Chapter 393

Wu Yue's little face all scrunched up: "This kind of thing, better forget it; I can teach others, but if I do it myself, it really puts me in a spot."

Yuan Lang snorted with a laugh: "You really are cherishing your feathers."

Wu Yue just kept giving a dry laugh and didn't speak.

"Yue, the Mad Lion Tribe, Gray Wolf Tribe, and Eagle Tribe have sent people!"

Qingcao looked at the two figures in the distance, one tall and one short, and didn't run; just stood there and began to howl dryly.

This perfectly shows how strong the penetrating power of a loud voice is, trained in a beast world where communication basically relies on shouting.

Wu Yue heard the sound and looked over, only to see Qingcao already crouched down, talking with several beastwomen of the tribe about who knows what.

So, is that how you always deliver messages—so carelessly?

She stroked her chin and suddenly thought she should go back and tell Green Water Grandma, and simply rename Qingcao "Careless".

The two all the way to the shaman's residence, the courtyard already bustling.

Looking at the three familiar figures sitting around Xuehu Wu, Wu Yue couldn't help but doubt life: aren't shamans always busy, only leaving their tents unless something huge happens in the tribe?

Why are the shamans of these three tribes so idle, running over to their tribe at the drop of a hat?

"Yue, Yuan Lang, you two come in quickly."

Xuehu Wu wiped the sweat from his forehead, feeling like he was about to be annoyed to death by the three old fogeys beside him.

Looking at Xuehu Wu trotting over to the two of them, Wu Yue wiped the sweat from her face.

You are, after all, a shaman of the tribe; such a wobbly running posture really doesn't suit you.

Perhaps having just arrived at the tribe, the three shamans are currently stuffing their faces, not sparing a glance for the wobbly Xuehu Wu.

"Shaman, the trade fair just ended not long ago, and these three shamans are back again?"

Wu Yue was full of doubt.

Xuehu Wu disparagingly glanced at the three unsightly old fogeys: "These three old guys have been obsessing over salt; this time they came just to discuss going together to the Sea Beast Tribe to exchange salt."

Wu Yue's little face stiffened, and she felt a bit guilty.

Their tribe now has plenty of salt; why would they need Beastman Warriors to risk their lives going that far to exchange salt?

As for where the tribe's salt actually comes from, I know best in my heart, but can I say this?

Sneaking a look at the happy Black Wolf Shaman gnawing on a piece of meat, the three all felt a bit guilty.

"Actually, there's something I've wanted to say for a while; earlier it was also my mistake—the extracted salt crystals are the kind those little beasts eat."

"But the coarse salt from the seaside tribe turns white when boiled in water."

"If they also boiled it with water, they'd definitely notice."

Wu Yue said softly.

Xuehu Wu's expression changed instantly: "What do we do? If that old Black Wolf guy finds out where our tribe's salt comes from..."

He couldn't even imagine a beautiful future.

"What are you three whispering about?"

Black Wolf Shaman shook off the oil from his hands, narrowed his eyes, and looked at the sneaky trio not far away.

"This remark had weight; even the Eagle Shaman and Lion Shaman, who were still stuffing food into their mouths, put down their food and looked over."

Xuehu Wu gave a dry laugh, rubbed his hands: "We're just discussing some things; why are you asking so much?"

"Besides, after all these years of friendship, am I the type to hide things from you?"

The three tribe shamans all looked at him with faces saying "What are you up to?" and eyes clueless.

Xuehu Wu felt choked up, immediately jumped and started howling: "What's with those looks? I'm just asking when the people from the Water Mountain Tribe will come, Yue."

"If the Water Mountain Tribe only comes once a year, are we supposed to give our salt to you in exchange?"

After he said that, the gazes of the three opposite tribe shamans changed.

"Laohu, at the trade fair, you said there was basically no Water Mountain Tribe, right?"

