I Became The Chief Of A Primitive Village

Chapter 1028, A Bargaining Chip Not Worth Trading

Translator: Silavin

Yini and her companions departed the Yong’an Building in high spirits, unable to conceal the smiles spreading across their faces.

Naturally, they had arrived brimming with confidence, having believed themselves in possession of something extraordinary: a technique for taming Ferocious Beasts.

It simply had not occurred to them that the Flame Dragon Tribe would know the technique as well, and would refuse their bargaining chip without a moment’s hesitation.

They had very nearly resigned themselves to failure, and then, mercifully, there had turned out to be another avenue worth exploring.

In the end, as long as the outcome was a good one, that was all that truly mattered. They had, at last, achieved what they came for.

“I had no idea the Earth Tiger Tribe was capable of taming Ferocious Beasts. How is it that I have been a part of the Tribe for so long without ever knowing any of this?” Ci asked, her curiosity suddenly getting the better of her.

The young woman had not intended to ask too many questions, but her heart was simply too restless to remain quiet.

“You would have to ask my Father about all of that. He has always felt that you haven’t been with our Tribe long enough. His thinking is that it would take at least five or six years before he would let you in on it.” Yini waved her hand with a helpless expression. “So every time a Ferocious Beast taming mission came up, you would be kept out of it. You’d be assigned something else and sent off in a different direction.”

“That would explain why, on several occasions, my missions sent me out to very distant locations.” Ci felt the pieces click together all at once. “And the people travelling with me on those occasions were always the ones who had joined from other Tribes. It all makes sense now.”

“I never intended to hide it from you. I hope you can understand.” Yini looked a little conflicted.

The tiger eared girl had long since come to regard Ci as a genuine friend. But this was a matter of the Tribe’s own protocol, and there was nothing to be done about that.

“You needn’t overthink it. I hold no ill feelings. I came from another Tribe originally. It is reasonable that there would be certain reservations.” Ci’s expression was one of genuine acceptance. “I was simply astonished, that’s all. I never imagined our Tribe had such an amazing ability.”

Of course, the young woman also found herself deeply impressed by the Flame Dragon Tribe, for no other reason than that they seemed, in all respects, utterly without limitation.

Up to this point, Ci had found nothing that the Flame Dragon Tribe appeared incapable of, and each and every thing they were capable of was more staggering than the last.

From the stone houses and stone roads she had encountered on her first visit, to the finely crafted linen and ceramics, to the currency notes that existed now.

“That is a relief to hear. I was only worried you might read too much into it.” Yini exhaled.

The moment the two finished speaking, a group of people came walking towards them from ahead. It was none other than the delegation from the Green Vine Tribe.

Ah Liv and Lu Yin caught sight of the Earth Tiger Tribe’s people at a glance, and responded with nothing more than a slight nod of acknowledgement.

The awkwardness of their last encounter still lingered between the two groups, and that unease was palpable now as they passed each other.

“It would seem they too have been received by the Shaman of the Flame Dragon Tribe. I wonder what the Green Vine Tribe has managed to bring to the table.” Yini murmured.

“Every Tribe seems to have its own secrets. It’s entirely possible they have something rather impressive.” Ci kept her voice equally low.

Ah Liv walked with her head half-turned, watching the Earth Tiger Tribe delegation with open curiosity as she went.

She held her umbrella with her left hand and pushed her hair back, asking. “What do you think they will offer as their bargaining chip?”

Both delegations, in truth, understood the situation perfectly well. Coming to the Flame Dragon Tribe in the middle of the rainy season served only one purpose: to negotiate for a partnership.

No sensible Tribe would be reckless enough to come out seeking death in the rainy season. It was not a season to be taken lightly.

“I really couldn’t say. Though there have always been rumours about the unusually large number of Ferocious Beasts within the Earth Tiger Tribe.”

Lu Yin blinked her wide green eyes. “Perhaps their Tribe has the ability to tame Ferocious Beasts? That might well have been their bargaining chip.”

The young woman’s imagination was running at full capacity. And, after all, the rumours that passed between Tribes rarely emerged from nothing.

“Really? If that is actually what they offered, does our Tribe not stand very little chance?” Ah Liv felt suddenly and entirely despondent. It would be like walking straight into a beating.

What did the Green Vine Tribe have, after all? Nothing of particular distinction. There was nothing save for an exceptional skill in weaving vines.

The Green Vine Tribe did possess one genuine advantage: the vines they wove were extraordinarily tough and resilient. Many Tribes held a deep fondness for the Green Vine Tribe’s woven vines, and it was for good reason. Brought into the Hunting Ground, they were enormously useful.

Beyond binding cuts of Ferocious Beast Meat, they could be used for climbing and a variety of other purposes. Their durability, in short, exceeded all expectations.

A number of Tribes had attempted to imitate the Green Vine Tribe’s work, but every attempt had fallen short. They could approximate the appearance well enough, but the structural integrity was simply incomparable.

“I wonder whether the Flame Dragon Tribe will take any interest in our vines. It feels as though the Tribe already has everything.” Lu Yin , speaking honestly, had very little confidence.

The two of them had set out with a reasonable measure of belief in their chances, thinking that if they could secure a partnership with the Flame Dragon Tribe, the Tribe would be spared a considerable quantity of food for each exchange.

But now that the Earth Tiger Tribe had shown up as well, the pressure of competition had intensified enormously.

“Should we perhaps think of something else to offer? Something that might actually draw the Flame Dragon Tribe’s attention.” Ah Liv suggested.

“Like? There is nothing particularly special about our Tribe. We also can’t hand over our Shaman Bone Tablets.” Lu Yin pursed her lips.

Whatever else might be said, Shaman Bone Tablets remained the most precious possession of any Tribe.

The fact that the Earth Tiger Tribe had been willing to offer a Ferocious Beast taming technique rather than surrender their Shaman Bone Tablets made the point abundantly clear.

“Absolutely not. My Father would never agree to it.” Ah Liv rejected the thought without a moment’s consideration.

“Oh, that’s right. We should have asked them just now. We might have found out whether the Flame Dragon Tribe had already agreed to their terms.” Lu Yin said, suddenly realising.

“From the look on their faces, it seems the negotiation was successful. Otherwise, they would both have looked far more dejected.” Ah Liv sighed.

“That does make sense. Does that mean we have no chance at all?” Lu Yin ‘s expression was one of disbelief.

“I don’t know. We can only try our luck. If they’re not willing to accept what we have, I suppose they simply won’t come to us.” Ah Liv said, equally uncertain.

At that same moment, Yini and Ci kept glancing back as well, each of them filled with a nagging regret.

“We shouldn’t have looked so pleased with ourselves back there. We practically gave everything away.” Yini said with a sigh.

“Indeed, we were grinning without the slightest restraint. It was written all over our faces.” Ci rolled her eyes.

“What does it matter? The Earth Tiger Tribe’s business is settled either way.” Yini shrugged.

“True.” Ci broke into a wide smile in spite of herself.