Chapter 54

The weather was perfect for the outing, with the sun shining brightly. On this continent, apart from the long snowy season, the brief rainy season, and the scorching summer—altogether making up about four months—the other seasons were mild and pleasant. But today, with no work to do and just an adventure ahead, the sky seemed a brighter blue than ever.

Zhuo Yan carried a wicker basket on his back and didn’t let A-Yin carry him. As for Aman, her younger siblings, Shi Tou and Da Yun, were still quite young, and Da Yun hadn’t yet transformed into human form. Even so, Shi Tou brought Da Yun along for the fun. Although Shi Tou’s parents had taken over caring for Da Yun after returning from the salt trade, Da Yun still clung to Shi Tou the most.

Aman didn’t bring her younger brother, knowing she couldn’t control him. Especially out in the open wilderness, her brother would definitely sneak off to hunt—an act that was practically begging for trouble. So, she left him behind.

A few of them gathered at the bottom of the hill, and the fresh scent of soap still clung to their hair and clothes—everyone had clearly bathed. Shi Tou, who had been wearing his summer clothes earlier, had now changed into a clean leather skirt.

“I brought a few potatoes,” someone said.

“So did I,” another added.

“I packed some salt.”

“I brought an old hide too,” Aman chimed in, happily carrying her basket. “Zhuo Yan mentioned we could spread it out to sit on while we eat, bask in the sun, and relax.”

Xiao Xian piped up, “I brought a bird whistle.”

Shi Tou looked a bit uncomfortable, pretending not to hear, but his younger sister, Da Yun, suddenly shouted, “Brother’s necklace! The pretty necklace!”

Everyone turned to look at Shi Tou.

Zhuo Yan thought to himself, I knew it—Shi Tou is secretly vain.

“Why aren’t you wearing it if you brought it?” someone teased.

“Yeah, come on!” echoed another.

Aman grinned, “What are you shy about? Show it off!”

Shi Tou’s face flushed red, but with a slightly awkward expression, he finally pulled out the peacock feather necklace from his basket. Da Yun, fascinated by the vibrant feathers, reached out to touch it, and Shi Tou let her, though he warned, “Be gentle.”

Da Yun gave it a light touch and giggled, “Brother, it’s so pretty!”

“It really is! Put it on already!” urged the others.

Shi Tou reluctantly draped the necklace around his neck. He was wearing a leather skirt with a light summer shirt, exposing his chest. His skin was a darker shade than Zhuo Yan’s wheat complexion, leaning towards a rich golden-brown hue. The blue-green feathers from the necklace hung between his muscles, giving him a rugged yet strikingly handsome look.

Zhuo Yan praised him, “It looks great.”

Shi Tou, who seemed to suffer from a “beauty-shyness syndrome,” was trying to downplay how he felt, but the compliments from Zhuo Yan and the group helped him relax and accept the admiration more easily.

“Seriously, it looks amazing, Shi Tou.”

Aman nudged him, “If I’d known, I would’ve brought my golden bird feathers and braided them into my hair.”

“You could still go get them. We’re waiting for Qiao anyway, no rush,” Zhuo Yan suggested.

Aman shook his head. “Nah, too much trouble to go back.”

At that moment, Qiao arrived, riding on Ada, who was in beast form. The others watched as Qiao hesitated before sliding down from Ada’s back, his face flushed with embarrassment.

“Wow!”

“Wooow!”

“Woooow!”

The collective gasp from the group broke the ice. Even Shi Tou, who had felt shy about his necklace earlier, was now at ease, because Qiao’s outfit stole the show. His skirt was woven with golden, red, and green feathers, half-leather, half-feathered, with the ends of the feathers swaying as he moved, catching the sunlight and shimmering brilliantly.

It was truly beautiful!

Zhuo Yan beamed with appreciation. In the tribe, life was simple and hardworking, so seeing someone take pride in their appearance and enjoy fashion was refreshing. It added a sense of beauty and excitement to their routine lives, which were otherwise filled with daily chores and repetition.

Meanwhile, off to the side, A-Yin, standing in his sleek panther form, watched his brother’s admiration of the feathered skirt. His sapphire-blue eyes sparkled with an idea—his brother loved feather skirts! Next year, he’d go to the Featherfolk market and get one for him too.

