Closer to Revealing My True Self-Chapter 735 - 471: If I’m Not Mistaken_1

This distinct temperament was indeed beyond the Chieftain’s usual understanding of an "Alliance Inspection Bureau expert," prompting him to question the visitor’s identity.

Having lived in the tribe for so many years, he had seen quite a few experts from the Alliance Inspection Bureau, but none of them was like this...

Uh...

So...

Forget it, looking back and forth, he just doesn’t seem like an expert!

The Chieftain had already learned about the guest’s arrival and his activities in the village from the villagers. Even though the guest had shown his credentials, fake documents can be made to look very real!

The young men in the village could have been fooled; he had to see for himself!

But there was no rush—the sky was already dark, and the visitor would be staying the night here.

After all, the guest was alone, and this was their tribal territory!

The Chieftain patiently observed discreetly from the sidelines.

Feng Yi was well aware of the Chieftain’s presence, but since the other party hadn’t immediately interrupted the bartering process, he decided to cooperate for the time being—besides, he was busy right now!

Feng Yi continued with the purchases. ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com

The whole process looked casual, as if he believed everything the villagers said, but in truth, it was not the case.

For instance, with the grilled meat or jerky, he could tell whether the raw material was a protected animal, what species it was, and which part of the animal it came from just by smell—no chance of fooling him!

Whether or not the villagers were lying, he could tell by reading their emotional information.

So, although Feng Yi seemed reckless and appeared to be an easy mark with money to burn, he knew exactly what he was doing. It wasn’t all about the food—there were other considerations.

He had brought plenty of cash; he wasn’t short of money, but he also wasn’t a fool easily parted from his money. He had inquired about the prices before coming, and even with fluctuations, they shouldn’t exceed a certain range.

It wasn’t that Feng Yi was stingy; it was that one couldn’t easily disrupt the pricing rules here.

He could pay more, but what about when other survey teams come here next time?

The stable pricing in this area, hard-won, should not be disturbed.

Therefore, Feng Yi still paid the standard prices for supplies, he just bought in larger quantities.

Buying more meant that the villagers earned more, leaving both parties very satisfied.

Feng Yi: I’m hungry, I understand, I know what I’m doing!

Villager: Good man! Honored guest! He’s splashing the cash!

The atmosphere was incredibly harmonious, with both host and guest thoroughly enjoying themselves.

Feng Yi thought to himself: Only a tribe that frequently interacts with the outside world could decisively offer so many satisfactory goods!

All he had to do was hand over the cash, no need for much talking... Well, still a bit of talking was necessary.

Literally.

He also had to taste.

Local flavors might not suit foreigners, but Feng Yi adjusted quite well.

The Chieftain watched in astonishment.

If he hadn’t confirmed that there was only one visitor today, he might have thought there was an entire expedition here!

This lone guest had managed to create the impression of a whole team during the trade process.

The village was small, and the population limited, so the extraordinary trading session finally came to an end.

As the crowd dispersed, the enthusiasm didn’t fade, but the increasingly dark sky limited the villagers’ excitement, and the children watching the activity were called back into their houses.

Many villagers invited Feng Yi to visit their homes when he was free. Perhaps there was something else that caught his eye?

The Chieftain approached and introduced himself, clearly stating his identity.

His tone was fairly cordial, "Welcome, traveler from afar! Are you... an expert from the Alliance Inspection Bureau? May I see your credentials?"

"Of course."

Feng Yi handed over his credentials.

During this process, the Chieftain closely observed Feng Yi’s subtle expressions and movements.

But Feng Yi had nothing to hide and was not the least bit nervous.

The Chieftain took the credentials and meticulously examined them, not overlooking any detail of the security features.

After thoroughly checking them, he had to admit that this guest was indeed a certified expert from the Alliance Inspection Bureau!

And a herpetologist at that!

It was incredible!

Given this, the Chieftain temporarily set aside his doubts. Although he didn’t understand, he still showed the due respect to a certified expert from the Alliance Inspection Bureau.

At this moment, another villager ran over, paused his smile upon seeing the Chieftain there and, after saluting and receiving the Chieftain’s nod of approval, continued with a smile to Feng Yi:

"Honored guest, your room is ready! You can rest whenever you wish!"

The guesthouse was not far away, with an open window Feng Yi glanced towards.

Inside, the hammock was already set up. The pattern was the locals’ favorite, and it looked rather new.

Here, the bed meant a hammock. If there were guests, the hammock would be strung up, and one would sleep on it at night.

"If you don’t like it, we can change to another one," said the villager.

"This one is quite nice. Thank you," Feng Yi replied.

Feng Yi remembered this villager.

This villager had a considerable stock of supplies at home and had made a good profit today, displaying genuine enthusiasm at the moment.

