“There are already so many people just for this small trade fair. Once the harvest season ends, I’m afraid this place won’t be big enough to hold everyone.”
Yang Yi and Hei Lie strolled through the trading center, which was bustling with people, shoulder to shoulder, lively and noisy.
Every stall was lined with all sorts of dazzling goods. Most were just samples, with the bulk of the stock kept where the traders lived. Only when a large deal was struck would the goods be brought over for exchange.
Since many tribes had come, some traveling from extremely far away, the variety of goods was richer than ever before.
There were plenty of things Yang Yi had never seen before. He found them quite fascinating.
“Expanding outward isn’t difficult. We’ve got plenty of space,” Hei Lie said boldly, full of confidence and wealth.
Although the trading center had been built in a hurry, they had been careful in choosing the site, so there was still ample room. At first, they merely leveled the ground, marked boundaries, and numbered the stalls.
Yang Yi smiled. “We’ll also need to speed up the construction of houses, not just for our own tribesmen. We can also make some money from the trade fair.”
Many tribes and caravans had come from afar, drawn by reputation, eager to experience the comfort of the guesthouses and to stay in proper houses.
Even though the rent wasn’t cheap, it couldn’t dampen anyone’s enthusiasm.
However, the guesthouses had limited capacity. Many tribes approached Hei Lie, strongly requesting more houses to be built, willing to pay a hefty price for them.
When it came to goods, these people were generous and unrestrained, though not everyone was lucky enough to afford such luxuries.
Still, the leaders and important figures of each group always went to eat at the Spark Tribe’s canteen.
They had never realized that a single ingredient could be prepared in so many ways. They were made to taste so fragrant, so irresistibly delicious.
Once they’d tasted it, they simply couldn’t stop. Even the roasted meat in their own hands started to taste bland in comparison.
The Spark Tribe usually lived quite simply. Though their dishes changed often, they still had to control costs, so overall, the food wasn’t made with great refinement.
Only during major festivals did the chefs have the chance to truly show their skills.
But during the trade fair, things were completely different. Yang Yi told them to cook freely and not to worry about costs.
The people here were only behind in productivity, and their food culture hadn’t yet developed. Most of them cooked merely to fill their stomachs, so their dishes tended to be very simple.
But that didn’t mean they couldn’t tell good food from bad, especially the pampered leaders who were used to luxury.
They were more than willing to spend. Some even paid a hefty price for private meals.
Instead of eating the canteen’s communal food, they asked the chefs to prepare small, exclusive dishes just for them.
Such meals were far more refined. Naturally, it tasted much better.
At first, it was the Western Continent’s caravans that started doing this. But soon, the wealthy tribes from the Eastern Continent followed suit, allowing the canteen to earn enormous profits in just a short time.
Many members of the Spark Tribe were astonished. Even though they already knew the trade fair could be profitable, seeing the actual earnings during this period still left them in awe.
They now understood even more clearly why the Divine Envoy had placed so much importance on hosting the trade fair within the tribe, and why he had invested manpower and resources to properly prepare the grounds from the very beginning.
This was all the added value that came beyond the trades themselves!
“This time, no matter what you plan to build next, no one will object,” Hei Lie said with a laugh.
At first, no one understood why Yang Yi treated those outsiders so well. He had even built special guesthouses just for them.
He provided them with amenities and services that even the main administrators of the Spark Tribe couldn’t enjoy. The trading area itself had also been carefully designed and arranged.
He even had sturdy, waterproof, and insect-proof warehouses built. Although those places weren’t left empty during normal times, they would be specially cleared out for use during the trade fair.
Still, everyone respected Yang Yi, so no one openly voiced opposition. Though many couldn’t help feeling puzzled.
This, too, was the result of Yang Yi encouraging everyone to express their own thoughts. He never wanted people to accept his ideas blindly or unconditionally.
Even saints could make mistakes, let alone an ordinary person like him.
When Yang Yi explained his reasoning back then, everyone listened with confusion. For people who rarely engaged in trade or commerce, concepts like profit were hard to grasp.
It wasn’t that they didn’t understand at all, but it was difficult for them to truly feel it.
