Chapter 166: Great Unity of the Three Tribes

I have to say, this old man really dug up everything just to suppress her—he even knew the Wolf Tribe had delivered herbal medicine overnight, and knew they were short two kinds.

What a vicious old man; he and that Shiva really are family.

The old man looked exceedingly smug; Nan Qinghuan itched to kick him out with one foot. What kind of Elder of the tribe was he? He clearly saw his tribespeople suffering, yet he hid the herbal medicine away—what right did he have to be an Elder? Just watch her deal with him.

"Om, is what Shigong said true? The herbal medicine the Wolf Tribe brought can't cure our illness?"

The tribespeople were very happy to hear there was herbal medicine that could cure them, but how could they still be short? Nan Qinghuan knew her people were suffering. They had already found hope when they heard there was herbal medicine; now being told they were short, they would surely be very discouraged.

The tribespeople's hearts could not scatter, or rumors would spread everywhere and be very disadvantageous for them.

"Don't listen to this old man's nonsense—there's no such thing. As for you, old man, you are an Elder of the tribe receiving offerings, yet you have herbal medicine in your hands and won't take it out to treat the tribespeople. What right do you have to question me here?"

These words left the tribespeople somewhat stunned. An elderly member of the tribe hurried forward to ask, "Shigong, you really have herbal medicine? Then take it out—do you want to watch us wait to die?"

The old man who spoke was exactly the one Nan Qinghuan had saved in the Misty Forest. Ever since returning, he had always helped Nan Qinghuan.

Shigong looked a bit awkward. "Dong Laotou, it's not that I don't want to just take it out, but this female harmed my female—she's locked in the cave, and Ying refuses to let her out. I won't take out the herbal medicine. Don't blame me; blame Ying."

"Twisting words and forcing logic. Are the lives of your tribespeople just a transaction in your eyes?"

"The old man has spoken: you leave, and I'll immediately bring out the herbal medicine."

"Shigong, why do this? Qinghuan is Om—how could you…"

"Goddess, wonderful news!"

A voice full of joyful surprise came from outside as Ji Lei ran over. "Goddess, the Cannibal Tribe's Ashu has come. They've brought the missing herbal medicine too. Come quick and take a look."

"What did you say? Ashu brought herbal medicine too?"

Hearing this, Nan Qinghuan was wild with joy. "That's wonderful!"

"Impossible!"

Shigong shouted in disbelief. How could that be? The Cannibal Tribe, as far as he knew, had no herbal medicine—where would he get any to send to Nan Qinghuan? Nan Qinghuan smiled triumphantly. "Old man, did you hear that? The Cannibal Tribe's Ashu is here. This time I'm not short a single herbal medicine. As for you—I saw you scratching your arm just now. This time, enjoy the pleasures of eczema."

If she guessed correctly, this old man had also caught eczema. This time, let him itch to death—she wasn't going to save them.

Shigong refused to concede, blowing his beard and glaring, grabbing another handful at his arm. "Even if I'm sick, I can cure myself."

"Oh my, Shigong, stop showing off. You can't do it."

"You've all been cursed by this female, all speaking for her. One day you'll regret it."

"Hey, Shigong, Shi—"

"Don't call him anymore. He wanted to vent Shiva's anger and deal with Om this time. We're saved now, so let him be."

The tribespeople all saw it clearly: Shiva and Shigong had conspired to drive Nan Qinghuan away, but because they spoke for her, Shigong was unhappy.

Nan Qinghuan had become a beacon in the tribespeople's hearts. As long as she was here, everything could be resolved.

That night was the happiest day for Nan Qinghuan and Ying.

Because the herbal medicine they lacked had been delivered by the Wolf Tribe and the Cannibal Tribe. When she saw Ashu, Nan Qinghuan was overjoyed. "Ashu…"

"Chief, the herbal medicine you wanted—take a look, it's all here."

Ashu had wild horses carry over several baskets of herbal medicine. Sure enough, inside were exactly the snake-bed seeds and saposhnikovia she needed. Seeing these herbs, she was so moved she wanted to cry.

"Ashu, thank you all. How did you know we needed these herbal medicines?"

