Chapter 246: The Dog Tribe Assault

Youchao Xuan was sitting on the cliff edge, gazing at the pitch‑black sea and his vanished tribe.

His eyes were full of sorrow; he hadn't taken a sip of water or a bite of food the whole night.

Nan Qinghuan had watched him sit there, staring at the submerged island for a long time; she wanted to comfort him a few words but truly didn't know how.

She knew the Youchao Clan had always lived by the sea; now that this place was flooded they had nowhere to go. The Youchao Tribe's population was small, only a few hundred, similar to Ashu's Cannibal Tribe. How to settle these people was the first matter that Clan Leader Youchao Xuan had to consider.

When Nan Qinghuan arrived, he reached out, took the steaming sweet potato, and forced a faint smile, "Goddess, I haven't thanked you for today yet; thank you for saving us."

Nan Qinghuan crouched beside him, watching him; the melancholy youth made her feel tender, "Eat something first. Heaven never cuts off all paths; I believe you will become better and better."

Youchao Xuan didn't understand her words, but knew they were meant to console him; he gave a bitter smile, "Goddess, stop consoling me. I can only wait for the sea to recede, bring my people back and rebuild the Tribe, even if this place will be flooded again later; then my descendants will keep rebuilding endlessly."

"Endlessly rebuilding?" she heard such a reasonable phrase, "Youchao Xuan, who taught you that expression?"

She realized that sometimes Ying also spoke cultured words, and Youchao Xuan did too; could there have been a higher civilization in antiquity? These are ancient terms—how could he know them? Feeling a bit embarrassed by her question, Youchao Xuan replied, "Goddess, we are in the... of the Aurora..."

"Youchao Xuan"

Ying came over and handed him a bamboo tube, "Drink some water."

Ying seemed unwilling to let Youchao Xuan speak much about those civilizations; he wouldn't let Nan Qinghuan go there, especially after hearing she also had some senior brother and a teacher, making him even more worried that she would leave.

Perhaps out of inferiority, he wouldn't let her learn about those things.

Youchao Xuan reached out and took it, "Thank you."

He knew Ying didn't want Nan Qinghuan to know those matters, so he fell silent. After Ying handed the item to him, he then grabbed Nan Qinghuan's hand, "It's getting late, go to sleep; I'll stand watch."

"Ying, I'm not sleepy; I want to sit here and chat with Youchao Xuan."

If this request had been made before, he wouldn't have dared to say it; Ying would get angry and forcibly pull him away, unable to stand seeing him speak even a single word with another man, let alone stay together for an hour or two.

But now this wild man had changed a lot.

He was no longer so overbearing; he also respected her now.

Ying gave her a deep look but said little, merely tossing out, "The night wind is strong; wear this Tiger Skin, don't get sick."

After speaking, Ying handed Nan Qinghuan a Tiger Skin—his own cold‑weather gear—giving it to her.

Seeing the Tiger Skin made her nose tingle; she nodded, "Alright, I'll go to sleep in a bit."

Ying led a patrol; he took only a few dozen people, all miners. With this cache of treasure, his Tribe could forge sharp Iron Tools.

After he left, Youchao Xuan lifted his gaze to Ying's departing silhouette, "Goddess, Ying has truly changed a lot."

Nan Qinghuan also sat beside him, watching Ying's back, a smile tugging at her mouth, "Yes, compared to before he really has changed a lot. Are you truly planning to rebuild the Tribe?"

Youchao Xuan stared at her deeply, then shook his head, "No, I've changed my mind. Goddess, I want to ask you for something."

Having said that, Youchao Xuan suddenly rose and knelt, and Nan Qinghuan hurried to stand and help him up, "What are you doing? Get up!"

"Goddess, I know I shouldn't do this, but I..."

"I know whatever you want to say. Are you asking me to tell Ying to temporarily shelter your people back to the Tribe?"

Hearing that, Youchao Xuan looked at her in astonishment, "Goddess, you know?"

"Get up first; of course I know what you intend. I actually share that thought, but have you considered that your people can settle in Ying's Tribe without issue, yet they've always lived off fish and shrimp; moving to the Tribe means starting anew, learning to farm and harvest fruit. Are they willing to do that?"

"They would certainly be willing. I've thought about it; you're right—the sea will flood the Tribe again. I can't let my people endure such suffering; leaving is the only option. But I'm worried Ying won't agree. I know Ashu and his people have already become members of Ying's Tribe, and I..."

"Youchao Xuan, what business do you have that you didn't come to ask me?"

From behind came Ying's voice; it turned out he hadn't gone on patrol at all, having stayed here watching them. Seeing Youchao Xuan kneel before Nan Qinghuan, he guessed what he was about to ask.

"Ying"

Ying strode forward, glanced at them, then murmured, "You don't need to ask Nan Qinghuan; I agree to take in your people."

"Ying, really?"

Nan Qinghuan hadn't expected him to agree so readily; Ying squinted slightly, having his own calculations. Yes, if he accepted Youchao Xuan, his Tribe would become even stronger later; it would be the most powerful Tribe on this continent.

Like the sun and moon, it would exist forever upon this continent.

"Silly Huaner, when did I ever deceive you? I have a plot of land perfect for their people to live on; there's a river there where they can fish for a living. That river is just like the sea, right?"

Those words made Nan Qinghuan stand up happily, "Great! Youchao Xuan, Ying has agreed. That place has water and flat terrain, perfect for settling. If you don't wish to live there and later want to return, we won't stop you."

Youchao Xuan shook his head, "No, Goddess, the Youchao Tribe wishes to join Ying's Tribe as its people, under your command."

"What are you saying?"

Hearing that, Nan Qinghuan was astonished; Youchao Xuan intended to lead his people to follow her? She glanced at Ying, whose eyes glittered with starlight; this time she was enlightened.

The moon shone bright, stars were sparse.

In the Forest where the Dog Tribe was, the Bonfire blazed fiercely.

When the Dog Tribe chief finished his subordinate's report, he, angry, kicked Ana aside, "What, the Youchao Clan also submitted to Ying's Tribe?"

Ana let out an "Ouch" as she fell to the ground, "Chief, what are you doing?"

"Yes, Chief, the news I just heard: Youchao Xuan's Tribe was swallowed by the sea; all their people wish to become Ying's people."

"Ying agreed?"

"Without losing a single person, Ying could recover the Youchao people; of course he was delighted."

"It must have been that female who did it."

The Dog Tribe chief's gaze turned coldly toward the distance; he had been bested by Nan Qinghuan and was still plotting revenge.

"Impressive, to recover the Youchao Clan so easily; Ying got a great bargain. What are they doing now?"

It's almost dawn; Ying ordered Youchao Xuan to first lead his people back to the Tribe.

"Returning to the Tribe—won't they go back?"

He and Nan Qinghuan left a few people to dig for treasure. Chief, this is an excellent chance for our counterattack. Youchao Xuan took his people away, and Ying's men are few yet have already extracted the treasure. We should go intercept them, kill Ying, seize that female, and then the treasure will be ours.

When that was said, the High Priest sitting nearby, hearing the Dog Tribe's intent to kill the Goddess, stepped forward immediately, "No, we cannot kill the Goddess; the Great Head God will punish us."

The Dog Tribe chief glared at the old witch, sneered, "As long as we capture that female and seize the treasure to conquer the Tribe, our Great Head God won't punish us. High Priest, you're old and useless now, understand?"

"Chief..."

If you keep talking, I'll cut off your tongue.

After the Dog Rong threatened the High Priest, they instructed their subordinates, "Prepare the men to intercept them; this time I will take revenge."

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