Chapter 149 – Obsession (1/2)

Translated by Idontreallycare

Being stared at by both Xing and the Shaman, Shao Xuan scratched his head, “Actually, I have been observing the river since long ago.”

“You want to let Chacha fly across?” The Shaman shook his head, “With the river being extremely wide, Chacha won’t have any place to rest. There’s also the threat of the river beasts. Even if Chacha experiences two more growth phases, he still might be unable to fly across.”

Flying without eating, drinking, or resting, the success rate naturally is slim to none.

Xing too gave Shao Xuan a look of, “Sure enough, younger people have simple thoughts.”

“No, not just Chacha flying, I’m thinking of making a boat, a simple canoe like thing. Since the giant trees in the forest are so abundant, this won’t prove to be difficult.” Shao Xuan explained.

“‘Boat’? I read about boats and rafts in the animal hides the ancestors left behind. But Shao Xuan, the river has beasts that feast upon wood so it will get torn apart.” the Shaman responded. Although he hadn’t been to the river bank that often, he had heard a lot about it. Even if they built a ship, it would disappear not long after entering the river.

“For the majority of the time it would be like that, but during the rainy season the insects that eat wood and the frightening river beasts will all leave for a period of time. They only return when the two moons eclipse.”

“What?! Is what you’re saying true?!!” Not only the Shaman, but Xing, who was looking at Shao Xuan like he was too optimistic, also couldn’t help jumping up. If what Shao Xuan said was true, then they could truly attempt to traverse the river.

Shao Xuan started speaking of his discoveries over the past few years. Of course, everything was all conjecture, but Shao Xuan knew that as long as there was a spark of hope, the Shaman would be willing to try.

When Shao Xuan finished, Xing and the Shaman became quiet, each one of them thinking deeply and analyzing the feasibility of what Shao Xuan had just said.

After quite a while, Xing was the first to speak, “If this is true, we can attempt this! Ah Xuan won’t do, this old man will personally go instead!”

The Shaman raised his gaze, making eye contact with Xing, “Do you think Chacha will listen to you?”

Xing didn’t make a sound. Although he hadn’t interacted with Chacha, after hearing his grandson and other people talk about him, Xing knew of the eagle’s temperament. Indeed, Chacha would only listen to what Shao Xuan says, so it was no good.

“Even if Chacha won’t listen, I could still use the…‘boat’!” Xing said, albeit lacking confidence. He knew that the feasibility of his words were low, it was a method of surefire death.

“I understand.” Said Xing, while gazing at the clay jar on the table then shifting his gaze to the stone. He added, “If there’s anything I need to do, just tell me directly.”

Although Xing still didn’t have a favorable impression about Shao Xuan, regarding this matter, he didn’t equivocate, thus proving his interests were the same as the Shaman’s.

At the end of the day, the most important matter was establishing the new route, something the ancestors had wanted for many years.

Since everything had already been said, the Shaman took back the stone and left the house, bringing Shao Xuan with him. As the Shaman took the stone back, Xing’s eyes were stuck on it like glue. Shao Xuan thought that if he were the one holding it, Xing wouldn’t hesitate to steal it.

This was indeed an odd thought. Shao Xuan followed behind the Shaman, and thinking about Xing’s reaction, laughed at the idea. Perhaps for the tribe members, his own thoughts were weirder.

Waiting until the Shaman and Shao Xuan had left, Xing looked towards the colored jar, gently caressing it. Tears were streaming down the cheeks of his aged face as he was half crying while half smiling

After a good while, waiting until his mood had somewhat stabilized, he carefully put the jar back. He then opened the window and stared outside lost in thought.

Outside, he was met with a curtain of pitch black.

Winter was coming, and the darkest time of the year was about to arrive. The darkness brought with it feelings of repression, but the heart warred against this, until emotions broke through.

Inside the house, the fire was burning, the timber wood making crackling noises.

Xing sat back down on the wooden chair, gradually recalling everything Shao Xuan had said. Deciding it wasn’t enough, he pulled out a sheet of animal hide, and then personally imparted everything that had happened today.

Tuk tuk tuk!

Someone knocked on Xing’s wooden door.

After the Shaman and Shao Xuan left, Xing once again opened his door. His family members knew that they couldn’t just enter and had to knock first and be permitted.

If one did not receive permission and entered, the consequences would be grave. And so, when Xing’s family members saw the Shaman directly entering with Shao Xuan, they all flew far away, not daring to eavesdrop on their conversation. Only after the pair had left did they come back.

“Grandpa?” Standing outside the door was Lei.

“Come in.” Xing responded.

Lei moved away from the door, entering the room. He wanted to speak, but after seeing that Xing’s state was uncommon, Lei paused. Not daring to recklessly ask what had caused this, he repressed his curiosity.

“Grandpa, just now, was the Shaman here to let Ah Xuan enter the 30 man group?”

Xing did not respond.

Lei didn’t know what had happened to his grandpa, and raising his gaze, he saw his grandpa absentmindedly staring at the fire, lost in his thoughts.