Chapter 099: Food in Exchange for Information

"The bald chief you're looking for is dead. We've joined another tribe," one of the three former Xie Ding Tribe members said to You Fu.

"What did he say?" Luo Chong, still seated on Hui Shan's back, frowned. The fact that his own tribesmen were conversing with this stranger in a language he couldn't understand irritated him.

"Chief, that man is from the Wandering Tribe. He's looking for our previous leader. The Wandering Tribe isn't hostile—they often act as messengers or traders between tribes, but they always expect something in return," the most sycophantic of the three men explained.

"Oh? A tribe like that exists?" Luo Chong raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "The rest of his people must be in the forest behind him. Tell him we won't harm them—have them all come out."

After the message was relayed, You Fu immediately agreed. He plucked the arrow lodged in the ground near his foot and examined its sharp bronze tip before respectfully returning it to Luo Chong, his expression calm and unafraid.

"This guy is impressive," Luo Chong thought to himself, silently admiring You Fu's composure. A man who could stand alone against so many armed warriors without flinching was either a remarkably brave and calculating individual or a complete fool. Clearly, You Fu was no fool.

Luo Chong accepted the arrow and placed it back into his quiver, lowering his bow. Seeing this, You Fu turned his back to Luo Chong without hesitation and called out to the rest of his tribe, signaling them to come out. His completely unguarded stance was a clear demonstration of trust and goodwill.

This was getting interesting. Luo Chong could tell that this man knew exactly how to handle interactions with strangers. He instinctively used his actions rather than words to express his sincerity. Even the initial decision to send only one person out first showed foresight—if anything went wrong, the rest of his people could either escape or mount a rescue. The Wandering Tribe was clearly well-versed in such negotiations.

A group of men and women emerged from the forest, joining You Fu. Altogether, they numbered 57. The structure of their tribe was quite unusual.

Unlike most tribes, where women typically outnumbered men two to one, the Wandering Tribe had only 15 women—all of them adults. There wasn't a single young girl among them.

Of the 57 people, only 29 were adults: 14 men and 15 women. The rest were young boys. You Fu himself was quite young—only 18—but as the leader, he was the only one with two wives. His children were barely three or four years old.

They wore sandals made from animal hide and tree bark, with fur skirts wrapped around their waists. Each man carried a large leather bag on his back, along with bone spears and stone axes. Their eyes widened as they took in the sight of the Han Tribe's caravan—not at the people, but at the oxen and elephants among them.

Beasts… carrying supplies? Aren't animals meant to be hunted for food?

"You're looking for the Xie Ding Tribe, but it no longer exists. They've all joined my tribe. What business do you have with them?" Luo Chong asked directly.

One of his men dutifully translated.

"I came to inform them of the date for the Spring Gathering in Dream Valley," You Fu replied.

Luo Chong's curiosity was piqued. "What is the Spring Gathering?"

"It's a gathering where different tribes meet in Dream Valley to exchange bloodlines. Young men and women who have come of age go there to find mates," You Fu explained, though he was surprised that a tribal chief didn't already know this.

Luo Chong truly had no idea. Though he had inherited the memories of this body's previous owner, they were practically useless. The boy had never left his home territory, so Luo Chong had no knowledge of the world beyond it. He had heard his tribesmen mention something about a 'marriage gathering,' but he had no idea where it took place.

"And where is this Dream Valley?" he asked.

"It's to the southwest. It takes five sunsets to reach. The valley is so beautiful that it feels like a dream," You Fu answered.

"When does the gathering start?" Luo Chong pressed.

"I can tell you," You Fu said with a smirk. "But in exchange, you must provide food for my people for one day."

Luo Chong's eyebrow twitched. Are you trying to extort me? He barely had time to process the translated message before he was already annoyed. Who charges food just for giving a simple date?

Seeing Luo Chong's frustration, You Fu was slightly disappointed. This young chief is clearly inexperienced… He doesn't know how these things work.

"Chief, don't be angry," the translator quickly explained. "This is just how the Wandering Tribe operates. Every year, they inform the tribes of the Spring Gathering date, and in return, each tribe provides them with food for a day. They also trade goods along the way. It's always been this way."

"You seem to know them well," Luo Chong narrowed his eyes at the translator.

"Uh… they come every year, so I recognize them," the man answered honestly.

Luo Chong exhaled slowly, calming himself. It did make sense. The Wandering Tribe traveled long distances to deliver information—asking for food in return wasn't entirely unreasonable. However, his people hadn't brought much food on this trip since they were only here to mine salt.

"We didn't bring that much food," Luo Chong finally said. "If you want food, you'll have to come to our settlement. If you don't want to tell me the date, that's fine—I'll just head to Dream Valley tomorrow and wait."

"You'll take us to your tribe?" You Fu asked, testing the waters. "How far is it? The sun is setting. If it's too far, we won't go."

"It's just over that way. If we hurry, we'll get there before it's completely dark," Luo Chong said, pointing east.

"The one in the mountains? Where the old chief wears goat horns?" You Fu asked, eyes narrowing in recognition. "If that's the place, then we know it. But it looks like we'll be traveling at night."

Luo Chong was momentarily stunned. This guy knows a lot.

"You've been to Han Tribe before?" Luo Chong asked, intrigued.

"Yes," You Fu admitted. "We trade with many tribes. Your elder was quite memorable."

Luo Chong was now even more eager to bring them back. If he knows so much, maybe he has even more useful information. Since arriving in this world, Luo Chong had never ventured far beyond his territory. He barely knew anything about the surrounding tribes.

"Are you afraid of the dark?" Luo Chong teased. "We outnumber any beasts in the forest, and if any show up, they'll just become our dinner. If you're worried about speed, let your children ride the oxen."

You Fu smirked. "We're not afraid. But the forest at night is hard to navigate."

"That's why we have torches. Let's move."

"Alright."

As the Han Tribe led the way, the Wandering Tribe lifted their younger boys onto the oxen. They marveled at the great beasts carrying supplies and passengers alike—this was a completely foreign concept to them.

After two hours, darkness fully settled over the land. The dense forest was pitch black, making it difficult to see. But then, the Han Tribe lit their torches, illuminating the path ahead with steady, bright flames.

The Wandering Tribe was astonished. Their usual torches burned out quickly, but these burned bright and long, resisting the wind.

You Fu walked beside Luo Chong, curiosity glinting in his eyes. "What kind of torches are these?"

Luo Chong smirked. "Just wooden sticks wrapped in grass rope soaked in animal fat."

You Fu frowned. "Animal fat? What's that?"

Luo Chong blinked in disbelief. Wait… You don't know what animal fat is? Are you messing with me?