Chapter 763 - Stupid! So Stupid! (1/2)
Chapter 763
Stupid! So Stupid!
The Flaming Horns hadn’t stayed in contact with the Lu tribe for a long time. They lived too far from each other and it wasn’t convenient for them to stay in contact, and there was really no need for it either. Secondly, the Flaming Horn tribe was already satisfied with the number of beasts they had in their animal pens. They no longer felt a need to trade beasts with the Lu tribe, and the Lu tribe never looked for them either.
Shao Xuan knew since long ago that the Lu tribe avoided fights whenever they could and never wanted to be the bad guy. The major tribes in the central region kept the Lu tribe under their wing before and were probably planning on sacrificing them in a time of need to save their own lives. Back then after the disaster, the Lu tribe gave them plenty of food.
Even though the Lu tribe rarely contacted them, Shao Xuan heard from the Longboat and Feather tribesmen that the Lu tribe resented the Flaming Horns. They even complained about them to these other tribesmen.
Why?
Because of their fire seed.
The Lu tribe was probably the only middle sized tribe that refused to merge their fire seed. Their way of life was based on herding and they rarely had conflicts with other tribes. Back in the old days, they were the Wanshi tribe’s target and endured all sorts of challenges. They never even fought back once. Simply put, they were pushovers and this was just the way they lived. They knew how best to survive and live a stable life.
However, the Flaming Horns changed everything. They were the ones who introduced the concept of a merged fire seed to everyone, and since then, all the major tribes had merged their fire seeds. Even those in the central region merged their fire seed either willingly or under the threat of other tribes. So much had changed since then that even when the Lu tribe faced challenges, no one was willing to lend them a hand because of their primitive fire seed.
The Mang tribe and Eight Limbs tribe were partners with the Longboat tribe. Recently the Longboat tribe had been going out to sea with some of their people and the rest of them would stay behind to help watch over the Longboat tribe’s possessions, just in case people came to rob them while they were out at sea.
The Longboat tribe had not finished migrating. In the future, they would definitely move closer to the sea since their hearts were out there already. They didn’t want to be trapped inland and the ocean was their target.
As for the Lu tribe? They never cared about these things and if the Longboats asked for their help, they would just provide the most minimal help and wouldn’t bother too much.
The Feather tribe were busy setting up new enclosures for their birds. They had recently gathered in new bird stock so they were very busy. Where they were, it was easy to guard and difficult for others to attack, so even if some foreigners wanted to trouble them, they would have a hard time because they weren’t familiar with the geography there. Now, the Feather tribesmen only cared about their own territory and improving their facilities. They didn’t want to care about anything else, so the help they could provide was very minimal.
The Thousand Masks tribe were militarising and preparing to defend themselves from external threats. They heard that the Flaming Horns were building cities, so they were preparing to fend off people with bad intentions. They were also very busy and didn’t have the time to care about the Lu tribe’s critical situation.
The tribes on the grassy plains would care even less for the Lu tribe. They never really communicated with them anyways.
After some thought, the Lu tribe had no choice but to reach out to the Flaming Horns for help.
“The Lu tribe’s situation is probably much worse than what’s written here,” Zheng Luo said.
The beast hide scroll only said that the Lu tribe’s animals had been stolen by others, but just by the fact that they had to reach out to the Flaming Horns who lived so far away from them, the Lu tribe was for sure in a critical situation.
“It even says in the back that they are planning on migrating,” Zheng Luo emphasised this point to Shao Xuan.
According to what was written, the Lu tribe had not decided on migration. They just thought about it.
“They are such simple-minded people,” Duo Kang was disappointed.
He was willing to let the Lu tribe come over.
The Lu tribesmen were skilled in herding after all. Perhaps they could help the Flaming Horns tame even more beasts. The Flaming Horns didn’t mind having more beasts. Their only concern was that the Lu tribe still had their primitive fire seed, and there was no way he was going to let them bring that over.
The Flaming Horns wouldn’t want something like that near them.
This was not their own fire seed after all. They had to keep a distance because its energy would greatly influence their totemic warriors. All the tribes around the Flaming Horns had already merged their fire seeds.
