The Xia orcs will always support the Lan orcs; they are the people of Xia…
Jiang Yunlan was accompanied by Maple Syrup and members of her guard team.
Upon seeing the guards dressed in the same uniform, the orcs immediately remembered their duties and smiled, making room for Lan and the others at two tables, as well as chairs large enough for them all to sit on.
The orcs who had made room for her gathered around her and chattered about what they had seen and heard.
Jiang Yunlan didn't rush to have lunch. Instead, she joined the beastmen's conversation and waited for Maple Syrup and Black Soil, who were in line, to bring over their food.
The orcs of Xia loved Maple Syrup even more, and they loved Lan even more. Knowing that the guards were orcs protecting Lan, they thoughtfully pushed the guards behind Maple Syrup, letting them eat first. They hoped that the guards would be well-fed and use their strong bodies to protect Lan.
Many of the orcs standing in front of the food stall were seeing Jiang Yunlan for the first time. Yet, they felt as if they had known her for a long time.
When they talked about their lives, they always mentioned her, talking about the convenience that her things brought them. They remembered clearly many of the instructions she gave and the things she asked them to build, even though she herself had forgotten when.
She could clearly see the love, trust, and respect in their eyes. It was as if, despite frequently leaving their habitat to travel to other places, she had never truly left their side.
An orc said that he had recently passed the assessment for opening a food stall and was finally able to sell his homemade food.
She overheard the orc complaining that before taking the exam, he had never imagined that the most important part of the food stall opening assessment would be identifying the edible parts of the ingredients.
What else did he learn? He discovered that to open a shop, he needed to understand which foods couldn't be eaten together, the relevant legal procedures for running a business, and how to put out a fire if he accidentally set the ingredients on fire while cooking, among other miscellaneous things. As for cooking itself, that was just a tiny, insignificant part of the business license.
His cooking skills were almost useless in the assessment, giving him a sense of powerlessness, like trying to kill a chicken with a long sword.
The orcs listening in burst into laughter, saying with great understanding, "After all, cooking skills can be practiced. We can't stop a stall owner from opening a shop just because their food isn't good enough."
Jiang Yunlan heard their conversation and laughed along.
Opening private food stalls was an order she issued before setting sail. Indeed, food was the best way to invigorate the orcs, bar none; places with food stalls were truly bustling. Thinking this, she joined the orcs, whose thoughts were jumping around, to discuss another topic.
As they were talking, Maple Syrup and Black Soil arrived with food. Upon seeing this, the orcs urged Lan, who was waiting for them, to hurry up and eat.
"The marsh vegetable black wing white roe soup will get cold if left out for too long, and cold soup doesn't taste as good as hot soup. Lan, go eat your food first, don't worry about us, we'll chat for a while longer," the beastmen said.
"Okay," Jiang Yunlan agreed with a smile.
Seeing Lan looking down at her soup, they turned back to continue their conversation, casually picking at the snacks in their bowls.
Having spent so much time in the summer, the orcs no longer devour food as they used to, as if they wouldn't get any more if they didn't eat now. They are more relaxed now, chatting with a few friends while eating during their free time.
The orc they mentioned most often was her, followed by Maple Syrup.
Many orcs often mentioned her name, frequently saying things like, "Lan said it before," or "Lan once said it," or "Lan said..."
After finishing her lunch, Jiang Yunlan couldn't even remember how many times Lan Shuo had echoed in her ears. She was happy to be mentioned by the beastmen in such an affectionate tone, and what made her even happier was that what she had done had genuinely helped them.
"Lan".
She heard Maple Sugar call her, looked up at Maple Sugar, and had a relaxed and contented smile on her face.
Seeing the smile on her face, Maple Syrup swallowed the word "go back" that was on the tip of her tongue and said something completely different: "Let's walk around the neighborhood for a bit before we go back."
She nodded in agreement, got up, and led Heitu and the others to follow Fengtang, strolling around slowly.
Too many beastmen would stop and talk to Jiang Yunlan as they passed by, making it impossible for her to quickly walk the entire Hundred Goods Street. Fortunately, she wasn't in a hurry and could stop to listen to their voices.
When the beastmen talked about things around them, they would occasionally reveal some distress.
If this is an area in the tribe that needs improvement, Jiang Yunlan will remember what has troubled them and plan to arrange a solution when she returns to the central building.
As she passed through the crowd, a baby cub, accompanied by its companions, offered her a wreath it had woven with its friends.
Xia's official beastmen are forbidden from accepting even a needle or thread from other beastmen. However, the wreath the cub wanted to place on her head was woven from wildflowers that could be found everywhere in their habitat. She looked at the cub, who was looking up at her with a mixture of trepidation and anticipation, hesitated for a moment, then took 022 off her head and bent down.
The cub held its breath, its round, adorable face serious as it carefully placed the flower on her head. The cub's movements were gentle, conveying a sense of deep affection.
The wreath landed steadily on Jiang Yunlan's head.
The cubs cheered happily, proudly showing the orcs around them that the wreath Lan wore was the most beautiful one they had ever made, after a long time. They knew that Lan had thought long and hard before deciding to give her the wreath.