His brother would look just as good in it.

A-Yin glanced at his brother’s long, lean legs, his narrow waist, and strong chest, imagining him in such a skirt…

“Awooo!” Ah Tou called out.

A-Yin turned his head toward Ah Tou, who barked again as if to say, What’s the holdup? Everyone’s here, we should get moving.

A-Yin replied, Stop rushing me! Brother hasn’t given the word yet.

Qiao, still a bit embarrassed, had taken his time dressing in the cave earlier, not wanting to be seen. It was only after Ada complimented him and transformed into beast form to shield him from view that Qiao felt comfortable enough to join the others. Now, hearing all the compliments from his friends, Qiao’s face blushed, but he couldn’t help feeling pleased.

“Let’s go!” Zhuo Yan said, giving A-Yin’s ears a playful pat. “Getting impatient, huh? Alright, time to head out.”

With A-Yin, Ah Tou, and Ada leading the way in their panther forms, they flanked the group, protecting the young beastfolk.

As Zhuo Yan and the others crossed the river, they encountered a few fellow beastfolk who greeted them, and the conversation quickly shifted to admiration of Qiao’s skirt and Shi Tou’s necklace.

“It’s so beautiful.”

“Featherfolk markets always have the most stunning things.”

“Yeah, that skirt is gorgeous.”

Qiao smiled, explaining, “This skirt cost me much less than trading for salt. I exchanged a medium-sized hide for it.”

“Just one hide?” someone exclaimed.

“Now I want one too!”

“Much cheaper than trading for salt, and we have plenty of that now.”

“I wonder if we’ll go to the Featherfolk market next year. I’d love to check it out.”

“I’ve heard their skirts and accessories are all stunning.”

They chatted with fellow tribe members for a while before heading off. Even from a distance, they could still hear comments about Qiao’s skirt and Shi Tou’s necklace, amazed that just one hide could trade for such a beautiful item.

Zhuo Yan smiled, his steps light as he said, “As long as we don’t trade for salt, the Featherfolk market will become more balanced and fair. Equal exchanges for everyone.”

Trading a hide for a skirt seemed like a great deal to the pantherfolk. The Featherfolk sellers likely felt the same way since feathers were abundant in their tribe, while the hides, tanned and prepared by the beastfolk, weren’t all that rare.

That’s how trade should work.

“Zhuo Yan, do you think we’ll go to the Featherfolk market again? I’ve never been and really want to see it. As long as we avoid salt trading, it’ll be fun.”

“Me too, I don’t know the way there either.”

Shi Tou also wanted to go. He’d love to get himself a skirt next time, though as long as he could find feathers in the same color as his necklace, he’d be happy.

Zhuo Yan said, “We should be able to go next year.”

Shi Tou chimed in, “But my sister won’t be of age by then. She still hasn’t shifted into her beast form. Maybe I’ll skip the trip.”

Aman teased, “Just find a mate, Shi Tou.”

Shi Tou shrugged, “No one in the tribe fits. I’m not going to settle just to go to the Feather Market. If there was someone, I’d have found them already. The guys here don’t take care of themselves and have bad tempers.”

His little sister Da Yun, hurrying alongside with her tiny legs, said brightly, “Brother, when I shift, I’ll carry you to the market myself.”

“Thanks, but I’ll manage.”

Zhuo Yan, thinking about it, said, “Next year should be fine, but after that, it’s hard to say. If we discover a salt mine in the Mammoth lands, the Feather Market might lose its appeal. We’ll finally be able to show the feathered folk that we don’t need their overpriced salt. It’ll force them to change their attitude—no more looking down on us. Fair trade, or no trade.”

As they chatted, three beastmen led the way, cutting through the dense forest. They walked for hours, but to Zhuo Yan, the journey was easy. His stamina had improved, thanks to his beastman genes. Even little Da Yun, just eight or nine years old, didn’t complain or need her brother to carry her.

Ahead, Ah Tuo, one of the beastmen, suddenly sprinted off. Xiao Xian, watching, muttered, “My second brother always claimed he liked a certain beastman. Clearly, that was a lie!”

