Chapter 123

Chapter 123

By the time Matthew and Sharna returned to the Stone Forest Cliff camp, the sun was already high in the sky.

News of the victory had already reached them before they arrived, so the camp was already filled with a scene of celebration, with people lining the streets to welcome the return of the leader and Matthew.

But the relaxation after extreme tension and the exhaustion from a sleepless night swept over Matthew, as well as Sharna and the warriors of the tribe.

So Matthew had no interest in sharing in the joy of the people of White River Valley or enjoying their gratitude, and went back to his tent and fell asleep immediately.

I slept soundly and deeply, yet felt incredibly relaxed and at peace.

When Matthew was awakened by the faint noise and the enticing aroma of roasted meat outside the tent, the light filtering through the tent's gaps was already dusk.

He sat up, stretched contentedly, feeling refreshed after a nap, and his stomach was rumbling with excitement from the aroma of the meat.

He knew it must be the people of the White River Valley tribe holding a victory celebration banquet.

Matthew stepped out of the tent and, sure enough, saw a dozen bonfires burning brightly in the open space not far away, illuminating the darkening night sky.

Whole roasted antelopes and wild boars were placed on the fire, their fat dripping into the flames and sizzling, filling the air with their aroma.

People gathered around the campfire, drinking heartily, chatting and laughing, and many even danced and clapped. Everyone seemed to be celebrating their victory in their own way.

Sun Zhengwu and the others from Jinshi Ridge were also among them.

"Baron, you're awake!" said the White River Valley warriors standing guard beside Matthew's tent respectfully.

"Hmm!" Matthew nodded slightly.

"The chief told me to wait for you here. Now that you're awake, come and join the victory celebration. You're the star of the show, and our entire tribe is waiting to toast you," the warrior said sincerely.

"Okay, let's go!"

"Baron Matthew is here!" The White River Valley warrior's voice preceded his arrival.

The noise around the campfire quieted down for a moment, then erupted into even more enthusiastic cheers.

All eyes turned to Matthew.

"Baron Matthew is here!"

"To our benefactor—Lord Matthew!"

"Long live Lord Matthew!"

Countless grateful, admiring, and even slightly awe-inspiring gazes were cast upon them, and people raised their wine bowls in response, offering their heartfelt thanks.

Matthew smiled and nodded, then walked through the parted passage of the crowd to stand in front of Sharna.

She had clearly rested well and looked quite well. She had also washed up carefully and changed into a clean long dress made of soft white deerskin and dark blue fine linen.

The hem and cuffs of the skirt were embroidered with simple eagle feathers and vine patterns, outlining her curvaceous figure.

Her wheat-colored skin, tanned from years of exposure to wind and sun, glowed with a healthy sheen in the firelight. Her long, damp hair was braided into several thick plaits, loosely tied back with leather cords and colorful pebbles, with a few strands playfully hanging down her cheeks, further accentuating her bright and beautiful features.

Especially her pale golden eyes, which, illuminated by the campfire, resembled melting amber, brimming with warmth, gratitude, and the burning passion of seeing her beloved.

When Matthew walked up to her, she moved closer, their bodies almost touching. Softness and warmth emanated from his arms, and a faint, refreshing scent of grass and sunshine lingered around Matthew's lips, with a hint of a special fragrance mixed in.

Matthew could recognize the scent of the soap he had given to Sharna as a gift.

"Let us toast Baron Matthew together!" Sharna said, raising her wine bowl.

"A toast to Baron Matthew!" the crowd responded in unison, raising their wine bowls high, regardless of age or gender.

"To our allies! To our victory!" Matthew took a bowl of wine from someone and gestured to those around him.

"Cheers!" the crowd shouted in unison, then tilted their heads back and drank the drinks in one gulp. Matthew's arrival made the atmosphere even more lively, the laughter even more hearty, and the singing even more soaring.

The girls and young women of Baihe Valley danced around the largest bonfire.

The dance is full of power and the rhythm of life. The swinging of the arms imitates the flight of birds, the stomping of the feet is like the galloping of horses, and the singing is high-pitched and melodious, telling of hunting, migration, fighting and praise of nature.

"How are you? Did you get some rest?" Slightly tipsy, Sharna gazed intently at Matthew's handsome profile, her smile bright, her eyes filled with undisguised affection and concern.

People living on wind-eroded highlands are generally outgoing, direct, passionate, and free from formalities.

I like what I like, and I hate what I hate. Even thoughts like wanting to sleep with you will be written all over my face.

They would never feign modesty, act coy, or be affected.

"I haven't slept this soundly in ages." Matthew met Sharna's burning gaze, returning her longing look: "You look beautiful tonight!"

"This was dressed up for you," Sharna whispered in Matthew's ear.

The gentle breath carried a soft, tingling whisper, like a cat's paw tickling Matthew's heart.

He seemed to understand what Sharna meant; women from the wind-eroded highlands were straightforward in nature.

Matthew looked at Sharna meaningfully. Although he was just a "hands-on" high school student in his previous life, the original owner of the body had already been through countless battles and been surrounded by beautiful women in the royal city.

Although those memories now seem like fleeting dreams, not so real anymore.

However, the practical experience left behind by the original owner still allowed Matthew to handle Sharna's hints and provocations with ease.

He leaned close to Sharna's ear and whispered, "Then I must enjoy it properly tonight, and not let you down."

"My people will sing and dance here all night long, and no one will go back to disturb us." Sharna's gaze seemed to be filled with countless emotions.

"Then tonight will definitely be a wonderful night that I will never forget!" Matthew replied knowingly.

Sharna looked at Matthew without saying a word, but her alluring gaze and smile gave the most certain answer.

