Chapter 19: Encounter
As the sky gradually brightened, Lu Yao roused himself and climbed out of bed. Ever since he had engaged with the game, sleeping in had become a rarity. He constantly harbored a nagging worry that a sudden catastrophe might befall the Garlic Tribe, wiping them out in an instant.
The horde of villagers was undeniably vulnerable at present. Winter stretched too long, summer scorched with unbearable heat, food remained scarce, foreign enemies encroached upon their lands, and infectious diseases loomed as constant threats. Each of these perils held the potential to bring disaster upon the Garlic Tribe.
Pouring himself a cup of instant coffee, Lu Yao settled down and observed the activities of the tribe with a discerning gaze. The population had now swelled to 311, and their faith value stood at a balanced 270 points.
Having survived the harsh winter, the food stores of the Garlic Tribe had once again reached sufficiency, transitioning from a cautionary yellow warning to a vibrant green, indicating a healthy stockpile. Additionally, despite facing a shortage of wood reserves, the resource had gradually gained popularity with the aid of two skilled carpenters. The tribal thatched houses were gradually transforming into sturdy wooden structures.
However, the arrival of spring brought unexpected guests to their riverside abode.
Five swift canoes emerged on the eastern river, swiftly maneuvering and docking along the way. These canoes were manned entirely by pixelated female figures, their darker skin tone contrasting against their loose flowing hair. Clad in supple leather armor that enveloped their bodies, they carried bows and arrows slung across their backs.
The leading female pixel villain, bearing the title of [Captain], stood out from the rest. Unlike her companions, she adorned a bone-white helmet bristling with sharp teeth, reminiscent of some formidable creature.
Due to the inherent limitations of the pixelated game, Lu Yao's ability to discern further details was hindered.
The [Captain] bellowed from the shore, "You! Surrender the strong man! Otherwise, you shall face the wrath of our Donghe tribe!"
Her fellow companions chimed in, raising their voices in unison.
"Surrender the man!"
"Man! Man!"
"Place the strong man on our vessel!"
"Else, we shall reduce you all to slaves!"
Lu Yao found himself perplexed. Who were these savage sisters from the tribal era?
The prophet and shaman hurriedly rushed to the scene, accompanied by over 30 hunters armed with bows and arrows. The two factions stood face-to-face, their confrontation unfolding along the riverbank.
Suddenly, two monstrous creatures emerged from the depths of the river, bearing the ominous mark of [Sea Monster LV8] on their heads.
These sea monsters, each the size of five men combined, possessed scales encasing their bodies. With their lizard-like heads and formidable rows of razor-sharp teeth, they resembled upright-standing giant crocodiles.
Methodically, the sea monsters advanced onto the shore.
The Garlic Tribe's hunters unleashed a barrage of arrows, but their projectiles seemed feeble against the impenetrable scales of the sea monsters. Their attacks had no effect whatsoever.
Mocking symbols appeared above the heads of the Donghe Tribe's pixelated characters.
"The sea monster is invulnerable!"
"You are too weak!"
The female captain taunted, "We possess an abundance of sea monsters, capable of decimating your tribe at any time. However, we hold a strong desire for your tribe's formidable men. Surrender them, and we shall offer you our protection."
Her compatriots echoed her sentiments.
"Weak tribe, offer up your men! Strong men!"
"Do not remain ignorant of your own welfare!"
"Hurry up, hand over the men, or prepare to be sold as slaves!"
Savoring a sip of his coffee, Lu Yao contemplated the dilemma at hand.
This situation presented a challenge that couldn't be resolved easily. He could, of course, unleash his lightning powers and dispatch the two sea monsters swiftly. However, such an act would not alleviate the immediate crisis but rather exacerbate it, transforming the Donghe Tribe into a sworn enemy.
Moreover, lacking the necessary technology and expertise, the Garlic Tribe had no means of traversing the river's depths. Meanwhile, the Donghe Tribe possessed the freedom to come and go as they pleased.
From a technical standpoint, the Donghe Tribe boasted an impressive array of capabilities. They possessed the knowledge and resources to construct canoes, fashion bows and arrows, design unique tribal attire, and even dabble in rudimentary forms of slavery. Additionally, their ability to domesticate and raise sea monsters showcased a level of civilization that surpassed mere primitivism.
