Chapter 1199, Picking Up the Pace

Translator: Silavin

 

“Shaman, I wonder whether Father will be able to accept this.” Yan Hua said suddenly.

 

Yan Hua was fairly worried that Yan Jiao would not. He was, after all, the Chieftain.

 

Renaming the Tribe was not a small thing. For as long as Yan Hua could remember, she had never heard of any Tribe changing its name.

 

It had always been the original name passed down through the generations, and that was precisely why she was worried.

 

“I understand your concern. But I have a way of handling it. And besides, what if he actually accepts it?” Su Bai replied.

 

He was well aware that this Tribe had been Yan Jiao’s life’s work, entrusted to him by the previous Chieftain. It was the reason Yan Jiao had led the Tribe’s people away to live elsewhere rather than submit after the Black Snake Tribe took over.

 

The Flame Dragon Tribe held a very important place in Yan Jiao’s heart. Changing the name was no minor amendment.

 

“I really do not know. Father’s moods have been so unpredictable lately. Even I, as his Daughter, cannot quite read him anymore.” Yan Hua said with a small shrug.

 

Since Su Bai had taken over the Tribe, Yan Jiao’s character had genuinely shifted in many ways. He was less stern than before, and his capacity to accept new things had grown considerably. It was something that had never been seen in him before.

 

Yan Jiao had once been deeply traditional. If Su Bai had not kept insisting that everything served the Tribe’s development, he would probably have remained completely immovable.

 

“You do not know the Chieftain very well, of course. You are at the Shaman’s side almost every day. If anything, I would say you know the Shaman far better than you know your own Father.” Sha Lan could not help covering her mouth and laughing. She simply loved watching Yan Hua’s face go red. The sight of it was unbearably endearing.

 

But Sha Lan was not wrong. Yan Hua had indeed been living in the Yong’an Building for quite some time and had barely gone home.

 

Yan Jiao did still keep a room ready for Yan Hua. He had done so since the very beginning. But that room had never been slept in since the day it was set aside.

 

“Ah’Lan is right.” Yu Ying chimed in with a grin.

 

“Oh, well…” Su Bai found himself at a loss for words.

 

All he could say was that the girls had a habit of telling the plain truth. Not that he minded. After all, who would not enjoy being constantly surrounded by beautiful young women?

 

“Hey. Now you are all ganging up on me.” Yan Hua immediately reached out, ready to tickle them.

 

“Ha ha ha ha, we are only telling the truth!” Sha Lan began to dodge away.

 

“Do not tickle me, I give up, I’m sorry.” Yu Ying was the first to apologise.

 

Yu Ying truly did not want to run. Running felt far too exhausting, and she had nowhere near the strength Yan Hua had. She would absolutely be the one getting crushed.

 

“What sort of behaviour is this, carrying on like this in the Shaman’s presence? You have no sense of propriety, huh?” A very familiar voice came from not far off. Yan Jiao was striding toward them from the riverbank, taking large steps.

 

“Chieftain, why are you here? They are only having fun. I enjoy watching them like this. It makes me happy too.” Su Bai looked at the girls behind him and could only smooth things over. He certainly was not about to let them be scolded.

 

Though to be fair, it was not without reason. A Shaman was ordinarily held in great respect, and few people would dare speak loudly in the presence of a Tribe’s Shaman, let alone laugh and play like this.

 

The reason Yan Jiao said the girls had no propriety was not entirely wrong either. Two were the Shaman’s Shaman Priestesses, after all. Naturally they ought to conduct themselves accordingly.

 

“The Shaman keeps sheltering them. If they carry on too freely, the Tribe’s people will think the Shaman has no authority. That is not a good thing.” Yan Jiao earnestly advised. He was not truly bothered by the girls’ behaviour. He was mainly concerned about Su Bai’s standing.

 

The Shaman was already younger than many of the Tribe’s other Shamans, and even younger than some Chieftains. That made maintaining authority all the more important.

 

“It is all right. I am easygoing, and the Tribe’s people know this. They also know my ability. Everyone understands where the line is.” Su Bai smiled calmly, then asked. “More importantly, what brings you here? Is there something you wanted to discuss?”

 

During the eternal night, Su Bai had already clearly demonstrated his ability. Several Primordial Ferocious Beasts had appeared near the Tribe and been dealt with in short order.

 

A Primordial Ferocious Beast was even higher than High Grade Totem Warriors in terms of strength. They were Ferocious Beasts that were even stronger than a Totem Warrior. Several of them appearing at once was no small thing.

 

Su Bai displayed his Skill without reservation. Those Ferocious Beasts had been helpless before him, routed swiftly, and their fangs, hide, and everything else had been put to use.

 

“Yes, Shaman. The snow season and the eternal night are both over now, and many Tribes are beginning to arrive one after another. I came to speak with the Shaman about road paving.” Yan Jiao nodded.

 

“How is the clearing of the obstacles coming along? Has it all been finished?” Su Bai asked.

 

A road paving plan had already been established the year before, and people had already been sent out to open up routes in preparation for laying cement.

 

By any rough calculation, the plan had been running for over half a year. Many other Tribes had also helped during that time.

 

To establish a long-term trading arrangement with the Flame Dragon Tribe, one of the agreed conditions involved contributing to the road work.

 

“Our Tribe and the others cleared the obstacles through the forest together. As of now, the roads have been connected to thirteen Tribes.” Yan Jiao said, his excitement plain.

 

He had received this news some time ago. But there had been many other matters to attend to in the Tribe, and with the snow season and the eternal night, the road paving plan had naturally been put on hold.

 

“Begin paving tomorrow. The goal is to finish before the rainy season arrives. Is that feasible?” Su Bai asked.

 

If the rainy season came, the plan would have to be shelved again, and the cement would not be able to be set.

 

And if the roads were finished before the rainy season, people from other Tribes would be able to travel during the wet months rather than being confined to their own settlements.

 

The Flame Dragon Central Market would also come alive, which was the single most important part of driving the economy forward.

 

“If the other Tribes’ people continue to help, with still more than ninety days before the rainy season arrives, it should be achievable.” Yan Jiao said with conviction.

 

The hardest part had been the early clearing work. Now that the groundwork was laid, everything that followed would come together much more easily.

 

“Good. Pass the word down. Everyone has to work hard and steadily through this period. The roads must be finished before the rainy season arrives.” Su Bai said.

 

He felt it was time to pick up the pace. Things could not continue to move slowly, or the name Yong’an City would mean nothing.

 

“Shaman, it is just that the other Tribes’ people…” Yan Jiao’s expression became uncertain.

 

“Do not worry. The trade arrangements we agreed upon hold until the roads are completed.” Su Bai said calmly.

 

“Understood!” Yan Jiao replied, clearly moved.