The Challenge

Jianshi and Yan led the Fire Tribe's fleet upstream along the Fish River. Several days later, around noon, the fleet finally returned to the Valley Tribe's main dock. There were already quite a few people standing on the dock, more than when they left last time. Daiyue stood at the front, followed by the Valley Tribe's seven elders and several leaders. Beside him stood a man of sturdy build and broad shoulders, wearing a dark blue linen robe with dark-colored trim on the collar and cuffs. He wore a wide leather belt around his waist, with a short knife hanging from it, and animal-skin boots. His hair was held back with a wooden hairpin, and a few strands of white hair fell behind his ears, swaying slightly in the river breeze. His face had the expression of someone who had lived by the river for many years, his gaze Chenwen and cautious, fixed on the sails of the boats that were gradually approaching the shore.

A young man stood half a step behind the man in front, a head taller and with broader shoulders. He stood ramrod straight, wearing a dark gray linen robe with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing his muscular forearms. A light-colored old scar ran from his wrist to his elbow, as if left by something sharp. The scar had faded, but a thin, raised edge remained, as if the thickness of the healing process could still be faintly felt through the skin. His hair was tied back with a hemp rope, the end of which was wrapped twice and knotted tightly. His gaze was sharp and direct, like an unsheathed knife, sweeping across the docked boats before finally settling on the young figure disembarking at the Chuantou. He stood there, his hands hanging at his sides, his fingers slightly open and closed, as if repeatedly testing something that didn't yet exist. His ten knuckles alternately flexed and extended, as if pre-measuring the grip strength and reaction speed that might be needed.

The boat docked, the gangplank was set up, and Jianshi and Yan stepped off the boat. After Jianshi, his gaze first swept over Daiyue, then moved to the person next to him wearing a dark blue robe, and then swept over the young man half a step behind that person. His gaze lingered on the young man for a moment longer, as if he saw a rough stone being polished in his posture and figure. The edges were not yet completely smoothed out, but the hardness in the future could already be seen.

Daiyue took a few steps towards them, clasped his hands in a salute, and said, "Chief Jianshi Shi, how did things go with you over at the Bear Tribe? You've returned so quickly."

Jian Shi returned the greeting with Jianshi and palm salute, saying, "This trip went very smoothly. Ten thousand of our Fire Tribe members have been settled in the Bear Tribe and Bean Tribe. The remaining ten thousand or so people from the Bear Tribe camp have been brought over by boat. After we return and settle these people, we will come to the Valley Tribe to pick up your first batch of people. We plan to pick up twenty thousand people from the Valley Tribe first, and the rest will be picked up next spring."

Daiyue nodded and said, "Okay, I've already compiled a list of the first batch of people to move out. They can leave after the autumn harvest. The list is divided by family, so we won't separate families."

He turned to the side and continued, "This gentleman next to me is Qingya, the leader of the Greater Qing Tribe. They heard that you would be passing through the Valley Tribe in the next few days, so they stayed a few extra days to personally discuss joining the Fire Tribe with you."

Qingya stepped forward, clasped his hands in a salute, and said, "Chief Jianshi, the Fire Tribe is truly formidable. They have defeated the Tiger Tribe, the overlord of the Fish River, twice. This is something that has never been heard of in the Fish River before. Now, the Valley Tribe, Bean Tribe, and Bear Tribe have all joined the Fire Tribe. Our Greater Qing Tribe also wants to join the Fire Tribe. I heard that you would be passing through the Valley Tribe in the next few days, so I deliberately stayed a few more days to talk to you in person. Some things are clearer when said face to face than when sent through a messenger."

Jianshi's gaze lingered on Qingya's face for a moment before he spoke, "The Greater Qing Tribe is also a well-known tribe in the lower reaches of the Fish River. Over the years, they have managed to maintain their territory between the Tiger Tribe and Bear Tribe, which is something not many can do. If the Greater Qing Tribe were to join our Fire Tribe, we would be more than happy to do so."

Daiyue chimed in, "Let's not stand here any longer. I've already had Qingsui and her men prepare hot food in the council chamber. Let's go there and eat and chat."

