Chapter 210

Chapter 210

After the locust swarm passed, many plants were gnawed bare.

Thankfully, most of the tribe's sweet potatoes and potatoes were preserved.

The group harvested potatoes.

"This was absolutely terrifying. Even though the bugs were edible, we still lost a lot of food."

"Exactly. If the insects hadn’t been edible, we would've been ruined. I heard from the tribe’s warriors that people in other places have already starved to death."

"Really? I haven't seen that happening here."

"That’s because our tribe has the Goddess."

...

Thanks to Chu Mi’s guidance in farming, every household in Jiuzhou Tribe had food stores.

Thus, they weren’t facing a food shortage crisis.

But that didn’t mean they were completely safe.

Wintertime was already dry, and with no snow or rain for years, the conditions grew even harsher.

Chu Mi went out today, bundled up tightly.

She saw Ying Jin and his group dressed in light clothing, preparing to leave.

"What are you going to do?"

"We’re heading into the mountains to search for springs," Ying Jin replied.

The river’s water levels were dwindling, and in another month, it would dry up completely.

Well water couldn’t alleviate the immediate crisis either.

The only option was to search for new water sources.

Unlike Rock Tribe, which had a lake, they had no such advantage.

...

Ying Jin and his men set off with their packs. The mountain valleys stretched vast.

The group trekked deep into the mountains, searching for new water sources.

A Jin and the others touched the dried-out trees, wearing grave expressions.

"The trees are slowly withering away from the drought."

"Chief, how much longer will this drought last?" they asked Ying Jin.

"Who knows? No matter how long, we’ll endure."

Chu Mi could provide water for the tribe, but it wasn’t a permanent solution. All they could do was hope for rain.

Ying Jin and his group scoured the area but only found a small pool of water.

The meager find brought little joy. After a day of searching, they had no choice but to return.

...

At the front village, visitors arrived. Their faces bore wolf markings, and they were accompanied by a pack of wolves.

That alone wouldn’t have been remarkable, but these people had silver-white hair, golden eyes, and ethereal beauty—like otherworldly spirits untouched by mortal concerns.

The wolves beside them obediently curled at their feet—a sight that astonished onlookers.

Even though Jiuzhou Tribe had tamed beasts, none were as obedient as these.

"Who are you?"

"We are from the Nine Wolves Tribe," said a silver-haired man, tying back his long hair with a cord and letting it fall over his chest.

His silver-white hair, golden eyes, and white fur attire gave him a striking yet dignified presence, without appearing effeminate, leaving everyone unable to look away.

"Nine Wolves Tribe? We’ve never heard of it." The guards had no knowledge of this tribe.

"Naturally you wouldn't have. Our Nine Wolves Tribe comes from the west," A Lang replied with a polite smile. "I am the chief of Nine Wolves Tribe. We’ve come to propose a trade and hope your esteemed Goddess can visit our tribe."

"Our tribe has no Goddess," the guard refused without hesitation upon hearing they sought Chu Mi.

"We’ve come in sincere supplication. I’d hate for any conflict to come to blows between us."

...

Despite the man’s haughty bearing, there was something about his presence that made him hard to dislike.

The front village warriors eyed the hundreds of wolves below, a shiver ran down their spines. How had they managed to raise so many wolves?

"Jiuzhou Tribe does not welcome you. Please leave," the warriors reiterated firmly.

"We came in good faith. If you refuse to let us meet her, don’t blame us for being forceful." A Lang’s earlier warmth vanished, replaced by coldness.

"Don’t push your luck. Do you think Jiuzhou Tribe is intimidated by you just because you have wolves?" The guards grew furious at A Lang’s words.

Both sides exchanged hostile glares.

...

Upon returning, Ying Jin heard that someone was looking for Chu Mi.

He rode straight to the front village and ascended the wall upon arrival.

"Nine Wolves Tribe? Why haven’t I heard of them?" Ying Jin couldn't help frowning.

"They claim to be from the west."

"Chief, these people are overstepping their bounds. Let’s cut them down!" The front village warriors seethed, glaring at A Lang below.

Ying Jin studied the visitors. "State your business."

"We merely wish to make use of your Goddess," A Lang stated bluntly.

"Make use of? Is this how you ask for help?"

With a cold stare at the so-called Nine Wolves Tribe, he said, "You all should leave."

"The chief of Jiuzhou Tribe, we cannot leave so easily. Our tribe is in crisis and desperately needs your Goddess," A Lang spoke up.

"I said no." Ying Jin would never allow Chu Mi to go to another tribe.

"If you refuse, my wolves will hunt your people."

"Are you threatening me? Let’s see you try," Ying Jin said icily, his expression cold.

Archers lined the walls, and A Lang below looked at them in surprise.

He hesitated briefly—those weapons looked deadly, and a fight would mean trouble for his tribe.

...

"Jiuzhou Tribe, we didn’t come to fight. Our tribe is in real trouble, and we hope your Goddess can come with us."

If not for their desperate situation, they would never have sought Chu Mi.

After all, what could a woman possibly do? In his eyes, her reputation was probably just hype.

Ying Jin stayed cold. "Then tell me, what has happened to your tribe?"

"Only the Goddess can understand this," A Lang refused to explain.

Ying Jin walked off without another word. "Since you won’t say, there’s no need to continue."

A Su reported his findings to Ying Jin. "I asked others about the Nine Wolves Tribe, but no one has heard of them."

"Watch them closely. If they can control wolves, they might control other beasts too."

...

When Ying Jin returned, Chu Mi had already heard the news. "The Nine Wolves Tribe?"

"I’ve never heard of them either," Ying Jin said. "They came from the west, that’s all we know."

"But their hair color is unusual."

Hearing that their hair was tinged white, Chu Mi couldn’t hide her curiosity.

"Let’s go see them tomorrow." Were these more foreigners? she wondered.

If even Ying Jin hadn’t heard of the Nine Wolves Tribe, they must’ve traveled far—so why come here?

...

Seeing Chu Mi lost in thought, Ying Jin’s dark eyes locked onto her. "Mi, look at me."

His handsome face, his nose grazing her cheek.

Meeting those eyes filled with nothing but her, she felt her soul pulled in.

"Aren’t I handsome?"

"You are," Chu Mi whispered, before he seized her lips in a fierce kiss.

Breathless, she gazed at him, eyes hazy, lips swollen, cheeks red, sweat trickling down her face.

Her ears buzzed with electricity. "Whether in looks or stamina, I satisfy you completely. Can’t you look at others less?"

He knew Chu Mi had a weakness for beauty, drawn to all things lovely.

...

If someone was attractive, she would stare a little longer—whether it was A Jian, Shi Long, or Nu Shi.

He disliked it, so he compensated by overwhelming her in other ways, ensuring she couldn’t think of anyone but him.

Chu Mi pushed against Ying Jin, her hands grazing his abs. She swallowed hard. "Ahem, don’t talk nonsense. I just want to see for myself."

Her voice carried a hint of guilt—she was a little curious about seeing handsome men.

But that wasn’t the main reason. The real question was whether they were foreigners.