Ashu gave a hearty laugh and walked with a slight limp. Seeing this, Nan Qinghuan hurried to support him. "What happened to your leg? Hasn't it healed yet?"

She knew Ashu had taken an arrow to the leg last time; by the days it should have healed by now—why was he still limping? Ashu shook his head. "It's healed, it just hurts when I walk. Don't worry, Chief. Look—we not only brought herbal medicine but also sweet potatoes. These were harvested a few days ago, and we were planning to send them to you. This time the opportunity happened to come along. Take a look—did I grow them well?"

Ashu had quite a knack for growing sweet potatoes—big and sweet. Seeing those sweet potatoes, Nan Qinghuan was naturally very happy. "Good, very good. Youchao Xuan, please take Ashu and the others to see Ying. Ashu, the Wolf Tribe people are here too. Tonight we must properly thank all of you."

"The Wolf Tribe?"

Ashu looked at her in astonishment. "Chief, what did they come here for? Could it be…"

"Ashu, you probably don't know yet—the Wolf Tribe belongs to the Goddess now."

"What?"

Ashu stared at Nan Qinghuan in shock. "Chief, is this true?"

"It's true. The Wolf Tribe is mine now too. So from now on, the Ying Tribe, the Wolf Tribe, and the Cannibal Tribe will all live together in harmony. Ashu, alright?"

"Live together in harmony?"

Hearing this, Ashu's expression turned pained and he lowered his head. Noticing something was wrong with Ashu, Nan Qinghuan quickly asked, "Ashu, what's wrong? Do you have a grudge with the Wolf Tribe?"

Ashu hurriedly shook his head. "No. Since the Wolf Tribe now belongs to the Chief, then no matter how great the grudge, there is none anymore."

Nan Qinghuan naturally knew these were words Ashu forced himself to say. The Wolf Tribe and the Cannibal Tribe lived not far apart and must have had frequent disputes. But enemies should be reconciled, not multiplied—hatred could bring nothing.

She wanted to persuade them to value peace, to live together in harmony, and to develop the tribe together.

"Ashu, I know you may resent the Wolf Tribe in your heart. After all, there were fights between the two peoples in the past. But when does the cycle of revenge end? What we need to do now is not hate each other, but stand closely united. We'll develop the tribe together and let our people live good lives. One more friend is far better than one more enemy—don't you think?"

She knew Ashu couldn't understand those refined words, but he understood "enemy" and "friend." With the Wolf Tribe in her hands, she could control them, and she would absolutely not allow the Wolf Tribe and the Cannibal Tribe to clash again.

The Cannibal Tribe had too few people. She had seen the dire situation last time. Now was a good opportunity for development—they should cooperate when they should. Only when they were fed and clothed would the tribespeople be happy.

Hearing Nan Qinghuan's words, Ashu was startled at first, then carefully thought about the meaning. This was his first time coming to the Ying Tribe tonight, and he had witnessed how different things were here.

The tribespeople here wore something called clothes, and they ate meat too. These were all things his people wanted, and things he could not provide.

They lived close to the Wolf Tribe too, and used to fight often over food and territory. But in recent years the Wolf Tribe hadn't harassed them much anymore. It seemed the time had come.

He let it go—he finally let it go.

If you can't even eat your fill, what's the point of fighting? "Alright, I'll listen to the Chief."

Nan Qinghuan was very happy and reached out to pat Ashu's shoulder. "Ashu, don't worry. I'll let you know just how wise your decision tonight was."

"Wise?"

Nan Qinghuan smiled. "It means smart. Ashu, you're very smart."

"The Chief is praising me?"

Ashu smiled and scratched his head, looking a bit simple and honest. Nan Qinghuan found them very endearing. She had finally persuaded Ashu, and only then turned to look at Youchao Xuan. "Youchao Xuan, distribute these herbal medicines and have the tribespeople brew them. Tonight I'm going to make a good meal to reward everyone."

Hearing there would be good food, Youchao Xuan couldn't help swallowing. He had to admit, he was still thinking about the roasted potatoes from that night.

That fragrance was truly unforgettable to him; add a little something spicy and it would be downright divine.

His eyes sparkled bright; after these few days of recuperation, his body had improved a good deal as well. He looked at her with some anticipation. "Goddess, what delicious food are you going to make?"