The Survival of the Wild Tribe

117

"A Zhan," Luo Zhen exclaimed, startled by Lu Zhan's sudden actions.

Lu Zhan's eyes were red, seemingly oblivious to Luo Zhen's presence as he fiercely sank his teeth into the man's neck.

The man, though not appearing to be an orc warrior or displaying any signs of transforming into a beast, calmly extended his hand and pressed it against Lu Zhan's forehead, halting his assault. Despite Lu Zhan's efforts, he struggled in the snow, claws churning the earth beneath.

"Why? Don't you recognize me?" the man inquired, tilting his head with a smirk.

In response, Lu Zhan unleashed a powerful tail strike aimed at the man's throat, displaying his intent to inflict harm.

Undeterred by Lu Zhan's aggression, the man engaged him with an air of nonchalance, resembling an uncle playfully teasing a dog in the park. Luo Zhen felt a twinge of embarrassment at his own analogy but couldn't stand idly by. Drawing an arrow, he took aim, intending to wound rather than kill.

Despite facing Luo Zhen, the man seemed aware of the incoming projectile, casually catching it mid-flight.

As the man glanced towards Luo Zhen, Lu Yi seized the opportunity to attack, only to be swiftly restrained.

"Flame Ant?" the man remarked, intrigued by Lu Yi's presence.

Suddenly realizing the imminent danger, Lu Yi cried out for help, prompting a momentary pause from the man.

Surprised by the man's awareness of Lu Yi, Luo Zhen hesitated to fire another arrow, but was urged to stand down by Black Cliff.

"Don't shoot him. That man..." Black Cliff paused before revealing his identity. "He is Hei Yuan."

"Hei Yuan? The leader's father?" Hei Fu interjected, incredulous.

"A Zhan's father?" Luo Zhen echoed, his disbelief evident. Could it be the father who disappeared when Lu Zhan was just a child?

Young orc warriors like Ah Qing may have never heard of the name Heiyuan, but those like Heiya and Heifu, who have lived in the same tribe with Heiyuan, are familiar with his exploits. It was Heiyuan and his partner who braved the dangers of Changfeng Mountain to confront the king of the human-faced birds, ultimately opening a passage to the Tiger and Lion Tribe for stone salt trade.

As they departed, the route became increasingly perilous, requiring several orc warriors from the tribe to travel together to pass safely. However, even with this precaution, casualties were still common.

"Father? Who are you calling your father, little one?" Hei Yuan kicked Lu Zhan's head while keeping his attention on the small fiery red figure struggling between his fingers.

Lu Yi had intended to bite, confident that his saliva could incapacitate the man's arm. However, the man's grip was too strong, rendering him immobile and unable to attack.

With a sour smell emanating from the man's unwashed feet, Lu Zhan transformed and grasped the man's ankle. Expecting resistance, Lu Zhan was surprised when the man effortlessly tossed him into the snow.

After freeing himself, Lu Yi returned to Lu Zhan's side, emboldened once more, urging, "[Father, beat him, beat him!]"

Uncomprehending, Lu Zhan observed the motionless man, commanding, "Get up."

Ignoring Lu Zhan's commands, the man remained still. Lu Zhan cautiously approached, opting to kick rather than touch him directly. "Dead?"

The man, barely conscious, muttered, "You'll learn to bite when you grow up."

Frustrated, Lu Zhan prepared to attack, his emotions heightened, but the man's apparent hunger and weakness gave him pause. Realizing the futility of the fight, Lu Zhan left in disdain, leaving the man lying in the snow.

As the man watched Luo Zhen depart, his eyes darkened, revealing no emotion. Without calling out to Lu Zhan, he closed his eyes, feigning sleep.

"[Father, aren't you going to fight anymore?" Lu Yi inquired.

Luo Zhen remained silent.

Without the leader's command, even former tribe warriors weren't allowed to enter the Sun Yao tribe, yet Heiyuan seemed reluctant to come inside. He remained motionless in the snow, leaving Luo Zhen unsure if he had truly fallen asleep.

Leaving the city wall, Luo Zhen searched for Lu Zhan, finding him chopping wood with a bone axe piled on the edge of the square. Lu Zhan had already chopped a considerable amount by the time Luo Zhen arrived.

Seeing Luo Zhen, Lu Yi hurriedly retreated, lamenting, "[Mother, father ignored me.]"

Despite Luo Zhen's corrections, Lu Yi persisted in calling him mother instead of father, which left Luo Zhen resigned. He soothed Lu Yi, who obediently crawled back onto Luo Zhen's collar.

"Are you planning to chop all the firewood here?" Luo Zhen observed the broken bone axe, realizing that Lu Zhan's splitting method was more about venting frustration than efficient wood cutting.

Immersed in work, Lu Zhan remained silent as Luo Zhen watched without interruption. Only after chopping enough firewood for the entire tribe's winter needs did Lu Zhan finally cease his labor.

Luo Zhen stacked the chopped firewood and covered it with animal skins to protect it from the snow. "Hungry? I'll make something delicious when we get home," he suggested.

Lu Zhan, his hands sore and tired from a day of chopping, accepted the offer without protest, following Luo Zhen home.

Later in the evening, Hei Ya visited, likely to discuss Heiyuan's situation, but Luo Zhen dismissed him. After Lu Zhan fell asleep, Luo Zhen quietly prepared food, packed it into a box, and ventured outside the city.

With soldiers guarding the city wall, Luo Zhen gathered a large group of soldier ants from the ant nest, ensuring their safety. He found Heiyuan buried in the snow, seemingly frozen.

Awakened by the movement, Heiyuan greeted Luo Zhen, recognizing him as the "little boy's partner." He promptly retrieved a box from his backpack, presenting it to Luo Zhen as a gift.

Filled with curiosity, Luo Zhen accepted the box, noting its exquisite craftsmanship. Heiyuan urged him to open it, revealing its contents—Yunjing, a substance that enhances strength—leaving Luo Zhen in disbelief.