Something Amiss

Kurgan Village lay in a flat valley, with a small river running past it. The slopes on both sides of the village were planted thick with sea buckthorn trees.

A ring of wooden fencing and earthen ramparts taller than a man surrounded the entire village. Beside the fences and ramparts stood several crude-looking yet highly practical wooden arrow towers—both arrow towers and the village's watchtowers.

It was sunset, and wisps of cooking smoke were already curling up from the village.

The moment Zhang Tie followed Ivan and the others close to the village, they were spotted by someone in an arrow tower.

"Ivan and Bulman are back! They're all back—not one missing! And they brought back eight Iron-Fanged Hyenas..." The person in the tower had sharp eyes. One glance was all it took before he shouted, his voice brimming with heartfelt joy.

At his shout, the village stirred. Many younger children ran out, crying "Big brother! Big brother!" as they rushed over to tug at the clothes of the village youths. Others circled the Iron-Fanged Hyenas Ivan and the others carried on their backs, some drooling, some clamoring to have clothes made from Iron-Fanged Hyena hides. It was a lively scene.

Everyone in the village had somewhat rough skin, yet robust builds—one of the traits of the native tribes dwelling in the Ice and Snow Wilderness. The village was not wealthy, and everything looked rather crude. All its houses were single-story wooden cabins; two or three cabins enclosed by a wooden fence made up a family courtyard. Yet the place was still full of laughter, especially when those who had gone out hunting returned.

When they learned that Zhang Tie had just saved the eight youths of Kurgan Village, he was undoubtedly given the warmest welcome.

Uncle Qige, the chief