In Ark Simulator, why do I always get a tough start?

Chapter 97 Chen Qi is sick? The final hibernation of the Tomb Tiger

The next day, Manjushri read the newly issued "oracle" to all the people of Sherag in the name of Jeragund.

The news of this divine oracle from Jeragand caused an uproar throughout Sherag.

After all, even the most uncultured Sherag people could understand the meaning of this oracle.

This forces the Shivaish family to shut down their mining business, which they rely on for survival, as well as the foreign trade business they established with Karan Trading!
Moreover, all profits gained from these businesses must be returned to Jeragand.

But Jeragand has not revealed his true form for many years.

So, this divine decree means that the Shivaesh family should hand over all their vested interests to the Manjushin!

The people of Sherag looked at each other in bewilderment at this oracle, which was said to have originated from Jeragand but was clearly the will of the Manjushri Monastery, and dared not utter a word.

After all, in Sherag, Manjusaka was the only person besides the saint who could convey the teachings of Jeragand.

The Grand Elder of Manjushri Temple said that they had received a divine message from Jeragund.

Does the commoner of Sherag dare to question Manjusin, or does he dare to question Jeragand?

In Shelag, anyone who dares to question one of them would likely be quickly regarded as a traitor and expelled from Shelag.

However, although the Sherag people dared not question the oracle, they all learned an important piece of information from it.

The Shivaish family is probably really going to decline.

After three years, the open and covert struggles among the three major families, as well as the constant concessions and territorial losses made by the new head of the Shivaish family, have long been a well-known fact in Sherag.

Everyone could see the decline of the Shivaesh family and the cowardice of the new head of the family. Now, the "divine oracle" from the Manjusaka Academy has dealt a fatal blow to the Shivaesh family.

Just a few hours after the divine oracle was announced, an even more bizarre message reached the ears of the Grand Elder of the Manju Academy in the afternoon.

"Hmm? That ominous child, is he sick?"

Upon hearing the news brought back by the servant who had gone to the Shivaish family to read the divine oracle, a look of surprise appeared on the Elder's weathered face, which was as bark as a tree.

"Yes."

The servant replied respectfully:
“When I went to the Shivaish family’s residence to read the oracle, their servants informed me of the news.”

"I heard it's because the head of the Shivaish family had a dispute with the former head of the family yesterday."

"Perhaps because the argument was so fierce, the former head of the family said some very hurtful things, which made him so angry that he hid in the snowy mountains for half a day."

"As a result, he fell ill today."

The Grand Elder, of course, did not believe the servant's one-sided account. After pacing back and forth for a while, he suddenly asked:
"...Is the illness serious?"

“It’s very heavy,” the servant replied respectfully.
"According to Shivaesh's servants and our spies within the Shivaesh family, the new head of the household is so ill that his life may be in danger."

"Even daily life can no longer be done by one person."

"I must take a look."

Being sick is one thing, but how could it be so coincidental? They fell ill right when they issued the divine decree?

This cunning son of the wolf... could he be feigning illness to delay receiving the divine oracle?
However, what good would it do for him to deliberately delay the oracle?

As long as Shivaash is still in Sherag, they will receive the oracle sooner or later.

Could it be that he intends to continue faking his illness?
Despite having many doubts in his mind, the elder decided to see for himself.

"Hmph, no matter what that ominous child wants to do, he can no longer escape my grasp."

"If he's really sick, that's fine, but if he's faking it..."

"Ha! I will punish him for deceiving the Jeragund envoy!"

……

"I was unaware of the arrival of the Grand Elder. I apologize for not welcoming you properly."

Upon learning of the arrival of the Grand Elder at Shivaesh's mansion, Olaviel, who had difficulty moving, immediately maneuvered his wheelchair out of the patriarch's office to greet him.

Upon seeing that Olafel actually emerged from the patriarch's office, the Grand Elder immediately became more convinced of the news that Chen Qi was ill.