The group walked along the dirt road between the dock and the camp towards the council hall. Jianshi walked in front, with Daiyue beside him. The two were talking in hushed tones, their voices barely audible, occasionally punctuated by nods. Qingya walked on Daiyue's other side, while Yan walked behind Jianshi. He could feel a gaze fixed on him—he turned his head and saw Qingshi walking behind Qingya, his gaze not looking forward but fixed on him, scanning him from shoulder width, stance, and stride, following its course all the way to the bottom. There was no hostility in that gaze, but it carried a scrutinizing quality. Yan did not avoid the gaze, gave him a slight nod, and then turned back.

Several large tables had already been set up in the council chamber, covered with clean linen cloths. The cloths were stretched undulating by the bowls and plates beneath them, revealing steaming dishes: stewed meat, boiled fish, stir-fried wild vegetables, and hot soup. The aromas rose from the tables, filling the room with a warm and relaxing atmosphere. The fragrance of meat mingled with the scents of ginger and dried chili peppers, mixed with the smoky aroma of freshly baked flatbread and the unique freshness of stewed river fish, all slowly intertwining in the light of the oil lamp. Qingsui was standing by the table, placing the last dish on the table.

Everyone sat down in turn. Jianshi and Daiyue sat on either side of the main seats, Qingya sat next to Dai Daiyue, Yan sat next to Jianshi, and Qingshi sat at a small table behind Qingya, as if he had been arranged in advance to be in a position where he could hear the conversation clearly but wasn't too close to the front. Several elders and leaders took their seats in turn. Daiyue raised his wine bowl and gestured to everyone, his hand pausing in mid-air for a moment, as if waiting for everyone to pick up their bowls. Everyone picked up their bowls and drank a round. The warm wine slid down their throats, and the atmosphere quickly became lively. The sounds of clinking bowls, clinking glasses, and hushed conversations mingled in the room, like someone simultaneously plucking multiple strings of different thicknesses, forming a loose but continuous net that covered the steamy space above the table.

After everyone had finished eating and drinking, Qingya put down his chopsticks and said to Jianshi, "Chief Jianshi, your Fire Tribe is truly powerful. I heard from Brother Daiyue that your Fire Tribe now has a population of around 300,000. Adding the people from the Valley Tribe and the Bean Tribe, the population will exceed 350,000. Your water strength is also very formidable. I just saw at the dock that your Fire Tribe has over a hundred giant ships with a carrying capacity of 100,000 jin. Although our Greater Qing Tribe has also lived by the river for many years, I had only heard of such a large fleet from others before. No wonder you were able to defeat the Tiger Tribe twice."

Jianshi put down his chopsticks, sat up straight, and said, "We are now completely locked in combat with the Tiger Tribe. We can only keep trying to increase our strength. However, Chief Qingya, don't worry. Although the Tiger Tribe is the long-standing overlord of the Fish River, we are confident that we can completely defeat them in a few years."

Qingya's gaze lingered on Jianshi's face for a moment before he spoke, "That's good. Although our Greater Qing Tribe has some reputation in the lower reaches of the Fish River, we are powerless against the Tiger Tribe. They can send just one fleet, and we have to retreat all our outposts along the river. Our Great Boulder Tribe on the other side of the Fish River has now been swallowed up by the ferocious Wolf Tribe. The Wolf Tribe's Xueya even got some boats from the Tiger Tribe, and he sends people to patrol our area every few days, forcing us to expend Dali on defense. I heard that your Fire Tribe has once again defeated the Tiger Tribe and wiped out the Bear Tribe. We have a long-standing friendship with the Valley Tribe, and after the entire Valley Tribe joined the Fire Tribe Fire Tribe, they also invited us to join as well. I came here in person to find out how our Greater Qing Tribe will be settled if we join the Fire Tribe?"

Jianshi and Yan exchanged a quick glance, a brief look before Jianshi turned back, his gaze settling on Qingya's face. His voice was steady and clear. "Our Fire Tribe Fire Tribe warmly welcomes the Greater Qing Tribe Greater Qing Tribe join us. Your Fire Tribe will be similar to that of the Valley Tribe. Chief Qingya will directly serve as the council leader of our Fire Tribe. Your core subordinate tribe leaders will enjoy the same treatment as council leaders, and other leaders will be granted the title of reserve leader. If they perform well or achieve military merit, they will be directly promoted to deputy leader or leader. We will also properly settle the other tribesmen."

Upon hearing this, Qingya's expression visibly relaxed, and he said, "Very well, I am very satisfied with the resettlement plan proposed by Chief Jianshi."

