Chapter 350

After saying that, he glanced somewhat embarrassedly at Xuehu Wu: "Well, forget about the tribespeople; could you clear out a cave for our shaman?"

No matter how you say it, a tribe's shaman living out in the open really isn't very seemly.

Xuehu Wu's brows twitched: "What's to clear out? When that old geezer comes, he can just share my cave; a cave this big surely can hold one more person."

The Black Wolf Shaman immediately broke into a grin; as long as the shamans' lodging was arranged, the other tribespeople could just squeeze in—having survived this was already a great fortune.

After eating a long-missed barbecue, the Black Wolf chieftain and the Beastman Warriors of the Hawk Tribe left.

Once again, the Snow Tiger Tribe's cave bustled with activity, for the slaves' outstanding performance in this rainy season, the Half-Beast Warriors surprisingly managed to dig out a cave in the wall large enough for all the slaves to move into.

Such a large cave might not retain heat well, but to the slaves, it was a form of acknowledgment.

Unlike the slaves' excitement, the tribespeople were also somewhat puzzled; previously, when danger arose, the tribe's slaves would always flee or dodge backward at the first moment.

But this time the slaves were strange: when danger struck, they actually picked up weapons and stepped forward to help.

Previously, without orders from the tribespeople, the slaves would merely huddle in their own thatched huts, shivering.

But now they actually seek out work on their own.

Just this period of rainy-season life has greatly changed the tribespeople's impression of these slaves.

Gazing at the cave before him and the food the slaves held in their hands without sending away, Changye felt a sour yet warm sensation in his heart.

Just now they took out some food to offer the Half-Beast Warriors as thanks for digging the cave, but the warriors refused, merely smiled, and then left.

"Captain, we have our own cave now."

"We also have a cave to live in..."

"Sniffle..."

Many female slaves couldn't help but burst into tears; since becoming slaves, they had long gone without experiencing this feeling of being valued.

"The Snow Tiger Tribe is so good; we will definitely do more to repay them."

Changye turned to look at the slaves: "Although we are slaves, what Lady Wu Yue said is right—as long as we strive to live, there will always be hope."

"Everything Wu Yue says is correct."

Wu Yue's brainless fan Qingcao's voice rang out at the cave entrance; behind her followed several males and females, each holding a bundle of dry grass: "Spread this dry grass on the ground; the cave floor is still somewhat damp."

Having said that, she put down the dry grass in her hand and then left with the females amidst the slaves' astonished gazes.

Changye wiped his face, looking at the dry grass and the cave, he felt somewhat unreal.

But as the slave leader he still forced himself to calm down: "Everyone go out first to gather some firewood, bring it in to bake Shandong, then spread the dry grass."

The slaves were busy tidying their own caves, while on the other side the Black Wolf Tribe's people, with the help of the Hawk Tribe's Beastman Warriors, began a major relocation.

There was still a long stretch of time before the rainy season ended; if they continued to stay in their tribe's territory, they would undoubtedly be courting death.

When the first batch of Black Wolf Tribe members arrived at the Snow Tiger Tribe, they, carrying only what they had in hand, originally thought entering the cave would face a very crowded situation.

Who would have thought the vast cave's open ground actually had no one at all, leaving them somewhat dazed.

Seeing their puzzled looks, the tribesperson who led them in explained: "Our tribe's people have all moved into the caves; this open space is left for you."

Having said that, he led them to the innermost spot: "You can freely choose a spot; I'll call you when the food is ready later."

Having said that, he then left.

The Black Wolf chieftain, who had come along with the tribespeople, also emerged from Xuehu Wu's cave at this moment; seeing his own tribespeople standing there dazed, he couldn't help but sigh.

He always felt that this year the Black Wolf Tribe kept encountering many bad things.

The open ground had been tidied up very cleanly by the Snow Tiger Tribe's people, so there was nothing needing cleanup; the Black Wolf Tribe's people could simply put down their belongings and settle in peacefully.

But for those arriving at an unfamiliar tribe, they still felt some unease and apprehension, especially since this first batch to arrive were all pure humans.

The Black Wolf chieftain remained in the Snow Tiger Tribe, arranging batch after batch of tribespeople transported over by the Hawk Tribe's people.

The Black Wolf Shaman remained behind in the tribe to hold the fort.

