TPWBI Chapter 32

Hei Lie organized fifty elite warriors and brought along twenty ordinary people specifically for transportation, preparing to head to the Green Python tribe together.

Before setting out, a series of preparations must be made.

It’s essential to ensure that one presents themselves as friendly while also safeguarding their personal safety.

It’s hard to judge the other party’s attitude. A fierce confrontation cannot be ruled out.

Even if the intention is to make allies, both sides will still test each other’s strength.

It’s very common for a fight to break out before any real interaction begins.

The newly fired pottery from the pottery group has already been delivered to the tribe. This batch shows even greater improvement than before.

The pieces are uniformly black and glossy, thin and smooth, with especially significant breakthroughs in their shapes.

Previously, the pottery consisted mostly of standard bowls and jars. Now that the technique has been mastered and there’s no urgent need for specific types of pottery in the tribe, they’ve begun to focus on the aesthetics.

Not only are beautiful patterns painted on, but some pieces are also molded into artistic shapes, giving them a much stronger sense of artistry.

Large ceramic vats have also been delivered. One of the biggest is taller than Mao and can be used to store water.

Although fetching water in the tribe is easy, there are still too few containers. Every time water is needed, people have to run back and forth. While no one finds it particularly troublesome, with so many people, they often have to queue up, which wastes a lot of time.

Now, with water vats for storage, drawing water has become much more convenient.

Currently, each area has one large vat shared by many people. As the pottery group continues to produce more vats, the number of people sharing each one will decrease, making things increasingly convenient.

The pottery group also specially crafted ceramic buckets for carrying water. Although they’re much heavier than aluminum ones, the weight and distance are still manageable for the people in the tribe.

More importantly, these buckets will never deteriorate or disappear.

“This is so beautiful. Did we really make this ourselves?”

Jiao exclaimed in awe as she held a small ceramic jar. The jar had a round belly and a slender neck, with two “ears” on the sides. Its shape was elegant, and the geometric patterns painted on it were stunning.

To Yang Yi, it still felt a bit rough. But considering the current level of productivity here, this jar was already an impressive achievement.

And its significance was profound. It marked the beginning of a new chapter in pottery-making for these primitive people.

Future archaeologists would surely marvel at it. It could easily become a key exhibit in a museum.

“They came up with all of this on their own. I didn’t even have time to offer suggestions,” Yang Yi said with a smile, equally impressed by their remarkable creativity.

To maintain production while also incorporating so many imaginative ideas, and actually bringing them to life, was no small feat.

Yang Yi had once worried that his emphasis on practicality and mass production, modeled after post-industrial systems, might hinder artistic development.

But the truth proved otherwise: everyone has an innate pursuit of beauty, a desire to express it.

As long as that quality exists, the development of art will never be stifled.

“This is all the power of the gods,” Jiao murmured in admiration.

Yang Yi simply smiled and said nothing.

Among the items brought to the Green Python Tribe this time was black pottery, though the quantity was limited and it wasn’t the finest batch.

Yang Yi was quite surprised when he learned this. Isn’t it customary to offer the best goods when trying to build friendly relations, to show sincerity and strength?

But Hei Lie and the others didn’t see it that way: “Of course, the best things stay in the tribe, for our people. We don’t even have enough for ourselves. Besides, what we’re giving them isn’t bad.”

After hearing that, Yang Yi found their reasoning sound. The locals’ way of thinking was more suited to this environment. He didn’t feel he had the right to comment.

Before departure, all the warriors polished their weapons until they gleamed, cleaned their fur garments, and trimmed their hair. Most wore close-cropped styles, and quite a few had shaved in decorative patterns.

The entire group stood tall and powerful, radiating energy. Just lining up drew everyone’s attention.

“Wow! They’re dazzling!”

“A lineup like this… Only our Spark Tribe could pull it off in the entire Eastern Continent!”

“When I grow up, I want to be just like them!”

“You little rascal, I never realized you were this good-looking. When you come back, girls will be lining up to have your babies.”

