Chapter 89 - 88: Offering a Stratagem

From their previous conversation, Ronin had already gained some understanding of the Purple Fruit Tribe’s size.

Though the tribe had fewer than three hundred people, it exceeded his expectations. Including Jenny’s family, the Purple Fruit Tribe had a total of 242 members and had cultivated 806 acres of farmland.

Aside from some vegetables, most of the land was used to grow barley and wheat.

The Purple Fruit Tribe had such a vast expanse of farmland primarily because it had been cleared back when their population was larger. At its peak, it was said that four to five hundred people lived here.

Now, with their numbers down to fewer than three hundred, their grain yield wasn’t high, but they had relatively more to eat.

According to Jenny’s estimates, this year’s autumn harvest would yield over thirty thousand pounds of barley. Combined with the previously harvested wheat and stockpiled wild vegetables, the tribe should have no problem surviving the winter.

Before deciding to convert the grain fields into mulberry groves, Ronin decided to wait until dawn to go and inspect the condition of the mulberry forest for himself.

Although he now had silkworm cocoons, the process of turning them into silk fabric was still a very difficult matter.

He knew the steps—boiling the cocoons and reeling the silk—but he had no spinning wheels or looms. How to actually weave the silk was a major obstacle.

However, they raised flocks of sheep in his territory, which produced wool every year. Many of the women did simple textile work at home, and they had tools like spindles and looms here, though they were rather crude.

Although these machines and tools were unsuitable for weaving silk—a much more delicate and complex process—sometimes, knowledge is more important than the tools themselves.

As long as the women could understand that silk fibers could also be woven into cloth, he believed that after a long period of experimentation, they would eventually be able to produce silk fabric.

Ronin remembered that Tom’s mother ran a tailor shop. She ought to be skilled at weaving. When he returned, he could consider having her research the matter of silk.

Of course, Ronin would help.

He possessed a uniquely advantageous knowledge of sericulture. The mere suggestion of boiling cocoons and reeling silk would represent a leap from zero to one for these people.

That evening, Ronin enjoyed a "sumptuous" dinner at Jenny’s home.

In front of Ronin, Macken, and the other Transcendents was a plate of White Fruit. His subordinates were eating it gleefully, but Ronin just couldn’t bring himself to take a bite.

His preconceptions were the main issue; he felt the dish was too... intense. The thought of the dark pupae made him feel squeamish.

However, under Erin’s eager gaze, Ronin reluctantly took a bite.

He never would have known if he hadn’t tried it. One bite revealed that the fried silkworm pupae were crispy, with a soft and tender texture, and bursting with flavor.

"So? It’s good, right?" Erin asked with a beaming smile.

Ronin nodded and chuckled. "Putting its appearance aside, fried silkworm pupa is truly a delicacy. I’ve heard it’s not only delicious but also highly nutritious."

His subordinates, sitting all around, also nodded as they ate. They had never eaten anything like it before; this trip to the Purple Fruit Tribe had been a novel experience for their palates.

After everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, two servants cleared the dishes. All the Transcendents gathered in the living room.

The dim candlelight cast a faint glow on their hazy faces. They knew what was coming next: the Baron was about to lay out the next stage of the battle plan.

It had been less than two days since they left Mountain Forest Town, yet they had already taken two Wilderness Tribes. Their progress was incredibly fast.

"Our next target is the Grey Soil Tribe."

Ronin scanned the room. "However, as you know, they’ve built fortifications and have more Transcendents than both the Purple Fruit and Cyan Bamboo Tribes. If we launch a frontal assault, we certainly won’t get away with the negligible losses we’ve had over the past two days."

His gaze finally settled on Jenny. "Lady Jenny, I recall you mentioning you had a way for me to take the Grey Soil Tribe that would save time and effort. What was it?"

Erin, all of four feet and eight inches tall, sat beside her mother, silently listening to the conversation.

Her gaze drifted from one person to the next.

’Before today, she never would have imagined that all these older men—these ’big brothers’ and ’uncles’—and even her own parents would be so respectful toward a young man who didn’t seem much older than herself. For the first time, she truly felt that status sometimes had little to do with age.’

’Finally, her gaze came to rest on Ronin. That silver-haired boy was just so captivating.’

Jenny didn’t know what her daughter was thinking. Her own thoughts were focused on presenting a strategy to the new lord she had sworn allegiance to. ’This will serve as my proof of loyalty,’ she thought.

