The five southern villages were extremely curious about Yu Su. As the Yu Village trading caravan prepared to return, many expressed their desire to accompany them back to Yu Village.
Xin Dong and others didn't refuse; in fact, they welcomed the idea.
"Sure, with the smooth road now, it won't take a whole day to reach Yu Village from here."
"The territory of the original Barbarian Tribe now belongs to our village. Our village has patrol teams commuting every day, ensuring safety on the road. You can visit our village anytime; the journey is secure."
Xin Dong's words sparked interest in the people of the five southern villages. Of course, the village leaders and witch doctors had even more thoughts.
They hadn't expected Yu Village to claim the territory of the original Barbarian Tribe. With this expansion, wasn't Yu Village now adjacent to their villages?
How vast was Yu Village's territory now?
Shan Feng, the village head of Bee Village, scratched his head. "Witch Doctor, can Yu Village manage such an extensive territory?"
Shan Yang, wise and compassionate, looked at him with a knowing gaze. "You should be thinking not about whether Yu Village can manage it."
"Then what should I be thinking?" Shan Feng was puzzled.
Shan Yang sighed, took his time, and said, "Yu Village is much more formidable than I thought. Tomorrow, when the Yu Village trading caravan returns, I'll go to Yu Village with them."
Shan Feng exclaimed, "I'll go with you."
Shan Yang retorted with a touch of impatience, "You should definitely come along. Just try to use your brain."
Shan Feng: "..."
What did he do to deserve such scolding? He didn't do anything wrong.
The next day.
Xin Dong was somewhat surprised when he learned that the witch doctor and village head of Bee Village intended to accompany them to Yu Village. Unexpectedly, they were the quickest to decide to visit, but it didn't seem entirely surprising.
Shan Yang said, "I hope we won't disturb Lord Yu Su."
"If Lord Yu Su learns that two esteemed guests are visiting, he will undoubtedly be delighted," Xin Dong assured.
Hearing that the witch doctor and village head of Bee Village planned to accompany Yu Village's trading caravan, the other four villages couldn't sit still. They also expressed their intent to visit, and just like Bee Village, both the village head and witch doctor of Stone Village mobilized.
With all five villages jointly visiting, Xin Dong sensed the significance of the event. Before departing, he whistled, summoning a nearby perched eagle. He instructed the eagle to deliver a message to Yu Su, informing him that the village heads and witch doctors of the five southern villages were visiting together.
After hearing the message, the eagle spread its wings and flew away.
The People of the Five Southern Villages Witnessed His Skillful Control of the Eagle, Quite Amazed.
"Captain Xin Dong, can you control the eagle?" Someone couldn't help but ask.
Xin Dong shook his head, "That's Lord Yu Su's eagle. I merely asked it for help in delivering a message."
Bee Village's witch doctor, Shan Yang, looked at the eagle that had long flown away, lost in thought.
...
Yu Su quickly learned about the upcoming visit of the five southern villages and made preparations to receive them.
"They won't be able to sit still so soon," the village head remarked.
Yu Su smiled, "The roads are open, and the caravan has passed. It would be strange if they could still sit still."
The village head chuckled, "True."
Yu Su said, "Now, please prepare for the reception."
The village head assured, "Rest assured, once they come, they won't want to leave."
Yu Su laughed, calculated the time, and realized they might arrive around nightfall. He headed to the east bank of the river.
A workshop had been constructed on the east bank of the river. Xin Ya and You Yu Shi, along with the women from the village and those from the original Big Tree Village, were weaving hemp fabric here.
Craftsmen in the village, following the design of the loom previously created by Yu Su, had crafted several looms. Now, multiple looms operated together, increasing the speed of fabric production.
"Lord Yu Su."
Seeing Yu Su approaching, everyone stood up and bowed.
Yu Su told them not to mind him; he had just come to see.
"Are you accustomed to using it?" Yu Su asked Xin Ya and others operating the looms.
Xin Ya nodded, "Very accustomed. It's so easy to use. The fabric we produce now is finer and lighter. I'm sure I can make even better clothes for you this time!"
Yu Su said, "Don't just focus on making clothes for me. The styles I gave you last time, you can try making them for yourselves."
Xin Ya responded, "Of course, we will prioritize making yours. You don't need to say much; we all want to make clothes for you."
Others nodded fervently, gazing at Yu Su with enthusiasm, as if he were their ultimate goal in making clothes.
Yu Su said, "..."
He cleared his throat, "Don't just stare at me. I don't need too many clothes."
After finishing his instructions, he quickly changed the subject, handing Xin Ya a few new patterns.
"These are for Lu Yan, only for him," Yu Su emphasized, afraid Xin Ya might not understand. He added, "If you make them for others, Lu Yan might get angry, and I won't be able to explain."
Xin Ya, initially excited about the designs, felt a bit stifled upon learning they were exclusively for Lu Yan. That big guy didn't like being close to Lord Yu Su, always looking at him unfavourably. Hmph.
