TPWBI Chapter 95

Ruer was the deputy commander of Maple Leaf City’s army, one of the strongest warriors in Maple Leaf City.

He possessed immense strength. But more importantly, he knew how to train and command the army, turning a band of idle warriors into a formidable force.

This time, he was appointed to travel to the Eastern Continent to conduct an exchange with the rising new tribe there, a tribe whose fame had already spread far and wide, and to bring back the City Lord of Maple Leaf City’s most beloved nephew, Su.

This was not his first time setting foot on the Eastern Continent, but it was the first time he had gone so deep.

In his impression, the people of the Eastern Continent were savage, crude, and extremely backward.

They possessed great strength, but like barbarians, they were a bunch of savages, unlike them, who had powerful tools and weapons.

Their food mainly relied on hunting and gathering. Very few places had learned to farm or raise livestock.

They didn’t even have houses. Most lived in caves. Those who did have houses lived in extremely simple thatched huts, unlike them who had tall castles to shield against the wind and rain.

The people of the Western Continent only needed to bring the crudest clay pots. From there, they could exchange them for expensive animal furs, strong slaves, and more.

Ever since ships could be used to reach the Eastern Continent, many adventurous merchants had made sudden fortunes because of it.

Now, nearly every city lord had a trade caravan that went there, making immense profits from it.

In the hearts of all Western Continent people, the Eastern Continent was considered backward, with only the most primitive goods to be traded from there.

But the rise of a new tribe shattered that impression.

The appearance of black pottery shocked all the nobles of the Western Continent, for they had never known that such beautiful, smooth pottery could be made in this world.

The moment it appeared, it immediately drew everyone’s attention, making it impossible for people to put it down.

The caravans that brought back black pottery shone brilliantly, earning countless treasures.

Later, with Roland City’s caravans delving deeper, the things they brought back were even more astonishing. The people of the Eastern Continent could actually use instruments to measure time with precision!

There was also thin, easy-to-write-on paper, delicious and mellow wine, all sorts of ingenious tools, and farming implements. More importantly, they brought back shocking news: that place called the Spark Tribe possessed a vast amount of ironware!

This news caused an uproar across the Western Continent. If not for Roland City’s deliberate attempt to block the information, the shock would have been far greater.

Roland City tried to conceal it, but word still spread. Maple Leaf City, their old rival, was the first to catch wind of it.

When the City Lord of Maple Leaf City learned that such a vast amount of ironware had appeared there, he could no longer sit still. He wanted, just like in the past, to launch an attack and seize all those treasures.

They had done such things far too many times already and were well-versed in it.

Even though the Spark Tribe was very far away and was said to be extremely powerful, they remained confident.

However, they cautiously employed a few little tricks, intending to coordinate from within and without.

Who would have thought they would end up failing—and failing so miserably?

Looking at those corpses, long since picked clean by birds until only skeletons remained, Ruer gripped the sword at his waist tightly.

An intolerable humiliation!

Never before had Maple Leaf City suffered such a crushing defeat. It made them the laughingstock of the Western Continent.

This time, not only had they lost many elite warriors and much property, but they had also forfeited the chance for this exchange.

Compared to last time, this time the Spark Tribe had even more surprises. What’s more, they were holding a trade fair, with many tribes gathering there and bringing all kinds of goods to exchange.

Now, among the nobles, the various items produced by the Spark Tribe had become extremely popular. They were exquisitely crafted and had turned into symbols of status. Without them, one would be ridiculed.

Because of this, the wife of Maple Leaf City’s Lord wept in sorrow. Fond of socializing and passionate about attending all sorts of balls, she now had no face to show in public.

What was even more humiliating was that Su was still being detained in the Eastern Continent!

This was the first time the Western Continent had suffered such a disgrace. They had always roamed unchecked through the Eastern Continent, never once ending up so wretched.

And the fact that Su was able to survive at all was thanks to a few men from Roland City’s caravan who acted as mediators. This was even more of a blow to their dignity.

“Ruer, you’d better rein in your anger. Don’t forget the purpose of why we are here.”

Sen, who had come along with him, gave a warning. The murderous aura radiating from Ruer’s body had already drawn the notice of nearby Spark guards, who all looked over with vigilance.

They were here to negotiate. Sen had no desire to cause extra trouble.

Maple Leaf City had suffered a crushing loss. At first, Sen still harbored thoughts of revenge. This time was also to investigate.

He wanted to know whether it was simply that their men had been too incompetent or if the Spark Tribe truly was as strong as they were said to be.

But the moment he arrived here, Sen understood that they could not afford to confront them head-on.

A war fought so far from home was already extremely unfavorable for them. What’s more, this group truly did possess, as everyone claimed, a vast amount of ironware.

The swords in their hands and the armor on their bodies shone with a chilling white gleam. That was the symbol of power!

These Spark warriors were unlike the people they had seen in other tribes. They were an army trained under strict discipline, with extraordinarily powerful combat strength.

In this tribe, everyone was a soldier. Now, with the addition of fierce beastfolk, they were even harder to provoke.

Sen quickly adjusted his mindset, but he had to restrain Ruer, who carried the pride of a warrior. Under no circumstances could he allow him to ruin things.

Otherwise, not only might they lose their lives here, but it would also sever any chance of contact with the Spark Tribe forever.

If that really happened, their losses would be even greater. It could very well change Maple Leaf City’s standing within the Western Continent.

The Spark Tribe possessed far too many things that stirred envy. They had no choice but to bow their heads.

Ruer pressed his lips together, then finally released his grip, forcing himself to relax as much as he could.

“I know my duty.”

