All the beastmen's gazes were focused on the three boxes containing nothing but straw, and Bao Wen's face turned exceptionally pale in an instant.
Energy stones were different from other things; the boxes used for transport were uniform across all races.
And to make them look presentable, everyone filled the extra space with straw. Which box had more and which had less was clear at a glance just by looking at the straw, wasn't it?
Xiong Ji was stunned at first, then suddenly realized.
His gaze toward Cheng Shuili was instantly filled with reverence. If he had only valued her potential before, he now completely recognized her ability!
At this moment, Xiong Ji felt incredibly fortunate that he had been decisive enough.
Such a person would achieve greater things sooner or later! And when that time came, even if the bear-race, as her initial supporters, hadn't performed any arduous service, their status would naturally rise along with her.
He smiled sincerely, and his gaze toward Bao Wen even held a rare hint of smugness. Although he said nothing, the meaning was all expressed in his eyes.
The other bear-race beastmen all straightened their backs, feeling immensely proud.
The lion and tiger races also had a sudden realization.
The logic was simple, even obvious, but the ability demonstrated in discovering and seizing this loophole in such a short time to counterattack Bao Wen...
No matter which race they belonged to, as long as they were present, they would likely hold this little human in higher regard.
The situation was already clear, yet Bao Wen still refused to back down: "On what grounds do you say these are the leopard-race's boxes?"
Once these words were out, before Cheng Shuili could even speak, the lion and tiger beastmen grew angry first.
"What do you mean? If they aren't your leopard-race's, are they our lion-race's?"
The tiger-race beastman added: "Exactly, are they our tiger-race's?"
"Our lion-race is not a treacherous, petty group like you! We agreed on one thousand, so it is one thousand, not a single piece less!"
The tiger-race beastman added: "That's right, and we aren't short a single piece either."
"If you can't bring them out, just admit it! Isn't making a scene like this even more embarrassing?"
The tiger-race beastman added: "Exactly, we of the tiger-race feel ashamed for you!"
As the words fell, the lion-race beastman couldn't help but frown and look over. The tiger-race beastman seemed to realize the awkwardness, but after a moment of reflection, he felt there was nothing wrong with it.
However, facing the lion-race beastman's questioning gaze directly was impossible; they were mortal enemies! So, they could only turn their heads away, pretending not to notice the lion-race's gaze.
Cheng Shuili and Xiong Ji: "..."
What kind of mortal enemies were these? Weren't they getting along quite harmoniously?
The atmosphere was extremely congenial for a moment, except for the leopard-race beastmen, whose faces were covered in shame.
The lion-race beastman glanced at Bao Wen, and seeing that he still intended to be stubborn, he immediately pointed at the boxes: "Our lion-race's boxes have markings on them, so don't try to cheat."
"Coincidentally, our tiger-race has them too. And..." The tiger-race beastman raised an eyebrow, glanced at Cheng Shuili, and said sternly: "King Bear has already verified that the energy stones of our two races are fine. If you want to drag us down with you, I'm afraid your plan has misfired."
Now it was the lion-race beastman's turn to agree.
Seeing that Cheng Shuili didn't even need to speak, and with the lion and tiger races providing clear evidence to nail the leopard-race to the pillar of hypocritical shame, Bao Wen hurriedly tried to remedy the situation with a green face: "I really am not too clear about the quantity of energy stones."
Bao Wen feigned calmness, but beads of sweat seeped from his temples. "Perhaps the people below made a mistake..."
"Heh, a mistake that turns out to be half the amount?" The lion-race beastman mocked coldly.
"Still being stubborn and trying to drag other beastmen into the water." The tiger-race beastman added with sarcasm.
Bao Wen's complexion shifted between green and white, his lips trembling, but he couldn't say a word. He looked around, only to see that the gazes of all the beastmen were filled with contempt and disdain.
The truth had come to light, and it was time to resolve this matter quickly.
Cheng Shuili finally spoke: "So now, Leopard-race leader, do you admit that the energy stones you brought are insufficient?"
She didn't wait for Bao Wen to answer, directly pulling the question back to the initial options. "Given the Leopard-race leader's attitude, the first choice Dean Xiong gave previously is officially void. You can only accept the second option now."
"That is, the five hundred energy stones you brought will be confiscated, and at the same time, the leopard-race will be the very last to receive the medicine to treat the plague."
As the words fell, all the leopard-race beastmen present turned pale.
