Chief, don't hit me in the face

Chapter 45: A Reunion with Lu Niang

Tribal women are just that pragmatic. Love? Can you eat it? “Hey!” Xia Ye furrowed his brow. Seeing that Xia Li wasn’t responding, he had no choice but to be blunt: “Don’t tell anyone about the chest. Just say you killed those two yourself!” “Xia… Xia Ge, let me think it over!” Xia Li’s smile was stiff. In fact, if Xia Ye had been a bit more forceful at that moment, she would have given in. Just as she was figuring out how to maximize her own benefit, she heard the second half of his statement. “What?” Xia Li was momentarily bewildered, then her face flushed. Damn it, she’d misread the situation. “Keep your mouth shut!” Xia Ye, of course, had no idea how much was going on in Xia Li’s mind. He coldly issued the order, then slunk away with the bronze chest on his back. “Take care, Brother Xia!” Xia Li waved goodbye. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the trees, falling in mottled patches upon Xia Ye. Xia Li suddenly realized that this young man, with the crescent-moon pattern on his face, possessed an indescribable handsomeness. Silence returned to the woods; apart from the scent of blood carried away by the gentle breeze, there was no sign of the battle that had just taken place. Rustle, rustle! Beneath the tender green shrubs, where a thick layer of dead branches and fallen leaves lay, a head emerged like that of a crocodile surfacing from the water. It cautiously scanned the surroundings, and only after repeatedly confirming that no one was around did it creep forward silently. Cao Xiong was dead, and so was Cao Xu. Looking at the two corpses—stripped bare and decapitated—Cao Lan’s hands trembled uncontrollably. After catching up to Xia Ye, Cao Lan suddenly felt an urgent need to use the restroom, so she darted into the bushes. Cao Xiong and his companion assumed that two against one would be no problem, so they attacked without waiting for her to return. “Thank you, ancestors, for your protection!” Cao Lan took a deep breath, pressed her palms together, and devoutly thanked her ancestors. If she’d come out just then, she’d be a corpse now—no, she’d likely have been captured alive and sold into slavery. Snap! A twig snapped under Cao Lan’s deerskin boots, and the sound nearly made her jump out of her skin—she was, after all, on edge like a startled bird. Unlike Xia Li, who had been too busy struggling to notice, Cao Lan had witnessed the entire battle. That bronze longsword, capable of transforming into sword energy, was truly formidable. But what truly sent shivers down her spine was the cunning and audacity of that youth with the crescent-moon tattoo on his face. That guy named Xia Xiong was far too arrogant—not only did he humiliate her, but he also demanded half the spoils of war, which is why Xia Ye snapped. Engaging in internal strife in the face of a major enemy—though it seemed like a foolish move—was actually Xia Ye’s deliberate strategy. Giving Xia Xiong a thorough beating and chopping off one of his arms not only let her vent her anger but also served as bait to draw the enemy’s attention. An archer with a severed arm poses almost no threat at all. If it were me, I’d prioritize killing him—at least one head in the bag, which could be traded for blade coins back home. By employing this tactic, Xia Ye not only succeeded in separating Cao Xiong and Cao Xu—avoiding the disadvantage of fighting two opponents at once—but also eliminated Cao Xiong in the process. Yes, Xia Xiong was dead—who cared anymore whose blade had severed his arm? Who could possibly take Xia Ye’s spoils now? “What a cunning move!” As a shaman, Cao Lan was no fool, but at that moment, all he could do was admire Xia Ye’s ingenuity. Faced with such an overwhelming disadvantage, many would likely have chosen to compromise with Xia Xiong and join forces against the enemy. But Xia Ye, on the other hand, managed to kill two birds with one stone—he outmaneuvered and eliminated everyone, not even sparing his own allies. That level of cunning and composure was downright terrifying! When she came to her senses, Cao Lan realized her crotch was damp—she’d wet herself out of fear. It was no wonder; who wouldn’t be afraid when facing a terrifying enemy like Xia Ye? Cao Lan scanned the battlefield. When he spotted Xia Xiong’s corpse, his expression lit up with joy. He rushed over, drew the small knife from his belt, and sliced off the head. The bear-claw markings on his face were smeared with cold, congealed blood. “What a score!” Cao Lan muttered to herself. Taking the head back would net her a knife coin. In her eyes, that Xia Li was nothing but a fool—if it were her, she would’ve latched onto the coattails of such a genius jungler long ago, without even waiting for him to ask! That bronze longsword belonged to Cao Ang. Barring any surprises, Brother Ang was dead too. And those two bronze chests—no need to ask—on this trip to the Fengjing Ruins, the eyepatch-wearing teenager was the biggest winner. Caw! A crow screeched. After tying the severed head to her belt, Cao Lan stripped the corpse bare. Once she confirmed she hadn’t missed any loot, she hurried off—she had to get back immediately and tell Cao Sen about