Chapter 38: The Unyielding Paper Effigy, Laying an Ambush

Zhao Yu was speechless at Zeng Fan’s self-introduction. "Fellow Daoist, fellow Daoist? What kind of 'fellow' are you talking about? I am but a mere mortal."

Moreover, the situation seemed dire. These men in black were fearsome; a group of only twenty had slaughtered over two thousand people. If it were him, Zhao Yu reckoned he couldn't kill two thousand people even if he were worked to death—after all, he found it difficult enough just to catch a rabbit.

He couldn't afford to provoke them. Yet, if he backed down... he had come to the Youxiong Tribe specifically for incense crystals. He shouldn't have come today. Caught in a dilemma, Zhao Yu fell silent, not knowing what to say.

Seeing this, Zeng Fan’s heart sank. He then turned to Tie Shi. "I have said my piece. The previous events were our fault. If the Youxiong Tribe requires compensation, you need only speak. But if the tribe insists on defiance and wishes to fight... then let us fight. You only need to be prepared to bear the consequences that follow!"

Tie Shi trembled even more violently. He wanted to kill, but as his gaze swept across the depths of the tribe, his eyes turned listless. If they truly fought back, the Provincial Governor, whose authority had been challenged, would certainly send even more powerful experts into the Yin Mountains. By then, all the remaining tribesmen of the Youxiong would perish.

Demand compensation? He was filled with resentment, but he felt powerless. Ask Zhao Yu for help? Tie Shi looked at Zhao Yu, desperate to speak, but his lips moved without a sound. These men in black were the Governor’s men; they were the people of the Great Qian.

Finally, Tie Shi roared, "Get out!"

Zeng Fan smiled; he knew these tribesmen would eventually make the right choice. Leave immediately? He glanced at Zhao Yu. This mysterious expert had remained silent throughout, leaving Zeng Fan unsure of his intentions and hesitant to act rashly. After all, unless necessary, no one wanted to die.

After a moment of thought, Zeng Fan tossed a sheet of silver paper behind him. "Your tribe has few survivors left, and you will likely struggle to survive in the Yin Mountains. This paper contains a map for a teleportation array leading to an empty land outside these mountains. If you are willing, set up the array and bring your people into the Great Qian. Become our citizens, and with my personal guarantee, no one will dare to harass you. If your people work diligently, everyone will have food and clothing, and you will no longer need to fear the scourge of evil spirits."

"Farewell." The group of men in black leaped away like the wind.

Tie Shi, filled with hatred, instinctively tried to crush the silver paper. With his cultivation, he could have pulverized it instantly. Yet, no matter how hard he tried, he could not bring himself to destroy it.

A long time passed.

Tie Shi exhaled deeply and gave a bitter smile to Zhao Yu. "Forgive me for the unseemly display, Brother Zhao."

"No need to apologize," Zhao Yu waved his hand slightly. Internally, he sighed; given the situation, it was hard to ask if they had any incense crystals.

Suddenly, a shrill, miserable scream echoed from afar, followed by a light breeze. Zeng Fan and his men had all retreated. Tie Shi stared into the distance, stunned, then sneered, "Good riddance."

Anger rose in the eyes of Zeng Fan’s men, but they said nothing.

Tie Shi turned, looking pleased. "Brother Zhao, this is not the place for conversation. Shall we go inside?"

"Alright."

Zhao Yu and Tie Shi entered the Youxiong Tribe. Looking around, most of the buildings were in ruins. The survivors near the temple were either still in shock or filled with terror. Paper money fluttered through the air like snow. Tie Shi glanced at his tribesmen but dared not look too long, leading Zhao Yu straight to his home.

Zhao Yu thought for a moment and advised, "You have many things to handle right now. Don't stand on ceremony with me; you should go take care of your business."

Tie Shi paused, then gave a bitter smile. "If anyone else said that, it would be mere lip service. But since it is you, Brother Zhao... then I will go." He bowed slightly and hurried away.

Others brought food and drink. Though not as lavish as before, it was still tasty. Zhao Yu took a few bites and set down his bowl—the giant wolf meat noodles back home were still better, more nutritious and chewy. He rose silently, stepped outside, and climbed onto the roof, looking down at the now desolate Youxiong Tribe. He pulled out his firewood chopper.

"Zhao Yu, Zhao Yu, are you unhappy?" The chopper grew a face and asked with concern.

Zhao Yu thought for a moment and shook his head. "Not unhappy. Just... I don't understand."

"What don't you understand?" the chopper asked blankly.

Zhao Yu stroked his chin, increasingly perplexed. "I understand why the man-eaters kill; they need to eat. Because they need to eat, they must hunt. Just like me—I want to eat little rabbits, so whenever I see one, I must catch it. Same with the wolves and tigers from before; I want to eat them, so I have to catch them all."

"But those men in black... they don't seem to be man-eaters. Why do they kill? And so many of them, too."

Having said this, Zhao Yu looked completely confused. He truly did not understand.

Over two thousand people... he couldn't even fathom how many people that was, all gathered together.

The chopper spoke offhandedly, "It’s just human selfishness and desire... Don't think about it. It has nothing to do with you, and you're not like them." It continued to offer words of comfort.

Zhao Yu pondered for a moment and suddenly realized, "I get it! They're just a bunch of barbarians! No wonder that Lingxu fellow and his lot were so untrustworthy—they didn't even keep their word after signing and stamping!"

That must be it. He was quite the clever one.

The chopper stayed silent.

Zhao Yu looked at the temple and felt a headache. Should he stop considering Tie Shi a good friend? Under the current circumstances, it really wasn't the right time to ask the Bear God for incense crystals. But if they weren't friends anymore, he wouldn't be in a dilemma, and the question of whether it was the "right time" wouldn't matter.

Thinking of this, Zhao Yu's eyes lit up. "Yes, that's what I'll do!"

He stood up with his hands behind his back and sauntered toward the temple. Before he reached it, Tie Shi hurried over. "Brother Zhao, are you here to worship?" The High Priest had just sent a telepathic message, telling him to stop Zhao Yu at all costs from entering the temple to offer incense.

Zhao Yu immediately put on a fierce expression. "You and I are no longer good friends! Don't stop me, or I'll chop you to death!" He brandished his firewood chopper and continued toward the temple.

Since they were no longer friends, if Tie Shi tried to stop him, he would truly chop him!

Tie Shi stood there in a daze. Good friends? When were he and Zhao Yu ever good friends? Moreover, wasn't the term "good friend" a bit odd for cultivators to use? Shouldn't it be "close friend" or "fellow Daoist with a deep connection"? Most importantly, wasn't Zhao Yu's gesture with the chopper completely non-threatening? If Zhao Yu had just given him a cold glare, he wouldn't have dared to say another word.

As these chaotic thoughts settled, Tie Shi realized Zhao Yu had already reached the temple. Well, he couldn't stop him. Hopefully, the High Priest could handle it.

At the temple, the High Priest, wearing a mask, rushed over. "Brother Zhao, what brings you here?" He cursed internally—the Chieftain was too unreliable; he couldn't even stop Zhao Yu, who was usually so easy to talk to.

"Need to have a word with your god."

With that, Zhao Yu circled around toward the temple, trying to look as fierce as possible. "Bear God, come out! Or I'll chop you to death!"