The beastmen of other races were happy to see this:
"No objections!" The lion-race responded first.
"The tiger-race agrees!" The tiger-race immediately echoed.
The two beastmen looked at each other and suddenly found that their mortal enemies of many years didn't look so bad after all...
Setting aside the psychological activities of the two beastmen, Bao Wen heard Cheng Shuili's verdict and felt a surge of blood rushing to his head.
He clenched his fists tightly, his nails digging deep into his palms, yet he felt no pain.
"Cheng Shuili! You are just a human, what right do you have to interfere in our beast-race affairs!" Bao Wen finally couldn't hold back and roared hoarsely, "What are you? A human! A mongrel without bloodline! Why should we listen to you!"
Once these words were out, even the lion and tiger races, who were watching the show, frowned.
Xiong Ji was even more furious and was about to speak, but Cheng Shuili stopped him with a single look.
Cheng Shuili didn't get angry but smiled instead, stepping forward slowly.
Her gaze was as calm as a deep pool, yet it made Bao Wen feel a chill for no reason.
"Because I can save your lives." Her voice was cold. "Because I can stop this plague from taking any more beastmen's lives."
She scanned the surroundings, her gaze sweeping over every beast-race: "In the face of life and death, is my identity really that important? Lion-race, Tiger-race, Bear-race, do you all think so too?"
The lion-race representative immediately stated: "The lion-race only believes in ability."
The tiger-race representative followed closely: "The tiger-race respects the truly strong."
Xiong Ji was even more categorical: "You are our King! Our only King!" He turned to Bao Wen: "You will definitely pay the price for your disrespect just now."
Before he finished speaking, the bear-race beastmen had already stepped forward in unison, surrounding the leopard-race group.
Cold light flickered in Xiong Ji's eyes: "Bao Wen, kneel and apologize to our King, otherwise your actions today will be considered a declaration of war against our bear-race!"
The lion and tiger race representatives looked at each other and tacitly led their groups to block all of the leopard-race's retreat routes.
The atmosphere of the entire venue was tense, as if the air itself had frozen.
Bao Wen's face was as pale as paper, and the leopard-race beastmen behind him were trembling.
Only then did he truly realize to what terrifying extent this human's prestige among the beast-races had reached.
"You should know... what a declaration of war means..."
Xiong Ji added fuel to the scorching atmosphere.
The leopard-race beastmen finally realized; they had come for the qualification to get the medicine early! If they declared war, this medicine...
A young leopard-race beastman behind Bao Wen suddenly knelt down, his voice filled with tears: "Leader! Please! My younger sister is still running a high fever back in the tribe's territory, and she won't last a few more days!"
This cry for help was like the last straw that broke the camel's back; one after another, the leopard-race beastmen knelt down, their pleas rising one after another.
Bao Wen closed his eyes. When he opened them again, the arrogance and reluctance in his eyes had vanished, leaving only deep exhaustion and regret. He lowered his head and walked slowly to Cheng Shuili.
He didn't dare to look up at this human. His knees went soft, and he knelt on the ground, whispering: "I apologize to you, please... forgive me this once."
Although it was an apology, he carried a hint of gritted teeth.
Everyone present knew that he didn't truly feel he was wrong; he had realized that if he didn't apologize, he wouldn't get the medicine, so he was forced to admit his mistake.
This attitude... Cheng Shuili was naturally unsatisfied.
From the first moment he saw her, Bao Wen had started his verbal attacks, followed by the missing energy stones and his attempt to shift the blame...
Cheng Shuili was not a saint, nor was she overly tolerant.
Wipe it all away with a single sentence? On what grounds?
Cheng Shuili did not respond immediately.
She just quietly watched Bao Wen kneeling before her, looking at his clenched fists and slightly trembling shoulders.
The surrounding beastmen also held their breath, waiting for her decision.
A strange tension filled the air, as if even the wind had stopped flowing.
After a long while, Cheng Shuili finally spoke, her voice not loud, but clearly reaching every beastman's ears: "I have received your apology."
Bao Wen's shoulders relaxed, and he seemed to let out a sigh of relief, about to get up—
Cheng Shuili suddenly changed the subject, "However, your apology was not sincere, but forced by the situation. This, you know, I know, and everyone present knows."
Bao Wen's body stiffened. He looked up at Cheng Shuili, a flash of panic crossing his eyes.
"I accept your apology to give you, and all of the leopard-race, a chance."
