Capítulo 433: Chapter 252: Want to be a leader?

Southern Wilderness, Vine Tribe.

“Hoo hoo hoo…”

In the cold wind, the snow continued to fall heavily.

A woman wrapped tightly in beast hide clothing walked into Chi Shao’s courtyard and knocked on the door.

“Squeak…”

The door opened from the inside, and it was Chi Shao who opened it.

“Come in.”

After opening the door, Chi Shao returned to the hearth and continued grinding medicine with a mortar made of fine stone.

The woman at the door shook the snow off her beast hide clothing, took off her beast hide hat, revealing her long black hair and delicate face.

This woman was the Thorn Vine Leader, Feng Chao.

Feng Chao stepped into the room, closed the door gently, knowing Chi Shao liked quietness.

After walking to the hearth, Feng Chao began to report the Vine Tribe and surrounding situation to Chi Shao.

“Each workshop is operating normally, although instances of stealing goods still occur from time to time. In particular, two people from the clothing workshop stole beast hide boots…”

“Two prisoners from the north tried to dig a tunnel to escape last night but were caught by the guard team and killed…”

“Yesterday, twenty-three wanderers fought outside the south gate over food, resulting in deaths.”

“The Frog Tribe has been quiet lately…”

Feng Chao reported various pieces of information she had gathered to Chi Shao.

Chi Shao listened earnestly while grinding the medicine; after hearing everything, she found no major issues and breathed a sigh of relief.

Previously, Jiang Xuan handled these matters, but now Jiang Xuan was absent, and the responsibility fell on her. Although she was not good at managing the tribe, she had to adapt and do her best.

“Is there any news from the leader?” Chi Shao couldn’t help but ask.

“No, if there was news of the leader, I would report it to the Witch immediately.”

Chi Shao nodded, feeling a bit disappointed but knowing that the place Jiang Xuan went was far away, taking a long time to return.

“Witch, is there anything else I need to do?”

“Not for now. You’ve worked hard these days, go back and rest.”

“Yes!”

Feng Chao put her warm beast hide hat back on, left Chi Shao’s house, and closed the door.

She tightened her beast hide clothing and stepped back into the vast snowstorm.

With Jiang Xuan absent, many in the Vine Tribe felt a loss of security, including Feng Chao.

She could only try her best to maintain stability in the tribe and wait for Jiang Xuan’s return.

…

Central South Wilderness, in the forest outside the Black Teeth Tribe.

Jiang Xuan interrogated Hui Shu thoroughly, learning nearly everything about the Rat Tribe.

According to Hui Shu’s confession, the Rat Tribe was a small tribe with around a thousand people, usually living scattered in various caves and not all residing in one place.

This situation arose because the Rat Tribe’s Totem God had fallen.

The coalition actions against the Rat Tribe by various major tribes in the central region were not without results.

The Rat Tribe’s Totem God was severely injured in repeated sieges by the Totem Gods of various tribes, and ultimately died in a cave due to severe injuries.

With the death of the Totem God, the Rat Tribe naturally fell into chaos. Initially, the leader was killed, and then several strong leaders refused to submit to each other, each gathering a group of warriors, causing the tribe to split.

Hui Shu followed one of these leaders, operating near the Black Teeth Tribe, living by stealing and hunting small animals, and gathering edible plants.

Before encountering Jiang Xuan, Hui Shu never failed in stealing.

Unexpectedly, Jiang Xuan purposely baited them, directly capturing Hui Shu.

After hearing Hui Shu’s confession, Jiang Xuan continued eating roasted meat, pondering how to deal with this guy.

In the tribe, someone like Hui Shu, when caught, would generally be killed, as he was only good at stealing, and wasn’t of much use alive.

But Jiang Xuan thought differently, believing this guy could be a special talent, potentially having unexpected value if used correctly.

Jiang Xuan devoured seven or eight skewers of roasted meat, and after feeling satisfied, a bold idea formed in his mind.

Standing in front of Hui Shu, he casually asked, “Want to live?”

“Yes.” Hui Shu nodded decisively.

“Do you want to be a leader?”

“Wha…what?”

Hui Shu was stunned. Jiang Xuan’s question was too abrupt, leaving him unsure of how to answer.

“Don’t make me ask a second time.” Jiang Xuan picked up the Bronze Knife, gesturing with it a few times.

Seeing the knife, Hui Shu snapped back to reality and nodded decisively, “Yes!”

Jiang Xuan patted his shoulder, “Good. I appreciate those with aspirations and ambition.”

Hearing Jiang Xuan’s words, Hui Shu felt more confused. Even if he wanted to, there were so many stronger than him, and he could never become a leader.

Moreover, he was now captured by Jiang Xuan, and it was uncertain if he could even keep his life.

While Hui Shu was lost in confusion, Jiang Xuan continued, “I’ll give you two choices. First, pledge allegiance to me and strive to become the Rat Tribe’s leader, or even the chief; second, be roasted in the fire and eaten by me.”

Was there even a choice? Hui Shu nearly cried.

“I…I’ll choose the first.”

“Excellent. Rest assured, the Vine Tribe never mistreats those who work for us. I’ll make you stronger and give you the qualifications to contend for the leader’s position.”