The frost and snow of winter covered the valley, forming a low-lying ice crystal maze. In this white world, a patch of gray and black suddenly appeared. Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a series of huge houses built of wood.
The buildings in Freljord are simple and crude, giving the first impression of being huge, enormous, followed by a sense of sloppiness and simplicity. This makes Li Ke and Jinx feel as if they have returned to an ancient society when they look at those houses.
It has to be said that even Zaun in the past was better off than Freljord in many ways; the people there were really poor.
We've arrived!
Donna first greeted a group of Winter's Claw warriors ahead. The warriors were polishing something at the entrance of the low the Rift, working on an ice sculpture. When Jinx got closer, she realized that the guys were polishing weapons.
Jinx watched with great interest as the iron axe cut into the frozen ground.
Jinx loves anything new and interesting that she's never seen before, even if it's old, worn-out, or outdated.
You should know that the most amazing thing about our little madman from Zaun isn't that he can assemble powerful things into weapons, but that he can assemble a bunch of junk that ordinary people wouldn't even look at into powerful weapons.
And so, wearing deerskin boots and strode confidently towards the group of Winter's Claw warriors, she walked right up to them, meeting their gazes with unabashed boldness.
Those icy gazes held no hostility, for they saw Jinx Li Ke and Jinx had been brought in by Donna, and therefore had no suspicion of Li Ke two strangers.
This also shows that Donna holds a very high position within Winter's Claw.
However, this is not surprising. Although Donna is very young, she is Iceborn with the Iceborn, and from the huge weapon on her back and her resistance to the cold, it can be seen that the concentration of Donna's Iceborn bloodline is not low.
Not to mention, Donna is a woman.
In Freljord, women hold a far higher status than men because Freljord is a matriarchal society, and clan leaders and elder priests are mostly women.
However, in recent years, there have been instances in Freljord where powerful men have taken on the role of clan leaders in smaller clans.
But overall, women do hold a very high status in Freljord.
"Let's go this way." Donna seemed to have asked the group something, and after returning, she looked at Li Ke and said.
"Although it's late," Donna looked at Li Ke, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "You still need to see our Warmother first. I'll lead the way for you. Don't worry, I've also arranged for some hot meat soup."
"Wait, what about the food you got from John?" Li Ke asked a different question.
When they entered this trough, Li Ke noticed that the people here had the same unhealthy, pale complexion as Donna, and their bodies were also like Donna's: dry skin, flesh clinging to bones on their arms, and prominently protruding elbows.
"The food?" Donna was taken aback, then, seemingly happy to have received the food, she smiled and said, "That food wasn't sent here; it was sent directly to several branch clans."
Donna explained, "We Winter's Claw, are a very large clan. If all the clan members were gathered together, there simply wouldn't be enough food to go around."
Therefore, the largest group of us was led by the Warmother, while the rest were scattered throughout Freljord. Food was not distributed uniformly by the Warmother; each branch had the right to store food, since they also needed to get through the winter.
For example, those warriors you saw a few days ago, they are members of a branch tribe. I will lead that branch in the future, but not now, because I am still learning how to be a good leader from the Warmother."
Donna told Li Ke the whole story of the Winter's Claw in one go.
After listening to Donna's words, Li Ke nodded.
Looking at it this way, I can simply have Janna send a message, then Silco organizes people to prepare food, and then airlift it over using Hex Airship.
This place is also suitable for dropping supplies; the thick ice and snow act as a natural cushion, so you can just throw the supplies directly down from the containers.
Thinking this, Li Ke led Jinx and Donna into the interior of Winter's Claw.
After going inside, Li Ke Kede said his opinion of Winter's Claw immediately changed.
Previously, he thought the Winter's Claw was a backward and impoverished tribe, but now, after truly entering the heart of this tribe, Li Ke's opinion has changed.
Well...
A primitive, savage aura wafted over; the buildings were still simple and outdated, but the materials used in their construction were no longer ordinary.
Enormous beast fangs served as facades, massive animal bones as steel reinforcements, and a two-meter-high bonfire burned between the houses. The warriors of Winter's Claw gathered to prepare dinner, and even from a distance, the aura emanating from them was dangerous.
They were truly like a pack of wild beasts; their wildness was on full display in this tribe.
