Chapter 17: Lisu Tribe
Ch17. Lisu Tribe
You know, I shouldn't feel envious of what other people have which I don't. But looking at how Yuki operates all of these cooking utensils all at once just by standing and twirling her finger even I will be jealous. She kneaded the ramen dough, prepared a meat broth soup, cooked a spicy oil, and did those things at the same time. Telekinesis is such a broken ability.
Sigh, everyone with their own niche I guess. But I want to do something like that too. Doing something without the need of using my hand. Wait ... I'm thinking of some good idea.
If I can use the Sanguine Claws and instead of using it as a means to attack, what if I turn it into some kind of third hand? Hmmm ... but the mana consumption will be enormous, what if I let go of its offensive capabilities?
"Dear, do we have enough bowls for them?"
"Right ..., I forget about that. I'll be right back." I suppose magical third-hand will have to wait for a while.
I walked out of the kitchen and think of how to receive them. If they really want to stay here and become my workers, then I need to think of their accommodation too.
After they arrived, let's make them collect more materials to build another of this ring-shaped building. I was thinking of constructing a smaller building inside the already-built one.
This inner building will become the new dining hall on the first floor and the residential house on the second floor. We've been eating in the open courtyard. Thankfully, it's not in the rainy season but there's no way we can eat here when it was raining. For now, I think it's enough to make a couple more long dining tables.
I crafted a few wooden dining tables and benches and placed them in the courtyard. After finishing, I then started mass-producing the porcelain bowls.
The first group who arrived is unexpectedly Xue Jie's. They've come from the west and must cross the river to reach here, it's surprising how they could end up first.
"Welcome back ..."
"Young Lord, I have returned with the Lisu Tribe of Danniang Mountain. I have completed your task and sold everything, I also-"
"I'll hear about that later, for now, sit down and rest ..., ah right, I need ten people to help me serve the food."
"Young Lord, let me do it!"
"Young Lord, let me help you."
The Blood Thralls were trying to volunteer themselves.
"Ah right, there's no need for you to do that, let the women do it ...,"
The women from the tribe only followed me to the kitchen after Xue Jie told them to.
I can see the hierarchy here, they followed and obeyed Xue Jie but not me because in their mind I was just someone who owned this land. But Xue Jie followed me, so they will begrudgingly follow my instruction if needed. Well, they just met me so it is still understandable why they were unwilling to do that. You should be grateful that I'm not so petty about this.
"Kyaaa~!!!"
"Aaaa~! Help!!"
"Monster!!"
The women screamed when they entered the kitchen.
I furrowed my brows and looked at them, with their fear-stricken face they pointed at the figure behind me. Ahhh ..., so they're afraid of Yuki? Well, if you saw a two meters tall lady with a humongous body it won't be a surprise if they got surprised.
I recalled Hachisaku-sama, or the Eight-feet White Lady. Hmmm if one foot is around 30 cm, then she would be around 2,4 meters. Wow, Yuki is almost as tall as Hachisaku-sama. That was still pale compared to the vampire Lady Dmitrescu though, Alcina's height reached 2,9 meters if I remembered correctly.
"Hahaha, there's no need to be afraid everyone. She's not a monster, she's just ..." I said reassuringly, I walked to Yuki's side and held her hand, "a bit taller than you."
Yuki has a helpless look on her face as if already expecting this kind of reaction. I introduced both parties.
"Girls, meet my wife, Yuki. Yuki ..., the girls."
"Dear, who are they?"
"Well ..., these beautiful girls are from Lisu Tribe and they just come today."
"Beautiful girls, huh?"
They're actually not that good-looking, I'm just being polite. You know that right? I said that in my mind and stared at her as if trying to convey it with my eyes.
"Anyway, they'll help you serve the ramen. More people are coming so I thought you'll need a hand."
"I appreciate the help, come here ladies."
The tribe girls hesitatingly entered the kitchen, their bodies were still shaking. I hope they'll be fine. Yuki is not that horrifying, she's just had a colder body temperature and is taller than ordinary people.
I left the kitchen and went back to Xue Jie. Xue Jie was sitting at the long dining table with a buff man from the Lisu tribe. The other people were setting up a tent on the empty spot inside the courtyard. I took a seat in front of them and took a clay teapot and glass from my inventory.
"So, Xue Jie ..., tell me what's happened, did you lose anyone in the journey?" I brewed some root tea and poured it into the porcelain glass. "Here you go, sir ..."
"?" the Lisu tribesman looked at the drink and drank it in one gulp. But the water was very hot so he spits it directly and pulls his scalding tongue out.
"You ..." Xue Jie looked at the buff man helplessly. "Please forgive my younger cousin, my Lord."
"Ahahaha, it's my fault for not telling you how hot it is ..., but really, you shouldn't drink tea directly like that next time." didn't he see the water vapor rising from the tea? Even I don't dare drink hot water like this. "And so, tell me what happens in your journey!"
"Yes, Young Lord."
Xue Jie started narrating his journey.
It was an uneventful journey actually, he trades with some towns and villages for their livestock and women. Then Xue Jie decided to visit his tribe after almost a decade of not coming back. Xue Jie or formerly known as Feng Jie was from the Lisu Tribe on the mountain foot of Daniang Mountain. The whole tribe shared the same surname, yeah, he also told me that his tribe was the offspring of a mythological figure Nüwa the Primordial Goddess. I've heard that name somewhere in xianxia story.