“…”

Yang Yi was equally stunned by the sight of the team. Their presence was completely different from usual.

They were always imposing, but standing together now, deliberately organized and dressed, they exuded an incomparable aura.

Fierce, dignified, and sacred—radiating an untouchable majesty.

No one could quite explain the feeling, but the reverence that welled up inside was unmistakably real.

Their clothing was mostly of a similar style and color. Yang Yi had previously considered introducing standardized uniforms, but Hei Lie rejected the idea.

Everything the tribe already possessed was enough to make them look formidable.

Besides, while Yang Yi’s fabric garments were nice, they couldn’t match the raw intimidation that fur conveyed.

Abundant fur not only symbolized wealth but also signified the team’s formidable combat strength. Only powerful warriors could hunt so many animals.

The stronger the animal the fur came from, the more it showcased their power.

However, Hei Lie did take Yang Yi’s suggestion about uniformity to heart and outfitted the entire team in similarly colored fur garments, with roughly matching styles.

They also shaved their heads again. Even those who didn’t shave had to groom their hair properly—no dirt, no tangles.

When Yang Yi first integrated into the tribe, he had the earliest members clean their hair.

Back then, their hair was filthy and matted and, worst of all, infested with lice!

Yang Yi once saw someone pluck a louse from their head and toss it into their mouth. It utterly disgusted him.

So once he had some authority, Yang Yi insisted that everyone either clean their hair thoroughly and use insect repellent or shave it off entirely. Hair had to be washed regularly and kept from becoming too dirty.

At the time, there were also wounded people who needed a clean environment.

Yang Yi explained the importance of hygiene to Jiao and Ting, who then passed the message on to others.

As a result, most people shaved their heads, including the women who cared about their appearance.

Later, when Hei Lie and his group arrived, they adopted the same tradition.

They discovered that having no hair felt much fresher and more comfortable. Without the annoyance of lice, people were less irritable. In the jungle, they no longer had to worry about their hair getting tangled in branches.

In the past, people didn’t shave their heads simply because the concept didn’t exist, and they lacked the proper tools.

Once Yang Yi provided razors and demonstrated how convenient shaving could be, they happily shaved their own heads.

The people here had very defined facial features. Once cleaned up, they looked sharp and handsome. Cleanliness noticeably enhanced their appearance.

At first, everyone shaved purely for practicality. Later, they began experimenting with styles, turning haircuts into a form of expression.

Some didn’t like shaving, especially the women. But with the combs Yang Yi brought, they began grooming their hair properly instead of leaving it messy like a bird’s nest. They even started braiding their hair in various styles, decorating it with flowers and other ornaments, becoming a beautiful sight to behold.

Yang Yi’s emphasis on cleanliness transformed the entire tribe. Everyone looked more spirited and vibrant than before.

Now, this fierce team, after a deliberate makeover, radiated an entirely different aura.

Moreover, this team had been specially trained by Hei Lie.

Unlike before, their training incorporated modern military techniques. Though it had only been a few days, the transformation was striking. They looked like completely new people.

Yang Yi didn’t know how to train soldiers, nor did he understand how local teams should be drilled.

But he figured that with the wealth of knowledge from later generations, he could at least offer Hei Lie some inspiration.

So he took out his laptop, charged it with a solar battery, and let Hei Lie watch and learn from it.

This was a privilege unique to Hei Lie. Yang Yi could confidently allow him to engage directly with everything on Earth, including people, without needing to hide anything.

After watching, Hei Lie gained a great deal, though he didn’t immediately apply the training methods to his own troops. Instead, he reflected on what he had learned.

He wanted Earth’s military training methods to be adapted to better suit their people.

So for now, the training hadn’t been fully extended to warriors or strong civilians. It was only a basic preparation for this journey to the Green Python Tribe.

Even so, the results were astonishing. Just seeing them stand in formation gave off a completely different feeling.