There were quite a few mosquitoes here, but the guest room had already been fumigated with herbs. The smell drifting in the air confirmed this for Feng Yi.

There was no electricity here, but they had emergency equipment like solar-powered charging lights. Typically, if a guest did not ask proactively and pay a deposit, the villagers would not easily bring these out.

Such items were considered important in this place.

However, the villagers had already thoughtfully prepared all sorts of items, demonstrating utmost care and consideration.

The villagers were no longer worried that Feng Yi would skip the bill when it was time to settle accounts.

But Feng Yi did not immediately go to his room to rest. The Chieftain wanted to talk with him.

Feng Yi asked the villager to help move his supplies into the room, and then he followed the Chieftain.

Having eaten a lot, it was good to take a walk first.

It wasn’t dark yet, and the Chieftain’s house had no lights on. Using electricity was inconvenient here, and at night, it was not suitable to have lights on unless all doors and windows were shut tight.

The Chieftain poured Feng Yi a cup of water, sat down opposite him, and observed this guest closely.

In his lifetime, he might encounter hundreds, or even more, experts. After many years, when he was about to return to the rainforest, he would remember one with a unique aura, an expert who conducted himself in a detached manner.

The Chieftain originally wanted to ask Feng Yi what he was researching in the rainforest, but the question changed on his lips, "You bought so much food, do you have other companions nearby?"

"Just me," said Feng Yi.

The Chieftain paused, deeply puzzled, "The conditions for preparing our food are limited, and in the rainforest environment, it cannot be preserved for long—you need to consume it quickly."

Feng Yi responded, "Don’t worry, I can."

He wanted to say, "I eat a lot, one meal lasts me a very long time," but that sounded too strange to say.

So he said instead, "I am indeed hungry, have a good appetite, and digest quickly."

The Chieftain still didn’t understand, "You bought so much, how will you take it all with you?"

Feng Yi replied, "Eat a part, take a part."

During his conversation with the Chieftain, Feng Yi also took in the very traditional-style reception room.

It was clear that the Chieftain was a man of taste.

As the absolute authority of the tribe, even in displaying friendliness, there was an invisible pressure.

In this thoughtfully arranged interior, the strange patterns, illogical arrangements, the combination of the primitive and the savage—domineering and arrogant, the psychological pressure created by visual and olfactory senses, all made the visitors feel the mysterious and perilous aspects of the rainforest.

The pressure was immense.

But Feng Yi was immune to such pressure.

He was even looking among the decorations for a suitable souvenir to buy and take back.

His eyes settled on one, and Feng Yi pointed politely, "May I take a look at that one, please?"

The Chieftain looked towards the wall hung with various ornaments, his expression unchanged:

"Which one?"

"The one woven with red, yellow, green, and black colors, the pattern that looks a bit like a skull," said Feng Yi.

The Chieftain’s gaze flickered for a moment but quickly settled as he calmly said, "I’m very sorry, it has special significance for our tribe. According to our tribal customs, outsiders are not allowed to touch it!"

It was "not allowed."

And delivered with conviction.

In such a context, forceful actions without permission would be met with "tribal courtesy."

Feng Yi did not give up and looked again at the ornament on the wall.

The creator had used dyed grass ropes, wrapping and weaving over the object to conceal its original form.

This ornament was indeed a symbol of the tribe’s power, only found in the Chieftain’s house.

But the claim that outsiders were not allowed to touch it was questionable.

Feng Yi didn’t say much more, just smiled slightly, took out his authority’s expert identification, and gestured the Chieftain to look at the professional type introductions on the certificate.

Snake expert.

The Chieftain’s facial muscles tensed, and he remained silent.

Feng Yi continued, "If I’m not mistaken, that should be a vertebra from some kind of snake."

The muscles in the Chieftain’s face grew even more rigid. He wasn’t particularly worried or afraid, just his gaze deepened as he contemplated how to address the present complication.

He had to admit that someone so young, who could become a certified expert of the authority, definitely had the skills and shouldn’t be underestimated!

Feng Yi said with a smile, "Don’t be nervous, the current laws won’t hold past actions accountable. If I’m not mistaken, this vertebra must be two hundred years old? No, older—probably more than three hundred years."

Let alone two or three hundred years, even twenty or thirty years ago, many animals now classified as protected nationally were merely food for people at that time.

Feng Yi’s words only dispelled a trivial concern in the Chieftain’s mind, but Feng Yi’s attitude left the Chieftain deep in thought.

He really did not want to hear another "If I’m not mistaken" from Feng Yi!

After a long silence, the Chieftain finally sighed, "Worthy of being an expert from the authority!"

It was so well disguised by the grass rope, how on earth did you see through it?!

To even precisely say, "a snake’s vertebra"!

Has the authority’s expert level reached such heights?!