Chapter 30: No sugarcoating
The system quickly translated: «[He says your hesitation is unbecoming. Honesty is valued in their culture.]»
Lin Mu clenched his fists, realizing his attempt to explain himself was only digging him into a deeper hole. "Fine," he muttered under his breath. "Let's just play along for now."
" Hahahaha, I was just joking....only an idiot wouldn't want to be blessed with such beautiful gems." He forced a stiff smile and said reluctantly at the tribal head, who seemed to relax at his response.
The tribal head gestured for his daughters to leave the tent, speaking to them in a fatherly tone. Lian hesitated, her sharp eyes darting between Lin Mu and her father, but Mei tugged at her arm, and the two reluctantly exited.
As soon as the daughters were gone, the atmosphere in the tent shifted. One of the elders, a wiry man with sharp features, spoke up, his tone dripping with dissatisfaction. The system translated: "How can we trust an outsider with such a responsibility? We know nothing of his origins or intentions."
Lin Mu couldn't help but agree with the man's skepticism, though his chest tightened at being openly doubted. Another elder joined in, his voice louder and filled with disdain. "Our own sons are far more suited to wed Lian and Mei. This stranger has no roots here. He has not proven himself."
Lin Mu's jaw tightened as the words hit him. It wasn't the first time he had been labeled an outsider, and he doubted it would be the last. Still, hearing their concerns stung more than he wanted to admit.
The tribal head, however, raised a hand to silence the elders. His voice rumbled with authority as he proposed something the system quickly translated.
«[Then we shall hold a contest. Let the young bachelors of our tribe prove their worth against this outsider. Only the strongest and most capable will earn the right to stand by my daughters' sides.]»
Lin Mu's heart sank. "A contest?, Are you serious?!" he whispered to the system.
«[It seems their culture values physical prowess and martial skill in their suitors.]» the system replied. "If you lose, it's likely they'll annul the engagement and marry the daughters to someone else."
Lin Mu sighed heavily, rubbing his temples. The prospect of fighting for a marriage he hadn't even wanted was absurd, but he knew he couldn't back out now. Not without worsening the fragile trust he had barely earned.
The elders murmured in agreement with the tribal head's proposal, some even smiling smugly as if the contest was already won. Lin Mu noticed the wiry elder's grin in particular, his sharp teeth gleaming under the tent's dim light. Clearly, he had someone in mind, a son or relative, whom he believed would easily defeat Lin Mu.
With the meeting concluded, the elders began filing out of the tent, their expressions ranging from curiosity to outright contempt. Lin Mu turned to leave as well, eager to find a quiet corner to think, but the tribal head's booming voice stopped him.
The system translated immediately «[Stay, outsider. We have matters to discuss.]»
' Your kidding me...' Lin Mu hesitated before turning back, his unease growing. The tribal head gestured for him to sit once more, his expression unreadable. Lin Mu lowered himself onto the woven mat, his mind racing with possibilities.
"What now?" he muttered under his breath, bracing himself for whatever was coming next.
The tribal head's expression was somber as he spoke, his deep voice filling the tent with authority and remorse. Lin Mu could only sit in stunned silence, the system dutifully translating each word.
"Outsider, I must apologize," the tribal head began, inclining his head slightly, an act that carried great weight given his position. "I regret having to go back on my word to engage my daughters to you unconditionally. But the elders' doubts cannot be ignored, and the contest is necessary to maintain peace within the tribe."
Lin Mu nodded stiffly, feigning understanding. Inside, his emotions churned with a mixture of relief and frustration. "I didn't even want to get engaged," he thought bitterly, but he kept his face neutral, unwilling to offend the tribal leader.
But then the tribal head continued, his words sending a chill down Lin Mu's spine. "However, you must be aware, should you lose the contest tomorrow, the tribe's anger may be too great for me to contain. They will demand your life as penance for dishonoring our traditions, and I will not be able to stop them."
Lin Mu's heart sank. He stared at the tribal head, his mind racing. "You've got to be kidding me," he thought, clenching his fists under the table. Yet outwardly, he maintained his composure, offering a faint nod as though he understood the gravity of the situation.
"You have proven yourself capable," the system translated as the tribal head spoke again, his voice firm. "Win, and you may earn not only my daughters' hands but also the tribe's respect. Lose, and there will be no place for you here."
Lin Mu swallowed hard, rising from his seat as the tribal head gestured for him to leave. "Thank you for the... clarity," he said quietly, knowing the leader couldn't understand him. He stepped out of the tent, the scorching dessert air washing over him as he tried to calm the storm brewing inside.
---
Lin Mu wandered aimlessly through the settlement, his thoughts a tangled mess. The quiet rustle of leaves and the occasional distant murmur of conversation barely registered in his mind.
"How did it come to this?" he muttered, kicking a stray pebble along the dirt path. "First, I'm forced into an engagement I didn't agree to, and now I'm supposed to fight for my life over it?"
The system's voice chimed in, far too cheerful for his liking. «[This is an excellent opportunity for growth, Lin Mu. Adversity breeds strength.]»