571: Chapter 566 Respect for Guests and Respect for the Future

Shen Yan ignored the killing intent emanating from him.

"I have seen the firearms of the Red Wolf Tribe."

"At fifty paces, they can easily pierce through the leather armor you are so proud of."

"And your warriors need to risk their lives, rushing within ten paces, just to have a chance to swing their curved blades."

"This is an unfair fight."

Ge Shan's breathing became heavy.

What Shen Yan said was the truth.

In the last conflict with the Red Wolf Tribe, they lost eight warriors to take down only three of the enemy.

"Now, answer me one question."

Shen Yan's voice was not loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears.

"If I can make black bread trees grow on your land."

"If I can give your tribe a barrier that no sand bandit can ever breach."

"If..."

Shen Yan paused, looking at Ge Shan.

"I can equip every one of your warriors with 'Armor of the Gods' that is impervious to blades and spears, and arm them with 'Spears of Thunder' capable of shooting down Sand Wolves from the hillside."

"When that time comes..."

"Will you, Ge Shan, and the Sand Viper warriors you lead, still fear the firearms of the Red Wolf Tribe?"

Inside the stone house, there was a dead silence.

Only the sound of crackling embers could be heard.

Armor of the Gods?

Spears of Thunder?

These few words struck the hearts of the four tribal leaders like heavy hammers.

Ge Shan's eyes bulged like bronze bells.

Sang Mu's withered hand trembled slightly.

Fei Shi's mouth hung half open, forgetting to close it.

Even in Wu He's usually placid eyes, a monstrous wave surged.

The vision Shen Yan painted for them was too grand.

So grand they dared not believe it, yet they found it impossible to resist.

"What you say... is it true?"

Ge Shan's voice was incredibly dry.

"I never joke."

Shen Yan leaned back on the stone stool.

"Now, let's discuss the details."

"What I want is the ninety-nine-year mining right for all the 'Spirit Stones' beneath this land."

His words were like a bucket of cold water, shocking everyone out of their reverie.

Fei Shi was the first to react. He suppressed the shock in his heart and regained the shrewdness of a manager.

"Ninety-nine years? That's too long."

"Outsider, you intend to hollow out the remains of our ancestors!"

"Thirty years. Thirty years at most."

Shen Yan shook his head.

"Thirty years is not enough for me to complete all the transformations for this place."

"I need a stable supply of ore to support everything I provide for you."

"Moreover, what I provide is permanent technology. The seeds will remain, the wells will stay, and the armor and spears will become the heritage of your tribe."

"Exchanging thirty years of ore for permanent strength—do you think that is fair?"

Wu He spoke up.

"We can grant you mining rights, but not for everything."

"The 'Crimson Valley' in the east, the 'Spirit Stones' there can be yours."

"But you cannot touch the ore veins beneath our sacred place, the 'Moon Lake'."

Shen Yan considered it.

According to the intelligence provided by the system, the richest reserves were precisely in the 'Crimson Valley'.

The Moon Lake veins were of higher quality but smaller in reserves, and extremely difficult to mine.

They could serve as bargaining chips in later negotiations.

"Agreed."

Shen Yan nodded.

"But in exchange, besides agricultural technology and the water system..."

"In the first year, I will build a sonic defense system encircling the entire tribe for you. Any creature without identity recognition that approaches will trigger an alarm."

"In the second year, I will provide the initial version of fifty sets of 'Armor of the Gods' and twenty 'Spears of Thunder'."

Ge Shan's breathing instantly became rapid.

Fei Shi immediately added, "We need your people to teach us how to use and maintain them."

"Of course," Shen Yan said. "I will also provide a basic medical station, equipped with sufficient medicine and a trained physician, for a period of five years."

This statement caused Sang Mu's expression to change as well.

The most fatal issues in the tribe were not combat losses, but post-injury infection and disease.

"Deal."

Wu He brought the matter to a close with a firm word.

He looked at Shen Yan with a complex expression.

"When do we start?"

"Now."

Shen Yan stood up.

"Before dawn tomorrow, my first batch of equipment and personnel will pass through the 'Black Wind Pass'."

"I need you to clear out an open space large enough."

"Also, prepare for a celebration."

"A powerful Sand Viper Tribe has been reborn, starting tonight."

When the details of the negotiation were finally settled.

The atmosphere in the stone house completely changed.

Ge Shan's ferocious face actually managed to squeeze out a smile.

He walked up to Shen Yan and heavily clapped his fan-like large hand onto his shoulder.

"Outsider, your name is Shen Yan, correct?"

"I will remember you!"

"If what you said is true, from now on, anyone who dares to touch you is crossing me, Ge Shan!"

Wu He also stood up.

"Batu!"

The burly man guarding the door immediately walked in.

"Go, lead out the best Sand Horn Beast in the tribe and slaughter it!"

"Bring out the last jar of Thorn Berry Wine from the cellar too!"

"Tonight, we must hold a grand Hearth Feast for our most honored guest!"

Night completely descended.

In the open space at the center of the tribe, a huge bonfire was lit.

Flames shot up into the sky, dyeing half the night red.

Almost all the tribespeople gathered around.

They did not yet know what had happened, only that the elders had said a distinguished guest had arrived.

A massive Sand Horn Beast was carried up by several strong men and placed on the fire to roast.

Grease dripped onto the charcoal, making a sizzling sound, and a rich meat aroma permeated the air.

The women brought out plates of snacks made from dried fruits and plant roots.

The children chased and played around the bonfire.

Shen Yan was seated next to Wu He, in the position closest to the hearth.

A clay bowl was handed to him.

It was filled with an amber liquid, emitting a strange flavor that was both spicy and slightly sweet.

"This is our Thorn Berry Wine, the drink of warriors."

Wu He raised his own bowl.

"To our guest, and to the future of the Sand Viper Tribe."

He drained the bowl in one gulp.

The surrounding tribespeople erupted in earth-shaking cheers.

Shen Yan did not hesitate and drank the wine in his bowl in one go as well.

The spicy liquid felt like a line of fire, burning from his throat straight to his stomach.

"Good!"

Ge Shan roared loudly and personally took a knife, slicing off the most tender piece of loin from the scorched Sand Horn Beast. He wrapped it in a large leaf and handed it to Shen Yan.

"Taste this! I hunted this Sand Horn Beast myself this morning!"

Shen Yan took the roast meat and took a bite.

The meat was firm, carrying a unique herbal fragrance.

It was indeed the finest delicacy he had ever eaten.

The tribe's singing and dancing began.