However, to be on the safe side, he chose to maintain his usual dignified demeanor and calmly began to speak:

"I heard that the head of the Shivaish family is seriously ill, so I came here on behalf of the Manju Institute, bringing rare herbs from the Holy Mountain to offer my condolences."

"Olavell, I wonder if your beloved son is at home? May I see him?"

However, as soon as the elder finished speaking, he noticed a series of complex expressions flash across Olafel's face.

When the elder mentioned his beloved son, Olafur's face almost reflexively showed a deep disgust.

But soon, as if thinking of his adopted son's current situation, his tense face softened a little.

Ultimately, all the emotions culminated in a simple, understated reply from Olafur:

“This young man is unfortunately afflicted with a serious illness, and I fear he may taint the sacred body of the Great Elder.”

"—It's alright." The First Elder's attitude was exceptionally firm, and he spoke calmly:

“Yelagand will protect every one of her believers. I dare to come and visit, and I have no fear of any difficult or complicated diseases.”

"Please, Olafel, bring out your beloved son so that I may have a look at him."

"...That's fine."

In the end, unable to resist the elder's insistence, Olafell could only sigh in resignation.

He turned his head slightly and said calmly to the servants waiting behind him:
"Go and invite your patriarch out."

"Yes."

As the servants slowly withdrew, Olafel beckoned the Grand Elder to walk into the mansion.

However, the Grand Elder, who had witnessed Olafel's series of reactions, was now half convinced.

"It seems the information from our informants is true; the relationship between Olafur and that ominous child has indeed deteriorated considerably."

"Moreover, judging from Olaf's demeanor... he seems to want to wrest the position of family head back from his adopted son?"

Just as the Grand Elder was sitting down in the living room of the mansion, many thoughts were flashing through his mind.

A distinct sound of footsteps immediately drew the attention of the Grand Elder.

"Slow down, slow down... lift your leg."

"Be careful, Qi, don't rush."

From the direction of the mansion's rooms, a spirited woman with dragon horns, her brows furrowed with concern and tenderness, was seen slowly helping a patient out.

The Grand Elder naturally recognized the woman with the dragon horns.

It was brought by that evil son, a woman named Chen Huijie.

It's probably because ever since he viewed Chen Qi's existence as a sin, the Grand Elder has felt an extreme aversion to everyone who was close to Chen Qi.

After all, in his view, how could someone who wasn't a wicked person become friends with someone like Qi, who had such a wolfish look in his eyes?

Those who associate with wild beasts are not wild beasts themselves, but rather beasts in human form.

Of course, the main reason was that the Grand Elder knew that Chen Huijie had been secretly collecting evidence of the crimes committed by the Manzhu Academy.

This led the Grand Elder to view him as one of the accomplices who undermined the rule of the Manjusin and disrupted the peace of Sherag.

However, the Grand Elder focused more of his attention on Chen Qi, who was being supported by Chen Huijie.

With just one glance, the Grand Elder was completely stunned.

The young man, whom he remembered as somewhat thin but tall and handsome, was now a completely different person.

His handsome face was deathly pale due to his illness, almost as gray as a corpse, and his cheeks were deeply sunken, whether from cold or hunger, it was hard to tell.

Her once tall and slender figure was now so weak that she couldn't even straighten her back; her steps were unsteady and her eyes were glazed over.

Even his once jet-black hair had become dry and colorless due to illness.

Is he really sick?

For a moment, even the Grand Elder, who had witnessed all of this firsthand, seemed to have no choice but to believe the truth.

"Why...why did he get so sick?"

Slightly surprised, the elder turned his gaze to Chen Huijie, who was standing next to Chen Qi.

However, the Grand Elder was soon met with a fierce glare from Chen Huijie.

His gaze seemed to be blaming the Grand Elder for forcing such a seriously ill patient to come out and see him.

But in the end, seemingly out of consideration for the Grand Elder's status, Chen Huijie suppressed her anger and forced herself to explain in a calm tone:

"According to what we in Yan Kingdom say, this should be due to cold entering the body, causing typhoid fever."

