On the harsh and barren land of the North, amidst the relentless battles of the Tungusic Tribes, only the Divine Spirit's "Blood Oath" can establish a rare "trust" between two unfamiliar tribes.

The process of a "Blood Oath" is not complicated: Maha Agudah and Zuwaro drink Blood Wine, devour the same piece of raw meat, and roast by the same fire. Yet, amidst warriors' drunken war dance and war cries, it's the wrestling contests between warriors, until everyone in the camp has laid down weapons, removed armor, and fallen into unguarded sleep.

"The Horse-Using have departed, the Deer-Using have come, the Dog-Using are nestled in the forest without moving..."

"The skins of Roe Deer in the forest, the Fish-Skin at the riverbank, the Pig-Skin further south..."

"All the tribes, like dogs, bleeding in the forest, drinking water at the river's edge, sleeping by the fire, men and women howl alike..."

The Nivkh Chief sits cross-legged on the Large Ship, watching the lights and celebrations on the shore, singing leisurely. The length and brilliance of this journey exceeded his initial expectations.

He witnessed two powerful tribes advancing from hostile acquaintance to fighting side by side, culminating in a blood oath of alliance. And what changes will all this bring to the vast woodland downstream of this Great River? Perhaps temporarily nothing will change. Or maybe time is the friend of change, letting seeds grow into towering trees~

"Oh Mountain God! How cold will this winter be?… Also, don't know if the forest tribes have dug their shelters for wind and snow properly..."

As snowflakes gently fall, a long-abandoned Buddhist temple shines silver. When the Sun rises once more, the silver slowly smiles, transforming into moist water droplets, soaking through the camp. Yet everyone knows the true harsh winter is coming soon!

"Chief Divine's witness! The power of the Divine Spirit has united us. And with mutual support and supplementation, the Maha tribe and the Boat-Using Department will both grow powerful and become even closer!... Just like you and me..."

Zuwaro extends his hand to grasp Maha Henü's wrist, intending to pull the woman into his arms. Instead, the robust woman reverses the pull, tightly embracing Zuwaro. She blinks at the man's face, as beautiful and gentle as the moon. Her broad cheeks, bold features, just like the sun of eight or nine in the morning.

"Zu! Your words are sweet! Say more!..."

"..."

Zuwaro is somewhat awkward, wanting to get up, but is tightly bound by Maha Henü, unable to escape. He sighs and can only smile, saying,

"Henü! You are truly beautiful! Like a deer in the forest yet possessing the strength of tigers and wolves! You are the proud steed of the forest, galloping and leaping... Only the bravest rider can ride you through the forest!..."

"Ah! Sounds good! Really sounds good!... Riding?… Zu! Come! Let me take you riding? Ride my brother's fine horse!..."

"..."

Zuwaro is somewhat speechless. But after riding with the woman for a while, his eyes light up. He discovers her exceptional equestrian skills, her waist's mastery of the horse far surpasses anyone he's seen. Moreover, she's a skilled rider and archer, capable of accurately shooting a rabbit from horseback!...

"Henü! Come with me!... I'll treat you well! I will caress your cheeks, just like snowflakes cherish the forest!..."

"..."

Maha Henü grinned, tossed aside the Strength of Twelve's heavy bow, and held Zuwaro up lightly. Then… she binds Zuwaro's hands and hangs him on a pine tree, retrieves her bow and arrow, aiming at Zuwaro's chest!

"...Henü! You!... What are you doing?!..."

Zuwaro stared wide-eyed, his heart pounding intensely, an unprecedented "heartbeat". He swallowed nervously, watching Henü half-draw her bow, listening to her every word.

"Zu! You sly pretty fox! Exactly how many wives do you have? Confess honestly, all of them!..."

"Ah! I... I have... five, six, seven, eight, nine wives... they are all my fingers... Ah! Don't let go, don't shoot!… Henü, you are the tenth, you are my strongest and most powerful thumb!..."

"Zu! Swear! I am your last wife!..."

