Chapter 343- Fierce and Ominous Top VS Pretend Weak but Actually a Big Boss (09)
Mu Jin, carrying the bundle of plants on his back, thought to himself that crafting a basket might make future foraging much easier. With this in mind, he used his dagger to cut some soft vines he found along the way, planning to weave a basket later. After gathering what he needed, he made his way quickly toward the Pingshan Tribe.
Using his spiritual sense as a guide, Mu Jin easily determined that the paths within the tribe were smoother than those on the outskirts. He also realized that taking a shortcut through the center of the village would be quicker, so he unhesitatingly changed his route to head directly to Wu Po’s home.
What he didn’t anticipate was the attention he would draw as he passed through the village. His clean and neat appearance, fair complexion, and delicate, attractive features were a rarity in such a rugged environment.
Many of the bachelors in the Pingshan Tribe couldn’t help but stare openly. Those unfamiliar with Mu Jin began asking around about his identity, curious to know who this strikingly beautiful individual was and, more importantly, whether he had a partner.
When they learned that Mu Jin had been rescued by Wu Po and was already considered Wu Po’s future mate, their reactions were mixed.
Some disapproved, believing that someone as cursed and unlucky as Wu Po was unworthy of such a fine partner. Others were genuinely concerned for Mu Jin, worried that his association with Wu Po would bring him misfortune. The rumors about Wu Po being a harbinger of bad luck persisted, and many feared that Mu Jin might meet a tragic end by staying with him.
Even so, most people refrained from acting on their opinions. Wu Po’s reputation for bad luck, coupled with his formidable strength, made them reluctant to provoke him.
However, a small number of people didn’t care about Wu Po’s reputation and instead harbored ulterior motives toward Mu Jin. Wu Yan was one such individual.
From a distance, Wu Yan watched Mu Jin approach. Though Mu Jin was carrying a bundle of plants from foraging, he still looked poised and graceful, with no trace of weariness. The light-colored animal hide Mu Jin wore that day further complemented his fair complexion.
Unlike the usual disheveled hairstyles of the tribe members, Mu Jin’s hair was neatly tied back with a sturdy, flexible vine, adding to his refined appearance.
Previously, Mu Jin had selected a suitable piece of animal hide from Wu Po’s cave and crafted a light-colored hide skirt for himself. The garment he had been wearing before, which originally belonged to the body’s previous owner, was tattered and worn after spending so much time in the forest.
Before heading out that morning, Mu Jin had tied his hair up neatly at the back of his head, giving him a refreshed and energetic appearance. Coupled with his fair and charming features, he naturally attracted a lot of attention.
At least to Wu Yan, Mu Jin seemed even more dazzling today compared to their last encounter. Wu Yan couldn’t help but feel that someone with Mu Jin’s appearance being paired with Wu Po was a complete waste.
In Wu Yan’s opinion, someone like Wu Po should live a lonely life, never dragging anyone else down with him. He convinced himself that Mu Jin had likely agreed to be with Wu Po only because he didn’t know about Wu Po’s reputation as a bringer of misfortune.
Previously, Wu Yan had complained to the tribe leader about this situation, and the leader had suggested that Mu Jin might come from a small, isolated tribe, where people were unaware of the ill omen represented by Wu Po’s eye color.
However, the tribe leader had no intention of stirring up trouble, so he chose not to inform Mu Jin of these beliefs. After all, the leader viewed Mu Jin as an outsider, despite his relationship with Wu Po.
But Wu Yan wasn’t as willing to let things slide. He saw every opportunity to undermine Wu Po as worth pursuing. Moreover, he knew his chances of finding a wife were slim given his circumstances. If he were to settle for a male partner, who wouldn’t want someone as beautiful as Mu Jin?
Mu Jin, with his radiant appearance that surpassed even the women in the tribe, was a rare sight. Resolving not to let the opportunity slip, Wu Yan immediately stepped forward to block Mu Jin’s path, addressing him directly.
“I believe your name is Mu Jin, right?”
Hearing Wu Yan’s words, Mu Jin raised an eyebrow. He clearly remembered this man as someone who harbored malice toward his beloved.
Later, through conversations with Wu He, Mu Jin had a rough understanding of the animosity between Wu Yan and Wu Po. With someone like Wu Yan suddenly approaching him, Mu Jin doubted it was for a friendly chat.
Sure enough, after Mu Jin stopped and faced him, Wu Yan flashed what he probably thought was a charming smile and said, “Being with Wu Po isn’t a good choice.”
“Since the tribe leader has said you’re now part of the Pingshan Tribe, you can choose a partner from among our people instead.”
Hearing Wu Yan’s words, Mu Jin immediately saw through his intentions. A flash of disdain crossed his eyes, and he replied with a light laugh, “Then who should I choose? Should I pick you instead of him?”
Completely missing the sarcasm in Mu Jin’s tone, Wu Yan lit up with excitement. Puffing out his chest, he eagerly declared, “Of course! You have good taste. I, Wu Yan, am a member of the hunting team and very capable—much better than Wu Po. I’ll allow you to leave Wu Po and be with me right now.”
