Chapter 404 (1/2)

The Crocodiles in the River

After two sleepless days of continuous work, Shao Xuan drew his final conclusion on an animal skin scroll.

Although there were parts of the cauldron’s patterns that he hadn’t understood yet, he already knew a lot from the stuff he figured out.

The cloud patterns surrounding the cauldron was more like a pointer.

The cauldrons made by Xia people- no, not just cauldrons, other wares too, had cloud patterns like this too. Just as Zheng Luo said, cloud patterns like this were different from the decorative cloud patterns made by other forgers. These patterns had secrets in them-- right under everyone’s noses and yet no one could decipher them.

These cloud patterns were complicated yet every successful Xia person was fluent in it. It was like a secret code. Even the Taihe people’s ancestors could not imitate despite wanting to. Not just that, after deciphering the patterns, Shao Xuan felt like there were larger secrets in the cloud patterns. Perhaps a secret related to the Xia people or something else more important.

What were the Xia people the best at? Casting and forging!

The legends denote that the most delicate, secret wares were works of the Xia people. The round Ding cauldrons that they made were perfect spheres. As for why there was a failed cauldron, Shao Xuan didn’t know. However, from what other people said, the Xia people were powerful.

Would the secret be related to casting and forging?

According to the message he deciphered from the message, it talked about a place where only ‘true’ Xia descendants had visited before. Anyone who failed to visit this place was considered a failure of the Xia people.

Shao Xuan did not know how old these patterns were but it must have been at least a thousand years. They’d existed before the Flaming Horn tribe came here!

Casting and forging… Shao Xuan was very interested. If he could master this, he didn’t need to learn everything- just half of their knowledge would be more than enough. It would be a huge leap for the bronzeware in his tribe. The Flaming Horn people were quite backwards in terms of forging wares. This branch is decent but the other branch did not even own metal weapons. However, they had the core seed. One day, if they could return, everyone would share the skills.

As for the patterns on the three legs of the cauldron, they represented three characters-- Gong Jia Mountain!

In the end, he realised the patterns all pointed towards Gongjia Mountain.

Was this the main settlement of the Xia people? Or maybe this was where their ancestors were before their people scattered?

No matter what, Shao Xuan planned to visit this place according to the map given. If he found the place, Shao Xuan’s efforts would not be wasted.

In the end, Shao Xuan decided to go alone. There was no say this how long this trip in search of a place would take. There were still trades where Duo Kang and Guang Yi had to lead teams to, plus Chief Zheng Luo had to be at the village to lead. The place Shao Xuan was going to was not somewhere they were familiar with so they couldn’t help with navigation either.

“Since I could come here alone, I will be able to go to other places alone too. Don’t worry,” said Shao Xuan to the chief and the shamaness.

They were still very worried. They gave him weapons and all types of medicine.

Shao Xuan did not refuse their kindness either, taking the sword and the shamaness’ medicine. The shamaness taught him about their functions and he memorised them.

“It doesn’t matter if you can’t find Gongjia Mountain, your life is more important than knowing how to forget things,” reminded the shamaness again. She told him to not risk his life if he was too difficult.

Chief Zheng Luo said the same. Although the cloud patterns could likely describe the Xia people’s secret to casting and forging, he cared more about Shao Xuan. This person was the only person from the other side, plus he was an Elder recognised by their ancestors. If something happened to him, would their ancestors still watch over them? Zheng Luo still wanted to be able to visit the other branch of the tribe while he was still alive.

“Alright, I understand.” Shao Xuan nodded.

What do you understand?! The shamaness and the chief chided. They had no choice. They weren’t worried about more matured people like Guang Yi but Shao Xuan was still a young man. They did not trust a young person’s temper and behaviour.