For this trading journey, Yu Su decided to leave Lu Yan behind to guard against a sudden attack from Yan Village.
Although Lu Yan understood Yu Su's concerns and didn't completely agree, he accepted the arrangement.
"Be careful and tie the animal-hide bags securely; don't let the salt leak."
"Check again to see if there's anything missing."
The members of the caravan repeatedly inspected the goods.
To facilitate trade, Yu Su contracted eight wild oxen this time to transport the cargo.
Salt, herbs, animal hides, and bones were packed in specially woven animal-hide bags tied to the backs of the oxen, with the rest of the people following them.
Although they were still traveling on foot, it was much easier, and everyone was happy.
"Lord Yu Su, everything is ready," said Yu Ye.
For this trade journey, Yu Ye and He Cai accompanied Yu Su. One served as the captain of the caravan, and the other as the vice-captain, both full of enthusiasm.
Yu Su noticed their talent for numbers and commerce and intended to nurture them.
"Once everything is ready, let's set off. Take advantage of the early morning and make good progress."
"Alright."
When the caravan departed, everyone came to see them off. As they approached the address of the original Hedong Village, they were reluctant to return.
Yu Su waved to them, "Go back; no need to see us off. Just wait for good news when we return."
"Lord Yu Su, please return safely."
"Su'er, come back soon."
"I will protect the village."
Yu Su nodded with a smile, bid farewell to the crowd, and headed east with the caravan.
The light golden fluffy ball still squatted on his hair, the fur messy, and the black eyes, the size of green beans, surveyed the surroundings like a territory patrol.
Having been to these places, it considered this entire area its territory.
Yu Su found this forced territorial behavior quite disdainful. A tiny thing like this wanted to be a ruler.
The fluffy ball chirped twice, sounding like a ruler.
What's wrong with this little one? It's the God Bird of Destiny.
Oh well, it doesn't bother to argue with short-sighted mortals.
...
The two snow wolves also set off with Yu Su. They followed him step by step, carrying some of Yu Su's belongings on their backs.
The caravan members would occasionally glance at the two wolves.
These wolves looked serious but carried luggage on their backs, and their fur was flattened, creating a cute and contrasting image.
During breaks, Lord Yu Su would gently stroke them. They would close their eyes, lying in Lord Yu Su's arms, looking unexpectedly adorable, making people itch to touch them.
Unfortunately, they only dared to think about it; no one had the courage to do so.
Two days later, the caravan left the canyon plains and entered the northern wilderness.
With about twenty people in the caravan, along with eight wild oxen and the two snow wolves, their formation was quite imposing. Especially the well-behaved oxen and wolves carrying goods, they stood out, attracting attention wherever they went.
So, the news of this caravan from Yu Village spread shortly after they entered the northern wilderness.
Once the villages along the way learned that Yu Su's group was a caravan, some were curious and engaged in trade, while others with malicious intentions wanted to take advantage of them.
For the latter, without exception, Yu Su gave them a severe beating. Once they realized this caravan was not to be trifled with, no one dared to make a move against them.
Later on, almost all the villages along the way knew about this caravan from Yu Village, aware that they were protected by the envoys of the mountain god, capable of manipulating plants, water, earth, and engaging in formidable combat.When the reputation spread, Yu Su and his group once again arrived at Iron Casting Village.
The guards of Iron Casting Village were startled when they saw a team capable of controlling wild oxen and snow wolves approaching. It wasn't until they recognized Yu Su as the leader that they breathed a sigh of relief.
"Hurry, tell the village chief, Lord Yu Su is here with his... caravan!"
The guard swallowed, feeling that this unique caravan was truly beyond expectations.
When Iron Eagle, accompanied by others, came out and saw Yu Su's caravan, they widened their eyes.
Goodness, making wild oxen and snow wolves carry goods—Yu Su could really surprise people with anything.
"Iron Village Chief, I'm here again," Yu Su smiled.
Iron Eagle and the others recovered, greeted Yu Su warmly, and Iron Eagle asked, "Lord Yu Su, how did you make wild oxen and snow wolves carry your goods?"
"Good heavens, those two snow wolves are almost as tall as me!"
The people of Iron Casting Village, skipping forging iron for a moment, gathered to watch Yu Su's caravan.
Especially when they saw the wild oxen and snow wolves, they were amazed.
Some daring ones wanted to touch the snow wolf's fur, but were warned by a snarl.
Yu Su stopped them from trying to pet the snow wolves. "These two snow wolves only listen to me. Don't provoke them, or they might get upset."
After Yu Su's reminder, everyone restrained themselves and dared not try to touch the snow wolves.
"So, this is the salt from Yu Village. Heavens, it's so delicate!"
"Craftsman God above, I've never seen such beautiful salt!"
"Salty!"
"Idiot, is that how you eat it?"
When Yu Su had the goods unloaded, Iron Eagle and the others couldn't take their eyes off the exquisite salt brought by Yu Su. They had never seen such delicate and beautiful salt.
