Chapter 758: Three Tribes — Two Rejoice, One Worries
The wind carried snowflakes down from the sky. The Black Stone Tribe was now blanketed in white. Not far from the cave, the ground that a falling meteor had ravaged was now concealed under a thick layer of snow—its scars seemingly licked away and healed.
Inside the Black Stone Tribe, the tribe leader sat by the fire, gripping a black stone weapon in his hand, staring into the glowing embers in a daze.
The cave felt much roomier than before—not because it had grown, but because fewer people remained. This was the aftermath of the failed attack on the tribe where Shu Pi lived before the snowfall.
Ever since returning from that disastrous battle, the Black Stone leader often found himself lost in thought. What he had encountered in Shu Pi’s tribe had shaken his belief that their black stone weapons made them invincible.
In the past, he could sit and space out for long stretches, but today was different.
After only a short silence, the Black Stone leader suddenly stood up, visibly excited, startling the other tribe members.
But he ignored their surprise and questions, too absorbed in his excitement.
He was excited because he had finally come up with a solution to deal with that cursed tribe—and their cursed weapons.
After returning, the idea festered in his mind: what if, next time they attacked that damned tribe, they first killed a few people and had their warriors use the corpses as shields when charging that bizarre cave?
He was determined to attack that tribe again—partly to avenge his fallen comrades, and partly because nearby tribes, who once submitted and paid tribute, had started refusing to give food after seeing the Black Stone Tribe’s dwindling numbers.
He led a few raids to punish those tribes, killing a few people and coercing the rest into compliance again. But that incident made him feel uneasy.
If they didn’t crush that mysterious, powerful tribe, others might rebel again.
And so, the plan was clear: those rebellious tribes would be the ones to provide the corpses next time—they’d be the shields in the next assault.
Initially, the Black Stone leader was proud of this “brilliant” idea and indulged in self-admiration. Check latest chapters at novel·fıre·net
But once he calmed down, he realized the plan had flaws.
First, running while carrying a corpse was exhausting. Second, if too many nearby tribes were killed, there’d be fewer left to supply food.
That realization made him uncomfortable—until inspiration struck again.
Instead of corpses, why not drive the rebellious tribes ahead of them during the attack? Force them to run in front as human shields while the Black Stone warriors, armed with black stone weapons, followed behind.
That way, their warriors wouldn’t get tired, and they’d be less likely to get struck by those accursed small weapons.
He was once again amazed by his cleverness.
Today was no ordinary day for the Black Stone Tribe or its leader. Just as he was savoring his brilliance, he had another epiphany.
Why limit themselves to using people as shields? Why not use other things—thin stone slabs, for example, or planks of wood held in front?
Since the snowfall, the Black Stone Tribe had been gloomy. But now, thanks to their leader’s “wisdom,” laughter returned. The mood lightened. Many were eager to take up weapons and attack that cursed tribe again.
With such clever ideas, they were sure they’d succeed this time.
Peering through the cracks at the cave entrance, the Black Stone leader and his people stared at the snow, wishing it would melt that very moment—so they could set out immediately to prepare for the next assault.
Meanwhile, in Shu Pi’s tribe, there was a celebration.
Not only did their leader ensure they had ample food for winter, but he also frequently shared stories about that mysterious and powerful tribe—captivating everyone.
As for the evil tribe that attacked them in autumn, no one in Shu Pi’s tribe was worried.
Not just because snow had sealed off travel routes—but more importantly, because they were confident that the tribe who suffered a crushing defeat at their hands wouldn’t dare return.
And even if they did come back, they weren’t afraid.
They had walls. They had bows. They had a capable leader.
They had repelled the enemy once—they could do it again.
But while two northern tribes basked in joy, the Green Sparrow Tribe fell into unease.
Those most unsettled were recent captives—former members of semi-Farming tribes who had become slaves in Green Sparrow.
Two Worms was particularly distressed—because he was no longer allowed to let his two pet bugs appear in public.
Those bugs had been with him for a long time, and he couldn’t bear to part with them.
But when he thought about the pain of being beaten with bamboo slats—and the delicious taste of those water-soaked fruits—Two Worms could only sniff hard to hold back tears and keep the bugs hidden.
When he couldn’t take it anymore, he’d wipe them away with some dried grass.
He wasn’t alone in his misery. Many slaves from the semi-farming tribes were suffering.
Life in Green Sparrow required them to do things they’d never imagined before…