With Qian's assistance, Ji Mo Ling prepared the final batch of medicine packets to trade with other tribes and handed them over to Meng Lin for the transaction. Her tasks for the grand market were almost complete.
Checking the time, it was nearing lunch. Ji Mo Ling stretched her body and decided to go check on Rui.
"Qian, you should go eat too. Afterward, just take the remaining medicine packets to the stall," she said.
"Got it. You go ahead first," Qian replied, knowing she was thinking about Rui, who was defending his title at the arena. He reassured her that he would handle the rest.
Ji Mo Ling nodded and quickly headed toward the arena.
Just as she exited the camp, she saw Rui returning with a bruised eye, accompanied by several warriors from their tribe, enthusiastically gesturing and discussing something with him.
Ji Mo Ling stopped, realizing that Rui had likely been defeated in the arena. However, judging by everyone's excited expressions, it seemed his opponent had been quite strong, and the loss was not a disgrace.
In fact, it was pretty close to the truth. During his seventh match, Rui had been challenged by a warrior from the Hai tribe, a lion beastman in his prime and one of the best in his tribe.
Though outmatched in strength, Rui wasn't one to give up easily. In fact, he was eager to fight a strong opponent. Even though he took a fair amount of beating, he didn't let his opponent have an easy time.
In the end, Rui found an opening and landed a punch straight to his opponent's face, causing a nosebleed. However, he was caught and thrown out of the ring afterward.
Although he lost, Rui wasn't too upset. He stood up, dusted himself off, and didn't bother watching the victor's reward ceremony, heading straight back to the camp to find his fiancée.
As his peers trailed behind, discussing the match and comforting him, they approached the camp. One of the sharp-eyed beastmen noticed Ji Mo Ling waiting there. It seemed that the revered hermit had finished her work and was heading to watch her fiancé's match, only to encounter them on their return.
What they saw next, though, was the stoic, indomitable warrior, Rui, instantly transforming into a pitiful, whiny puppy, rushing toward Ji Mo Ling. Covering his bruised eye, he pitifully complained about how he had let her down by being defeated and how badly he was hurt…
Ji Mo Ling silently watched as her iron-willed fiancé, who had recently mastered the art of playing the victim, seized every opportunity to seek sympathy from her, while his dumbfounded comrades looked on in disbelief at the impending destruction of his tough-guy image.
One of the beastmen, worried that Ji Mo Ling might scold Rui, stepped up and defended him. "Hermit Ji Mo, Rui was really amazing! Even though he lost, the beastman from the Hai tribe bled after Rui's punch, and his eyes were watering!" The other beastmen quickly chimed in, detailing Rui's heroic performance earlier that morning.
Ji Mo Ling smiled at their earnest recounting of the match and appreciated their concern for Rui. She reassured them, "I'm not upset about him losing the match. I'm more worried about his injuries."
The young beastmen, hearing this, were relieved and began reassuring her in turn. They insisted that beastmen were tough and that Rui's injuries were only superficial and would heal quickly.
Feeling thoroughly betrayed by the interruption and his image being further dismantled, Rui felt exhausted and had no desire to stay around his comrades any longer.
"Ling, have you eaten yet?" Rui asked, trying to change the subject.
"Not yet. I was waiting for you," Ji Mo Ling replied.
"Then let's go eat!" Rui said eagerly.
"Alright," she agreed, feeling quite hungry herself. She then turned to the young beastmen, "Thank you for your concern. We'll be off to eat now."
Seeing that they were about to eat, the beastmen knew better than to impose any longer and said their goodbyes.
As Rui grabbed his fiancée's hand and quickly walked away under their gaze, one of the young beastmen, who had spoken first, frowned. "Why do I feel like Rui was looking at us with disdain just now?"
"Well, except when he's with Hermit Ji Mo, isn't that his usual expression? He's not as hard to get along with as he seems," another young beastman said.
The others agreed. Despite his tough exterior, Rui was respected for his strength, and over the past two days, they had learned that as long as you didn't provoke him, he wasn't that hard to talk to.
Meanwhile, Qian, who had silently observed the whole exchange after returning from delivering the medicine packets, thought to himself, "You're still too young. Of course, you were being looked down upon for interrupting him seeking comfort from his fiancée."
Even though he understood what was going on, Qian simply greeted the young beastmen and went on his way, knowing that even if he explained it, single beastmen wouldn't understand.
Since they couldn't get ready-made skirts, Ji Mo Ling and Rui sought out the Weaving Tribe, which had sponsored the skirts. After explaining her intentions to trade, they were taken to the person in charge.
The Weaving Tribe's leader for this summer's market was a middle-aged woman named Bu. Elder Bu had met Ji Mo Ling during her earlier visit to the Green Tribe's camp, and upon hearing of her arrival, she welcomed her warmly.
After exchanging pleasantries, Ji Mo Ling got straight to the point. "Elder Bu, I'm interested in the skirts your tribe sponsored for the arena matches and would like to make a trade."
Elder Bu was slightly surprised that someone was interested in the skirts so early. After all, they hadn't yet announced that there would be more skirts available for trade, intending to make the announcement after the arena matches to maximize the promotional impact.
However, she wasn't going to turn down business. Elder Bu responded without revealing her surprise, "Of course. We do have a batch of skirts, in various colors and sizes. Ji Mo, feel free to choose."
"No, Elder Bu, you've misunderstood. I don't want the skirts—I want the dye," Ji Mo Ling clarified. After all, trading for the raw materials was much more cost-effective than buying finished goods.
