Man With Super Medical Skill novel Chapter 3377

Inside the royal palace, Mortimer sat in his study, listening to the report from one of the palace guards. His expression darkened, and a slight frown creased his brow.

As a grandmaster, Mortimer not only possessed great strength but also had sharp political instincts. In just a few short days, he had brought stability to Montiria, ensuring that even the most unruly ministers behaved, fearing both his carrot and his stick.

However, this recent wave of rumors seemed suspiciously well-coordinated, as if orchestrated. The way the rumors spread like wildfire made it feel like a calculated move. Mortimer knew that if he were to use force to suppress the rumors, it would only fuel them further. By doing so, the entire nation would believe that the rumors had struck a nerve, making it seem like there was something to hide. After all, if he hadn't done anything wrong, why would he need to silence the rumors? It would only make him appear guilty. Worse still, the rumors had already spread throughout the entire country.

Mortimer sighed, a rare sign of frustration crossing his usually calm face. Matthew had left all this chaos behind for him to deal with while he himself had fled back to Seraphis.

"Mobilize the entire Ebony Eagles unit and investigate the origin of these rumors. Once the source is identified, use the carrot and the stick—coerce them quietly and make them sign a confidentiality agreement. As for the consequences of breaking that agreement…" Mortimer paused. Determining the punishment was tricky.

If the penalty was too severe—like the death penalty—too many people might sign the agreement without intending to honor it. And what would Montiria do then? Execute them all? On the other hand, if the punishment was too lenient, people wouldn't take the agreement seriously.

"Set the penalty at five million for ordinary citizens and fifty million for the wealthy. Scale the fines according to their situation."

"Yes, sir." The guard nodded and left to carry out the orders, leaving Mortimer alone in the vast chamber, his headache only growing.

Meanwhile, across the thousand villages of Montiria, the village chiefs gathered to discuss the rumors. They, too, were eager to know if there was any truth to the claims. If Matthew truly was cultivating Night Vine in secret, who was helping him do it?

"Elder Norbert, the entire country is in an uproar. Do we have anyone in the thousand villages who is secretly growing Night Vine?" one of the village chiefs asked the elderly man standing at the center. Despite the urgency in his voice, he spoke with great respect, for Elder Norbert was the last surviving elder of the previous generation of the thousand villages.

The question sparked a chorus of agreement from the other chiefs.

"Exactly, Elder Norbert. If anyone here is secretly growing Night Vine, they should step forward."

"A real man owns up to his actions. If someone's been growing it, they should admit it."

"Indeed, there's no smoke without fire. Could these rumors really be made up out of thin air?"

"For all we know, the herbs and food we ship out each day might be hiding Night Vine."

The voices of the surrounding chiefs grew louder and more contentious until finally, Elder Norbert, leaning on his cane, frowned in sorrow but remained silent. Only when the room gradually quieted down did he speak, his voice deep and steady. "Is everyone finished speaking? Is it finally time for this old man to talk?"

The room fell silent. The chiefs all lowered their heads, none daring to speak further.

Elder Norbert's gaze swept across the group, his tone filled with sadness. "The reason we are called the thousand villages is because we are united, connected like branches of the same tree. But now, look at yourselves. You're all filled with suspicion, questioning one another. Who here has been growing Night Vine? If so, step forward."

When no one came forward, Elder Norbert smiled faintly. "Good. You are all honorable men of the thousand villages. But I warn you; I hope no one from the thousand villages will be discovered growing Night Vine in the future!"