She raised her wine bowl again and said loudly, "Baron Matthew, cheers!"

"Cheers!" Matthew took the wine bowl handed to him by the person next to him again, clinked glasses with Sharna, and drank it all in one gulp.

Soon after, large chunks of roasted mutton and wild boar, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, were cut up and served on a wooden platter.

Matthew didn't hold back either, devouring the food with gusto. The delicious meat juices and robust spices soothed his hungry stomach, bringing him satisfaction and happiness.

Sharna didn't eat much; most of the time, she rested her chin on her hand, watching Matthew eat with a smile in her eyes. Every now and then, she would use a dagger to fork the tenderest part of her food and offer it to Matthew's mouth in a very natural way.

The night was deep, but the enthusiasm and joy of the people in Baihe Valley had not diminished, and songs and dances still resounded through the night sky.

However, Sharna and Matthew had already left the place at some point.

When they returned to Sharna's tent together, there were no excessive words or flirting, no shy probing or affected rejection; the two of them, like dry wood meeting a raging fire, went straight to the point.

In the distance, the joyful songs and laughter of the people of Baihe Valley echoed, and the most joyful sounds in the world resounded within the camp.

After several intense and passionate exchanges, Matthew and Sharna finally drifted off to sleep, satisfied.

As the sun rose again, news of victory reached Shilin Cliff.

The warriors of White River Valley swept through the land with unstoppable momentum, easily crushing the remaining forces of the Giant God Tribe and successfully reclaiming all the territory that once belonged to White River Valley.

The army is now stationed and resting in the White River Valley. They will continue their campaign to completely eliminate all the power and threats of the Giant God Tribe and seize all the territories controlled by the Giant God Tribe.

When the news reached them, the people of White River Valley were overjoyed once again. They could finally return home, finally return to the bountiful White River Valley.

"go home!"

"We can finally go home!" the tribespeople shouted excitedly, their voices filled with indescribable excitement and emotion.

Matthew was also happy for the people of White River Valley.

With our homeland restored and our powerful enemies defeated, a new beginning is just around the corner.

After lunch, it was time to say goodbye.

The team from Jinshiling is also ready to go.

Sharna personally escorted Matthew to the edge of the camp.

"Are you leaving so soon? Why not stay a few more days and come back to White River Valley with us for a proper celebration?" Sharna looked at Matthew, her eyes filled with reluctance.

After last night's passionate encounter, the feelings seemed even more intense and outward, and Matthew held even greater significance for her.

In fact, Sharna's willingness to offer herself to Matthew was not only because she genuinely liked him and fulfilled her normal female physiological needs, but also because she had other motives.

As the leader of White River Valley and a shaman, she was not allowed to marry a man from another tribe. Therefore, she knew that she could not become the lord's wife. However, through this physical "relationship," she could still build a stronger emotional bond, allowing the Wind-Eroded Highlands and Emberstone Ridge to be bound together for a longer period of time. It could also be considered a kind of indirect marriage.

But at this moment of parting, her reluctance and attachment were genuine.

"There are still many things in the territory that I need to take care of. I will wait for your good news at Emberstone Ridge. When you have completely taken control of the Wind-Eroded Highlands, I will definitely go to White River Valley to personally present my congratulatory gift."

"Yes!" Sharna nodded, knowing that Matthew was telling the truth. As a lord, it was impossible for him to leave his territory for long.

She took a deep breath, suppressing the sorrow in her heart, and a bright and cheerful smile returned to her face: "Okay! It's settled then!"

She turned her head and waved to someone behind her.

Several warriors from the White River Valley led a hundred magnificent warhorses over. These horses were larger than ordinary warhorses, with robust bones, smooth muscle lines, and arrogant eyes. They were clearly fine steeds capable of galloping like the wind in the harsh environment of the wind-eroded highlands.

The horse also carried bundles of tightly bound, bulging leather bags and wooden boxes.

"These are the best warhorses in our White River Valley. Their stamina and endurance are top-notch, allowing them to traverse mountains and valleys as if they were flat ground. We are giving them to you as a way of repaying you for the steel-armed crossbows you gave us."

Sharna patted the neck of the lead pure black horse, and the horse affectionately nuzzled her palm.

"And these are some herbs and furs that are unique to our highlands; perhaps you can find them useful."

This gift was undeniably generous, especially the hundred Hummers, which were priceless treasures even outside the Wind-Eroded Highlands. At least in Matthew's eyes, their value far exceeded that of the steel crossbows.

Matthew accepted the gifts without hesitation: "Thank you, Sharna. These gifts will be very useful to us. In the future, caravans from Emberstone Ridge will bring more goods: weapons, armor, salt, cloth, ironware, and anything else you need. The horses, furs, herbs, and ores from the Wind-Eroded Highlands will also be very popular in our land. Let our road be unobstructed from now on."

"I'll wait for that day." She looked deeply into Matthew's eyes, as if trying to etch his image into her heart. "Take care, Matthew."

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"Take care of yourself, Sharna."

Without much sentimentality, the two embraced goodbye. The embrace was firm and brief, yet it carried countless unspoken words and expectations.

Matthew mounted his horse, took one last look at Sharna, who stood in the morning light, her golden hair gently swaying in the wind, waved to her, and then turned his horse around.

"Let's go! Back to Jinshi Ridge!"

The Jinshiling team, carrying a hundred fine horses and local specialties gifted by Baihe Valley, embarked on their journey home.

Behind them were the Baihe Valley tribes, who were gradually breaking camp and preparing to return to their homeland, and a slender but determined figure standing on high ground, watching them until their figures disappeared on the horizon.