"Wow, this is much better than the salt from Salt Village."
"Absolutely, Salt Village still dares to charge us such a high price. We should show them what Yu Village salt is like and wipe that smug look off their faces."
"Yu Su, are you really selling all this salt to us?" Iron Eagle was somewhat uncertain.
Yu Su nodded, "Of course, why else would I bring it here?"
Iron Eagle carefully poured a bit of accidentally spilled salt into a jar, saying, "This salt is excellent. What do you want us to exchange for it?"
Yu Su said, "No need to exchange salt. Just give me money. Also, this time, I want to ask you to forge a batch of weapons for me."
Yu Su not only wanted Iron Casting Village to forge weapons but also had the blueprints ready. Iron Eagle and the others, seeing Yu Su taking out a parchment scroll, anticipated what was coming. Their breaths quickened, and they stared eagerly at Yu Su's hands.
Yu Su chuckled and handed over four scrolls, including designs for a sword, a knife, a shield, and a long spear. All of them were styles improved in the future, and he even included some refined forging methods.
Iron Eagle and the others couldn't believe their eyes, temporarily unable to speak, their hands trembling with excitement.
"Yu, Yu Su, are you really giving us these blueprints?" Iron Eagle's tongue tied in knots.
Yu Su said, "I need a considerable quantity. In the future, I will continue to supply you. Can you accept that?"
The supply Yu Su mentioned, of course, was free. After all, the price of these four blueprints was not low.
Iron Eagle desperately wanted to nod, but the rational Iron Cang restrained him.
Iron Cang said, "Lord Yu Su, for the specific duration and quantity of the supply, you still need to establish a specific contract."
Yu Su had this in mind and readily agreed.
He said, "You're older than me; there's no need for such formal titles. I dare not take them. Call me by my name."
Iron Cang smiled with wrinkles on his aged face. "You are the descendant of the Deer God Mountain God, with powerful shamanic abilities. You have brought many changes to our village. It's only right to address you with respect."
Yu Su shook his head, "Just call me Yu Su. No need to be so formal. Don't inconvenience me."
Only then did Iron Cang stop insisting, feeling more and more that Yu Su was extraordinary. Many people with a bit of power liked to command others, but Yu Su had such a humble attitude, which outshone those people by far.
Yes, he was specifically calling out Salt Village's Salt Ceremony.
Yu Su and Iron Eagle, after discussing and signing new contracts for the four added blueprints, as well as a new profit-sharing agreement, Yu Su left Iron Casting Village with the crafted iron pots and farm tools.
Due to concerns about Salt Village attacking the village, Yu Su bid farewell to Iron Casting Village after completing the transaction and went back with the batch of crafted iron pots and tools.
After seeing Yu Su off, Iron Eagle and the others immersed themselves in a bustling new round of iron forging.
While Yu Su and his group were heading back, back in Yu Village.
"Leader, those captives from Salt Village can't provide any more information. How should we deal with them?" Yu Shan asked Lu Yan inside.
The guards captured during the last encounter with Salt Village had been detained and interrogated. Yu Su's intention was to extract more information about Salt Village from them.
Lu Yan said indifferently, "If they're useless, just kill them."
Yu Shan nodded and didn't say anything more. He led a group of people to deal with the captives.
Lu Yan invited the village chief and Jian Yunchuan, sharing the information extracted from the captives' mouths.
Jian Yunchuan said, "So, what Salt Village truly wants is the snake's inner core in the Black Flame Valley? Do they plan to feed that inner core to the three-headed bird as an upgrade?"
Lu Yan nodded, "They intend to let the three-headed bird unify the northern wilderness after upgrading, opposing the east and west of Fengcheng."
Jian Yunchuan sneered, "They really dare to think."
However, that three-headed bird was indeed powerful. If it hadn't been for the intervention of the Mountain God that day, they might have had some trouble. If it upgraded, they might even have to be wary of Fengcheng.
The village chief worried, "We don't know who took that inner core. If Salt Village finds it, it could be troublesome."
Lu Yan knew where the inner core was but didn't reveal any hint of it, stating coldly, "That's why we need to deal with that three-headed bird before they do."
Jian Yunchuan, glancing at Lu Yan, knew that Su'er had been to Black Flame Valley. Because he needed to find the Guardian Grass for him, the timing was so coincidental. Therefore, the inner core was most likely in Su'er's hands. Lu Yan had gone to Black Flame Valley with Su'er; he wouldn't be unaware. Yet, this guy showed no sign of knowing anything, demonstrating excellent composure.
No wonder Su'er trusted him so much; this guy was indeed something.
"You're right; it's time to deal with that three-headed bird."
The village chief, seeing both
of them so confident, felt embarrassed to admit his worry about whether they could handle it or not. He could only nod seriously, "Right, it's time to deal with it."
He was the village chief, and he couldn't lose in terms of aura!