Chapter 940, Confronting Reality

Translator: Silavin

 

At that moment, Lv Shan entered from outside, having overheard Ah Liv’s entire statement.

 

He had been observing Totem Warrior training at the practice grounds. Noticing Ah Liv had returned alone, he was naturally curious and promptly followed her.

 

“Repeat what you just said. Is this truly what the Flame Dragon Tribe has demanded?” Lv Shan questioned with an angry tone.

 

Ah Liv nodded without hesitation, reaffirming, “These are their demands. What’s more, our Warriors are all in their custody.”

 

“I never imagined the Flame Dragon Tribe’s appetite to be so big. To think they are actually demanding our Shaman Bone Tablets! We cannot let them have it! Impossible!” Lv Shan’s tone was extremely hostile; his facial expression was truly ferocious.

 

“What else did they say?” Shaman Lu Zheng asked.

 

He knew the Flame Dragon Tribe was formidable. Still, he needed to understand their actual intentions.

 

“Nothing more than that. They simply demand compensation according to these terms. If we refuse compensation, we shall face their wrath.”

 

Ah Liv’s breathing gradually stabilised as she continued. “The Flame Dragon Tribe is really strong enough to threaten us. We cannot risk a war with them.”

 

She now demonstrated what she knew. If she appeared anxious or displayed a desperate willingness to provide compensation, this might make them psychologically resist her words, making them unwilling to comply.

 

However, by pretending to align with their perspective, her suggestions might be more acceptable.

 

“What happened? How did things transform into us providing compensation?” Lv Shan suppressed his rage and sat down, seeking the whole story.

 

“I should be asking you this. You never informed me of this plan. I knew absolutely nothing until we got there.” Ah Liv deliberately complained, stating, “Our every movement was being observed by the Flame Dragon Tribe. From the very beginning, they detected everything.”

 

“Is the Flame Dragon Tribe really that formidable? I believe we should refuse to compensate them.” Lv Shan stated without hesitation.

 

The Flame Dragon Tribe’s demands were too excessive. If merely dried meat or slaves, this would be acceptable. But their demand for Shaman Bone Tablets was crossing a line. These were a Tribe’s fundamental foundation. This was absolutely non-negotiable.

 

“Stop. This matter requires us to think things through carefully. How many Warriors does our Tribe currently have?” Shaman Lu Zheng asked.

 

He had remained silent throughout, contemplating various considerations with closed eyes.

 

“Including this year’s awakened Totem Warriors and Warrior Trainees, we currently have over five hundred members.” Lu Zheng knew the numbers by heart. “Among them, over two hundred Totem Warriors. If we need to fight, I don’t think we will lose.”

 

“How many Totem Warriors does the Flame Dragon Tribe have?” Shaman Lu Zheng continued to ask.

 

“I don’t know. But, their numbers of Warriors are also not low. And they possess a lot of unknown weapons.”

 

Ah Liv genuinely lacked knowledge of the Flame Dragon Tribe’s Warrior count. Although this information was not necessarily a secret among Tribes.

 

The Flame Dragon Tribe was truly enigmatic. Many details remained beyond her.

 

“This will be difficult then. We lack a good understanding of the Flame Dragon Tribe, yet they have detailed knowledge of us.” Shaman Lu Zheng observed the ceramic pieces on nearby shelves, continuing, “How many Shaman Bone Tablets do they demand?”

 

As a Shaman, he was far from foolish. Since the Flame Dragon Tribe reclaimed territory from the Black Snake Tribe, Shaman Lu Zheng clearly understood the Flame Dragon Tribe’s capabilities were genuinely formidable.

 

They were able to get strong within a short timeframe.

 

His previous impression was that the Flame Dragon Tribe, while not weak, certainly was not particularly strong.

 

“I didn’t ask about the specific details. They just stated these conditions.” Ah Liv internally exhaled with relief.

 

She could tell the Shaman was softening his position. This meant that there was a chance they could avoid a war.

 

Initially, she had feared the Shaman might dismiss her words from the get go.

 

“Shaman, must we genuinely accept their demands? This is a tremendous humiliation for us.” Lv Shan immediately expressed his displeasure. He could no longer remain seated and he stood up.

 

As the Chieftain and a Totem Warrior, his need for Shaman Bone Tablets was excessively high.

 

Shaman Bone Tablets not only provided advantages in war but also enhanced their hunting effectiveness.

 

They were the Tribe’s fundamental strength. Surrendering Shaman Bone Tablets was absolutely unacceptable.

 

“Then do you propose we go to war against them? Are we abandoning our Tribe’s stable existence for war?” Shaman Lu Zheng wanted to avoid a direct confrontation. Sp, he posed these two questions consecutively.

 

He had thought things through

 

If war truly erupted between the two Tribes, did his Green Vine Tribe possess any chance of victory?

 

Clearly, following comprehensive calculation and prediction, the Green Vine Tribe would not be able to win against the Flame Dragon Tribe.

 

“Shaman, war between Tribes is normal. We do not need to fear them. Maybe we might prevail.” Lv Shan gestured dismissively, his tone conveying extreme anger.

 

The Shaman was essentially surrendering the Green Vine Tribe’s dignity to another Tribe. This was utterly humiliating for a Chieftain of that Tribe.

 

“The Flame Dragon Tribe’s rapid development to such strength demonstrates they are formidable.” Shaman Lu Zheng did not respond to his aggressive tone, instead continuing calmly, “Haven’t you even thought about what happened to the Black Snake Tribe? We also still have the snow season to deal with. Don’t you understand any of this…”

 

He continued posing consecutive questions. Each question proved fatal. Each question remained unanswerable.

 

Surrendering Shaman Bone Tablets naturally displeased him.

 

As the Shaman, these Shaman Bone Tablets were all made by him. Every single one required a ton of time and energy poured in.

 

If in terms of humiliation and loss of dignity, Shaman Lu Zheng possessed greater justification for anger.

 

*Hmph!* Lv Shan couldn’t respond, only expressing his own frustration.

 

“I believe members of the Flame Dragon Tribe must have transported you here. Ask them how many Shaman Bone Tablets do they want.”

 

Shaman Lu Zheng closed his eyes, resuming his meditation while waving dismissively, signalling for Ah Liv to leave.

 

He needed to adjust his mental state. This matter had genuinely disturbed his thoughts and emotions.

 

“Understood.” Ah Liv nodded gently, rising and withdrawing.

 

Lv Shan initially intended further comment but ultimately awkwardly closed his mouth.