Chorong tried one last time to persuade her.
"You're leaving already? You really won't stay one more night?"
"No."
"Alright then." Chorong sighed. "There are so many spinning machines. The two of you can't carry them all by yourselves. Let us escort them for you."
"We can just disassemble them," Hayoon replied. "I can store some of the parts in my storage space. Minho, how much room do you have?"
Minho said, "Leave them all with me."
"Alright," Hayoon replied.
Chorong let out a helpless sigh.
"Hayoon, it really is difficult to find a way to help you."
Hayoon smiled softly.
"In that case," Chorong said as he handed something over, "take this with you."
Hayoon looked down and realized it was a knife forged from blacksilver.
The blade was slightly shorter than her forearm, heavy in her hand, and its edge gleamed with a silvery metallic sheen.
Even Chorong's small blacksilver knife was said to be worth more than a hundred high-quality pottery pieces in trade.
Hayoon did not even dare imagine the value of a blade this large.
Her eyes widened immediately, and she waved her hands in refusal.
"It's far too valuable. I can't accept it."
But Chorong remained firm.
"Hayoon, please take it. This was the decision of the entire tribe."
Hayoon shook her head.
"But haven't we already agreed on the supplies you'll be giving me?"
Chorong replied, "You've helped us so much. You taught us cooking, weaving, and spinning thread. Most importantly, you helped us improve our kiln. How could those supplies alone ever be enough?
"We wanted to give you chili peppers as well, but we still haven't managed to find them."
"The Voz-Karr Tribe doesn't take advantage of friends. We would feel terrible letting you leave like this."
"No matter what, you have to accept this blacksilver knife."
Hayoon continued shaking her head.
Nearby, Ahri and the others grew anxious and joined in trying to persuade her.
"Hayoon, just accept it! A blacksilver knife can be traded for as long as someone has enough supplies. But the knowledge to build spinning machines isn't something that can be bought with supplies alone. What you've left for us is far more valuable than what we're giving you."
"Exactly! We've seen how hard you've worked these past few days. You even left us two extra spinning machines this afternoon. We honestly don't know how to thank you."
"There will be many opportunities for cooperation between our two tribes in the future. Giving you this knife is partly for our own benefit too."
"And if you come up with any other useful tools in the future, please consider selling them to us!"
Everyone was so enthusiastic that they simply refused to let Hayoon leave unless she accepted it.
After spending a long time going back and forth outside Chorong's cave, Hayoon finally gave in, touched by their sincerity.
"Alright," she said. "I'll accept it. Thank you, everyone."
Everyone erupted into cheers and excited celebration.
"That's wonderful!"
With a solemn expression, Chorong held out the knife with both hands.
His smile was sincere as he said, "For the friendship between our two tribes."
Hayoon responded just as seriously, "For the friendship between our two tribes."
After packing all their belongings, Hayoon climbed onto the back of the pure white giant serpent and waved to the people gathered to see them off.
Everyone wore bright smiles and enthusiastically told her that she would always be welcome to visit again.
Chorong and several other werebeast escorted them for a long distance.
The sun had already disappeared below the horizon.
The evening breeze carried away the day's heat, and the forest lay dark beneath the night sky.
Hayoon turned around and called out, "Chief Chorong, you should head back now. If you keep escorting us, you'll leave your tribe's territory."
The enormous crimson fox, standing over ten meters tall when upright, stopped in the middle of the path.
Behind him stood several equally massive leopards and giant wolves.
He spoke in a deep, powerful voice.
"Then travel safely. Goodbye."
Hayoon smiled and waved.
"Goodbye."
The pure white giant serpent turned its head and swayed forward.
With a few swift movements, it disappeared into the depths of the forest.
After parting ways with Chorong and the others, Minho increased his speed once more.
Hayoon lowered her body against his back as the scenery rushed past around them.
The wind whipped against her ears so fiercely that they almost hurt.
About two hours later, they finally returned to the Ur-Shet Tribe.
The werebeast on patrol that night was Sulwoo.
He spotted them from far away and shouted loudly, "Minho! Hayoon! You're back!"
The familiar surroundings and familiar werebeast filled Hayoon with both excitement and comfort.
A strong sense of belonging rose within her.
She shouted back, "That's right! We're back!"
Minho opened his mouth and let out a low roar.
After meeting up with them, Sulwoo immediately began talking nonstop.
"You've been gone for several days. The tribe hasn't felt the same without you! So, how did everything go? Did it all work out smoothly? Oh, right, have you eaten yet? That kid Haeun should be home. These past few days we've been helping him feed the cattle, water the crops, and gather firewood."
Hayoon smiled and replied, "Everything went quite smoothly. We've already eaten, and thank you all for helping out. Sulwoo, Minho and I need to head home first, but I have one favor to ask."
Sulwoo pounded his chest confidently.
"Just say it!"
"Please pass a message to Aunt Immo and the others. Tell them I have something to show them and ask them to come over early tomorrow morning."
"No problem! I'll make sure they hear about it!"
Minho was moving quickly in his beast form, so Sulwoo simply transformed into a fluffy giant white bear as well.
His massive paws thudded against the ground as he followed them for several steps.
Curiously, he asked, "What kind of good thing is it? Can I come take a look too?"