They had prepared for the battle, and hearing the whistle made them nervous. They heard the cry of an eagle, so they became very worried. And they soon confirmed it because they saw the chief, the shaman, and a group of people behind the chief rush to the bank of the river.
“Maybe…”
Fu Shi who was patrolling looked very surprised.
“Buddy, I have to leave for a moment.” Fu Shi said to the man beside him and ran to the river bank.
Left at home and sharpening a blade, Chen Jia, on hearing the cry of the eagle, rushed to the river bank while holding the sword. He was very familiar with the cry for he had often heard it.
Chief Fan Mu led many people to the river bank while looking for the eagle in the air.
“Shao Xuan!” Fan Mu said with happiness. He did not expect Shao Xuan to come here, but now he could ask Shao Xuan whether he could ask the Flaming Horns tribe.
“Chief, chief, look!” The man next to Fan Mu hit him with the elbow. He was so excited that he hit him very hard. He normally wouldn’t have dared to do so, but now he didn’t pay any attention to such a detail.
Fan Mu was about to ask him. He looked down, saw what was happening on the river. and suddenly opened his eyes wide.
Besides Fan Mu, everyone that rushed to see the scene were shocked.
On the river far from them, ships were approaching.
Those ships were not better than those of the Longboat tribe, but for the members of the Drumming tribe, they were the best ships they had ever seen, especially the three in the front.
“They are... members of the Longboat tribe?” Seeing the fleet, the people thought so at once.
“No, no!”
“That’sthe Flaming Horns tribe!”
The man who shouted next to him was so excited that his voice was shaking.
Although the ships were still far away from them, those with good eye sight could vaguely see the pattern painted on the sail, which looked like Shao Xuan’s totem pattern of the Flaming Horns tribe.
The Flaming Horns tribe. It was said that Shao Xuan had a good relationship with their tribe. Did the Flaming Horns tribe get the news and came to help them?
If so, that was really good!
What good news! When everyone around them was avoiding them and they thought they had to confront with the enemies alone and suffered a lot, that tribe came to help them.
On the other side, people on board found they were getting closer and closer to the river bank.
“Finally, we are here.”
“Are they the members of the Drumming tribe?!”
“Did they come to welcome us? So many people!”
“Tuo, look at me. How about the horn on my head?”
“Hey, wasn’t it said that there are crocodiles? The crocodiles, where are the crocodiles?”
People on board were chatting fervently.
“Hey!” Ao glanced at them.
Everyone stopped talking, raised their heads, straightened their backs, and showed the largest tooth of their bone necklaces.
Everyone wanted to show the Drumming tribe their best, because this was the first other tribe they had ever seen.
Ao managed to keep his image as a majestic chief, but his palms sweated so he had to wipe the sweat off his palms with his animal skin coat.
The Shaman kept his typical “Shaman Smile” and looked very calm. Those that didn’t know much about him would think the old man was very calm.
Chacha arrived there first and circled in the air for a while. It didn’t land until the chief of the Drumming tribe and the chaman got there.
Close to the ground, Shao Xuan released his hand holding the eagle claw, fell to the ground and stood firmly.
“Everyone, long time no see.” Shao Xuan looked at those of the Drumming tribe people and said with a smile.
“Shao Xuan!”
“Shao Xuan, you got taller!”
“Are you coming to help us?”
“Shao Xuan, those behind you are members of your tribe?”
Fan Mu knocked against those jostling and held back his excitement and joy. He said to Shao Xuan,“Long time no see, welcome to the Drumming tribe again.”
“Yes, our tribe is ready to go back to the old land. This time we need to go past your tribe. Sorry to bother you.” Shao Xuan said.
In the Drumming tribe, there were several tributaries flowing into the river, one of which was quite wide. The water level there had not dropped yet, so the ships could sail on it to go through this area.
“No problem.” Fan Mu agreed without hesitation, but then he glanced at the shaman. Then he said to Shao Xuan, “I will greet them in person.”
Shao Xuan noticed the talk between the two leaders of the Drumming tribe and knew that they kept something secret. The Drumming tribe was about to get some the water moonstones so he guessed they were talking about it.