They didn’t yet have a concept of a formal army, but they could already sense the power of one.

Bold and spirited, they gave off a reassuring presence, making others feel safe knowing such people were protecting them.

“Good luck,” Yang Yi said, sending them off.

Hei Lie raised a clenched fist in salute, his other hand gripping a blackstone weapon held high. He let out a roar.

The fifty warriors followed suit, raising their fists and weapons, unleashing a thunderous shout in unison.

The twenty strong civilians assigned to transport supplies didn’t have the same imposing aura as the warriors, but their coordinated attire and confident demeanor made them look equally vibrant and full of energy.

They carried their own weapons, ready to fight at any moment.

On their shoulders were large rattan baskets filled with supplies. They didn’t use the tribe’s carts.

As Hei Lie put it, they needed to display both their strength and abundance, but also maintain a sense of restraint.

Ever since this man learned to read, his mind had become increasingly sharp.

Before leaving, Hei Lie walked up to Yang Yi and opened his arms, pulling him into an embrace.

“I will return safely.”

Yang Yi patted him on the back. “Bring everyone back.”

“Bring everyone back.”

Hei Lie and his group set off toward the Green Python Tribe, which was hidden deep within the dense forest and not easy to locate.

The jungle was full of dangers. They might encounter traps left behind by the Green Python Tribe, so they had to be extremely cautious.

“We’ll set up camp here for tonight,” Hei Lie said, stopping and surveying the surroundings.

Xi Hou was surprised. “It’s still early. Why stop now? We’ve got prepared jerky, so we don’t need to go looking for food.”

“The Green Python Tribe is just ahead. Once we enter their territory, they’ll definitely make a move at night to give us a show of force.”

“A show of force?”

“Basically, they’ll try to show us how tough they are.”

Xi Hou waved the sharp spike in his hand through the air. “Then let’s show them how tough we are! Ow—Tu! Are you trying to kill me? Why’d you hit me on the head?”

“To knock some sense into you. We’re not going there to fight or conquer their tribe. We’re going for a peaceful exchange. Did you forget what the Divine Envoy told us before we left?”

Xi Hou rubbed his nose. “But if they attack us, we’re not allowed to fight back?”

“Go back and copy ‘peaceful exchange’ a hundred times!” Tu pulled out his ultimate move.

Xi Hou immediately wilted. Writing was the thing he feared most.

In truth, it wasn’t just Xi Hou. The others were also itching for action. Now that they had new weapons and had undergone reorganized training, they felt much stronger during hunts than before.

Under Hei Lie’s leadership, they had already learned how to divide tasks and cooperate. Now, with his updated training methods, they could feel their progress and had become more in sync with their teammates.

When facing a powerful tribe, retreat was never an option for any warrior. It only made them want to challenge it even more.

They were eager to find out how they measured up in actual combat against other people.

“We can’t act rashly. Staying here is the best choice. It also gives them time to observe us.”

Xi Hou immediately became alert. “You mean they’re already here?”

“Based on what I know about them, they must’ve gotten the news long ago. There’s no way they haven’t made a move,” Hei Lie said calmly.

The Green Python Tribe’s strength lay especially in their ability to hide. In the dense jungle, they moved with ease, becoming the most lethal assassins in the forest.

They rarely engaged in direct combat. Instead, they preferred lurking in the shadows, striking suddenly and unexpectedly, killing without their victims even knowing how they died.

That’s why people feared and disliked them. Their tactics went against the idea of pure strength-based combat.

The feeling of being watched had grown stronger ever since they entered this forest.

Hei Lie had always trusted his sharp instincts. He’d already driven off several scouts before. But this time, it was hard to pinpoint where the person was hiding. He only knew they were close.

So he made a decisive call to camp here for the night and not venture any deeper.

“Can’t these people just come out and talk to us openly?” Xi Hou shook his head and sighed.

“They’re doing the right thing,” Hei Lie replied. “Before understanding the strength of their opponent, it’s wise to scout and gather intelligence. That way, they know how to respond and can avoid unnecessary losses. Whether it’s hunting or fighting people, tactics matter.”