Regarding the salt matter, the three shamans stopped eating, immediately stood up, and looked at Xuehu Wu with solemn expressions.

Xuehu Wu: "..."

"Damn it! I accidentally bit my tongue..."

Embarrassedly scratching his head, with a look of unbearable weight of life, he shuffled back to the stone table.

"Not that I don't want to tell you... it's just because... ah!"

"What the shamaness said is correct—I don't know where the Water Mountain Tribe comes from, nor do I know if they can come every year."

"This year they brought little salt, but I exchanged a few crystal cores for it."

Saying this, he gave a bitter look at Black Wolf Shaman and the others: "I'm thinking, if the Water Mountain Tribe comes again, I'll detain them and then notify you to come over for exchange."

"Otherwise, just going by what I say, would you believe me?"

I don't know why, but as he kept talking, Xuehu Wu even convinced himself, really feeling like he was doing it for the three old buddies, and feeling a bit wronged, he pouted.

"I'm thinking of you, yet you don't believe me..."

The three shamans looked at their old comrade, patted his shoulder: "Really didn't expect you to think so far ahead."

"Yeah, no wonder you clearly got the salt, yet gave crystal cores to the Poison Scorpion and Salt Rock tribes, leaving the chance to go exchange salt at the seaside."

"Laohu, you've grown up..."

Xuehu Wu: "..."

"Bullshit, I'm about to see the beast god, and you talking to me like I'm a little kid just pisses me off!"

"Having successfully bluffed past, we must promptly make amends."

"Every year, too many Beastman Warriors die exchanging salt, so this time I'll divide the exchanged salt among you; if the Water Mountain Tribe doesn't come next year, we'll discuss again going to the seaside tribe to exchange salt."

"Black Wolf Shaman frowned at the wrinkle-faced Xuehu Wu: 'Is the salt you exchanged enough for us four tribes to split?'"

"Xuehu Wu raised his chin proudly: 'I spent five crystal cores, after all—it's naturally enough.'"

As soon as the shamans heard, they excitedly sat back at the stone table, happily discussing while continuing to stuff their faces as before.

The Snow Tiger Shaman sighed in relief and turned around, seeing Wu Yue and Yuan Lang gazing at him with burning eyes, their looks full of admiration.

Meow?

What's this?

"Shaman, you're really wise—I never expected you to be the one with the deepest thoughts."

Yuan Lang nodded in deep agreement: "You're really good at pulling the wool over brothers' eyes."

The wise Snow Tiger Shaman, after floating a bit in Wu Yue's praise, came to his senses: "What the heck?"

The Snow Tiger Shaman, feeling a bit light‑headed, gave a dry cough twice, lifted his chin: "That's only natural—I didn't become a shaman for nothing."

Having said that, he muttered and turned to discuss the salt distribution with his three old comrades.

After a heated discussion, the Snow Tiger Shaman, feeling the pinch, agreed and produced about half of the salt to trade with the three tribes.

The shamans of the three tribes exchanged glances, their excitement beyond words, each grinning wide enough to show their teeth.

I'm heading back first.

Looking at the few shamans puffing and panting in the courtyard ahead, Yuan Lang bent over and whispered low into the ear of the petite female beside him.

Wu Yue looked up at his words, only to see the beastman's gaze directed toward where they had previously cured the salted meat; she instantly understood: "All right, you may go."

The beastman curled the corner of his mouth into a smile, nodded, and walked out.

Teng Qian watched in horror as the female atop him tore open his animal‑skin garment, thinking that he would soon have to become mates with a female even more burly than himself, and felt that his formerly wonderful life had turned bleak.

Teng Qian, come out.

The beastman's low voice sounded from outside; the beastman who had been lying flat, awaiting violation, stiffened at once, then reached out and hauled the female still ripping his hide to one side, tightened his grip on the animal‑skin bundle, and ran out.

Here I come!

The female beastman looked at the scattered pelts around her, then touched the back of her neck that had just been lifted, and gave a hehehe laugh.