“It had better be so,” Sen warned, though his face carried a smile, looking exceedingly kind.

Sen looked at the corpses of those who had died in such miserable states. He had heard that before they died, they had endured terrifying torture. He could not help but feel uneasy.

“I hope Su hasn’t suffered too greatly. Otherwise, I can’t imagine what the City Lord would do.”

Su was the son of the City Lord’s closest younger brother. That brother had died protecting him, leaving behind Su, who had still been very young at the time.

From then on, the City Lord had raised Su at his side. Although Su was only his nephew, the love he received was no less than that of the City Lord’s own sons.

If not to ensure Su’s safety, the City Lord would never have compromised so easily.

With permission granted, Sen and Ruer were led to the place where Su was being held.

The two of them stood at the doorway, completely stunned.

“This fat man… is Su?”

Ruer stared for a long while, unable to be sure. He knew Su, though he had never dealt with him closely. In his memory, Su was a handsome gentleman. But the big fat man in front of him was nothing like that person!

The fat man before him was blissfully gnawing on a chicken leg, his face shiny with grease. The table in front of him was piled with all kinds of delicious food.

Hearing someone enter, he showed little reaction, his full attention still on the food.

Was this man truly that elegant and refined Su?

Even Sen could not confirm it right away. After staring for quite a while, he felt that the face was familiar, yet the difference in body shape was simply too great!

On top of that, Su was wearing a bulging cotton-padded jacket with a cloth bib tied around his neck. His sleeves were covered with half-length cuffs, stained with grease and dirt.

Though they looked soft, warm, and practical, it was nothing like the attire of a gentleman.

The fat man, hearing a familiar voice, lifted his head with a look of delight: “Oh, Ruer, Sen! You’re here.”

Then, happily, he took another bite of his chicken leg.

“……”

That voice left the two of them unable to deny the truth.

Sen, at a loss for words, said, “Su, you… How did you…”

“I didn’t expect you to come so soon. Uncle really does care about me.” Su looked both excited and a little regretful.

Sen paused for a moment. “You must have suffered a lot during this time.”

After saying this, Sen’s gaze couldn’t help but drift toward that table laden with rich delicacies. Ruer also looked at Su, speechless.

This was simply a barefaced lie!

They had already heard before that the Spark Tribe possessed extraordinarily delicious food. Everyone who had been there missed it terribly after returning.

But not to mention that they themselves didn’t know the cooking methods or the proper seasonings, they also lacked the Spark Tribe’s wealth and iron pots!

Because Maple Leaf City had failed to complete the trade, they had not even been able to taste the highly praised flavor of chili.

They had originally thought that no matter how good, how delicious could it really be? Yet now, seeing those unknown dishes spread out before Su, they couldn’t help but swallow their saliva.

Eager to learn about Su’s situation, they had rushed here without rest, covered in dust from the journey.

They hadn’t eaten well along the way, which only made those foods look even more tantalizing.

“I’m doing pretty well here.” Su patted his round belly, both cheerful and troubled. “With nothing else to do all day, I can only keep eating.”

Hearing this, Sen and Ruer couldn’t help but feel sympathy for him again.

What good was eating well? Without freedom, shut away in this little place all day had to be unbearable.

Su was someone who loved amusement. Being cooped up like this must have been dreadfully boring.

The place where Su was being kept was indeed fairly spacious, the room bright, clean, and quite warm—so much so that one could not feel the icy snow and wind outside. Yet in the end, it was nothing more than a gilded prison.

“You will soon regain your freedom,” Sen promised.

Su didn’t respond. Instead, he waved them over:

“Come, come, you two should also try the food here. These are things the Western Continent doesn’t have! They’re simply too delicious. I never knew such flavors even existed in this world.”

Sen and Ruer didn’t stand on ceremony and sat down at the table with him.

Su turned to the Spark Tribe guards at the doorway and said, “Bring me another hotpot—chicken broth with wild mushrooms, and a spicy base as well. Oh, and bring more wine!”

The guards answered. Before long, a steaming hotpot was placed on the table.

At that moment, Sen and Ruer were completely absorbed in the food before them. How could there be something this delicious in the world!

It tasted even better than it looked or smelled.

And to have so many fresh vegetables in winter, what a wonder that was.

Ruer was especially struck. So this was the spicy flavor everyone had praised. It was so irresistible! At first, it felt a little strange. But once he got used to it, it was utterly captivating.

“Do you eat like this every day?” Ruer asked, almost envious, taking a sip of the warm, fiery wine, completely intoxicated by it.

This wine was truly powerful. This was the kind of drink a brave warrior ought to have!

The wine from the Eastern Continent was extremely precious. Ruer had only ever heard of it before, never tasted it himself.

Now he had to admit, it was worthy of all the praise it received.

“Yes,” Su nodded, “the Spark Tribe has far too many varieties. Ever since I was locked up, I haven’t had the same dish twice. Unless I myself wanted to eat more of something again.”

Su spoke with some regret as he went on: “I thought that after such a long time, I’d be able to try every kind of food they had. But I’m not even halfway through yet!

I didn’t expect you would arrive so soon. Looks like this time I won’t be able to taste all the dishes… I wonder if Uncle will let me come again next time?”

In his words, there was even a faint hint of complaint.

“……”

Why did it almost feel like they were jealous of his imprisoned life?

“The Spark Tribe is actually this generous?”

“Of course it’s not free. All of this has to be exchanged with supplies. They write everything down each time. They’re far too shrewd!” Su suddenly grew anxious as he said this.

“You… you did bring a lot of goods with you, right? I—I’ve eaten quite a lot!”

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