Black Wind Mountain, the mountain wind howls, stirring up dust from the ground.
The sacred feeling that had just lingered in Chen Yan's mind receded quietly like the tide.
The Mountain Goddess had heard his prayer and responded to it.
Chen Yan carefully picked up the simple wooden carving, as if he were holding the most precious treasure in the world.
The wood carving seemed to still retain a faint warmth and a delicate camellia fragrance.
He carefully wrapped the wood carving in layers of clean linen, then tucked it close to his body.
After doing all this, he straightened up and looked around.
This so-called Wild Wolf Gang stronghold is more of a dilapidated ruin than a stronghold.
The crooked wooden fence barely enclosed a few dilapidated thatched huts and mud-brick houses.
When the wind blows, the thatched roof rustles as if it might be blown away at any moment.
An indescribable sour smell permeated the air, suggesting that many people had likely contracted the plague.
Chen Yan took a deep breath, suppressing his discomfort, and turned to look at the five hundred soldiers of the New First Army behind him.
They stood tall and straight, with sharp eyes, a stark contrast to the emaciated refugees around them.
"Everyone, listen up!" Chen Yan's voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable authority.
"Start immediately! Clean up the entire stronghold, inside and out!"
"Repair all the damaged houses and fences that can be repaired!"
Although the soldiers were somewhat surprised, they obeyed orders without question and immediately replied in unison, "Yes, sir!"
However, soon some people couldn't help but mutter under their breath.
A young soldier with a youthful face approached the familiar corporal: "Corporal, aren't we here to suppress bandits? Why are we helping them clean up and repair their houses?"
Another soldier chimed in, "Yeah, Instructor Chen, these troublemakers don't look like good people. Just take them back for questioning, why waste time here?"
"Besides, the smell here is awful; I'm afraid I'll get sick if I stay here too long!"
"Yes, yes, let's hurry up and take them back to the base!"
Several soldiers were talking amongst themselves, clearly puzzled by Chen Yan's order.
Chen Yan's sharp gaze swept over the crowd, taking in all their discussions.
He said in a deep voice, "Shut up, all of you!"
The soldiers immediately fell silent, not daring to say another word.
Chen Yan walked up to the group of refugees huddled in the corner, their eyes numb yet filled with fear, and stopped a distance away.
He pointed at the refugees and said to the soldiers in a cold voice, "Look carefully, they are not bandits!"
"They're just sick, they've contracted a contagious disease!"
"All we can do is clean up this place and wait for the doctor from the barren mountain to come!"
Upon hearing this, all the soldiers' expressions changed drastically. They subconsciously took a few steps back, their eyes filled with fear as they looked at the refugees.
No wonder this place is so dilapidated, no wonder these people are so weak, no wonder there is such a strange smell in the air!
Chen Yan continued, "Therefore, from now on, no one is allowed to contact these refugees without authorization!"
"Not only that, none of us can leave Black Wind Mountain for the time being!"
"We need to quarantine here!"
"Isolation?" a soldier asked blankly. "Instructor, what is isolation?"
The others also looked confused.
They had fought wars and fought bandits, but they had never heard of the word "isolation."
Someone couldn't help but mutter under their breath, "Isn't the instructor making a big fuss? They're just some sick refugees. Why are they so nervous? Are they going to isolate us?"
"Exactly, we're perfectly healthy, how could we possibly get infected so easily?"
Chen Yan's face darkened, and a hint of displeasure flashed in his eyes.
But he knew that such things, which were beyond the comprehension of the times, could not be explained away by mere explanation.
He then changed his wording.
"These are all divine pronouncements from the Mountain Goddess; She has already foreseen the dangers here!"
"Isolation is to protect ourselves, to stop the spread of the epidemic, and ultimately to save them!"
"Who among you dares to question the will of the Mountain Goddess?"
The words "Mountain Goddess" seem to possess a strange, magical power.
The soldiers, who had been full of doubts and whispering just moments before, fell silent instantly.
A look of awe and reverence appeared on everyone's faces.
Questioning the Mountain Goddess?
They wouldn't dare even if they had a hundred lives!
In the desolate mountains, in the hearts of all believers, the Mountain Goddess is the supreme being!
What Your Majesty says is absolutely true! Your Majesty's arrangements are undoubtedly the safest!
"Your subordinate wouldn't dare!"
"I will obey the command of the Mountain Goddess!"
"I will obey the instructor's orders!"
The soldiers straightened their chests in unison, their eyes becoming incredibly determined, without the slightest hesitation.
You must obey the instructor's orders, and you must obey the Mountain Goddess's orders even more fiercely!
Quarantine it is!
So what if we're stuck in this awful place and can't leave?
I'll brave any danger, no matter what, as long as it's the Empress's arrangement!
Chen Yan nodded in satisfaction, secretly relieved.
Fortunately, we have the prestigious reputation of the Mountain Goddess.
Otherwise, just explaining concepts like isolation and virus transmission would be enough to give him a headache.
"Excellent! Now, let's begin!"
"Remember to take precautions and try not to touch the pollutants directly!" Chen Yan added.
Although he didn't fully understand the specific protective measures, it's always better to be cautious.
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