This major relocation of the Black Wolf Tribe lasted about a week straight; the previously vacant cave open space once again became crowded.

With the arrival of the Black Wolf Tribe's people, several Beastman Warriors of the Scorpion Tribe were permitted to dig their own caves in the wall to live in.

"Ahahaha! Tiger, I'm here, long time no see!"

An exaggerated laugh came from the cave mouth; the familiar voice let Wu Yue instantly know the comer's identity—Black Wolf Shaman.

This shaman's temperament is quite different from Xuehu Wu's; he has quite the air of an old mischievous child.

But this time, the Black Wolf Shaman was indeed somewhat disheveled, his hair and beard a mess, making him look as if he had aged several years.

Xuehu Wu let out a light sigh, irritably saying: "You old fool, last time you were still boasting that your tribe wouldn't be flooded."

Hearing that, the Black Wolf Shaman also felt a bit embarrassed; last time he hadn't only boasted that his tribe wouldn't be flooded, he'd also warned the Snow Tiger Tribe to be careful, not to be swept away by the flood.

Thinking this way, could it be that the Snow Tiger Tribe has been blessed by the Beast God this year?

But upon seeing just now the floodwaters already not far from the Snow Tiger Tribe's cave, that thought in his mind vanished once again.

Blessing is impossible; previously the floodwaters only reached the mountain base, but this year they're about to submerge the cave, showing only that this year's floodwaters have become even more fierce.

Two Half-Beasts brought warm water for the Black Wolf Shaman to wash up, after which they presented a bowl of fragrant lump soup.

After swallowing a bowl of hot lump soup, the Black Wolf Shaman finally felt alive again: "Phew, how long has it been since I last came? Your tribe now has such tasty food?"

Xuehu Wu proudly lifted his chin: "This is nothing; we've been eating this for quite a while."

Looking at that old geezer's smug expression, the Black Wolf Shaman rolled his eyes speechlessly, handing his stone bowl to the Half-Beast Warrior beside him: "Another bowl."

The Half-Beast Warrior took the stone bowl with a grin and left.

After eating three bowls of lump soup, the Black Wolf Shaman finally let out a satisfied belch, rubbing his stomach with a wry smile: "Finally I've had a full meal."

Xuehu Wu chuckled: "You've ended up like this, you've got no one to blame.

"Before, even if they wouldn't be flooded, they'd store some food in high caves; how did things end up like this this year?"

The Black Wolf Shaman let out a light sigh: "Do you remember when I sent Wu Yue to our tribe last time? Because the tribe's caves collapsed severely, nobody knew which cave would cave in next, so nobody dared to dig there."

"It's also my laziness; I thought the flood wouldn't reach our tribe, so I didn't pay attention to this—who knew it would be flooded in just a few years?"

Saying that, he let out a deep sigh.

Xuehu Wu kept it firmly in mind, so he said people really cannot be lazy.

The Black Wolf Shaman suddenly sat up sternly and looked at Xuehu Wu: "Tiger, what's the deal with those few scorpion beastfolk in your tribe?"

When the Black Wolf Shaman spoke of the Gu beastfolk, he gritted his teeth.

Because the Gu beastfolk represent precisely that hateful Gu witch.

Xuehu Wu saw his indignant look and laughed: "That Gu witch sent beastman warriors to capture Wu Yue..."

Xuehu Wu recounted the whole incident of Wu Yue being captured, and the Black Wolf Shaman's expression eased considerably.

That Gu witch's level is probably higher than ours; last time I fought him, I clearly felt his shamanic power was more condensed and profound.

Xuehu Wu nodded: "I felt that too."

Both shamans' expressions grew much graver.

Those Scorpion Tribe beastfolk said it was that Gu witch who sent them to capture Yue.

I now suspect that Yue's ability to capture his Gu insects has probably already been known to this Gu witch.

Xuehu Wu said.

Black Wolf Shaman nodded, pondered a moment: "You previously said Yue is already a shaman; what nature of shamanic power has she awakened?"

Xuehu Wu, hearing that, somewhat proudly said: "The one with the strongest life energy."

Black Wolf Shaman looked envious, then seemed to think of something, his expression suddenly turned grave: "Tiger, I suddenly realized that damned Gu witch sending people to capture Yue probably has other motives."

