The great river runs from the north, cutting through the mountains where cliffs are steep, devoid of human habitation.
After flowing through the northern mountains, the river sweeps across the southern plains. On this side, there are villages like Yu Village and Hedong Village, while to the east, there used to be a few small villages, but they were slaughtered by the witch slaves who escaped from the Lion Tribe. Now, that area is uninhabited. To the south, following the river, there are still numerous villages.
Take, for example, the village closest to Yu Village, called Big Tree Village. Further south, there are tribes like the Aman Tribe scattered on both sides of the river, making a living by hunting and fishing.
These villages do not lead as comfortable lives as Yu Village once did. The fishing villages are often harassed by bone fish, with people frequently getting bitten or devoured.
But this year is different. Since the river thawed in spring, not a single bone fish has been seen. It's as if those ferocious creatures suddenly vanished.
"Maybe something happened upstream."
"People from the Aman Tribe say there's a village called Yu Village upstream, occupying both sides of the upper river. The former Hedong Village is nowhere to be found. They also say that people from Yu Village have cultivated large fields of crops, living in prosperity!"
"Yu Village? I've never heard of it. Where did they come from?"
During this time, the villages in the south discuss Yu Village from upstream.
When Yu Village's prosperity is mentioned, envy fills everyone.
However, except for a couple of ambitious tribes daring to send people upstream to investigate, most villages dare not take action.
"I heard that over a dozen people sent by the Aman Tribe to steal food were all captured. They haven't been released yet. Those were their best hunters."
"It's true. Yu Village is not to be trifled with."
"In my opinion, let's stay out of the Aman Tribe's affairs. This year, without bone fish disturbances, it's probably because of something Yu Village did. If they can handle bone fish, we shouldn't mess with them."
Conversations like these occur between several villages, all of which prefer a peaceful life.
However, tribes like the Aman Tribe, habitual thieves, have a different perspective. Seeing Yu Village with plenty of food makes their eyes turn red. If not for the over a dozen people they sent in, they would have raided the village already.
"In my opinion, don't hesitate. Charge in and loot! Our village has more than two hundred people. Can't we defeat them?"
"Exactly, we've done things like this before."
"Don't be impulsive. It's not just about the Aman Tribe getting caught. I heard that earlier this year, the entire Big Tree Village was wiped out, and Yu Village did it. The population of Big Tree Village is similar to ours, but they were eradicated silently. Yu Village isn't easy to deal with."
"That's because Big Tree Village was too weak. When they used to harass us, we drove them away."
"But we don't know if those guys from Aman Tribe are dead or alive. Yu Village surely knows we want to steal their food. They must be prepared. If we go now, we might not get anything."
"Right, I saw them harvesting the crops the other day. By now, everything must be cleared!"
These discussions of the Aman Tribe, thinking they're secret, unknowingly reach the ears of Yu Su.
In the dark of night, Yu Su and Lu Yan crouch on the roof of the Aman Tribe, hearing their discussions clearly.
The two exchange glances, then leap away without a sound, leaving the Aman Tribe entirely unaware.
Yu Su sneers, "The Aman Tribe indeed has wicked intentions."
Lu Yan replies, "I'll go deal with them."
"Don't be hasty. Beating them up now, what if they run away tomorrow?"
"Kill them."
"Killing is a waste. They're labor. Look at the people from Big Tree Village; they work hard now."
Thinking of the industrious people of Big Tree Village, Lu Yan refrains from suggesting killing the Aman Tribe members. As long as they hold the contract, these people will obey.
After roughly understanding the situation in the villages to the south, Yu Su and Lu Yan return to their village.
"Besides the Aman Tribe's mischief, other villages seem relatively peaceful. We can try to make contact with them," Yu Su suggests to the village chief and others.
The village chief nods, "Let's do that as you say."
Jian Yunchuan adds, "The Aman Tribe needs to be dealt with first."
"I think they can't sit still. In a few days, they'll come to us voluntarily. I've instructed the snow wolves to keep an eye on them. Any movement, they'll report," Yu Su states.
Jian Yunchuan nods, "I'll have the warriors ready for battle at any time."
Two days later, the snow wolves report that the Aman Tribe has mobilized.
The warriors of Yu Village are prepared. At Yu Su's command, they quickly assemble.
On the east bank of the great river, slaves watch as the warriors, armed with iron spears, prepare for battle. Remembering their lessons, they can't help but feel complex emotions.
They are both afraid and filled with a mix of admiration and schadenfreude.
"Looks like another group of fools looking for death."
"Must be people from the Aman Tribe."
