The Female Supporting Character Refuses to Be Human Again - Chapter 216.1

Meng Changjin continued her tour of the Jing Tribe without any interruptions. When her guide subtly reminded her to avoid a heavily guarded cave nearby, Meng Changjin nodded in agreement. She didn’t move forward but stood at a distance, observing the area.

The guide seemed relieved that she was merely looking and not making any attempt to get closer since, in his mind, there wasn’t much she could see from that distance. What he didn’t know was that Meng Changjin was using her spiritual sense to get a clear view of everything inside the cave.

Upon seeing the inside, Meng Changjin felt a bit surprised. It turned out that the rumors about the Jing Tribe’s fire seed being in the form of a crystal were true! The crystal was rhomboid, about the size of a thumb, and it gleamed brightly. Alongside the crystal-like fire seed, there were also many small white granules scattered around the cave—likely the salt that the fire seed produced.

Meng Changjin’s curiosity about how the salt was made grew stronger. She would’ve loved to witness the process, but it seemed that the Jing Tribe wasn’t currently producing salt. Standing around the cave for too long would only draw more attention to her, making it unlikely that she’d get to see the process firsthand.

Realizing she’d seen as much as she could, Meng Changjin put on a slightly disappointed expression and moved away from the area, continuing her tour of the tribe. By the time she returned to the rest of the exchange group, the Jing Tribe had already completed the trade, swapping the beast meat they brought for several large sacks of salt.

Unlike what might happen in other social settings, no one offered a meal or hospitality. The exchange was strictly business, even for a significant client like the Yan Tribe. Once the transaction was completed, the group from the Yan Tribe packed up and began their journey home.

The return trip was much smoother. The earlier threat from wild beasts had been dealt with during their trip to the Jing Tribe, and new animals hadn’t yet moved into the area. Even if they did, they’d likely face the same fate.

Back in the Yan Tribe, Meng Changjin quickly processed the meat she received, preserving and smoking it for future use. Then, she went to meet with the three Chieftains and the Wu to inform them of her decision to set off on a long journey.

She expressed her desire to explore and travel far, explaining that this was her final mission world, and she might not get another chance to see new places like this again.

Naturally, the Chieftains and the Wu were reluctant to let her go. A hunting trip of a few days was one thing, but a long journey? Who knew how long that might last or whether she’d even return safely? These were the real concerns on everyone’s minds.

Meng Changjin had become an integral part of the Yan Tribe, a symbol of stability and progress. Her presence in the tribe offered a sense of security that would be missed if she left. They knew the tribe would continue to thrive without her direct involvement, but her departure could still unsettle the hearts of the people.

After a lengthy discussion, it was the Wu who finally relented first. Seeing the Wu’s approval, the three Chieftains were visibly anxious. How could the Wu agree to let Meng Changjin go on such a dangerous journey?!

🌟 Kliraz’s Tidbit: The Secret of Shiny Crystals! (¬‿¬)

Did you know that salt and crystals have a long history as precious resources, not just in ancient China but worldwide? In ancient China, salt was so valuable that it was traded like gold! Entire regions, like the Sichuan province, became famous for their salt wells (Anderson, P. (1997). Salt and the Economy of Ancient China. Cambridge University Press). The trade of salt even funded wars and built dynasties (Hsu, C. (2003). Salt: A Political Commodity in Imperial China. University of California Press).

Can you imagine telling your boss today, “Just pay me in salt, thanks”? (￣▽￣)

The Jing Tribe’s careful guarding of their fire seed crystal reflects how societies protect their most valuable assets. It’s a bit like modern cybersecurity for data centers, where critical information is hidden behind layers of protection to keep it safe from hackers (Dunn, L. (2020). Cybersecurity and Resource Protection: Modern Strategies. Digital Security Journal). The generational shift from protecting tangible resources like salt and fire to digital assets today shows how human priorities have evolved over time. In ancient times, controlling salt meant controlling power and wealth, while today, data is the new currency (Perez, A. (2021). Data as the New Currency: The Digital Age Economy. Tech Future Publications).

Interestingly, this secrecy around valuable resources isn’t unique to China. Other cultures had similar practices, like the ancient Egyptians who kept their methods of mummification a closely guarded secret (Johnson, R. (1995). Mysteries of Mummification in Ancient Egypt. Archaeology Today), or medieval Europeans who monopolized the trade of spices like pepper (Brown, T. (2012). Pepper: The Spice that Changed the World. Global Heritage Journal). These examples highlight a shared global tendency to safeguard knowledge and resources that provide a strategic advantage.