What a sight! Teng Qian is clearly willing.

So next time we must not hold back—just go straight for it.

Thinking thus, he let out an "aow" and rolled about on his own kang that could sleep four or five sturdy men, rolling and howling "aow aow" with excitement.

Meanwhile, Teng Qian, dragged away by his elder brother, together with a few brothers, arrived at another food‑storage cave behind the tribe's hill.

Elder brother, where should we put this salt?

Each beastman warrior carried on his back a basket half as tall as himself, lined with large leaves and filled with pale‑blue crystalline salt.

Take it to the tribe's storeroom.

When the Snow Tiger Tribe built their houses, they also constructed a number of storehouses for storing the food turned over by the hunting and gathering parties.

Now the row of storehouses in front is completely filled, all with various dried fruits and vegetables made by the females.

Before dawn the next day, the Black Wolf Shaman sprang up from the kang, his posture displaying a vigor unheard of for someone his age.

Looking at the three old coots still shouting beside him, the Black Wolf Shaman glanced down at his own shriveled feet, gave a heheh grin, and stretched his sinful feet toward them.

How dare they give the shaman spoiled meat to eat!

The Eagle Shaman, who had been dreaming of eating delicious food, suddenly caught a foul stench of long‑spoiled game at his nostrils, let out a loud shout, and with a "whoosh" sat up.

But...

The Black Wolf Shaman, who had just been moving his foot toward the Wild Lion Shaman's head, turned puzzled to look at the Eagle Shaman who had sprang up from the kang: "What are you thinking? It's still too early to eat."

While speaking, he also dangled his feet beside the Wild Lion Shaman's head.

Seeing this, the Eagle Shaman felt utterly awful: "You damn well just woke me up like that, didn't you?"

The Black Wolf Shaman hehehed and nodded: "Of course."

Having said that, he again turned his feet toward the Snow Tiger Shaman, who had his mouth open shouting: "Tiger, get up—today we're trading salt."

The Wild Lion Shaman, awakened by the stench, had just opened his eyes when he saw a shriveled, stinking foot drop into the gaping mouth of some old fellow.

He clutched his belly; for no reason, even before eating, he felt full.

Wu Yue rose early, prepared food, and together with the two half‑beast warriors beside the Snow Tiger Shaman carried it to the shaman's courtyard—only to find the three bigwigs seated around the stone table looking grim.

Especially the Snow Tiger Shaman, who intermittently let out dry retches, looking as if he were in pain.

"Shaman, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell? Would you like some herbal tea?"

The Snow Tiger Shaman looked at the worried little female beside him and felt reassured: "It's not that I'm unwell; I ate something unknown this morning and it's making me feel off."

Unknown substance?

Wu Yue suddenly thought of some bugs or such, scratched her head: "Maybe the insect‑repelling herbs in your room need changing; I'll fetch some fresh ones later."

The Snow Tiger Shaman still wanted to say something, but seeing the Black Wolf Shaman opposite him with palms pressed together, his wrinkled old eyes also holding an embarrassment, he...

He swallowed the retort about to leave his lips, only giving a dark‑faced nod: "Yeah, change it then."

Finally, having saved face before the youngster, the Black Wolf Shaman breathed a sigh of relief, his gaze toward the Snow Tiger Shaman now somewhat appeasing.

"Oh dear, the food the little female made is truly fragrant."

He sighed, rose, took a bowl behind him, filled it with food, and brought it to the Snow Tiger Shaman: "Tiger, don't be angry—come on, have some food to calm down."

Heh.

The Snow Tiger Shaman gave a cold snort, but still took the food with a sour face.

Although gnawing on the old wolf's stinking foot this morning had soured his mood, this food was made by Yue and is delicious.

The four shamans, huffing and puffing, polished off all the food Wu Yue had brought; then, each with a round, full belly, they followed the Snow Tiger Shaman toward the storehouse.

