Chapter 15 Undercurrent
On the second day of the market, the Silvermoon Tribe's camp was bustling with activity. After the first day's trade, their salt and pottery had become quite famous, and tribal representatives were constantly coming to inquire about their wares.
Lin Chen was demonstrating the advantages of pottery cooking to a group of people from a lakeside tribe when he noticed a commotion on the east side of the market. Several warriors clad in black animal skins, their faces painted with white skulls, marched through the market with a haughty air. Wherever they went, other tribes gave way.
"Those are the Skeleton Tribe." Canglan warned softly, his body slightly tense. "They are known for their toughness and bellicosity, often demanding things by force rather than engaging in fair trade."
Hong Yan added: "At the market last year, they used force to buy all the furs from a small tribe at a low price."
Lin Chen frowned and observed. The Skeleton Tribe members walked directly towards the Sun Tribe's booth, but surprisingly, the Sun Tribe's attitude was not forceful, but rather cautious.
"Something's not right." Canglan's silver-gray eyes narrowed. "The Sun Tribe usually doesn't fear any tribe, but today..."
Sure enough, not long after, the Skeleton Tribe turned and headed towards the Silver Moon Tribe camp. Leading them was a tall, fierce warrior with a hideous scar running from his forehead to his chin.
"I am Bonebreaker of the Skeleton Tribe," he said in a gruff voice, picking up a clay pot and weighing it without hesitation. "We want these containers, and your white salt."
Canglan took a step forward, calmly but firmly saying, "Welcome to trade. Please show us your exchange items."
Bonebreaker sneered and patted the stone axe at his waist. "This is the exchange item. We'll take it and let you live."
The atmosphere in the camp suddenly grew tense. The Silvermoon Tribe warriors gathered silently, their hands reaching for their weapons. The people of the surrounding tribes retreated, fearing they would be drawn into the conflict.
Lin Chen's heartbeat quickened, but he remained calm. He noticed that although Broken Bones was arrogant, his eyes occasionally glanced towards the Sun Tribe camp, as if he was waiting for something.
"It's a fair trade, according to the market rules." Canglan didn't flinch. "If you don't want to trade, please leave."
Broken Bones smiled grimly and was about to explode when a clear voice suddenly interrupted: "When did the Skeleton Tribe become so destitute that they had to forcibly rob smaller tribes of their belongings?"
Everyone turned to see a young woman approaching in an exquisitely woven cloak. She came from a mountain tribe. Lin Chen remembered Hong Yan mentioning this friendly tribe, famous for its weaving and woodworking.
Bonebreaker was clearly displeased: "The whispers of the mountain tribes are none of your business."
The woman known as Whisper smiled faintly. "Peace at the market is of concern to every tribe." She turned to Canglan and nodded politely. "The pottery of the Silver Moon Tribe is famous in the market. We, the Mountain Forest Tribe, are willing to exchange our finest woven and woodwork."
This obvious support made Broken Bone's face even uglier, but he seemed to have some reservations. Finally, he snorted coldly and left with his men in disappointment.
Xiyu then turned to Canglan and Lin Chen and whispered, "Be careful of the Skeleton Tribe. They've been very close to the Sun Tribe lately, and I'm afraid they have some plans."
After Whisper left, Hong Yan was filled with worry. "Something's not right. The Sun Tribe has always looked down upon the Skeleton Tribe's barbaric behavior, but now they seem to condone their arrogance."
Lin Chen pondered for a moment: "Yesterday, the Sun Tribe exchanged a large number of our items, and today the Skeleton Tribe came to rob us... Maybe it's not a coincidence."
Canglan's face was solemn. "You mean, the Sun Tribe might have sent the Skeleton Tribe to test or provoke us?"
"Or maybe they're collaborating," Lin Chen speculated. "The Sun Tribe got the samples, and the Skeleton Tribe created pressure, causing us to panic and make unfavorable decisions."
The afternoon's trading became more cautious. Canglan sent two orcs to secretly monitor the Skeleton Tribe and the Sun Tribe's movements. Lin Chen continued trading, but paid more attention to the reactions and information from the various tribes.
An old man from a remote valley tribe whispered a warning to Lin Chen while exchanging salt blocks: "Young man, be careful. I heard that the Sun Tribe wants to monopolize the trade of salt and pottery, which may be disadvantageous to you."
Another trader revealed, "The Skeleton Tribe recently acquired some new weapons, their confidence has skyrocketed, and they are trying to win over allies."
Fragments of information paint a disturbing picture: the Sun Tribe may be unhappy that the Silver Moon Tribe possesses technology that they cannot easily replicate, while the Skeleton Tribe is taking advantage of the situation to stir up trouble and try to profit from it.
