Chapter 509, The Air Seemed to Congeal

Translator: Silavin

 

*Rustle, rustle, rustle…* Two figures jumped down from the trees in the forest and concealed themselves behind dense shrubbery.

 

The two people were Feng and Zhu. They had spent many days travelling through the forest and finally arrived near the Flame Dragon Tribe.

 

Their current hiding place was in the forest beside the Flame Dragon Tribe, and both of them looked rather fatigued.

 

Perhaps it was due to the long journey, combined with their continuous struggle to find direction, which made them appear so exhausted.

 

“Is this the Flame Dragon Tribe?” Feng suddenly asked.

 

Since they had been unable to find their way for the past few days, they remained somewhat sceptical even though they had reached the vicinity of the Flame Dragon Tribe.

 

“It should be. The directions we were given points here.” Zhu replied, half-believing.

 

They had previously gathered substantial information and roughly knew the direction to the Flame Dragon Tribe.

 

“Let’s observe for a while then, to confirm if it truly is the Flame Dragon Tribe.” Feng said, squinting his eyes.

 

“I’ll go find something to eat first. I’m starving.” Zhu rubbed his stomach.

 

Since leaving their Tribe, they had been constantly travelling without proper meals. Moreover, the Flame Dragon Tribe was quite far from their own Tribe, and the journey had consumed considerable time.

 

“Go ahead. Bring something back for me as well. I’ll stay here.” Feng said, looking back.

 

He had grown weary of hunting these past few days, especially considering that back in their Tribe, they never had to hunt for food.

 

“En,” Zhu nodded and left.

 

*Step step step…*

 

An hour later, he returned with two wild rabbits that had already been prepared and roasted.

 

They were aware that lighting a campfire near the Flame Dragon Tribe would be unwise, as it could easily reveal their position.

 

“Eat.” Zhu tossed one of the rabbits.

 

Feng caught it and began heartily devouring it. “I’ve been watching for ages and haven’t seen anyone come out.”

 

“All this time without anyone coming out? Don’t they need to prepare for the snow season?” Zhu asked.

 

“How would I know? There’s really no one, and it appears unusually quiet…” Feng replied, his mouth glistening with grease.

 

Zhu furrowed his brow, looking towards the Flame Dragon Tribe. “What are those large wooden structures? Why are they built so large?” He asked.

 

He had immediately noticed the wooden structures outside the entrance of the Flame Dragon Tribe, which were considerable in number.

 

“I don’t know either. They’re probably living quarters, but they shouldn’t be built so large.” Feng shrugged.

 

In fact, he had already observed this while waiting earlier but had not seen anyone emerge.

 

“Never mind then, but they don’t appear to be as densely arranged as regular wooden houses. Has the population of this Tribe grown so much that they must live outside?” Zhu wondered.

 

He noticed that the wood used for the outer ‘wooden houses’ were quite rudimentary but tall, completely different from ordinary wooden houses.

 

Typical wooden houses would have their edges smoothed and refined. These ‘wooden houses’ were entirely different; the wood used was still relatively rough.

 

“But even if people live outside, we should see them coming and going, shouldn’t we? I haven’t seen a single Soul. Besides, these ‘wooden houses’ are enormous—how many people are meant to live in there?” Feng asked, perplexed.

 

Wooden houses were never built to such dimensions. Generally, they were small, with one family occupying each. The sudden appearance of several such immense structures seemed absurd.

 

Firstly, construction would be difficult and time-consuming. Secondly, they occupied vast areas, leaving little usable space. It seemed impractical from every perspective.

 

“Am I mistaken, or has all the land in front of them been tilled?” Zhu rubbed his eyes vigorously.

 

He doubted his vision. All the land ahead appeared to have been turned over, with various items planted.

 

Many of these items were unfamiliar to them. What were they for? Were they for consumption or for other purposes? They were thoroughly confused.

 

“You’re not mistaken. All that land has indeed been turned over. Truly an odd Tribe,” Feng said, his mouth twisted.

 

He realised that even before entering the Tribe, they had already discovered numerous peculiarities.

 

“I just heard the sound of water. Is this Tribe near a large river?” Zhu suddenly inquired.

 

“It appears so. I’ve also been hearing water sounds.” Feng nodded, continuing, “Should we find a way to enter? That’s the only way to complete our mission.”

 

He planned to enter and observe; rather than continually speculating from outside, it would be more direct to go in and see for themselves.

 

“Have you thought of a good method to approach them? I haven’t seen anyone come out. How should we enter?” Zhu asked.

 

Originally, he had thought that if someone emerged, they could pretend to ask for directions or claim to be lost, prompting the Tribe members to lead them inside.

 

“With no one coming out, this has become quite problematic…” Feng frowned.

 

His initial plan had been identical to Zhu’s, but unfortunately, they had not seen anyone despite waiting for so long outside the Tribe.

 

“What if we pretend to be injured and go directly to their entrance, prompting them to take us in?” Zhu suggested.

 

This was the only method he could think of, which might not raise suspicions.

 

“That sounds like an idea, but we would need to sustain actual injuries; otherwise, it would arouse suspicion.” Feng replied thoughtfully.

 

“I think it’s a good plan.” Zhu nodded in agreement.

 

“…”

 

Suddenly, both fell silent. The air seemed to congeal in its stillness. The two looked at each other, neither speaking.

 

“You do it?” Feng suddenly asked.