Chapter Fifty-Five: The Shadow of War

In the week that followed, Sun Licheng integrated seamlessly with the entire Silver Moon Tribe. Not only did he share several seasoning recipes with them, but he also provided the technology for boiling salt. Through repeated boiling and filtering, the salt produced by the Silver Moon Tribe became both pristine and pure in flavor, which was met with widespread enthusiasm within the tribe.

It was important to note that salt was not abundant in this region, and high-quality refined salt possessed significant purchasing power. It wouldn’t be long before the Silver Moon Tribe could trade for vast quantities of production materials and slaves, recruit more warriors, and set the tribe firmly on the path to revival.

In return, the Silver Moon Tribe dispatched many members to gather intelligence from other tribes and assisted Sun Licheng in exploring suspicious areas nearby. During this period, Sun Licheng, along with Wolf King and Dogmeat, scoured several regions under the tribe’s guidance. Unfortunately, their efforts yielded little of substance; they only managed to hunt a few magical beasts and harvest some magic crystals.

Meanwhile, Mr. Skillful from the Forward Base reported to Sun Licheng that, when processing the iron spider, he had discovered a large silvery-white pearl in its abdomen, with a remarkably smooth surface. However, there was no information about it in Mr. Skillful’s database, so it would require further study.

All in all, Sun Licheng found the results of his recent work unsatisfactory. He resolved to seek out Chieftain Eve, hoping to gain greater support from the tribe or to be introduced to other tribes farther south, so he could explore more distant lands.

In the Silver Moon Tribe’s council hall, steam was rising from the clay pot over the fire, heralding boiling water. Seated at the head of the table, Eve was deep in thought.

After a while, she addressed Sun Licheng, seated before her: “Lord Sun Licheng, as you have seen, the tribe has already mobilized substantial resources for your cause. I fully understand your wishes and can introduce you to other tribes. However, this comes at a cost. Even if our Silver Moon Tribe asks for nothing in return, the other tribes will not have their warriors abandon the hunt to assist you for free. I’m sure you understand.”

Sun Licheng certainly understood—there was no such thing as a free lunch. Fair exchange was only natural.

“No problem. I’ll provide more technology to the Silver Moon Tribe, and I can even help you manufacture bronze weapons and protective gear. However, a portion of the goods produced must be used as payment to the other tribes.”

He paused, thinking briefly.

“That’s not an issue at all,” Eve replied immediately, her eyes lighting up at the prospect of better weapons and armor. Weapons have always been the most lucrative trade, and the foundation of any tribe’s prosperity.

With this understanding as their foundation, their ensuing discussion became highly productive. Sun Licheng and Eve began to plan the next steps.

As their conversation grew increasingly engaged, Isidore entered, leading a goblin covered in dust from the road. This goblin clearly did not belong to the Silver Moon Tribe; he wore animal-hide clothing of much finer craftsmanship than that of the Silver Moon Tribe, and on his head was a circlet adorned with three feathers—he looked very much like a messenger.

Upon seeing him, Eve’s expression grew solemn. She turned to Sun Licheng and said, “We have some urgent matters to address. It may be a while before we can continue our discussion. I hope you understand.”

Noting the gravity of the situation, Sun Licheng nodded in understanding and exited the council hall.

A short while later, he saw Wal hurrying into the council hall, only to emerge again soon after. Immediately, the tribal drums began to thunder—this was the signal summoning all adult men of the tribe.

Curious, Sun Licheng took the opportunity to ask Wal what had happened as the tribe began to gather.

Seeing there was still time, Wal spoke with a grave expression: “The visitor just now was a messenger from the Star Moon Tribe. According to the latest news, the Full Moon Tribe has been completely wiped out in battle. The southern defensive line against the goblins has collapsed, and the goblin army has now entered the territory of the Moon Alliance. As the leader of the alliance, the Star Moon Tribe has already dispatched troops to block the enemy at Cloud Mountain Pass, and has issued a call to arms, demanding that every tribe in the Moon Alliance send reinforcements.”

For thousands of years, the goblins and the goblinkin had been locked in a stalemate. The Full Moon Tribe’s position in Full Moon Gorge was of paramount strategic importance—it was the southern gateway to the entire Moon Alliance.

The Full Moon Tribe was no ordinary tribe but rather a military group composed of the strongest warriors from all the tribes in the Moon Alliance, tasked with defending Full Moon Gorge.

Recently, for reasons unknown, the goblins had launched a sudden offensive, placing immense pressure on the Full Moon Tribe. The goblin squad that had attacked the Silver Moon Tribe had slipped through during this chaos.

Now that the Full Moon Tribe had been annihilated, the goblin army had breached the Moon Alliance’s borders. The situation was dire, and Cloud Mountain Pass was the second and final line of defense. It could not be allowed to fall. As a result, the Silver Moon Tribe had to halt all other activities and muster their warriors for battle.

“I’m sorry, Sun Licheng. We probably won’t be able to help you for the time being,” Wal said at last, his face full of helplessness.