He had barely finished speaking when a voice came from the side, not loud, but loud enough for everyone in the room to hear. Qingshi was sitting at the small table behind Qingya, holding a bowl. His fingers hovered over the rim of the bowl, the rim lingering near his lips for a moment, before he gently placed it back on the table. The bowl made a soft sound as it hit the table. His gaze went over his father's shoulder and landed on Yan, and he said, "I've been hearing a lot lately that the young chief of the Fire Tribe is incredibly strong, brave, and resourceful, having defeated the Tiger Tribe twice. So I'd like to have a spar with Young Chief Yan."

A moment of silence fell over the council hall. The clinking of chopsticks and the hushed conversations that had been going on seemed to be silenced by an unseen hand. The rims of bowls stopped touching, the cups stopped moving, and several people who were picking up food stopped eating, the food hanging in mid-air for a few moments before being placed back in their bowls. Qingya turned his head, frowned, and scolded, "Shi'er, don't be rude! What kind of occasion is this? How can you say such things?" He turned back to look at Jianshi and Yan, his expression showing a hint of embarrassment and apology, and said, "Young people are ignorant, please don't take it to heart."

Daiyue chimed in from the side, "Qingshi is the number one warrior of the Greater Qing Tribe. These past few days he's been in our Valley Tribe, often sparring with our Valley Tribe's leader. Only Fengren from our Valley Tribe can fight him to a draw. His skills are real, not just for show."

Yan sat down beside him, his gaze shifting from Qingya's face to Qingshi's. Qingshi's gaze didn't waver; he was looking directly at him, his eyes devoid of provocation, only filled with a pure, earnest anticipation, as if he had been waiting for this moment for a long time. Yan withdrew his gaze and glanced at his father, Jianshi. Jianshi didn't speak, but he nodded slightly, a very subtle gesture. Yan turned back to meet Qingshi's gaze and said, "Since Brother Qingshi is in such high spirits, I'll spar with you a few times, but I never hold back."

Upon hearing this, Qingshi's eyes visibly brightened, as if something had been ignited within them. He shifted forward half an inch, moving a finger's distance from the back of his chair, and sat up straight. He pressed his palm against his knee, his voice carrying the excitement of being taken seriously. "Don't hold back, this is more satisfying! If you defeat me, I'll follow you from now on!"

His voice, not lowered, echoed in the council chamber. Some people glanced at those beside them, while others put down their bowls, the bottoms making a short, sharp sound as they hit the table. Qingya didn't speak again, only glancing at his son before looking away. Yan stood up and said, "Let's go."

Qingshi also stood up. As the two walked out of the council hall one after the other, the afternoon sun outside hit them, making them squint slightly. The open space in the center of the camp was dry and flat from the sun. The soil on the ground was compacted and had a light gray sheen, with no obvious marks left on the surface. Trees surrounded the open space, and their shadows were cast on the ground in the afternoon sun, forming several patches of shade of varying depths. The edges of the leaves trembled gently in the breeze, making a continuous and delicate rustling sound.

The news spread quickly. By the time Yan and Qingshi stood in the center of the open space, a large crowd had already gathered. People from the Valley Tribe camp came from all directions. Some had just put down their work, their fingers still covered in dried mud; some carried bowls, taking sips as they walked; others rolled up their sleeves, folding them twice and tucking them in at the elbows, exposing their forearms. Fengren stood at the front of the crowd, arms crossed, his gaze fixed on the center of the open space. He didn't speak, but his chin was slightly raised. Quyong stood... Beside him, someone turned their head and said something to him, but Fengren didn't answer, his gaze still fixed on the center of the open space. Daiyue, Jianshi, and Qingya also came out and stood on the stone steps at the entrance of the council hall. Daiyue had his hands behind his back, his gaze calm. Jianshi Shi stood beside him, his hands hanging at his sides, his thumb gently rubbing the knuckle of his index finger—a habitual gesture he only made when he was thinking. Qingya stood a little behind, his hands clasped in front of his abdomen, his fingers interlocked, his knuckles slightly white, his gaze fixed on his son, without saying a word.

In the center of the open space, Yan and Qingshi stood facing each other, about ten steps apart. The afternoon sun shone from their sides, casting a slanted band of light on the ground between them. Tiny dust particles floated slowly within the band of light. Qingshi stretched his shoulders, rotating them in front of him before they returned to their original position, making a slight clicking sound at the joints, before stopping.