Upon his saying that, Xuehu Wu also thought of a chilling thing: "You mean... hatching Gu insects?"

Black Wolf Shaman nodded: "This possibility is highest; his Gu insects can devour life energy, this guy is no good."

The Gu witch who is no good sat gloomily in his own cave, looking down at the beastman warriors with icy eyes: "Still not found?"

The beastfolk's body trembled, he struggled to steady his emotions and said: "We've searched every searchable place in the Polar Forest, but we haven't seen the tribespeople who went to the Polar Forest before."

Damn it, why did a flood happen just now, really ruining my plans.

He waved his hand in disgust: "Send people to continue patrolling the edges of the Polar Forest; as soon as you find those who went to the Polar Forest before, bring them back to me immediately."

The beastfolk heard and immediately responded, then turned and left.

The Gu witch affectionately stroked the Gu insect in his hand: "What a pity, it seems we have to wait a while longer."

Snow Tiger Tribe cave.

Since the Black Wolf Tribe's people arrived, the Snow Tiger Tribe's people have developed a new skill: stealing food!

Moreover, it's open-and-above-board stealing food, because the clearing no longer has any place to make food, so everyone began cooking in their own cave's hearth.

The Black Wolf Tribe's people in the clearing took a bite of the Ye Cai Zi in their hands, sniffed the food aromas drifting around, and consoled themselves that it was like eating meat.

Beastman warriors can follow the Snow Tiger Tribe's beastfolk out to hunt, but no matter how skilled the beastman warriors are, they cannot hunt enough meat to feed the whole tribe's beastfolk.

Even in a season of abundant food, hunting is a very dangerous undertaking, and sometimes luck is involved.

If luck is good, you can have a big harvest; if luck is bad and you encounter a fierce, brutal beast, whether you can return alive is a question.

Moreover, many places are now flooded, and the floodwaters contain many sharp-toothed fish and ferocious water beasts; if one is accidentally dragged under, the only waiting fate is death.

Therefore, although hunting is important, the main source of food for most tribe members is still gathering.

Unlike those honest Black Wolf Tribe folks eating Ye Cai Zi until their faces turn green, the Scorpion Tribe beastfolk who have lived in the Snow Tiger Tribe for a while are living much more comfortably.

The Snow Tiger Tribe still distributes some Ye Cai Zi to them each day, but for them these green Ye Cai Zi are only good for cleaning between the teeth.

After eating their morning Ye Cai Zi, the irritable beastfolk would take his tribe's beastman warriors to the waterside, lie lazily to one side, swing his tail out, and begin fishing.

One team fishes, another processes; clear division of labor, very orderly.

Thus their diet is in no way inferior to that of the Snow Tiger Tribe's people.

While the Black Wolf Shaman sat at the mouth of Xuehu Wu's cave, watching those Scorpion Tribe beastfolk eating with oil dripping from their mouths, he felt very displeased.

He snorted, turned his head to look at Xuehu Wu beside him: "Why are you giving food to those outsider forest tribe beastfolk?"

Xuehu Wu yawned, glanced at him, and said: "Why not give? As long as one Ye Cai Zi a day keeps them from starving, that's enough."

Black Wolf Shaman snorted: "You're lying to me; these guys eat far better than our tribe's people, Tiger, you're playing favorites."

Xuehu Wu gave him a look as if he were stupid: "Which of your eyes sees them eating better than your tribe's people?"

Black Wolf Shaman pointed toward the cave entrance: "Look, what are they eating? I can smell that flavor even here."

Xuehu Wu, hearing that, looked over doubtfully, but saw each Scorpion Tribe beastfolk holding a stone bowl, eating something fragrant.

Smelling the familiar scent in the air, Xuehu Wu smiled and shook his head: "Those foods are something they procured themselves, not distributed by our Snow Tiger Tribe; if your tribe's people want to eat them, they can also go find them in the outside waters."

Black Wolf Shaman blinked: "The outside floodwaters?"

Xuehu Wu nodded: "Yes."

Black Wolf Shaman flared: "You're still trying to fool me; aside from those sharp-toothed fish and water beasts, what edible thing is there in the outside floodwaters?"

Having said that, his face suddenly stiffened, incredulously he looked at Xuehu Wu: "You mean those Scorpion Tribe beastfolk are eating those sharp-toothed fish and water beasts?"