| GB | Seems Like He Doesn't Care | 90
The orcs had been drifting on the river for a day, each with their own fatigue.
Now that they were ashore, the solid feeling of the ground beneath their feet gave the orcs an unprecedented sense of security.
Even though they were very tired, they quickly adjusted their emotions and followed the instructions to divide the work and cooperate.
Man, who was searching the nearby low forest, let out a surprised shout.
Man licked his dry lips and said in a rough voice, "There are short-legged beasts here, we can have meat tonight!"
After shouting, he laughed a few times, and the surrounding male orcs were greatly encouraged, hunting around the low forest.
The meat they had brought before departure had long been eaten up. They had been lacking oil in their stomachs for dozens of days, and now they were particularly fierce in capturing the short-legged beasts.
Short-legged beasts are relatively common in the wild continent, not very large in size, and can usually be found around the tribe's territory.
These short-legged beasts had suffered in the orcs' usual territory, and over time, they avoided the tribe to prevent encountering the orcs.
Ze pulled out a few vines and tied the captured short-legged beasts into a bundle.
"There are so many short-legged beasts in the forest, there should be no orcs living nearby."
Man looked around, controlling the soil to form a pit, causing the fleeing short-legged beasts to fall into it.
Ze led the orcs into the pit, quickly harvesting a wave of short-legged beasts.
He grabbed some mud to wipe the blood off his hands and said, "These beasts are enough to eat, don't waste your strength."
Man had been opening the way on the river for a day, consuming a lot of energy and physical strength. After coming ashore, he actively led them to survey the terrain and hunt.
Ze saw this and knew that the other party was already starting to push himself, but he wouldn't complain a single word.
Man grinned, his eyes bloodshot, his rough face covered with stubble, and the totem on his face covered in dust, looking dirty.
A few big words were stuck in his throat, and he shouted, "I'm exhausted, Big Huo usually manages so many things, and his expression doesn't change at all, really..."
As he spoke, he gave a thumbs up, a gesture of praise he learned from Yu Bai.
—
As dusk fell, clusters of firelight appeared on the shore.
Yu Bai walked around several tents, applying medicine to the orcs and checking on the orc cub A’Yi who had fallen into the water.
A Xin held A’Yi and asked, "Bai, is A’Yi okay?"
Originally chubby, A’Yi had followed the team for two months and lost two or three layers of fat, his cheeks were thinner making his eyes appear larger.
Yu Bai: "A’Yi probably suffered from heatstroke during the day, which caused him to faint and fall into the water. Fortunately, his body is strong. Now that he's ashore, let him rest well for a few days and eat more."
A’Xin repeatedly agreed: "Bai, thank you."
Yu Bai smiled slightly, left some mosquito-repellent herbs, and went to check on the other orcs.
The orcs in charge of cooking let out a few cheers. Yu Bai glanced over and caught sight of Huo Duo'er and the other male orcs butchering the beasts they had hunted. His gaze lingered for a few seconds before he quietly looked away.
Huo Duo'er seemed to sense something and turned back, but Yu Bai had already turned his back to tend to the wounds of an injured orc.
Man flipped the meat roasting on the branches and leaned in closer, saying, "Big Huo, I think this place is pretty good."
There were mountains and water, as well as natural herds of beasts. The vegetation along the riverbank was lush, and it was autumn. The nearby hills were dotted with golden fruit trees, and there were no signs of other orcs having been here.
Huo Duo'er said, "We'll observe more tomorrow."
Man's eyes shifted. "Looking for something better?"
Huo Duo'er replied, "Yes."
Man stroked his chin. "That makes sense. Otherwise, we would have traveled all this way for nothing. If we find a better place and it's already occupied by another tribe..."
He paused, then grinned mischievously. "We'll just take it!"
Huo Duo'er ignored Man and stood up, taking the roasted meat over to Yu Bai.
"Bai, eat something first."
Yu Bai softly gave a few instructions before accepting the offered meat.
Huo Duo'er also handed him two fruits. "Just bear with it for a few more days. Once we find a new territory, it won't be so hard."
Yu Bai nodded slightly, his head bowed as he took a bite of the already torn meat, chewing slowly.
The orcs sitting around the fire ate heartily. This was their first "feast" since migrating south. As long as there was meat and fat, even without spices or seasoning, they could devour the meat, bones and all!
Huo Duo'er watched Yu Bai eat for a while before finally picking up another piece of roasted meat and taking a big bite.