Aman agreed. “Yeah, just look at A-Yin and Ah Da. When they like someone, they stick close. Your brother’s acting more like a wild boar, running off without a care.”

Xiao Xian glanced at A’da, who was walking protectively beside Qiao, while A-Yin darted back and forth, fetching flowers to show Zhuo Yan. Zhuo Yan would pet his head, and A-Yin would dash off again to find more.

Xiao Xian groaned, “Meanwhile, my brother’s out there, having the time of his life, without a thought for anyone.”

“I’ve been deceived! My mom, my dad, and I—we all bought his story!” Xiao Xian complained.

Zhuo Yan laughed. “You’re really eager for your brothers to move out, huh?”

“Well, yeah! If they did, I’d have the whole stone bed to myself!” Xiao Xian said, unapologetic.

A-Yin, overhearing, paused, flower in mouth. He glanced at Zhuo Yan. There’s plenty of room for us. I’m small… brother can fit comfortably.

Zhuo Yan, curious, asked, “How many stone beds does your family have?”

“Three. It used to be two, but now there’s three. I sleep on one, my parents share one, and my two brothers used to sleep on the third. But they fought all the time, so my second brother started squeezing into my bed.”

Zhuo Yan winced. No wonder Xiao Xian was so keen to see them move out.

“You do realize, if your second brother finds a mate, he won’t be carrying you to the market,” Shi Tou pointed out.

Suddenly, Xiao Xian’s complaints turned into relief. “Oh, right! That would be terrible! I hope he stays single—at least until after next year’s market!”

The group laughed, Xiao Xian racing off ahead, suddenly worried about his brother’s romantic prospects.

Zhuo Yan called after him, “A-Yin , keep an eye on him!”

A-Yin , clutching a flower for his brother, let out a howl in agreement before racing after Xiao Xian. Soon, they heard Xiao Xian’s voice in the distance, scolding his brother, Ah Tou, for running ahead.

Their path eventually opened up onto a vast plain, a sea of green grass stretching endlessly. The sight lifted everyone’s spirits.

“Shall we set up camp here?” Zhuo Yan suggested.

Everyone agreed. They had been walking for hours, and it was time to rest. Aman laid out a leather mat, and Zhuo Yan surprised the group by pulling out a small pot and some oil from his pack.

“You brought a pot?” they asked in amazement.

“Thought we might cook something. Though I just realized we’re missing water.”

Before anyone could speak, A-Yin  bolted forward, howling excitedly. Zhuo Yan smiled. “Looks like A-Yin knows where to find water. I’ll go with him to fetch some. You guys can set up.”

As Zhuo Yan climbed onto A-Yin ’s back, loading the pot with vegetables to wash, the wind rushed past them, cool and refreshing. The wide-open plains and endless sky made everything feel free and peaceful.

Xiao Xian, watching them ride off, teased, “Zhuo Yan’s definitely sneaking away for some alone time.”

Aman knocked Xiao Xian on the head. “Of course! They’re mates! Didn’t you notice Qiao and Ah Da disappearing into the forest earlier?”

Shi Tou chuckled. “I saw.”

Soon after, Qiao and Ah Da returned, Ah Da back in his human form. Qiao’s face was flushed, and the others couldn’t help but giggle as they exchanged knowing glances. Pretending not to notice, Qiao asked, “Where’s Zhuo Yan?”

“Haha, off having fun with A-Yin , just like you two,” Xiao Xian teased, making Qiao blush even more.

As the others joked around, Zhuo Yan was having the time of his life. He’d never experienced anything like this in the modern world—riding a horse was something reserved for tourist spots, and even then, it was more for show than adventure. But here, riding A-Yin  felt exhilarating. The speed, the wind in his face, the vast landscape flying past—it was pure joy.

He couldn’t help but grin as the wind filled his mouth. This was happiness.

“Alright, alright, let’s find the water source,” Zhuo Yan said.

A-Yin dashed off, leading him to a narrow river, its origins unknown. Zhuo Yan sat by the water, peeling potatoes, washing them, and filling a pot with water. Then, he climbed back onto A-Yin’s back and said, “Go slow, don’t spill the water.”

