Chapter 1139, Using a Mission as a Bargaining Chip!

Translator: Silavin

 

Qing Bo and Qing Xi, these two Siblings, instantly bowed their heads. The force behind Su Bai’s presence was not something they could withstand.

 

It felt even more frightening than being scolded by their own Tribe’s Shaman. Both of them were beginning to regret coming.

 

“Esteemed Shaman, please forgive our ignorance.” Qing Bo was the first to speak.

 

Because if he did not speak soon, the pressure would crush the breath right out of him.

 

He was slightly puzzled, though. A Shaman naturally carried a certain weight of authority, but surely it should not be this heavy?

 

It was as though several High Grade Totem Warriors were staring them down all at once. It sent a chill straight through the bones.

 

“We had absolutely no intention of causing offence. Shaman, please forgive us.” Qing Xi added quickly.

 

The pressure was simply too much. If they did not beg pardon now, there would be no discussion of cooperation to speak of.

 

Su Bai slowly blinked, drawing back the force of his aura.

 

Having seen the manner in which the previous two Tribes had entered, the attitude and bearing that the Green Snake Tribe brought through the door was not to his liking at all.

 

They had not done anything especially outrageous, but walking in without so much as a proper bow was unacceptable.

 

The more important point was that this was the Flame Dragon Tribe’s territory. He would not allow another Tribe to behave so carelessly here. He needed to cultivate an air of mystery around the Flame Dragon Tribe, which meant making certain that visitors kept their manners and their greetings in order.

 

“What did your Tribe bring with you?” Su Bai had no interest in dancing around the matter. He asked plainly.

 

“Our Green Snake Tribe has nothing particularly special to offer,” Qing Bo said at once, his voice straightening with a touch of pride, “but our Tribe is extraordinarily capable in battle.”

 

He had perked up the moment he spoke of the Green Snake Tribe. One moment he had looked entirely deflated, and the next there was confidence in his eyes.

 

“If your Tribe has nothing special to trade with us, then why have you come?” Su Bai’s brow furrowed slightly. “And what makes you think our Tribe would trade goods to you? Food? We have no shortage of food here.”

 

He was showing deliberate disinterest, even letting a trace of impatience show.

 

Inside, though, he was genuinely curious. He wanted to see what the Green Snake Tribe had actually planned.

 

After all, the Flame Dragon Tribe had made it known beforehand that they would only be seeking cooperation with a select few Tribes this time.

 

The Green Snake Tribe had nothing to offer in goods. What could they possibly use to distinguish themselves from the rest?

 

“Our Tribe can help the Shaman’s Tribe complete missions.” Qing Bo said it with sudden, total seriousness.

 

“Oh? Go on.” Su Bai’s interest sharpened at once. He wanted to hear what sort of mission they were talking about.

 

In all the time since he had Transmigrated to this world, it was the first he had heard of anyone offering to complete a mission on another Tribe’s behalf as a trade.

 

“It means that the Shaman may put forward any request. As long as it is something within our Tribe’s ability to accomplish, we will see it done.”

 

Qing Bo raised his head slowly, his expression completely earnest. “Once the mission is complete, would the Shaman be willing to sell us the Flame Dragon Tribe’s goods at a lower price?”

 

This was the conclusion he and Qing Xi had reached after several days of deliberation. It was also the only conclusion that had felt right.

 

The Green Snake Tribe truly had nothing peculiar to offer. Their food was the same as any other Tribe’s, and in some cases worse. There was no possibility of trading food. Other Tribes had salt or linen. The Green Snake Tribe had only their strength.

 

And so the Siblings had arrived at this idea. They would complete a mission for the Flame Dragon Tribe, and use that as their bargaining chip.

 

“Interesting. I don’t believe I have ever heard of a Tribe using this as a bargaining chip before.” Su Bai’s brow lifted slightly.

 

He had imagined many possibilities, but not this one. He had even briefly considered the chance that the Green Snake Tribe might try to overpower the Flame Dragon Tribe.

 

“Does the Shaman find this a workable bargain?” Qing Bo asked, blinking his brown, slit-pupiled eyes.

 

He was quietly anxious. The Flame Dragon Tribe’s goods had the potential to greatly improve the Green Snake Tribe’s quality of life. They did not lack for food, but their standard of living had never risen above what it had always been.

 

The root of it was simple. No one in their Tribe had a particularly clever head on their shoulders. Without that, a higher quality of life was simply beyond reach.

 

In the eyes of Qing Bo and Qing Xi, the Flame Dragon Tribe was already living at a level they could only look up at.

 

They could not help wondering whether the Green Snake Tribe’s life might be transformed, if they could only lay their hands on what the Flame Dragon Tribe produced.

 

“That is not out of the question. I simply have not yet decided what task I would have you complete.” Su Bai said, his tone unhurried.

 

On the surface he was entirely composed, but inwardly he was fighting the urge to smile.

 

Because this arrangement meant he would have free soldiers to call upon whenever he needed them. Whatever he wanted done would become much easier.

 

It was not that Su Bai had no ideas. He had thought of something already. But he felt this was not yet the moment to say so.

 

“Shaman, whenever you have made up your mind, you need only tell us. Our Tribe’s word is absolute.” Qing Bo’s sincerity was unquestionable.

 

“Would it be possible for our Tribe to begin trading with the Shaman now?” Qing Xi plucked up her courage and asked.

 

She felt it was time to speak of trade. Otherwise she did not know when a better opening might come.

 

“You may take some things back with you. But remember, beyond completing one mission for us, we will also need to build a dock at your Tribe.” Su Bai said.

 

Having them complete a mission was already a fine arrangement, but he had not forgotten the most essential matter: the docks.

 

Once every Tribe along the river had a dock, the Flame Dragon Tribe’s goods and influence could reach further, and development could move faster.

 

And naturally, the surrounding Tribes would be carried forward as well, which was precisely what Su Bai hoped to see.

 

It would not do for only the Flame Dragon Tribe to keep advancing while the Tribes around them remained exactly as they were. That was not healthy growth.

 

Left long enough, the Flame Dragon Tribe would become something that countless other Tribes coveted and fixed their eyes upon. What might happen then was anyone’s guess.

 

The best outcome was one where the Flame Dragon Tribe remained ahead, but the others kept pace, growing steadily. Only then could truly sustainable development be accomplished.

 

The Flame Dragon Tribe’s own growth could not be separated from the Tribes around them. Letting those Tribes fall too far behind served no one.

 

“Do you mean those wooden structures along the river, the ones used for ships? Our Tribe will agree to this.” Qing Bo said it as if it were already settled.

 

“You may both step back for now. Someone will follow up with you on the specifics.” Su Bai waved his hand lightly.

 

The real substance of matters was still to come. It was not yet time to lay everything out in the open.

 

“Yes.” The two then withdrew respectfully.