The result of the fight definitely was not the way they expected it. Fighting Hippell would mostly result in more wounds than they now incurred. They all moved fast and cleaned up the place. Lee Youhan and Yu Qi on the other hand are holding a pouch. They are spreading powdered herbs that can wipe the smell of blood that might attract other wild animals. The smell is a little bit irritating for them but it's much safer to do it as they would take time to finish up everything.
After spreading the powdered herbs Yu Qi and Lee Youhan went to Yuns and helped skinning and chopping the Big Hippell. Shi Tou and Lee Ming are on the other one. While Jiu Lin worked on the Hippel that was first killed.
She Bin arrived with several big leaves for packing the meat. Then went out again after looking around. Shen Bin gathered so many leaves, vines and other materials before stopping to help Lee Ming. After a while Lee Ming left them working on the Hippell and went to the bigger one that just got fully skinned. He helped them for a while before leaving them.
"Jiu Lin." Lee Ming tapped his shoulder.
Jiu Lin is cleaning up his target Hippell. He just finished skinning it and now packing it to the leaves. "Yes?" He looks up to Lee Ming.
Lee Ming grinned and said, "We decided that Hippell will be fully yours."
Jiu Lin's hands stopped packing the skin, he frowned, "Is that okay?" He looks at the team who is now chopping the other two Hippell. "They also helped take agro on this Hippell, They should have its part."
"It's all good. They all agreed to give you that Hippell.Also you don't need to feel bad as my target will be fully ours." Lee Ming actually felt that they took advantage of Jiu Lin. However, they need to take the Tribe's account, after all they hunted now due to lack of meat to trade with.
He shook his head, "It's much smaller than this though." Jiu Lin stood up so they could converse much better.
"No, no. We will take a little bit more on the big one. But the rest of it will be for the Tribe. Is that okay with you?" Lee Ming asked.
"Yes. That's much better." Jiu Lin felt right knowing that they will still take a little bit on the big one. With how many they are, one won't be enough.
Lee Ming sat down. "I'll help you chop this up so we can all go back much earlier."
Jiu Lin nodded and sat down to continue packing the skin. "Thank you."
Lee Ming chuckled and invited him, "No, thank you. I didn't know you were also a great sharpshooter. Once Hu'er has more mates, do you want to join our team?"
Lee Ming wanted to take his chance. This is also what they all talked about earlier that's why he kept on going to another group, not just about the division of meat. Lee Ming has been asking for their opinion about getting Jiu Lin's on their team. Getting another sharpshooter will lessen the danger of the forest. Plus with Jiu Lin in, Shen Bin can finally get some rest when he needs to.
Lee Ming worried earlier about the decision of Shen Bin. He might not like Jiu Lin to join in. However when he asked him, Shen Bin immediately agreed. Since Shen Bin agreed everyone else was feeling good letting Jiu Lin in their team.
Not expecting Lee Ming to suddenly invite him, he stopped for a while before continuing. Almost everyone in the Fox Tribe knows what will be his role in Hu'er's family after everything is settled. He thought that maybe they didn't know due to being in the forest most of the season. "I appreciate your offer but I might not be able to join. I'm going to take charge of all tasks inside her house. Inventory, division of almost everything will be under me so I need to always be at home. If you don't mind, I could join you every season when I need to take on my responsibility."
Lee Ming didn't expect him to reject. However, he understands why he rejected it. Their mate is the number one responsibility they have. He would also happily stay at home mate if his mate wanted him to. Yet their life is different, his mate has too many mates already. She got a huge amount of company. Lee Ming did have a day of just him and his mate every whole season, which he cherished so much. Lee Ming paused for a bit then nodded. "Of course, you can join us. Just tell us when you intend to go and will see to it."
"Then that's a deal." Jiu Lin nodded at him and started packing the meat that was chopped off already.
While the team is having a peaceful talk, on the other hand the trading team is on high alert. The main group of traders are encircling the things they brought in and the most inner circle consists of physicians and beastmen who just joined the trader for their responsibility as a Fox beastmen. Above the trees are sharpshooters, ready to shoot when ordered.
Their scouts sneakily came to the circle and went toward their leader. He whispered something and pointed in the direction of the loud noise. Their leader's eyes darken. Others might not notice his changes but the traders who are always accompanying him did.
The atmosphere became tense. Their bodies started to transform into foxes. The sharpshooters' all bows faced the direction where the scout pointed at. They all become serious, looking in one direction. Waiting for something to come at them.
The sound of stomping steps, trees swaying, bush moving and air whistling made everyone jitters. No one speaks, no one moves, every beastmen is trying their best to calm themselves and await whatever is coming to their camp.