TRWSB – Chapter 249 Dashi Tribe

Yi Fan looked at Zhuang Hao, confused, and asked, “Why did you bring back two more people again?”

Zhuang Hao shrugged helplessly and said, “That guy cried and begged. I saw Fred was getting exhausted dealing with him, so I let him come along. If he recovers, they’ll be two more hands to work. Might come in handy later.”

Zhuang Hao thought to himself: Kaus was crying like a baby, snot and tears everywhere—seeing a man over two meters tall cry like that was honestly terrifying.

In this place, individual strength is still limited. Gathering a few people to handle chores could save them time. Judging by their current situation, they’d be staying here for a while—bringing in more people wouldn’t hurt.

Yi Fan looked out at the falling snow outside the cave and said, “We’ve got enough food. Two more mouths won’t matter. I just hope people won’t keep coming.”

Zhuang Hao shook his head. “They shouldn’t. Fred said Kaus and Lauqi were the last ones from other tribes who joined the Feihu Tribe’s descendants.”

Yi Fan nodded. “Really? That’s good then. Too many people might attract beasts.”

Zhuang Hao: “…”

After Lauqi regained consciousness, Kaus, being very tactful, took him to live in another nearby cave.

Qi Shaorong had a good impression of Kaus. Despite being a big guy who was a little slow, he was honest and dependable. Kaus would often bring over yams and fruits, which were extremely rare in winter. Though his strength wasn’t remarkable, his foraging skills were excellent.

…

Lauqi opened his eyes and looked at Kaus. “You’re back.”

Kaus looked at Lauqi, a bit nervous. “How are you? Still have a fever?”

“I’m fine. But you… it’s so cold out. You’re still going out. It’s dangerous!” Lauqi said worriedly.

“You don’t have to worry. Sindore gave me a bow and medicine pouches. Just apply the medicine in the pouch to the body and it’ll repel poisonous bugs. There’s also another pouch that can knock out beasts…” said Kaus.

Lauqi looked at him and said, “Sindore’s being really generous, huh?”

“Yeah! Sindore’s really different now,” Kaus replied.

Lauqi smiled. “Yeah, he’s much more cheerful. The doctor he’s following seems really skilled. I thought I was done for this time—so lucky to have made it!”

Kaus nodded seriously. “The doctor really is amazing. When he first said your injuries were hopeless, I was nearly scared to death. But then Sindore told me the doctor actually had a lot of confidence—he just didn’t like me and wanted to scare me.”

Kaus scratched his head awkwardly. Begging a healer from another tribe like that really was a bit rash… But luckily, he had done it—Lauqi survived.

…

Feihu Tribe

“Mil, you’re eating black crocodile meat too?” Ximiya asked with her dark eyes wide.

Black crocodile meat was sour and smelly. Normally, the females in the tribe wouldn’t eat it, but during the long winter, it was the only large beast that the warriors could reliably hunt.

Mil nodded dully. “Yeah.”

Last year around this time, Fred went out into the snow to find snowball beasts for her to eat. The meat of those beasts was tender, smooth, and so delicious it made people want to swallow their tongues. Back then, many females in the tribe were jealous of her.

Ximiya looked at Mil and asked, “Didn’t Jesse go out to find anything for you?”

“Don’t even talk about him. He’s useless,” Mil said with irritation.

She bit into the meat fiercely, bitterness rising in her chest.

Back then, whenever she pouted or got angry, Fred would give in. But Jesse didn’t respond at all to those tricks—he just called her spoiled. Mil was already thinking about switching partners. Compared to Fred, every other male in the tribe seemed second-rate.

“Jesse’s not that bad,” Ximiya said.

Mil curled her lip. “He’s nowhere near Fred.”

Ximiya nodded. “That’s true. There aren’t many in the tribe who can compare to Fred. I heard from my father that Fred’s already a three-star totem warrior. Even the chieftain isn’t as strong as him.”

Mil forced a dry laugh. “Is that so?”

“Yeah!” Hearing Ximiya speak of Fred with such admiration made Mil feel a stab of bitterness.

“My father said Sindore’s gotten chubby—he must be eating really well outside the tribe. I wonder what they’re eating! So jealous of those two brothers,” Ximiya murmured.

…

“Kaifeng, what’s wrong?” Jada asked, looking at the dazed Kaifeng.

“Nothing. Lauqi and Kaus are missing,” Kaifeng said.

Jada took a deep breath. “Lauqi was injured. His wounds were festering, and he had a high fever. The priest said he couldn’t be saved. Kaus didn’t give up—he probably took Lauqi to find that healer.”

Due to certain people spreading rumors, everyone in the tribe now knew that Qi Shaorong was a priest who had eloped with someone, and his reputation was extremely poor.

