The Survival of the Wild Tribe

119

"A Shui!" Hei Ya, who hadn't left the tribe with Lu Zhan, was busy working on a new weapon based on Luo Zhen's design when he heard the commotion. Startled, his heart skipped a beat, and without even bothering to close the door, he hurried towards the square.

Perhaps because the area was deserted, the Human Face Bird didn't seem concerned about the orc warriors on the walls or roofs. It lingered without haste, unfazed by the arrows shot at it. Concerned about injuring Ah Shui, Luo Zhen refrained from making any reckless moves.

However, he instructed Lu Yi to climb onto the arrow and conceal himself in the shadows. Once the Human Face Bird flew out of bow range, Luo Zhen planned to seize the opportunity for Lu Yi to attack, though he worried about Ah Shui's safety during the fall from such a height.

Before he could act, a powerful figure suddenly appeared in the sky, using wood and a rucksack thrown into the air as stepping stones. With a swift kick, the figure propelled himself high into the air, landing firmly on the back of the Human Face Bird in just two leaps.

Not even the orc warriors of Black Cliff noticed the man's movements until they scrutinized him, recognizing him as Black Abyss.

The sudden weight on its back caused the Human Face Bird to lose balance and land at a distance, but being an adult male bird, it quickly regained composure, soaring out of arrow range.

Hei Yuan's swift actions angered the Human Face Bird, prompting it to attempt throwing him off with a mid-air flip. But Hei Yuan's grip on its neck remained firm, seemingly unaffected by the bird's struggles. Meanwhile, Ah Shui, carried on the bird's back, felt increasingly nauseous and dizzy as it swooped and dove through the air.

"Has your king forgotten our agreement because I've been away too long?" Hei Yuan's voice, though calm, carried a chilling undertone. Even through the bird's feathers, the pressure of his touch was palpable.

The Human Face Bird screeched, trying to ascend higher, but Hei Yuan countered by pressing its head downward. The bird, with its enormous human-like face, turned pale, and its body plummeted uncontrollably from the sky.

Luo Zhen and Hei Ya, watching from the ground, were stunned by Hei Yuan's actions. They knew Ah Shui was just an ordinary child; a fall from such a height, with the added weight of the bird and orc, could easily result in a gruesome outcome.

"Hei Yuan, are you trying to kill Ah Shui?" Luo Zhen shouted anxiously as Hei Yuan continued to descend rapidly from the sky.

Hei Ya had already rushed over, but Hei Yuan's movements remained unchanged. Just before the human face bird landed, Hei Yuan suddenly grabbed its neck, causing it to emit a few struggling sounds. Instinctively, the bird flapped its wings, slowing its descent. Whatever Hei Yuan did, it caused the bird's claws to loosen, allowing Ah Shui to fall from mid-air and be caught by the rushing Black Cliff.

Luo Zhen breathed a sigh of relief, but seeing Hei Yuan still on the back of the human face bird left him unsettled. Despite not being a qualified father figure to Lu Zhan, Luo Zhen didn't want to witness any further unexpected events.

"If you don't understand human language, you don't have to listen," Hei Yuan muttered, conjuring a small cluster of flames. Soon, the human face bird's wings were ablaze, and the fire spread rapidly. Just before being engulfed by flames, Hei Yuan released his grip, his body falling from mid-air as if drained of strength.

Thinking Hei Yuan was injured, Hei Ya entrusted Ah Shui to a nearby soldier and moved to catch Hei Yuan. However, Hei Yuan executed a graceful turn in mid-air and landed gently on the ground.

"Are you hurt?" Luo Zhen asked, inspecting Hei Yuan, but before he could receive a response, he heard a loud rumble from Hei Yuan's stomach, drawing curious glances from nearby soldiers.

"I'm hungry," Hei Yuan admitted.

Luo Zhen declined Hei Yuan's request to eat the human face bird, feeling nauseous at the thought of consuming flesh from a creature with a human-like face. Instead, he reluctantly agreed to provide food for Hei Yuan. After satisfying his hunger, Hei Yuan watched as the human face bird was reduced to ashes in the fire.

Ah Shui was a little frightened, but his giant acne skin armor protected him from any serious injuries caused by the human face bird's sharp claws. Luo Zhen instructed Heiya to escort Hei Yuan back to his home. He then dealt with the aftermath of the human face bird incident, organizing a group of soldiers and guards to patrol the city wall together before returning to his own home.

Upon entering, Luo Zhen found Hei Yuan sitting by the fire in a daze. The stone pot simmered with a tantalizing aroma, but Hei Yuan made no move to eat.

"Aren't you hungry? Why aren't you eating?" Luo Zhen handed him a bowl of softly cooked stew.

Taking a sniff, Hei Yuan asked, "What did you put in? It smells so strong."

"Wild ginger, wild garlic, dried lettuce, salted fruit, green pear jam..." Luo Zhen listed the ingredients, omitting the nectar from the flame ant.

Curious about the chopsticks Luo Zhen held, Hei Yuan asked, "What are these two sticks for?" gesturing to the utensils.

"They're for eating," Luo Zhen demonstrated how to use them, also showing how to eat with a fork.

Intrigued, Hei Yuan attempted to learn, although his hunger made him eat slowly and awkwardly. Despite being able to pick up the food with the fork, Hei Yuan often dropped it back into the bowl before reaching his mouth, frustrating Luo Zhen.

Later, Luo Zhen discussed the human face bird situation with Heiya and the others. With most formidable warriors like Heifujiao Zhushan Pine accompanying Lu Zhan, the tribe lacked defense against such intrusions. Although the human face bird was swiftly dealt with, the tribe's children were confined indoors for safety.

When Luo Zhen returned, Hei Yuan had just finished the bowl of stew. He reluctantly set down the wooden bowl, which now appeared completely clean, as if freshly washed.

Luo Zhen couldn't help but think, "Why do I feel like I'm treating my elderly father-in-law?" He quickly dismissed the thought and approached, refilling the bowl for Hei Yuan. He noticed that Hei Yuan had improved his use of the fork, now rarely dropping food back into the bowl.

"After you eat, you can stay here for the night," Luo Zhen offered, fetching an unused animal skin quilt from the back room. He noticed Hei Yuan's dirty clothes and mud-stained face, feeling compelled to provide some comfort. Setting aside the quilt, he heated a pot of water for washing.

The hot water was prepared under the tub, ensuring it stayed warm even for extended soaking. Despite Luo Zhen's actions, Hei Yuan remained focused on his meal, seemingly uninterested in the gestures of hospitality.

Meanwhile, Lu Yi, still resentful towards Hei Yuan, snuck off Luo Zhen's collar and approached Hei Yuan's feet. Despite the freezing temperatures outside, Hei Yuan walked barefoot in the snow, seemingly unaffected by the cold. However, Lu Yi found the smell unpleasant and bit Hei Yuan's feet, expecting a reaction. Yet, Hei Yuan continued eating the stew without much change in expression.

After finishing another bowl of stew, Hei Yuan looked at Lu Yi with a smile and asked, "Little guy, enjoying the taste of my feet?" Startled, Lu Yi backed away, but Hei Yuan's hand quickly lifted him up.

Despite Lu Yi's attempt at anesthetic attack, he was just a lone soldier ant. Facing Hei Yuan's strength, Lu Yi could do little but endure. Even though flame ants typically moved in groups, a single one posed little threat to larger creatures.