Finished talking with Fan Mu, Shao Xuan once again returned to the ship, and told Fan Mu’s reply and his thoughts to the Shaman and Ao.
“If they are faced with the invasion and robbery as you said, we can help them. After all, they had helped you and Yan Zhi. It is the first tribe we have seen. As you said, since we want to be friendly and get mutual benefits, we should give them a hand when they are in trouble.” Ao said.
“Yes,” Said the Shaman, “the Flaming Horns tribe should not be silent.”
Ao smiled, looked at the shore that he was getting closer and closer, and said, “Take it as the first test after our return!”
The fleet headed towardsthe tributary in the Drumming tribe, and the people on the other side of the river gathered there.
The people of the Drumming tribe people had been in excitement at the beginning and laughed very loudly. But as the fleet was getting closer and closer, the people gradually became silent.
After the fleet came near, the people of the Drumming tribe saw everyone on board dressed up, so they were stunned.
The people of the Flaming Horns tribe looked... too magnificent. On such a hot day, didn’t they feel hot while wearing such a thick animal skin coat?
But their coats looked bright and smooth, and those that wore them in winter must feel warm. They didn’t know how many water moonstones they had to exchange for such a coat.
They also wore teeth necklaces. Look at the animal teeth!
What kind of beast could have such a tooth ?
The ships of the Flaming Horns tribe moved to the tributary and then docked at the shore.
The people of two tribes could see each other clearly.
In fact, the people of the Flaming Horns tribe were also excited, but they saw the chief look very serious. So they pretended to be serious as well, as what he did was always right!
The members of the Flaming Horns tribe looked as serious as they were faced with ferocious beasts so it seemed that they were ferocious and intimidating.
A gust of wind blew and Fu Shi shivered, scratched his arm and whispered to the next man, “I feel a little...” He didn’t say he was scared, the others had similar feeling.
They had thought the people of their tribe looked very domineering, but today when they sawthe people of the Flaming Horns tribe they suddenly felt that they looked even more tough! But that Shao Xuan was not like that!
“Is this really a small tribe?” Someone whispered.
The number of the members of this tribe was small. However, each of them looked so intimidating that no one dared to provoke them. Look at the beasts on board which were eager to… Something’s wrong!
“Chief, are the animals on the ship beasts? I have not seen such beasts.” A warrior leaned forward, pointed to the several heads exposed to them from the three large ships, and said to Fan Mu.
“Those are ferocious beasts!” Fan Mu stared at the ship, and almost said it word by word. When he saw it at first, he was not sure. But now they got closer, he found something was wrong. Thinking of Shao Xuan’s eagle, which was aferocious beast, he believed those on the ship were probably ferocious beasts.
Fan Mu held back his shock, his hand holding the sword was sweating. He hadn’t expected that the Flaming Horns tribe was such a tribe. Even though its number was small, Fan Mu was sure that if both sides had a fight now, the Drumming tribe would lose and suffer a lot.
The wooden ladder was put down on the largest ship, and the chief and the Shaman went down, side by side. They were followed by the two team leaders and behind the team leaders were outstanding young warriors of the Flaming Horns tribe.
Many people had planned to jump directly from the ships, but Ao told everyone to take the ladder, so they had to follow his order.
“Welcome to the Drumming tribe! I’m the Drumming tribe’s chief, Fan Mu.” Fan Mu went to them and said with a polite smile on his face.
“Nice to meet you.” Ao’s face serious but also smiled, “The Flaming Horns tribe chief, Ao.”
The two shamans saluted each other in their respective ways, face to face. For the shaman, salute was also as important as a ceremony.
After the introduction of both sides, it seemed that the two shamans, one with a mysterious smile, the other with a knowing smile, indicated something else.
Shao Xuan stood next to them and looked at them: “...”
It was not easy to be a shaman. The two shamans had had in-depth exchanges before they even talked to each other.
Based on Shao Xuan's understanding of the Shaman, he believed that the two shamans left a good impression on each other.
They had exchanged ideas without saying a word for a long time.
