Chapter 30: Joining Forces

When they rushed to the mouth of the valley and saw A-Yu and his group returning, everyone was stunned: what were they wearing? What were those things on their backs? Was that clean-faced man with the short hair really A-Yu?

"Ah? Is this truly the Messenger of the Gods? She looks even more beautiful than in the divine visions."

"What kind of fur is she wearing? It’s truly magnificent."

The women and children of the tribe stared unblinkingly at Mu Tong. Was this the divine envoy who would bring them blessings? Could she truly ensure they would be fed and clothed, and never suffer from hunger again?

Mu Tong looked at the crowd before her with a gaze full of bewilderment. Men, women, young and old—everyone was dressed in such incredibly sparse attire! Although she had seen naked tribespeople in the Amazon rainforest before, she had never lived among them, so it hadn't mattered. But she expected to spend a considerable amount of time with these people, and seeing this every day would surely lead to aesthetic fatigue.

"Noble Messenger of the Gods, I am Basang, the chieftain of this tribe. This is our tribe’s shaman, Master Houyi," Basang said, introducing himself and the elder to Mu Tong.

"My name is Mu Tong," she replied, feeling uncomfortable with the way people were looking at her—with a mixture of worship and subtle calculation.

"Brother! You’re back!" A dirty, adolescent boy sprinted through the crowd and threw himself at A-Yu. He had been searching for his brother among the returning party for a long time. Only after a while did he realize that this man with the cropped hair and transformed appearance looked familiar. Could it really be his brother?

He was surprised to find that it was indeed him. He chuckled to himself; his brother had gone to escort the Divine Messenger and had returned looking so handsome—could this Messenger make people look better? Duoji looked at Mu Tong with eyes full of adoration.

"Yes, I’m back," A-Yu said, affectionately patting Duoji’s head. He was his younger brother, who had just turned eleven.

"What is that on your backs?" Duoji asked, glancing at Mu Tong. "Are these all things belonging to the Divine Messenger?"

"This is a basket the Divine Messenger taught us to make. It can be used to carry things. The Divine Messenger also helped us find food," Shama and Aku boasted to those around them. Especially when they pulled out the purple rice berries and green beans from the baskets, the people of the tribe widened their eyes in shock. Could "hard-heart fruit" really be eaten? And wasn't that "four-season bean" poisonous?

The shaman, Houyi, flickered his gaze. "Noble Messenger, can these truly be eaten?"

"Of course. Both of these must be cooked thoroughly before they can be eaten," Mu Tong explained.

"Would... would the Divine Messenger mind teaching us how to prepare them?" Houyi asked cautiously, worried that asking the Messenger to do work immediately upon arrival might anger her.

"Is it time for dinner yet?" Mu Tong glanced at the sky; it didn't seem to be dinner time yet.

Ah, of course. The Divine Messenger had traveled such a long way and must be exhausted. It wouldn't be too late to prepare dinner after the hunting party returned and the Messenger had rested for a while.

The chieftain and the shaman exchanged looks. In the tribal council hall earlier, they had been discussing how to keep the Messenger here. They had concluded that only by having the Messenger establish a home in the tribe could they ensure she would provide for them.

The chieftain bowed to Mu Tong. "Noble Messenger, now that you have come to our tribe, I wonder, with whom do you wish to 'partner'?"

Basang was so proactive because he had his own selfish motives. If the great Divine Messenger could partner with his son, Abu, it would greatly consolidate his own status. Unfortunately, Abu was not at home; he and Baima had taken a team to the Black Water tribe to trade for salt. Furthermore, Houyi had disapproved, arguing that the noble Messenger could not possibly partner with other women. This had infuriated Basang—his son Abu already partnered with two women; as the chieftain's son and the likely successor, what was wrong with that? If the Messenger were to partner with Abu, she would surely hold the highest position among his women.

Because of Houyi’s objection, Basang couldn't openly suggest that Mu Tong partner with Abu. He gestured toward his own house. "How about you rest at my place, Divine Messenger?" If she went to his house, she would naturally be expected to partner with Abu. In truth, Basang wanted to suggest she partner with him—he was quite greedy for the Messenger's beauty—but he feared the shaman would turn against him and the rest of the tribe would take issue.

Basang was confident she would choose his home. His house was the best in the tribe, and only the best was worthy of the noble Messenger.

"Partner for meals?" Mu Tong asked. "Do you mean who I should live and eat with?"

The chieftain was momentarily stunned; didn't "partnering" mean living and sleeping together? He nodded. "Exactly."

Mu Tong glanced at A-Yu. This man had Shen Kai’s blood bead on him; she had to keep a close eye on him. She pointed at A-Yu. "I’ll stay at his place."

The chieftain froze again. He realized A-Yu was a well-known warrior in the tribe, but while he felt a sense of relief, he also felt dejected and resentful. The Messenger had a good eye! But what about him and Abu? He had hoped to bring Mu Tong to his house, thinking if either he or Abu could successfully attract her, it would be excellent for his family.

Dissatisfied, Basang shot a hidden glare at A-Yu. *That troublesome boy! Not only does he have Baima obsessed with him, but now he’s managed to hook the Divine Messenger too?*

A-Yu was stunned, followed by a surge of ecstasy. The Divine Messenger wanted to partner with him?

Duoji covered his mouth to hide a giggle. He knew his brother was the best! Look, the noble Divine Messenger herself said she wanted to partner with him.

"Are you unwilling?" Mu Tong raised an eyebrow at A-Yu. *If it weren't for that blood bead of Shen Kai’s on you, I wouldn't bother eating at your place! Look at how sloppy you were before; who knows if your home is even clean.*

"I am willing! I am!" A-Yu nodded vigorously. Seeing Mu Tong’s displeased expression, he rushed to agree. If he were late in answering, would the Messenger change her mind and partner with someone else?

From the moment he first saw the Messenger in the divine vision, his heart had been pounding. Later, seeing her in person, he felt as if he had known her for a long time, though he had dared not indulge in such thoughts due to her noble status.

Hearing A-Yu agree, many of the men in the crowd looked disappointed. *If only A-Yu had said he was unwilling...*

One disgruntled man shouted, "A-Yu, aren't you supposed to be partnering with Baima?"

Duoji grew angry. His brother didn't like that Baima at all! She already partnered with two men and still pestered his brother every day! When had his brother ever said he wanted to partner with her? He would sooner partner with the widow Jucao than that man-crazy woman who tried to bite everyone she saw!

A-Yu said in a deep voice, "I never said I would partner with Baima. Who did you hear that from?"

The man withered. He knew A-Yu didn't like Baima; he was just unwilling to accept that the Messenger was choosing A-Yu. Now that A-Yu was confronting him, he dared not say another word.