Chapter 47 Agreeing to See You
"You... wait, what's going on?" The lion guard was speechless for a moment, his mouth opening and closing repeatedly, stammering, "This... this is the first time I've encountered something like this."
“We really have something important to discuss with the clan chief.” Yueqing gently stroked her pregnant belly, her face showing just the right amount of weariness and earnestness. “The journey is long, and you’ve seen my situation. I wonder if you could make an exception?”
The guard looked at his companions with a dilemma, and finally sighed, "You wait here, I'll go and inform them, but don't get your hopes up too high, the chieftain has always been wary of outsiders."
Silver Tiger and Tiger Roar waited anxiously outside the door, while Yueqing took the opportunity to transform back into a squirrel and perch on Silver Tiger's shoulder.
"Lord Yueqing, why have you turned back into a squirrel?" Hu Xiao asked in a low voice.
"To make it easier to observe," Yueqing replied softly, her bright eyes darting around. "The Lion Clan's defenses are very tight, and I want to learn more about the situation."
The squirrel's perspective allows Yueqing to see details that are difficult for ordinary orcs to notice.
From her current position, she could glimpse a corner of the Lion Clan's territory through the gaps in the wooden fence.
Large animal skin tents were neatly arranged, and in the center of the tribe stood a stone building that was clearly more magnificent than the others, presumably the chieftain's residence.
Lion-like orcs came and went in the tribe, each one tall and strong.
The hunting party had just returned, and the prey was being carried by several burly lion warriors, clearly indicating that this was a place rich in resources.
“This place is more complicated than we imagined,” Yueqing whispered to Yinhu. “The Lion Clan is much larger than we expected, with a large number of members and a well-ordered system.”
Silver Tiger's shoulders tensed slightly: "It seems that persuading them will not be easy."
The wait was longer than expected before the guard hurriedly returned.
"The chieftain has agreed to see you." The guard looked somewhat surprised, clearly not expecting this outcome. "However, I must remind you to be careful with your words and actions, as the chieftain has a bad temper."
Silver Tiger and Tiger Roar exchanged a glance and nodded slightly.
Yueqing remained in squirrel form, hiding on the broad shoulder of the silver tiger.
Following the guards through layers of defenses, the three were led into a stone building deep within the Lion Clan's territory.
The building's interior is spacious, with skulls and hides of various ferocious beasts hanging on the walls, clearly a display of spoils of war.
In the center of the hall, on a leather chair, sat a gigantic lion, the patriarch of the lion clan.
He was even more robust than the average lion, with a thick mane, a resolute face, and sharp, piercing eyes.
Beside him stood several lion warriors who were clearly high-ranking members of the tribe, each with bulging muscles and an imposing presence.
"Tiger warriors, and... a squirrel?" The lion's voice was deep, filled with undisguised sarcasm. "Tell me, what brings you here?"
Just as Yin Hu was about to speak, Yue Qing, who was on his shoulder, suddenly jumped down and transformed back into human form the moment she landed, standing in the center of the hall.
This sudden change surprised everyone in the Lion Clan, and several warriors even instinctively drew their weapons.
"Chief Lion, I apologize for disturbing you." Yueqing bowed, her voice steady and sincere. "I am Yueqing from the Squirrel Tribe. I have come here for a matter of great importance concerning the safety of several tribes."
The lion narrowed its eyes, its gaze lingering on Yueqing's swollen belly for a moment: "A pregnant female? Just tell me, what important matter requires you to risk traveling so far?"
"I wonder if the chieftain has heard that several tribes have recently seen females mysteriously disappear?" Yueqing went straight to the point.
The lion's expression changed slightly, then returned to calm: "I've heard about it, but what does that have to do with my lion clan?"
“These disappearances are not accidental.” Yueqing took a step forward. “We discovered that a large organization is secretly searching for females with special bloodlines and their offspring. They send spies to infiltrate various tribes and wait for the right opportunity to act. Not long ago, the Tiger Clan exposed two such spies.”
"Are you saying that there are spies like this in my lion clan?" A flash of anger appeared in the lion's eyes, and his voice suddenly rose.
Instead of answering directly, Yueqing asked, "Clan leader, have any of your female members recently gone missing or died in childbirth?"
The lion was silent for a moment before slowly speaking: "A few days ago, two females did die suddenly and mysteriously during childbirth, and our witch doctor couldn't explain the cause either."
“There’s one more thing.” Yueqing took a deep breath. “Have you recently heard of or come into contact with a drug that makes it easier for females to conceive?”
These words seemed to strike a nerve; the lion's expression changed, and he abruptly stood up: "How did you know about this?"
“Because that drug was very likely provided by that organization.” Yue Qing said with certainty, “They use the drug as bait to target females with special bloodlines, and then send people to carry out the operation during childbirth.”
An uproar erupted in the hall.
The lion, with a stern face, gestured for everyone to be quiet and stared at Yueqing, saying, "What you're saying is very serious, but why should I believe you? A female from another tribe suddenly comes and says that there is a spy in our tribe, which is suspicious in itself."
Yueqing looked at him calmly: "The clan leader is discerning and will not easily believe me based on just a few words. However, I am indeed sincere in coming to cooperate."
"Oh?" The lion raised an eyebrow. "What kind of cooperation?"
"I possess some medical skills that can improve the success rate of female childbirth and treat some common injuries and illnesses." Yueqing gently stroked her abdomen. "Just recently, I successfully performed a cesarean section on a female tiger who was experiencing a difficult labor, saving the lives of both mother and child."
"Cesarean section to remove the fetus?" The lion frowned slightly. "I've never heard of such a technique."
“If the chieftain doesn’t believe me, I can treat any of the nobles’ clansmen in need.” Yueqing looked directly into the lion’s eyes. “We are willing to share these medical skills in exchange for the nobles’ trust and cooperation.”
The lion narrowed its eyes, pondered for a moment, and then waved its hand: "Bring the stone wall that was injured during yesterday's hunt."
One of the guards immediately obeyed and left.
The atmosphere in the hall was heavy. Silver Tiger and Tiger Roar stood on either side, ready to deal with any possible danger.
Yueqing stood calmly, gently stroking her abdomen with one hand, patiently waiting.
"If your story is meant to deceive my people, the consequences are obvious," the lion said in a deep, authoritative voice.
Yueqing nodded calmly: "The clan chief is wise."
Before long, several lion warriors carried a bloodstained animal skin stretcher into the hall.
A young lion warrior lay on the stretcher, his face pale, his right leg a bloody mess, already turning black.
“Stone Wall, one of the bravest young warriors of our tribe, was attacked by a ferocious beast yesterday. His leg was torn apart, and the wound has begun to rot.” The lion’s gaze turned to Yueqing. “Our tribe’s shaman is helpless and says he won’t live past tonight. If you can save him, I will believe you halfway.”
Yueqing approached the stretcher and carefully examined the injuries.
Shi Bi's right leg was torn apart by the claws of some kind of ferocious beast. The wound was so deep that the bone was visible, and the edges were necrotic, showing obvious signs of infection.
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