Steel, Explosives, and Spellcasters-Chapter 953 - 34: Hunt (Five)

Chapter 953: Chapter 34: Hunt (Five)

It is unknown whether the Little Lion forgot to report or did it deliberately. When Winters crossed the tent curtain, there were many nobles from the Red River Tribe seated inside besides the White Lion.

The nobles from the Red River Tribe who remembered Champion Paratu were either angry or surprised, but seeing the White Lion stand up and take the initiative to greet, they restrained themselves and did not make any excessive moves.

The new elites of the Red River Tribe, who did not recognize Champion Paratu, whispered to those beside them for a bit, and their gazes towards Winters were somewhat complex.

Winters had not expected to make his entrance in this manner, nor had he expected the White Lion to adopt such an equal stance.

In response to a peach with a plum, Winters removed his hat and placed it on his chest, returning the greeting seriously.

With a signal from the White Lion, the nobles of the Red River Tribe tactfully withdrew, and even the guards stepped back. Only Winters and White Lion remained in the tent, with Little Lion standing guard outside.

After the others left, the body language of the White Lion visibly relaxed a great deal.

He propped his back and slowly sat down on a legless chair, gesturing for Winters to also take a seat.

As soon as he began the conversation, the White Lion casually asked a difficult question, “Have you met Erhulan?”

Winters stiffened instantly.

He had come to negotiate with White Lion with an extremely serious attitude, and faced with White Lion’s unexpected question, he did not know how to respond.

Moreover, he could not immediately ascertain whether this was a negotiation strategy from the White Lion or merely a casual inquiry.

Amidst his tumultuous thoughts, Winters subtly shook his head, “Is she also in Qingqiu?”

“Of course,” White Lion answered calmly, “This is the safest place.”

“Oh.”

Then there was a few seconds of silence, as White Lion seemed to be waiting.

Taking a deep breath, Winters looked straight into White Lion’s eyes and asked, “Can we do business now?”

White Lion imperceptibly sighed lightly and replied seriously, “Not yet… but at least we can talk now.”

Winters reviewed his chips in his heart one last time; only three things were worth putting on the negotiating table: gold, trade routes, and iron mines. Everything else was just icing on the cake, dispensable.

And there was only one thing he wanted—people.

Winters did not rashly speak, and while he was still considering which card to play first, White Lion picked up a scroll from the table and handed it directly to him.

Although puzzled, Winters politely accepted the scroll.

He slowly unrolled the scroll, unfamiliar names, ages, and military ranks flowed out one by one.

A list, a list of captives.

“All the captives that could be found are on this,” White Lion’s rich, magnetic voice spoke, “There are still others in the hands of Haidong Tribe and Suz Tribe, for now, there is no way.”

Winters put away the scroll and asked calmly, “Are they also in Qingqiu now?”

“No.”

“Where then?”

White Lion smiled slightly, “They should be close to Iron Peak County by now. Don’t worry, they are escorted.”

Winters held the scroll, falling into silence.

After a while, he earnestly asked White Lion, “What do you want?”

“Nothing,” White Lion nodded gently, “You are a guest; please consider this as a gift.”

Winters, persistent, asked further, “What should I give you in return?”

“I’ve already received your gift in advance,” White Lion spoke amicably, “On the grassland, exchanging gifts signifies friendship. If you don’t wish to accept the friendship, you can also consider it as compensation.”

Another bout of silence.

“Terdun Tribe’s ritual golden figurine is in my hands.”

“I know,” White Lion replied nonchalantly, “You’ve already told me, haven’t you?”

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“I can give it to you.”

White Lion laughed heartily, clapping his hands. He looked at Winters as if admiring a proud young horse: “At that time, Dexe Zen thought I wanted to recruit you, so he said you are a conflagration that burns all things, bringing disaster if kept close, and advised me to let you return to Paratu. In fact, Dexe Zen was mistaken, from the first glance, I knew you would never submit.”

Hearing White Lion mentioning the old priest’s tone, Winters felt uncomfortable, so he did not continue the conversation.

Patiently, White Lion asked Winters, “Do you think the ritual golden figurine is very important to me?”

Winters still did not speak.

“The ritual golden figurine is not important,” White Lion’s eyes twinkling with amusement, he asked and answered himself, “Not having the ritual golden figurine—is very important to me.”

…

…

[Iron Peak County delegation campsite, Winters’s felt tent]

The diameter of the wooden bathtub was less than one meter, forcing Winters to bathe in a cramped, knees-hugging posture.

While washing Winters’s hair, Anna felt his mood was somewhat depressed.

“What’s wrong?” Anna asked softly, “You seem a bit down since you returned.”

Winters replied instinctively, “It’s nothing.”

Anna hugged him from behind around his neck, “You can talk to me.”

Out of pride, Winters initially wanted to respond with “it’s nothing,” but then he remembered Anna had said, “I want to understand you more.”

Winters self-deprecatingly said, “You’ll laugh at me.”

“Don’t think that way!” Anna nipped his ear gently.

Thus, Winters, enduring the discomfort, told Anna everything about the captives, White Lion, and the happenings inside the Red River Tribe’s royal tent.

During his recounting, Winters continued facing away from Anna, neither needing to see nor able to see Anna’s expression.

While listening, Anna did not pass any judgement, just quietly hugged Winters.

After hearing it all, Anna asked puzzled, “Hasn’t your goal been achieved? Why be unhappy then?”