The Nomadic Hunters of the Far North, An Invitation to Meet the Mountain Tribe's Matriarch

At daybreak, Morning Sun rose from the sea in the east, and the mountain forests showed themselves once more. The two Kotelny hunters hurriedly said their farewells, wanting to return to their tribe in the northern mountains. The Exploration Captain did not stop them. Instead, smiling broadly, he offered a parting gift for them to pass on to the chief of this Mountain Tribe. Hunter Mu Lu secretly opened it and dipped a finger in for a taste—and it was actually two bags of bluish salt!

"Ancestors! It's precious salt! This Deer Treasure Sea Tribe really is Deer Treasure strong and rich!..."

"Mu Lu, this is the salt the Sea Tribe headman gave the old grandmother. Don't Deer Treasure spill it! Tie it tight, don't let it leak out!..."

The hunting captain Mu Quan's expression tightened. He carefully tied the salt bags shut, then wrapped them securely in deerskin. In the bitter winter of the far north of Asia, where fuel was scarce, boiling salt cost far too much, and salt was a coveted good every tribe valued! And for tribes to fight over a few bags of salt, with a couple of people dying, was the most normal thing in the world.

"Yes! Captain Sag!..."

The two Kotelny hunters kept up an unhurried jog, soon entering the pine forest and vanishing into the northern mountains. Only after their figures had disappeared did Exploration Captain Zuwaro let out a long, quiet breath. Looking at The Sun among the clouds, he prayed aloud with sincerity.

"May the Main God bless us! May this Mountain Tribe be the kingdom's friend, and not its enemy!..."

After a brief prayer, Zuwaro narrowed his eyes and studied the somewhat dim sky for a while. His expression quickly turned solemn, and he gave orders to everyone