In the evening, the orcs in charge of surveillance reported: the leaders of the Sun Tribe and the Skeleton Tribe had a secret meeting for a long time.
"We must prepare in advance." Canglan decided decisively, "Tomorrow may not be peaceful."
That night, the Silver Moon Tribe strengthened its defenses at the camp. Lin Chen, however, found it difficult to sleep. He quietly got up and checked the trade items when an idea suddenly struck him.
"Canglan," he woke up the wolf warrior who had just taken a break, "I have an idea."
The next morning, just as the market opened, the Skeleton Tribe arrived again. This time, Broken Bones was even more arrogant, bringing with him over a dozen warriors, clearly intent on seizing the property by force.
"Last chance," Bonebreaker threatened, "hand over all the salt and pottery, or..."
"What else?" Canglan asked calmly, but his body had already entered combat mode.
Just as the situation became tense, Lin Chen suddenly stepped forward, holding a particularly exquisite pottery jar in his hand: "Warrior of the Skeleton Tribe, please take a look at this first."
Broken Bone was stunned for a moment, then instinctively took the jar. Lin Chen explained loudly, making sure everyone around could hear: "This jar has been specially blessed and can only be used by traders with good intentions. If it is forcibly taken, it will naturally break, bringing misfortune to the holder."
There was an uproar all around. Broken Bones' face changed, and he was in a dilemma holding the pottery jar.
Lin Chen continued, his voice echoing everywhere: "The Silver Moon Tribe is willing to trade fairly with all tribes, but rejects any threats. If the Skeleton Tribe truly wishes to trade, we welcome it; if they attempt to seize us by force, I'm afraid they will bring disaster upon themselves."
These words were cleverly said. They gave the other party a way out and at the same time used the primitive tribe's belief in mysterious powers to create a deterrent.
Broken Bones hesitated for a moment, and finally put down the pottery jar angrily: "Nonsense! Who wants these broken things of yours!" After that, he left angrily with his men.
The crisis was temporarily resolved, but Lin Chen noticed that the representatives of the Sun Tribe were watching from a distance with unfriendly expressions.
At the end of the day's transaction, Whisper returned to the Silvermoon Tribe camp, this time with a more serious expression. "You're in big trouble. The Sun Tribe has decided to suppress you and may attack you during tomorrow's sacrifice."
"Why?" Hong Yan was puzzled. "We are just a small tribe. What threat can we pose to them?"
She whispered, lowering her voice, "The Sun Tribe maintains its position through technological superiority. Your pottery and salt are of such high quality, and difficult to imitate, that they have undermined their authority. More importantly..." She looked at Lin Chen, "They heard these innovations came from an outsider, and they want to acquire him."
Lin Chen's heart trembled. Canglan immediately took a half step forward, subconsciously protecting Lin Chen behind him.
Whisper continued, "During tomorrow's sacrifice, the Sun Tribe may challenge your trading rights and even demand that Lin Chen be handed over as 'wealth shared among the tribes.'"
This news shocked everyone in the Silver Moon Tribe. Canglan's eyes instantly turned cold: "Absolutely impossible."
Whisper sighed, "Make preparations early. The Mountain Tribe will support you, but the Sun Tribe is powerful, and many smaller tribes dare not defy them."
After she left, a heavy atmosphere descended upon the camp. Hong Yan broke the silence: "Maybe... maybe we should leave early to avoid conflict."
Canglan shook his head: "Running away will only make us look weak, and it will be even harder to gain a foothold in the future. We must face it."
Everyone's eyes turned to Lin Chen. He took a deep breath and said calmly, "I have a plan, but it requires everyone's cooperation and courage."
It was late at night, but the Silver Moon Tribe's camp was brightly lit. Lin Chen explained his plan in detail to everyone, who were sometimes surprised, sometimes nodded, and finally reached a consensus.
After the plan was finalized, Canglan quietly found Lin Chen, his silver-gray eyes filled with worry: "This is very dangerous. If it fails..."
"It will succeed." Lin Chen smiled, "Because I am not alone."
Canglan gently held Lin Chen's hand: "No matter what happens tomorrow, I will protect you. I swear."
At this moment, in the dangerous marketplace of another world, Lin Chen felt a strange sense of security. He had companions, a sense of belonging, and a wolf warrior willing to take risks for him.
In the distance, the Sun Tribe's camp was still brightly lit, as if they were planning something. Meanwhile, in the Silver Moon Tribe's camp, everyone was preparing for tomorrow's challenge.
Under the starry sky, undercurrents between the two tribes are converging, and a conflict over dignity and the future is about to erupt at the market. And Lin Chen, a soul from another world, stands at the center of the storm.
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