persuade Elder Farador, who seems particularly opinionated and can hold telepathic meetings directly in his mind, to lead the entire tribe to follow him.
So, after all the Silent Ones had drunk the porridge of life and their emotions had stabilized a bit, Lin Yue once again invited Elder Farador to the relatively open space outside the cave through Gray, in preparation for a high-level meeting that would determine the fate of the Silent Ones tribe.
To increase his bargaining power and persuasiveness, Lin Yue specifically asked Amu and Barton to show off all the hard currency in his backpack: a small mountain of roasted potato chips, dried meat strips emitting an enticing aroma, snow-white and fine salt, several iron tools gleaming coldly, and even a menu board that read "Lin's Little Restaurant, Good Things Keep Coming".
"Elder," Lin Yue said, pointing to the supplies, his tone sincere and earnest, "as you can see, we are not just making empty promises. We have the ability to provide everyone with basic survival guarantees."
He cleared his throat:
“I know that it is a very difficult decision to ask you to leave the homeland that you have protected for generations. However, you have also seen the current situation in the Valley of Tears. The filth here is getting thicker and thicker, and the food and water are severely polluted. If you stay any longer, the consequences will be unimaginable.”
Elder Farador remained silent, gazing intently at Lin Yue, as if trying to see through the young outsider's eyes to discern his true thoughts.
Lin Yue continued, "And where we are, although we are also on the edge of the cursed land, we have found some ways to purify the water and improve the soil. We have plenty of clean food, such as these roasted potatoes, which are filling; and this dried meat, which provides strength; most importantly, we have salt! Plenty of salt!"
He paused, then emphasized, "Moreover, through my observations and... well... some special research, I've discovered that the reason your people have become weak and have difficulty communicating is likely related to a long-term lack of certain key nutrients and the erosion of this land by its polluted atmosphere! And we may have a way to help you alleviate or even improve this situation through special dietary adjustments."
These words were Lin Yue's real trump card! He believed that for a tribe on the verge of extinction, nothing was more tempting than continuation and restoration.
Sure enough, when Elder Farador heard "improve this situation," a look of disbelief flashed in his eyes.
"You...you're telling the truth?...You...have a way...to alleviate...the corrosive influence of the filth?"
"I wouldn't dare say 100%," Lin Yue said modestly (yeah right), waving his hand. "But at least, judging from the effect of that bowl of porridge just now, there is hope, right? Moreover, we have a very skilled dwarf blacksmith there who can forge sturdy tools and weapons to help us build our homes and defend against dangers. We also have an experienced old farmer who can lead everyone to cultivate the land and grow more food."
Lin Yue's gaze swept over every face, whether numb or expectant, and his tone became more sincere and forceful:
"Most importantly, there is a group of human partners in our area who, like you, were forced to leave their homes due to natural disasters and man-made calamities, but ultimately chose to believe in us and take root in Hope Town. They were once just as desperate as you, but now, they have built new homes, cultivated new fields, and rediscovered the dignity of living with their own hands."
"So you are not alone. As long as people are alive and willing to work together, there will always be hope!"
He outlined his vision for Hope Town: "Together we will build sturdy homes, free from the wind and rain; we will cultivate more farmland so that everyone can have enough to eat and wear; we will establish a comprehensive defense system to protect everyone's safety; and most importantly, we will work together to find ways to combat the curse on this land, so that our children can grow up in a healthier and safer environment!"
Each of his promises was like a ray of sunlight piercing through the gloom of despair, illuminating a frozen heart.
Elder Farador remained silent for a very long time, so long that Lin Yue thought he might have fallen asleep due to excessive mental exertion.
Finally, he slowly raised his head, his eyes flashing with a complex light—a mixture of reluctance, struggle, and doubt, but more than anything, a resolute determination born of being driven to the brink and having no choice but to grasp at the last straw.
He could sense the sincerity in Lin Yue's words and understand the beautiful future he described. However, leaving the homeland that his family had protected for generations was a decision that weighed heavily on his mind.
The whispers of "outsiders..." echoed again, but this time, there was less cold rejection and more bitter struggle. "I believe seven-tenths of what you said... The food you brought... does indeed contain the long-lost breath of life... But... this decision... concerns the survival and... dignity of the entire Silent Tribe..."
He slowly shook his head. [...I need...to discuss with my people...and I also need...to listen to...the final...guidance of the sacred tree...]
Having said that, Elder Farador, supported by two guards, turned and slowly walked back into the deepest, darkest cave. The other Silent Ones followed him inside. The heavy stone door slowly closed again, isolating Lin Yue and his group outside and leaving behind a huge mystery.