“Awwooo~ Got it, brother,” A-Yin replied.

They trotted back leisurely. Zhuo Yan, sitting comfortably on A-Yin, admired the landscape. He spotted birds flying overhead and antelope leaping away in the distance—probably sensing their presence and moving out of sight.

When they returned, the camp had been set up.

Shi Tou had dug a makeshift stove in the ground. Having built kilns before, Shi Tou and Aman were skilled at digging ventilation holes for a proper fire. A pile of firewood sat ready. Zhuo Yan set the pot on the stove and began cooking the potatoes. Once they softened, he mashed them up, adding bits of preserved fat and a dash of salt.

The aroma was irresistible!

While waiting for the food to be ready, they played on the grassland. Xiao Xian blew a bird whistle, and Da Yun chased bugs in the grass. Zhuo Yan decided to teach them a game called “Eagle Catching Chicks.”

“How do we play this?” Aman asked.

“Do we have to hunt an eagle first?” someone joked.

“No, no, it’s simpler than that,” Zhuo Yan explained, outlining the rules. At first, Shi Tou and Aman weren’t too impressed, thinking it was just a game of running around, but Xiao Xian and Da Yun were eager. Eventually, the two adults gave in and agreed to play.

“Who’s the eagle?” someone asked.

“To make it fair, I’ll be the eagle first, so I can teach you,” Zhuo Yan offered.

The others agreed. But as soon as the game started and Zhuo Yan couldn’t catch anyone, he began to regret his decision. Xiao Xian quickly lost interest in running around, though Da Yun was still happily hopping and giggling.

Zhuo Yan looked at the group of adults and muttered to himself, “I need a new strategy.”

“I’ve got an idea!” Zhuo Yan suddenly said. “A-Yin can carry me, and I’ll catch you that way!” He had forgotten earlier that Shi Tou and Aman, with their beast-like stamina, were much faster than him. He only stood a chance against Da Yun—and even then, Shi Tou had shielded the kid.

With A-Yin as his steed, things would be different.

The others agreed, realizing they had underestimated the game. Zhuo Yan could tell that Aman and Shi Tou had initially thought, “We’re adults; this is too childish.” But now, he could see their competitive spirits igniting. He leaned down on A-Yin’s back and whispered, “Let’s get them.”

Ah Tou, one of the orcs in their group, perked up his ears, trying to eavesdrop, but he couldn’t catch a word.

The new round began. Ah Da stood at the front of the “chicks,” followed by Qiao, Aman, Da Yun, Shi Tou, and Xiao Xian. Ah Tou took up the rear. This time, when Xiao Xian blew his whistle to start the game, he was so startled by the quick movement that he dropped his whistle in the grass.

The team swerved left and right across the grasslands, trying to evade the “eagle.” But A-Yin, under Zhuo Yan’s command, moved with lightning speed. Zhuo Yan caught Ah Tou first.

“Got you!” Zhuo Yan exclaimed triumphantly, patting A-Yin on the head. “Good job!”

“Wait, no fair! I wasn’t ready!” Ah Tou protested. “Let’s go again!”

Zhuo Yan laughed. “You’ll get another chance, but I’m not done catching yet!” With A-Yin by his side, Zhuo Yan felt unstoppable.

The others, now more serious, lined up again. This time, even Xiao Xian swallowed nervously and nodded. “Ready!”

“Let’s go!” Da Yun shouted, eager for the next round.

Zhuo Yan, feeling the thrill of the chase, directed A-Yin to weave through the group. Everyone relaxed for a moment, but then Zhuo Yan suddenly turned A-Yin in the opposite direction, catching Xiao Xian by surprise. The boy let out a loud scream as he sprinted, but it was too late.

“Xiao Xian’s out!” Zhuo Yan declared.

Xiao Xian, still laughing, complained, “That was too fast! How did you turn so quickly?”

He joined Ah Tou on the sidelines, both eagerly awaiting the next round. Meanwhile, Shi Tou and Aman’s faces grew more determined.

By the second round, Ah Da’s skirt got caught by Qiao in the chaos, leaving them both blushing as everyone else burst into laughter. They quickly excused themselves to fix the wardrobe malfunction in the woods.