The chief and the shaman of the Drumming tribe invited the members of the Flaming Horns tribe to stay here. Ao intended to rest here for a few days. Although everyone now looked very energetic, it was only because they saw the members of another tribe for the first time. More or less, they were tired and needed a proper rest.
Some of them followed Ao and the Shaman into the tribe’s residence with the members of the Drumming tribe. Others, under the guidance of some people of the Drumming tribe, moored the ships in a suitable dock of the tributary, but they did not left the ships without the command of the chief. They still stayed there.
Moreover, even though they were excited, for they saw the Drumming tribe, they still needed to be vigilant.
Only those ferocious beasts felt very uncomfortable and grabbed the edges of the ship to look at the people of the Drumming tribe below the ship. Their staring made the several people of the Drumming tribe feel scared.
Fan Mu led the members of his tribe into the tribe, and then chatted with Ao to tell him his difficult situation here.
“Since the Drumming tribe is in such a difficult situation, we are naturally willing to help you. After all, Shao Xuan got your help, but my people need a rest right now.”
“We can provide the shelters and food for you all, so that your warriors can have a proper rest!” Fan Mu said at once. In the Drumming tribe there was much space, so they could build some shelters within a few days.
“We can get our food. And we just need a few houses. After all, some of us can live on the ships."
The two chiefs were talking about the settlement. Outside the house, Shao Xuan and Fu Shi were also chatting.
The Shaman and Ao had Shao Xuan learn more about what happened outside the tribe in details.
“Son of a bitches. They’re robbing our water moonstones! It is said that they found a helper this year. Shao Xuan, if you did not come, we the Drumming tribe, would have had to confront with them alone.” Fu Shi indignantly said.
Listening to the story told by Fu Shi, Shao Xuan had a general understanding of what happened.
“Don't worry. We will not stand by silently.” Shao Xuan said.
Ao had determined to take this as their first test, and the warriors were gearing up.
The warriors had fought against ferocious beasts, but now they had to confront with human beings. Ao looked forward to their performance.
They had prepared for the battle, and hearing the whistle made them nervous. They heard the cry of an eagle, so they became very worried. And they soon confirmed it because they saw the chief, the shaman, and a group of people behind the chief rush to the bank of the river.
“Maybe…”
Fu Shi who was patrolling looked very surprised.
“Buddy, I have to leave for a moment.” Fu Shi said to the man beside him and ran to the river bank.
Left at home and sharpening a blade, Chen Jia, on hearing the cry of the eagle, rushed to the river bank while holding the sword. He was very familiar with the cry for he had often heard it.
Chief Fan Mu led many people to the river bank while looking for the eagle in the air.
“Shao Xuan!” Fan Mu said with happiness. He did not expect Shao Xuan to come here, but now he could ask Shao Xuan whether he could ask the Flaming Horns tribe.
“Chief, chief, look!” The man next to Fan Mu hit him with the elbow. He was so excited that he hit him very hard. He normally wouldn’t have dared to do so, but now he didn’t pay any attention to such a detail.
Fan Mu was about to ask him. He looked down, saw what was happening on the river. and suddenly opened his eyes wide.
Besides Fan Mu, everyone that rushed to see the scene were shocked.
On the river far from them, ships were approaching.
Those ships were not better than those of the Longboat tribe, but for the members of the Drumming tribe, they were the best ships they had ever seen, especially the three in the front.
“They are... members of the Longboat tribe?” Seeing the fleet, the people thought so at once.
“No, no!”
“That’sthe Flaming Horns tribe!”
The man who shouted next to him was so excited that his voice was shaking.
Although the ships were still far away from them, those with good eye sight could vaguely see the pattern painted on the sail, which looked like Shao Xuan’s totem pattern of the Flaming Horns tribe.
The Flaming Horns tribe. It was said that Shao Xuan had a good relationship with their tribe. Did the Flaming Horns tribe get the news and came to help them?
If so, that was really good!
What good news! When everyone around them was avoiding them and they thought they had to confront with the enemies alone and suffered a lot, that tribe came to help them.