Yu Su knocked on the loom, "Do it well, understand?"
Xin Ya pouted, "Understood."
As long as it was a task from Lord Yu Su, even if it was for that guy Lu Yan, Xin Ya would do it seriously.
After giving instructions, Yu Su promptly left. If everyone kept staring, wanting to make clothes for him, he found it strange.
As soon as he stepped out, he saw Lu Yan leading a team approaching.
Today, Lu Yan was leading the patrol team, and they had gone to the canyon plains and the villages near the mountains to the east that were once slaughtered by the witch slaves.
Since the beginning of spring, they had been worried about monsters from the eastern mountains and the possibility of more witch warrior remnants. Every one or two days, patrol teams would go to those areas to check.
Divided into three groups, the more than ten Five Elements Warriors sometimes had Lu Yan personally leading the inspection.
"Any anomalies?" Yu Su asked.
Lu Yan shook his head. Glancing at the workshop where Yu Su came out, he asked, "Why are you here."
Yu Su said, "I came to deliver patterns to Xin Ya and others, specifically designed for you."
Lu Yan's initially expressionless face immediately changed. He emanated a joyful emotion, asking, "For me?"
Yu Su said, "Didn't you ask me to make a special order for you? Why, changed your mind?"
Lu Yan immediately grabbed him, "No!"
Yu Su said, "Alright, don't joke around with me. Why are you pulling me? It's hot; let go."
Lu Yan sighed and reluctantly released him, resembling a scolded puppy.
The team members behind Lu Yan lowered their heads, suppressing laughter. Lu Yan usually maintained a stern expression, appearing aloof and intimidating. Yet, every time he interacted with Yu Su, he would end up on the losing side, especially since the beginning of summer.
No wonder; Lu Yan liked sticking close to Yu Su, but Yu Su found him too hot, disliking him being too close.
Lu Yan looked back at his team, and they immediately suppressed their smiles, pretending nothing had happened.
"You guys go back."
"Okay."
The patrol team members, fearing that Lu Yan might trouble them, didn't dare linger and quickly left.
After the patrol team members left, Lu Yan asked Yu Su, "Do you need to go anywhere else? I'll accompany you."
Yu Su and Lu Yan patrolled the fields for a while. They had recently planted short-term crops for autumn. The slaves from the original Big Tree Village were working, and He Qiang and others were supervising.
After ensuring there were no issues, Yu Su and Lu Yan went into the mountains to find a place to meditate and cultivate.
Since Yu Su advanced to the eighth level of Qi Refinement, in addition to practicing the Wood Spirit section of "Five Elements of a Myriad Methods," he had also learned a sword art. In the absence of a suitable iron sword, he used a wooden sword instead, practicing it proficiently.
Lu Yan now had cultivation at the sixth level of Qi Refinement. This guy was about to advance to the seventh level soon. Therefore, whenever he had time, he would meditate and absorb spiritual energy.
When it was nearly dark, Lu Yan finished his cultivation.
"How's it going?" Yu Su asked.
Lu Yan replied, "I'll probably reach the seventh level in two more days."
Yu Su smiled, "Not bad. Let's go back now. It's getting dark, and the people from the five southern villages should be arriving soon."
Lu Yan nodded, returning with him to the village.
After dark, the bells on the bull's neck jingled as the caravan returned.
The people from the five southern villages had also arrived.
As they entered the main boundary of Yu Village, it was already dark. The people from the five southern villages couldn't see the situation on the east bank of the river but could observe the conditions on the west side.
The first thing they saw was Yu Village's watchtower. People were standing on the sturdy watchtower, and torches were lit, visible from afar.
Yu Village's main gate tower was tall and imposing, with braziers placed on both sides of the entrance, flames burning on them, illuminating a large area of the village entrance.
Guards stood on both sides
. Seeing the returning team, they notified Yu Su and the others.
Before long, Yu Su and the village head came out to greet them.
The village head and witch doctor from the five southern villages had already been shocked when they saw the tall tower. This tower, even in Salt Village, was unmatched, exuding an oppressive aura with its grandeur.
Moreover, it was already night, but the inside of Yu Village was brightly lit. At intervals, there were braziers, and the flames above illuminated the entire main road of the village.
They hadn't entered the village yet, but they saw the wide and flat stone road, the beautifully structured houses on both sides, and the neatly dressed villagers...
All of this was completely different from their dirty and disorderly village in the south. This place was not only bright and spacious but also so beautiful that it didn't seem like a place where people lived. It looked more like the residence of gods. Perhaps it was no different from the legendary City of the Witch God.
When the people from the five southern villages were still in shock, they saw Yu Su leading people out and quickly bowed respectfully.
"Lord Yu Su."
Yu Su also bowed to them and introduced the village head and Jian Yunchuan, and others.
"We've been waiting for you. We have prepared a welcoming feast. Please follow us into the village."