After experiencing two rounds of trade fairs, both large and small, those who were sensitive to numbers had clearly begun to understand the logic behind it, though many still didn’t fully get it.
Now, after these two trade fairs, the number of people willing to participate and enjoy the experience has greatly increased. Moreover, many members of the Spark Tribe were willing to rent out their own homes in exchange for payment.
Ever since Yang Yi approved of the idea, quite a few had done so. The tribe gained considerable profits as a result.
Those from the Spark Tribe received trading vouchers, which they could then use to exchange for whatever they wanted.
Such as delicious food, for example.
Although the Spark Tribe had safely made it through the winter, and their food was far better than what they used to have in their former tribes, they still didn’t have as many delicious dishes in their daily lives!
Even though food was distributed fairly, the portions weren’t that large. There simply wasn’t enough for everyone to eat to their heart’s content.
Now, by renting out their homes and earning vouchers to exchange for whatever they wanted, they were overjoyed and delighted.
After all, it was only for a few days. They could just roll up their bedding and find a corner to sleep in. Why not?
Hadn’t everyone lived like that before? It was a good chance to “recall past hardships and cherish present happiness”. Just like teachers used to say, not to forget how difficult life once was, and not to forget gratitude just because things are better now.
Members of the Spark Tribe could also use the trading vouchers to buy things within the tribe. As long as they were Spark Tribe people, they even got a discount.
Through this trade fair, everyone personally experienced the benefits. They now understood even better why the Divine Envoy was willing to take on the exhausting role of host. They couldn’t help but admire Yang Yi’s foresight even more.
Yang Yi felt fortunate to have such a capable and efficient group of people working with him.
“Education still needs to be strengthened,” Yang Yi sighed. The people here were intelligent, but still limited by the times. Only through learning could they quickly improve their abilities.
“Some tribes and caravans asked if our school could take in their people,” someone reported.
That had been brought up before, during the previous trade fair, but Yang Yi had declined.
They didn’t have enough teachers. They could barely teach their own people as it was.
However, this time during the trade fair, they organized short-term training classes, mainly to spread some basic knowledge, arithmetic, for example, to make trade and communication smoother for everyone.
When this news spread, “explosive” was the only word that could describe it.
Even the high tuition fees couldn’t deter them. On the contrary, they thought that if someone dared to set such terms, then what was being taught must be truly remarkable.
Everyone had seen with their own eyes how quickly the Spark Tribe had developed. They were all willing to believe what the tribe members said, that this was wisdom granted by the gods.
After learning, they found it genuinely useful. No longer did they stumble through trades in confusion, and food distribution became far more accurate.
No matter how wealthy a tribe was, food distribution still required planning. But if one’s arithmetic was poor, they could only rely on instinct or divide bit by bit. It was slow and prone to mistakes.
However, the short-term classes could only teach so much. Some far-sighted tribes wanted to send people to stay and continue studying. Those from the Western Continent also wanted to know what exactly was being taught in this school.
“What do you think?” someone asked.
“I still hold the same opinion as before. It’s too early. We ourselves haven’t fully stabilized yet. We still need more time to adjust. At this stage, teaching our knowledge to others could bring either fortune or disaster.”
Teaching outsiders had its advantages. Not only because it could bring in many valuable goods, but also because it could cultivate a shared cultural circle.
That way, the bonds between them would grow stronger, fostering a sense of unity. It is something greatly beneficial to the Spark Tribe.
But education was no small matter. It could shape an entire generation, even several generations.
“This kind of thing indeed shouldn’t be rushed,” Yang Yi said, “but offering short-term classes on arithmetic and literacy should be fine. If they’re willing, they can stay after the trade fair and continue learning for a month.”
Hei Lie had no objections. The training sessions held during the trade fair had already made trading noticeably smoother and more efficient.
As the two of them walked down the main avenue of the trading center, people quickly recognized them and greeted them warmly.
Most eyes were immediately drawn to the silk that Yang Yi was wearing. They had already heard rumors about this kind of fabric. But seeing it with their own eyes today made their hearts race with desire!
