Chapter 983, Spotted Deer Tribe’s Crisis

Translator: Silavin

 

*Pitter patter…*

 

The rain poured down without distinguishing between day and night, showing no signs of stopping. Within the Spotted Deer Tribe, inside the Chieftain’s wooden house, several people of high standing had gathered together to discuss matters.

 

The problem they were discussing had only one focus, and that was regarding the Market. After all, this was fundamentally a Market Tribe.

 

Ever since the Flame Dragon Tribe opened their Central Market, the Spotted Deer Tribe’s Market had been declining day by day.

 

It was not that there were no people at all, just that it was not as lively as before. Gone was the phenomenon of people crowding everywhere. Only a small number remained.

 

“Chieftain, what should we do?” Someone asked.

 

Lu Shi furrowed his brow and spoke. “Haven’t we already exchanged goods from the Flame Dragon Tribe and brought them back? Why are there still so few people coming to our Tribe?”

 

He currently felt helpless, and rather angry as well. He had absolutely no solution for the current situation.

 

“Actually, it’s not entirely like that. If it weren’t for Lu Lin going to negotiate with the Flame Dragon Tribe before, we probably wouldn’t even be able to retain the people we have now.” Someone explained.

 

Indeed, Lu Lin had previously represented the Spotted Deer Tribe when she went to the Flame Dragon Tribe to negotiate the matter of exchanging goods.

 

After all, the Spotted Deer Tribe was a Market Tribe. When going to acquire goods, they naturally hoped the other party would not demand exorbitant prices, and that they could exchange for goods with the least amount of resources possible.

 

Clearly, Lu Lin had accomplished this. Every item could be exchanged at better rates than what was currently offered at the Flame Dragon Tribe’s Central Market.

 

Yet even so, the Spotted Deer Tribe still had no way to return to its previous peak. The number of people coming had decreased by two-thirds.

 

In less than a year, the Flame Dragon Tribe had drawn away this many customers from the Spotted Deer Tribe. Given more time, who knew what would happen?

 

“What use is there? Everyone says the Flame Dragon Tribe’s goods are too amazing, but we also have the Flame Dragon Tribe’s goods, yet we still can’t retain them here.” Lu Shi was very anxious. After all, as the Tribe’s Chieftain, his responsibility was to think for the entire Tribe.

 

“Perhaps everyone doesn’t know about these matters, which is why they still go to the Flame Dragon Tribe.” Someone suggested.

 

They could not just stand there complaining like the Chieftain. Otherwise, the entire Tribe would not be able to develop. If they continued complaining without doing anything, there was no telling whether war might break out.

 

“How could they not know? I’ve already had many Tribes help spread this information. It’s been so long, they should all know by now.” The Chieftain ate a wild berry and wondered: “Why would everyone rather go all the way to the distant Flame Dragon Tribe than come to our closer location?”

 

He truly could not understand it. Clearly, what they wanted were the Flame Dragon Tribe’s goods, so why make an unnecessary trip to the Great River?

 

“Perhaps the Flame Dragon Tribe has something our Tribe doesn’t?” Someone muttered.

 

Every Tribe could not possibly be the same. Of course, there were no major differences either. However, customs, dress styles, and such would still differ somewhat between Tribes.

 

“I heard the Flame Dragon Tribe’s cement houses are very special. Could it be that they’re all going to see the cement houses?” Lu Shi frowned.

 

He had heard Lu Lin mention before that the Flame Dragon Tribe was truly different compared to ordinary Tribes. Cement houses, stone roads, and so on. Most people wore linen clothing, as if linen cost nothing. And then there were those delicious food shops and such.

 

When Lu Shi heard about it then, he became very curious about the Flame Dragon Tribe and wanted to go see for himself. However, as the Chieftain of the Spotted Deer Tribe, such thoughts absolutely could not be displayed.

 

Otherwise, if even the Chieftain thought this way, what could be said about everyone else? So, he had always suppressed this thought in his heart.

 

That was also why he now spoke up to question the Flame Dragon Tribe, letting others know he had absolutely no intention of leaving.

 

“I think it must be like this. Recently, I keep hearing people in our Tribe talking about the Flame Dragon Tribe,” someone said.

 

“Exactly. Most of it comes from information brought by people who come to our Tribe to exchange goods. They say if it weren’t for the approaching rainy season with no time left, they wouldn’t come to our Tribe to trade at all,” another person added.

 

“To actually say such things, it seems there’s really a great need to make a trip to the Flame Dragon Tribe,” Lu Shi said seriously.

 

He also constantly heard such words. Before, he had been too embarrassed to mention going to the Flame Dragon Tribe, but now was the perfect opportunity.

 

“We should go too. Perhaps we’ll make some good discoveries.”

 

“Right, we can also negotiate with the Flame Dragon Tribe’s Chieftain to have them divert some of the foot traffic to us.”

 

“You’re thinking far too optimistically. Which Market Tribe would be willing to do such a thing? Moreover, the Flame Dragon Tribe has their Central Market, completely different from an ordinary market.”

 

“I just want to see the Flame Dragon Tribe’s cement houses, to see if they’re really that miraculous.”

 

“…”

 

People in the wooden house successively began discussing. Almost everyone very much wanted to go to the Flame Dragon Tribe.

 

“Some of you aren’t Totem Warriors, so don’t join in this commotion. You have no way to protect yourselves upon entering the forest.” Lu Shi raised his hand and pressed down, continuing. “You should stay behind to help me manage the Tribe. If I leave and you leave as well, what will happen to the Tribe?”

 

“We can have Lu Jiao come. He’ll inherit the Chieftain position in the future anyway. This would be good practice for him.” someone suggested.

 

Lu Jiao was Lu Shi’s Eldest Son, who had recently been following the Chieftain, learning how to manage the Tribe.

 

Naturally, he was also a Totem Warrior. However, he was only an Early-Stage Totem Warrior who had just awakened. He was not particularly strong yet.

 

Lu Jiao merely possessed the status of Chieftain’s heir. If his strength proved inadequate in the future, he would still be eliminated from inheriting this seat.

 

“He only awakened a year ago. There are still many things he needs to learn. Most importantly, he needs to improve himself first. Managing things can wait.”

 

Lu Shi did not trust his Son with this. He continued. “I’ll go with just a few Totem Warriors. You people stay behind. Lu Lin will assist you with market matters.”

 

He had already insisted on this. He absolutely could not allow everyone currently in the wooden house to go, or the Spotted Deer Tribe would descend into chaos.

 

“There’s still time. It’s still the rainy season now. There are over ninety days left,” someone said unhurriedly.

 

Lu Shi thought seriously for a moment, then made a major decision, “I plan to depart during the rainy season. This way, people from other Tribes won’t know either.”

 

“Chieftain, we’ve never gone out during the rainy season before. Isn’t this decision rather unwise?” someone questioned.

 

“I said this is my plan. As for whether I’ll actually do it is another matter. I’ll discuss it with the Shaman. Don’t worry.” Lu Shi knew everyone would react this way. In any case, he still needed to consult with the Shaman.

 

“Right, you must discuss it with the Shaman. The Shaman should know what to do,” that person nodded.