The Rain tribe, Drumming tribe, Taihe tribe, who amongst them hadn’t merged their fire seed? If the Lu tribe wished to come over and live under the Flaming Horn tribe’s protection, the Flaming Horns were fine with it, on the premise that they got rid of their primitive fire seed. Or else if they came over with it, not only would it be repulsive for the Flaming Horns, it would also disturb other tribesmen in the area.
“Even now, they still refuse to merge their fire seed. I already heard some news that amongst all the major to middle-sized tribes, they are the only people left with a primitive fire seed,” Zheng Luo said.
Shao Xuan had finished reading what was written on the beast hide scroll. “Right now, the Lu tribe is no different from a free lunch for any robber. Luckily they still have their fire seed, or else all their beasts would’ve been stolen and all of their people killed.”
“What are your plans?” Zheng Luo asked Shao Xuan. “Regardless of whether they migrate, the Lu tribe already listed out what they will give us in return if we go and help them. If we go, all of those things will belong to us.”
After considering the number of tamed beasts they were willing to offer the Flaming Horns, Duo Kang said, “They’re willing to give so much away.”
The number of beasts the Lu tribe promised them was already two-thirds the number the Flaming Horns had in their own animal pens.
“Perhaps the Lu tribe wants to use this opportunity to get rid of their extra beasts. This will be more convenient for their migration,” Zheng Luo speculated.
After some thought, Shao Xuan said, “I’ll bring some people with me to check the situation over there. I’m not going for these rewards though. I want to check on a few people.”
“Are you planning on using this opportunity to show off?” Zheng Luo suddenly thought about this. “I heard that more and more people had come from the other side to the Flaming River region. We can actually use this case to show off our might and scare them away.”
“Not just people from the other side. There are, but they are not the majority. Besides those people, some tribes there are beginning to change and also have their eyes set on the Lu tribe,” Shao Xuan said.
“Tribesmen?”
“Yup. After they merge their fire seed, their ambition would increase and they are no longer satisfied with what they have. They will begin to set their eyes on new targets,” Shao Xuan continued, “The majority of people who settled here are after all tribesmen.”
“You mean, besides scaring away those outsiders, we can also put on a show for those tribesmen whose ambitions are growing?” Zheng Luo was already clear about this.
“Sometimes being fierce and showing off our strength isn’t a bad thing, you know. Back in the old days, our ancestors made sure to let everyone know our fierceness and it was a wise choice,” Shao Xuan recalled other tribes’ impressions of the Flaming Horns. Now, even though the Flaming Horns were very well known, they weren’t fierce enough.
They lived in such a vast space. Fierceness was a useful label that could scare away those who were mischievous. At least these people wouldn’t dare to make any move on the Flaming Horns.
“When are you leaving, Shao Xuan? I’m coming with you!” Duo Kang rubbed his hands eagerly. He was already growing impatient.
“You can’t leave,” Shao Xuan was determined.
“What? Why not? Last time you brought Ta with you and this time it should be my turn! I want to go kill… umm go save them too,” Duo Kang was clear about this point as well. Between Ta and him, one of them had to stay behind.
“You have to help Zheng Luo watch the trading point. More foreign tribes are appearing in this region and many of them snuck in with the expedition teams. They’re probably trying to find out more about our trading point,” Shao Xuan said.
Duo Kang no longer complained after hearing this. Compared to helping the Lu tribe, protecting the trading point was a much more important task.
“Shao Xuan, why not bring the guy in the underground room with you too?” Duo Kang suggested.
”I will. I’ll be worried if he stays here,” Shao Xuan said. Gan Qie was too unpredictable. If he suddenly went out of control, he might create chaos in the Flaming River Castle. It was better if he brought him along on this trip.
Duo Kang thought so too. Shao Xuan was the only one who could manage to “kill” those desert puppets. Even though Gan Qie was a little different from those puppets, they would feel more at ease if Shao Xuan was around because he was the one who resurrected him in the first place. If anything happened to Gan Qie, Shao Xuan might be able to identify a solution.
“That’s good then. But Shao Xuan, have you noticed that he’s become more slow-witted?” Duo Kang said in a low voice.
Gan Qie’s emotions had been pretty stable so far. He could maintain the same expression for a whole day, and this made Duo Kang very curious. How could someone maintain the same expression and not feel uncomfortable?
Shao Xuan didn’t stay in the Castle for too long. Since he decided to bring some people to the Lu tribe, he had to tell the people at headquarters before he selected a final group to follow him on this trip.