Chapter 74: Intimidation
*Whoosh!* The branches shook as Wa Ming returned.
“What’s the situation?” Yan Jiao asked with a serious expression.
Wa Ming said in a low voice, “We’ve likely entered into another Tribe’s Hunting Ground.”
“Did you see anyone?” Yan Jiao asked with gravity in his voice.
“No. But I saw some traces left by Hunters,” Wa Ming said with a solemn expression.
“How many people?” Yan Jiao frowned and asked.
“Six pairs of footprints. Probably only six Totem Warriors,” Wa Ming said, his tone slightly relieved.
“It’s likely just a Hunting Team,” Yan Jiao thought for a moment, then turned to Su Bai and asked, “Shaman, should we take a detour?”
“How much farther would that be?” Su Bai frowned and asked.
“Half a day’s journey,” Yan Jiao estimated the range of the Hunting Ground based on his experience.“If we don’t take a detour, will it be dangerous?” Su Bai did not want to walk an extra half day.
“Well…” Yan Jiao scanned the group, looked down at the Shaman Bone Tablet in his hand, and grinned, “No. There will not be any great danger.”
“Then let’s not detour then.” Su Bai shrugged.
“Alright, tighten formation and be careful,” Yan Jiao sternly instructed.
“Yes.” Da Gua and the others responded.
Da Gua, Wa Ming, and Mai Mang surrounded Su Bai, with Yan Jiao taking the lead.
*Crack, crack, crack…*
The group walked for over an hour before encountering trouble.
“Stop.” Yan Jiao waved for everyone to halt.
“Thirteen people in total.” Su Bai raised an eyebrow. This was what he had sensed.
“…” Mai Mang and Wa Ming looked at the Shaman in surprise, not expecting him to discern how many people there were.
About a dozen people were vaguely hidden in the forest, lurking in the shadows. Their eyes were keenly observing Su Bai and the others.
“Who are you?” Someone called out from the forest.
“We’re just passing through, heading to the Spotted Deer Tribe to exchange for food,” Yan Jiao called back.
This statement immediately caused a stir among the people in the forest. Some looked greedily at Yan Jiao and the others’ animal skin bags, while others were arguing.
“Chieftain, when we act, do it swiftly. Charge in and kill them.” Su Bai said in a low voice.
With his keen senses, he had heard that the other side intended to kill and rob them. Some disagreed, and it had caused an argument.
“Understood.” Yan Jiao began to gather his strength, preparing for a lightning strike.
Soon, the people in the forest finished arguing, and a man with a scar on his face stepped out.
He sneered, “Leave half your things, and you can pass.”
“And if we don’t?” Yan Jiao coldly asked.
He had already untied the animal skin rope on his chest with one hand, putting down his animal skin bag.
These were linen cloth that the Flame Dragon Tribe had worked on for several days! They dared to ask them to leave half!? If there were dozens of Totem Warriors, they might have been intimidated, but with just thirteen Totem Warriors, he could handle half of them alone!
“Then you’ll leave everything…” The scarred man stopped mid-sentence. His eyes widened as he stared at the Totem Mark on Yan Jiao’s body, his gaze lingering on his arms.
“You want us to leave everything? Let’s see if you have the ability!” Yan Jiao’s Totem Mark, a series of red, mysterious patterns, had already spread to his biceps.
“You’re a Mid Grade Totem Warrior!” The scarred man exclaimed. His face changed dramatically as he suddenly retreated several steps.
“…” Yan Jiao’s tense body suddenly stiffened, looking a bit dazed at the retreating men.
“Chieftain, wait.” Su Bai’s mouth curved into a slight smile as he softly said “There’s no need to fight. Just intimidate them.”
“Uh…” Yan Jiao was speechless, looking somewhat dejected at the people before him. He had wanted to test his new skills.
Still, he could not disobey the Shaman’s command.
*Hmph!* Yan Jiao scared them, by striding forward aggressively.
“This is a misunderstanding. We mean no harm…” The scarred man called out frantically.
They now truly dared not fight. A Mid Grade Totem Warrior in a frenzy was not something they could handle. Even if they won, they would lose several Totem Warriors. Such a result would definitely be a loss for them. Totem Warriors were the pillars of a Tribe, and losing too many would cause major problems, starting with hunting.
“Intimidate them more, act more aggressive,” Su Bai instructed Yan Jiao from behind, to prevent the others from testing their temperament.
“I don’t think there’s any misunderstanding. Didn’t you just ask us to leave half our things?” Yan Jiao obeyed, starting to act very agitated, roaring with a fierce expression, “Come on! Come and take it if you dare!”
The people in the forest were frightened by Yan Jiao’s demeanour, their commotion growing louder.
“Let them pass, don’t provoke them.”
“Everyone make way. A Mid Grade Totem Warrior is not easy to deal with.”
“…”
“We mistook you for someone else,” the scarred man said with sweat on his face, smiling awkwardly, “You can pass now.”
After speaking, he retreated into the forest. The others quickly withdrew, leaving only shaking branches behind.
“Mistaken us?” Su Bai’s mouth curved into a playful smile as he turned to look at the equally dazed Yan Jiao, Mai Mang, and the others.
“They just left like that?” Yan Hua asked, a bit stunned.
“A bunch of cowards.” Mai Mang said disdainfully.
“Am I really that powerful now?” Yan Jiao looked down at his Totem Mark, only now truly understanding the prowess of a Mid Grade Totem Warrior.
“…” Su Bai looked at the excited, dazed, and disdainful group before him. He inwardly mocked. [I always thought those in primitive Tribes are stubborn, hard-headed, and slow. Seems like only the Flame Dragon Tribe is like that… People from the other Tribes are quite cunning. They know when to back down. They retreat immediately when they know they can’t win.]
“Let’s quickly continue to move. In case they change their minds,” Su Bai helplessly stated.
“Yes.” Yan Jiao grinned as he led the way, his expression even more confident.
[noscript][/noscript]