Chapter 1048, Our Tribe

Translator: Silavin

 

The great ship advanced slowly across the river’s surface, sending ring after ring of white ripples spreading outward across the water. With the morning Sun at its finest, light danced and shimmered across the waves in brilliant cascades.

 

It was quite a sight to behold. Yu Ying stood with both hands resting on the railing, drinking in the warmth of the sunlight. The rainy season had dragged on for so long that sunshine had become something genuinely precious.

 

She stretched with satisfaction and asked, “Shaman, when we visit other Tribes, what sort of trade will we be making? The other Tribes don’t seem to have anything particularly worthwhile.”

 

Yu Ying had spent most of her time within the Flame Dragon Tribe, though the people she had worked alongside were mostly elderly of advanced years. She had always caught fragments of their conversations about other Tribes, and her impression was that none of those Tribes had anything of real value.

 

“Silly girl, the other Tribe doesn’t necessarily need to have good things for us to trade with them. They only need to have something our Tribe requires.”

 

Su Bai reached over and tucked her wind-tousled hair behind her ear. “Our Tribe has developed really well, but there are still many areas that haven’t reached their peak. We’re still lacking many things. If another Tribe happens to have exactly what we need, isn’t that all the better?”

 

Though the Flame Dragon Tribe had grown remarkably, Su Bai felt no particular sense of satisfaction. If anything, he wanted the Tribe to grow even stronger, and that ambition demanded a steady supply of resources to sustain its development.

 

Relying solely on the Daily Check In was not enough. No one could predict what the System might offer on any given day. It had once produced excellent crops: rice, wheat, potatoes and the like. However, that was some time ago. Lately, the System had gone a very long stretch without producing anything worthwhile. It was all inconsequential items: small mirrors, small combs, bedding sets… things that could be taken or left.

 

Waiting each day for the System to deliver something useful was no longer a viable strategy, especially when this continent had no shortage of treasures to be found. If other Tribes could not be made to come to the Flame Dragon Tribe on their own initiative, then the Flame Dragon Tribe would go to them. After all, the Tribe had this massive ship now.

 

“I see. But our fleet can’t travel during the snow season, so we probably won’t be able to visit other Tribes this year.” Yu Ying murmured.

 

“That’s right. We only have this one big ship for now, so it’s certainly not enough.”

 

Su Bai gave a mild nod and turned to ask, “When are you planning to return to the Sea Fish Tribe? Or are you intending to stay here for a while?”

 

“Ah?” Co Co was caught off-guard by the question and blinked in confusion before recovering. “I can return to the Tribe whenever. If the Shaman no longer needs me, I can leave tomorrow.”

 

Co Co had been living in the Flame Dragon Tribe for a very long time, mainly to work through the complications surrounding the currency note. Now that the currency note had been resolved and widely adopted, it was indeed time for her to return to her own Tribe.

 

Though Co Co had joined the Flame Dragon Tribe, the Sea Fish Tribe was still in the midst of development, and as one of its natives, it was only natural that she should go back and keep a close watch over things.

 

“Silly girl, I’m not trying to send you away. I’m only asking what you want. If you don’t want to go back yet, you’re welcome to stay longer.” Su Bai laughed openly, reading the surprise in her expression and knowing at once that she had misunderstood.

 

Co Co shook her head gently and said with quiet composure, “It’s all right, Shaman. I have been away from the Sea Fish Tribe for a long time now. Even though I’ve been receiving news from there, I still want to go back and see for myself.”

 

The Flame Dragon Tribe had carrier pigeons now, so relaying information was not difficult. Of course, Co Co still preferred the Flame Dragon Tribe, where the quality of life was incomparably better. Whether in terms of travel, food, drink, or clothing, nothing in the Sea Fish Tribe came close. Yet despite all that, Co Co was from the Sea Fish Tribe, and her heart inevitably pulled her back there.

 

“Your Flying Rain Beast can’t fly outside of the rainy season, so take the ship back. You can leave the ship docked at the Sea Fish Tribe while you’re there.”

 

Su Bai rested both hands on the railing and continued, “Have your Tribe invest heavily in developing sea products. Stay committed to that one direction, and your Tribe will keep growing stronger.”

 

“No, Shaman. It is our Tribe.” Co Co blinked with complete sincerity, her golden eyes full of earnest conviction.

 

The Sea Fish Tribe was, after all, now subordinate to the Flame Dragon Tribe. It was now one of its smaller affiliated Tribes. Many Large Tribes operated this way, each with a number of Small Tribes beneath them. The reason was simple enough: Large Tribes frequently attacked smaller ones, and once a Small Tribe was defeated and dismantled, the Larger Tribe would assume full control.

 

A Large Tribe had no interest in yielding territory, and with the Warriors and Chieftain of the defeated Tribe wiped out, such a Tribe was easy enough to administer.

 

“You’re right, it is our Tribe.” Su Bai laughed warmly.

 

He knew the Sea Fish Tribe was still coming to terms with that reality, but he was confident that, given time, they would look entirely to the Flame Dragon Tribe for guidance.

 

Before that day came, Su Bai would ensure the Sea Fish Tribe’s steady development. If the other Tribe could not thrive on its own, the Flame Dragon Tribe would simply have to give it a push.

 

“By the way, Shaman, you said I should take a ship back. Do you mean one of the smaller ships from before?” Co Co asked.

 

Co Co knew the shipyard had been building ships continuously. The twenty-metre ships that had been constructed previously. The fifty-metre great ship they were sailing on now was something Co Co knew nothing about, and she certainly understood she would not be returning to the Sea Fish Tribe aboard such a ship.

 

The great ship was currently classified information, kept secret even within the Flame Dragon Tribe itself, let alone from the Sea Fish Tribe.

 

“Yes. I had Long and the others build a new batch of smaller ships. They’re very durable and well-suited for use along the coast.”

 

Su Bai clasped his hands behind his back and continued, “They’ll make your work out at sea easier as well, since smaller ships are simpler to handle.”

 

He had made a point of asking Long about those smaller ships during the voyage. At present the total number of small ships stood at ten, and with the two that had been built previously, the Flame Dragon Tribe now possessed twelve small ships altogether. All twenty-metre vessels.

 

“But doesn’t the Flame Dragon Tribe need the ships as well?” Co Co asked, puzzled.

 

“This one great ship is enough for the Flame Dragon Tribe for now. We’ll use it to build our reputation first, and by next year there will be more great ships ready.” Su Bai said calmly.

 

One great ship was indeed enough at this stage. A single circuit pass the nearby Tribes would be all that was needed. News would carry itself from there, passing from Tribe to Tribe on its own.

 

“I see.” Co Co nodded, though her understanding was only partial.