Chapter 017: Impostor Divine Emissary
Chen Ran’s lofty tone caused an uproar among the crowd. Everyone was surprised to find that the man on the execution platform seemed to have changed his face, becoming somewhat unfamiliar. Moreover, for a guy who looked to be around twenty years old to call a native warrior in his thirties a “young man” felt a little strange.
“You can save my brother?” The tearful native warrior looked at Chen Ran in astonishment. Although Chen Ran was just a foreigner, the safety of his family was of utmost importance. He looked at the calm young man on the platform with a glimmer of hope.
Clang!
The chains and vines binding Chen Ran suddenly came loose and fell to the ground with a crisp sound. Amidst the spreading flames, Chen Ran calmly walked through the curtain of fire, stepped down from the execution platform, and walked toward the dying young man.
The entire crowd was stunned…
Silence…
Everyone was shocked at how this foreigner had freed himself from the bonds of the divine punishment. In their knowledge, not even the strongest warrior in the tribe could break free from the execution restraints, yet this man had done it so effortlessly. This left everyone, including the native Great Elder, stunned in place. The way they looked at Chen Ran couldn’t help but change.
Chen Ran walked past the native Great Elder without a glance, heading straight for the young native warrior.
A white holy light shone upon the young warrior’s body. The shocking wound miraculously stopped bleeding and began to heal at a visible rate until it magically closed and disappeared, not even leaving a scar…
“This…”
Chen Ran’s miraculous display stunned everyone present. The young warrior coughed weakly and regained a little consciousness, looking at his brother who was holding him.
“Brother, am I not dead?”
“That’s great, Suki, you’re awake!” The emotional brother hugged his younger brother tightly. “Thank the ancestors for their blessing!”
“You should be thanking me! Mortal!”
A cold, emotionless sentence. The native warrior looked at Chen Ran again, his eyes full of reverence, but he didn’t know what to say. Chen Ran paid no more attention to the two native brothers and looked at the group of battle-scarred warriors who had just returned.
Streams of healing magic struck the injured warriors, quickly mending all their wounds. Then, under the focused gaze of the crowd, Chen Ran withdrew his hand and looked at the Great Elder.
“Do you know who I am?”
Because of the few brilliant healing spells Chen Ran had just displayed, these natives had clearly never seen such a great skill. Coupled with his calm and condescendingly powerful tone, he unknowingly brought everyone’s emotions into his rhythm.
“Who are you?”
As expected, the Great Elder asked truthfully.
Just then, a dazzling halo gradually appeared around Chen Ran’s body, so holy that it was impossible to look at directly.
“Not long ago, a few humble souls came before my master, begging him to save their lost tribe. Moved by their plea, my master sent me to the mortal world. I then possessed the body of an adventurer and, led by those few humble souls, came here. But I never expected you to give me such a grand welcome. I was very disappointed. Remembering my mission, I endured it, wanting to give you another chance, to test you one more time. Yet you still stubbornly wanted to burn me to death…”
Chen Ran slowly closed his eyes and shook his head. “If that’s the case, so be it. You have chosen to remain lost, and I am powerless to guide you out of your current predicament…”
After speaking, Chen Ran opened his eyes and strode away. As he walked, no one dared to stop him…
Chen Ran gradually walked out of the circle of natives. When the last native was behind him, his eyes darted around, and he couldn’t help but secretly let out a sigh of relief. A cold sweat began to trickle down his previously tense forehead.
Just now, he had skillfully used the natives’ superstition and respect for their ancestors to weave such a huge lie. Coupled with his Oscar-worthy performance, he had finally intimidated this group of simpletons. If these guys had even a little bit of conscience, then next…
“Divine Emissary, please wait!”
As expected, just as Chen Ran was about to leave, the native Great Elder finally came to his senses and chased after him, shouting, “Divine Emissary, it is my fault! Please, Your Excellency, forgive our transgression and save us poor, lost people.” After speaking, the aged Great Elder knelt on the ground, weeping in repentance.
“You’ve only realized it now. Don’t you think it’s a bit late?” From behind, Chen Ran turned half his face, a profound and mocking look in his eyes.
“Divine Emissary, it is all my fault! If my death can appease even a little of your anger, I am willing to take my own life before you!”
As soon as he finished speaking, the native Great Elder took a sharp bone spike from his neck and held it to his heart. Seeing this, almost everyone knelt down in unison. The sight of these hundreds of people, men and women, old and young, kneeling together was surprisingly spectacular, making even the posturing Chen Ran’s heart skip a beat.
“Divine Emissary, we beg you to forgive our sins! We need your guidance…”
Even Chen Ran hadn’t expected his plan to be so unexpectedly successful, even exceeding his own expectations. Seeing that Chen Ran still had no reaction, the native elder raised the bone spike high and, with a spirit more bushido than bushido, fearlessly stabbed it toward his own heart without even blinking…
“Great Elder!” everyone exclaimed, rushing to stop him, but they couldn’t stop the Great Elder’s determination.
“Did I say you could die!”
His determination to die was stopped by Chen Ran’s casual words. The Great Elder froze, asking with a bit of bewilderment, “Does Your Excellency have any other instructions?”
Chen Ran turned around, still with his back to them, and said indifferently, “It seems you are not beyond saving. Seeing as you are so loyal, I will let this matter go.”
Suddenly, two flashes of light struck the Great Elder. His withered, trembling body felt a surge of abundant power, as if he had become ten years younger. This made the Great Elder even more certain of Chen Ran’s so-called “Divine Emissary” identity.
“Thank you, Your Excellency! Thank you, Your Excellency!” The Great Elder was moved to tears, kowtowing repeatedly.
Chen Ran sighed. It was hard on the old man, kowtowing so loudly. He somewhat regretted having cast Inner Fire, which increased defense, on the guy earlier. Those few kowtows probably didn’t hurt much.
Chen Ran turned around and dispelled the halo effect of his Light and Shadow Arts, finally looking less arrogant. He walked over to the native Great Elder and patted his shoulder. “Keep your life for now; it might still be useful. If you want to atone for your sins, it will depend on your performance from now on. First, find me a suitable place. We’ll talk slowly.”
“Yes, Your Excellency, I will definitely do my best…”
“And!” Chen Ran’s gaze swept over the one wearing his tiger-skin tunic, a murderous glint in his eyes. The native man shuddered and, as if on fire, hastily stripped off the clothes.
“Divine Emissary, please calm your anger! I was wrong! I deserve to die! I’m not human…”
“Kneel down and shout ‘I am a big wild boar, I love being ass-blasted’ ten thousand times. Slap yourself each time, and make it loud. When you’re done, we’ll consider it settled. Otherwise, you know what to do.”
“Yes, yes! Thank you, Your Excellency, for sparing my life!” Having escaped death, the native quickly knelt down in gratitude and then actually began to shout, “I am a big wild boar, I love being ass-blasted,” slapping himself with loud smacks. Someone even threw fruits at his head. Only then did Chen Ran’s expression soften a little. He took his clothes and walked past the Great Elder.
Seeing his finally appeased expression, the Great Elder let out a sigh of relief and quickly followed him with compliments. All the kneeling people also kowtowed, thanking Chen Ran for his generosity and cheering that there was finally hope for the tribe.
