By afternoon, the thick, dark clouds began to release drops of rain, and a fierce wind swept the downpour across the land. Ling Hong and the rest of the Beastman hunting party made it back just in time.
After curing the game and stacking it in the storehouse, he lifted his head and sniffed the air. His gaze fell upon the nearby wooden house, and a flicker of confusion crossed his mind.
’Strange, what a strong fishy smell.’
’Has An Jin been craving fish lately?’
The chef’s instincts, honed over many months, compelled Ling Hong to uphold his professional integrity as a list of words flashed through his mind.
—Braised fish, steamed fish, fresh mushroom and fish soup, fragrant steamed dried fish...
However, when he finished unloading the game and returned to the house, he found a Merfolk from another tribe. An Jin immediately explained Xi’s origins to him.
"Bringing Water Beastmen into the tribe is an excellent idea."
Unlike the absolute hostility radiating from Mi Yin, Ling Hong, who was born and raised in their tribe, was more objective and encouraging about Xi’s arrival. After all, it would only benefit the tribe’s development.
Having just returned from the rain, Ling Hong was damp, his silver hair clinging half-dry to his chiseled face.
He paused at the doorway to wring out his tail, then found a dry animal hide to wipe his face. Only then did he come inside, squatting close to An Jin and extending his hands to the fire. "The reason the Luoten Tribe has never been able to develop is their lack of Water Beastmen."
Ling Hong felt nothing but resentment for the Luoten Tribe. He stared down at the bonfire and let out a soft, scornful laugh. "A great tribe of two to three hundred, yet not a single Water Beastman. It’s ridiculous."
The dry, resinous firewood burned with a CRACKLE and POP. An Jin occasionally added more logs, and the roaring, searing flames drove back the damp chill so characteristic of the rainy season.
Ling Hong kept his head lowered, his half-damp wolf ears drooping amidst his silver hair. The bright, gentle firelight softened his handsome, chiseled features, and his voice was deep and pleasant, with a cool, distinctly masculine quality.
He looked up at An Jin, her lovely face reflected in his emerald eyes. A faint, gentle expression softened his features.
Seeing that she wanted to hear more, Ling Hong continued, "Beast Gathering City, on the other hand, grew from a large tribe into a proper city in just a few decades. The biggest reason is its proximity to the sea—nearly a quarter of its population is made up of Water Beastmen."
"That many?"
An Jin was taken aback. She glanced worriedly at the delicate and frail-looking Xi, then shifted her gaze back to Ling Hong. "What use are Water Beastmen to the tribe?"
"Many rare types of soil and ore are found underwater, especially in the deep sea. For example, that sticky clay you’ve been looking for to build our walls."
Ling Hong paused, lost in thought for a moment. "And do you know why Beast Gathering City can sell precious salt blocks in huge quantities to the surrounding tribes without ever worrying about a shortage? It’s because only Water Beastmen can find salt Stones and refine them into blocks..."
As their gazes suddenly fell on him, Xi swallowed hard and shrank back into himself.
He knew there were salt Stones in the sea, but having been pampered his whole life, he honestly had no idea what they looked like. Still, not wanting to disappoint An Jin, he could only stammer, "I... I know where the salt Stones are."
’Worst case, I’ll go out for a look in a couple of days. There are bound to be other Water Beastmen around, and they’ll definitely know.’
’Even if I’m a pretty useless fish, I at least have the blood of the Blue Shark Royal Family. Among Water Beastmen, that status is an all-access pass that never fails.’
’I have to prove my worth quickly. Otherwise, I’ll keep feeling like that terrifying Snake Beast is going to secretly get rid of me.’
After they chatted for a while, Mi Yin entered with the prepared ingredients. Ling Hong and An Jin worked together to set a massive stone pot over the fire.
They all gathered around the warm bonfire, ready to share a steaming hot pot meal together on a damp, chilly day in the rainy season!