At Wu Yan’s arrogant and ridiculous words, Mu Jin’s smile vanished, replaced by a frosty expression. In a cold tone, he retorted, “And why would I do that? Why would I choose someone who’s inferior to Wu Po in every way?”
“You’re shorter, less handsome, weaker, and lacking in every aspect compared to him. Why would I abandon a tiger for a stray mutt?”
After finishing, Mu Jin swept his gaze over Wu Yan’s face, his expression full of disdain as he added, “And an especially ugly stray mutt at that.”
Wu Yan was utterly unprepared for Mu Jin’s sharp remarks. It was bad enough that he was compared unfavorably to Wu Po, but calling Wu Po a tiger while reducing himself to a stray dog—an ugly one no less—was too much. His face flushed with rage, and he became completely unhinged.
Unable to hold back, Wu Yan shouted furiously, “You dare reject me? You’ll regret this! Do you even know? That Wu Po is a harbinger of misfortune!”
“When he was born, his eyes had light-colored pupils, and the tribe’s priest declared him unlucky. At first, his parents didn’t believe it, but shortly after, Wu Po’s father died during a hunt.”
“People like him bring misfortune to those around them. If you stay with him, you’ll be tainted by his bad luck, and who knows how you’ll end up dying.”
Mu Jin stared at Wu Yan, who was smugly recounting his story. He hadn’t planned to waste more time on him, but noticing the curious gazes of the Pingshan tribespeople gathered around, he decided to pause and address the situation.
With an expressionless face, Mu Jin asked Wu Yan, “And what makes you so sure he’s unlucky?”
“Why wouldn’t I be sure? The priest said it himself—his eyes are a different color from ours!” Wu Yan, clearly displeased by the challenge, shot Mu Jin a dissatisfied look.
Understanding the high status of priests in the tribe, Mu Jin didn’t outright challenge their authority. Instead, he asked, “So, you’re saying he’s unlucky simply because his eyes are a different color?”
Seeing Wu Yan and the others nod, Mu Jin firmly refuted, “That makes no sense. I’ve traveled to many places and encountered people from different tribes.”
“I’ve seen countless people with eye colors different from those in our tribe. In fact, I’ve even come across a tribe where the majority of people had eyes and hair in entirely different shades from ours, and their priest also had light-colored eyes. Yet, they all lived well and prosperously. Does that mean their priest was unlucky too?”
“Impossible!”
Wu Yan froze, momentarily stunned by Mu Jin’s confident rebuttal. He couldn’t believe that Mu Jin would dare to involve priests in his argument, and yet, Mu Jin’s assertion seemed too bold to be a lie. Struggling to defend himself, Wu Yan retorted, “But Wu Po caused his father’s death. That proves he brings bad luck to everyone around him!”
The people around Wu Yan nodded in agreement with his rebuttal, supporting his argument.
Mu Jin, displeased with the scene before him, frowned and thought to himself that while the people in this primitive tribe were simple, their ignorance was exasperating. With a furrowed brow, he asked Wu Yan, “Then let me ask you—how did Wu Po’s father die?”
“Of course, he died from injuries sustained during a hunt,” Wu Yan replied.
“In that case, has there never been anyone in the tribe’s hunting party who got injured or even died while hunting?”
Mu Jin’s question caught Wu Yan off guard, and he couldn’t come up with a response right away. Hunting in the wild was inherently dangerous, so accidents or fatalities among the hunting team were, unfortunately, not uncommon.
Still, Wu Yan wasn’t willing to back down and tried to argue, forcing himself to stay calm. “But if Wu Po wasn’t around, why would his father have died? Why didn’t it happen to someone else’s father instead?”
“So, according to your logic, if someone’s family member has an accident, it means that person is unlucky. Does that mean everyone in the tribe who has lost a family member is also unlucky?”
Mu Jin’s question left Wu Yan speechless, unable to find a retort.
Let alone those who died hunting—even during the cold season, many starved or froze to death. If every person with a misfortune in their family was considered unlucky, there would simply be too many to count.
The others in the Pingshan Tribe also fell silent, momentarily at a loss for words. Even those who had always firmly believed in Wu Po’s supposed misfortune began to waver after hearing Mu Jin’s words.
Seeing the reactions of those around him, Mu Jin felt somewhat satisfied. He didn’t want to waste more time arguing with Wu Yan, so he seized the opportunity to turn and leave while Wu Yan was still processing his thoughts.
However, as Mu Jin approached a secluded area near the cave where he and Wu Po lived, someone suddenly appeared from behind and scooped him up by the waist.
Startled, Mu Jin let out a cry, causing the bundle of plants he had been carrying to fall to the ground. When he turned his head and saw that it was Wu Po, he let out a sigh of relief and instinctively wrapped his arms around the man’s neck.
Wu Po’s expression was exceptionally serious. His lips were pressed into a tight line, and his jaw was set firmly. Without saying a word, he bent slightly to pick up the fallen plants and carried Mu Jin all the way back to their dwelling.