Chapter 832: Chapter 23: Tribal Turmoil (Celebrating Qidian’s 3rd Anniversary)_3
Yan Shi said, "This tribe ahead is my own territory. Our Pu Yan clan has several dozen tribes, and my father is the leader of the largest tribe, which also makes him the Clan Leader of the entire Pu Yan clan. The people of our Pu Yan clan are very united and don’t scheme against each other like people do elsewhere, constantly thinking about how to outwit others."
Finally, having passed through the forest, Ah Dai was startled by the sight before him. Here, it was like a massive village, with houses everywhere built of stone, seemingly home to a few thousand families. The tribe was bustling with activity, with columns of cooking smoke suggesting that many families were preparing lunch.
Yan Shi pulled on the reins, jumped down from his horse, and said proudly to Ah Dai, "How about it? Our tribe isn’t too shabby, right? Apart from lacking a city wall, there’s practically no difference between it and a city. We have everything you could need. Today you can rest well here, and it won’t be too late to continue your journey tomorrow morning."
Ah Dai also dismounted, his feet touching the ground, which made his whole body relax, but his feet felt a bit unsteady. He adjusted the energy within his body and quickly began to stretch his sore muscles. At that moment, Moon Scar and the others also disembarked from the carriage. Xuan Yue ran up to Ah Dai’s side, looked at the tribe before them, and exclaimed, "Wow, what a big village!"
Moon Scar coughed twice and said, "This isn’t a village; it should be a tribe of the Pu Yan clan. It’s almost like an ordinary city. I’ve even seen larger tribes than this."
Xuan Yue glared at him and said, "I’ll call it a village if I want to, what of it?" As she spoke, she tugged at Ah Dai’s clothes and frowned, "Look at you, your clothes are such a mess. Let me tidy them up for you." Because of all the horse riding, Ah Dai’s clothes were already full of wrinkles. As he looked down, Xuan Yue was pulling at his Mage Robe, smoothing it out. A sensation akin to an electric shock instantly spread through Ah Dai’s body, and he stood there, speechless.
Yan Shi laughed heartily and said, "Brother, you still claim she’s not your little girlfriend? Look at how much she cares about you!"
Xuan Yue swung her blue braids, her cheek turning slightly red as she retorted, "What are you talking about? Who’s his girlfriend? We just came here together, and if his clothes are a mess, it reflects poorly on me!"
Yan Shi gave Ah Dai a strange look and said, "Let’s go, let’s head into our tribe. You’ve been on the road all morning; you must be tired too. Have some food and take a rest."
Surrounded by Yan Shi’s group of soldiers, everyone entered the tribe. The majority of the Pu Yan clan were of the yellow race, with skin a tad darker than Ah Dai’s, and their brown hair was their distinguishing feature. Everyone who saw Yan Shi showed him a respectful expression.
"Uncle Yan Shi, you’re back! Did you bring something delicious for DongDong?" A four or five-year-old boy ran over, curiously glancing at Ah Dai and the others before throwing himself in front of Yan Shi.
Yan Shi chuckled, picked up the boy, and said, "DongDong, Uncle was in such a hurry this time; I didn’t manage to bring back something tasty for you. I promise, next time I definitely will."
DongDong pouted and said, "Uncle, you’ve got to keep your word."
Yan Shi affectionately ruffled the boy’s hair and said, "When have I ever broken my word? Where’s your mom?"
A woman hurried over, looking rather delicate and pretty. She addressed Yan Shi, "Young Clan Leader, you’re back. This child DongDong, as soon as he saw you, he quickly ran over. DongDong, come down now." DongDong looked at his mother and clung tightly to Yan Shi’s neck, refusing to budge.
The young woman walked next to Yan Shi, sighed, and said," Young Clan Leader, DongDong has always seen you as his father. His dad passed away early. If there’s a chance, I hope you can teach him something."
DongDong looked up at Yan Shi and said, "Yes, Uncle Yan Shi, I want to be a brave warrior just like you."
A trace of sadness appeared in Yan Shi’s eyes as he gently stroked DongDong’s hair and replied, "Zhuo Ma, I will. DongDong, be a good boy and come down. Uncle has guests today and can’t play with you. In a few days, Uncle will start teaching you how to fight." With Yan Shi’s persistent coaxing, DongDong finally agreed to return to his mother’s arms. The young woman glanced at Ah Dai and the others before turning away.
Watching the young woman’s departing figure, Yan Shi’s eyes revealed a hint of loneliness. Xuan Yue asked, "Your relationship with them seems very complicated, Big Guy. Who are they to you?"
Yan Shi shook his head, and while leading the group towards the center of the tribe, he said, "Zhuo Ma is the wife of a good brother of mine. When DongDong was two years old, his father was killed in the line of duty. That was three years ago. It’s pitiful, this widow and orphan, and whenever I’m free, I try to take care of them. Our tribe has many cases like Zhuo Ma’s, all because..." At this point, he suddenly stopped, looking at Xuan Yue with a wary expression and fell silent.
Moon Scar and Yue Ji exchanged glances, while Xuan Yue’s large eyes started turning, as if she was pondering something. Ah Dai said to Yan Shi, "Big brother Yan Shi, don’t be sad, what’s happened has happened. Their situation is tragic, but at least DongDong still has a mother. Compared to me, he is much stronger." Thinking back to his childhood experience of leading fish in the City of Nino, Ah Dai couldn’t help but become lost in thought.
