Migration and Forced Expansion

A biting north wind swept across the withered fields, and the sky was so gloomy it seemed to press down on the ground; the first real snowfall was imminent. Just when all things were about to hibernate, a bustling scene, completely out of place with the cold winter, appeared outside the camps of the Bison Tribe and the White Pig Tribe.

Small groups of families, their faces filled with panic, staggered in from the north like startled sheep. Most of them were ragged, herding only a few thin animals, their faces etched with exhaustion and deep fear.

The Bison Tribe's patrol was the first to spot them. "Halt! Which tribe are you from? Where are you from?" the patrol leader demanded warily.

An elderly man with gray hair, who was at the head of the group, collapsed onto the cold ground with a thud, his voice trembling. "Are you warriors of the Bison Tribe? We are the survivors of ' Little Stone Slope,' ' Clear Water Stream '... more than a dozen tribes. We have come here as refugees!"

"Escape? What happened?" Jijiao had rushed over upon hearing the news, frowned. He recognized most of these tribes; they were scattered on the edge of the Wolf Tribe's territory, and he had occasionally seen them during trade before.

The old man and representatives from several other tribes began to speak incoherently, their words filled with terror:

"The Wolf Tribe... the Wolf Tribe is back! More ferocious and ruthless than before!"

"They wiped out two tribes a few days ago! They killed all the men and took all the women!"

"There were also a dozen or so small tribes like ours who were forced to 'join' them, and those who refused were... were slaughtered on the spot!"

"There are so many of them now! A huge, dark mass, much more than when they came to extort money last time!"

"Our tribes are too poor to be targeted yet, but we're terrified! Who knows if they'll come back next time? I heard they're even scrambling to find the elderly and infirm..."

Listening to these chaotic yet consistent descriptions, Jijiao and Mane, the White Pig Tribe Zongmao who arrived later, exchanged a glance, both seeing shock and chill in each other's eyes.

The Wolf Tribe! How could the Wolf Tribe, which had just been nearly wiped out by the Fire Tribe, not only recover its strength in such a short time but also become stronger and more ruthless? Extermination, plunder, slaughter... these words sent chills down their spines.

Last time, the Wolf Tribe only extorted money; although humiliating, at least they could exchange food and livestock for temporary peace. But according to these refugees, the Wolf Tribe's style of doing things has completely changed; they slaughter people at will, without any scruples!

"Will they... will they come back to us next year?" Tunyong (a warrior from the White Pig Tribe) couldn't help but ask in a low voice, his voice trembling slightly.

This question, like a block of ice, pierced the heart of Jijiao and Zongmao. Yes, the Wolf Tribe's strength had increased dramatically, and they were so ferocious. Would they be content with plundering from the north? The southern Bison and White Pig Tribe, whom they had easily subdued last time, now seemed like even more lucrative prey.

A tremendous sense of crisis instantly gripped the two leaders.

"We must strengthen our forces!" Jijiao gritted his teeth and forced out the words. Zongmao nodded heavily as well, all the smugness he had felt earlier from the successful alliance vanishing completely.

Right now, a ready-made opportunity to strengthen their power is right in front of them—these small tribes that have fled here, though poor, are still populous!

Jijiao and Zongmao quickly exchanged opinions and made a decision. They first calmed the terrified refugees, promising them shelter. Then, the two leaders personally summoned the chiefs of these small tribes and began to "persuade" them.

"Brothers, we all know how brutal the Wolf Tribe is." Jijiao's voice was heavy with sorrow and shared hatred. "Although the Fire Tribe is powerful, they recently took in too many people, and I heard they're running low on food. If you go now, I'm afraid..."

Zongmao picked up the conversation, his tone "sincere": "Yes, although our Bison and White Pig Tribe suffered a loss at the hands of the Wolf Tribe last time, we've now formed an alliance, brothers united! And we've acquired quite a bit of food from the market this time! As long as you're willing to join us and become part of our alliance, we guarantee that as long as we have food to eat, you'll never go hungry! We'll train together and defend against the Wolf Tribe together!"

They deliberately exaggerated the possibility of a "food shortage" for the Fire Tribe, while highlighting their own "advantages" of "having food" and "safety in the alliance." For some small tribal leaders who were already blinded by fear and had doubts about the long journey to the Fire Tribe, this seemed like a closer and more "practical" option.

Ultimately, under the persistent persuasion and real threats from Jijiao and Zongmao, several small tribes chose to stay and joined the Bison Tribe and the White Pig Tribe respectively. This brought the population of each tribe to over five hundred, and the total population of the alliance to about one thousand. Although the quality of the newly joined population varied and it would take time to integrate them, at least in terms of numbers, they felt more confident.

However, many more refugees—about eight or nine hundred—after resting briefly and gathering more accurate information, resolutely chose to continue migrating southwards towards the Fire Tribe. Their reasons were simple and practical:

"The Bison and White Pig Tribe are still too close to the Wolf Tribe! If the Wolf Tribe attacks, can they withstand it?"

"They themselves were extorted by the Wolf Tribe last time, so what sense of security can they feel following them?"

"I've heard the Fire Tribe warriors are numerous and powerful; they even defeated the Wolf Tribe chief! If we're going anywhere, we should go to the safest place!"

"Even if the Fire Tribe is short of food, at least they can survive. It's better than living here in fear, not knowing when they'll be slaughtered by the Wolf Tribe!"

Watching the even larger, yet determined, migrating caravan gradually disappear into the distance, Jijiao and Zongmao felt a mix of emotions. On one hand, they were somewhat relieved that their tribe had absorbed some of its population; on the other hand, the eight or nine hundred people who had gone were like a silent slap in the face, reminding them of the enormous gap in strength and prestige between them and the Fire Tribe, and also suggesting that their appeal might not be reliable in the face of a real crisis.

The cold wind picked up, swirling up withered grass and dust. The Bison and White Pig Tribe ' camp was crowded and noisy with the addition of new people, but a tense atmosphere, filled with anxiety about the uncertain future, permeated the air. They had barely managed a passive population expansion by exaggerating the crisis and promising limited food, but the Wolf Tribe's re-emerging, even more ferocious Liaoya cast a huge shadow over this newly cobbled-together alliance.

Meanwhile, in the direction of the Fire Tribe, a migrating caravan of nearly a thousand people, carrying their last hope for safety and sustenance, embarked on what they considered their true "path to survival."