"The leader of the Grey Soil Tribe is named Sleirein. His ancestors were merely commoners who fled the wars together, but he awakened a Fighting Qi Spirit Seed. His power has grown steadily over the years. At thirty-eight, he is an Advanced Level Knight, a little stronger in a fight than Horn."

Ronin glanced at Horn Knight. ’He’s only an Intermediate Knight, yet he’s just a bit weaker than an Advanced Level Knight. It seems Horn is either about to break through to the next level, or his combat experience and technique give him an edge over his opponent.’

’It seems Horn and Jenny’s cultivation talents aren’t bad at all. No wonder their daughter’s aptitude is so good.’

Jenny continued, "My Lord, you likely know from Wodun and Dandy that our three tribes formed the Tripartite Alliance. When it was first established, we clashed with the Black-collar Tribe several times, and communication within our alliance was frequent back then."

She paused, glancing at her husband before continuing, "During our collaborations, Sleirein professed his feelings for me on more than one occasion, asking me to leave Horn and come live with him in the Grey Soil Tribe. I refused him every time."

Ronin subconsciously rubbed his nose. ’As expected, matters of romance can happen anywhere, even among the Wilderness Tribes, despite their harsh living conditions.’

He couldn’t help but size Jenny up again.

’In his mind, she was a six out of ten—not exactly beautiful.’

’But here in the Wubei Forest Land, she’d absolutely be considered one of the most attractive women.’

’And let’s not forget, Jenny is from a Viscount Clan. Even though the Frank Clan has fallen into decline, she still comes from a true noble family.’

’Decent looks, noble birth, and an Intermediate Mage on top of it all. A woman like that would be extremely attractive to others.’

’It was perfectly reasonable for Sleirein, the chief of the Grey Soil Tribe, to want to be with Jenny.’

’As for her refusing him, perhaps it’s because her feelings for Horn run deep and they have a daughter, or maybe she simply looks down on someone like Sleirein.’

Ronin glanced at Horn. The man’s expression was unchanged, so he was clearly aware of the situation. It was even possible that Horn and Sleirein had fought before.

’After all, Jenny just said Sleirein was a little stronger.’

’How could she have reached that conclusion if they hadn’t fought and compared their strength?’

His eyes returned to Jenny, and Ronin asked with a smile, "So, you’re planning on using a honey trap on Sleirein?"

A honey trap?

The men’s ears perked up. It was the first time any of them had heard the term.

"Thank you for the compliment, my Lord!"

Jenny looked a little bashful. "Although this is the first time I’ve heard the term ’honey trap,’ I believe what you mean is similar to what I was thinking."

For a moment, Ronin didn’t understand why she had suddenly become bashful and thanked him.

After a moment’s thought, he realized she thought he was complimenting her on her beauty.

"My Lord, Horn and Sleirein are on very bad terms."

Jenny continued, "Perhaps I could write a letter to Sleirein. I could say that Horn has been promoted to Advanced Level Knight and, resentful of living in my shadow for all these years and of the humiliation he’s suffered from Sleirein, has gone mad. I’ll claim he has imprisoned Erin and me, and beg Sleirein to send people to rescue us."

Horn watched his wife from the side, a helpless look on his face. ’How did an honest, simple man like me who loves his wife and daughter suddenly get turned into a crazed lunatic?’ he thought.

Macken, however, was secretly stunned as he listened. ’You really can’t take a woman at her word,’ he thought. ’Just listen to this plan—it’s so devious and ruthless.’

Ronin nodded. He’d had a feeling this was the kind of plan she would propose.

He was still a bit hesitant, however. "Will Sleirein believe it?"

"He will!"

Jenny was certain. "Sleirein has always acted as if he’s the leader of the Tripartite Alliance. He’s an arrogant, conceited, and stubborn man. Most importantly, he not only covets me, but he has also set his sights on Erin."

Her gaze turned slightly icy, a natural reaction to the threat against her daughter’s safety.

"When he receives my letter pleading for help, he’ll see an opportunity to kill Horn, annex the Purple Fruit Tribe, and take us—mother and daughter—for himself. He absolutely won’t be able to resist the temptation."

Ronin’s brow furrowed, and he glanced at Erin, who had shrunk back into her mother’s arms. He hadn’t expected this part of the story.

’Thinking about it now, part of the reason Jenny and her husband surrendered so readily must have been for Erin’s safety, right?’

However, regardless of their reasons or motives for joining him, Ronin fully approved of her strategy.

"Alright."

Ronin affirmed his approval. "We’ll proceed with the plan as you’ve described. Let’s give it a try."