Ah Tou, determined to redeem himself, begged for a chance to be the eagle next time. And so, the game continued, with A-Yin now taking the role of the “mother hen,” leading the pack. The air filled with laughter and the occasional shriek, echoing across the grassland.

Eventually, exhausted, they collapsed onto the grass, eating the mashed potatoes and fat-drippings stew Zhuo Yan had prepared. Everyone dug in, sharing bowls as they lounged in the sun. Zhuo Yan and A-Yin had their own little bowl, while Qiao and Ah Da shared another.

After eating, they lay on the grass, soaking in the warm afternoon sunlight. Some chatted lazily, while others dozed off. Xiao Xian and Da Yun entertained themselves by blowing bird whistles softly.

When they woke, they cleaned up, put out the fire, and headed home, carrying their woven baskets on their backs.

“So that’s what a day out is like,” Aman said, impressed. “It was so much fun, Zhuo Yan.”

Shi Tou nodded in agreement. Before, he couldn’t understand why people would travel so far just to eat and relax when they could do the same at the river by their camp. But now, he got it. The wide-open grasslands, the freedom to laugh and shout, without anyone asking what they were up to—it was a whole different feeling.

“I can’t wait to come again!” Da Yun said excitedly.

Shi Tou grinned. “When are we coming back, Zhuo Yan?”

“Next time, we’ll try a new place,” Zhuo Yan replied, already thinking of more adventures. A-Yin barked in agreement, wagging his tail. He knew of another spot, not too far from the tribe, with sheep grazing nearby.

Ah Tou translated A-Yin’s enthusiastic barking, and everyone agreed—next time, they’d explore that new place.

By the time they returned to the tribe, the sky had darkened. Shi Tou carefully brushed off the grass stuck to his beloved feather necklace, a prize he cherished. He was glad he’d worn it for the adventure.

As Aman thought about their next outing, he made a mental note to wear his prized golden bird feathers next time.

Life went back to normal afterward.

Zhuo Yan took care of his chicken coop. His flock had grown to eight, though one of the eggs had cracked before he could gather it. The coop had started to smell a bit, but he was determined to clean it up soon—he didn’t want to miss another egg. If he had found it earlier, he could’ve had scrambled eggs by now. Ah well, next time.

After the rainy season, the weather had cleared up for a while. Zhuo Yan led his chickens down the slope, thinking about expanding the chicken coop. With nothing better to do, he began digging, even upgrading his tools—a stone pickaxe head paired with his old stone knife, which he’d used for years. Although it was small, it was still sharp. He attached it to a wooden stick, but it would often come loose, making it tricky to use.

Eventually, he found a better solution: a longer, sturdier stick about the length of his arm, with a hole in the middle to slot the knife into. This new setup made digging much easier.

On the fourth day, the chieftain announced a trip to the mammoth territory. Zhuo Yan, sitting on A-Yin’s back, strapped his pickaxe to his back and carried an empty basket with some hides inside, like the other beastfolk.

They set out before dawn.

This was Zhuo Yan’s first proper journey far from home, and he was excited. Riding on A-Yin’s back, they moved quickly. Though the ride was bumpy, Zhuo Yan had gotten used to it. The early morning breeze hit his face, making him squint. He saw forests, grasslands, the rising sun, and a host of animals—monkeys, baboons, herds of deer, and some creatures he couldn’t even name.

They traveled across the plains all day, stopping only occasionally to hunt. Beastfolk hunters would take down their prey with ease, devouring it in no time. One moment, a whole antelope stood before them, and the next, it was nothing but bones. The beastfolk licked their paws, gathering around to keep watch.

Zhuo Yan was given a piece of meat but felt a bit conflicted. He hadn’t brought any rations, which was an oversight.

“Take your time, no rush. You and A-Yin can go make a fire and roast it,” the chieftain advised.

Zhuo Yan looked at the raw meat in his hands and didn’t argue. He quickly went to roast it, using the firestarter and salt he’d brought. Once it was cooked, he devoured it, making sure to eat as much as possible.

The chieftain, watching him eat with such enthusiasm, smiled softly, understanding the young man’s eagerness to keep up.