“Gather intelligence?”

“That means the specific details of a team, like its size, weapons, and so on. From that, you can estimate its combat strength. The people who specialize in this are called scouts, and they’re crucial for gathering information.”

Xi Hou gave Black Hunter a thumbs-up, the gesture he’d learned from the Divine Envoy.

“No wonder you’re always with the Divine Envoy. I’m starting to not understand a word you’re saying.”

“That’s fine. From now on, this job is yours,” Hei Lie said, patting his shoulder.

Xi Hou’s eyes widened. “Wait, what!? Why me?”

“You’re small and good at hiding, you run fast, and you’re sharp. You’re perfect for being a scout.”

Hearing the praise, Xi Hou instinctively straightened his back.

His combat ability was average among the group. But as a level two warrior, he could outrun even level three warriors. Especially in the forest, he darted around like a monkey, almost impossible to catch.

During hunts, his role was often to search and observe, which was very similar to scouting.

The people here already had a basic grasp of tactics, but most of their approach was straightforward. Occasionally, they used underhanded methods, but not often. They hadn’t studied or systematized these strategies. They were still in a primitive, unrefined state.

Hei Lie used to think underhanded tactics were dishonorable. He’d seen this firsthand in the Blackstone Tribe.

The Blackstone Tribe’s current strength wasn’t just due to their Blackstone weapons. It also came from the tactics they used when annexing other tribes.

This caused the tribes they attacked to resist fiercely. Many refused to submit, even in the face of overwhelming force.

Underhanded methods may achieve goals, but they rarely win hearts.

Even when they later demonstrated their strength, the negative impression had already been formed and couldn’t be erased.

At the time, Hei Lie hadn’t understood the connection. It wasn’t until he read some books that he gradually came to realize the truth.

“I won’t be any worse than them! I’ve got this!” Xi Hou patted the binoculars hanging on his chest. Few people in the tribe had one.

Tu looked at Hei Lie. “You really admire the Green Python Tribe?”

“Strong individuals and tribes are always worth admiring. They don’t rely on brute force. They use intelligence. Their methods are different, that’s all. And worth learning from.”

————

Green Python Tribe.

“Their leader really said that?”

A woman half-reclining on a tiger pelt by the stream sat upright. Around her wrist and atop her head coiled a golden-ringed snake, flicking its tongue.

This woman, adorned with snakes, was none other than the Green Python Tribe’s chieftain, Jin Huan.

“Yes, Chieftain. I memorized his words exactly.” The messenger handed over a black wooden box.

Jin Huan raised an eyebrow. “What’s this?”

“I think that leader noticed me. He left the group and walked in my direction. Not to expose me, but to place this box on a tree branch.”

“Oh?” Jin Huan’s interest was piqued. She stood up from the tiger pelt and walked over to pick up the wooden box.

It was crafted from wood with golden grain. Jin Huan liked it instantly. The color matched her perfectly.

The first time she saw such a container was from a Western Continent trade caravan, and she had loved it immediately. It was ideal for storing her small ornaments.

This wooden box was clearly far more exquisite than those from the Western Continent trading caravans. The texture was finer and smoother, not nearly as rough.

They had tried to make similar boxes before. But with only stone tools, it was difficult to carve wood so precisely and smoothly. They also didn’t know how to assemble the pieces properly.

“There’s something inside?”

Curious, Jin Huan opened the box, and her eyes widened in shock. She froze in place.

The people around her panicked. “Chieftain! Are you alright? Throw the box away, quickly!”

Someone even rushed forward to kick the box away, but Jin Huan snapped out of it and stopped them.

“Stop!”

Her voice cracked slightly.

What terrifying thing could be inside that box to make the chieftain lose her composure like this?

The Green Python tribespeople, confused and anxious, were ready to storm out of the tribe and confront those outsiders.

