Chapter 448

Chapter 352: Instructions

In the wilderness not too far from the coast, within the territory of the Tupa Tribe.

Inside the vast camp made up of various makeshift huts, the members of the Tupa Tribe bustled about. Like many native tribes’ camps, the central part of the Tupa Tribe’s camp was a large tent erected on a small hill, serving as an important place for worship and the residence of the most respected shaman in the tribe.

With a rather serious expression, Kapak quickly walked along the path leading to the large tent on the hill. Soon, he arrived at the entrance of the tent where two figures were already waiting for him.

One of them was Kapak’s teacher, the old shaman Uta of the entire Tupa Tribe. At this moment, he was sitting cross-legged on a seat at the entrance of the tent, with his white hair scattered down. He wore a long robe adorned with various trinkets and tassels, and held a pipe in his hand, with the tobacco inside glowing faintly.

The other was a young man around Kapak’s age with messy black hair. He wore clothing sewn together from animal skins and coarse cloth, slightly bent over and standing respectfully beside Uta with an uneasy look. Kapak recognized him; his name was Kejia, a member of the hunting team. Kapak had once worked with him before he became both a tribal doctor and an apprentice shaman, hunting wild beasts and invaders alike, but he hadn’t seen Kejia much since then.

“Teacher Uta…”

Approaching Uta, Kapak performed a tribal salute. After drawing on his pipe and exhaling a cloud of smoke, Uta gestured for Kapak to rise.

“Teacher Uta, did you call me here because of Sado? I heard he went missing? What exactly happened?”

With a grave tone, Kapak asked Uta, who sighed before answering.

“This morning, the hunting team gathered as usual to prepare for a hunt, but they couldn’t wait for their leader, Sado. They went to his house and found it empty. When they asked his neighbors, they learned that Sado hadn’t been seen for two days. The three other members of the hunting team who disappeared with him were all very close to him.”

Holding his pipe, Uta spoke solemnly. Listening to Uta’s words, Kapak was taken aback and frowned.

“The four of them… have been missing for more than two days? How could this happen? Where did they go?”

Listening to Kapak, Uta pinched his pipe and looked towards the distant horizon, speaking with a hint of worry.

“These guys… probably went to the invaders’ country now.”

“The invaders’ country?!”

Hearing Uta’s words, Kapak’s face showed disbelief. At this moment, Uta casually pointed his pipe at Kejia beside him and said,

“Sado has been trying to recruit more people to join him recently. Many members of the hunting team have secretly talked to him. Some followed him, while most didn’t. Kejia, who remained, knows his situation best. Tell Kapak everything you know.”

“Yes, Shaman Uta…”

Kejia responded respectfully to the shaman, then turned to Kapak and said seriously,

“Doctor Kapak, it happened like this: A few days ago, Captain Sado privately approached me and took me somewhere to discuss matters about the invaders. He asked if I hated those invaders and if occasional attacks were satisfying.

“You know my situation. I was injured by those invaders before, and my possessions were stolen, so I deeply hate them. So, when he asked, I answered that it wasn’t satisfying. Sado seemed satisfied after hearing that. Over time, Sado continued to find me and talk more about the invaders.

“He always says that our occasional attacks on their patrol teams are just minor skirmishes and cannot make them understand true pain. They send their soldiers onto our land, seize our land, and k*ll our people. They extend their hands and choke us, while we can only pluck a few hairs from their huge hand, leaving only a small wound. For the invaders themselves, these injuries mean nothing.”

Recalling what Sado had said, Kejia continued. Listening to Kejia’s words, Kapak felt increasingly uneasy.

“So, Sado told me that we need to truly hurt the invaders themselves to make them feel real pain, pain as deep or even deeper than ours. He suggested that I go with him to the invaders’ kingdom, to their heart, and inflict a truly unforgettable injury on them, making them pay in bl**d.”

After saying this, Kejia fell silent. With a stern look, Kapak remained silent for a while before slowly speaking to Kejia.

“In other words, Sado, driven by revenge, has gone to the invaders’ country? Then why didn’t you follow him? He should have invited you.”

“I… I was afraid. It’s a very dangerous mission, going to the invaders’ country for revenge is different from attacking their patrol teams. It’s almost impossible to return alive. So, when I realized Sado’s target, I was afraid. On the day he announced the gathering, I escaped the tribe and only returned today.”

Opening his hands, Kejia said timidly. Kapak continued seriously,

“Why didn’t you tell Teacher Uta then?”

“When Sado was still around, I was afraid he would retaliate! You know how ruthless he is to those who defy him! So, I could only return after he was far away… Shaman Uta, please understand my predicament.”

Kejia said helplessly, glancing at Uta, who was sitting cross-legged on the ground, smoking and looking into the distance. Slowly, Uta spoke,

“Sado’s original tribe was destroyed in conflicts with the invaders. His relatives and many acquaintances died at the hands of the invaders. His deep hatred for the invaders might lead to something drastic. I foresaw this, but I never expected it to escalate so much. Sado’s actions surprised me. Kejia… honestly, has Sado been in contact with anyone else recently?”

Uta stared at Kejia, causing him to panic and respond truthfully,

“Yes, recently when Sado came to meet me and others secretly, he occasionally brought another man from another tribe. Sado often sought advice from him. He called him Banu.”

“Banu…”

Hearing Kejia’s words, Kapak’s eyes widened in shock and he said,

“It was Banu behind this! That guy didn’t run far, he’s still lurking around here!”

Kapak exclaimed loudly. He had a vivid memory of Banu, the shaman apprentice from a neighboring tribe, who was originally a friend in shamanic training. However, after recent events, Banu’s true nature was revealed. He was a traitor who colluded with the Underworld Coffin Cult, revealing the location of the Wilderness Spirit Mu Ti, and secretly attacked Kapak. He was thoroughly despicable.