Although Fang Yuan’s intention was exactly this, and Ge Yao had volunteered to join, Fang Yuan still said to her, «Take care of me? What care do I need from you?»
As he spoke, he gave her a glance, his tone carrying a hint of arrogance.
The girl immediately lifted her chin: «Did you know that purple poison mist drifts over the Poison Grass Prairie? Breathe it in for long and you’ll be poisoned. The Gu insects on my body can cure that. Also, the deeper into the prairie we go, the thicker the poison mist becomes, and there are wandering ghosts and spiteful spirits. By then you won’t be able to tell directions; only my Heart-Returning Gu can show the right way back.»
Gurgle…
Just as the girl was talking, her stomach suddenly growled from hunger.
Fang Yuan glanced at her belly, and the girl’s face instantly turned red.
She stammered an explanation, «Well… my Big-Stomach Horse was eaten by a Poison-Whisker Wolf. The primeval stones and dry rations were inside it.»
The Big-Stomach Horse was a riding beast, especially common in the Northern Plains. It had two stomachs; one main stomach for digestion, and a secondary one used for storing supplies.
When Gu masters of the Northern Plains migrated, they made heavy use of these horses.
Fang Yuan asked in surprise, «Your father is the chief of the Ge clan, and you’re his own daughter—why are you using such a common riding beast?»
«Hmph, he confiscated my Gu! I escaped alone—being able to lead away a Big-Stomach Horse and prepare this many supplies is already quite impressive!»
Ge Yao was outspoken, and after blurting that out, she realized her slip—her expression froze as she knew she had said too much.
«Escaped? Could it be to avoid marriage?» Fang Yuan raised an eyebrow.
The girl gasped, her big eyes round as she stared at Fang Yuan: «Do you have a Mind-Reading Gu? How did you know?»
Fang Yuan smiled; it was just a guess, but not without basis.
In the Northern Plains, women’s status was far lower than men’s. They could even be bought and sold as goods in the market. In the Southern Border, there were female clan chiefs, but not in the Northern Plains—women were not allowed to hold power.
Why was this?
This tradition traced back to the era of Giant Sun Immortal Venerable.
And in his memory, within these three years, the Northern Plains would see many heroes vying for supremacy, winds and clouds stirring. Ultimately, Hei Lou Lan, the chief of the Hei clan, would successfully seize the throne, becoming the master of the King’s Court for ten years. He would also be the most controversial steppe ruler in later generations.
Hei Lou Lan was extremely lecherous; after dominating the steppes, he gathered beauties from all clans into his harem. But on the other hand, he promoted new policies, raising women’s status and attempting to achieve gender equality.
This severely offended various interest groups, intensifying contradictions and causing upheaval in the Northern Plains’ social structure.
Thus, Hei Lou Lan only ruled as steppe lord for two years before his own clan members tricked him outside the King’s Court and assassinated him. Immediately afterward, the other clans united to overthrow the Hei clan’s rule. They then competed anew for the position of King’s Court, causing a bloodbath that lasted fully five years before gradually calming.
After that war, the steppe clans were severely weakened, leaving them vulnerable and setting the stage for their future defeat in the Central Continent’s campaign against the four regions.
Thus, many girls in the Northern Plains often chose to elope to avoid arranged marriages. The girl before him was the daughter of a clan chief, yet she had come alone to the Poison Grass Prairie. It was natural for Fang Yuan to make this guess.
Fang Yuan took out food from his Wine-Cup-Shifting Gu and handed it to Ge Yao.
The girl was evidently famished; as she wolfed the food down, she rolled her eyes and mumbled indistinctly, «The one who wants to marry me is Man Duo of the Man clan. He’s the third son of the Man clan chief—thin and short like a monkey, sickly and weak, and only a second-rank cultivator. Usually, he bullies the men and women of his clan, depending on his father, without a shred of heroism! I don’t want to marry such a loser.»
«But the Man clan is powerful; our Ge clan has just migrated here and our strength is greatly diminished. The Man clan’s bride price was also very generous, and they promised to give our Ge clan a piece of fertile grassland. My father was tempted by these and wanted to marry me off. In a fit of anger, I ran away. Hero of Changshan Yin, why don’t you just abduct me?»
The Northern Plains had rough customs, including marriage by abduction.
A bride obtained by abduction was often considered more precious than one obtained through proper matchmaking.
Fang Yuan laughed: «I’m not interested in you. Eat quickly—once you’re full, we’ll hurry on our way.»
Ge Yao’s pitch-black eyes darted again: «There’s another way: you could marry into our Ge clan. According to steppe customs, only a true warrior can possess a beauty. Even if the Man clan comes to make trouble, according to the rules, they’ll have to let that thin monkey Man Duo fight you one-on-one. Hero of Changshan Yin, you’re so strong—you’ll surely beat that boy into a pulp!»
Fang Yuan’s smile disappeared: «I said, I’m not interested in you.»
Ge Yao became even more enthusiastic, showing the typical directness and boldness of Northern Plains women: «Why aren’t you interested? Am I not beautiful? I’m the flower of the Ge clan! That Man Duo glimpsed me from afar and was so enchanted that he begged his father to propose! Hero of Changshan Yin, marrying into the Ge clan is also good for you. You’re an outsider; if you don’t marry in, you won’t be considered one of us, and you’ll be constantly ostracized and distrusted in the Northern Plains.»
Fang Yuan said solemnly, «I said, I am from the Northern Plains.»
Ge Yao giggled: «Hero, you can’t fool me. Your accent betrays your origins, and the food you eat is not the Northern Plains tea cakes and jerky. Give in to me—don’t you think our meeting was arranged by Eternal Heaven?»
Fang Yuan lowered his eyelids, a cold glint flickering obscurely, then the smile on his face gradually widened.
«Let me think it over first. You don’t have to decide so hastily.» As he spoke, he took out some primeval stones and handed them to Ge Yao.
Ge Yao nodded: «Then you should think it over carefully, very carefully.»
She took the primeval stones and said in a serious tone, «I will pay these back to you.»
Fang Yuan nodded.
Ge Yao then fell silent, focusing on absorbing energy from the primeval stones, replenishing her true essence and recovering her strength as quickly as possible.
They continued deeper into the Poison Grass Prairie. The originally thin toxic gas gradually became denser. At first it was invisible to the naked eye, but now faint purple could be seen.
«Stop! There’s a wolf pack!» Ge Yao, who was walking, suddenly halted, her eyes filled with undisguised panic.