Kaifeng took a deep breath. “Can they find him?”

Jiada shrugged and said, “No idea! But Kaos and Lauqi have a close relationship. He wouldn’t just sit back and watch Lauqi die if there was even a sliver of hope.”

Kaifeng nodded and said, “That’s true.”

Kaifeng frowned, thinking: Kaos and Lauqi were the last two from other tribes to seek refuge here. Now that they’re gone, the tribe no longer has any bloodline from other clans. Who knows, maybe the chieftain and the priest will be pleased about that.

———

Inside the cave.

Fred took a sip of wine and exclaimed in delight, “Delicious! This is really good!”

Qi Shaorong rolled his eyes at the drunken Fred and thought: Who would’ve guessed? Turns out both Fred and Sindorei are boozers. Though Fred is such a big guy, his alcohol tolerance doesn’t seem that great.

Raymond sat to the side watching Fred, his expression a bit complicated.

Qi Shaorong looked at Raymond and asked, “Do you want a drink too?”

Raymond quickly waved his hand and said, “No need.”

At that moment, Sindorei came running into the cave, his cheeks flushed red.

Qi Shaorong looked at Sindorei in confusion and said, “Sindorei, what’s up with you? You’re back kind of early today.”

Sindorei gave an awkward smile, looking a bit guilty. “I ran into someone from the tribe.”

“Oh? Again? What did the Feihu Tribe people say this time?” Qi Shaorong asked casually.

“One of them said they want to marry their daughter to me,” Sindorei replied, face burning red.

“You?” Qi Shaorong said in disbelief, “Who has such poor taste to want to marry their daughter to you?”

Sindorei, who had been shy, suddenly got angry from the cold water thrown on him. “I’m a totem warrior! And I’m strong! It’s not strange that a warrior from the tribe wants to claim me before someone else does!”

Qi Shaorong nodded, saying, “Ah, right. Since your tribe lacks talented people, I guess you do seem pretty charming in comparison.”

Sindorei: “…”

“Do you like females?” Qi Shaorong asked.

Sindorei shook his head and said, “After seeing how much trouble Mill gives my brother, I feel like being with a female is just too much hassle. I’d rather find a male. At least they won’t hold you back.”

Fred: “…”

Qi Shaorong glanced at Fred and thought: Fred’s not exactly the best role model, huh? Even led Sindorei astray.

———

As the weather grew colder, the Feihu Tribe received a group of uninvited guests.

Everyone in the tribe gathered to discuss what to do.

This winter had been harsh, with heavy snow. The Dashi Tribe’s buildings had collapsed under the weight. On top of that, they had suffered wild beast attacks, leaving them no choice but to seek help from nearby tribes.

“Chieftain, are we going to take in the Dashi Tribe people?”

“We barely have enough food for ourselves. If we take in more people, we’ll definitely run out.”

“Chieftain, there are a lot of females in the Dashi Tribe! If we take them in, our single men will finally have partners!”

“Our tribe can afford to feed a few more females. Why not take the women in and send the warriors away?”

“You think the Dashi Tribe people are idiots?”

…

Despite a long discussion, the Feihu Tribe still couldn’t come up with a solution.

———

Sindorei looked at Qi Shaorong, hesitant to speak.

Qi Shaorong looked at him and said, “If you’ve got something to say, just say it.”

“There was a beast attack on the Dashi Tribe. They suffered heavy losses. Some survivors tried to seek refuge with the Feihu Tribe, but they were turned away. Now they’re temporarily staying in the cave where my brother used to live.”

Qi Shaorong raised his eyebrows and asked, “The Feihu Tribe didn’t take them in?”

Sindorei nodded. “Yeah. The Feihu Tribe only wanted to accept the Dashi females, but refused to take in their warriors. Of course, the Dashi Tribe didn’t agree to that.”

“You ran into the Dashi Tribe people?” Qi Shaorong asked.

Sindorei scratched his head and nodded awkwardly, “Yes.”

Qi Shaorong looked at Sindorei’s flushed cheeks and suddenly thought of something. “Looks like you’re pretty popular, huh? Did the Dashi Tribe’s chieftain offer you something too?”

Sindorei nodded, a bit embarrassed. “That chieftain offered me two females.”

“Two? Both for you? None for your brother?” Qi Shaorong asked.

Sindorei shrugged, “If my brother wanted, they’d give him even more. The Dashi Tribe went through a huge disaster. A lot of their warriors died, but they still have many females left.”

“Wow, left and right in your arms, huh? Must be nice,” Qi Shaorong said.

Sindorei gave a sheepish laugh, “But I don’t like females.”

Qi Shaorong shrugged, “Well, what a pity. That was a golden opportunity right in front of you.”