By the time Luo Zheng and his companions approached, the loathing and greed on the Mu Ye clansmen's faces had vanished without a trace.
They plastered eager smiles across their faces, looking endearingly simple.
One Mu Ye clansman with a face covered in wrinkles came forward and bowed to Luo Zheng and the others. "Welcome, friends from afar."
"This is our clan chief, Gu Duo," Cang Duo introduced him.
Luo Zheng, Nuwa, the Eastern Emperor, and the others cupped their hands in greeting to Chief Gu Duo.
Gu Duo and Cang Duo then led their group on a tour of the Mu Ye Clan's territory.
Their so-called "territory" was actually the densely packed caves riddling this great mountain.
The caves were dug deep and stood only half a person's height, allowing a single Mu Ye clansman to enter or leave.
For people of normal human stature like Luo Zheng and Fuxi, entering would be like squeezing through a dog hole. They could only crawl inside on their bellies.
"These caves are too small. They aren't suitable for us," the Eastern Emperor said.
"Even I would have trouble squeezing inside, squeak!" the Heaven Defying Rat King said.
Gu Duo smiled faintly. "These caves are for us small-statured Mu Ye clansmen to live in. There are larger caves above. I'll take you there right away!"
Luo Zheng and his companions had not decided to stay here, but Chief Cang Duo was so enthusiastic that they followed him.
After climbing roughly a hundred zhang up the steps of a mountain path to one side, they came to a large cave halfway up the mountain.
The entrance was broad and faced the sun. Inside, it was dry and tidy, evidently arranged with care. A faint fragrance wafted into their noses, making it a fairly