"In short, he is very ill now and doesn't have much energy to come out and see people."

Chen Huijie helped Chen Qi sit down slowly. At this moment, a servant brought over a bowl of water and hot porridge made of barley.

Under the watchful eye of the Grand Elder, the servant carefully scooped up a spoonful of water and placed it into the mouth of the terminally ill Chen Qi. However, the seriously ill Chen Qi found even moving his lips extremely difficult.

Almost none of the spoonful of water went into Chen Qi's mouth; instead, most of it landed on his clothes.

Upon seeing this scene, Chen Huijie, whose eyes were already slightly red, pursed her lips and gritted her teeth, saying nothing more.

She silently picked up a handkerchief and wiped the water stains from Chen Qi's mouth and clothes, then said calmly, barely suppressing her anger:
"So, if you don't have anything to do, please don't let him come out and meet anyone, okay?"

“He needs to rest now. If you want him to die, you can continue sitting here.”

"Miss Chen, you are being extremely rude—"

"Miss Chen is right."

However, before Olafel could reprimand Chen Huijie for her disrespectful behavior towards the Grand Elder, the Grand Elder, who had already figured out the truth he wanted, slowly stood up.

He is now 100% certain that Chen Qi's illness is not fake.

Even in the harsh and cold land of Shelag, a single mishap could have been fatal to him.

If that were truly the case, then the Grand Elder could indeed laugh with joy—the ominous son he regarded as a great threat to Sherag was finally dead.

However, on the surface, the elder still maintained the gravitas befitting an elder.

He calmly gazed at Chen Qi, who was so ill he couldn't even drink water, suppressing the joy in his heart. He feigned concern and softly said:
"I won't bother you any longer."

"On this trip, I brought back several cordyceps that grow on the sacred mountain, which have a miraculous effect on the recovery of patients."

"I believe that if Jeragand protects him, the head of the Qi family will be safe and sound."

"I will come to visit again after Patriarch Qi recovers from his illness."

However, before leaving, the Grand Elder still gave Chen Qi a few reminders.

"However, at that time, please be prepared, Patriarch Qi, to receive the divine decree."

"Although Jeragand is loving, his patience has its limits. I hope that once the head of the family recovers, he will immediately carry out the instructions given by the oracle."

"Otherwise, I would have no choice but to obey the divine decree and expel the Shivaesh family from Sherag."

"I know……"

However, the only response the Grand Elder received was Chen Qi's extremely weak voice, which required him to catch his breath for half a day to utter just three words.

As for the Grand Elder, he was completely relieved.

The head of the family is terminally ill, the former head of the family is eyeing the position, the family business has ceased production, and military power is in the hands of the Perrochi family, who are loyal to the Manju Institute.

If this continues, within a few months, the Shivaish family will be a mere shell of its former self, no longer a threat capable of altering the order of Sherag!

However, the moment the Grand Elder left the Shivaish mansion in high spirits...

Unbeknownst to him, a familiar system notification also rang in Chen Qi's ears.

[Task 1: Eliminate the vigilance of other families and the Manju Academy (In Progress)]

[The Perroch family's level of vigilance towards you: 0%]

[The Blangau family's level of vigilance towards you: 0%]

[The Grand Elder's level of vigilance towards you: 10%]

[The success rate of turning political strategies into political maneuvering is currently 85%, a high success rate.]

Hearing that they were one step closer to complete success, Chen Qi, whose face had turned deathly pale from illness, couldn't help but let a slight smile appear on his lips.

"Quickly, help the head of the family back to his room!"

No sooner had the Grand Elder left than Olavier, who was deeply concerned for his son, hurriedly called the remaining servants to help the seriously ill Chen Qi back to his room to rest.

Because Chen Qi was seriously ill, this time Olafel specially replaced his most trusted servants with his own, risking being exposed, in order to have them take good care of his adopted son.

"No need."

But just a second before the servants could act, Chen Huijie had already cleanly and efficiently picked up Chen Qi's weak body in her arms.

