Changning looked at Mufeng with a surprised gaze, carefully observing the people of the Jiang tribe and the fish they carried on their backs. Lihu and Mingguang appeared somewhat doubtful and apprehensive.
Despite the young girl's assurance that she was just passing by and meant no harm, her scrutinizing looks left them uneasy about fully trusting her. While she claimed no ill intentions, her companion Aguli might have different plans.
Amidst their inner turmoil, Changning suddenly asked with a smile, "Could you take me to see your tribe?"
"Visit our tribe?" This even made Mufeng worry.
"Relax, I really mean no harm!" Changning said with an easy smile. "I'm not interested in your food, nor will I steal it. With me around, the warriors of my Qingniao tribe wouldn't dare to commit such acts!"
"I just want to meet your tribe's great chieftain and seek his advice!"
"Seek advice from our great chieftain?" Lihu instinctively turned to look at Mufeng, then quickly averted his gaze back to the girl, "What do you wish to consult our chieftain about?"
The girl chuckled, "I want to ask if he knows how to make weapons other than these fish spears! Don't worry, I won't just ask for free."
Lihu remained skeptical.
Changning pointed to the armored earth dragon behind her, "If you allow me to meet him and get the information I seek, this earth dragon is yours!"
"Really?" Lihu's breath quickened.
An armored earth dragon was more than just a mount; most fierce beasts in the jungle feared it. Having such a creature would protect the tribe from many dangers. Especially, a tribe with an armored earth dragon was seen as having a major tribe as its patron, safeguarding them from other tribes' aggression!
"How presumptuous! Are the words of my Qingniao tribe false?" The previously quiet "painted face" man spoke arrogantly again.
"Aguli!" Changning frowned, obviously irritated, "Continue like this, and I'll ask our father not to let you leave the tribe!"
The man shut up, huffing coldly.
Changning turned back to Mufeng and Lihu, bowing gracefully with an apologetic look, "Please forgive the rudeness of my tribesman. I truly seek guidance."
Mufeng pondered for a moment, then said, "Your group is too large…"
He didn't finish, but knew the girl would understand.
Indeed, she placed one hand on her chest and pointed to the sky with the other, looking earnestly at Mufeng, "I swear on my Qingniao totem, if I harbor any ill intent, may my tribe never soar in the skies!"
Lihu and Mingguang were stunned.
"Yemaduo! You are the pearl of our Qingniao tribe, how can you make such a promise to these people!" The man erupted again, clearly enraged, "You are swearing on the totem for such a small tribe, binding the entire tribe to it!"
Unexpectedly, Changning's eyebrows raised in defiance, her eyes flashing with anger, "If you refuse to honor the oath, either kill me or leave the Qingniao tribe yourself!"
Surprisingly, Aguli instantly panicked, his face losing all anger and turning to sheer fear.
He knelt on one knee, hands raised, head bowed in a plea, "I will honor whatever Yemaduo says, as will the Qingniao tribe!"
Mufeng was also taken aback, knowing from both his past and present memories, that the Qingniao was the totem belief of their tribe.
No one dares to break an oath sworn on the totem!
He wondered why the girl had to go to such lengths. Could it be that her tribe was also facing some dilemma, hence her urgency?
"Alright!" Mufeng calmed down and asked, "What do you want to ask?"
"Huh?" Changning was surprised, "What did you say?"
"Aren't you here to meet our great chieftain? I am he!" Mufeng said calmly.
"You?" Changning was stunned, her brows furrowed, looking seriously at Mufeng who couldn't help but smile.
"Doesn't seem like it?" Mufeng joked lightly.
"You're the great chieftain?" Changning seemed puzzled, "How can that be, you're not even as tall as me! In our tribe, you would still be training!"
Mufeng sighed internally, "A poor man's child assumes responsibilities early."
But he turned to the nervous Lihu and Mingguang, "It's okay, relax. Let everyone put down their fish for a moment!"
Lihu nodded, turning to instruct the others.
Changning finally realized, her eyes filled with curiosity, "You really are the great chieftain!"
"Yes!" Mufeng was a bit surprised, seeing the previously imposing girl now looking up to him with admiration.
However, curious as she was, Changning quickly returned to the topic, "Since you are the great chieftain, that saves me a trip. Can these bamboo spears be used for anything other than spearing fish? Or do you know how to make other powerful weapons?"
She hurriedly added, "Tell me, and this armored earth dragon is yours!"
"Hmm?" Mufeng's interest was piqued. He had been thinking of using a hawk or a hound, but having this armored earth dragon as a mount would be even more impressive.
But he knew it wouldn't be easy to take the dragon, especially with Aguli watching him closely.
"Okay!" Mufeng nodded, taking a bamboo spear from someone behind him.
It was a simple spear, just a black bamboo shaft sharpened at one end.
Simple, but Mufeng had another use for it.
"Clear the way over there!" Mufeng looked at a tree about ten meters away and shouted to the people nearby.
The person hesitated, but Changning gestured, and he quickly moved away.
Mufeng inhaled deeply, recalling the javelin throwing techniques he learned in his past life during physical education classes. He stepped back a few steps, then quickly stepped forward, holding the back half of the spear in his right hand, aimed at the tree, and hurled it with force.
The bamboo shaft arced through the air, then pierced straight into the tree trunk!
The bamboo vibrated continuously, the tip sinking two to three inches deep!
"Hiss!" Someone gasped in awe.