"Yes, it's beautiful. Thank you for making the wreath, I really like it," Jiang Yunlan said with a smile.
The beastmen who happened to witness this scene felt a warmth in their hearts for some reason and couldn't help but laugh a few times.
Jiang Yunlan, wearing the flower wreath with composure, continued her journey amidst laughter and chatter. Little did she know that after today, the beastmen would enjoy wearing flower wreaths while strolling through the streets. Those beastmen who couldn't wear flower wreaths would simply wear hats adorned with flowers.
Later, not only did floral elements increase in hats, but floral elements also gradually appeared in clothing, accessories, furniture, and other items, becoming the third most popular decorative element in the Xia tribe after five-pointed stars and snowflakes.
At this moment, Jiang Yunlan bumped into a soldier's family member.
The middle-aged orc leaned on her cane and tried to soften her fierce and frightening voice as she spoke to Lan, saying that she had always told her grown-up cub to strive to complete the orders issued by the tribe.
She said that if her legs could still fight, she would sign up to join the war. If she couldn't be a warrior, she would at least like to be an adventurer and help out.
The orcs traveling with her were all physically ill and unable to carry out missions. Many of them were orcs who had been neglected by their clans after being injured.
In their despair, they heard news of Xia, learning that Xia would accept all orcs, including the wounded, the weak, and those considered "misfortune" or "freaks." One day, they took a desperate gamble and traveled here with other orcs heading to Xia, never intending to leave again.
Having been let down in the past, they longed to transform back into their powerful selves and answer Arashi's call. Unfortunately, they could only serve as logistical support, responsible for planting, and helping to make medicine, dry rations, and clothing…
They regretted that when Xia needed them most, they couldn't stand on the front lines and resist the Apocalypse Tribe.
Jiang Yunlan felt a pang of sadness listening to their words and wanted to blink. She took a deep breath and smiled, about to say something to comfort them, when she heard the other Xia beastmen standing nearby comfort them first.
"Don't worry, we're here for you!" The healthy and strong orc grinned. "We'll take care of the front lines. And with you guys supporting us, we won't have to worry about going hungry or cold on the battlefield."
"We call this... what? Dual swords combined! Invincible. The orcs of Apocalypse don't have your logistics. They're the kind of orcs who even deceive their own friendly clans. They might even fight amongst themselves," one orc said confidently, drawing a chorus of agreement.
An adventurer pulled his companion along and scurried in, howling a few times, "Their Apocalypse Tribe is powerful, but we have the weapons and armor that Lan led us to create, the elf teammates that Lan brought back, and the war beasts that Lan spearheaded in training!"
"Most importantly, we have the intelligent Lan. With Lan around, we can definitely defeat those Apocalypse Orcs, rescue our trapped kin, and stop the Apocalypse from plundering the Elves."
The different timbres gradually overlapped, creating a powerful and unwavering sound.
They knew this battle wasn't just about saving their kind, but also about saving themselves. The Apocalypse Tribe didn't care about the lives of other regions, and could ignore the disappearance of forests outside their own territory, but they couldn't.
Lan said that if they sit idly by and watch coldly, sooner or later, they will be the orcs who lose their habitat, their tribe, and their companions.
"So Lan, don't worry so much anymore. We'll do everything we can to achieve anything you ask for. Chief Maple Syrup and Steward Gray Honey both said you've been worried about the giant beast lately. Don't worry, since the first observation team failed, my companions and I will be the second team and continue searching for the giant beast!"
“Me too! I’ll be in the third batch!” another orc said, raising his hand.
Jiang Yunlan was stunned, glancing at the orcs who had raised their hands, vying to be selected as backup team members. Unbeknownst to her, she was surrounded by orcs, and as far as the eye could see, at the edge of her field of vision, orcs were running towards her with their companions.
The orc said, “Lan, I’m not smart enough to figure out what you’re worried about. But you told us what we should do, and we’re sure we can do it well. If one team of orcs isn’t enough, then two teams, three teams, send out as many as we can to complete the mission.”
They said, "Lan, we support all your decisions."
Just as they are willing to set aside their hatred for the giant beasts and approach them. Just as they don't understand why there should be strict controls on access to their habitats, they will still comply.
In short, Xia's orcs will always support Lan.
Jiang Yunlan held 022, unsure how to describe her emotions. All she knew was that she didn't want to let them down.
She didn't want to lose, not even once. Her people could not live in the shadow of the Apocalypse Tribe. What was the point of lying low, what was the point of compromising? The Xia's orcs should not have to endure such suffering.
No matter how difficult it is to defeat the Apocalypse Tribe, she is determined to win.
A fierce fighting spirit ignited in Jiang Yunlan's eyes, and she raised her arms and shouted, "We will definitely defeat the Tianqi Tribe!"
"We will defeat the Apocalypse Orcs!" Maple Syrup, Black Soil, and other orcs shouted in unison.
The voices of the orcs converged from all directions, like a surging tide.
"Defeat it! Defeat it! Victory will surely be ours!"
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