Landlord in the Arctic

Chapter 315 - 255: Purpose (2)

As the dance concluded, the pounding of feet and sonorous chanting gradually faded.

The people of the Wild Bull Tribe gathered around the roasted ox. Lulu stood before it, holding a small knife, and gently pressed it against the animal’s belly.

Applying gentle pressure, he slowly slid the knife in. It sliced open the hide, and fat began to ooze down the blade, dripping into the fire pit below and sending up a few sparks.

With steady, practiced movements, Lulu widened the incision bit by bit until it was large enough to fit his hand.

Then, taking a deep breath, with a look of reverence in his eyes, he slowly reached his hand into the belly of the beast.

After rummaging around for a moment, he pulled out the roasted heart.

The heart was deep in color, glistening with a slight sheen of oil and emitting a tantalizing aroma.

Lulu carefully placed the heart and the knife on a wooden platter. He then lifted the platter with both hands, his expression as solemn as if he were performing a sacred sacrifice.

He then carried the platter to Chief Welta, bowed slightly, and raised it high over his head in a display of utmost reverence.

With a gentle smile, Chief Welta extended both hands to accept the platter. After only a brief glance at the heart, he turned and presented it to Feng Shan.

"Feng, to us, the Assabas People, the heart of the American Bison is the most prized part. It is sacred, and only our most honored guest is worthy of partaking in it."

’American Bison?’

’But in Alaska, American Bison are a protected species. They’re protected under both state and federal law, and it’s illegal to hunt, kill, or trade them.’

Feng Shan froze. Staring at the roasted heart before him, he was momentarily at a loss for what to do.

’Thoughts churned in his mind.’

’He never imagined the Wild Bull Tribe would kill an American Bison just to host him.’

’Of course, there had to be a reason for such a grand gesture.’

’Whatever the Elder Chief wanted from him, it was surely nothing simple. This was meant to make it impossible for him to refuse.’

He looked up at the Elder Chief. The old man’s face still wore a gentle smile, but Feng Shan felt he could detect a hint of expectation behind it.

Though Feng Shan was wary, he knew he couldn’t refuse the heart.

After all, at such a formal ceremony and in the face of the Wild Bull Tribe’s warm and lavish reception...

Refusing would not only be a slight to the Elder Chief, it would also be a grave sign of disrespect for the entire Wild Bull Tribe’s traditions and customs.

It could even damage their future relationship.

With that in mind, Feng Shan picked up the small knife, sliced off a piece of the heart, and after a moment’s hesitation, put it in his mouth.

’Well, to be honest, it was awful.’

A rank, gamey taste filled his mouth and refused to fade.

He forced himself to chew a few times, trying to adapt to the unique flavor.

But the gamey taste only intensified, mingling with some other strange, unidentifiable flavor that nearly made Feng Shan gag.

’It was right up there with the infamous cuisine of the Inuit.’

In the end, Feng Shan suppressed the urge to gag and forced the piece of heart down. He even managed to squeeze out a smile and nod at the Elder Chief.

"The flavor... is excellent."

The members of the Wild Bull Tribe inside the tent broke into satisfied smiles, viewing Feng Shan’s gesture as a sign of respect and acceptance of their customs. Their faces shone with pride and relief.

The Elder Chief nodded as well, a flicker of approval in his eyes. He then raised a hand to signal, and the tribespeople sat down to share the lavish feast.

The roasted bison was carved into chunks, releasing a tantalizing aroma. It was served alongside dishes made from corn, beans, and squash, as well as perfectly roasted potatoes and sweet potatoes. The lively banquet had officially begun.

And Lulu, ever so thoughtfully, sliced the heart and arranged the pieces in front of Feng Shan.

’Are you fucking kidding me? He’s doing this on purpose!’

’You all get to eat the meat, and I’m stuck with this crap.’

Feng Shan had half a mind to flip the table.

The rank taste seemed to be swirling at the back of his throat, leaving an unspeakably awful feeling.

The Elder Chief at his side seemed to notice his predicament and discreetly gestured with his hand.

In no time, a tribesman swiftly carved off a piece of rib meat and respectfully placed it before Feng Shan.

The Elder Chief said with a warm, friendly smile,

"Feng, try the bison meat. The tribe slaughtered this American Bison especially to welcome you. Normally, we only slaughter one for the Winter Solstice festival."

