Chapter 376 (2/2)

When he read all of this, Shao Xuan sighed. It did not matter if it was Zhi and the chief or the shaman from the other side, neither had a perfect ending. The Flaming Horn Tribe was divided into two. They saw themselves as the ones at fault.

It was evident from the scrolls left behind by Zhi and the chief that their biggest wish was for both branches of the tribe to combine as one and revert back to its initial glory. They were sure that was the only way to restore their prosperous lives.

From that chief’s scrolls, Shao Xuan read a lot about Mu Han. Mu Han and the chief had met many times so his records on the slave masters had many mentions of Mu Han.

Apparently, Mu Han was betrayed, therefore he was exiled into the arid lands. He was a genius, how else would he get himself into a situation like that? However, it was unexpected for these people in exile to find an opportunity to cross over to the other side through the ‘bridge’.

There was a line in the chief’s records: “Mu Han felt like this was paradise.”

“This” referred to the other side of the bridge where the Flaming Horn and other tribes resided. There were many ‘weak’ people there, prisoners of war, nomads etc- they were all great material for slaves because these were powerless people who had a thirst for it! These were the best slaves!

There was a huge pool of slaves to choose from, igniting the greed in Mu Han. He bore a lot of hatred, planning to one day return to kill everyone. That was when he abandoned his ‘Mu’ family name for the character “Shi”.

[Note: Shi (弑) = the assassination of an emperor or minister]

The chief knew Mu Han well and had written many comments about him. His general comment was that Mu Han did not live a fair life. He was talented and capable, yet was betrayed in the end.

Shao Xuan recalled the kings he had met in the desert cities. There were no people with the surname ‘Mu” or “Shi (弑)”... No, there was someone named “Shi (轼)”!

Did Mu Han finally repent and want his descendants to learn how to suppress their anger? Did he switch from public anger to secret tactics? Why was the vicious name of Shi (弑) was then changed to a more demure Shi (轼)...

[Note: the 杀 in 弑 symbolises killing; this part of the character was changed to 轼 of the same pronunciation. It now means a piece of wood, instead of assassination]

He thought again. It was possible! Shi Shu and the rest were the ones who secretly triggered the entire desert war!

Shi Shu’s understanding of the Flaming Horn people perhaps didn’t come from Dao Yu, but from records left by his ancestor, Mu Han. Was this possible?

It didn’t matter if this was true, he could not possibly ask Shi Shu now.

Shao Xuan read through the stuff left behind by Zhi once again, then kept them carefully.

If he could return, these would be extremely valuable records. It was Zhi’s life’s work and the results of his research on curbing the weakening of the fire seed.

Shao Xuan stretched to relieve his stiff muscles. He looked outside the window.