“Honorable Divine Envoy, please be sure to save some silk for our tribe next time! Our tribe was among the first to come here to trade with you. We’ve always come with goodwill!”
Once one person spoke up, the onlookers couldn’t help joining in as well.
“Divine Envoy, our tribe has always thought the Spark Tribe is the easiest to get along with! We swear to always remain friendly with you. Please remember us, too!”
Others crowded forward, afraid their own tribes would be forgotten.
In an instant, the place became lively and noisy. Even tribes that hadn’t shown much interest at first were drawn into the commotion.
Hei Lie had long anticipated this sort of situation. The guards accompanying Yang Yi quickly held the crowd back, keeping everyone at least two meters away and allowing no one to approach him.
Too many outsiders were entering the Spark Tribe now. It was inevitable that some with ill intentions might slip in. Because of that, Yang Yi’s security had been raised by a full level.
During this period, Hei Lie hardly ever left Yang Yi’s side, always ensuring his safety, especially to prevent anyone from attempting to abduct him.
Though Yang Yi was powerful in his own right, his physically delicate appearance made him an easy target for those who wanted to “test their luck”.
No matter how strong the Spark Tribe had become, there would always be those bold enough to harbor dangerous thoughts.
This time, some tribal caravans had even brought along several beautiful people, both men and women, hoping to use them to get closer to Yang Yi.
But upon arriving, they learned that Yang Yi and Hei Lie had already bonded through the most sacred of oaths, one that would invoke divine punishment if broken.
And now, with Hei Lie being the strongest warrior on the Eastern Continent, no one dared provoke him. They could only give up on that plan entirely.
At the same time, some tried to tempt Hei Lie with beautiful people of their own. But who could have expected that he was already bonded with the Divine Envoy, having sworn a lifelong oath to belong to no one else but him.
Yang Yi hadn’t realized that choosing to make their relationship public back then would bring so many unexpected benefits.
Still smiling gently, Yang Yi said, “We’ve carefully recorded the goodwill your tribes have shown toward the Spark Tribe. As long as we can produce more, we’ll be sure to bring it out for everyone to trade.”
“Will there be more than this time?” someone asked eagerly.
Many tribes had just arrived and hadn’t even seen what silk looked like before hearing it was already sold out. Those who missed out were quite frustrated.
At first, they thought others were exaggerating. But after seeing it with their own eyes, they finally understood why everyone was so excited.
Especially the caravans from the Western Continent. They knew how to enjoy life. With their nobles who spent money like water, this kind of fabric would certainly be highly sought after.
“That, I truly can’t guarantee,” Yang Yi said apologetically.
He wasn’t lying. There was always a risk involved in raising silkworms or any kind of production.
“We’ll do our best so everyone gets a chance to take some home. Something this beautiful deserves to be seen by all.”
The crowd loved his words and broke into applause. It was another custom they had picked up from the Spark Tribe. This place had a kind of charm that made anyone who stayed soon become part of it.
“Divine Envoy, please remember our tribe, too!”
“And ours, Divine Envoy…”
Yang Yi could be said to have walked through the entire trading center amid everyone’s eager gazes. Wherever he went, crowds naturally followed.
Among them were two figures, one old, one young, who looked quite ordinary and did not stand out. They neither approached too closely nor stayed too far, following Yang Yi at a careful distance.
“Ger, that Divine Envoy doesn’t look like someone with great power,” the young man said softly.
Ger replied, “Not all power can be seen at a glance. This Divine Envoy’s strength lies in wisdom, not in force.”
“Is he really as kind as the rumors say? Does he treat everyone the same?”
“At least on the surface, yes,” Ger said cautiously.
The youth pursed his lips. “So it’s true that the Spark Tribe has no slaves, that everyone is equal?”
“I haven’t seen any slaves of low status. I even saw someone who was once sold to the Western Continent as a slave. Now, he lives just like an ordinary person. Even around the Divine Envoy, there are no servants, only guards who protect him.”
“So it’s all true, then!”
“Don’t be too quick to trust others, Morri,” Ger warned. “No one knows whether beneath a beautiful face hides a demon.”
