Chapter 16

Lu Yu was caught off guard and his wrist was grabbed, momentarily stunned.

He thought this child was very weak, but unexpectedly had quite a bit of strength, truly living up to being an “evolved species”.

Yes, when he used the panel to search for deer earlier, he unexpectedly also found information about this child. The panel displayed [Evolved Species – Ability Unknown], and his golden finger didn’t offer any explanation either.

However, whether this “evolved species” was out of the ordinary or not, the expression on his face was somewhat frightening…

Lu Yu said, “Um…”

“Let go.” Suddenly, Tai Lie, standing beside him, spoke coldly.

Looking down at the disheveled Cha Zhe sitting on the ground, his voice carried a hint of oppression.

Cha Zhe raised his head and met his gaze.

After a brief silence, Cha Zhe suddenly turned his head, sweeping away the gloom on his face, and looked at Lu Yu, smiling brightly, “I’m already seventeen.”

Lu Yu replied, “Oh, is that so.”

Cha Zhe let go of his hand, his smile innocent, “Maybe it’s because I didn’t eat enough when I was young, and my body didn’t develop properly, which led to the misunderstanding.”

Although his voice still sounded a bit hoarse, there was no trace of the previous gloominess. Instead, he exuded the crisp and cheerful demeanor of a young man. Despite his dirty appearance, he looked quite handsome when he smiled.

It was easy to let one’s guard down around him.

Lu Yu began to doubt whether he had imagined the frightening expression on the child’s face just now.

But then again, he was still a minor at seventeen, so rapid mood swings were understandable.

Lu Yu asked, “So what’s your name? Where are you from, and why are you alone?”

Cha Zhe’s smile faded, and a hint of a fierce gleam flashed in his eyes, but it quickly turned into a look of sadness.

He whispered, “My name is Cha Zhe. I used to be from the Wu Kong tribe. Not long ago, our tribe was suddenly attacked by a group of outsiders, and I was the only one who escaped.”

Outsiders? Sudden attack? This description sounded somewhat similar to the experiences of the Matai tribe.

Lu Yu frowned and glanced discreetly at Tai Lie before turning his gaze back to Cha Zhe, asking with concern, “Do you know who they were? Why did they attack you?”

Cha Zhe hesitated for a moment, shook his head, and said, “I don’t know…”

Lu Yu couldn’t tell if he was telling the truth or not.

The “advanced species” mentioned on the panel was still vague, and perhaps Cha Zhe’s abilities hadn’t fully developed yet, so he didn’t know. But then again, if his abilities hadn’t developed yet, why would those people try to kill them?

Was there some other reason?

It was all very confusing.

After hearing his words, Tai Lie remained expressionless, while the other Matai people had complicated expressions. Similar and tragic experiences made them feel some sympathy for him.

Cha Zhe glanced around cautiously and made a careful request, “Brother, I have nowhere to go. Can you take me in? I don’t eat much, and I can work.”

To be honest, Lu Yu had already planned to take him with them, not just out of pity, but also to find out about his “evolved species” and the attack on his tribe.

Lu Yu didn’t immediately answer him, stood up, and walked to Tai Lie’s side, leaning in closer. “Chief, do you think we can take him with us?” Whatever he thought, Tai Lie’s agreement was necessary for this matter.

Tai Lie looked down at him, his eyes deep. “Do you want to take him with us?”

Lu Yu replied seriously, “That’s my suggestion.”

Tai Lie’s voice was cold. “Then take him.”

Lu Yu was taken aback for a moment. “Okay.”

—

Back at the Matai village.

“Witch, you’re back!”

Shi Tou and Xiao Shui, a few young Matais, ran over happily, carrying branches, mud, and other things in their arms.

“Who’s this?” Xiao Shui noticed a stranger and asked curiously.

Lu Yu introduced him to them, “This is Cha Zhe, who will be staying in our village temporarily.”

The young Matais nodded, “Oh, okay.”

Cha Zhe behaved like a normal teenager and greeted them warmly.

