Chapter 452 (1/2)

Back To The Tribe

On the way to Anba city, the trading team met many robbers. These robbers knew that it was harvest season and since there were many sacks that looked filled with greed, although they usually avoided the Black Bears, greed still ruled their senses. In the end, many of them died for this risk.

When facing robbers, the trading party never showed mercy. Letting them go would just mean getting robbed again in the future. These robbers knew who the Black Bears were, yet they still dared to attack. Well, then that was their fault. To avoid future troubles, the trading party was decisive in killing them. However, every year, the number of robbers never decreased. When one batch was killed, another batch would come.

Some of the robbers weren’t even forced into this line of work-- they just thought it was the easier way to earn money.

Although the giant bears were timid and nervous around Shao Xuan, around the robbers, they were vicious. Shao Xuan had seen them tear a person straight in half. However, they rarely ate human meat.

If they were hungry, people would help them get food. These bears had a large menu from young shoots, to fruits, to ants and even eggs and fish. Sometimes, they would also eat the prey brought back by people who hunted on the team. If they passed any half-rotten dead animals killed by other beasts, they’d eat it too.

It was a good thing their journey mainly consisted of a forest. There was a lot of food around so no one starved.

After two to three days of rest, Shao Xuan was mostly recovered. He would also distribute his prey after hunting to the trading party. The giant bear that carried him for three days received a generous reward too. At this point, this bear had started to come to Shao Xuan often, asking for food.

The trading party travelled to their base outside Anba City and the giant bears carried the goods up the mountain. The trading party did not immediately enter the city, they would first store their goods here and then send them into Anba City in batches.

Shao Xuan brought eight sacks of grains from King City, all golden grains from Ji Ju’s farm. Ji Ju had given him ten sacks, and he sold two to the Black Bears. Of course, the most important goods were Ji Ju’s seeds. Those must be guarded well. Also, there were the axes given by Gongjia Heng. There was a lot to bring home.

“Wait a few days. It’ll be winter soon and the tribes will come to Anba City again to sell their animal hides. We can return with them then,” suggested Guang Yi.

Guang Yi was worried about robbers. It would be difficult for him and Shao Xuan to guard all their goods alone and the Black Bears could not escort them back to their tribe. That was why it was best to wait for the tribe’s trading team to arrive.

Shao Xuan realised this was true. He had come with the trading team around this time of the year last year.

“We’ll continue waiting.” Shao Xuan made the decision.

The goods were stored at the Black Bear’s base outside Anba City. This was safer than within the city.

When Maoda left with a batch of goods to Anba, he told Shao Xuan, “You both stay here first. If I see your Flaming Horn people, I’ll send a messenger over.”

They did not have any business in the city so Shao Xuan and Guang Yi remained at their base. It wasn’t for nothing too. During the day, they went out to hunt and then brought prey back for the Black Bear people.

Five days passed and yet they did not receive news.

“Did anything happen?” Guang Yi grew worried.

In the past, although the Flaming Horn’s trading party did not arrive at exact dates, they would differ a few days, not as many as this time. In the past, they were rarely delayed unless something happened.

At least they didn’t see the Taihe people either. If they saw the Taihe people but not Flaming Horn, that would be a major indicator of a severe problem.

“We’ll wait. If we still don’t see them in five days, we’ll go back on our own.”

Four days after Shao Xuan said this, Maoda finally sent a messenger to tell them that the Flaming horn and Taihe people had arrived. Nothing looked out of the ordinary. Shao Xuan was relieved.

The messenger brought Shao Xuan to another place outside Anba City to meet the Flaming Horn People. Both the Flaming Horn and Taihe tribes had brought a lot of fur and animal hides and were transporting the goods.

Seeing everyone safe, Shao Xuan and Guang Yi finally heaved a sigh of relief.

When he saw them both, Duo Kang was also all smiles. “You’re both finally back!” The result of their trip was secondary, most importantly, they were safe.

“What happened, why was your arrival delayed?” asked Shao Xuan.

Duo Kang’s smile faded as he shook his head. “We had a minor incident. I’ll tell you when we get back. Right, what are you guys carrying?”

Guang Yi instructed the tribesmen to take the grains and weapons from the Black Bears. When he heard Duo Kang, he couldn’t help but grin. “All good stuff!” Then, he turned to the people carrying the goods, “Be very careful!”

When the trade between them and the Black Bears was completed, after a short rest, both teams went on their way.

The trading party was huge so Shao Xuan was not worried about being robbed.

Although they did meet some robbers, in general, it was a smooth journey. Shao Xuan and Guang Yi told Duo Kang about what happened at King City, except the Thousand Grain Gold part. They were selective about their stories too. Some matters were too sensitive. Other than the Flaming Horn people, there were also Taihe people nearby.

“So why did you delay your arrival?” asked Guang Yi. He knew Duo Kang did not want outsiders to hear. Now that the Black Bears weren’t here, Duo Kang did not refuse.

“It’s about the salt,” said Duo Kang. “There was an incident at the salt mines, that’s why our tribe and Taihe both had to delay our trading dates.”