Chapter 224

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At the Aldecaldo camp.

Inside the tent, Panam was meticulously treating Tang Yu's wounds, delicately removing charred textile fragments stuck to the skin and the damaged epidermis peeling away with them, revealing the charred flesh beneath. It was a severe burn from the inside out, the likes of which she had never seen in her life, indicative of the immense pain and suffering Tang Yu must be enduring.

The electromagnetic storm had caused a city-wide blackout in Night City, with electronic equipment, network services, and chip data from several companies around the corporate plaza all destroyed, such was its strength.

Tang Yu now lay almost indistinguishable from a corpse, the only difference being that his body neither revived nor decayed. Panam had no idea when Tang Yu might awaken, but she held onto a sliver of hope.

Mitch appeared outside the tent, coughing twice to interrupt Panam's focused work.

Setting aside her tweezers and tools, Panam stood up and unzipped the tent, stepping out and securely zipping it back up. "What is it, Mitch?"

Mitch, ever composed, spoke solemnly, "Two pieces of news, one good, one bad. Which do you want to hear first?"

Panam, hands on hips, chuckled helplessly, "Let me guess, Saul, with good intentions, ends up failing due to uncontrollable circumstances?"

Mitch and Scorpion were always trying to smooth things over between her and Saul, and Panam was well aware. "Panam, you're too smart. You know what they've been saying in the camp. Even Scorpion and I are worried about you, spending all day with a charred body in the tent. People think you're cursed, considering calling a shaman..."

Panam casually replied, "Well, let them bring a shaman. I have no objections."

Seeing Panam's nonchalant demeanor, Mitch continued, "Saul tried reaching out to Biotechnica. They agreed to provide microbial nanobot technology services on credit, provided the patient is sent there."

"No way, I'd rather trust a shaman than Biotechnica," Panam blurted out quickly.

"Hold on, hear me out before reacting. I've sent the previous biometric reports. You know what Biotechnica told Saul," Mitch paused, mimicking a corporate tone, "Saul, we offer neuro-damage repair services, not resurrection..."

Panam laughed, "So Saul was berated for nothing, serves him right."

Mitch shrugged helplessly, trying to persuade her once more, "You know Saul really did his best. But about seeing a shaman, it might be worth a shot, Saul has contacts."

As Panam was about to reject the nonsensical suggestion, her phone beeped with a notification. Asking Mitch to hold on, she turned away to retrieve her phone from her tight jeans pocket.

"Witch."

Realizing the implications, she swiftly put her phone back and turned to Mitch, "I think you're onto something. Trying it is better than just sitting here hoping. There's always a chance."

Mitch nodded seriously and prepared to speak with Saul, instructing as he left, "Get ready to leave then, Saul shouldn't mind. I'll check with Scorpion."

Panam, pleased, waved him off, "Go on, waiting on your good news."

Returning to the tent, Panam continued her meticulous work on Tang Yu. Soon, she had cleaned all the remaining textile fragments off him, and despite his body still being covered in burns and resembling charcoal, a young man's figure was now discernible.

She picked up a can of antiseptic pain-relieving spray, shook it, and sprayed generously onto the wounds while wiping away the fallen skin debris with a clean cotton swab. After finishing the cleaning on both sides, she took out medical bandages and wrapped Tang Yu, covering each area of his body meticulously.

Now, Tang Yu looked no different from a mummy, completely enveloped in bandages. Panam carefully wrapped him in a bedsheet, leaving only his head exposed, and tied it up for ease of transport.

As she finished packing, news came from Mitch.

Saul had agreed to take them to the shaman's tribe, although the success of such supernatural endeavors could not be guaranteed.

Panam hoisted Tang Yu on her back and exited the tent, where Saul and Mitch were waiting, but Scorpion was notably absent. "Where's Scorpion? Isn't he coming with us?"

Mitch, helping Panam into the vehicle, replied, "Scorpion's been introverted these last few days, always under his hat, silent. Let's not bother him and head out."

Saul glanced at the body wrapped up like a dumpling, appearing resigned. He couldn't help but think Panam was becoming foolish, insisting on tending even to unidentified bodies picked up from the roadside—either delusional or cursed.

With this trip to the shaman's tribe, he felt compelled to consult a powerful deity to examine Panam, lest some malevolent force was affecting her mind.

Once Panam placed Tang Yu in the back of the vehicle, she jumped in herself.

Mitch took the driver's seat, Saul the passenger's, and once settled, they accelerated away.

The shaman's tribe, a nomadic group that revered deities and specialized in blessings, funerals, and similar rites, largely depended on offerings from other nomadic families for their income.

The tribe's survival and growth were somewhat reliant on the whims of nature, requiring a stable environment, plentiful water sources, and suitable terrain for settlement.

The Aldecaldo and the shaman's tribe maintained contact, often serving as a link among tribes, occasionally making exchanges under the watchful eyes of their gods.

In the car.

Saul, worried, spoke up, "Panam, about that night when you rescued me, the Maelstrom gang has started causing trouble. The leader of the Wraiths, the Hound, and his thugs are deliberately sabotaging our supply lines, targeting us and involving many people. Now, some dealers are too scared to carry our goods."