“I understand, Ger. I’m not a child anymore.”
Ger chuckled. “Anyone who says that about themselves is definitely still half a child.”
Morri ignored his teasing, his gaze fixed on Yang Yi the entire time.
“I heard that when the Divine Envoy first arrived, he found only a group of old, weak, sick, and wounded people. It was through his wisdom that he built this tribe into what it is today. He’s an incredibly intelligent person.”
Ger looked at him. “Morri, what are you trying to say? You’re different today.”
“He’s the Divine Envoy, a messenger sent by the gods. Do you think… he could help us?” Morri’s face was full of yearning, his eyes shining with hope.
“Morri, don’t say that again. If the master hears you, he’ll beat you to death.”
“Ger, are we born to be slaves? I think everything can change, just like the changes the Divine Envoy brought.”
Ger hurriedly clapped a hand over Morri’s mouth. “Are you trying to throw your life away? How can you say such things!”
“It’s okay, they don’t understand what we’re saying anyway.”
They weren’t speaking the Eastern Continent tongue or the Western Continent tongue. It was the dialect of a small place on the Western Continent.
“You still can’t talk nonsense like that! We are slaves, slaves for generations. That’s not allowed to change.”
Morri protested angrily, “But those slaves from the Eastern Continent aren’t slaves anymore. People used to say Eastern Continent folk were the Western Continent people’s slaves, but look at this tribe. How does it look like slaves? If anyone looks down on them, they dare to kill them. I even saw the corpses from Maple Leaf City! They’re still hung there to warn everyone.”
Maple Leaf City was a fairly powerful city on the Western Continent, yet after being treated that way, they didn’t make enemies of the Spark Tribe. Instead, they kept up humble, friendly relations.
What does that prove? It proves those claims are wrong. Things can be changed by people, as long as you’re strong enough!
Morri grew more and more excited as he spoke. His youthful face flushed with excitement, his eyes slightly reddening.
“Y-you really are…” Ger didn’t know what to say. If this child weren’t his brother’s son, he wouldn’t dare go near him.
Such thoughts were extremely dangerous. Ger had known Morri was different from other children since he was little, but he hadn’t expected him to be this different!
“Stop daydreaming. This is our fate. If you keep this up, you’ll soon meet the Grim Reaper.”
Morri gave a bitter smile. “Even if I don’t want to, won’t I still meet it?”
Ger immediately fell silent. Morri’s parents, along with his older brothers and sisters, had all been obedient, dutiful slaves.
Yet they had all died unnatural deaths. They were killed by their master or by the stewards under him.
No one sought justice for them. Everyone merely assumed that they must have done something wrong and that being killed by their master was only what they deserved.
If not for the master’s so-called mercy, Morri himself wouldn’t still be alive, or so everyone said. Morri was expected to feel grateful for that “mercy”.
But deep inside, Morri’s heart was filled with unbearable pain not only from losing his family, but from being unable to understand why the world was so cruel and unfair.
His older sister had been tortured to death simply because she refused the master’s advances.
His brother, overcome with rage, had spoken out in her defense and was beaten to death for it.
His parents had always been cautious and compliant, never daring to make a sound. Yet they were still assigned the hardest, most exhausting labor by the steward. In the end, they either fell to their deaths or worked themselves sick, leaving only Morri behind.
No one pitied him. Everyone only said that his family had failed to fulfill their duty as slaves.
Morri couldn’t understand. They hadn’t done anything wrong. Why, then, were they punished like this?
Everyone said that was simply the fate of slaves. But if that fate only led to death, must he really walk that same path for the rest of his life?
When Morri followed the caravan to the Spark Tribe, everything he saw here shocked him. It completely overturned everything people had believed about the Eastern Continent.
For as long as anyone could remember, they had all thought the Eastern Continent was a land of savagery, its people wild barbarians who ate raw meat.
Even though some rare goods had recently come from the East, commoners had no idea what that meant. Their understanding of the place was still trapped in the old prejudices of the past.
He hadn’t expected this place to be so different. Not only were the buildings magnificent, but there was also a sense of perfect order. Everything was arranged so neatly and harmoniously that it made one feel at ease.