Lu Yao sensed that the threat issued by the female captain was more of a strategic deterrent than an immediate intention to annihilate the Garlic Tribe. If the Donghe Tribe truly intended to devour their entire community, there would be no need for empty bluffs. They could simply launch a direct attack, enslaving or eliminating everyone in the process.
However, it was crucial to understand that the pixelated world within the Celestial Experience differed significantly from the real world. Here, gods, apostles, flames of faith, and monsters coexisted. The evolution of the pixelated individuals followed a distinct path, one that couldn't be evaluated through the lens of existing human history.
With these thoughts in mind, Lu Yao decided to observe the unfolding crisis, allowing the Garlic Tribe the opportunity to confront and resolve their own troubles. They needed to learn self-reliance rather than solely relying on their gods for guidance. Should the situation prove insurmountable, he would summon Isabel to aid them.
Engaging in intense deliberation, the prophet and shaman reached a decision.
"We are willing to offer you five men, the maximum number that won't impact our tribe," the Prophet declared.
"However, the Donghe Tribe must refrain from attacking the Garlic Tribe. We demand the safety of our surrounding rivers," he added sternly.
The female captain readily agreed to these terms.
"The Donghe Tribe shall protect you, weak men," she affirmed. "Bring the men swiftly, and let them be strong and handsome!"
After internal discussions within the Garlic Tribe, it was decided that the five men would be selected through a lottery system and sent to the awaiting canoe.
Thus, the Garlic Tribe and the Donghe Tribe found themselves in their first contact and clash. As a result, the Garlic Tribe relinquished five men as a gesture of peace.
With the departure of the Donghe Tribe, the river boundary expanded further eastward, revealing a floating island constructed from interconnected wooden boats, serving as one of the settlements for the Donghe Tribe.
Lu Yao fixed his gaze upon the sky above the Donghe Tribe, keenly observing their activities.
The Donghe Tribe followed a matrilineal clan structure, predominantly consisting of women, numbering in the hundreds. Their highest-ranking leader held the title of [grandmother], denoting a position of authority and wisdom.
Through their conversations, Lu Yao gleaned that the Donghe Tribe originated from a larger clan known as the "Donghai Clan." Residing in the vast East China Sea to the east, the Donghai Clan wielded control over a considerable expanse of the ocean. In the past, a faction of the Donghai Clan had split off, migrating westward to establish the Donghe Tribe. Settling along the flowing Donghe River, their sustenance primarily relied on fishing, harvesting shrimp, and gathering aquatic plants. Occasionally, they ventured onto land to hunt wild animals and birds with their bows and arrows.
Notably, the Donghe Tribe possessed a formidable weapon in the form of sea monsters. These creatures usually dwelled underwater and would only surface upon the command of there Tribe's women.
Yet, something caught Lu Yao's attention a villagerfrom the Yanchi Tribe had found a place within the Donghe Tribe. These tribal merchants engaged in business transactions with the Donghe Tribe, arriving by canoe to exchange goods such as salt, bows and arrows, and wood in return for fish.
Lu Yao's focus shifted to the five male pixel villains surrendered by the Garlic Tribe. They were assigned to several female captains, who became their spouses. Throughout the day, the men of the Garlic Tribe seemed to roam aimlessly around the boat island.
However, this observation was not entirely accurate. They, too, had their own roles and responsibilities to fulfill.
The women of the East River Tribe would guide them into the houseboats, and upon emerging, a weak expression would manifest above their heads.
The female captains appeared accustomed to this communal sharing of men, a custom deeply rooted in the traditions of the Donghe Tribe. The men, serving as shared assets, fell under the ownership of the female captains.
While the Donghe Tribe held great esteem for foreign men, their treatment of foreign women was marked by cruelty. Canoe expeditions often resulted in the capture of women, who were subsequently subjected to arduous labor. These female slaves were tasked with duties such as cleaning the boat island, transporting wood, handling fish, and managing food supplies. If a female slave fell ill or suffered an injury, she would be callously cast into the water, becoming fodder for the insatiable sea monsters.