Saul looked solemn and hesitant before he finally spoke. "The situation is tricky. I'm worried if we keep dragging our feet, the tribe will have to migrate further away. I'm considering leaving the area around Night City. What do you think?"

"Leave Night City?"

Panam immediately refused without a second thought: "Saul, a tribal migration is risky. We've finally found a suitable campsite after so much effort, and now you want to give up just like that? I disagree!"

Mitch sat by, trying to persuade Saul as well: "Yeah, Saul, the tribe has grown because we moved here. Even though the Rogue Gang is a problem, our living environment is more important."

Saul was quite helpless, opposed by both of them, yet unable to resolve the current predicament. Staying here and wanting to develop peacefully only had one solution: to overthrow the Rogue Gang, or at least to deter them from being so brazen in the open.

But battling the inherently vicious Rogue Gang, relying solely on the tribe's people, was far from enough unless the tribes were willing to unite to annihilate the Rogue Gang. Otherwise, the Rogue Gang's members would keep popping up endlessly, and the conflicts would never end.

The three traveled in silence until dusk enveloped the wasteland. It was then that fluttering ribbons and expanses of campfires came into their view within the Witch Tribe's territory. Tall stakes topped with giant sheep skull frames dominated the landscape. Various sizes of sacrificial altars were adorned with freshly slaughtered cattle and sheep heads. Witches draped in animal fur and feathered masks danced and chanted madly around the fires, an eerie and mysterious sight. Many people had traveled from other tribes specifically to request ritualistic ceremonies from the witches. The Witch Tribe was buzzing with activity.

Upon entering the tribe, Panam and her group found a secluded campfire to sit down by, while Saul went to speak to the tribe's High Witch about their situation. It wasn't long before people from the Witch Tribe came over, indicating that Panam and her group should bring the body to the High Witch.

Carrying Tang Yu on her back, with Mitch by her side, Panam was led to the High Witch's sacrificial altar. This altar was different from the others; not only was it the tallest, but the fire pit behind it was also the largest.

The High Witch, with an old face and white braided hair hanging down her sides, didn't say much upon seeing them but only gestured to place the body on a nearby table. Skeptically following the High Witch's directions, Panam positioned the body, then stood back and watched anxiously.

The High Witch stepped forward to inspect, confirming there were no signs of life, then asked about the time of death and how long the body had been stored. Panam responded vaguely, about seven days. After reexamining the body, the High Witch, who had a past acquaintance with Saul and had agreed to perform the resurrection ceremony out of respect for their friendship, spoke slowly with an aged voice, turning to the tribespeople: "I will personally conduct this resurrection ceremony. Prepare quickly."

Saul was quite surprised the High Witch was willing to personally perform the ritual. Knowing she had never undergone any cybernetic enhancements to maintain a spiritual connection with the deities, her body was substantially deteriorated, making even slight movements difficult. Yet, she was willing to personally conduct the ceremony, a clear indication of how much she valued this particular body.

Soon, an elaborate resurrection ceremony was ready, drawing the entire Witch Tribe's populace to spectate. The crowd stood around the altar, curiously watching the body wrapped in linens in the middle of the fire pit. Freshly slaughtered cattle, stacks of dry branches, and ancient ritual tools were all arranged around the fire pit.

Dressed in a ceremonial robe, the High Witch solemnly put on a feathered mask, took up a jeweled bone staff and leather drum, and shakily approached the altar. All the witches gathered around, waiting for her chant.

"Boom!" The staff struck the drum. The High Witch led the chanting, soon joined by the others, their ancient and eerie hymns echoing all around.

Shortly after, the firewood in the pit ignited on its own, growing larger and fiercer. As the flames rose, the witches increased their chanting and dancing, creating a bizarre and excited atmosphere.

Seeing this, Panam rushed forward, fearful that Tang Yu inside might be in danger. Saul and Mitch quickly held her back, reminding her that interrupting a witch's ceremony could bring grave misfortune.

The intense fire, chanting, dancing, cattle, and blood painted a grand and mystical picture of the resurrection ceremony. The blazing fire rose high, blocking everyone's view.

People eagerly awaited a miracle.

Gradually, a figure seemed to appear within the flames, slowly rising up and eventually hovering in the air. The witches chanted even harder.

As the 'body' floated above the fire pit, watched by all, not even the high temperatures could touch it.

The crowd went silent. "Ah... Great Spirit of the Nomad Tribe, bring light from fire in the darkness!" yelled the High Witch, her voice hoarse as she trembled uncontrollably, leading all the witches in kneeling down.

Seeing the witches bow, the onlookers did the same, showing utmost reverence.

Panam, stunned, wasn't sure whether to kneel or not. Mitch quickly pulled her down to follow suit. In the Witch Tribe, the High Witch held the highest regard, and showing sufficient respect was crucial, else offending the Witch Tribe could mean being ostracized from their circle forever.

An invisible force field cleared a path through the fire, and the body floated down this path, reaching behind Panam, settling on her back as it had always done, slipping back into lifeless stillness.

Panam: "..."

High Witch: "..."

Mitch: "..."

Saul: "..."