Chapter 164: The Artisan

"Does this have anything to do with you?"

Yun Li frowned and said, "You came today just to spout this nonsense to me?"

You even helped her establish a market in the tribe?

Establishing a market doesn't require her to put in any extra effort; as long as the tribe's supply and demand relationship is clarified, a market can be set up anytime, anywhere.

Ji Chen only saw the surface and didn't think deeper; the market's development will bring what—tribal prosperity, and more opportunities for Yun Li to intervene in tribal administration.

Moreover, this influence is subconscious; even if some beastfolk notice something amiss, with Yun Li backed by Ji Xuan, the Tribe Young Master, what could they say to Yun Li?

……

Seeing Yun Li's impatience, Ji Chen felt a weight in his chest. Nonsense? But hadn't he clearly guessed what she intended to do?

"If everything I said is nonsense, then A Li, what are you really trying to do?"

He couldn't figure it out, so he just said it outright.

Even though he knew he wouldn't get the answer he wanted, he still hoped to glean a clue from her expression.

Yun Li's tone grew even more impatient, "It's none of your business. If you have nothing else to do, then we won't keep you."

Leng Xiu added from beside, "I heard a female in your family was injured, and there's also a Beast Husband who has been unconscious. Ji Chen, you're at least the First Beast Husband of your household; aren't you concerned about any of this?"

You still have time to come looking for them, to discuss cooperation with A Li, yet after saying so much you never get to the point.

What is his purpose here—just to disgust them?

Ji Chen suppressed the smile on his face, "They aren't dead yet, are they? As for you, you really do care about me?"

Any rustle or movement near him reaches their ears.

"You should let the other beastfolk hear this—when they hear their own female is injured and you remain so indifferent, they might think that female isn't yours but your enemy."

Leng Xiao said, standing up and placing a heavy hand on Ji Chen's shoulder, meaningly, "Fortunately A Li has good taste and didn't go after the wrong males. Otherwise…"

If, otherwise, a cold‑blooded male like Ji Chen became family, that would be truly disgusting.

Recalling that Ji Chen not only coveted A Li but had also acted against his brother, Leng Xiao increased the pressure of his hand on Ji Chen's shoulder.

When Ji Chen's icy gaze met him, Leng Xiao instantly let go, "Look, I forgot you were about to leave; I really shouldn't have said so much to you."

Ji Chen's gaze grew heavy as he looked at Yun Li, "Are you seriously not going to cooperate with me?"

"Cooperate on what?"

Yun Li propped her chin up and retorted, "From beginning to end you never said what you have that would make me want to cooperate with you. Just based on that analysis you gave, do you think you know what I'm trying to do?"

"But my Beast Husbands understand what I want better than you do. They're more obedient than you and more capable."

"What you possess, Axuan also has, and even more than you."

"So where does his confidence to come knocking for cooperation come from?"

"Is that so? Then I'll wait for you to beg me."

Ji Chen listened as she finished, and for some reason burst into laughter again.

"What I have, Ji Xuan may not have. For example…"

He muttered a few words silently; Yun Li wasn't sure if she had misheard, and after the others left, she asked Leng Xiu, "Did he just say artisan?"

What does the tribe's artisan have to do with Ji Chen?

Leng Xiu shook his head, indicating uncertainty, "I'll ask Ge later."

Ji Chen mentioned the artisan; could he actually prevent the tribe's artisans from dealing with Yun Li's family?

But how could that be? Ji Xuan is the Tribe Young Master; they must at least be wary that the Young Master is A Li's Beast Husband.

Yun Li nodded, "Ask around, see if any artisan has a good relationship with Ji Chen."

Only if they're close, what trouble could the artisan he mentions bring to Yun Li's family?

……

When the He family brought the cleaned large cattail back home, they saw a group of beastfolk gathered at the doorway.

Seeing her return, the beastfolk immediately swarmed around the He family with a rustling sound.

"Oh no, oh no, He, something terrible happened!"

The speaker, a female, was A Lian, usually a very steady beastfolk, but now she was so anxious tears were about to fall.

"A few beastfolk just arrived, claiming to be from the tribe to manage artisans, and knowing that every household in our family makes some bamboo baskets, they demanded that we, as artisans, hand over a portion of the baskets we make."

"But whatever we make, even swapping it for some food and Crystal Core, it's not enough; we have no extra baskets to submit to the tribe."

"And that's not even mentioning that several of our families can make cattail rope, and Uncle Ge Li was also summoned, making us all have to give things to the tribe; if we don't, we're not allowed to continue."

"The old Ping Shan Tribe never had such a rule; hearing that Silver Eagle Tribe's artisans also have to hand over items to the tribe to keep working left everyone stunned."

"However, those beastfolk didn't seem to be looking for trouble; after explaining the matter, they kindly told them that artisans submitting items to the tribe had long been standard, and if they didn't believe it they could ask the tribe's patrol team."

"The tribe's patrol team, under orders from the Young Master, knows the matter inside out; indeed the Silver Eagle Tribe has this rule, but the Young Master says those beastfolk survive in the tribe by relying on this very thing, so they don't have to submit."

"Logically, the beastfolk who manage the tribe's artisans should also know that the locals can't really hand over anything, and with the Young Master's directive they wouldn't deliberately make things hard for He and the others."

"But they didn't expect someone to suddenly show up today; A Lian and the others didn't know such a rule existed, and were taken completely off guard."

"Don't rush! Take your time, first tell us what the beastfolk who came look like; the tribe does have this rule."

"But A Li and the others said they've already informed the people, and we don't need to submit now. Just get through this year, and if next year we have to submit, we'll all chip in something together."

"So why would beastfolk come looking for us? Did they give you any trouble?"

He spoke slowly and clearly, and the surrounding beastfolk could hear what she was saying.

As soon as she finished, before A Lian could speak, the other beastfolk started chattering all at once.

"They didn't really trouble us; they just gave a heads‑up, saying the other artisans in the tribe know, and they felt resentful that we wouldn't hand over, so that's why beastfolk came over."

"Yes, yes, yes! I also remember what those beastfolk looked like, He you must tell A Li and the others about today's events properly; we have nothing to hand over."

"Originally we didn't have many hollow bamboos we brought back, and now we use other materials to make baskets and hampers. But those aren't as useful as hollow bamboo, and the food and Crystal Core we can trade for are dwindling."

"So He, ask them for us: when will we be able to learn tailoring?"