330 Have a Friend from Afar (1/2)

”…Practically all of them.” The old priest shrugged. ”A few years ago, the flu spread very widely. Normal humans were all right, but all Romulusians were infected. The infected experienced symptoms like fever, vomiting and skin bleaching, but recovered after a few days. I found that the virus wasn't extinguished by chance.”

Ye Qingxuan was horrified. ”Why didn't you report such a big event?”

”I did,” the old priest said earnestly. ”The nations placed great importance onto this matter.”

”But why didn't they take action?”

”They did. Didn't you see it when we entered the city?” The old priest pointed to the direction of the gate and stated, ”Many countries paid to build the high walls. It was expensive.”

”...” Ye Qingxuan fell into silence. After a long while, he asked bitterly, ”You mean that people here have to fend for themselves? Do they know about this?”

”No one else knows,” the old priest said. ”I have only informed their elder. That is—” Before he finished his words, a coarse laughter sounded outside of the door. The raspy voice shouted, ”Doctor? Is the doctor here? I'm here to see you! I heard that we have a new doctor from the Sacred City? Let me have a look!”

Hearing this voice, the old priest's face twisted. ”That's him.”

-

There were no officials among the refugees of Romulus and there was no government in the enclave. They only had a clan system. The noblest of them was undoubtedly the 'elder' who was elected by the masses, the wisest, and the most far-sighted.But in reality, this elder who was in his fifties looked...well, he looked very Romulusian. In other words, he looked like a tramp.

This was the first time Ye Qingxuan had seen such a passionate Romulusian.

As soon as he went out, the black and thin old man pounced on him like a monkey. He was stooped, had eccentric paint smeared on his face, and wore a ragged robe with apparently nothing else.

The elder grabbed him and looked up and down. He asked about his day with genuine interest and looked as happy and enthusiastic as if Ye Qingxuan was his son. If he did not smell like strange spices and charcoal, Ye Qingxuan could reluctantly accept such an elder.

”So you're the new doctor?” The elder grabbed Ye Qingxuan and sighed. ”We Romulusians love new friends. Since you were sent by the Church, then you are our friend too. Oh, do you want something good?” Pausing, he took out a little sack from his pocket, picked out a handful of powder. He dropped it into tobacco, and then deftly rolled it into two, one for Ye Qingxuan and one for himself. ”Please don't refuse! This is the custom here.”

Ye Qingxuan held his and looked at the elder who was puffing joyfully. He could faintly smell many familiar scents that made him slightly dizzy.

Yes, there was opium, white orange leaves, false shamrock, and white mugwort... the familiar ingredients and the familiar formula.

Ye Qingxuan suddenly wanted to vomit. How could he call this something good? This was obviously a kind of psychedelic incense made by many drugs and stimulants! What was this man doing? Was the custom of Romulus taking drugs? If he were in Anglo, he would be arrested!

Ye Qingxuan was caught between lighting it or not. Both were inappropriate. He could only put away that cigarette, planning to throw it away when he left. But when he was about to leave, he was stopped again!

”Come, come, I heard that you just arrived last night.” The elder took his hand eagerly. ”Let me show you around Auschwitz. This is a nice place. You must have not grasped it yet.”

”No, no, no. I have fully grasped it.” Ye Qingxuan was preparing to decline but was forcibly pulled away. The old priest could not help him. Instead, he just wished him good luck, making Ye Qingxuan especially depressed.

On the chaotic streets of the enclave, Ye Qingxuan followed the elder awkwardly, wanting to say something. ”Elder...”

”Just call me Caligula.” The elder looked back and smiled at him. ”This is the name of my ancestors and also mine.”

”Well, Mr. Caligula, where are you taking me?” Ye Qingxuan was very nervous. He was afraid that the elder would take him into an alley and then eight-hundred Romulusian youths would rush out to tear him into pieces on the spot.

”The answer is quite obvious.” The elder whistled. ”I'm taking you to my home.”

”But I still have a stall to pack up.”

”I've got someone to help watch it for you. There's no business early in the morning and you're an outsider selling swords. Do you know how many people have talked to me saying that they want to teach you a lesson?”

”Uh...” Ye Qingxuan was speechless.

Rather than being upset, the elder praised him. ”You have a good accent. Where did you learn it?”

”I am a scholar of ancient studies. My teacher is a master of ancient languages and historical studies.” Ye Qingxuan scratched his head. ”I learned a little on my way to here but I didn't learn it well. The locals don't seem to like my accent.”

”No, they just don't like you.” The elder's bluntness startled Ye Qingxuan. ”The people of Romulus have been unable to speak their own language for a long time. Only the accent is left. You can only make them feel ashamed if you use this accent to speak the lingua franca. ”The elder patted him on the shoulder. ”Don't do that again. The people of Romulus do not need this kind of fake sincerity or compassion.”