Chapter 1311: Chapter 1311

The chieftain’s longhouse was filled with the aroma of herbs. The fire was bright and warm, without any choking smell. On closer inspection, the wooden house was designed with specialized flues, and the firewood had been pre-treated. All this indicated that the owner of the longhouse also possessed extensive knowledge. This knowledge did not come from books and texts, but was slowly thought out and summarized through long-term practice and reflection, having become an intrinsic part.

"Esteemed tribal shaman..."

Scholar Mikki remained silent for a long time before calming the emotions within him, recognizing the identity of the shaman wise man opposite him. The Shaman Chieftain Cedar’s incisive questioning struck to the core, surprising him greatly. He had guessed the beginning of the story yet could not predict its development, thus losing the lead in the conversation.

Beside him, the cloaked hunter Le Tian also showed an expression of shock. He had never seen the usually amiable Cedar Shaman become so aggressive. But soon, he realized the reason behind the shaman’s actions.

"Brown bears in the woods only roar when they feel threatened... Ancestors! Does Cedar Shaman truly view this newly arrived, just a few hundreds strong longboat tribe... as a threat that must be confronted?"

With this thought, the cloaked hunter Le Tian turned his head and stared at Scholar Mikki. Mikki pursed his lips, hesitated for a moment before deciding to speak candidly.

"Our fleet arrived here following the Supreme Main God’s decree, guided by the Divine Revelator! We have two main objectives: firstly, to spread the faith of the Supreme Main God, guiding the Northern Tribes to convert under the banner of the Main God! Secondly, the exploration northwards, to continue seeking another great bay and a route to the western New Continent!..."

"Personally, I came to the North Bay Tribe to establish mutual trust, and perhaps even become allies sworn with blood. The fleet trekked across thousands of miles, reached the distant Golden Bay, indeed lacking some food. If you are willing to trade, we can exchange the supplies on our ships for the food you have stored... And the gift I present to you is the sample of trade, the price is sure to be fair!"

The Shaman Chieftain Cedar listens patiently, eyes flickering in the firelight. Only after Scholar Mikki finishes speaking does he ask the first question.

"The tribes on the longboat, I wish to inquire, where exactly do you come from?"

"We come from the distant south, south of the Lake of the Yaji People, south of the Wilderness... a land within a lake on the highlands, thousands of miles from your tribe!" Tʜe sourcᴇ of thɪs content ɪs n0velfire.net

"South of the Yaji People? South of the Wilderness? That highland... thousands of miles away..."

Upon hearing Mikki’s answer, the shaman unusually blanked out for a moment. Moments later, he squinted his eyes, looked at Mikki, and asked softly.

"The tribes on the longboat... While I was traveling in the south, I heard that further south of the highlands, there is a tremendously powerful tribe that reveres the Fierce Tiger and the Eagle, also living nearby the lake... Is that your tribe?"

Scholar Mikki opened his mouth in surprise. Ever since leaving the Yomei Tribe to head north, this was the first time he encountered someone aware of the Mexica Alliance. He glanced at Cedar Shaman’s keen eyes, hesitated again, before replying honestly.

"Wise shaman, you are referring to the Mexica Alliance, and we are the Kingdom of the Lake... a vassal of the Mexica Alliance. I know the alliance’s human sacrifices are widely known in the wilderness... but our fleet headed north this time bearing goodwill! I swear in the name of the Supreme Main God, we bear no hostility towards the Miwock Tribes!"

"Hmm, I believe you."

Upon hearing Mikki’s words, the Shaman Chieftain Cedar nodded. But then, he spoke calmly again.

"But aside from you, I will not trust anyone else, nor your tribes. Because, a personal promise does not represent a tribe’s promise. A tribe has many people, many leaders, who often tend to be capricious..."

"So, the second question: In this fleet, are you the highest leader? Will there be another fleet following this one?"

Scholar Mikki pondered for a long time before speaking again. He continued to be truthful, for lies were meaningless and hard to deceive the other party. Establishing mutual trust was the basis of everything.

"I am the Deputy Captain, the second leader of the fleet. But towards the Miwock Tribes, both I and the other leader share the same attitude, with no malice..."

"Our fleet is merely a vanguard of the Kingdom’s exploration. Behind us, there will undoubtedly be other fleets, other people to follow. However, this next batch may take several years to appear. And when they arrive here, they should follow our orders..."

"So, esteemed Cedar Shaman, you can trust my promise! At least within four to five years..."

Upon hearing there would be follow-up fleets, the Shaman Chieftain Cedar lowered his head, gazed at the somewhat glaring flames. He then took a piece of Clarkia flower, placed it in his mouth to chew, and handed another piece to Mikki.

"Honest friend... taste the Clarkia flower of the tribe... chew slowly, it will be a little sweet, and also relax you..."