"Damn... this feels just like finishing a project proposal and being locked out by the client waiting for the final review results!" Lin Yue looked at the tightly closed stone door, feeling anxious and unable to help but complain.
Gray's expression was also unusually grave. He said in a low voice, "This is our tribe's oldest tradition. Any decision concerning the fate of the entire tribe must be decided jointly by the elders and all adult members. Lin Yue... please give them some time..."
Waiting is a long and agonizing process.
Lin Yue and his companions could only stand outside the cave, straining their ears to try and catch any sound from inside. But the cave was deathly silent, as if time itself had frozen.
Lin Yue could almost picture the scene inside the cave: the elders sitting together, fiercely debating the future of the tribe; the young guards perhaps still clinging to their pride in protecting their homeland; and the frail mothers, watching their children regain life in their arms with a bowl of porridge, silently shedding tears…
This is not just a choice between going or staying, but a difficult choice between tradition and survival, dignity and hope.
I don't know how much time passed, maybe an hour, maybe an afternoon. As the light in the valley began to dim, the heavy stone door finally creaked open again.
Elder Farador stepped forward, followed by all the Silent Ones. Their faces were now filled with a resolute determination, as if they had nothing to lose.
[...Outsider...Lin Yue...I...we Silent Ones...have...no...way out...]
[…What we are protecting…is life…not…graves…]
If...what you said...is true...if...you can really...bring...a glimmer of hope...to my people...then...I am willing...to lead them...to follow you...
However…I also have one condition…
Lin Yue was overjoyed, knowing that the matter was mostly settled, and quickly said, "Elder, please speak. We will do our best as long as it is within our power!"
[...If one day...we find...a way to purify the wounds of the earth...or at least to reinforce the seal...we...hope to...return to the Valley of Tears...after all...this is...the home we have protected for generations...]
“No problem!” Lin Yue agreed without hesitation. “I assure you! As long as we have the ability, we will definitely help you return to your homeland. In fact… we can work together to find a way to completely resolve that so-called Earth's Sorrow problem.”
Boasting isn't illegal, so let's make a big promise to reassure people first!
[System Notification: The S-rank chain quest "The Lament of the Earth" has been updated. The sub-quest "The Call of the Valley of Tears" is 75% complete. The Silent Elder has been successfully persuaded to agree to the migration. The next objective is to safely bring the Silent Tribe back to Hope Town!]
With the elders' promise secured, the decision to migrate was thus made with great difficulty.
However, the elder's next words made the atmosphere solemn again.
Before we leave...please come with me...we need to take...our last hope with us...
Elder Farador offered no further explanation, but instead, leaning on his cane and supported by Graeme, led the group toward the charred remains of the sacred tree in the center of the village.
There, all was deathly silent, filled with an aura of destruction. Yet, in the cracks of those charred tree roots, a tender green shoot, so tenacious it sent shivers down everyone's spine, caught their eye.
It was a tiny seedling, no taller than a finger, just emerging from the soil. It had only two small, crescent-shaped leaves, which, against the backdrop of the surrounding deathly blackness, radiated a soft glow and were full of indescribable vitality!
“The Sacred Tree…the Sacred Tree is not dead! It…it is still alive!” A female Silent Speaker covered her mouth with emotion, tears streaming down her face. All the Silent Speakers, including Elder Farador, knelt down devoutly before the sapling, as if worshipping their last deity.
[...This is the child of the sacred tree...the last life essence of the Valley of Shivar's Tears...]
We will take it with us...wherever it is...that will be our new home as Silent Ones...
Gray nodded solemnly. He stepped forward and carefully dug out the fragile sacred tree sapling, along with a large clump of soil imbued with the scent of its homeland. Then, he wrapped it layer by layer with the softest animal hide and moss, holding it tightly in his arms as if it were the most precious treasure in the world.
At this moment, Lin Yue truly understood that what they were about to take away was not just a group of refugees, but also the spark of civilization.
Although it is hard to leave their homeland, in order to survive and for the continuation of their tribe, the Silent Ones have no choice but to leave their hometown.
In the following period, Lin Yue's team immediately devoted themselves to helping the weakened Silent Ones prepare for their evacuation.
The Silent Ones began packing up their meager belongings. Lin Yue noticed that most of what they were packing up consisted of ancient-looking totem statues made of special wood or animal bones, as well as oddly shaped plant seeds and dried mushrooms carefully wrapped in small leather bags.
"System, scan these things and see if there's anything good." Lin Yue's treasure-hunting radar was immediately activated.
[System scan in progress...]