Li Ke was looking at them, and they were looking at Li Ke and Jinx.
"Donna, why did you bring two little devils back with you?"
"My God, look at that guy! Holy crap, he's so damn skinny! I feel like I could break his arm if I snapped it!"
"Hey little girl, dressed like a bear in that hat, aren't you hot wearing so many layers?"
"Fuck you!" Hundreds of Winter's Claw warriors had already gathered around, but Jinx was not intimidated by this.
Hearing someone laugh at him, Xiao Jin turned around, gave the person the middle finger, and shouted insults.
"She's feisty enough! I like it!"
"Donna, where did these two come from?"
"Donna!"
"Shut up, all of you!" Donna roared at the group, her face contorted with rage. She continued, "These two are guests of the Warmother, distinguished guests of the Winter's Claw!"
"If you continue to speak so recklessly here, I will report the whole situation to the Warmother!" Donna said, waving her Riot Games.
But upon hearing Donna's words, the Winter's Claw warriors all revealed mocking smiles.
These two are clearly from another realm. Our Warmother grew up in the far north; how could she possibly know people from another realm?
However, they didn't cause any more trouble. After all, even though the two weren't Sejuani's important guests, the fact that Donna led them to see the Warmother showed that they hadn't actually been "captured."
Let's go.
Donna said to Li Ke with an apologetic expression.
These idiots! If they knew that Li Ke was someone who could bring tens of tons of food to the tribe, they would probably kneel down and kowtow to Li Ke on the spot!
The warriors of Winter's Claw are indeed wild, but that doesn't mean they're cold-blooded; quite the opposite, these guys are beasts in human form.
Every winter, the Winter's Claw prepares food for the tribe's elderly and young children. In order to help them survive the winter, the tribe's warriors reduce their own food intake.
The elders naturally didn't want to burden the tribe because of themselves. Some elders even rallied together and voiced their willingness to sacrifice for the tribe, emphasizing that the warriors' health was the most important thing. But Sejuani rejected all of this, even taking the lead in reducing her food intake. With the Warmother's stance, the warriors of Winter's Claw naturally followed suit.
Following Donna, they arrived at a huge "animal carcass," and Jinx's mouth practically gaped open.
"Are you sure your Warmother lives in a place like this?" she asked Donna suspiciously in a low voice.
Donna looked around the room, nodded, and said to Jinx, "This is the carcass of a mammoth. The white things you see are ice bear pelts, and the windproof curtains are made of snow wolf pelts. Our Warmother lives here."
Jinx at Li Ke's arm.
Li Ke peered over Jinx's face and heard her excitedly say, "Li Ke, if we send these things back to Piltover, those rich people will spend countless amounts of money to buy them. If these things are processed, they'll be perfect works of art!"
"This Warmother lived in a gold mine."
Jinx didn't finish her sentence because Li Ke suddenly raised his head, his gaze sweeping past Donna's body and looking into the semi-subterranean house.
Then a chubby figure came out and reached out to lift the curtain.
"Donna, please lead the guests inside. The Warmother is waiting for you," the man said to Donna as he came out.
Facing this chubby, bear-like man, Donna wore a respectful expression. She bowed slightly, not asking why he hadn't asked why she had brought people back, because this man was the tribe's priest, and also the Warmother's most trusted person.
He is Udyr, one of the sworn fathers of the Warmother, and now her only father.
Donna lifted the windproof curtain, and Li Ke and Jinx stepped into the room.
The room was very bright, with torches soaked in oil hanging from the "bone pillars" on both sides, serving as the light source.
Stepping on the colorful animal hides, Li Ke's gaze fell upon the woman sitting on the throne at the very front.
She wore a thin black bodysuit that clearly showed off her muscles, which, though obvious, were not unattractive. Her lower body was covered by long, wide black trousers. She sat on the throne, one elbow resting on it, her tall body leaning forward as she stroked her cheek with her fingers, looking at Li Ke and Jinx.
Her thin face had strong, resolute features and a cold demeanor. To be honest, Li Ke had seen all sorts of women over the years, but of all the women Li Ke had met, Sejuani was the most heroic and wild.
Vi, Akali, and even Irelia cannot compare to Sejuani.
