I've been transported to the orc continent.

Upon hearing that they could exchange for ironware, the orc from the snow mountain tribe was visibly much happier. He didn't ask what items were suitable for exchange; since ironware was so precious, anything that could be exchanged must also be very valuable. This orc had already begun to plan in his mind how to accumulate valuable items over the next few years.

Another orc from the Snow Mountain tribe asked, "Man, are you also here to trade for large root grass?"

The large root grass is abundant, and those tribes have plenty of food to get through the winter. The Great River Tribe and the Long Horn Tribe have already sent people over to exchange for large root grass.

Trading animal meat for dahlias is a very good deal. One piece of dried meat can be exchanged for a basket of dried dahlias. One piece of dried meat is not enough to feed one tribesman, but a basket of dahlias can feed at least three tribesmen.

Man smiled and said, "Well, besides replacing the large grass, there's something else I need to discuss with your clan leader."

"What is it?"

Man didn't answer immediately, but instead took a sip of the meat soup. The soup was made by Bai Ling, and contained dried meat, sausage, and dried vegetables. Man broke open the flatbread he brought from the tribe, soaked it in the steaming hot soup, and took a big, satisfying sip.

The broth also contained ginger, and on this cold night, a sip of this broth warmed me up from head to toe.

The orcs of the Snow Mountain tribe also started drinking meat soup. They drank meat soup almost every day, but today's meat soup was especially delicious.

The meat soup from the Gaoshu tribe was incredibly fragrant and flavorful, and paired with the flatbread they brought, it was absolutely delicious. Moreover, something seemed to be added to the soup; after drinking a bowl, a warm current flowed from my stomach and chest to my limbs, and my entire body felt warm.

The orcs of the Snow Mountain Tribe had never tasted such delicious meat soup before. They didn't even have time to ask the question anymore, and they all started eating heartily with their bowls in hand.

*

After finishing the meal, Man Cai explained the purpose of his group's visit.

“Our tribe has acquired a wonderful thing called a kang (heated brick bed). The caves become much warmer with a kang, and it’s very comfortable for the elderly, children, and infants to sleep on. The chief sent us here, firstly to exchange large grasses for your goods, and secondly to ask if you would like to send your elderly and infants to our tribe for the winter?”

No sooner had Man finished speaking than an orc from the Snow Mountain tribe immediately asked, "Is this true? Doesn't it get cold in your tribe during winter?"

Man: "Of course it's true. Would our Gaoshu tribe do something to lie? If we were lying, how could our Gaoshu tribe maintain its standing here? I'm afraid all the surrounding tribes would stop associating with us."

“It’s not just you. The chief also sent people to other tribes. When we were building the kang (heated brick bed), our tribe specially built more kangs in several caves so that we could bring the elderly and children from the surrounding tribes to spend the winter there.”

If the orcs of the Snow Mountain tribe looked excited when they saw Yue's sword, then they were thrilled when they heard that there was a heated brick bed for the elderly and cubs to spend the winter.

Winter is tough for orcs. The Snow Mountain tribe is colder than the surrounding tribes, and every winter, the elderly and weak die of cold and hunger. This year, with the big root grass, the tribesmen won't be so hungry. If what Man said is true, then the old and the young might be able to get through this winter safely.

For the orcs of the Snow Mountain Tribe, this was even more exciting than seeing the knife in Yue's hand.

Even the orc who most envied and longed for the steel blade in Yue's hand looked away from the blade: "This matter is very important. We'll return to the tribe first thing tomorrow morning."

*

The orcs of the Snow Mountain Tribe wanted to lead the orcs of the High Tree Tribe on a journey through the night so they could return to their tribe sooner, but Man refused.

The terrain of the Snow Mountain Tribe is quite complex, with rugged and uneven mountain roads. Walking in the dark is not an option; if something happens, he won't be able to explain it to the tribal chief.

Before setting off, the chieftain specifically instructed him to take good care of Ling. He hadn't been walking fast along the way, and now that they were in the territory of the Snow Mountain Tribe, he couldn't risk anything to walk faster.

After being rejected, the orcs of the Snow Mountain Tribe gave up the idea of ​​traveling at night. However, they still sent two tribesmen back ahead of time to tell the chief about the matter and let the chief make a decision as soon as possible.

*

The Snow Mountain Tribe is located at the foot of the snow mountain.

When Bai Ling and her people arrived, the light snow that had been falling suddenly stopped, and the sun pierced through the thick clouds, casting rays of golden sunlight.

Sunlight shone on the silent and mysterious snow-capped mountain, as if gilding it with a layer of gold. Wisps of white clouds, like light gauze, wrapped around the mountaintop. In the blink of an eye, the clouds were also dyed with gold, and the entire mountaintop turned into a dazzling gold, almost too bright to look at directly.

Blue sky, white clouds, snow-capped mountains, and golden peaks created a fairyland-like scene that directly entered Bai Ling's eyes.

Not only Bai Ling, but the other beastmen were also shocked by the sight. The beastmen from the Snow Mountain Tribe who were with them even knelt down on all fours and prostrated themselves deeply.

*

Bai Ling and his group received a warm welcome from the orcs of the Snow Mountain Tribe.

The most popular one among them was not Man, who led the team, nor Yue, who was the most beautiful, but Bai Ling.

Several young orcs surrounded Bai Ling, pulled her to her feet, and led her to the campfire where they sang and danced. A young female orc even presented Bai Ling with a string of colorful stones in her hands.

Bai Ling was stunned. He didn't know what this custom was, but as a single male beastman, it seemed inappropriate to accept something from a young female beastman he didn't know.

Bai Ling shook her head and took a step back, indicating that she was unwilling to accept it.

The young female orc didn't press the matter further, and with a hearty laugh, she retreated.

Bai Ling was really not good at singing and dancing, so he found a moment to run back and sit down next to Yue.

Yue's head was slightly lowered, his long, silvery-white hair hanging down smoothly. His eyelids were half-closed, and his long eyelashes trembled slightly. At this moment, he was holding a ceramic bowl in both hands and quietly drinking the meat soup in the bowl.

This was clearly a normal thing, but Bai Ling inexplicably felt that Yue seemed a little unhappy.

Bai Ling also picked up a ceramic bowl, turned slightly to the side, and asked, "Yue, is the meat soup from the Snow Mountain Tribe delicious?"

The moon didn't look up, but simply gave a soft "hmm" in response.

Bai Ling was now certain that Yue was truly unhappy.

Bai Ling didn't know what had happened, but since Yue was unhappy, as her secret admirer, he had to quickly cheer her up.

Bai Ling put down the ceramic bowl in her hand and said softly, "Yue, the Snow Mountain Tribe has sweet grass. It would be great if we could trade for some. When we get back, I'll use the sweet grass to make a new dish. I'm sure you'll like it."