Although the young Matais were very interested in the newcomer, they couldn’t wait to show off what they had collected to Lu Yu. “Witch, we collected a lot of things today!”

Lu Yu smiled, “That’s impressive! I’ll make something delicious for you tonight.”

The young Matais jumped for joy, “Wow, thank you, Witch!”

Lu Yu patted their heads, “Go put your things over there, I’ll come collect them later.”

Cha Zhe looked at them interacting with complex eyes.

“Oh, by the way, Chief,” Lu Yu took out what the deer had dropped and handed it to Tai Lie, “This can be worn on the hands to increase strength.”

Lu Yu had already checked the function of these “Deer Skin Gloves”. He thought they were very suitable for Le Shui, and sure enough, Tai Lie thought so too.

Seeing Tai Lie handing the item to Le Shui, Lu Yu couldn’t help but sigh.

Tai Lie, the Matai Chief, really had nothing to criticize. He never ate the best part of the meat, always did the most work, and even with weapons, he didn’t insist on using them just because he was the Chief.

Oh? Speaking of weapons…

If he found a suitable weapon for Tai Lie and gave it to him, would that be considered an intimate act?

Lu Yu was pondering this when Cha Zhe suddenly asked, “Brother, where did you get those things from?”

Lu Yu first corrected his address, “My name is Lu Yu, or you can call me Witch.”

Cha Zhe’s pupils contracted. “Witch?”

Lu Yu nodded earnestly, “Yes, I’m a Witch. I was just using Witch’s abilities.”

Cha Zhe smiled, “That’s amazing.”

The deer they hunted, Lu Yu first used some of it to upgrade the Small Healing Pill Blueprint to the Big Healing Pill Blueprint, and the rest was used to roast deer meat.

Before dinner, Cha Zhe was officially introduced to everyone.

In fact, the Matai people had accepted wanderers before, so they didn’t find it strange and were quite enthusiastic.

Lu Yu handed a piece of deer meat to Cha Zhe.

Cha Zhe looked at the shiny roasted meat, licked his lips, and shook his head, “I didn’t work.”

Not working meant not qualifying to enjoy the food, and in that devil’s lair, even if he worked hard, there was very little food.

Lu Yu handed him the meat without a care, “Consider it a loan from me. Do more work for me tomorrow and pay me back. If you don’t eat now, you won’t have the strength to work tomorrow.”

Cha Zhe was stunned by the warm and fragrant roasted meat in his hands, and he looked down at it in a daze, suddenly showing a smile. A sincere smile, not a pretense.

He looked up at Lu Yu, who had turned to busy himself, and his back appeared gentle and serene amidst the steam from the roasted meat. Unlike those salt-soaked branches, stones, and vicious punches and kicks… completely different.

So, was everything he suffered through before just to meet you?

A glimmer of light appeared in Cha Zhe’s eyes.

—

Blackwater Tribe.

Li Yue heard someone say that the chief had returned and hurriedly went out to greet him.

The chief of the Blackwater Tribe, Jiao Feng, was short and stout, with a big belly and a simple and honest face, but his eyes were extremely shrewd.

Li Yue rushed over with tears in her eyes, “Chief, you have to help me!”

Usually at this time, Jiao Feng would hug her and comfort her, giving her whatever she wanted. Today, however, Jiao Feng impatiently pushed her away, “If you have something to say, say it later, don’t bother me.”

Li Yue’s tears welled up in her eyes, and she cautiously glanced at Jiao Feng’s expression, pretending to be worried as she asked, “Chief, is something wrong?”

Jiao Feng didn’t say anything, but walked past her and go into the house.

Li Yue followed closely behind, closing the door behind her.

Jiao Feng looked impatient, “Yesterday, someone from the Dong Yang Tribe escaped, and when he fled, he killed several people.”

Li Yue didn’t understand, “What’s wrong with that?” It was common for slaves to escape from the tribe.

Jiao Feng looked up at her, his eyes inexplicably meaningful, “That person is not an ordinary person.”

“He has something special, something everyone wants.”