Yet even that wasn’t what shocked Morri the most. After all, the Western Continent had many castles that were even more exquisite than this. Some with gates forged from pure gold, glittering and dazzling to the eye.
Morri had never seen such places himself, but his master’s mansion was also extremely luxurious, far more opulent than anything here.
So what he felt was mostly amazement, not because he had never seen grandeur, but because what he saw here was so unlike the legends and rumors he’d heard.
The food and luxuries others spoke of were things a slave like Morri could never hope to enjoy. His meals had never been any different from before.
But upon arriving at the Spark Tribe, for the first time in his life, even as a slave, he was granted a certain degree of freedom.
On his second day there, while chatting with a Spark Tribe guide who was temporarily off duty, he learned something that utterly shocked him.
There had been a very powerful warrior, one who had been punished simply because he became too affectionate toward a man he liked. The man didn’t want it, so he reported him. As a result, that high-ranking warrior was sent far away, exiled to prevent him from harassing the man again.
“Was that man a noble?” Morri had asked curiously at the time.
The Spark guide had laughed. “Child, our Spark Tribe has no slaves. Everyone here is equal. There are only different roles and skills, not differences in rank. Even the Divine Envoy must gain everyone’s agreement before making major decisions or carrying them out.”
Morri didn’t quite understand everything. Some of the words were unfamiliar to him, but he grasped the most important part: this was a place of equality!
“What if the Divine Envoy killed someone?”
The moment Morri said that, Ger nearly had a heart attack, terrified by the question. But the Spark guide only laughed heartily, taking no offense at all at such a bold assumption.
“We have a saying here: if a god breaks the law, they are punished the same as ordinary people. Even if a deity violates the rules, they face the same consequences as anyone else. So tell me, if the Divine Envoy were to kill someone, what would happen?”
Not just Morri, even Ger’s eyes nearly popped out.
“Does that apply if a slave is killed, too?”
“I already told you, our tribe has no slaves,” the Spark guide said, half laughing, half exasperated. “But not every killing is punishable. It depends on the circumstances. For example, if someone is an invading outsider, then they deserve to be killed.”
The guide pointed toward a high platform in the direction of the temple. “Up there is a stone stele, engraved with the laws of the Spark Tribe. Anyone who violates the rules carved on it will receive the corresponding punishment.”
The rapid growth of the Spark Tribe had also prompted Yang Yi to speed up the drafting and refinement of laws and regulations.
Most of these were based on relevant materials stored in the space storage, then adjusted according to the actual conditions of the tribe.
Currently, only the main provisions were engraved on the stone stele. The detailed rules were not fully completed yet. Many specifics would change depending on the circumstances, so they weren’t carved in.
The stele served as a warning to everyone, making them understand the nature of the Spark Tribe.
Every member of the Spark Tribe had to study the laws thoroughly, constantly reminding themselves of what they should and shouldn’t do.
Morri asked curiously, “Can you tell me what they are?”
“Of course,” the guide said proudly. “Not only must our Spark Tribe members follow them, but you all must as well. Otherwise, the same punishments apply.”
The Spark guide felt a strong sense of pride. Their power was sufficient to enforce the law even on outsiders.
That day, Morri was eager and serious. If the guide hadn’t been busy with other matters, he would have wanted them to explain each rule to him in detail.
The very first line on that stone stele read, “In the Spark Tribe, everyone is equal.”
Those words engraved themselves deeply into Morri’s heart, a small flame of hope flickering to life in his chest.
“Ger, I want to meet the Divine Envoy,” Morri said, his eyes fixed firmly in the direction where Yang Yi had disappeared. His voice was steady, filled with resolve.
“Cough—!” Ger was so shocked by the sudden declaration that his eyes bulged. He nearly choked on his own saliva.
“You’ve gone mad! No—no, I must’ve heard wrong. That’s it! I’m old, my ears don’t work as well anymore.”
But Morri turned his gaze back to Ger, his expression utterly serious.
“No, you didn’t hear wrong, Ger. I truly believe it was the gods who led me here! The Divine Envoy was sent by the heavens to help me!”