However, in her anxiety, Chen Huijie, completely oblivious to the impropriety of her posture, immediately scolded the stunned servants:
"What are you waiting for? Quickly bring hot water, barley soup, and vegetable soup to the room."

"Yes!"

It must be said that, as expected of Superintendent Chen Huijie, under her reprimand, all the servants were intimidated by her imposing presence and immediately came to their senses and began to do their work.

Chen Huijie, on her own, carried Chen Qi back to the warm room with the stove burning in a princess carry, quickly and steadily.

"Look at yourself! Is this really necessary?!"

However, after gently placing Chen Qi on the bed and covering him with a quilt, Chen Huijie, looking at his sickly face and feeling both heartache and anxiety, also had red eyes and scolded him in his ear:

"Even if it's to bring down Manju Academy, even if it's to avenge your mother, is it really necessary for you to go this far?"

"I steamed myself in the greenhouse until I was sweating profusely in this snowy mountain, and then rolled around naked in the snow several times!"

"Do you know what you're doing?! You're going to kill someone! Do you want me to collect your corpse?!"

"……Ah."

However, faced with Chen Huijie's barrage of insults, the seriously ill Chen Qi managed a weak smile, barely managing to force an apologetic one.

"Feel sorry."

"But... as long as... I can protect... my family... it's all worth it."

Each word required him to catch his breath for a long time. In his feverish and confused mind, the last shred of rationality he retained made him very clear about his current situation.

My body has definitely developed a chronic illness.

To be optimistic, even if this disease can be cured, I'll probably live 20 or 30 years less.

But Chen Qi remained fearless.

To him, all of this was nothing more than a simulation that would overshadow reality, and his own body was merely a physical form within that simulation.

If, for every twenty or thirty years of his life, he could have a better future, the future he desired.

It could also give the person he loves a chance at life.

Then it's all worth it.

Looking at Chen Qi, who had driven himself to this predicament in order to protect his family, Chen Huijie, who had witnessed everything, also gritted her teeth with red eyes.

She was afraid that if she couldn't control her emotions, she might burst into tears.

Unlike Chen Qi, Chen Huijie never experienced much family affection from her parents or uncles growing up.

Perhaps the only family affection he received was from his half-sister, Talulah, during his childhood.

For her, Chen Qi, who had a happy family and so many brothers and sisters, was someone she envied immensely.

And now...

Looking at Chen Qi, who was willing to risk his life for his family, her senses changed once again.

Chen Huijie seemed to understand why she was willing to give up her position as a senior police superintendent in Lungmen for this young man she had been classmates with for three years at the Royal Guard Academy.

Perhaps it's because Chen Qi is not only someone she admires, but also someone she aspires to be.

Chen Huijie sincerely hopes that she can become like Chen Qi.

They are willing to give everything, even their lives, without hesitation for everything they want to protect.

At least that would prove that they have something worth sacrificing for.

"—Qi, don't worry."

Chen Huijie knelt on one knee beside Chen Qi's hospital bed, and couldn't help but tightly grasp Chen Qi's hand, pressing it against her forehead.

"The person you are meant to protect is also the person I am meant to protect."

"I will defend the people you love with my life... I swear."

"...Thank you, Chen."

Unable to hold back her tears, Chen Huijie only heard Chen Qi's barely audible thanks.

Then, with two lines of clear tears streaming down Chen Huijie's face, Chen Qi had already fallen into a deep sleep.

Looking at the young man who had always been so strategic, now sleeping like an infant, Chen Huijie couldn't help but burst into laughter through her tears.

No, perhaps, the person I need to protect is you.

I also want to see what kind of path my ideal self will take.

Surely, that would be a shining road leading to justice and fairness?
And what an ideal version of myself could create would surely be an ideal world where everyone is happy, right?

Chen Huijie silently added this sentence in her mind.

Although she didn't speak, this time, her determination was much stronger than her previous vow.

(End of this chapter)