On the other side, people on board found they were getting closer and closer to the river bank.
“Finally, we are here.”
“Are they the members of the Drumming tribe?!”
“Did they come to welcome us? So many people!”
“Tuo, look at me. How about the horn on my head?”
“Hey, wasn’t it said that there are crocodiles? The crocodiles, where are the crocodiles?”
People on board were chatting fervently.
“Hey!” Ao glanced at them.
Everyone stopped talking, raised their heads, straightened their backs, and showed the largest tooth of their bone necklaces.
Everyone wanted to show the Drumming tribe their best, because this was the first other tribe they had ever seen.
Ao managed to keep his image as a majestic chief, but his palms sweated so he had to wipe the sweat off his palms with his animal skin coat.
The Shaman kept his typical “Shaman Smile” and looked very calm. Those that didn’t know much about him would think the old man was very calm.
Chacha arrived there first and circled in the air for a while. It didn’t land until the chief of the Drumming tribe and the chaman got there.
Close to the ground, Shao Xuan released his hand holding the eagle claw, fell to the ground and stood firmly.
“Everyone, long time no see.” Shao Xuan looked at those of the Drumming tribe people and said with a smile.
“Shao Xuan!”
“Shao Xuan, you got taller!”
“Are you coming to help us?”
“Shao Xuan, those behind you are members of your tribe?”
Fan Mu knocked against those jostling and held back his excitement and joy. He said to Shao Xuan,“Long time no see, welcome to the Drumming tribe again.”
“Yes, our tribe is ready to go back to the old land. This time we need to go past your tribe. Sorry to bother you.” Shao Xuan said.
In the Drumming tribe, there were several tributaries flowing into the river, one of which was quite wide. The water level there had not dropped yet, so the ships could sail on it to go through this area.
“No problem.” Fan Mu agreed without hesitation, but then he glanced at the shaman. Then he said to Shao Xuan, “I will greet them in person.”
Shao Xuan noticed the talk between the two leaders of the Drumming tribe and knew that they kept something secret. The Drumming tribe was about to get some the water moonstones so he guessed they were talking about it.
Finished talking with Fan Mu, Shao Xuan once again returned to the ship, and told Fan Mu’s reply and his thoughts to the Shaman and Ao.
“If they are faced with the invasion and robbery as you said, we can help them. After all, they had helped you and Yan Zhi. It is the first tribe we have seen. As you said, since we want to be friendly and get mutual benefits, we should give them a hand when they are in trouble.” Ao said.
“Yes,” Said the Shaman, “the Flaming Horns tribe should not be silent.”
Ao smiled, looked at the shore that he was getting closer and closer, and said, “Take it as the first test after our return!”
The fleet headed towardsthe tributary in the Drumming tribe, and the people on the other side of the river gathered there.
The people of the Drumming tribe people had been in excitement at the beginning and laughed very loudly. But as the fleet was getting closer and closer, the people gradually became silent.
After the fleet came near, the people of the Drumming tribe saw everyone on board dressed up, so they were stunned.
The people of the Flaming Horns tribe looked... too magnificent. On such a hot day, didn’t they feel hot while wearing such a thick animal skin coat?
But their coats looked bright and smooth, and those that wore them in winter must feel warm. They didn’t know how many water moonstones they had to exchange for such a coat.
They also wore teeth necklaces. Look at the animal teeth!
What kind of beast could have such a tooth ?
The ships of the Flaming Horns tribe moved to the tributary and then docked at the shore.
The people of two tribes could see each other clearly.
In fact, the people of the Flaming Horns tribe were also excited, but they saw the chief look very serious. So they pretended to be serious as well, as what he did was always right!
The members of the Flaming Horns tribe looked as serious as they were faced with ferocious beasts so it seemed that they were ferocious and intimidating.
A gust of wind blew and Fu Shi shivered, scratched his arm and whispered to the next man, “I feel a little...” He didn’t say he was scared, the others had similar feeling.
They had thought the people of their tribe looked very domineering, but today when they sawthe people of the Flaming Horns tribe they suddenly felt that they looked even more tough! But that Shao Xuan was not like that!