“It’s all right. I understand—driving back the goblins comes first,” Sun Licheng replied, smiling and waving it off. Yet inside, he felt a deep bitterness. Relying on his own power alone, how long would it take to find the second fragment of the divinity shard?

By afternoon, the Silver Moon Tribe was abuzz with activity. Everyone began to prepare supplies, and even Christina did not come to pester Sun Licheng.

He sighed.

At that moment, Cabbage’s voice came from outside: “Boss, Chief Wal is here.”

During this time, Sun Licheng and a few of his subordinates had built two small wooden cabins near the Silver Moon Tribe as their quarters and for storing supplies.

Knowing that Wal must have something important to discuss, Sun Licheng promptly invited him in and asked Cabbage to prepare tea.

“Sun Licheng, are you interested in joining us at Cloud Mountain Pass?” Wal asked, blowing on his tea and taking a sip.

“What would I do there? Fight alongside you?” Sun Licheng was puzzled.

“Not to fight. There will be many tribes sending warriors to this battle—it would be the perfect opportunity for you to gather information.”

Wal’s face reddened as he spoke.

After all, gathering information hardly required going to the front lines.

“Wal is truly an honest soul,” Sun Licheng thought to himself. “This is probably another one of his mother’s ideas.”

Although the Silver Moon Tribe had improved, its foundations were still weak, and it had very few capable fighters. Sun Licheng, however, was a formidable warrior, and together with Wolf King and Dogmeat, they formed a force that could not be ignored. If Sun Licheng accompanied Wal, he would inevitably be drawn into the fighting, which would benefit the Silver Moon Tribe.

“Can I refuse?” Sun Licheng mused, shaking his head. Since Wal had come in person, it was likely his mother had already made up her mind. If he refused, he would lose the tribe’s support. True friendship is found in times of adversity.

“No problem. I’ll go with you.”

He made up his mind quickly. Without risk, there is no reward; high stakes mean high returns. Perhaps this war would be his chance to break the current stalemate.

“Wonderful!” Wal was ecstatic, having not expected Sun Licheng to agree so readily.

“When is the latest we need to depart?” Sun Licheng asked.

“In four days at the latest. That’s the deadline given by the Star Moon Tribe,” Wal replied after a moment’s thought.

“Excellent. Go report to the chieftain and tell her that, starting tomorrow, I want to direct all the tribe’s craftsmen and women to prepare supplies for war. That is my condition for joining the expedition. I trust the chieftain will agree.”

Since he was to go to war, it was only right to harness the power of the whole group, and Sun Licheng made no effort to hide his demand for authority. He was confident the old chieftain would see reason.

After sending off the still-dumbfounded Wal, Sun Licheng dispatched Dogmeat to inform Mr. Skillful to prepare a large quantity of bronze materials. He was ready to commence large-scale bronze forging.

Early the next morning, Isidore came to the cabin and informed Sun Licheng that all the tribe’s people were now under his command. Facing the impending war, the old man proved practical and did not cause further trouble.

Soon, everyone in the Silver Moon Tribe—except the essential logistics staff—was mobilized, including Cabbage herself.

The men were tasked with building bronze smelting furnaces and coke ovens, while the women gathered vines and wooden planks for crafting vine armor and shields.

As soon as the furnaces were ready, Wolf King began hauling cartloads of copper ore and other materials. To save time, Sun Licheng did not wait for the furnaces to dry naturally, but fired them up immediately, accepting the risk of a shorter lifespan—such was the cost of war.

The Silver Moon Tribe would send out 180 able-bodied members this time: 120 warriors and 60 auxiliaries. For a tribe of just over 600, this was essentially their entire elite force.

Three days later, the furnace fires died down, and the expeditionaries’ weapons and equipment were completely renewed.

First, everyone received bronze weapons: greatswords, sabers, axes, spears, and even the auxiliaries got long spears tipped with bronze.

Second, all members donned vine armor lined with hide for comfort, with bronze inserts for added protection. Each person also wore a vine helmet; the warriors’ helmets featured bronze neck guards and visors.

Third, everyone was issued a shield—warriors’ shields were reinforced with bronze plating to resist arrows.

Finally, Sun Licheng contributed all his wagons for transporting supplies and conserving the soldiers’ strength.

He had provided everything within his power, earning Wal’s deep gratitude and even moving Eve, who promised greater support for him once the war was over.

Thus, with everyone’s concerted effort, preparations for the expedition were nearly complete.

That night, under the moon’s gentle glow, Sun Licheng sat in his cabin, sipping tea and drumming his fingers on the table, reviewing his preparations for the journey ahead.

Suddenly, Cabbage’s voice came from outside: “Boss, may I come in?”

Sun Licheng was surprised. Though Cabbage was so plain that he felt no desire for her, she had never entered his cabin at night before. Was something wrong?

“Come in,” he called out after a moment’s thought.

“Boss, could you not go to war?” Cabbage asked as soon as she entered, taking Sun Licheng completely by surprise.