"I... I swear! Mountain God witness… ah, don't shoot!!... Chief Divine witness! Henü is my last wife! I swear!... Ah!!..."

"Swoosh!..."

An arrow swooshed, embedding into the pine tree trunk, precisely between Zuwaro's legs. Zuwaro shivered all over, sweat streaming down his forehead. Maha Henü threw aside the bow, came over to lift Zuwaro, smiled and said.

"Haha! Zu! Sly pretty big fox!... Now, you're my prey! I'll take you to meet brother, meet all the tribes in the camp!... Don't forget, you swore to the Chief Divine!... Hmm, not enough, I need to leave you a mark, one the Divine Spirit can see!..."

With that, Maha Henü peeled open the man's outer garment at the shoulder, opened her mouth wide, and bit down hard.

"Ah!!..."

The scream echoed through the forest, startling birds throughout the woods. The sound of horse hooves resumed, binding the passer-by onto the horse. When the horse returned to the tribe's camp, Maha Agudah's mouth twitched, watching his strong sister carry cheap brothers on horseback, noisily proclaiming throughout the camp.

"The Mountain God watches us! The Chief Divine watches us! Zu and I slept together inside the camp, again outside the forest, even the owl went cawing!..."

"Zu is going to marry me! I agreed with him! He swore to the Chief Divine to treat me well!... He said if he marries another wife, he will never be able to get up again, because of the Thunderbolt on rainy days!..."

"Zu! Tell them, right?... "

"..."

Zuwaro was at a loss for tears. He looked at Warrior Chief Tamikusa, who coughed lightly, turned his head, pretended not to see. He turned to Priest Kui Huo, who bowed, shook his head, indicating this was a family matter of the Chief Priest. And all around, the Kingdom's Warriors, and the Tribal Warriors of the Fish-Skin Sect, stared wide-eyed at this mind-blowing, inconceivable scene...

"Mountain God! Henü is so bold? Bound the Shaman of the Boat-Using Department?..."

"Henü has always been bold! She is the sister of Aguda Chieftain, a fierce fighter since childhood!..."

"Chief Divine! Captain Tamica, should we rescue Zuwaro Priest down?"

"Don't worry! This is Zuwaro Priest's new wife, she won't harm the priest..."

No matter how people discussed, Maha Henü rode the horse, firmly holding Zuwaro, not allowing him off the horse unless he repeats his vow out loud again!

"...Chief Divine witness! I, Exploration Captain Zuwaro, swear!... Maha Henü, you are my last wife!... Ah! If I break this vow, may Chief Divine's Thunderbolt strike me dead!..."

"Haha! You all heard it! You all heard it! Zu, you swore in front of so many people, you can't break your word!…"

"Chief Divine! I keep my word!... Let me down! Let me down! Henü, where are you going again?!…"

Maha Henü laughed, taking Zuwaro with her, spurred the horse out of the camp. In the bewildered gazes of everyone, she left a final sentence, bold, wild and joyous.

"Don't wait for us!..."

"I'm taking Zu hunting!... To spare him from blushing at seeing you!…"

"Tonight, I'll feed him well, and have a good child with him!…"

"No one is allowed to come over!…"

"Haha!…"

The bold laughter carried far, gradually dispersing into the forest's snow-laden wind. Warrior Chief Tamikusa and Priest Kui Huo exchanged a glance, neither knowing what to say. After a long while, Kui Huo sighed and softly asked the Head Warrior.

"Just like that?…"

"Yes, just like that."

"No one noticed, right?"

"No, trust me. I'm the Secret Guard of Your Majesty..."

"No need to do anything else?"

"No, that's enough. Next, it's up to the Chimere High Priest… The kinship power of the Ancestral High Priest won't expand further, and more Kingdom Priests will come to the Western Sea… This will be good!"

Priest Kui Huo nodded, squinting slightly, looking at the setting sun. And Warrior Chief Tamikusa stood beside, also looking at the Sun. Both faces reflected the evening sunlight, and where the sunlight fell was the distant East…