this. Cao Sen was Cao Mu’s older brother and the eldest son of Cao Ren, the Fifth Hero of the Cao Clan. Four years ago, following the Beast Tide, he participated in the Blood Survival Trial, successfully established himself in the Ancient Forest of the Wasteland, and founded his own tribe—he was a standout among the younger generation. “Xia Ye is bound to take part in the trial as well. If I sell information about him to Cao Sen, I should be able to reap quite a reward, right?” Just thinking about those two massive bronze chests made Cao Lan’s mouth water. It was a shame her strength wasn’t up to par—otherwise, it would’ve been so great to snatch one for herself! Unaware that he was being watched, Xia Ye whistled as he walked with a spring in his step, eager to rush home immediately and share his joy with his sister. “Ah-woo!” Song Guo’s ears twitched, and she came to a sudden halt. Without a roar, a white-striped tiger leaped silently from a tree trunk, blocking the two of their path. Xia Ye yanked the vine strap with one hand. Thud! As the bronze chest crashed to the ground, Xia Ye had already gripped his long sword tightly and assumed a fighting stance, though a hint of confusion arose in his mind. This white tiger was massive—over three meters long, with full, powerful muscles—and clearly at the peak of its prime, yet its entire body was translucent. “Huh, isn’t this the one I encountered in the Tower of Glory?” Song Guo scratched his head, a little puzzled. Guardian beasts can’t exist outside of buildings! Xia Ye pricked up her ears to listen. “Don’t worry—it’s me!” Lu Lingxi parted the branches and stepped out. “Lu Niang?” Song Guo beamed with joy; she really liked this older sister who exuded an air of sophistication. “Looking for me?” Xia Ye asked, sheathing his weapon. Lu Lingxi was still wearing that long dress woven from some kind of green grass leaves, which covered her ankles. She wore a pair of straw sandals, and one could see that her fair toes were coated with green grass juice, slightly damp from the dew. Around her waist hung a small rattan pouch and a bronze dagger, but now she also held a staff over a meter long, carved from mountain pear wood and adorned with engraved patterns of insects, birds, and flowers. I hadn’t realized it, but Lu Niang’s craftsmanship is actually quite impressive. “Hmm, I heard the sounds of battle, so I came over to take a look. Are you all okay?” Lu Lingxi’s cheeks were adorned with patterns resembling the leaves of an unknown plant, and her forehead bore a deer-antler motif. Paired with her waist-length, lake-green hair, she looked just like a forest fairy. “Thank you!” Xia Ye smiled faintly, appreciating Lu Niang’s concern. “Looks like you’ve made quite a haul!” Lu Lingxi was a bit surprised—they’d only been apart for three days, yet Xia Ye’s spoils of war had grown considerably. Of course, she had no intention of coveting them. “By the way, aren’t you an expert on ancient texts and history? There’s something I’d like you to take a look at!” Xia Ye took out the crystal he’d found on Xia Qingyuan’s body. It was about the size of an apple, round, and emitted a pale blue silvery glow, with irregular, mysterious patterns. “What is this…?” Lu Lingxi took it cautiously, her expression turning serious. After examining it briefly, she placed her right hand on it and patiently sensed its energy. Song Guo crouched nearby; after watching for a while, she lost interest and went off to tease the big white tiger. “This is a War Architecture Core!” Lu Lingxi gave her answer. “Defensive or offensive?” Xia Ye was a little excited. Tribal buildings are divided into four major categories. Structures like the Dominator Tower and the Ancestral Altar belong to the five basic buildings—essential structures for any tribe. The function of war structures is combat; this includes both defensive and offensive structures, as well as those that produce troops. The third category consists of support buildings, which complement and extend the functions of the clan’s main structures, enhancing their overall utility. The fourth category consists of decorative buildings, such as the City Garden, Memorial Square, and the Exotic Zoo—all of which fall into this category. Beyond these four major categories, there is another type known as “wonder structures.” As the name suggests, these are incredible, one-of-a-kind structures that defy human imagination—buildings capable of creating miracles. Many people may hear of “miracle structures” their entire lives without ever seeing one. Among the four major categories, war structures represent a tribe’s most tangible combat power. “Have you heard of the Giant Spirit God?” Lu Lingxi asked in return. “Yes, I’ve heard of it. It’s a military unit unique to the Fengjing Tribe—extremely powerful in battle. But after the tribe was wiped out, I don’t know which tribe captured it!” As Xia Ye spoke, he suddenly realized something and looked at Lu Lingxi in astonishment: “Are you saying…” “That’s right. This is the core of the Tower of the Giant Spirit—it’s in perfect condition!” Lu Lingxi handed the crystal back to Xia Ye. Xia Ye swallowed hard. The stone, which he’d originally set down carelessly, now felt too hot to