C27 Strength and Wine

The Bear-men were massive creatures, and one could only truly grasp the enormity of their presence when standing face-to-face with them. The sheer size exuded a formidable pressure.

Several Cat-man warriors began to tremble uncontrollably. It wasn't a sign of cowardice; rather, it was an innate racial oppression that they couldn't shake off.

"I've come to propose a trade with your tribe. Please summon your chieftain," Qingyou requested, her gaze steady and assertive as she met the eyes of the speaking Bear-man.

"Hahaha, a trade? You think your tiny dried fish are worth bartering with us? Sorry, we don't have a taste for that. Better head back while we're still in a good mood," the two Bear-men guffawed, clearly underestimating Qingyou and her companions.

Boom!

Amidst their arrogant laughter, Qingyou suddenly erupted in a blaze of intense fire. The flames soared three meters into the air, startling the Bear-men into a hasty retreat, singeing their fur in the process.

"Magic... a mage!" they exclaimed, their bear eyes wide with astonishment.

All beasts inherently revered mages, and witnessing Qingyou's display, the Bear-men's regard for her visibly shifted.

"Now, can we have a proper conversation?" Qingyou extinguished the flames and asked calmly.

"What's the trade? Unless it's something of great importance, there's no need to bother the chieftain," the Bear-men responded, exchanging a glance.

"Wine."

"Wine!" At the mention of wine, the Bear-men's eyes bulged, and drool began to seep from the corners of their mouths.

A subtle smile graced Qingyou's delicate features, seeing their eagerness. The Bear-men had a penchant for wine, yet the beastmen's food supplies were limited, leaving little to spare for brewing.

The rarer the commodity, the more it stirred their cravings. Offering wine was an irresistible temptation for the Bear-man Clan.

"All of this? Both carts?" The Bear-man's gaze turned to the two carts behind Qingyou, his eyes alight with longing.

"Yes."

"Let us sample it first. If it's truly fine wine, we'll fetch the chieftain for you."

"Help yourselves."

Qingyou could tell that the two Bear-men were simply craving a taste and looking to take advantage of their positions to enjoy a few swigs of wine. Since there was plenty left, he saw no harm in letting them have a bit and agreed without hesitation.

Eagerly, the two Bear-men dashed to the cart and reached for the wine barrel.

A barrel that required the strength of two Cat-man warriors to lift was effortlessly hoisted by one hand of the Bear-men.

Ripping off the seal with brute force, they hoisted the barrel over their heads and guzzled down the wine in large gulps.

The sound of their swallowing was incessant. Watching the Bear-men drink so heartily, the escorting Cat-man warriors couldn't help but salivate.

"Ha! That's some fine wine! Excellent stuff!"

One of the Bear-men exclaimed after downing an entire barrel in one go, wiping his mouth with satisfaction.

"Indeed, it's top-notch. Brewed from fresh rice, it has a rich flavor," Qingyou responded with a chuckle.

"Great! We'll go fetch the chief for you. Just wait here, and you'll be at ease."

Convinced by the display of strength and after enjoying the wine, the two Bear-men wholeheartedly embraced Qingyou's proposal for trade. They strode off with purpose towards the village, eager to summon the chief.

The aroma of the wine and the buzz of conversation drew the curiosity of many Bear-men, who watched Qingyou's caravan from a distance, their gazes drifting towards the barrels on the cart.

"Cat-men, our chief agrees to meet with you. Please, come inside."

A robust voice called out from within the tribe, just as the Cat-man warriors tensed up, wary of the Bear-men potentially coming to seize the wine.