Chapter 168: Persuasion

The Silver Eagle Priest's gaze at Yun Li grew a bit strange—this female really isn't from outside? Otherwise why would she propose creating such a trading place within the tribe?

Although he didn't think such a trading place would benefit the tribe's development and might even increase the burden on the tribe's Patrol Team, he knew clearly that having one would be a great joy for the tribe's beastfolk, especially the elderly and the young who cannot go out easily.

For the elders, they would finally no longer have to embarrass themselves by asking around for needed items, and the young would gain another place to broaden their knowledge.

"Priest, what do you think?"

Jicheng felt a stir, but still wanted to ask the Priest's opinion.

The Silver Eagle Priest didn't answer; instead, they looked at Yun Li and said:

"Just for that reason, isn't it unworthy for the tribe to set aside a place to create the trading venue you want?

Why don't you tell us what other benefits this trading place would bring to the tribe, besides luring the Youbuluo beastfolk to part with their valuable goods?"

"Isn't making life easier for everyone a good thing for the tribe?"

Yun Li replied with puzzlement, "Moreover, with such a place, we could attract beastfolk from smaller tribes; many of those tribes may not be as prosperous as us, but they are always the first to know any news nearby.

Also, if the tribe has such a trading place, the tribe's females would certainly be interested, and perhaps more beastfolk would form Mate Bonds there.

And the young would have another place to broaden their horizons, learning from an early age through the trading place what the tribe and the world beyond are like.

Of course, I think the most important point is that with such a place, perhaps one day the Silver Eagle Tribe will become, like Red Grass Valley, a site that many neighboring tribes must come to see.

By then every beastfolk in the tribe should be able to wear clothing made of reed fibers, eat tastier food, and a strong, prosperous tribe would attract many beastfolk to seek refuge."

When that final sentence fell, it was unclear whether Jicheng was moved or not.

But the Silver Eagle Priest, as if receiving a sudden revelation, realized something very important.

"Right, why do slightly larger tribes outside need such a trading place merely to make the tribe's beastfolk's lives easier and to facilitate trade with outsiders?"

Yet such a trading place brings more than just information from all directions; it also brings in outsider beastfolk, and the most obvious effect of their joining is that the tribe's strength continuously grows.

He wondered why he hadn't thought of this before and why he had assumed that such a trading place was essentially optional for the Silver Eagle Tribe.

Because if anyone lacks something they can just ask and find out, and there are few outsider beastfolk, the Silver Eagle Tribe doesn't need such a place to increase the Patrol Team's burden.

"Jicheng, listen to her! We must create such a trading place."

Once the Silver Eagle Priest grasped that point, many subsequent matters no longer required others' reminders; they could figure out the outline on their own.

He continued emphasizing to Jicheng, "Just as Yun Li said, with such a place, the tribe could truly become another Red Grass Valley; we wouldn't always have to send people out to investigate what lies in farther places."

As long as beastfolk from outside tribes wish to come for exchange, we can learn from their mouths the things we want.

Jicheng was taken a bit off guard by the Priest's sudden enthusiasm; not only him, but the beastfolk in the house besides Yun Li and Ji Xuan were momentarily unable to grasp what the Priest meant.

One by one they furrowed their brows and asked, "Priest, what are you and Yun Li talking about? We didn't understand anything."

"Will creating a trading place have such a huge impact on the tribe?"

"Indeed, isn't life already quite convenient for everyone whether such a place exists or not?"

"Making such a big commotion just because of something a female said must have drawn objections from the other beastfolk, right?"

Some beastfolk might see how convenient trade between Red Grass Valley beastfolk is, and how easy it is to gather news.

But the thought of other tribes' beastfolk freely coming and going in their own tribe made them feel uneasy.

In their eyes, what kind of place is the Silver Eagle Tribe—one that the beastfolk of those small tribes can step into at will?

Yet the Silver Eagle Priest was clearly resolute, and he said in a deep voice to the dissatisfied and complaining beastfolk:

"This concerns the whole tribe; if you don't understand, just listen to us first."

Jicheng raised his hand to quiet the beastfolk, "Let's be quiet first and hear what the Priest and Yun Li have to say. No matter what, creating such a trading place isn't something the two of us, the Priest and I, can just decide and do."

"If you have opinions, we won't ignore them."

Finally, the stone house, which had been noisy for a while, gradually fell silent.

Only then did the Silver Eagle Priest look at Yun Li and ask, "Since you have this idea, have you thought about how to set up this trading place?"

"It's very simple, isn't it?"

Yun Li curved her eyebrows and said, "Don't the Hunting Squad beastfolk come back from the hunt every day? Have them haul a few popular ferocious beasts to a suitable spot to set up stalls, then let the Patrol Team beastfolk spread the word."

Beastfolk craving fresh meat will naturally come over; after running it for a few days, have the Hunting Squad or Patrol Team beastfolk display items they don't usually need.

Those who habitually come to trade for meat will naturally notice, and later if any beastfolk find it workable, they will emulate it."

The Silver Eagle Priest stroked his chin, "It sounds somewhat feasible, but what if no beastfolk come over?"

Yun Li shook her head and said, "As long as the meat the Hunting Squad displays is favored by females and the young, and the Patrol Team spreads the news effectively.

For the sake of the females and young at home to eat the meat they like, there should be hardly any male beastfolk who wouldn't take these few steps, right?

In the following days, we can display beast teeth, herbs, feathers, skins favored by females… and there won't be a lack of beastfolk coming.

The Silver Eagle Priest said appreciatively, "It seems you've indeed thought about this for a long time."

Yun Li cleared her throat lightly, "Actually, I do have a bit of selfish motive. After all, my former clan members weren't very strong, and few beastfolk could join the tribe's Hunting Squad.

So I first taught them how to make bamboo baskets, then passed on the clothing‑making skill to them before the tribe, and now I come to you about establishing a Market, all to let them use that tailoring skill to get a bite of meat."

The Silver Eagle Priest, recalling the words she had said earlier, didn't quite believe that she now claimed it was merely for that selfish reason.

She must have other motives, but she was unwilling to tell him.

But does Ji Xuan know that she has ulterior motives today? If he knows, then this female's ambition must be rather great.

"Market? Is that the name you're giving the tribe's trading place?"

The Silver Eagle Priest's thoughts shifted, and he understood many things, but he didn't want to expose them now, because as of now Yun Li hasn't done any harm to the tribe.

He had no reason to think ill of her; of course, that's also because he trusted that Ji Xuan would not stand by and watch his female companion commit something harmful to the tribe.