The messenger who had brought the box was especially regretful. Why hadn’t he opened it first before handing it to the chieftain?

“Chieftain…” he murmured.

Wails echoed all around.

But Jin Huan shut out her tribe’s wildly imaginative reactions, carefully lifting the object from the box and staring at it intently.

“What is this?”

The wailing stopped instantly. All eyes turned to the item in Jin Huan’s hand.

It was also made of wood with golden grain. The top part was a circular shape about the size of a face, and the bottom had a slender handle that could be gripped.

Jin Huan held the lower part tightly, her gaze fixed on the circular surface.

Someone behind her leaned in for a look and cried out in shock, “Ah! The chieftain is inside!”

“Has the chieftain’s soul been trapped?” The shaman now became the most frantic of them all. “Quick, take that thing away!”

That snapped Jin Huan out of her trance. Her eyes narrowed, and her gaze turned fierce. “Who dares take it?”

“Chieftain, you’re alright? That’s such a relief. The gods are still watching over us.”

“Chieftain, what is that thing you’re holding? Why were you inside it?”

Jin Huan shot them an annoyed glance, clearly enamored with the mirror in her hand.

“This thing is like a calm water’s surface. It reflects my beauty. But it’s clearer than sleep itself. It lets me see my beauty in perfect detail.”

The entire Green Python tribe suddenly understood. No wonder the chieftain had acted so strangely. She was someone who could spend an entire day admiring her reflection.

Across all the Eastern Continent tribes, theirs was likely the only one whose chieftain possessed both unmatched strength and breathtaking beauty.

As chieftain, Jin Huan had no real flaws, except for spending a bit too much time admiring her reflection. She would often lie beside the stream for no reason at all.

The people of the Green Python tribe were naturally fond of beauty, so no one objected to this habit.

They were strong, difficult to invade, and therefore had the luxury of making themselves more beautiful and appreciating that beauty. Wasn’t that the point?

Jin Huan wasn’t a selfish person. After admiring the mirror for a while, she made sure to share it with her tribespeople.

Everyone was stunned by the mirror. They had never seen themselves so clearly before.

This gift won the hearts of the Green Python tribe.

Jin Huan turned to the shaman beside her and said, “It seems those people are sincere. They’re not like those annoying tribes who only know how to swing fists without using their brains.”

“For now, it does seem that way. At least that leader knows how to communicate with us,” the shaman nodded in agreement.

“How many of them are there?”

A scout replied, “Fifty warriors in total, and twenty ordinary people carrying rattan baskets. The baskets are full of things, but I couldn’t see what.”

Rattan baskets. They had those in the Green Python tribe, too, learned from the Spark Tribe.

When that group first appeared near the Black Forest, the Green Python tribe had already taken notice.

“Only that few, and they dare come to our Green Python tribe? They must be underestimating us,” one warrior said, clearly displeased.

But the shaman disagreed. “It’s also a gesture of goodwill. They know very well that we despise anything we perceive as a threat.”

“Chieftain, although they aren’t many in number, it’s clear they’re a formidable group. Their weapons are terrifying. They managed to kill a giant tiger in mere moments!”

Jin Huan’s lips curled slightly. “So while extending goodwill, they also made sure to show off their strength. This tribe seems even more powerful and confident than we imagined.”

“Their behavior has been strange all along. Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to observe them up close, so we don’t know what they’re really after. Now that they’re coming here, their intentions are still unclear.”

“Why not just ask them?”

“Chieftain, you mean to let them enter the tribe? That could be dangerous. Don’t forget, they were once part of the Blackstone Tribe.”

The shaman didn’t agree with this approach. The secrecy of their tribe’s location was one of the key reasons they remained safe.

If these people were allowed in, they might return next time with an army to attack. The Blackstone Tribe had done exactly that before.

The Green Python Tribe preferred ambush tactics, but they also looked down on such dishonorable methods.

“Lead them to the old settlement. I’ll personally meet this strange chieftain who spends his days digging holes for no reason.”

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