| GB | Eye's Filled with Smoke | 81
Early winter, the sky was gray and hazy. This year's autumn had been longer than usual, so winter arrived a bit later.
Except for a few orcs who went out to do odd jobs, most stayed indoors, and Yu Bai was also feeling lazy.
The entire autumn had been busy—first searching for supplies, then defending against beast tides. Finally, they had some time to rest, and it was the perfect season to fatten up.
The kitchen stove was lit, and a clay pot on the fire was steaming with a rich and fragrant meat broth, enhanced with a few ribs and tender, smooth mushrooms.
The aroma made the little wolf wag its tail, and even the usually aloof Jinjin crouched by the stove.
The two animals, intimidated by the presence of the big two-legged creature, didn’t dare get too close.
Since winter arrived, the little wolf had been going into the nearby mountains every day to hunt for food, always bringing back an extra portion to toss to Jinjin.
Jinjin, who had been skin and bones, was slowly gaining some weight. At the moment, neither animal was hungry—they were just enticed by the smell.
Yu Bai was wrapped in a fur cloak, bundled tightly from his chin down to his neck.
He walked sleepily to the kitchen, his arms encircling the orc’s narrow, muscular waist.
Huo Duo'er glanced sideways, bent down, and touched his forehead to Yu Bai’s, then planted a kiss on his soft, flushed cheek, making a smacking sound.
The sound made Yu Bai blush even more, and a sticky, warm feeling slowly spread through him. His palm instinctively rubbed against the defined muscles.
His fingers slid downward, and suddenly he felt something. Blushing, he slowly lowered his arms.
Huo Duo'er’s body heat was intense. In this weather, Yu Bai was bundled up, while the orc wore only a loose, cross-collared fur robe with a loosely tied belt.
“Bai, there’s too much smoke here. Go back inside and wait.”
Yu Bai mumbled an “Mm,” then swayed back to the main room, followed by the little wolf and Jinjin.
The two animals lay on either side of his feet, and he petted one, then the other.
The little wolf was shameless in seeking attention, while Jinjin was more reserved.
Its personality wasn’t as lively as the little wolf’s, and it was aloof. Although it wanted the smaller two-legged creature to pet it more, it didn’t dare to nudge its head into Yu Bai’s lap like the little wolf did. Instead, it sat nearby, its eyes showing a hint of longing.
Seeing Jinjin’s cautious demeanor, Yu Bai’s heart softened, and he directly picked it up and placed it on his lap to stroke its fur.
The little wolf was jealous.
Awoo awoo~
It wanted to be held too~
Huo Duo'er came in carrying a large pot of meat soup. His orc eyes glanced over, and without a word, he pushed aside the yak wolf that was trying to nuzzle into Yu Bai’s lap.
The little wolf was already a full-grown yak wolf, larger than an ordinary adult wolf. If Huo Duo'er hadn’t intervened in time, Yu Bai would have been knocked over.
He washed his hands, sat down obediently, and took a sip of the soup. He stirred the broth with plump, glistening rice grains, chewing slowly and savoring each bite.
“Huo Duo'er, have you noticed that the little wolf seems different from other wolves?”
Huo Duo'er had noticed long ago.
The wolf cub he had casually saved from a beast attack in the wolf den was likely the offspring of a wolf king, a purebred yak wolf.
Yu Bai tossed a chicken leg to it. The little wolf crouched, wagging its tail, looking silly and harmless. Only during the beast tide had it shown its fierce and majestic side.
After the meal, Yu Bai wandered back to bed and slept a warm, comfortable nap, waking up around three in the afternoon.
He lingered in the fur bedding for a while, until the sound of tapping brought him back to his senses. He wrapped himself into a fluffy ball and, like a snail, pushed the door open and stepped out.
The north wind blew directly into his face. He sniffed his nose and stood there in a daze for a moment, only then realizing something was amiss.
In previous years, this month would be particularly cold, even snowy, requiring the application of ointment to prevent his skin from cracking. But today, his body could still endure it.
Huo Duo'er wore only an orc robe around his waist, his upper body exposed to the air, glistening with a thin layer of sweat as he swung a stone axe to chop firewood.
Glancing at his drowsy orc partner, he bent down and pressed his sweaty lips against the smooth forehead, reluctant to look away from Yu Bai's dark, bright eyes.
Yu Bai stretched his arms out from his sleeves, stood on tiptoe, and softly kissed Huo Duo'er's sweaty cheek.
The young man's delicate eyelashes fluttered, and he shyly turned his face away, picking up the chopped firewood and stacking it neatly in the corner.
As he focused on arranging the firewood, someone suddenly called from outside, "Bai, are you home?"
Huo Duo'er opened the door to find a male orc from the Chi Zu tribe standing there.
Yu Bai peeked out from behind the door, recognizing the visitor.
"Bai, I’d like you to take a look at Mo's arm."
Among the male orcs who had fled from the Chi Zu tribe to seek help from the Yuan tribe, one named Mo had his arm severed, which Yu Bai had sewn back on.
Mo was fortunate. After the arm was reattached, he survived the critical infection period and had been gradually recovering over the past week.
Yu Bai and Mian took turns checking on him every afternoon. Now that the Chi Zu tribe orc had come to inquire, it was clear they were eager to return to their own tribe rather than continue recuperating in the Yuan tribe.
Yu Bai softly agreed, went back inside to grab his medical cloth bag, and prepared to leave.
The little wolf and Jinjin jumped to the door and crouched outside. Huo Duo'er grabbed an orc robe to put on and was about to follow when Yu Bai gently pushed him back inside.
Hmm, he didn’t budge. Yu Bai didn’t manage to push him away.