Just look at her aura; Sejuani's aura is even more imposing than Swain's, whom Li Ke had seen.
Her divine, icy blue eyes exuded majesty; they were long and narrow, yet not small. Below them was a straight nose, sharp as an ice blade, and then thin lips. Sejuani's lips were particularly beautiful, with a prominent cupid's bow. Her mouth wasn't large, and when closed, her thin lips gave her a cold look, conveying an aura of unapproachability.
However, it was ruined by Sejuani's pale, almost bluish skin, especially her lips, which had an unhealthy purple hue.
"Where did you come from?" Sejuani stood up from her throne.
When Donna returned to the clan earlier, some warriors came to report the situation to Sejuani.
Although Donna was favored by Sejuani and was mentored by Sejuani, she did not have the right to bring strangers to see Sejuani directly. Upon returning to her tribe, she naturally sent someone to deliver a message to Sejuani.
Sejuani was preoccupied with matters concerning her tribe; how could she possibly have time to meet with people from the outer realms?
But Udyr dissuaded her and seriously warned Sejuani not to underestimate the outsiders, especially the man among them.
Therefore, Sejuani chose to meet with Li Ke and Jinx.
At this moment, looking at the two people who were shorter than her, wearing thick clothes, and as thin as weeds, Sejuani's icy blue eyes flashed with a hint of confusion.
Udyr, are you overthinking this?
What's so special about a guy like that that I'd want to see?
"Warmother, Li Ke and Jinx are from Zaun. They've come to Winter's Claw Noxus's request to discuss a business deal," Donna announced loudly.
She wants credit!
Sejuani looked at Donna and calmly asked, "Me, to do business?"
"Warmother, Warmother, listen to me." Donna, having spent so much time with Sejuani that she was practically Sejuani 'Sejuani maid, immediately understood Sejuani's attitude and quickly said.
As she spoke, she walked towards Sejuani 'Sejuani ear.
Sejuani's expression suddenly changed; shock flashed in her beautiful eyes, and her mouth opened slightly into a small circle. Her beautiful and heroic face even looked somewhat cute at this moment.
"."
Donna finished speaking, she left.
"Is what Donna said true? You're planning to trade food for Noxians? One Noxians can be exchanged for a hundred pounds of food?" Sejuani, one hand on her hip, looking at Li Ke.
"Yes, a Noxians, 100 pounds of food, and their general, we'll trade even more food for."
"What kind of food? The kind you don't want, the kind that's been piling up in the granary, rotting and smelling bad?" Sejuani asked warily.
As she spoke, she walked toward Li Ke.
When she reached Li Ke, Sejuani looked down at Li Ke.
Sejuani is really tall. Li Ke is already quite tall; in Zaun, he'd be considered a Zaun giant.
But she's no match for Sejuani. That's probably the difference between the North and South, right? The average height of people in Freljord is definitely taller than in Valoran, and Sejuani is quite tall even among men.
She is at least 1.9 meters tall.
"It's all fresh meat, fish, lamb, beef, and some fruits and vegetables, plus plenty of grains and vegetables." Li Ke looked at Sejuani without any hesitation and smiled, saying, "Let me introduce myself, Sejuani, my name is Li Ke, I'm from Zaun, and I'm the master of Zaun."
"Aren't you going to let me sit down and have a proper talk with me?"
"."
Sejuani glanced at Li Ke a few times, then said softly, "Donna, go get a stool."
"Yes!"
Donna quickly ran to a corner of the room.
"Come on, Master of Zaun, let's have a good talk. How are you going to take those people away, and how are you going to get the food here?"
Sejuani walked to the campfire in the middle of the room, sat down on the ground, crossed her long legs, and looked at Li Ke:
"I won't release them without food."
Even if Udyr tells me you're a dangerous guy.
She stared coldly at Li Ke, shifted her posture, crossed one long leg across her body and extended the other, her leather boots touching the ground. Her long, beautiful hands were outstretched and rested on her knees as she calmly looked at Li Ke.
Donna handed the stool to Li Ke, Li Ke took it and then sat down with Jinx opposite Sejuani.
"I'm here to discuss business, Sejuani," Li Ke said.
Yes, if we can talk, why fight?