Kai, along with Lu Bu, cautiously approached the source of the smoke, pressing through the underbrush with careful steps. The forest was alive with the sounds of rustling leaves and distant bird calls, but Kai’s focus was solely on the task at hand. He had left the rest of the menagerie back a distance, hidden among the trees, in case the people he was approaching turned out to be dangerous. He didn’t want to scare them off with the presence of his spirit beast, especially if they were harmless.

  However, if they turned out to be bandits, as Kai suspected, they would be ready to spring into action. Not that Kai truly needed protection from mere mortal bandits; his own cultivation would make him more than a match. Yet, the spirit beasts had minds of their own, and it would insist on being his guardian, regardless of the circumstances.

  Ever since their harrowing run-in with the pseudo-demonic snake, the spirit beasts that traveled with him had become fiercely protective. The memory of that encounter still haunted Kai—a creature of unimaginable power, its scales glistening like ivory, its eyes filled with a malevolent intelligence. It had been a battle that tested every ounce of his strength and skill, and while they had emerged victorious, the experience had left a mark on both him and his companions.

  Now, the menagerie clung to him protectively, as if they believed he couldn’t fend for himself. Kai understood their concern; they had witnessed thim severely injured in that fight. But he also knew that the threats he faced in Zan were of a different nature, far less formidable than the pseudo-demonic serpent they had encountered. Still, the spirit beasts remained vigilant, their instincts driving them to shield him from harm.

  As he moved closer to the clearing, the smoke grew thicker, and the sounds of laughter and conversation began to filter through the trees. He paused for a moment, taking a deep breath to steady himself. This was a pivotal moment—one that could lead to new alliances or potential danger.

  With a final glance back at Lu Bu, who clung to his side, Kai pressed on, stepping into the clearing.

  The forest gave way to a lively encampment, buzzing with movement and warmth, a stark contrast to the cold wariness of the walled towns they had encountered.

  At the heart of the clearing stood a great central fire, its flames licking at a blackened cooking pot suspended above it, filling the air with the rich aroma of simmering stew—game meat, wild herbs, and something earthy and unfamiliar. Around it, the nomads moved with practiced ease, their thick, colorful clothing woven in intricate patterns of crimson, indigo, and gold, each stitch telling stories of their travels.

  Their homes were not tents but sturdy, circular yurts, their felt walls dyed in deep blues and greens, their wooden frames lashed together with expert precision. Smoke curled from the central chimney of the largest yurt, where an elder woman stirred a bubbling cauldron, her hands gnarled but steady.

  Nearby, a broad-shouldered man worked at a stretched hide, his knife moving in smooth, practiced strokes as he scraped away the last remnants of flesh and fat. The hide—likely from a northern elk—was pegged tightly across a wooden frame, its surface gleaming in the firelight. A few children darted between the yurts, their laughter bright and unchecked, chasing a woolen ball stuffed with dried grasses.

  The nomads’ beasts of burden were unlike any horses Kai had seen in the south—massive, shaggy creatures with thick, curved horns and hooves the size of dinner plates. They stood placidly at the edge of camp, some laden with woven saddlebags, others chewing contentedly on bundles of dried reeds. A young boy, no older than Lu Bu, bravely approached one of the beasts, offering it a handful of grain before scrambling onto its back with fearless familiarity.

  Women mended furs by the fire, their needles flashing as they stitched intricate patterns into winter cloaks. Men carved bone and antler into tools, their hands moving with the ease of those who had done this work a thousand times before. Elders sat cross-legged on woven mats, passing a long-stemmed pipe between them as they spoke in low, measured tones.

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  These were not refugees. These were people who belonged to this land, who moved with the seasons like the wind through the mountains. Some sort of nomadic people native to this land.

  "Strangers at the fire’s edge," announced a man, his voice rough like grinding stone, as he stepped forward from the camp.

  The speaker was a mountain of a man—broad-shouldered and thick with muscle, his arms corded with the strength of a lifetime of hunting and labor. A wicked blade gleamed in his grip, its edge catching the flickering firelight. Behind him, his tribesmen stood poised for battle, arrows nocked in taut bowstrings, their dark eyes locked onto the intruders with focus. The scent of oiled leather and woodsmoke hung thick in the air, mixing with tension.

  "Are you here to share bread with us," the warrior growled, his voice low and dangerous, "or will you pass by?" His gaze, sharp as flint, fixed on Kai, weighing his worth in an instant.

  Kai raised both hands, palms open, showing he bore no steel. Beside him, little Lu Bu clutched his fingers, his wide eyes darting between the armed men. Kai kept his voice steady.

  "I mean no harm," he said. "We’re travelers—traveling north in search of safety. We seek only information."

  Silence stretched between them, broken only by the crackling of the fire. The warrior’s gaze flicked from Kai’s face to the child at his side, then to the trees behind them, as if expecting something else. The moment stretched, taut as a drawn bowstring—until, at last, the man’s stern expression softened, just slightly.

  A flick of his wrist, and his men eased. Bows lowered; blades slid back into sheaths. The tribesmen exchanged glances, murmurs passing among them like wind through grass.

  "Come forward, then," the warrior rumbled. "If you mean no harm then you are welcome here."

  Kai exhaled, relief washing through him like cool water. He gave Lu Bu’s hand a reassuring squeeze before stepping cautiously toward the fire’s glow, where the eyes of strangers still watched—wary, but no longer set for killing.

  Kai and Lu Bu were led deeper into the camp, their path illuminated by the flickering glow of the central fire. Around them, the tribespeople moved with quiet efficiency—some sharpening blades, others mending hides, their curious glances lingering on the newcomers before returning to their tasks. The scent of woodsmoke and roasting meat filled the air, mingling with the earthy musk of hides and the sharp tang of iron.

  The large warrior guided them to a low seating area with a low table near the fire, where a worn but plush crimson cushion lay—a mark of hospitality, or perhaps a test. With a grunt, he gestured to it.

  "Sit." His voice brooked no argument.

  Kai lowered himself carefully, pulling Lu Bu close beside him. The cushion was surprisingly soft, its fabric dyed deep red, the edges embroidered with intricate patterns that spoke of a culture far older than the wilderness around them. The fire’s warmth seeped into his bones, a welcome reprieve from the night’s biting chill.

  Without another word, the man turned and strode to the central fire, where a massive iron pot simmered over the flames. He ladled out two generous portions of stew—thick with chunks of meat, wild roots, and fragrant herbs—before returning and thrusting the steaming bowls into their hands. The heat of the earthenware seeped into Kai’s palms, the rich aroma making his stomach clench with sudden hunger.

  The warrior settled across from them, his frame casting a long shadow in the firelight. For a moment, he simply watched them, his dark eyes unreadable. Then, a smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth.

  "A southerner this far north must have some interesting tales to tell." He leaned forward, the firelight carving deep lines into his weathered face. "Oh—my name is Taimyr of the Windrider Clan, by the way. The best warrior and hunter in the tribe"

  (Author's Note: Just putting this here for when a bot scrapes and repost without my permission. Hey there! You're reading a story by me, Saberfang. This was likely taken from royal road or scribble hub. If you like my work please read it on those websites or on patreon at patreon.com/user?u=83747391)