I paused for a moment, not leaving immediately. Instead, I pulled the warrior aside and found a quiet corner.
"Brother, Ada and I are good friends. He just left my place. Why didn't he mention that the Great King wanted to see me?"
I looked intently at the warrior, awaiting his answer.
The High Priest, at this moment, held absolute power within the Du'an tribe. The assassins he had dispatched yesterday had failed, and he would undoubtedly not let the matter rest.
When I was young, there was an episode in the Water Margin that left a deep impression on me, about Lin Chong being falsely accused and led into White Tiger Hall.
Although this possibility was slim, what if the High Priest had sent someone to impersonate an order, lure me to a secluded spot, and eliminate me? Tu Tu, for my sake, wouldn't dare to defy the High Priest.
"This is a direct command from the Great King just now. I don't know what happened. The Great King has already sent people to notify Brother Ada and the High Priest. Brother Ba Du, please come with me quickly."
Seeing that the warrior didn't seem to be lying, I believed him.
On the way to the King's tent, I couldn't help but ponder.
It's one thing after another. Judging by the warrior's words, this matter has nothing to do with the High Priest.
Could there be trouble in the Du'an tribe? But why would they summon me as well?
After all, I'm just someone who recently joined the Du'an tribe and don't have much of a say.
Am I supposed to be a pawn?
In the blink of an eye, I arrived in front of the King's tent. Just as I reached the entrance, I heard a fierce argument raging inside.
"No! These people are coming for us! I will never allow the honor of the Du'an tribe to be defiled!"
That was Tu Tu's voice, deep and angry, like a lion guarding its territory.
Tu Tu and the High Priest are arguing?
I cleared my throat lightly, lifted the tent flap, and walked in.
As soon as I entered, I saw the High Priest and Tu Tu standing before an unrolled beast hide, locked in a heated dispute. Ada stood behind Tu Tu, his face also filled with anger.
Upon seeing me enter, Tu Tu glanced at me before extending his hand, motioning for me to come to his side.
As soon as I reached Tu Tu, my gaze was immediately captivated by the enormous beast hide.
The hide looked ancient. Its originally dark fur had become smooth and lustrous from countless touches.
Numerous simple patterns had been scratched onto it with a dagger, along with markings in the barbarian language.
This was actually a map of the island's interior!
My eyes instantly blazed with fervor. This was a treasure, likely passed down through generations of the Du'an tribe to create such a thing.
If I possessed it, my island survival would instantly become simple mode.
It not only marked mountains and rivers, but even the gathering places of wild beasts, making it incredibly detailed.
"Ba Du, your former tribe was not far from the Land of the Outcasts. Tell me, what happened there?"
The Land of the Outcasts?
My eyes darted, and I immediately recalled what Ke Ya had told me about this place – it was where the failed and faithless tribes of the island were exiled.
"I've never been there, but before my tribe was annihilated, some tribesmen told me there had been some activity there."
I maintained a calm expression. Since Tu Tu brought up this place, it meant something had happened there. A vague answer would suffice.
After hearing my response, Tu Tu's face remained impassive. He simply tapped the Land of the Outcasts on the map forcefully with his finger.
"Our tribesmen who went out hunting told me that the people in the Land of the Outcasts, using some unknown method, have managed to come out into the open!"
"Fortunately, their numbers are not large, about thirty to fifty. But the bad news is, they are heading for our Du'an tribe!"
Tu Tu paused here, looking at me meaningfully.
"Ba Du, what are your thoughts?"
Damn it, they want me to be a pawn!
Though I was unhappy inside, I unhesitatingly placed my left fist over my heart and offered Tu Tu a warrior's salute.
"Fortunately, the Great King took me in and gave me a place to stay. I am willing to lead men to annihilate these exiles!"
Seeing my reaction, Tu Tu was pleased. He waved his hand and turned to command Ada behind him.
"Go and summon thirty of the tribe's strongest warriors. Tomorrow morning, they will go and kill those failures who dare to offend the Du'an tribe!"
"Yes!"
Ada acknowledged. As for the High Priest, who had remained silent since I entered the King's tent, after Tu Tu made his decision, he gave me a cold glance and left directly.
Where did I offend him now?
I felt somewhat bewildered, but since my relationship with the High Priest was already one of irreconcilable enmity, I didn't care about adding another debt.
Tu Tu paid no mind to the High Priest's abrupt departure. Instead, he smiled and patted my shoulder.
"Ba Du, this is your opportunity. Do not disappoint me."
I understood Tu Tu's underlying meaning. Although I had saved Ada, I was merely Ada's benefactor.
Tu Tu, despite his pleasant words earlier, had never truly considered me one of his own.
Now, as long as I successfully eliminated those people on this mission, it would be equivalent to offering my pledge of allegiance, truly becoming one of Tu Tu's own!
Only then might I have a chance to find a way to remove the black spider.
"Yes, Great King!"