[Item: Ancient Tree Spirit Totem (Damaged)]. Effect: Slightly enhances perception of natural elements and soothes emotions when worn. Note: The energy core is damaged; repair requires special materials.]
[Item: Moonstalk Seed]. Characteristics: Prefers cool, damp environments. When mature, it emits a soft, moon-white fluorescence, providing some illumination and repelling small shadow creatures. Note: Can be planted in damp caves or woodlands.]
[Item: Dried Mistheart Mushroom]. Characteristics: A special fungus that grows in areas with high concentrations of mist. It contains special components that resist mist erosion, but it is slightly toxic if eaten directly. Note: After special processing, it can be used as an ingredient in making anti-mist potions or special dishes.]
Lin Yue stared wide-eyed!
While everyone was busy packing up, Graeme and the old hunter Barton unexpectedly discovered several strangely shaped plants under a relatively clean rock face in the valley, which had been eroded by a flash flood.
A plant has broad, thick leaves, like those of ferns, but its veins contain faint, silvery light spots that glow like starlight. In dim light, these spots emit a soft, gentle glow, illuminating a small area around the plant.
[System Scan: Unknown plant detected [Pathfinder Fern]. Characteristics: Can absorb and store weak environmental energy, continuously emitting a stable glow in darkness or fog, providing excellent navigation and warning functions. Note: Perhaps it could be transplanted to Hope Town for use as streetlights?]
Lin Yue: "A street lamp fern?! That's great! I have to take this with me!"
Beside the guide fern, several mushrooms with dreamlike deep blue caps and pure white stems grew. They emitted a cool and tranquil fragrance that calmed the mind.
[System Scan: Rare fungus [Tranquility Mushroom] detected. Characteristics: Grows in places of pure energy, contains various active ingredients that can stabilize emotions, repair damaged nerves, and enhance mental resistance! It is a key ingredient for making [Advanced Anti-Curse Potions/Dishes]. Note: This item should only exist in heaven, rarely seen on earth. Host, you've struck it rich!]
"Tranquility Mushroom?! Advanced anti-curse?! Hiss—" He almost subconsciously swallowed.
"This thing has such a beautiful color, it must taste crisp! Use it to make Cantonese-style 'Quiet Mushroom Soup with Vegetables,' using a rich bone broth to bring out its sweetness, the taste is absolutely amazing!"
"Or, try the Yunnan way of eating it, and have a Steamed Chicken with Tranquil Mushrooms! Steam all the essence of the chicken and the Tranquil Mushrooms into a bowl of soup, it's incredibly nourishing! One bite and all the nerve damage in my body will be repaired!"
"And another one! Tranquil mushroom sashimi? No, no, that's too risky... How about... Tranquil mushroom tempura? Coated in a thin layer of batter and deep-fried, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside! Or, cheese-baked Tranquil mushrooms? Hmm... I need cheese first..." Stop, stop, I can't think about it anymore.
Finally, and most importantly, is to make stretchers for seriously ill patients and young children who are completely unable to walk.
Lin Yue directed Amu and several young Silent Ones who had regained some of their strength to quickly make a dozen simple but practical stretchers using the remaining sturdy trees and tough vines in the valley.
The next day, everything was ready. Led by Elder Farador, the surviving Silent Ones took one last look at their homeland, which they had protected for generations but which was now ravaged.
"Let's go." Elder Farador closed his eyes and uttered two words.
As the first rays of dawn struggled to pierce the mist and illuminate the desolate valley, a migrating caravan of nearly a hundred Silent Ones and five Outsiders, carrying the last hope of the entire tribe, finally embarked on their unknown journey to Hope Town.
The vast and silent migrating procession, like a small boat struggling to move forward in the long river of history, slowly and resolutely left the Valley of Tears of Shivar.
Behind them lies their homeland, a place they may never be able to return to.
Ahead of them lay mist, thorns, and unknown hope. But in Gray's arms, the carefully nurtured sacred tree sapling emitted a faint, soft light, as if guiding their way.
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Author's Note: Lin Yue (hands on hips, smugly): "This culinary master's touch is enough to show you whether I'm good or not."
System (coldly mocking): "Heh, mediocre skills, only good enough to fool those from another world who've never seen the world."
Speaking of hope, I've always believed that as long as one is alive, there is hope. If one can also be healthy and safe, then life is full of infinite possibilities. When faced with a problem, if it cannot be solved at the moment, then don't keep sighing and complaining, because anxiety doesn't solve problems, but only adds to the troubles; if it can be solved, then go all out, because problems will eventually be overcome, and life always goes on.
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