Chapter 839, Cannot Let Ah Liv Know

Translator: Silavin

 

In the Green Vine Tribe…

 

Shaman Lu Zheng observed the goods positioned in the corner of the wooden house, experiencing an indescribable sensation. Naturally, he considered these goods excellent, yet what puzzled him was why these goods possessed such exceptional quality.

 

What secrets was the Flame Dragon Tribe concealing? How had they managed to recover their strength within such a brief timeframe while simultaneously developing such remarkable goods?

 

These questions consumed his thoughts. Despite days of contemplation, no satisfactory answers emerged.

 

“Could they possess such excellent goods because they acquired them through trade with other Tribes?” Shaman Lu Zheng murmured to himself.

 

After prolonged thinking, this represented the sole plausible explanation he could think of.

 

The Flame Dragon Tribe had previously been occupied by the Black Snake Tribe. Reclaiming their territory within a short period was remarkable enough. Yet simultaneously, they were producing such exceptional goods while reclaiming their territory! That was utterly impossible!

 

Had the Flame Dragon Tribe developed merely one or two items, this might be understandable.  However, the Flame Dragon Tribe had invented numerous items simultaneously. This was not mere coincidence.

 

“If they truly obtained these through trade with other Tribes, we should likewise be able to obtain them directly from those Tribes.”

 

Shaman Lu Zheng poured himself a cup of wine, conversing with himself alone in the wooden house.

 

He alternated between sampling the wine and examining the Flame Dragon Tribe’s goods, consistently speculating about the origins of these goods.

 

“The price of this single barrel of wine requires several bags of dried meat. If we could exchange directly with other Tribes for these items, would that not be far less costly for us?” Shaman Lu Zheng took a delicate sip of wine, not daring to consume it in large gulps.

 

Given that this single barrel had cost several bags of dried meat, naturally he could not bear to finish it hastily.

 

“If we just exchange using this wine, wouldn’t we be earning a lot already?

 

Shaman Lu Zheng concealed himself in the wooden house’s innermost section, continuously murmuring while holding his wine cup. The fire in the hearth had extinguished, yet he possessed no inclination to relight it.

 

Were it not for the continuous murmuring sounds emanating from within, one might genuinely believe the wooden house stood empty.

 

*Knock knock knock…*

*Creak!*

 

Lv Shan knocked upon the wooden door before pushing it open. Upon entering, he saw complete darkness.

 

He frowned before speaking. “Shaman, why have you not instructed the Shaman Priestess to ignite the fire?”

 

Lu Zheng disliked such darkness intensely. He preferred it to be bright. Naturally, what they considered bright would not register as particularly bright to Su Bai.

 

“I was thinking of certain matters and failed to notice.” Shaman Lu Zheng waved his hand dismissively.

 

The matters occupying his thoughts remained unanswered; he possessed no mental capacity to concern himself with whether the fire had extinguished.

 

“What matters are you so concerned about, Shaman? Are you considering the approaching rainy season? I came specifically regarding this matter.” Lu Zheng addressed the subject directly.

 

He seated himself upon the ground, retrieving flint to ignite the extinguished hearth.

 

“Not that. I am thinking about these goods.” Shaman Lu Zheng stated.

 

“Are you referring to the Flame Dragon Tribe’s goods?” Lv Shan glanced towards the corner.

 

As the Shaman, Lu Zheng’s wooden house naturally received a substantial allocation of goods. However, the majority had been distributed amongst the Warriors. His wooden house retained only enough items to maintain his daily use. Not any more than that.

 

“Indeed. I am considering the origins of these goods. I need to find out their true source.” Shaman Lu Zheng explained.

 

“You don’t think these goods originate from the Flame Dragon Tribe? What other source exists?” Lv Shan was confused.

 

“I don’t. Consider what the Flame Dragon Tribe experienced last year. Why now…” Shaman Lu Zheng repeated his previous murmurs.

 

Upon hearing this, Lv Shan found the reasoning quite sound, nodding repeatedly: “Shaman is right. This is indeed rather strange.”

 

Previously, he had only considered the Flame Dragon Tribe’s goods exceptional, never questioning their actual origins.

 

At that time, he believed these goods originated from the Flame Dragon Tribe, experiencing no doubt whatsoever regarding this assumption.

 

“You see, even after hearing this, you recognise the problem. The Flame Dragon Tribe definitely has some secrets.” Shaman Lu Zheng spoke with particular seriousness.

 

“Shaman, do you want us to investigate the Flame Dragon Tribe’s secrets?” Lv Shan asked. “We might need to start by investigating the surrounding Tribes, determining whether they possess these goods.”

 

Shaman Lu Zheng blinked his green eyes, continuing. “We must investigate multiple Tribes. Their goods must be assembled from several Tribes.”

 

“Shaman, this may be that simple. I understand the Flame Dragon Tribe possesses flying devices. Perhaps they travelled to extremely distant locations to get these goods.”

 

Lv Shan contemplated seriously, continuing. “The surrounding Tribes may offer no help. What’s more, I have seen them also trade with the Flame Dragon Tribe at their Central Market.”

 

He suddenly recalled Ah Liv’s words, learning of the Flame Dragon Tribe’s hot air balloon existence.

 

“I nearly overlooked this point. Given these circumstances, we can only seek answers from the Flame Dragon Tribe.” Shaman Lu Zheng frowned.

 

Originally, he had intended to investigate surrounding Tribes. Now, however, if they could genuinely fly to extremely distant locations, investigating nearby Tribes would be a waste of time.

 

He was not ignorant of surrounding Tribes. From what he knew, these Tribes did not possess such goods.

 

“Does Shaman wish for Warriors to visit the Flame Dragon Tribe again?” Lv Shan enquired.

 

“We must visit again. This time, for an extended period; otherwise, we would not be able to uncover the secrets.” Shaman Lu Zheng spoke with exceptional seriousness.

 

He resolved to accept temporary losses. After gathering sufficient useful intelligence, their Tribe would no longer need to trade with the Flame Dragon Tribe. Instead, they could trade directly with the original Tribe, thereby saving up on dried meat.

 

“Understood. I shall arrange for some Warriors to leave. But, shall we trade for goods this time as well?” Lv Shan asked.

 

“Of course we need to. If we don’t we would just arouse suspicion.” Shaman Lu Zheng nodded.

 

“Then I shall still send Ah Liv. She has previously visited the Flame Dragon Tribe and is really familiar with their territory.” Lv Shan suggested.

 

“No. She is too fond of the Flame Dragon Tribe. Moreover, she is too naive. This mission does not suit her.” Shaman Lu Zheng contemplated briefly, continuing. “But, she may accompany those going. This mission just needs others to carry out. Of course, make sure Ah Liv doesn’t know.”

 

Having someone familiar with the Flame Dragon Tribe was advantageous. Simply not informing her would be enough.

 

“I understand the Shaman’s intention.” Lv Shan nodded.