After the hearty meal, Yu Bai washed up a bit and was already too tired to keep his eyes open. He slept with his back to the entrance of the tent. When Huo Duo'er returned from his patrol, he wrapped his large hand around Yu Bai's abdomen from behind.
"Bai, are you asleep?"
Yu Bai's sleeping face was peaceful. Huo Duo'er stared at him for a long while, suppressing the doubts in his heart, and only held his gentle orc mate tighter.
—
The next day, early frost covered the mountains. The autumn in the south wasn't as barren as in the north. The trees stretched like a sea, with yellow and green blending together.
Man led a few giant orcs and A’Lin's team deep into the valley.
Huo Duo'er carried Yu Bai on his back and led the main group as they continued to move slowly.
From morning until noon, the main group wound their way around several rolling low hills.
The autumn sun was harsh, and the wind blowing through the mountain pass carried a stifling, earthy smell. The orcs' exposed skin was tanned and reddened by the sun.
"It's really hot here, much hotter than our old territory."
"My arm is peeling!"
At this time of year, it would already be cold in the north. There was no way you'd still see such a bright sun hanging overhead.
Yu Bai was also feeling dizzy from the sun. Huo Duo'er set him down from his back and picked a few large leaves, holding them up to shade Yu Bai's head.
Yu Bai: "..."
Seeing the beads of sweat rolling down Huo Duo'er's brow, the awkwardness that had been building in his heart since last night instantly dissipated.
"Don't worry about me. Get some leaves to shade yourself."
Huo Duo'er casually wiped the sweat away, indicating it was nothing.
Just then, A’Liao, who had gone ahead with Man, returned with two pieces of news.
"Big Huo, about thirty minutes further ahead, there's a wasteland that would be a good place to settle, but there's a tribe nearby."
A’Liao didn't pay much attention to the orcs from that tribe. He gestured with his hands and said, "I've observed them. Those orcs are about this tall, similar to... to Bai. They're not as sturdy as us, they thin and dark-skinned."
Yu Bai: "..."
He was almost 1.8 meters tall himself.
Huo Duo'er gently stroked his warm and soft hair: "Only one tribe?"
A’Liao nodded: "That tribe isn't large, but there are fifty or sixty female orcs!"
A’Liao's eyes lit up when he mentioned the female orcs, though his expression still showed confusion.
"Those orcs don't seem to treat the female orcs well. They make them work, and if they're slow, they get beaten."
"There are also dozens of orcs working alongside the female orcs, but they don't seem to be part of the same group. These orcs have even heavier workloads and get beaten more severely than the female orcs."
Yu Bai frowned, trying to piece together his thoughts.
"Could it be... they're slaves?"
In the conflicts between northern orc tribes, the losing side is either absorbed or driven out. Those who remain are integrated into the tribe, not turned into slaves.
A’Liao: "What are slaves?"
Yu Bai couldn't explain it clearly in a few words. Huo Duo'er didn't stay in place for long and asked A’Liao to lead them to a suitable place to settle.
The main group quickened their pace and walked for half an hour, arriving at a desolate area surrounded by mountains on two sides, with a river flowing from west to east. The terrain was difficult to attack.
The only drawback was a mountain in the center, occupying most of the space.
This was also why other tribes hadn't claimed it.
The reason Man thought this area was suitable was that he didn't take this mountain seriously.
With the strength of the giant race, they could "move" this mountain away.
Man, who had already scouted the area, returned and rejoined the main group.
After discussion, Huo Duo'er decided to have the orcs establish a tribe here.
There was ample water nearby, and the mountain range that could be developed into hunting grounds wasn't far. As for the other tribe... they would deal with that later. For now, they needed to survive the winter.
Yu Bai put down his burlap bag and rubbed his arms.
The little wolf and Jinjin squatted on a rock, surveying the land that was about to become their territory.
"Bai, drink some water."
Yu Bai drank and handed the remaining water in the pouch to Huo Duo'er.
Huo Duo'er was momentarily stunned: "Bai, you seem to be ignoring me."
"Why? Did I upset you?"
Yu Bai turned his face away, then after a while, quietly turned back.
He kicked a stone at his feet and said, "You're overthinking it. I... I'm going to check on A’Yi, see how he's recovering."
Huo Duo'er immediately confirmed that he wasn't overthinking it.
That night, as Yu Bai entered the tent, Huo Duo'er blocked him completely.
He stared at the orc's sunburned skin, his eyes stinging. He blinked and threw a light punch.
Huo Duo'er caught his hand: "Bai, talk to me."
The orc looked somewhat dejected: "If you don't tell me, I won't know what I did wrong to make you ignore me."
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