Chapter 178 – Singing Together (1/2)

Translated by Lesyt

The sun rose.

For some, the new day was exactly like the previous one, for others it was quite different.

For instance, those from the Feng tribe who wanted to exchange things with the travelling group were wondering what to choose and what to give in return; those who had been in charge of looking out for birds could have a rest today, as today, there was a bigger one in the sky; also, it was a special day for an old man who lived in the wanderers’ area of the Feng tribe.

To Old He, today was an exceptionally special day. Every year this day, he would go to the mountaintop, face the same direction, and worship, pray and sing songs.

He didn’t know from what time his ancestors had set the rule that every year on this day they should come here to pray and sing songs, to memorize the words passed down for centuries, as well as the name of the tribe no one knew. Old He had gotten used to coming here every year at this time, fulfilling his ancestor’s wishes, as well as his.

Every year at this time, an amazing dream would come to his mind. Everything was very clear, including the rising flames and the two horns surrounded by them. It seemed to be the same as what the ancestors had told him. Sometimes he couldn’t even tell whether he was dreaming or in reality, whether it was created by his mind or it really existed.

Did the tribe still exist? Every time he felt such confusion he would stand here, to pray and sing songs, which strengthened his conviction.

Many wanderers did not understand his behavior, some even feeling pity for him. He didn’t care, and just held on. He also really liked singing in this way. At that time he would forget all the anguish and troubles. Here was where he would sing all day long, throwing away all of his sorrows.

Today, just as how he had done in the past, he took a straw bag packed with roasted meat and a water jug, and walked up the mountain.

The mountains within the territory of the Feng tribe were not high at all. He reached the peak in no time. The old man would have preferred a higher one. But the area over there was not the territory of the Feng tribe, and he probably would not even survive the climb. He would be regarded as an intruder and be killed on the spot before he got there as well.

Standing on the green mountaintop, Old He took a deep breath, as he had done in the past years, raised his voice, and started to sing.

His song spread from the mountaintop to all nearby places. Some people heard the song, but didn’t care at all. People sang everyday. As to what the song was, they did not pay any attention, still busy with their own lives.

Standing at the mountaintop alone and facing towards one direction, Old He kept on singing. Suddenly, he heard a second voice, someone had joined him. What he sang was the Hunting Song passed down by his ancestors, which was the only song that he could sing, as he couldn’t even learn the songs of the Feng tribe.

Old He could only sing one song, but when the others sang, he would also try to follow. Others sometimes went around trying to sing his song as well, even if they didn’t know the words. The others’ and Old He’s versions were totally different, though. The former sang as if they were mourning, and the more they sang, the sadder they became, while for the latter, the more he sang the better he felt.

Maybe only people of the Flaming Horns tribe could sing such a sad song so heroically.

So, at first, when Old He heard someone singing with him, he did not pay any attention. He didn’t turn around, but still stood there and continued on.

But soon he found out that the man could manage to sing for a really long time. Not only that, the man was better than him. As to why he could tell, it was clear. The feelings the man’s singing brought were not at all as depressing as the others’, making Old He feel even more cheered up. Some tunes were obviously different from what he remembered, but Old He felt that this song should be sung in this way.

The man was right behind him, and Old He was dying to turn around to have a look, to see who the man was and ask where the man was from. But Old He did not do so. He would be showing disrespect to the ancestors if he did not finish the song.

“…To hunt for the prey, hurry on day after day, go deep in the mountain, come back with heavy bags, we’re capable of identifying and tracing the beasts..”

While singing, Old He lost himself in that amazing state again. He saw the two horns with flames appearing near but untouchable. He felt something essential missing.

After finishing the Hunting Song, Old He did not immediately recover from that state. Half an hour had passed when Old He gradually came to his senses. He remembered the man who sang with him and turned around, only to see a youngster he had never seen before.

“Hey, whose kid are you? How do you appear here?” Old He asked.

“Hmm?” Shao Xuan felt confused, “Have you seen someone else like me?”

“Who are you? What’s your name?” Old He asked after drinking some water.

“My name is Shao Xuan.” After thinking for a second, he added, “From the Flaming Horns tribe.”

Old He took a look at Shao Xuan, his eyes seemingly saying: What nonsense are you spouting.

After drinking water and resting for a while, Old He talked with Shao Xuan again, “No matter where you come from, sing with me again if you have the time.”

Shao Xuan: “….” That’s it?

After seeing the fierce and excited reaction from Yan Shuo before, Shao Xuan didn’t know how to respond to such a weak reaction. Therefore, he went over and sang the song once again with Old He.

After finishing, Old He sat on the ground to rest.

“Where do you come from?” Old He asked suddenly.