Nutai

"Ha, seeing how energetic you all are really put my mind at ease."

Hearing Udyr's teasing, Sejuani got off Harren and shook the snow off her head.

Herren turned over and found himself on the ground, but with such thick snow, falling down didn't hurt at all.

What caused the most damage to Harren was Steelmane's sharp mane and Sejuani's weight, which was like a pound.

However, Sejuani did not get up. Instead, she straddled Harren and slowly tidied her disheveled hair, gathering the strands to one side and braiding them with her teeth.

"I said, can you get up right now? Do you know how much you weigh?"

"snort……"

Sejuani gave a soft snort, straightened her hair, and stood up. She glared fiercely at those who looked at her, and they pretended not to see her and continued on their way.

"I'm so strong, of course I'm heavier... Speaking of which, the environment in Luxiang doesn't seem to be very good, that's why you're so thin."

The Freljords clearly don't have a problem with obesity; on the contrary, being heavy represents strength. In Sejuani's eyes, Harren is actually not strong enough.

"Having personally experienced the bristles of Steelfur, I reckon the flesh on your butt is thicker than Bloom's door panel."

Herren rubbed his back and stood up, but he could faintly hear a hazy singing voice.

"Did you hear that?"

"I'm listening."

Sejuani turned around and looked at the distant snow. Soon, more and more people heard singing and music played on instruments that sounded like flutes.

On the distant horizon, several figures appeared, followed by more and more people, seemingly a caravan.

They led reindeer and juvas in a long procession, and even on a sled pulled by several reindeer, there was a small wooden house built on top, giving it a fairytale-like magical feel.

The group of people were not tall, but even from a distance, you could see them singing and dancing as they traveled. The driver, riding on a reindeer, played a flute, the men clapped and sang, and the women danced.

Sejuani narrowed her eyes and asked, somewhat puzzled.

"Are these people sick?"

Having grown up fighting monsters in the North, Sejuani couldn't understand how these people could be so crazy.

Every bit of energy should be used for foraging and fighting; there's no time for singing and dancing.

"Their singing... was actually quite good."

Herren closed his eyes slightly, took a good look, and then let out a heartfelt exclamation.

Since coming into this world, he hadn't listened to music for a long time, not even simple folk songs, which sounded like heavenly music to him.

It's just like Bai Juyi, who wrote "The Song of the Pipa".

"They look like a caravan, very wealthy..."

Sejuani's attention was clearly not on the singing; she was focused on the supplies being transported by the long convoy.

"Kidnap them?"

"Damn, are you a bandit?"

Heron stared at Sejuani in disbelief. How could someone be so clueless about romance?

"This is good news, Sejuani. It seems we've finally reached the South."

At this moment, Udir also came over.

"However, I don't recommend that you rob them. They are the Nutai clan, a well-known nomadic tribe in Freljord, and are highly respected by the Freljord people. We are new here, and you probably don't want to offend anyone."

"Oh? They are respected and loved?"

"Yes, they are also merchants. They travel around to different tribes with all kinds of goods. Some tribes that are short of food or clothing can exchange for what they need at a reasonable price with them... Moreover, they can tell stories, sing, and bring joy."

The learned wanderer Udyr patiently explained to Sejuani, but the young Sejuani clearly did not understand.

"If I rob them, wouldn't I be able to get all sorts of supplies? Why bother trading? If I just rob them, it's all mine!"

"..."

Seeing that Sejuani was unmoved by his words, Udyr couldn't help but look at Harren.

"They are essentially an insurance policy for other tribes. If they are unlucky and fail to find food, the arrival of these nomadic tribes is a lifeline..."

Heron patted Sejuani's shoulder and reached out to ruffle her newly braided hair.

"Can you please curb your bandit mentality? We're not on Mount Orncal anymore."

"go!"

Sejuani shook off Herren's hand, looked around, and then turned to glare at him.

"You're not allowed to do that in front of everyone."

"Okay, okay, okay."

It's unclear whether Sejuani understood or was persuaded, but she at least abandoned her idea of ​​robbing the tribe and prepared to let them leave.

But to her surprise, the Nutai tribe did not leave. Instead, upon seeing the Winter's Claw tribe, they turned around and headed towards them.

As they got closer, a small old man with a white beard, wrapped in a thick cotton coat, stood on Juvask's back, arms outstretched, and called out enthusiastically.

"Hello, friends! We've brought lots of good things! Take a look! Or would you like to hear us sing a folk song from our hometown?"

"..."

Sejuani felt a chill run down her spine and couldn't help but shiver.

"They're all sick..."

……

……

Sejuani didn't know what was going on. In her view, migration was a very serious matter, a matter of life and death concerning survival.

But now... when did the group inexplicably stop to have a banquet?

Sejuani, still clutching the horn cup, was somewhat taken aback.

The Nutai tribe was overly hospitable, making the Northerners, including the Winterclaws, feel somewhat uncomfortable... Even before they had mentioned exchanging things, the enthusiastic Nutai brought out their freshly baked pastries and shared them with everyone in a very friendly manner.

That's right, fresh out of the oven... Their little house, pulled by several reindeer, is actually a simple kitchen where they can prepare cooked food anytime.

Their food is not simply for filling their stomachs; it is mostly beautifully presented and has a sweet taste.

For the Claws of Winter, receiving food is considered the highest form of hospitality. Therefore, without the War Mother's objection, they were passively drawn into the Nutai people's enthusiasm and began to interact with them.

"These people are all sick..."

Sejuani watched all this sullenly until Herren came over with a strange piece of food.

"These people are geniuses! They actually managed to make a cake like this! You know what I'm talking about? In Freljord! Making cakes!"

"..."

Sejuani looked at the food in Heron's hand, which was still steaming and had a strange aroma.

It smells like wheat... Who would bother to make such a fancy but impractical food?

Sejuani turned her head away.

"I won't eat it!"

"Who said it was for you to eat?"

Herren took the cake back, took a bite, and the long-lost sweet aroma immediately filled his mouth.

"..."

Sejuani opened her mouth, but in the end she just snorted coldly.

Fortunately, Herren only took one bite before handing the cake back to her.

"There's not much in the first pot, let's split it in half, here you go."

Sejuani hesitated for a moment, looking at the cake with teeth marks still on it, before finally reluctantly taking it and taking a small bite.

A sweetness she had never experienced before assaulted her taste buds, and Sejuani had to admit... this stuff might not fill her stomach, but it would certainly make her happy.

"We've eaten their food, shouldn't we treat them properly? I think the tribesmen need to relax... How about a feast tonight?"

Sejuani glanced at the smiling Heron, then lowered her head and took another bite of cake.

"I'll listen to you."