Cheng Shuili's gaze swept over those kneeling leopard-race beastmen, their eyes filled with worry for their clansmen's lives. "In the face of the plague, life is paramount. I will not let the entire leopard-race pay for your mistakes because of your rudeness."
Hearing this, hope ignited in the eyes of many leopard-race beastmen.
"But," Cheng Shuili emphasized again, her gaze falling back on Bao Wen, "rules are rules. The number of energy stones brought by the leopard-race is incorrect, and the leader insulted the decision-maker in public. The two offenses will be punished together."
She paused slightly, watching Bao Wen's instantly pale face, and continued: "The five hundred energy stones already paid will be confiscated, and this will not change. The distribution order of the leopard-race's medicine will be placed after all the races that have completed their donation registration, whether they are large races or small ones."
This meant that the leopard-race not only lost five hundred energy stones but also had to wait until all other races—including those small ones that only donated dozens or hundreds—had received their medicine before it was their turn.
For the proud leopard-race, this was undoubtedly a heavy blow and a great humiliation.
Bao Wen looked up suddenly, his eyes full of disbelief and humiliation. He opened his mouth, seeming to want to argue, but under Cheng Shuili's calm, waveless gaze and the watchful eyes of the bear-race beastmen around him, he finally lowered his head in defeat.
He knew this was already the best outcome.
At least, the leopard-race could still get the medicine.
"As for you, Leader Bao Wen," Cheng Shuili's voice turned cold, "insulting the King Bear..."
Her voice turned clear, "That is me. If I let this slide so lightly, how will our bear-race hold our heads high in the future?"
At the end, her voice tilted up, playful yet majestic, and hearing it made one feel convinced.
Xiong Ji was paying close attention to the King's words. As soon as her voice fell, he took a step forward and continued: "Leopard-race leader, you wouldn't want to make this look too ugly, would you?"
For a moment, all the beastmen's gazes were focused on Bao Wen.
His face turned green and white, cold sweat dripping from his forehead. He wiped it with a trembling hand before he found his voice: "I... I will go with you."
Cheng Shuili didn't understand at first, until she saw a bear-race beastman out of the corner of her eye go to grab a sack.
So, that sentence meant finding a place where no one was around.
He was quite concerned about his face.
This request could naturally be satisfied. Several tall bear-race beastmen surrounded Bao Wen and walked toward the back of the hospital like escorting a prisoner. Not long after, the figures of the group of beastmen disappeared.
Although they couldn't be seen, everyone knew they were there. Plus, the bear-race beastmen didn't block Bao Wen's mouth, and when it hurt, he couldn't help but cry out.
For a time, the beastmen watching the fun were utterly focused, pricking up their ears to notice the movements from there.
At first, it was dull thumping sounds, followed by Bao Wen's suppressed groans of pain; clearly, the bear-race beastmen were not holding back.
"Ah! You... be gentle!" Bao Wen's voice was intermittent, filled with obvious pain.
A bear-race beastman responded in a rough voice: "Leopard-race leader, you asked for this! Daring to insult our King, this lesson is considered light!"
The watching beastmen exchanged meaningful glances.
The lion-race representative shook his head slightly and whispered: "This Bao Wen is truly asking for humiliation."
The tiger-race representative snorted coldly: "Deserved. The face of the Five Great Beast Races has been lost by him."
Just then, a shrill scream from Bao Wen suddenly came from behind the hospital, followed by the sound of a heavy object hitting the ground.
All the beastmen held their breath.
After a brief silence, Bao Wen's voice, tinged with tears, called out: "Pain! Pain! You... you... just you wait..."
The bear-race beastmen who were doing the beating suddenly looked at each other. Still daring to make threats? It seemed they hadn't been harsh enough, so they increased their force by another level. Bao Wen groaned continuously, unable to even utter a complete sentence.
The excitement had become a bit boring; besides sighing a few times about how the leopard-race had lost a lot of face this time, there was nothing else to say. But just at this moment...
The leopard-race beastman who had knelt down just now suddenly cried out: "King! King! It's all our fault... it's all us who implicated you!"
This cry was shrill and mournful, making all the beastmen present excited again, and even the groans coming from behind the hospital stopped abruptly.
Bao Wen was extremely embarrassed. He had no psychological burden when he cried out in pain earlier, but now he suddenly realized that he could hear the leopard-race beastmen's voices, which meant the beastmen watching the show could also hear his. This made him want to die of shame!
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