Leisurely Life in the Beast World - Chapter 343

“Chiefs!” A patrolling beastman came running toward the cave where Shi Jie and Xiong Dan were working, shouting from outside.

Shi Jie and Xiong Dan were shirtless, focused on crafting stone tools. Hearing the commotion, they didn’t even lift their heads. “Come in and speak,” Shi Jie said.

The beastman ran in. “Chiefs, a group of beastmen is outside the tribe. The leader claims to be from the Sera Tribe and requests to meet both of you.”

The grinding of stone tools stopped abruptly. Shi Jie and Xiong Dan exchanged a glance. This was unexpected—so the Sera Tribe had come knocking. It seemed their presence in the Ainilu Forest really was related to the Grand Trade Gathering.

Shi Jie waved his hand. “Wait outside for a while. I need to discuss something with Chief Xiong Dan.”

The beastman nodded and jogged back to stand guard a short distance from the cave entrance.

“Should we just send word back through the patrol, saying we’re out and not at the tribe?” Shi Jie scratched his head, clearly annoyed.

Xiong Dan shook his head. “We can’t stay out forever. If they came specifically for us, they won’t just come this once.”

Shi Jie stood up from the beast hide mat. “Then what do we do? The Sera Tribe and the Monte Tribe are enemies. If the Monte Tribe finds out we’ve met with them…”

Xiong Dan’s face turned grim as he contemplated the same problem. The air in the cave grew tense.

Suddenly, Shi Jie plopped back down on the mat and, gritting his teeth, shouted toward the cave entrance, “Bring them in and arrange for them to stay in a tent for now.”

The beastman outside acknowledged the order and ran off.

Xiong Dan, startled by this sudden decision, asked hurriedly, “Have you figured out how to handle them?”

Shi Jie scratched his head again. “I don’t even know why they’ve come. How could I have a plan?”

Xiong Dan stomped his foot in frustration, jabbing his finger so close to Shi Jie’s nose that it almost touched. “You fool! Then why did you tell them to come in?”

Shi Jie shrank back slightly. “I figured we could at least listen to what they have to say and then come up with a plan.”

Xiong Dan’s hand trembled with suppressed anger but eventually dropped it. “Fine, I suppose that’s all we can do for now.”

Mo Peisi and his group followed the patrolling beastman and were led to a tent. Inside, there was a freshly butchered grunting beast and a beast hide bag filled with various fruits.

The beastman gestured toward the provisions. “The chiefs asked me to bring you here. Eat some meat and fruit first. They’ll come by later.”

Mo Peisi smiled and nodded. “Thank you. We understand.”

The beastman gave a small nod before leaving to resume his patrol duties at the tribe’s gate.

“Mo Peisi, what do they mean by this? Are they not planning to meet us?” The older beastman’s face darkened with dissatisfaction.

Mo Peisi patted the elder’s arm reassuringly. “Uncle, don’t be impatient. They’ve already said we should eat first. Maybe something has temporarily held them up.”

He then picked up a stone knife, sliced off a piece of green ox meat, and handed it to the older beastman. He gestured for the rest of the group to help themselves. “It’s just as well. The tribe members are hungry. Let’s fill our stomachs first.”

The older beastman sighed, resigned, and began chewing on his piece of meat.

Meanwhile, Mo Peisi casually grabbed some fruit from the beast hide bag. His lips curled into a faintly mocking smile as he recalled his father’s parting words.

Since you don’t want to give me the position of chief, then the First Trading Tribe won’t matter to me anymore either.