"Isn't that an old acquaintance? Are they here to keep us company?"
"Last year, they raided our food. We haven't settled the score yet. When they come, I'll vent my anger."
"Here, we are in charge. Watch how I make them suffer!"
Talking about the Aman Tribe, the former inhabitants of Big Tree Village harbor resentment. They eagerly await Yu Su to capture them all, allowing them to release their pent-up frustration.
Xin Ya and the others, overhearing, remain speechless.
These people are still slaves, yet they want to settle scores with others.
"Enough talking. Get to work quickly."
"Move these dried fibers over there. Be careful; don't mess it up!"
The former aggressive slaves immediately halt their conversation at Xin Ya's words.
Xin Ya, rumored to be highly regarded by Yu Su, wouldn't want to get into trouble if she complained to Yu Su.
A few slaves quickly say, "Xin Ya, we were just joking. We absolutely didn't mean to cause trouble for Yu Su. We're the most obedient."
"Exactly, we were just joking around. We're the most obedient."
Xin Ya snorts, "Quit talking and get to work!"
"Coming, we'll move these and make sure not to mess anything up."
The slaves quickly move the dried fibers to the designated location, starting to process the hemp according to Xin Ya's instructions.
On the west bank, Yu Village's troops have already set off, ambushing the path that the Aman Tribe must traverse.
As expected, the entire Aman Tribe is mobilized, with even women carrying long sticks, knives, and other weapons, ready to follow the troops. Clearly, they've heard about Big Tree Village's fate and intend to outnumber their enemies.
This time, Yu Su doesn't let the warriors
rush in. Instead, he sets numerous traps in advance.
When the Aman Tribe approaches the vicinity of the traps, Jian Yunchuan seizes the opportunity to shout, "Attack!"
The ambushing warriors of Yu Village immediately rush out.
The unsuspecting members of the Aman Tribe are startled and quickly shout about an ambush.
"They've set an ambush! Be careful!"
"Kill them! We outnumber them; we're not afraid!"
"Kill them, take their food, and we won't go hungry anymore!"
The leader of the Aman Tribe roars, urging the members to fight desperately.
Observing the battle from a high vantage point, Yu Su sneers. "Lu Yan."
Lu Yan nods, and a flaming arrow shoots out, piercing the throat of the Aman Tribe's leader in the blink of an eye.
"Ah!"
"The leader is killed!"
The women scream, and the men become terrified.
The warriors of Yu Village continue to drive them towards the pre-arranged traps, killing and capturing the Aman Tribe members.
The entire process can be described as not very challenging.
In less than an hour, the battle is over.
"Bury the dead on the spot, and round up the survivors."
"Capture a few for questioning."
At Jian Yunchuan's command, the Aman Tribe members are brought over, and after Jian Yunchuan learns about the situation of this Aman Tribe squad, he instructs someone to watch over the slaves. Then, he leads the warriors to the Aman Tribe.
Lu Yan says to Yu Su, "I'll go help."
Yu Su nods.
After dealing with the scene, Yu Feng approaches Yu Su.
"Lord Yu Su, the prisoners are tied up, the bodies are buried, what should we do next?"
"Return to the village."
"Yes!"
With the prisoners, Yu Su returns to the village and instructs Yu Feng to have them questioned about their situation.
Yu Feng nods. This is something he has done before, and he is quite skilled at it now.
After a while, Xin Ya comes to find Yu Su and talks about the grievances between the former Big Tree Village slaves and the Aman Tribe. Yu Su listens thoughtfully.
It seems this batch of slaves won't require much effort to discipline. Someone else will take care of it.
It's fine. Make the most of everything. Let the people from the former Big Tree Village handle the Aman Tribe.
On that evening, Jian Yunchuan and Lu Yan, with the remaining members of the Aman Tribe, arrive. They resolve what needs to be resolved, and everyone signs the slave contract. The Aman Tribe members are left to accompany the people from the former Big Tree Village.
"Keep an eye on them. If the people from Big Tree Village want to settle scores, let them."
"Understood."
When the people from the Aman Tribe arrived at the slave camp and found that most of the people from Big Tree Village were here, glaring at them one by one, they knew how wrong they were today.
The people from Big Tree Village grinned, dropped what they were holding, and walked towards the members of the Aman Tribe.
"Roar!"
"Don't hit the face!"
In just two days, the news of the entire Aman Tribe being captured spread to the villages in the south.
After the shock, these villages couldn't help but worry. They feared that Yu Village might take action against them, capturing them to become slaves.
Just when these villages were anxious, an envoy from Yu Village informed them that their shaman would visit their villages.