Yu Bai glanced at the Chi Zu tribe orc and whispered, "I’ll be back soon. You don’t need to follow me everywhere…"
Huo Duo'er was reluctant but, seeing his partner’s insistence, finally nodded slightly and temporarily gave in.
—
To the west of the tribe, a row of large wooden sheds had been built, covered with animal skins to block the wind. Inside, simple furniture was arranged to temporarily house orcs from other tribes.
Several male orcs from the Chi Zu tribe shared one shed. Mo leaned on the bed, surrounded by stone basins burning firewood, the flames keeping the place warm.
Yu Bai examined Mo’s arm. The swelling had subsided, and the bruising had faded significantly.
He carefully removed the fine hemp stitches. Mo’s thin face flushed slightly, and he couldn’t help but grin foolishly.
"Bai, my arm really grew back! You’re amazing!"
The other Chi Zu tribe orcs chimed in, "A miracle! Even the priest couldn’t perform such a miracle, but Bai did it!"
Orcs gathered outside the shed, crowding in to see for themselves. Once they confirmed Mo’s arm had healed, they spread the news far and wide. Even the chief and the priest came to take a long, serious look at Mo’s arm.
The chief clicked his tongue in amazement, while the priest left with a complex, disappointed expression.
Mo, filled with gratitude, looked at Yu Bai with reverence and, despite his still immobile arm, knelt on the bed.
"Bai, from now on, whatever you need, I’ll do it for you."
Yu Bai gently helped Mo up, feeling somewhat overwhelmed.
He wasn’t good at handling such situations, but the chief cleared his throat and stepped in to smooth things over.
"Our tribe and the Chi Zu tribe are allied. After being ambushed by the cunning Brown tribe, helping each other is only natural."
…
When Yu Bai left the shed, his ears were still burning.
The chief chuckled and said, "Bai, it would be wonderful if you could take over Mien’s position as the priest."
After this beast tide, the chief realized that compared to Mien’s coercive methods, Yu Bai's approach was more effective in uniting the various orc tribes.
Every orc who had been healed by Yu Bai or received his teachings felt deep gratitude towards him, such as Mo from the Chi Zu tribe in the greenhouse.
That look in his eyes earlier was as if he wanted to break away from the Chi Zu tribe and become Yu Bai's guardian warrior.
Priests had their own guardian warriors, and Mien had a squad of warriors following him.
If Yu Bai were to become the priest, the number of warriors willing to follow him would only increase, and they might even fight fiercely for those positions.
The chief explained the benefits of having a warrior squad, his tone carrying a hint of persuasion, hoping Yu Bai would consider taking over the priest's position.
Yu Bai pursed his lips and gave a faint smile.
"I don't need other warriors; Huo Duo'er is enough."
The chief sighed regretfully. This gentle little sub-female orc was more stubborn than any other orc when it came to persuasion.
—
At night, the tribe's square was lit with a bonfire, the flames illuminating the oil-drenched beast meat.
The Yuan tribe had successfully defended against the Brown tribe's sneak attack and repelled the beast tide. Tonight's celebration was to boost morale and unite the orcs.
Dozens of beasts were roasted over the fire, and Priest Mien chanted ancient orc songs, mixing the ashes from the burning fire with water and sprinkling it over the orcs present, symbolizing a blessing.
Yu Bai and Huo Duo'er sat together. Yu Bai rubbed his hands, fiddled with the bowls and chopsticks on the table, and prepared the dipping sauce for the roasted meat.
A'Li, whose injuries had mostly healed, was also in the city enjoying the festivities. He led the Tata brothers through the crowd of orcs to ask for some dipping sauce.
The surrounding orcs watched eagerly, itching to ask for some as well, but before they could act, Huo Duo'er's cold gaze swept over them, and they abandoned the idea.
The orcs feasted on the roasted meat and drank the millet wine, laughing drunkenly. Soon, the male orcs, shirtless, gathered around the bonfire to compete in tests of strength.
Yu Bai sipped a few mouthfuls of rice wine, his cheeks flushed from the intense firelight.
There wasn't much rice wine, and each household could only get a small bowl.
Huo Duo'er tasted a few sips of the wine and then stopped, his gaze fixed on his orc mate.
He remembered the first time Yu Bai drank fruit wine; after getting drunk, he had actively straddled him. Just the thought of it made his throat tighten.
After eating and drinking their fill, the male orcs, having fought, were at the peak of their vigor. They turned back, picked up their mates, and ran home laughing.
The atmosphere was charged with energy, and Huo Duo'er's heart was pounding.
He picked up Yu Bai, his chest burning with desire.
"Bai..."
Yu Bai's eyes were hazy and moist, his courage slightly greater than usual, his soft fingertips wandering.
Back in the room, Huo Duo'er held Yu Bai in his arms, letting him straddle him.
"Bai," his deep voice carried a suppressed plea, the muscles in his back twitching uncontrollably.
Yu Bai obediently wrapped his arms around Huo Duo'er's neck, opened his knees apart and slowly settling down.
In the north, a faint crimson hue appeared in the gray sky, the cold air surrounding the mountains gradually dissipating, welcoming a long-awaited warmth.
The charcoal in the room burned brightly, the air filled with a dry heat and a thick, heavy scent.
Yu Bai, drenched in sweat, was completely exhausted. Only then did Huo Duo'er pick him up and stand.
They walked to the window, where Yu Bai leaned against the frame, his trembling fingers parting the animal hide curtain.
In his daze, he saw the crimson night sky.
The north wind blew against his face, causing him to shrink back and let out a cry.
Huo Duo'er took a deep breath, then hunched his back, the muscles in his shoulders tensing to their limit.
After a long while, the male orc released his mate from his embrace.
He picked up the dazed Yu Bai and was about to lower the animal hide curtain when he suddenly looked up, sensing something, and gazed toward the north.
Mount Huoshen had awakened.
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