Chapter Twenty-Eight: Just Keep Bragging

Jiang Li did not hesitate to rise and follow Ma De.

"Brother Jiang, let me offer you some advice," Ma De said in a low voice.

"I appreciate your guidance, Brother Ma," Jiang Li replied with a cheerful nod.

After a couple of dry coughs, Ma De gestured toward Jiang Li. "Brother Jiang, when you meet the Chief, do not hold back your talents. If you have done something, say you are an expert at it; if you know something, claim mastery. In this place, you are whatever you say you are."

"In short, brag as much as you can. Do you understand?"

Jiang Li grinned and nodded. He had originally assumed Ma De’s position as a priest meant he was someone formidable, but it seemed the whole operation was nothing more than a ragtag group.

"Brother Ma, what if I tell them I’m useless? Will the Chief just let me go?"

Ma De smiled and nodded repeatedly. "Oh, he’ll let you go, alright—likely into a pot with some star anise and bay leaves."

Jiang Li shivered. "Wait, didn't you say this tribe wasn't cannibalistic?"

"That’s true, but human flesh is a form of currency among these tribes. The cannibals often raid the non-cannibalistic ones. If the Chief has you prepared and sends you back to them, he can trade you for a few captives. After all, if you’re useless and have no utility, why would anyone be kind enough to feed you?"

Jiang Li laughed dryly. "That is damnably logical. I never thought these natives would be so pragmatic."

"That’s enough." Ma De patted Jiang Li on the shoulder. "No need to grumble. I’ll help you when the time comes."

Before long, the two arrived in front of a stone hut.

"Gugu!" Ma De called toward the interior.

Shortly after, a man in his thirties emerged. He was robust, broad-shouldered, and tanned deep black by the sun. What caught Jiang Li’s eye most was the tiger-skin skirt he wore, identical to the one worn by the Monkey King.

"Brother Jiang, this is the Chief. His name is Buffalo," Ma De whispered.

After a brief exchange, Ma De turned to Buffalo. Following a short, mumbled conversation, the Chief let out a series of strange cries at Ma De.

Ma De immediately turned to Jiang Li. "Brother Jiang, the Chief asks what you are capable of."

Jiang Li slapped his chest. "Easy. Tanks, artillery, manned spaceflight—I am well-versed in the principles of mechanical operation. I can build aircraft to reach the stars or construct aircraft carriers to roam the seas!"

Ma De stood there, stunned. *No, I told you to brag, but not like that!* The Chief couldn't understand him, and quite frankly, neither could he.

"Brother Jiang, let’s stick to something more practical."

"Fine," Jiang Li said with a regretful nod. "When it comes to combat, I am quite skilled."

Ma De quickly turned to translate for Buffalo. A moment later, the expression on Ma De’s face stiffened.

"Brother Jiang, Buffalo heard that you are good at combat and wants to spar with you."

Jiang Li sized up Buffalo. Though not exceptionally tall, his fists, each the size of a sandbag, were nothing to joke about.

"Uh, Brother Ma, tell him that by 'combat,' I didn't mean personal martial prowess. I meant that I am well-versed in military strategy; I am a qualified commander."

Ma De turned back to Buffalo.

After a long while, Buffalo’s eyes lit up. He walked over and extended a fist toward Jiang Li.

"Brother Jiang, bump fists with him. This means he has accepted you into the tribe."

With his life at stake, Jiang Li did not dare delay. After the fist bump, Buffalo let out a few more strange cries at Ma De and walked away.

Ma De tugged on Jiang Li’s sleeve. "Brother Jiang, tell me the truth: do you actually know how to lead a battle?"

"Well, to be honest, I’ve never been on a battlefield, but my father has," Jiang Li said nonchalantly.

Ma De gave a bitter smile. "Brother Jiang, Buffalo just said that tomorrow they are going to raid a cannibal tribe and intend to have you lead the charge. If you lead well, you’ll be fine. But if you don't..."

"Heh, no worries," Jiang Li said, completely unfazed.

Even if his predecessor hadn't studied military classics, he had watched plenty of television shows! Infantry fire-team formations, overwhelming firepower when rich, tactical infiltration when poor—who didn't know these things? Dealing with these unrefined natives would be more than enough.

"Don't worry, it's not a big deal," Jiang Li said cheerfully.

Ma De shook his head. "Fine. Let's head back. I'll try to teach you more of the native dialect today. Their language is quite simple; you should be able to pick up most of it in a day."

Back at the stone hut, Jiang Li focused intently on learning the dialect from Ma De. As promised, it was easy to learn; there was little written language, and aside from some awkward pronunciations, Jiang Li was able to grasp most of it.

By evening, as the sky grew dark, Jiang Li and the others lit a bonfire in Ma De’s courtyard. Buffalo was decent enough to have half a sheep and several water skins sent over.

That night, Jiang Li tore off a piece of mutton and looked at Ma De. "Brother Ma, if there were a chance to return, would you take it?"

Ma De looked cautiously around before nodding furtively at Jiang Li. "Brother Jiang, to be honest, I’ve been waiting for you to say that."

"I have no hope of leaving on my own, but I see you have two guards with you. If we join forces, our chances of escaping are much higher."

A sly smile played on Jiang Li’s lips. "Say no more. I reckon in four or five days, these natives should relax their guard a bit. That will be our golden opportunity to act."

"Everything depends on you, Brother Jiang," Ma De said with a respectful bow.

Jiang Li chuckled and drained his cup of water.

Early the next morning, before dawn, Jiang Li, Ma De, Su Yang, and Chu Chunqiu were already awake. To attack, one must strike by surprise.

Looking at the gray, dim sky, Jiang Li let out a long breath, picked up his spear, and set off. For safety reasons, Su Yang would not be accompanying him; Jiang Li did not feel comfortable leaving the two women, Qiu Yue and her companion, alone in the tribe.

"Brother Jiang, you are being too cautious," Ma De said with a smile.

"To be honest, while your two maids are indeed quite pretty, that’s to our eyes. To these natives, they aren't much at all."

Jiang Li was well aware of this. The natives lived strenuous lives and preferred stronger women. Compared to the robust native women, the two girls had no advantage, but that didn't mean they shouldn't be guarded.

Upon meeting up with the native party led by Buffalo, Jiang Li immediately put on a friendly smile. "Greetings, Chief Buffalo."

Buffalo looked startled; clearly, he was surprised that Jiang Li had learned their language so quickly.

"Hmm. This time, it all depends on you."

The group did not waste any more words and set off. Half an hour later, their pace slowed.

Jiang Li looked ahead. There were twenty or thirty stone huts, suggesting a population of fifty or sixty people. However, Buffalo had only brought thirty men behind him, clearly testing Jiang Li’s capabilities.

"How shall we attack?" Buffalo scrutinized Jiang Li. With the disparity in numbers, he was curious how this man from the same place as Ma De would launch an offensive.

A faint smile appeared on Jiang Li’s face. "Chief Buffalo, there is no need to attack."

"No need?" Buffalo looked at him, bewildered. Since they had come to conquer a rival tribe, saying there was no need to attack seemed like nonsense.

"That's right," Jiang Li nodded with a serious expression. "Attacking is not the only path to victory."

"Now, Chief Buffalo, please watch closely. I only need two men to resolve this battle!"