Chapter 273: Going to the Rongdi Tribe to Exchange People

The dawn light was just peeking through.

The sky was about to brighten, and the Ying Tribe lingered in a hazy mist; even before full daylight, many tribe members had already begun to farm, and with only a few months left before winter, they were planting the last season of corn to prepare for the cold.

The tribe members had gradually gotten used to this routine of cooking, eating, and working the fields, and the Tulou was filled with curling smoke and bustling activity.

Early in the morning, Axi squatted in Nan Qinghuan's living room, lighting a fire to boil water. She glanced toward Nan Qinghuan's sleeping room and said, "A Mu, why hasn't Qinghuan woken up yet?"

Axi had slept with A Mu last night because Dashan hadn't returned; before dawn, Ying hurried out, but he had said not to wake Nan Qinghuan.

Axi saw Ying come with Ashu and Ji Lei, and they also knew Dashan must have had an accident. They were worried but didn't dare to ask; even if they asked Ying, he wouldn't tell them.

A Mu was in good spirits; the tribe's days were getting better, Qinghuan was pregnant, and she would be able to give birth to a child next year, which made her very happy.

She also knew that last night Ying had given Qinghuan Heima Grass after bringing her back, so she wouldn't wake up until midday.

"Don't wake her; pregnant people are like this, they need plenty of sleep for their health. Axi, don't worry either—Dashan will return, okay?"

"But..."

Axi suddenly burst into tears, "I'm afraid he won't come back. A Mu, did you know? I dreamed about Dashan last night—he was covered in blood. Something must have happened; my dream is very vivid."

"Don't talk nonsense; he must have gone on business."

A Mu said as she went out to wash sweet potatoes, reminding Axi, "Watch the fire. If Qinghuan wakes up, give her some face‑washing water. Ying said she should wash her face daily, with hot water."

A Mu went out to work, and Axi couldn't wait; wiping away tears, they ran toward Nan Qinghuan's room, "Qinghuan, Qinghuan, wake up!"

After Ying brought Nan Qinghuan back, he let her rest, but she ended up sleeping for a very long time!

In a daze, she seemed to hear a woman crying.

What happened? Who's crying? "Qinghuan, stop sleeping, wake up quickly!"

Axi hoped she would wake quickly, and suddenly Nan Qinghuan's eyes snapped open.

"Qinghuan, you're awake?"

Nan Qinghuan felt she had slept for ages; she hurriedly sat up and looked at her, "It's daylight, what time is it?"

She couldn't tell how long it had been, but seeing the sun streaming in, it must have been around eight or nine o'clock.

How could she sleep so soundly? "What's wrong with you, Ying?"

Axi sniffed, "He left a long time ago. Why did you sleep so deeply today? I couldn't wake you no matter how I called."

"What, he left? When did he leave?"

She suddenly realized something, noticing burning incense ash in the corner—a strong smell of Herbal Medicine.

Bad, Ying!

Ying had actually deceived her; he had clearly promised to let her go with him to rescue Dashan.

That man!

"Qinghuan, Dashan hasn't returned all day. Could he be dead?"

Axi saw her and began to sob deeply; Nan Qinghuan, seeing the situation and knowing Ying hadn't told her anything, quickly put on her Shoes and said, "It's okay, Dashan will return safely. Don't cry; crying isn't good for the baby."

Axi was also pregnant and was very happy; of course she hoped Dashan could return, because the child couldn't be without a father.

"But I'm scared. I dreamed Dashan was covered in fresh blood; I'm worried. The tribe members have all gone to work; I'm worried about Dashan, I want him to come back."

"Silly girl, it's fine. Trust me, it's okay. Like this, go fetch me some Grain Seed; I need it."

"Grain Seed?"

Nan Qinghuan hugged Axi, hurriedly got up, went out to wash up, and after a quick clean, she packed herself to go find them. Unexpectedly, A Mu came from outside and asked, "Qinghuan, you're awake. Where are you going?"

"A Mu, I'm going out to the fields to check the situation; you all don't follow me."

"Hey, Qinghuan, take your time walking; A Mu will accompany you."

Nan Qinghuan avoided A Mu's gaze and went to find Axi. Axi gave her the Grain Seed and wanted to ask where she was going, but she said nothing and went to ask tribe member Aning for help. Aning, upon hearing she needed to go out, said she needed a Chu Dog; without hesitation, he lent her the Chu Dog.

"Oumu, where are you going? You're pregnant, you can't wander around recklessly."

"I'm going out to handle something. Don't tell A Mu. I'm leaving, thank you, Aning."

"Hey, Oumu..."

Nan Qinghuan rode the Chu Dog away, and A Mu's voice followed behind, calling after her.

"Aning, have you seen Qinghuan?"

At noon, the sun blazed fiercely.

When Ying arrived with dozens of tribe members at the rendezvous with the Rongdi, he could see from afar that the Rongdi were standing on a tall tree together with Xuan Feng and Gu Lang, while Dashan and two other tribe members were hanging from the tree by ropes, already unconscious.

Ji Lei, seeing how weak Dashan was, was very worried, "Ying..."

Ying sat on Xiao Guai's back; today he wore a Hemp Robe and hemp trousers, and his long hair was coiled on his head with bamboo sticks, looking very dashing.

He calmly glanced at the Rongdi standing on the big tree, genuinely thinking they were dead, but they were actually doing fine.

"Rongdi, I've arrived; release the people for me."

"Ying"

Seeing Ying, the Rongdi became impulsive, flapping its wings and lunging at him, and Ji Lei immediately shouted.

"Ying, be careful."

Ying wielded a long sword taken from the void, thrusting both hands at the Rongdi. The Rongdi's body twisted to dodge, and instantly, he felt a pang in his wing.

"Leader, are you injured?"

Gu Lang stared in shock at the blood on his back. Ying, standing on Xiao Guai's back, held a dazzling sword that was intimidating. What kind of sword was that, so powerful? The Rongdi hadn't expected Ying to possess such a formidable weapon; it could easily wound him. Ignoring his own injury, he said, "Ying, hand over your sword, or I'll kill your people and let the beasts eat them, leaving no bones behind."

Ying refused, "You can't have my treasure. This Protective Treasure Sword was given to me by Qinghuan; I won't give it to you. Rongdi, I don't want to fight you today. What must you do to release Dashan and the others?"

??