Chapter 194

"Our tribe is currently uninhabited because it is quite far from the Suiren clan; they probably felt they couldn't control such a distant place, so they just looted our population and food supplies before withdrawing. That vast territory is likely empty of any tribes now, so it can be considered part of the Suiren clan's domain."

Chi Nu paused, fumbled inside her clothes again, and brought out a few more pinches of sulfur: "Our clothes all have a small hidden pocket inside, specifically designed to carry our fire spirits. This is all I have left now."

"My other tribespeople are also here, having become slaves of your Baifeng tribe. They should still have fire spirits on them; this item is very common in our tribe, and we also have many springs that never cool down. Our ancestors always said it was water that only the Fire God could drink. If we take even a sip, we die shortly after, and the area around the springs is full of these fire spirits."

Hearing this, Baifeng grabbed Chi Nu's arm, lifted her clothes, and made her open her mouth. Baifeng meticulously checked her teeth, eyes, and skin, and after confirming there were no signs of poisoning, he asked: "Is the place where you lived far from those springs? Is there usually a pungent smell in the air?"

Chi Nu shook her head: "No, we lived very far from those springs, at least a two or three-day walk away, because our ancestors said that living too close to the Fire God was a blasphemy against the deity and would result in divine punishment."

"It is said that our people used to live right next to the springs, which angered the Fire God, causing flames as high as the sky to erupt from the mountains, melting even the stones. The flowing fire burned our tribe to the ground. Later, when the Fire God's anger subsided, the survivors no longer lived near the springs but moved very far away."

"We were usually not allowed to go there either. These fire spirits were just things we picked up scattered around outside, not taken from the springs. We only went to the springs during the annual sacrifice. I have seen those springs; they are truly boiling and steaming all the time without anyone lighting a fire underneath, and the surroundings are filled with countless fire spirits."

After listening to Chi Nu, Baifeng thought that anyone who dared to live near a volcano was truly remarkable, and those who dared to return after an eruption were even more incredible. Their tribe was quite unique. Aside from the volcanic eruptions, the various toxic gases in those springs could also be fatal. It was strange that this tribe didn't die from the poison but was instead wiped out by another tribe.

However, Baifeng was also pondering where there might be a volcano on this land, especially an active one. The only places he could think of were the mountain range in the southwest, that mountain in the northeast, and the islands in the sea. But in any case, the distances didn't match, and he couldn't recall any in the interior. Regardless, Baifeng would definitely have to go there someday because he had to get his hands on sulfur. He would find out where it was then, which would also satisfy his curiosity.

"Knowing this is enough; this is much more important than what you said about the Suiren clan. From now on, you are a member of our Baifeng tribe, and you will be treated the same as the veteran members, so don't worry anymore. I will arrange for someone to build you a house later; perhaps right next to mine. Since it will take a while, you can squeeze in with other tribespeople for now."

Chi Nu nodded, almost in tears, and then asked: "Chief, can you give the people of our tribe who are here a chance to stop being slaves? They must still have fire spirits on them. What if I get them to give them all to you?"

This was not easy to handle: "How many of your tribespeople are still here?"

Chi Nu immediately replied: "There are one hundred and twenty-seven."

This number was acceptable. If they all became free people or tribe members, it would still be within Baifeng's capacity, but he certainly wouldn't give them freedom so easily; a price would have to be paid.

Seeing that Chi Nu could state the number of her tribespeople instantly showed that she still cared deeply about them, unlike other women from other tribes who, upon arriving at the Baifeng tribe, immediately cast their former tribes out of their minds.

"It is impossible to set them all free right now, but I will find a way to give them a chance, depending on whether they can seize it. For now, you can have them bring their fire spirits to me, and in return, I will arrange for them to be given more food."

Chi Nu agreed repeatedly, eager to go and report to her tribespeople immediately. However, seeing her weak state, Baifeng told her to rest first and promised to find her some food to eat before she went.

Hearing there was food, Chi Nu was no longer in such a rush to leave; she had long forgotten what it felt like to be full.

Baifeng, of course, wouldn't make her anything too elaborate, just chopped some meat and boiled a pot of rice porridge. Yet, even such a simple bowl of porridge was something Chi Nu had never enjoyed before.

The porridge was still steaming when it came out of the pot, and Chi Nu picked up the bowl and poured it directly into her mouth. Baifeng knew she wouldn't use chopsticks, so he hadn't prepared any, but he had provided a spoon, which she didn't even use.

Before Baifeng could stop her, she had already swallowed half the bowl. Even though a savage's body might be resilient, the esophagus is made of flesh, and it burned her so much that she frowned and clutched her chest in pain.

After a while, she dared to continue eating, but her tongue was already numb from the heat. Every bite felt painful, and what should have been a good meal turned into a form of torture.

As Chi Nu was eating, footsteps were heard outside, and Sui entered the room. She had been frequently hanging out at the cattle pen lately because a new white calf had been born. Sui loved it so much she almost brought it back to the room to raise, but Baifeng didn't agree, so now Sui went to the pen every day to play with the calf, even saying that when it grew bigger, she would ride it.

However, what she didn't expect was that after being gone for only half a day, her home had been "stolen." She returned in high spirits only to find a strange woman lying on her bed, holding their shared bowl and eating. Sui was stunned and frozen for a moment.

Although primitive people didn't take such things too seriously, after a long time with Baifeng and being influenced by his values, Sui's possessiveness was quite strong, though she knew she had no right to interfere in these matters.

Chi Nu was also startled and didn't dare to continue eating, because from her temperament and attire, she could tell this woman was no ordinary person—she must be the Chief's wife, and she was currently occupying everything that belonged to her.