!!!

The Black Wolf Shaman rubbed his belly in satisfaction, lamenting that after returning to Buluo he would never again get to eat such delicious food—when suddenly a "house" appeared before his eyes, shocking him so much he nearly tripped over his own feet.

What... what is this?

He dared not believe it, reaching out toward the wall ahead that was as tall as three beastmen: "Is this also a house?"

Even if Beastfolk turn into beast form and go in, they can't jump out of this thing.

The Flying Eagle Shaman and the Frenzied Lion Shaman were just as surprised as him; the three old men's eyes were practically popping out of their sockets.

Xuehu Wu stroked his beard proudly, and I must say, seeing those three old fogeys with their unsophisticated looks greatly satisfied his vanity.

His pride at this moment need not be mentioned.

"This is where our tribe stores its food."

Having said that, he strode straight toward the front gate.

Outside the door stood several Half-Beast warriors; seeing them enter, they hastily bowed and said, "Greetings, Shaman."

Xuehu Wu nodded: "Open the door."

The Half-Beast warriors bowed in assent, then returned to the gate and lightly tapped the bamboo tube on the door.

As everyone held their breath, they heard a thud from inside, and then the heavy wooden door, as tall as the wall, slowly opened a gap wide enough for two Beastfolk warriors to pass side by side.

Seeing the expressions of his old companions behind him, Xuehu Wu felt pride soaring to the heavens.

"Let's go; the salt is stored in the inner storeroom."

Having spoken, he led the way inside.

The Beastfolk warriors of the three tribes surrounded their respective shamans and slowly walked toward the massive gate before them.

Black Wolf Shaman's eyes were filled with shock; such a house was actually built by the Snow Tiger Tribe...

He very much wanted to know the cause of such a great change that had befallen the Snow Tiger Tribe.

Or who had caused it to undergo such a great change.

"Those ahead are our storerooms."

Xuehu Wu's voice came from ahead, interrupting Black Wolf Shaman's thoughts.

He looked toward the source of the voice and involuntarily sucked in a breath of cold air.

He really wanted to grab Xuehu Wu by the scruff of the neck and ask, "That wall's so high—I can understand it's to keep out beasts—but why did you build your house this high? What the hell are you up to?"

Doesn't your neck hurt?

Suddenly he felt that this morning he should have let the tiger chew a few more bites of his own toes.

At this moment Xuehu Wu let out a proud roar, his steps even a bit buoyant.

The group headed toward the second row of storerooms; turning a corner, they saw two Beastfolk warriors accompanied by several Half-Beast warriors waiting at the door of the first storeroom.

At that moment the storeroom, as tall as the wall, stood wide open, and the mound of pale blue, as high as a small hill, instantly caught everyone's eyes.

"Salt!"

"Salt!"

"Salt!"

The three shamans, upon seeing that pile of pale blue, instantly had their eyes turn red.

Black Wolf Shaman was the first to rush forward, then carefully cupped some crystalline blue, pinched a handful, and put it in his mouth.

The pure, unbitter salty flavor instantly spread across his mouth.

He turned his head to Xuehu Wu: "You old coot, we thought you hadn't traded for much, but... but..."

Black Wolf Shaman suddenly thought of the offspring in his tribe who had died because of the salt trade.

The seaside tribe is too far away, and because they carry food, they can only set out to trade for salt after the weather turns cold.

Such a trip takes an entire winter; they can only return with that coarse salt—just two animal hides' worth—after winter has passed.

Perhaps thinking of the same thing, everyone's eyes grew a little hot.

"Tiger, for this salt... how much food did you give the Watershed Tribe?"

Xuehu Wu gave a wry smile to the Frenzied Lion Shaman: "During the rainy season, where would we find any surplus food? I gave them five crystal cores and dozens of hides, plus two game animals."

"And while they were in our territory, they could still hunt, which is how we ended up trading for this salt."