The journey slowed after that. They paused at water sources, drank, and rested briefly. As they entered the forest, Zhuo Yan and A-Yin stayed in the middle of the group. The terrain was uneven, with fallen trees blocking the path, but the beastfolk easily jumped over them.

It was like riding a roller coaster! Zhuo Yan held onto A-Yin’s neck tightly as they soared over obstacles, one jump after another. He nearly flew off at times, but it was exhilarating.

When night fell, the leopard beastfolk searched for trees to sleep in—not the towering, straight trees that stretched to the sky, but shorter, sturdier ones with branches to rest on. Each beastfolk found a tree, ready to climb up and settle down for the night.

Zhuo Yan wondered, “What about me?”

A-Yin nudged him from behind. Zhuo Yan turned around, hearing what he thought was laughter, but when he looked, the others were already climbing into their trees or settling down. Maybe it was his imagination.

“Hold on, I’ve got this,” Zhuo Yan whispered, choosing a tree with a branch he could probably reach. A-Yin nudged him again, this time lifting him up a bit, helping him climb.

Trying to ignore the awkwardness of the situation—his little skirt wasn’t exactly made for tree-climbing—Zhuo Yan climbed up with A-Yin’s assistance, all while hoping he wasn’t exposing himself too much. It wasn’t the most dignified way to climb a tree in front of a bunch of beastfolk.

Once up, Zhuo Yan settled on a branch with A-Yin. A-Yin lay down first, letting Zhuo Yan lie on his belly for warmth.

“Am I heavy?” Zhuo Yan whispered, half-joking.

He heard that laugh again.

A-Yin gave a little growl, assuring him he wasn’t heavy at all.

The more experienced beastfolk, hearing the young man’s concern, smiled to themselves. It was a bit amusing—Zhuo Yan, worrying about squishing A-Yin, a leopard beastman who could easily handle him.

The forest grew colder as the night went on, and the dew was thick, but Zhuo Yan hardly felt it. Wrapped in A-Yin’s soft, furry embrace, he was warm and comfortable—if only a little cramped from not being able to roll over.

They slept for about six or seven hours, and before the sun had fully risen, they were on the move again. After walking for a while, they stopped for another meal of roasted meat, resting until dusk.

At sunset, Zhuo Yan saw something in the distance: the great migration of the mammoths. From the lakeside to another grassland territory, they moved in a majestic herd. His group waited until nightfall to avoid them, then circled around the plains, slipping through the forest until they finally reached the lakeside.

They had arrived.

For the first time, Zhuo Yan watched over a dozen beastfolk transform into their animal forms. But before that, his attention was drawn to the lake. After the others changed and donned their skirts again, Zhuo Yan crouched by the water, scooping up a handful to taste. It wasn’t salty. A-Yin crouched by his side.

“No salt here, huh? Take me to the spot where the mud tastes the saltiest,” Zhuo Yan instructed.

A-Yin nodded and ran ahead, doubling back to motion for his brother to hop on. Zhuo Yan mounted A-Yin, and the two took off toward the spot the others had marked. The beastfolk, led by Da Ya, followed close behind, filled with excitement and anticipation. For many of them, it was their first time coming along on this journey, and they were eager to see what the day would bring.

After crossing the low hills by the lake, Zhuo Yan saw something peculiar. Under the soft glow of the moonlight, the soil in the distance shimmered faintly, almost as if a layer of salt had been sprinkled across the land. The ground was barren—no grass grew there.

As he looked over the rolling hills, he spotted an area at the far end where hardly any grass grew at all. A smile crept across Zhuo Yan’s face. “Let’s dig over there,” he said, pointing to the spot. The beastfolk followed his lead.

Once they arrived, Zhuo Yan took out his stone pickaxe and began to dig. The other beastfolk, though confused, offered to help. They were, after all, much stronger.

Zhuo Yan explained to the chieftain and the others, “The reason no grass grows here is because the soil has too much salt. I suspect there’s a salt mine beneath the surface. If I’m right, this salt deposit could feed our leopard tribe for generations—maybe even a hundred years.”

The others murmured in disbelief. “A hundred years? That sounds like forever.”