Scholar Mikki raised his eyebrows, stared at the Clarkia flower in his hand for a while, then looked at the chewing Cedar Chieftain before placing the Clarkia flower into his mouth. As he chewed lightly, the fresh sweetness permeated his oral cavity, invigorating him. The two just faced each other, chewing the flower like tobacco, and both visibly relaxed their faces.

"Friends from the sea, you just mentioned that the Great Prophet Chieftain from your tribe had a prophecy about the Golden Bay, which led you here?"

"Yes! The Divine Revelator, Your Majesty, told us that on the distant Northern Coast, there would be a vast bay never seen before. And on the land near the bay, there would be a golden Gold Mountain. So there... no, this is the Golden Bay!"

Speaking of the prophecy by Your Majesty, Scholar Mikki’s eyes revealed an obvious fervor. He sincerely held the Amulet around his neck and prayed loudly in front of the Cedar Shaman.

"Praise the Supreme Main God! Praise the Divine Revelator, Your Majesty!..."

Seeing this, the Shaman Chieftain Cedar raised an eyebrow, then lowered his gaze. He quietly pondered within, contemplating the devotion of the Southern Tribes and thinking of the unknown, mysterious Great Prophet Chieftain.

"Hmm... to the East of our Miwock Tribes is a range of continuous mountains. In those mountains, there truly are many golden stones and golden mountains. More accurately, they are gold mines."

The Shaman Chieftain Cedar maintained a calm surface, smiling as he inquired.

"Friends from the sea, you followed a mysterious prophecy to find the Golden Bay. So, are you settling here for the gold mines in the mountains?... I have traveled among the Southern Tribes and heard that even further south, the tribes revere useless gold and gemstones. I can assist you in mining the gold in the mountains..."

"But I suspect this cold Northern land might not compare to the fertile lands of the South, am I right? You are hundreds of elite Samurai from the tribe. Once you’ve collected enough gold, you should be able to return to places where you are needed more, right?..."

"No! Honorable Cedar Shaman, I think perhaps I haven’t explained clearly before!"

Scholar Mikki paused for a moment, then responded word by word, facing the gradually severe gaze of the Shaman Chieftain Cedar.

"We followed the prophecy and arrived here, not for the gold in the mountains. In fact, the Kingdom has plenty of gold, the Alliance even more. Along the way, many other tribes also have Gold Mountains..."

"We came here, settled here, and won’t leave! We’ll farm here, stockpile enough and more food. Then the fleet will continue north, along the coast heading Northwest, deep into the icy cold harsh coast, through endless waves and storms, continually searching!..."

"Until we travel another ten thousand miles, finding that New Continent which must exist, as foreseen in the prophecy!..."

This time, the Shaman Chieftain Cedar remained silent for a long while. He gazed at Scholar Mikki’s face, observing the other’s sincere and straightforward expression and unwavering faith in his eyes. Hearing the fleet wouldn’t depart, initially, his eyes had some intent to kill, but as he listened more, this intent gradually vanished.

After quite a while, he pursed his lips, looked at his aging hand, and said with a sigh.

"Honest friend... you might be completely unaware of the harshness of the Northern Coast. It is the domain of the Storm Gods, as well as a place shrouded by the disasters of the Snow God. There, endless waves are unyielding, along with perennial white snowy fields..."

"Cold, tides, fog, heavy snow, ice storms, desolation and hunger, endless lostness... No matter how sharp your weapons are or how strong your armor is, it’s impossible to fight against nature, against the great spirit!... And if you continuously head north and west, your fate is destined to be devoured by the white sea..."

"The Chief Divine witness! Before going to sea, we have long since sworn to dedicate our lives to the Supreme Main God!"

Scholar Mikki clenched his teeth, grasped the Amulet on his neck tightly, raised it high, and declared decisively.

"Even if swallowed by the storms of the Northern Land, even if frozen to death in the cold desolation... our fleet must perish on the path of exploration!"

"...I see now! For the sake of northern exploration, you are willing to pay all, including your lives..."

Upon hearing this, the Shaman Chieftain Cedar was emotionally moved, finally nodding slowly.

"Respectable friend... if your fleet truly wishes to continue north... then indeed, I can offer you more assistance. Food, guides, translators... and the other vast bay you mentioned, far in the North..."

"Oh? Another vast bay? You... you know where it is?"

"Hmm, I know. It was recorded in the tribe’s legacy. I have traveled north, and from the mouths of the Northern Tribes, I learned many things..."

The Shaman Chieftain Cedar stroked his chin, smiled, sat before the bonfire. It was unknown when his waist stooped again. His current smile made him look like an old fox.

"Friends from the mighty tribes... I truly admire your devotion! I can provide you with much help, as can my tribe... We might even form an alliance with you, allowing the Miwoke Tribes within hundreds of miles north to supply the fleet..."

"Of course, I need some return... we need some return... and this return should not be difficult for you..."