handle—if he were to shatter it, he’d have to chop off his own hand. “Don’t worry—it’s not that easy to break!” Lu Lingxi chuckled softly. “Once I’ve built the Tower of the Giant Spirit, who will be my match in the trials?” Xia Ye looked forward to it, then felt sorry for Xia Qingyuan. Having found such a secret treasure, why didn’t he hurry back to the tribe? Instead, he insisted on playing the third wheel, hoping to reap the benefits—only to end up dead. “Don’t underestimate others. The strength of a tribe isn’t determined by a single structure. Besides, can you guarantee that the others don’t have powerful war structures of their own?” Lu Lingxi warned him earnestly. “I was just joking!” Xia Ye explained. At the very least, the direct descendants of the Xia clan certainly had Molten Fire Soldiers—a unit that was exceptionally powerful. “Ah-woo!” At some point, Song Guo had climbed onto the White Tiger’s back and was running back and forth, having the time of her life. “It’s a gift for you!” Lu Lingxi took out a white stone about the size of a walnut and handed it to Xia Ye. “What is this?” Xia Ye was puzzled. “A Guardian Stone!” These stones are usually placed on altars; through secret rituals, a spirit beast can be sealed inside, and it can be summoned when needed. “That white tiger?” The stone was smooth and felt nice to the touch. If Xia Ye refused, he’d just seem like a prude; at worst, he could make it up to Lu Lingxi some other way. “Mm-hmm!” Lu Lingxi nodded. “The White Tiger isn’t much of a fighter, but it can serve as a mount!” “I’ll take it!” After shouting to Xia Ye, Song Guo turned to Lu Lingxi and smiled sweetly: “Thank you, Sister Lu!” “Lu Niang?” Lu Lingxi was taken aback for a moment, then burst into laughter; it actually sounded like a nice nickname. “Song Guo, catch this!” Xia Ye tossed the stone into the air: “Speaking of which, I saw the White Tiger vanish at the Tower of Glory that day—so you beat me to it, didn’t you?” “No, someone was even faster than me!” Seeing that Xia Ye hadn’t kept the Guardian Stone for himself but had tossed it to the little girl, Lu Lingxi couldn’t help but think more highly of him: “The clan crest on her chest is the same as yours, and the mark on her face looks like a frog!” “Xia Wa？” Xia Ye furrowed his brow, recalling the figure who had slipped away during the great battle—judging by the silhouette, it must have been a girl! “So that girl’s name is Xia Wa? She’s pretty impressive!” Lu Lingxi shot Xia Ye a glance: “So, don’t let your guard down. Alright, I’m off!” “Lu Niang!” Xia Ye called out to her. “Hmm?” Lu Lingxi blinked, and only then did Xia Ye notice that her pupils were green, too. “Um, if you have time, why don’t you come visit my tribe?” Xia Ye hesitated for a moment but ultimately didn’t voice his invitation. Although they hadn’t known each other long, he knew Lu Lingxi was deeply learned, intelligent, and elegant—a woman of great knowledge. Even the Prince of Zhao would treat such a scholar with respect and humility; how could he possibly have the nerve to recruit her when he didn’t even have a tribe of his own yet? “Sure, I’ll come once I’m done with my work!” Lu Lingxi didn’t refuse; she waved her hand. “I hope that the next time I see you, I’ll see a powerful tribe. Goodbye!” “Goodbye, Lu Niang!” Song Guo, riding on the white tiger’s back, waved her little hand. With the White Tiger to carry them and their spoils, Xia Ye’s return journey was much easier. Two days later, in the afternoon, they arrived at Peach Blossom Spring. “Wow, a mountain stream!” Song Guo took off her shoes, rolled up her pant legs, and dashed into the stream. After splashing around a few times and watching the little fish swim by, she ran toward the bamboo grove, cut down a few bamboo stalks, and sharpened them into bamboo spears. “You play by yourself—I’m going to hide our stuff!” After giving her instructions, Xia Ye went into the cave dwelling. Song Guo stared at the little fish, waiting for the moment it stopped, then thrust her bamboo spear forward. Thud! A cloud of fresh blood billowed out. “Ah-woo!” Song Guo cheered, watching the stream fish thrash on the tip of the bamboo spear. She felt absolutely thrilled. She quickly caught six of them, then hoisted them onto her shoulders to tour her big brother’s tribe. A bamboo grove with dappled green shade, neatly arranged vegetable beds, and an orchard bearing bright red fruit. When Xia Ye came out, he saw Song Guo, wrapped in a little black bear pelt and carrying the bamboo spear with the fish impaled on it, crouched by the garden. She looked as if she wanted to eat them but was holding back—he couldn’t help but laugh. “Go ahead, eat one!” Xia Ye glanced over. Even though she hadn’t been there for over ten days, the strawberries hadn’t been ravaged by field mice, and the insect damage wasn’t too bad either. “Hehe!” Song Guo picked a strawberry and popped it into her mouth. As she bit into the flesh, a burst of sweet juice immediately spread through her mouth, making her so satisfied she couldn’t help but let out a little cry. “What kind of fruit is this?” “Strawberries—a seasonal fruit of spring!” Xia Ye tossed the piece of sugarcane in her hand her way: “Here, try this!”