Long story short, he defeated the current chief who is the buff man beside him, and then told the whole tribe to relocate. That sounds extremely convenient. Beating the strongest man of the group in a fistfight to become their leader. If only the politic of the modern world is as simple as that.
He sold all the goods and brought back 134 Lisu Tribesmen. 83 of them were women, 32 were men and the rest are children around 8 to 13 years old. The dwindling population of men of the tribe was because they were conscripted to the Zhao military nine years ago and never return back.
Xue Jie also stated that they did not sell their children and women to the merchants because they revered the mother of all being, Nüwa. It is insulting to their tribe when they cannot protect their women and mothers. It's a piece of useless trivia, but I can't bear to stop him from talking because of how enthusiastic he got.
"I can't accept this, Shouxi Jie!"
"What?"
"You told me that you serve a powerful man, but what's this?! You just served a boy who hasn't grown a hair yet! He's not all that powerful." the buff man shouted and pointed a finger at me.
Xue Jie stood up and punched the table that the wood cracked. Hey, I just crafted this table, be careful!
"Seems like I didn't give you enough beating, cousin Xiao."
"You can beat me, but you can't convince me to follow a weakling like him!" he didn't falter with Xue Jie's subtle threat.
The Blood Thralls approached after hearing the commotion.
"Relax, calm down ... Xue Jie." I patted the tall man and stopped him from getting physical. "Uhmm ..., Feng Xiao, right?"
"That's right! I don't know what trick you use to make the chief follow you, but I tell you it won't work on me." he held his head high.
"Well, alright. Then, how about a little demonstration?"
"A demonstration?"
"You're doubting my strength, right? Then let's do it right here ..., let's test our arm strength."
I put my arm on the table in an arm wrestling stance.
"Hah ..., hahahaha, with that feeble arm of yours, it won't last in a blink!" he laughed hard trying to mock me.
"Then let's do it then, what are you waiting for? You afraid?"
Feng Xiao hmphed at my provocation and put his right arm on the table. Our hands gripped tightly. Xue Jie stood between us and become our referee.
"Alright, the first to force the opponent's hand to touch the table win. No cheating, no dirty trick. Now, on my count. Three ... two ..., one, go!"
I can feel his hand starting to push me down. But it was negligible ..., I almost feel nothing. Investing stats in Physical Strength is quite helpful. Feng Xiao started letting out a sweat and veins bulged from his face. I think this is enough as a comparison. I put more strength on my arm and he tried to hold it. But just willpower isn't enough as I began exerting more force.
*BAM*
His hand was planted on the table as it cracked and broke. I let go of his hand and
"Is that enough, Feng Xiao?"
"No, I'm still unconvinced! Arm strength didn't determine the strength of a person!? I challenge you to fight!"
"Hold up, young man. Even if you're related to Brother Jie. You cannot fight the Young Lord without facing us first!"
"Yeah, that's right ...."
"Who do you think you are!?"
The Blood Thralls all stood up and tried to stop Feng Xiao to fight me. That's too bad, I actually want to try the passive effect of the <All-Scrying Orb>.
"Don't discourage him like that everyone." I stood up and cracked my neck joint. "Alright, let's do this Feng Xiao. I'll fight you."
"But Young Lord ..." Xue Jie tried to say something.
"Shhh ..., don't worry, I won't kill him. I won't be using my magic and only use my fist. This much is fine, right?"
"Young Lord, please spare my cousin ..., he's young and rash. You are indeed the most magnanimous."
"Cousin Jie, you're too pure and naive! How can you follow someone so weak as this guy? Today, I will prove that I'm stronger than you arrogant boy. So what if you have stronger arm strength than me, let's see how you can defeat me!"
I really don't like loudmouths like him. I sighed with a slightly tired face and said. "Go on then, come!"
"Taste my axe, heryah!"
He leaped forward, jumped extremely high, and swung his axe while his body rotated in the air gaining angular momentum. I side-stepped and dodged his axe, and sent a chop to his right arm who wielded the axe. He dropped the bronze axe and held his arm which started swelling.
I never had any professional training in martial art. Only had some Pencak Silat training back in my middle school to high school days, but never put my all into it. Entered some regional tournaments and always lose to some other more popular martial arts school(perguruan).
But now though, I honestly feel glad that I have trained in some self-defense techniques in my past life. At least, I know what to do and could make a decision when I got attacked. While yes, my superior stats allow me to capture his movement, superior stats can still be defeated with skill and luck.
Feng Xiao didn't end it with just that though, he launched a jab with his left arm. I brushed it aside and punch him in the chest. He spurts out fresh blood and it almost splashed into my face. He got a hard time breathing and fell down.
I took out the <Blood Demon Necklace> and put it on his neck to help him recover his decreasing health.
"Take care of him, he'll be fine after some time," I said to Xue Jie.
"Thank you for your mercy, Young Lord."
I imprinted the mark after that last attack, but I can't attack him and check the damage. I'm pretty sure he will be dead if I strike with additional damage from the Seer's Mark. I don't want unnecessary bloodshed, and if I killed Feng Xiao in the fight just now, the Lisu Tribe might be unwilling to trust me.
"Young Lord, we have returned!"
When I contemplated on my previous course of action, I heard someone calling me from the gate. The next group of people has returned.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone