Chapter 17

“Ah’Hua, what’s wrong with the Shaman?” Yu Ying stood on tiptoes and anxiously asked Yan Hua, through her ear, “Could it be that I said something wrong?”

“It shouldn’t be.” Yan Hua said hesitantly.

“Really?” Yu Ying was doubtful. Ever since she answered that she couldn’t write, the Shaman’s expression had changed and he had been in deep thought.

“Why don’t you go ask him?” Yan Hua smiled and instigated in bad faith.

“No, let’s not.” Yu Ying immediately shrank back and hurriedly shook her head.

“You’re still so timid.” Yan Hua said helplessly.

She, Sha Lan, and Yu Ying were the best of friends. Before, in the Flame Dragon Tribe Ancestral Land, the three of them often slept in one cave. However, ever since the Black Snake Tribe came, everything good was destroyed.

“I…” Yu Ying lowered her head in embarrassment.

Seeing the fox-eared girl’s predicament, Su Bai spoke up to help, “Alright, it’s fine if you can’t write. I’ll teach you guys.”

“Eh?” Yan Hua stared with her red eyes and exclaimed in surprise, “Shaman, you can read and write?”

“Of course I can.” Su Bai smiled, revealing a mouthful of white teeth.

“As I thought…” Yan Hua once again verified her guess.

“Though? What did you think of?” Su Bai asked curiously.

“Ah?” Yan Hua blanked at the question. Recalling the Old Shaman’s warning not to inquire too much into the new Shaman’s past, she stammered, “Nothing, I just…”

“It’s fine, you don’t have to say it if you don’t want to.” Su Bai waved his hand, turned around and gently asked Yu Ying, “Do you want to be a Shaman Priestess? I’m lacking an assistant right now.”

“Eh? Me? Be a Shaman Priestess?” Yu Ying stared with her pink eyes, her fox tail standing up. She was at a loss.

“Yes.” Su Bai said in a solemn tone.

Yu Ying lowered her head, tightly gripping the hem of her animal hide clothes with her small hands. She unconfidently stated, “But I’m clumsy and always make mistakes.”

“Shaman, don’t listen to her nonsense.” Yan Hua strode over and came behind the fox-eared girl. She patted Yu Ying’s shoulders and said, “She’s just a bit timid. When nervous, she gets flustered. But once you get familiar with her, you’ll find that she’s really capable at handling chores.”

“I…” Yu Ying wanted to say something but was immediately had her mouth covered by Yan Hua.

“Don’t talk nonsense. Just hurry up and agree to the Shaman’s offer.” Yan Hua pressed her chin on top of Yu Ying’s head and softly added, “Didn’t you hope to be a Shaman Priestess before? Now’s your chance.”

“…” Yu Ying fell silent as she felt conflicted.

“You’re not willing? Well, I won’t force you.” Su Bai said with a chuckle.

“No, she’s willing.” Yan Hua anxiously shouted and hurriedly moved her hand away from the Yu Ying’s mouth.

“Ah’Hua, what about you?” Yu Ying turned her head to look at Yan Hua. She worriedly ask in a small voice, “Didn’t you also want to be a Shaman Priestess…”

Their dream had started out the same, all three of them wanted to become Shaman Priestess and learn from the Shaman.

Shaman Priestess could be said to be one of the professions female Tribe members wanted the most. The other was being a Totem Warrior.

“Yu Ying, don’t talk about this further.” Yan Hua covered Yu Ying’s mouth again. Her clear voice carried great determination, “My dream has changed. I want to be a Totem Warrior now.”

Following that, she bit Yu Ying’s ear and tenderly said, “I’m leaving Sha Lan’s portion of her dream to you.”

“…” Upon hearing this, Yu Ying’s body stiffened and her pink eyes suddenly widened, gradually welling up with tears.

She nodded with a heavy heart and chokingly said, “I mmph mmph mmph…”

“Yan Hua, you’re covering her mouth.” Su Bai reminded.

“Oh sorry…” Yan Hua hurriedly let go, feeling embarrassed.

“Have you decided to be a Shaman Priestess?” Su Bai asked again, gently.

“I will definitely do my best as a Shaman Priestess.” Yu Ying tightly clenched her small fists, cutely shaking them with force.

“Then, I’ll give you your primary task.” Su Bai was instantly starstruck. He held back the urge to go pinch this fox-eared girl’s soft-looking face.

“Please tell me.” Yu Ying’s voice became small again, returning to her timid appearance.

“Your first task is to wash your face. You’ve turned into a spotted cat.” Su Bai’s black eyes carried laughter as he looked at Yu Ying’s dusty face, especially the handprint left by Yan Hua when she held her mouth.

“Huh?” Yu Ying froze.

Yan Hua also froze.

“This task isn’t hard, right?” Su Bai asked, seeming to be perplexed by their reaction.

“Shaman, water is very precious for the Tribe.” Yu Ying pursed her lips and said with some courage, “I dare not use water to wash my face. That would be too wasteful.”

“Oh?” Su Bai raised an eyebrow. He really hadn’t understood the Tribe’s water usage situation.

He asked curiously, “Where does our Tribe fetch water from?”

“There’s a small lake in the mountain forest above, but there’s a group of very powerful Ferocious Beasts in the water. Only Totem Warriors dare approach it.” Yan Hua turned and pointed at the mountain forest to the west. She explained in a deep voice, “The water for our Tribe is all transported over by the Totem Warriors. It’s normally only enough for us to quench our thirst.”

“In other words, the people of the Tribe haven’t bathed for seventeen days?” Su Bai’s expression changed. Following that, he scanned both girls. His feet inconspicuously shifted back a small distance.

“Huh???” Yan Hua and Yu Ying blanked for a moment.

After seeing Su Bai’s disdainful expression and his retreat, Yu Ying was so angry she wanted to bite someone.

*Hmph!* Yan Hua let out a cold snort, expressing her displeasure.

*Ahem…* Su Bai coughed in awkwardness and hurriedly said, “Take me to see that small lake. I want to check if we can find a new method to fetch water.”

Water is of greatest importance. People couldn’t go without water. The primary task now is to solve the water usage problem. At the very least, there has to be enough water for bathing!