Hearing the Elder Chief’s words and looking at the tender, juicy piece of rib meat before him, Feng Shan’s anger subsided slightly.

But for now, looking at the fragrant, tempting rib meat, Feng Shan decided not to dwell on it. He would taste the bison meat first.

He used his knife to cut off a piece and put it in his mouth.

The first sensation was one of firmness and density. It didn’t yield to his teeth as easily as ordinary beef; every fiber seemed to tell the story of its galloping power in the wild.

As he chewed, he found the meat wonderfully elastic, with a rich, primal aroma unlike the mild fragrance of ordinary beef. It was a deeper, more potent flavor.

As the juices flooded his mouth, they carried a unique, mellow richness. A faint sweetness was followed by a subtle hint of wildness, a stark contrast to the much simpler flavor of beef.

"This is fantastic. It’s the most delicious beef I’ve ever had," Feng Shan praised without reservation.

Upon hearing the praise, the Elder Chief’s spirits soared. His wrinkled face broke into a joyous smile, his eyes narrowing into happy slits.

He raised his hand and gestured to his tribesmen. Taking the cue, they deftly cleared away the unpalatable heart from in front of Feng Shan, replacing it with fragrant roasted bison and grilled vegetables.

’Looking at this normal, delicious food...’

’Now *this* is more like it!’

Feng Shan breathed an inward sigh of relief.

After taking a sip of juice to calm his nerves, he looked at the Elder Chief and asked the question that had been weighing on his mind.

"Chief, your tribe welcomed me with such a grand ceremony. Is there something I can help you with?"

Hearing Feng Shan’s question, Chief Welta froze for a second. The smile on his face stiffened for an instant, and the cup of juice he was raising to his lips paused in mid-air.

He seemed to have not expected Feng Shan to ask the question so directly. After a brief, dazed moment, Chief Welta slowly set down his cup.

Next, the Elder Chief turned to his people, an inscrutable look in his eyes, as if silently issuing a command.

As if on cue, the tribespeople who had been enjoying the feast stopped what they were doing. One by one, they rose and filed out of the tent, their steps quiet and orderly.

Before long, only Feng Shan and the Elder Chief remained in the once-bustling tent. In the vast, empty space, only the bonfire crackled, its leaping flames casting dancing shadows on their faces and making the atmosphere all the more serious.

Only then did the Elder Chief turn his gaze back to Feng Shan, a solemn look in his eyes.

"Feng, I wish to obtain the blessing of the Spirit of All Things."

"??" Feng Shan was completely bewildered.

’The blessing of the Spirit of All Things.’

’What on earth did that mean?’

Feng Shan looked at the Elder Chief’s solemn expression, but he couldn’t make heads or tails of it. He could only stare blankly at the old man, waiting for him to explain.

The Elder Chief simply continued to gaze at Feng Shan before speaking quietly.

"The Kaktovik Tribe... the whale skeleton... the Land of the Falling Whale, blessed by the Spirit of All Things."

Those few simple words were like a key, unlocking a door in Feng Shan’s memory. He instantly understood what the Elder Chief meant.

He recalled his experience on the coast by the Kaktovik Tribe. By a stroke of luck, he had caused a whale skeleton to become the tribe’s spiritual totem.

Because of that, the Kaktovik Tribe had received a kind of totemic blessing. The entire tribe was steeped in an atmosphere of protection, and their lives had become increasingly prosperous.

The Elder Chief now looked like a child who’d had his lollipop stolen. His face was filled with indignation, and his tone was laced with resentment.

"The Eskimos are unworthy of the Spirit of All Things’ gift! The Assabasca people are the Spirit’s true descendants! The Wild Bull Tribe should be the one to receive its blessing! That sacred blessing rightfully belongs to us, but now it’s been seized by a bunch of barbarians. It’s utterly unfair!"

The Elder Chief grew more agitated as he spoke, leaning forward slightly, his eyes filled with urgency and longing.

"Feng, if you help the Wild Bull Tribe obtain this blessing, we are prepared to give you anything. Shares in the Arctic Slope Regional Corporation, shares in the Petroleum Pipeline Company, payment in US Dollars—it’s all on the table. You just have to name your price."

"We truly hope to receive the blessing of the Spirit of All Things. If you can help us fulfill our wish, we are willing to offer all the resources of the Wild Bull Tribe as compensation."

...