Chapter 158

Chapter 158: The Return in Snowstorm

On the ancient Guffia grasslands, in the Goat-Horned tribe.

Amidst the snow-covered wilderness, the earth was blanketed in white. The reflected light from the snow was almost blinding. A small hill was barely noticeable amidst the swirling snow.

Due to its northern location, winter was particularly harsh. The grasslands produced little grain, mainly just forage. In winter, they relied on stored provisions to survive.

Ever since the beasts were driven here long ago, they mostly lived off herding. However, this seemed quite peculiar to humans.

For example, the Minotaur tribe raised cattle, while the Goat-Horned tribe raised goats. Herders and their livestock shared similarities. Occasionally, merchants or tourists curious about trade would ask if they considered these animals as kin and felt remorse killing them.

The answer was that they had no special feelings, much like raising chickens or dogs. Some beasts, annoyed by such questions, would retort, “Do you humans consider monkeys as kin?” Of course, the answer was negative.

Rather than being more animal-like, beasts were closer to humans. Some scholars even claimed humans were a branch of beastkind. This idea was widely rejected, but historical research confirmed that during the Beast Empire era, there were no human tribes. Humans seemed to have evolved or degenerated from another direction.

The snow-covered hill looked unremarkable from the north, but when viewed from the south, it revealed a different scene.

The hill blocked the northern cold winds and currents, while the southern side was a basin roughly ten football fields wide. The basin was surrounded by fences, with large tents set up against the mountain. Occasionally, smoke rose from the chimneys in the middle of the tents. Outside the tents was a large fenced area divided into sections, each filled with tightly packed sheep.

They huddled together for warmth, using their thick wool to withstand the cold. Sometimes, the bleating sounds echoed like a flock of cotton balls. Some sheep had so much wool that they appeared slightly yellow.

Winter days were shorter. Though the sun shone, it was hard to feel warmth. As it set below the horizon, the air grew even colder.

A young lady walked through the snow-covered wilderness. She wore a fur coat and hood, with her collar and cuffs tightly fastened to prevent any cold wind from entering. Only parts of her cheeks and eyes were exposed, feeling like they were being cut by knives. Her footsteps made soft sounds on the snow, revealing black soil and grass underneath.

Sparse stars dotted the sky, and a trail of footprints stretched far into the distance.

*Clank-clank*

At the fence gate outside the basin, the young lady shook the two copper plates hanging above, causing a series of clear chimes. Several dog barks echoed in the darkness, creating an eerie atmosphere.

“Coming.”

An old voice came from a small wooden house not far inside the fence. Then, the wooden door opened, and an elderly man holding a lamp approached. He had a goatee and was somewhat thin.

“Is Nia back?”

“Yes, Grandpa Katan. Are you alone?”

As the fence gate opened, the young lady walked in and greeted him.

“Yes, everyone went out today and got some food. They’re all tired, so I’ll stay here tonight.”

“Still not enough food?”

Nia shook off the snow on her body and asked.

“Yes, usually there’s a trade caravan from the south, but this year, the Western Wind Rebellion has cut off many routes. If necessary, we’ll have to slaughter the sheep.”

“But those wool-producing sheep are too valuable to kill. Eating meat would be too extravagant,” Nia sighed.

The Goat-Horned tribe only numbered a few thousand people, weak in strength. Their main income came from wool and a small amount of sheep milk trade. Selling meat wouldn’t be profitable because the strong smell of mutton wasn’t favored by noble humans or rich people, and commoners couldn’t afford it, making it awkward.

“Sigh, everyone knows, but what can we do? We can’t let people starve.”

“Before, everyone said human merchants were greedy, but now without them, we struggle to live. It’s truly helpless.”

“By the way, Nia, how did the Hundred Tribes Competition go?”

Nia touched her scars, still feeling uneasy. If that ax beam had been stronger, she might not have returned.

Seeing Nia didn’t respond, the elder thought he mentioned something sad and comforted her.

“It’s okay, coming back alive is good. Everyone won’t blame you. After all, our tribe hasn’t had someone selected in nearly a century.”

“I was selected.”

“Really? Selected?”

“Yes, though it was a bit dangerous, I was selected.” Nia nodded, her face red from the cold, smiling.

“Good, good, good.”

The elder’s voice trembled with excitement.

“Our tribe finally has a student at Emanas.”

“Tomorrow, I’ll tell everyone. No, tonight. Tonight, I’ll tell everyone this good news.”

With that, the gray-haired old man pulled the Goat-Horned girl inside, passing through the dry hay and miscellaneous items, through the pens full of sheep, approaching the group of tents.

“Everyone, wake up! Our village, no, our tribe has made progress!”

His rough hands, like old tree bark, tightly gripped Nia’s wrist, covered in dark, aged bruises. His loud voice echoed far in the night, like a sudden drum.

“Nia, Nia, she was selected! She can go to Emanas!”

The excited voice at the end had a touch of crying. For generations, the long-standing regret and wish had finally come true today.

“What?”

“Really?”

“Big Sister Nia is amazing!”

“Sleeping? Get up and make food! Let’s celebrate our future hero properly.”

“Exactly, exactly.”

The originally quiet tent group suddenly became lively. Tribesmen rushed to spread the news. Some elders shed tears, laughing and crying. Young children, not understanding the significance, followed the adults in joy, as they could eat delicious food again.

Inside the large tent, Nia stood in the center, her hood off, revealing her two small spiral horns. Her innocent face was rather cute. Elders and people gathered around, excitedly shaking her hand and saying blessings and congratulations.

Eyes full of hope and anticipation, those hands were rough, calloused, but when held, they were unusually strong and heavy.