In the stilt house, Qing Ye and Jiang Xuan sat across from each other by the fire pit.
The fire pit in the stilt house was built with stones and mud from the foundation, which is one of the architectural features of the Crocodile Tribe.
While roasting beast at, Qing Ye softly looked at Jiang Xuan and said, "Two years have passed, and you didn't co to see . I thought you had forgotten about ."
Jiang Xuan said sowhat awkwardly, "In the past two years, a lot has happened in the tribe. The tribes migrating from the Western Wilderness clashed intensely with us, and I really couldn't find the ti to co."
Hearing about the tribal war, Qing Ye asked nervously, "You didn't get seriously injured, did you?"
"No, I've always had decent luck, and besides, the Vine God is watching over us."
Qing Ye breathed a sigh of relief, "That's good."
Soon, they both fell silent again, with only the crackling of the fire and the sizzling sound of roasting at in the house.
When the roasted at was done, Qing Ye handed a large skewer of it to Jiang Xuan.
"This is Rock Frog we hunted in the Great Swamp, the at should be pretty good, try it."
Jiang Xuan took the roasted frog at, and after letting it cool slightly, took a bite. A rich aroma imdiately filled his mouth.
"It's indeed good; the texture is very tender, and it's perfectly roasted."
Jiang Xuan's praise brought a smile to Qing Ye's face, "Eat more. Since the last ti in the Black Water Swamp when that giant frog swallowed you whole,..."
Jiang Xuan nodded and then began to chew the at voraciously because the Rock Frog at indeed tasted much better than ordinary beast at.
After finishing the at, Qing Ye also brought out so Fish Scale Fruit and wild berries harvested from the Black Water Swamp for Jiang Xuan to try.
After eating and drinking their fill, they chatted for a while longer as the night grew deeper.
Qing Ye moved closer and closer to Jiang Xuan from across him, finally reaching behind him, and quietly raised a short stick as thick as a cup.
Jiang Xuan suddenly turned around, saw the stick, and bewilderedly asked, "Qing Ye, what are you doing?"
Qing Ye said without changing her expression, "I want to hit you with this stick, so you can stay here overnight."
Jiang Xuan suddenly rembered that so people in the tribe had a tradition. When young n and won fancied soone they liked, they would knock them out with a stick and carry them ho or consummate their relationship under the open sky.
Of course, so crude warriors were so strong that they couldn't control the force and sotis ended up killing the person they liked. Afterward, the witches of each tribe strictly ordered the tribesn not to violently hit people on the head with sticks anymore.
However, the act of hitting people on the head with a stick didn't disappear but instead turned into a sort of ceremony.
For example, now, if Jiang Xuan was willing to stay overnight, he would pretend not to see the stick. After Qing Ye gently tapped him, he would cooperatively pretend to be knocked out.
If he wasn't willing, he would refuse to be hit and leave for the guest room the Crocodile Tribe prepared for him.
Jiang Xuan looked at Qing Ye and sincerely said, "Thank you for the food, but I have very important and urgent matters to take care of here in the central region this ti. Staying overnight... maybe next ti... get so rest early, I'm heading back."
Then he stood up, opened the door of the stilt house, and dashed out.
Ran... ran away?
Qing Ye glared at the empty door, throwing the stick away in exasperation, and cursed with a choked voice, "Bastard, eat and run, just how long will you have wait?"
However, Jiang Xuan had already run far away by then, with only the night wind responding to her.
In the central lake of the tribe, the Crocodile God glanced in this direction, turned over, and went back to sleep.
Back in the guest room arranged by the Crocodile Tribe, Jiang Xuan lay on the bed, feeling unrestful.
To be fair, Qing Ye was indeed a good woman, strong, and beautiful. They had even shared trials in the Black Water Swamp. To say he wasn't moved at all was impossible.
But currently, the situation of the Vine Tribe was a bit complicated, and to continue growing and thriving, they had to leave the barren Northern South Wilderness and enter the central region.
But for such a large tribe to squeeze into the fertile central region, how could other tribes possibly agree?
Don't be fooled by the seemingly good relationship with the Crocodile Tribe; when it cos to matters of tribal interests, the Crocodile Tribe would never make concessions.
Once a conflict arises, how should he and Qing Ye handle themselves then?
Therefore, faced with Qing Ye's attempt to persuade him to stay overnight, he could only seemingly ruthlessly run away, not daring to really engage in a substantial relationship with her.
Jiang Xuan planned to wait until the Vine Tribe's power entered the central region and the situation beca clearer before considering his personal feelings.
Because as the leader of the Vine Tribe, every move he made could potentially affect the entire tribe's configuration.
"Sigh..."
Jiang Xuan let out a long breath, then stopped thinking about these matters and closed his eyes, turning to sleep.
Early the next morning, after waking up and eating sothing simple, Jiang Xuan imdiately went to bid farewell to the leader of the Crocodile Tribe.
Chi Mu said in surprise, "Already leaving so soon? You traveled so far, why not stay a few more days?"
Jiang Xuan said, "Chief Chi Mu, to be honest, we have so important matters to handle in the central region this ti. When we have more ti next, we'll definitely co back to visit the Crocodile Tribe."
"Alright, if that's the case, I won't keep you then." Chi Mu turned to Shi Ya, who was standing nearby, and said, "Prepare so at jerky and fruits to give to Leader Xuan and his people as provisions."
"Yes!"
Shi Ya imdiately went to prepare at jerky and wild fruit, packed them in beast hide bags, and carried two big bags over to Jiang Xuan.
"Thank you, Chief Chi Mu. We'll be on our way then. Next ti, when there's an opportunity, be sure to visit our Vine Tribe, and I'll properly host you."
"Hahaha, alright, it's a deal then."
Chi Mu laughed heartily as he saw Jiang Xuan and his two companions off from the tribe, even sending two large crocodiles to transport them to the opposite river bank.
Once ashore, Jiang Xuan blew the bone whistle, summoning Tang Yuan back, and loaded their luggage and the gifts from the Crocodile Tribe onto Tang Yuan's back. The three of them then mounted Tang Yuan and set off again.
"Whee..."
Tang Yuan spiraled upward and let out sharp cries.
In the Crocodile Tribe, Qing Ye bit her lip, watching that enormous Fierce Bird gradually fade into the distance. Her eyes unwittingly reddened, as she had no idea how long this farewell would last, or even if they'd et again.
Living in this perilous land, wars, diseases, fierce birds and beasts, poisonous insects, and snakes could easily claim a life. No one could guarantee their safe passage to old age.
Shi Ya, seeing Qing Ye standing by the river, curiously approached and asked, "Sister, why didn't you co out to see Leader Xuan off just now?"
Qing Ye wiped the corner of her eye, composed herself, and then glared at Shi Ya, "Mind your own business. Just focus on doing your work."
After that, Qing Ye turned and left, leaving Shi Ya stunned and dumbfounded, having been inexplicably scolded.
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