Truth and Falsehood (May the Departed Rest in Peace)

While Commander Xin was still hesitating over who to choose for the next mission to the Han Tribe, someone suddenly came from outside to report that Niu Wei had returned.

Talk of the devil, and he appears. This was just the right time to see what he had to say. If this fellow still had some use, Commander Xin did not mind sending him to the Han Tribe once more. At the very least, he was more familiar with the place.

"Let him in." Commander Xin nodded. The elders were nearly all here anyway, so there was no need to find somewhere else for a meeting.

Before long, Niu Wei hurried over, covered in dust from his journey. He was still dressed in the Han Tribe's style: his hair was tied up and held with a hairpin, long trousers and an undershirt beneath a cross-collared robe, a cloth belt around his waist, and a pair of old hemp-cloth shoes on his feet.

No one said anything about it, because Commander Xin and several of the other elders were dressed similarly. The Han Tribe's clothing was neat and practical. Most importantly, cloth was more comfortable than animal hide and felt. It also looked refined and impressive. As the highest-ranking members of the Xin Tribe, they had their pride. If they could dress comfortably and look good, who would still want to go around every day with unkempt hair and animal hides draped over them?

"Chieftain Han greets Great Leader." As soon as he entered, Niu Wei, who was a little over thirty, saluted Commander Xin with the Han Tribe's clasped-hands gesture. Commander Xin was still not quite used to it, but he said nothing.

"I heard you've been observing things over at the Emissary Group's residence these past few days. Did