In truth, Zhuo Yan was being modest. The leopard tribe only had sixty-six members, and the area stretched out as far as the eye could see. If there was a massive salt deposit here, it could last hundreds of years, especially with other tribes, like the gray elephants, likely having access to salt too.

He shared his theory with the group.

“Let’s dig deeper and find out,” the chieftain commanded.

The beastfolk dug with renewed vigor. Some transformed into their animal forms and used their claws to dig faster. The deeper they went, the firmer the soil became, and soon white particles started to appear mixed with the dirt.

There was no need for Zhuo Yan to say anything—everyone could tell it was salt.

“There’s so much salt!” one of them exclaimed.

“It was so close to us this whole time,” another marveled.

As they dug deeper, the work became harder. Zhuo Yan knew that some salt mines could be thousands of meters deep, but they had already uncovered salt after digging just a little over a meter. At around three meters deep, they hit something solid—a large chunk of white rock.

Excited, the beastfolk dug around the edges and finally unearthed a massive salt boulder. One of them gave it a lick, only to scrunch up his face in disgust and spit it out.

“It’s bitter,” he said, sticking out his tongue.

The others hesitated, unsure if it was really salt. Maybe the salt was only a thin layer mixed in with the soil?

They all turned to Zhuo Yan for answers.

“When the salt concentration is too high, it becomes bitter,” Zhuo Yan explained. “If you break off a small piece and dissolve it in lake water, you’ll see—it’ll taste like salt.”

If the deposit was as vast as Zhuo Yan suspected, not only could the leopard tribe live off it for generations, but the other three tribes could as well.

One of the beastfolk did as Zhuo Yan instructed. After dissolving the salt in the lake water and tasting it, he ran back excitedly. “It’s salty! Really salty!” he announced to the chieftain.

“Good. Pack up the salt, and we’ll leave before dawn,” the chieftain ordered, turning to A-Yin. “A-Yin, you don’t need to carry anything this time. Just take care of Zhuo Yan.”

The others had no objections and began filling their hides with chunks of salt and soil. Under the moonlight, over a dozen beastfolk loaded the heavy hides onto their backs, tying them securely with vines. One transformed into his animal form, carrying two large sacks of salt on his back.

Before dawn, the chieftain signaled for the group to head back to the tribe. He had made a decision. Once the salt was processed, they would reach out to the wolf tribe. Zhuo Yan was right—they needed to form alliances. The leopard tribe couldn’t become like the eagle tribe, isolated and resented by the other tribes on the plains. For their tribe to prosper, they had to act wisely.

And now, with so much salt, the chieftain felt reassured.

The wolf tribe lived closest to the leopard tribe, in the far northwestern part of the plains. The leopards lived even further north in a remote area, where the winters were long, and prey was scarce. It took about half a month to reach the wolves on foot.

The lion tribe lived to the southwest, near the Featherfolk market, while the tiger tribe resided far to the east, in dense forests filled with game—brown bears, black bears, herds of sheep, reindeer, rabbits, and large deer. Though they had plenty of prey, the winter was harsh, making hunting dangerous. The tigers were the first to start storing food for winter, especially this year, with many newborn cubs and a dwindling supply of salt.

…

Zhuo Yan and A-Yin returned to the tribe two days later. The journey had been fun and smooth, but now it was time to focus on boiling the salt. The massive salt boulder they had found required a lot of water to dissolve, but once processed, it produced a huge quantity of salt. The task became easier as the tribe’s beastfolk learned how to filter and boil the salt efficiently.

With the weather getting colder by the day, tall grass had grown by the river, perfect for weaving mats. The tribe began hunting in earnest, but none of the meat was eaten. The beastfolk were busy salting it for preservation.

At first, Zhuo Yan admired their ingenuity—discovering how to preserve meat with salt. But then he saw how they simply rubbed salt onto the meat, piled it on hides, and stored it in caves. If mold appeared, they’d just wash it off and keep eating. If any part went bad, they’d cut it off and eat the rest.

“Is this wrong, Brother Zhuo Yan?” one of them asked.

“Well, it’s not exactly wrong,” Zhuo Yan replied, “but I think we can improve it. We can make the meat last longer and taste better.”

He was craving some smoked meat and salted pork.