Meat was still the primary food source for beastmen. Females especially relied on meat to sustain their strength. Chen Qi had observed before that eating only fish or plants for months left the females weak. There had been a reason beastmen never ate fish in the past—fish could keep them alive, but not strong.

If they hadn’t luckily come across several groups of hydrochoerus dragons later, the females might not have survived the final days of winter against the hyen-drakes.

Of course, domestication was only one reason. Another had to do with the original Rock-Mountain Tribe, which had merged into today’s Lion-Wolf Tribe. 

Chen Qi had never asked why Aze once lived alone on the wilderness plains, but it didn’t take much to guess he was very unhappy back in his old tribe. If Chen Qi went to the Lion-Wolf Tribe, Aze would definitely follow.

But how could Chen Qi let Aze live unhappily?

This world didn’t hold much emotional weight for Chen Qi. Aze was his only true anchor here. Everything he did—at the bottom of it all—was just so his mate could live a better life.

So he wouldn’t have to worry about finding food.

So he wouldn’t have to fear simply surviving.

Not only Axiang, but everyone else was listening seriously to Chen Qi’s explanation. His proposal was extremely thorough—he even marked out which animals to domesticate first.

“All of this needs to be completed this summer, so I cannot leave Qi Ze City.”

Chen Qi tapped a fingertip on one of the drawings before continuing, “However, your suggestion about exchanging goods in return for someone teaching your tribe how to construct the defenses—that we can do.”

Axiang lifted his head in surprise. He’d assumed that once Chen Qi refused, the matter was finished.

“You mean…?”

“Although I can’t leave Qi Ze City, many of our people helped with the tribe’s defenses last winter. We can send them to your tribe to teach you how to build things. But in exchange, you will need to trade with us.”

“What do you want?” Axiang leaned back in his seat with interest, eyes burning with curiosity. It was his first time seeing such a confident and intriguing male.

“You know our population is small. Besides hunting, we need a lot of manpower for construction, yet even so, progress is slow.”

Chen Qi rubbed his temples, thinking of the houses still unfinished.

“So you’ll need to send about three hundred young and strong females to help with construction. We’ll teach them thoroughly and send them back before winter.

And also fifty single males. Many of the handmade items in Qi Ze City require male participation. Ayan should have told you—our tribe’s paper, clothing, candles, and similar things are all made by males.”

“Why single?” Axiang raised a brow.

Chen Qi smiled.

“You know how it is—we have too many single females. If any of those males decide to stay in Qi Ze City before winter, you can’t stop them.”

…As if the Lion-Wolf Tribe didn’t also have far too many single females.

Looking at Chen Qi, who was smiling like a sly fox, Axiang fell silent, then turned to look at Azhang and Achu, who had been quiet the entire time.

Although he had been the one speaking with Chen Qi, these two were the chiefs of Qi Ze City—their final decision mattered most.

“So, what do you think of this exchange?” he asked.

Azhang snapped out of his thoughts. He exchanged a glance with Achu, then said they would need further discussion before agreeing.