The Weaving Tribe had already exchanged for hemp cloth, so by obtaining the dyes, they could dye the fabric in any pattern they wanted, creating a variety of styles that the women in the tribe would surely love.
Elder Bu was a bit taken aback by the request for dye. While they had anticipated this scenario, they had prepared a response for it.
"I'm afraid we don't trade dyes. However, if you're not interested in the finished skirts, we can offer you pre-dyed fabrics in solid or gradient colors, guaranteed to be of high quality."
Seeing her request denied, Ji Mo Ling didn't press the issue. She agreed to look at the fabrics.
After inspecting them, she found that they only came in a few color ranges, and the price was 50% higher than the undyed fabric. It was clear that the Weaving Tribe was planning to make a huge profit from these dyed fabrics.
Buying some colored fabric was fine, but Ji Mo Ling still preferred to trade for the dye.
However, Elder Bu was quite shrewd, refusing to give in even after several attempts.
Finally, Ji Mo Ling played her trump card: "You dry madder roots, cut them into small pieces, boil them in hot water, and add alum for dyeing…"
At these words, the young woman silently standing beside Elder Bu raised her head in surprise. "How do you know that?"
Elder Bu was also taken aback, wondering if Ji Mo Ling was an orphan from a dyeing tribe.
"Don't worry. I'm not trying to steal your business," Ji Mo Ling reassured them, seeing their reaction. "My teacher taught me a bit about dye-making, so I know a thing or two. Our Green Tribe specializes in medicine, and we have no intention of encroaching on your field," she smiled. "But when I trade colored fabric, the value of dye in exchange…" You get the idea!
As expected, Elder Bu softened. After some negotiation, Ji Mo Ling secured a batch of colored hemp cloth at a 30% discount and the Weaving Tribe agreed to trade a small batch of vibrant dyes. They signed the agreement, and after the grand market concluded, Ji Mo Ling would accompany them to their tribe to collect the goods.
Leaving the Weaving Tribe's camp, Rui, who had been silently playing the background, couldn't help but ask, "Ling, if you know how to make dye, why are we trading for it? Can't we just make it ourselves?"
Ji Mo Ling grinned mischievously. "Haha! I don't actually know how to make dye. I just know the theory and was bluffing to scare them a bit. Besides, dye-making takes time and effort. I barely have time to study medicine, so how could I have time to make dyes?"
Rui finally understood and couldn't help but praise her, "Ling, you're so clever!"
Ji Mo Ling, clearly pleased with his compliment, took his hand as they happily walked back to the camp.
Since their route back aligned with the need to report the change of plans, they met with Meng Lin. After hearing about the trade, she promptly approved, saying there was no need to split the team, and they would all take a detour together.
Meng Xiang, who had been eyeing the skirt, was the happiest with the decision.
The crown of the gladiator competition was eventually claimed by a warrior from the Xian tribe, and naturally, the dress went to a certain lady from the Xian tribe.
That very day, the woman put on the dress, feeling her beauty level rise instantly. She happily strolled through the market, basking in numerous envious and admiring glances.
The women who liked the dress but hadn't managed to get it couldn't help but feel regret. At that moment, the Zhi tribe released the news that they had more dresses available for trade. The sizes were complete, and they could even custom-make dresses in the desired colors, guaranteeing the brightness and durability of the dye.
Upon hearing this news, how could the women resist? They flocked to the Zhi tribe's stall, eager to select beautiful dresses that suited their tastes.
The Zhi tribe's stall was soon surrounded, and dozens of dresses were quickly sold out. Most of those who couldn't buy one on the spot opted for custom orders.
After the market closed in the evening, Elder Bu, who was tallying the profits and realizing they had made a big fortune, was smiling broadly, her frustration from two days earlier—caused by that Jimo Ling—greatly soothed.
"Ah! This is the result we originally anticipated! That hermit from the Green Tribe was just an anomaly." After the inspection was complete, Elder Bu called to the young woman by her side to return to the council tent. "Liu Cai, this success is thanks to the excellent dye you made. It has really helped us make a name for the tribe. When we get back, I'll make sure to report this to the leader and give you credit for this major achievement!"
Liu Cai was also pleased in her heart, but she humbly responded to the elder's praise, "This great result wouldn't have been possible without the tribe's support. Ever since the tribe took me in, I've been a member of the Zhi tribe. It's only right to do all this for the tribe's prosperity."
Hearing this, the elder felt deeply gratified. The two of them exchanged a few more words and discussed some affairs. Seeing that it was getting late, they each returned to rest.
Liu Cai was the orphaned survivor of the Dye Tribe's leader after a natural disaster nearly wiped out her people. She was later rescued and taken in by the Zhi tribe.
On one hand, she didn't want to live an ordinary life, and on the other, she had been taught since childhood to carry on and develop the art of dyeing. Over the years, she had continuously honed her skills, eventually succeeding in creating several dyes that were easy to apply and resistant to fading.
After a tribal council discussion, it was decided not to trade the dyes directly but to combine this with the Zhi tribe's specialty by dyeing the tribe's linen with bright colors and turning them into dresses for trade.
To attract the maximum attention from the ladies, Liu Cai came up with the idea of sponsoring the gladiator competition.
Clearly, it worked.
As for Jimo Ling, who also knew about dyes, it was apparent that she had no intention of entering this field, so Liu Cai temporarily set aside her worries, instead resolving to develop even more and better dyes.
When Liu Cai returned to her tent, her three husbands came out to greet her, fussing over her and inviting her to dinner. She responded to each one, and the family sat together, eating and chatting warmly.