“Is this really a small tribe?” Someone whispered.
The number of the members of this tribe was small. However, each of them looked so intimidating that no one dared to provoke them. Look at the beasts on board which were eager to… Something’s wrong!
“Chief, are the animals on the ship beasts? I have not seen such beasts.” A warrior leaned forward, pointed to the several heads exposed to them from the three large ships, and said to Fan Mu.
“Those are ferocious beasts!” Fan Mu stared at the ship, and almost said it word by word. When he saw it at first, he was not sure. But now they got closer, he found something was wrong. Thinking of Shao Xuan’s eagle, which was aferocious beast, he believed those on the ship were probably ferocious beasts.
Fan Mu held back his shock, his hand holding the sword was sweating. He hadn’t expected that the Flaming Horns tribe was such a tribe. Even though its number was small, Fan Mu was sure that if both sides had a fight now, the Drumming tribe would lose and suffer a lot.
The wooden ladder was put down on the largest ship, and the chief and the Shaman went down, side by side. They were followed by the two team leaders and behind the team leaders were outstanding young warriors of the Flaming Horns tribe.
Many people had planned to jump directly from the ships, but Ao told everyone to take the ladder, so they had to follow his order.
“Welcome to the Drumming tribe! I’m the Drumming tribe’s chief, Fan Mu.” Fan Mu went to them and said with a polite smile on his face.
“Nice to meet you.” Ao’s face serious but also smiled, “The Flaming Horns tribe chief, Ao.”
The two shamans saluted each other in their respective ways, face to face. For the shaman, salute was also as important as a ceremony.
After the introduction of both sides, it seemed that the two shamans, one with a mysterious smile, the other with a knowing smile, indicated something else.
Shao Xuan stood next to them and looked at them: “...”
It was not easy to be a shaman. The two shamans had had in-depth exchanges before they even talked to each other.
Based on Shao Xuan's understanding of the Shaman, he believed that the two shamans left a good impression on each other.
They had exchanged ideas without saying a word for a long time.
The chief and the shaman of the Drumming tribe invited the members of the Flaming Horns tribe to stay here. Ao intended to rest here for a few days. Although everyone now looked very energetic, it was only because they saw the members of another tribe for the first time. More or less, they were tired and needed a proper rest.
Some of them followed Ao and the Shaman into the tribe’s residence with the members of the Drumming tribe. Others, under the guidance of some people of the Drumming tribe, moored the ships in a suitable dock of the tributary, but they did not left the ships without the command of the chief. They still stayed there.
Moreover, even though they were excited, for they saw the Drumming tribe, they still needed to be vigilant.
Only those ferocious beasts felt very uncomfortable and grabbed the edges of the ship to look at the people of the Drumming tribe below the ship. Their staring made the several people of the Drumming tribe feel scared.
Fan Mu led the members of his tribe into the tribe, and then chatted with Ao to tell him his difficult situation here.
“Since the Drumming tribe is in such a difficult situation, we are naturally willing to help you. After all, Shao Xuan got your help, but my people need a rest right now.”
“We can provide the shelters and food for you all, so that your warriors can have a proper rest!” Fan Mu said at once. In the Drumming tribe there was much space, so they could build some shelters within a few days.
“We can get our food. And we just need a few houses. After all, some of us can live on the ships."
The two chiefs were talking about the settlement. Outside the house, Shao Xuan and Fu Shi were also chatting.
The Shaman and Ao had Shao Xuan learn more about what happened outside the tribe in details.
“Son of a bitches. They’re robbing our water moonstones! It is said that they found a helper this year. Shao Xuan, if you did not come, we the Drumming tribe, would have had to confront with them alone.” Fu Shi indignantly said.
Listening to the story told by Fu Shi, Shao Xuan had a general understanding of what happened.
“Don't worry. We will not stand by silently.” Shao Xuan said.
Ao had determined to take this as their first test, and the warriors were gearing up.
The warriors had fought against ferocious beasts, but now they had to confront with human beings. Ao looked forward to their performance.
