Chapter 77: The Tenacious Agu Lai

Now that there are superpowers and people turning into beasts, why can’t there be ghosts too?

The burly, muscular man was frustrated and muttered to himself, feeling justified, but he didn’t dare show it on his face. Instead, he awkwardly changed his story.

“Then, then it must be that the Tengu Tribe is performing some kind of evil ritual. I could smell roasting meat—they must be burning people alive as sacrifices to some dark god.”

Listening to his increasingly ridiculous explanation, Mu Tong’s mouth twitched. He raised an eyebrow and glanced at Blackbeard beside him, amused. These tribesmen of theirs sure had a knack for making up nonsense.

Blackbeard’s face flushed red with anger and embarrassment. He glared fiercely at the muscular man and snapped, “You idiot!”

The big guy shivered in fear, looking at Blackbeard with a pitiful expression. In his heart, he thought, “Wasn’t I just following your lead and changing my story? Why are you yelling at me?”

Wang Da, a clever-looking tribesman nearby, quickly pulled Blackbeard aside and tried to smooth things over. “Let it go, Chief, don’t stoop to Da Xiong’s level. He’s just got muscles, not guts. He must’ve gotten scared before he could see what was really going on.”

“But it’s fine, I sent Xiao Liuzi over there too. That kid’s sharp—he’ll definitely find out what’s happening. Who knows, maybe he’ll even rescue Mu Er’s people while he’s at it.”

“Hmph.” Blackbeard’s mood improved a little, and he stroked his beard, giving Wang Da a sidelong glance. “I’ll let this go for your sake, but next time, don’t send such a fool. You’ve embarrassed us in front of Mu Er’s people.”

“Yes, yes, of course!” Wang Da bowed repeatedly, agreeing at once.

After that, Blackbeard decided not to rest either. He invited Mu Tong to his house for a drink. He’d gone to great trouble to get this genuine, high-quality liquor from Chaos City, and if Mu Tong hadn’t given him a batch of nutrient solution earlier, he wouldn’t have been willing to bring it out.

Mu Tong smiled playfully, taking his time as he drank with Blackbeard, praising the liquor along with him. Blackbeard was so flattered that his opinion of Mu Tong rose even higher, and he started slapping Mu Tong on the back, calling him “brother.”

Holding his cup, Mu Tong lowered his gaze when Blackbeard wasn’t looking, his eyes dark and brooding, filled with surging disgust.

If it weren’t for Blackbeard’s connections with one of the powers in Chaos City, he would never stoop so low as to call this man “brother.” Honestly, this guy was just as revolting as that idiot Zack.

After a bottle of liquor, neither of them was drunk—it was just too little.

But after tasting the wonderful flavor, Blackbeard couldn’t stop thinking about it. The problem was, good liquor was hard to come by...

He remembered hearing that Chaos City was short on slaves. Well, after he took down the Tengu Tribe, he’d send those people over as slaves—maybe he could trade them for a few more bottles of good liquor.

In the dim candlelight, Blackbeard’s squinty eyes glinted with malice.

The two men sat together, each harboring their own schemes, when a tribesman came to report that Xiao Liuzi had returned.

“Bring him in, quick!”

Xiao Liuzi was a skinny, monkey-like kid who’d lost his parents young and survived by being clever—begging for scraps here and there. He was eager to prove himself on this mission.

Even after Da Xiong, the musclehead, ran off, Xiao Liuzi stayed behind to keep investigating the Tengu Tribe.

“Well? What did you find out? What’s going on at the Tengu Tribe?” Blackbeard demanded.

Xiao Liuzi, clutching a small, smooth bone, his thin face serious, reported, “Chief, I found out the Tengu Tribe is holding a welcome party.”

“What?” Blackbeard’s eyes widened.

Mu Tong nearly dropped his cup.

The two of them stared in shock at the little kid who barely reached their waists, utterly speechless.

Xiao Liuzi blinked at them in confusion and repeated, “A welcome party! When I got there, they were all eating barbecue and having a great time. They kept saying, ‘Welcome to Earth Village! It’s great to join Earth Village!’ Isn’t that just a welcome party?”

As he spoke, the little guy excitedly held up the chicken bone he’d brought back. “Chief, look! The Tengu Tribe’s barbecue is amazing, and the bones are delicious too. I had to sneak in and work really hard to steal this little piece while no one was looking. I already licked it—it’s the tastiest bone I’ve ever had in my life!”

Seeing the chief’s face grow darker and darker, Xiao Liuzi thought he didn’t believe him. Reluctantly, he offered the bone forward. “Why don’t you try a lick, Chief? You’ll know once you taste it.”

“Get out! Wang Da, Wang Da, get your butt in here! Look at the people you sent...”

Blackbeard slammed the table, his eyes blazing with fury. The tribesmen outside trembled in fear, and Wang Da rolled right in, literally.

“What’s going on, Chief? What happened?” Wang Da rubbed his sleepy eyes, confused as to why he wasn’t allowed to sleep in the middle of the night.

Mu Tong, off to the side, covered his face, his mouth twitching. He really couldn’t bear to watch their stupidity.

Weren’t they saying Blackbeard was in cahoots with the ruthless killers of Chaos City? How come his tribe was full of idiots—none of them seemed remotely ruthless. Could the information he’d gotten be wrong?

The thought made Mu Tong frown.

Meanwhile, Wang Da was on the ground, tugging Xiao Liuzi over to explain to Blackbeard, sniffling and sobbing. “Chief, we were just following your orders! Only Xiao Liuzi and Da Xiong were free, so I sent them!”

“So you’re saying it’s my fault?”

“No, no, that’s not what I meant! Next time, I promise I’ll find someone honest and reliable, with no loose lips, to handle it.”

Blackbeard couldn’t take it anymore. No matter how much Wang Da swore, he didn’t believe him. He cursed him out, kicked him a few times, and docked him three bottles of nutrient solution before finally stopping.

Wang Da: ...So unfair!

And so, the Black Bear Tribe had another lively, chaotic night.

...

Early the next morning.

The sky over Exile Star was still gray, but visibility was a bit better than usual.

The Tengu Tribe had partied late into the night, but they were up bright and early, full of energy.

Every household packed up their belongings and gathered in the square.

Yun Qimu woke up in the mud house, drenched in sweat, her whole body aching and feverish. Hearing the commotion outside, she struggled to get out of bed, swearing to herself that she’d train a capable underling—she was never doing this kind of exhausting recruitment work again."