Chapter 606 (1/2)

The actions of the Drumming tribe shook Yang Sui to the core. Although he didn’t know that they would have made the decision so quickly but as soon as he felt the movements of their fire seed he knew that it was worth a try.

After dragging on for so long, Yang Sui had no more patience to drag it on any longer. Just as everyone was resting for the winter, it was time to solve this problem.

As the leader of the Rain tribe gathered to discuss matters, the other nearby tribes felt the change too but had no idea what was going on. Some timid ones abandoned their plans for going out and hid in their houses. Too much had happened these two years, they didn’t want to take any chances.

“They probably succeeded,” commented Shao Xuan who stood on the mountain looking at the Drumming tribe.

“Yes.” The shaman felt relieved, they were friendly with the Drumming tribe as they were the best neighbours they ever had. They also produced water moon stones so he didn’t want anything to happen to them.

Two days later, Shao Xuan and the shaman went to visit the Drumming tribe.

Within two days, the complicated feelings the tribespeople felt from fusing their fire seed had subdued but Shao Xuan could still feel agitation from the Drumming tribespeople.

With the fire seed gone, the fire pond wasn’t up in flames like it was usually. There was no more protection given by the fire seed, all the energy was now inside the tribespeople, they were on their own now. All their customs in the tribe were built around the ancient fire seed so most of them were not used to this change. Only the children were much more accepting of this new normal.

“How do you feel?” Shao Xuan asked Fu Shi who was cutting wood.

They had enough firewood for the season. They were stacked high behind the house.

“... Fine.” After a long thought, Fu Shi could only mutter a word and continue cutting wood. He spoke as he swung his axe, “I feel so right and so wrong at the same time!”

“That’s normal, we were like that too,” Shao Xuan said, “You have to get used to it.”

“Sure.” Fu Shi didn’t know how to verbalize his thoughts so he chose not to say anything.

Many in the Drumming tribe were in the same state, they feel comfortable yet uncomfortable in their own body because of the fusion.

“Wait for the fusion to be complete and it’ll be fine.”

For the Drumming tribe, while the fire seed was important to them, the water moon stone was equally important too. Without the fire seed, they needed another place to get energy for the Water Moon Canal. They had tried to make water moon stones but hadn’t succeeded at all.

Although most of them hadn’t adapted to their new life, so far nothing bad has happened. Shao Xuan and the rest were quite relieved at that, they could only confirm to see whether they could make the water moon stones when the moon was out. Even if they couldn’t make any more water moon stones, the Drumming tribe shaman still had no regrets about this.

After the fusion was done, it was still winter. The snow didn’t stop curious minds going to the tribe to check out on what happened but the Drumming tribespeople chased them away. The tribespeople themselves did whatever they wanted, hoping that the fusion would be complete by the time spring rolled around, for they had many things to do.

As for the Flaming Horn tribe, the people were worried.

They planned to reopen the trading point when the weather warmed and invite the nearby tribe’s leaders to join- but no matter how they thought about it, their plan was not good enough!

In other words, they think their plan didn’t showcase Flaming Horn’s strength properly.

The tribespeople had their own set of rules and etiquette that was different from the slave masters. Maybe it was hard for them to understand but it was the way things were here. Hence, to start a non-violent war was very hard.

During the discussions, Shao Xuan rarely gave input. Although he was accustomed to the lifestyle here, his thinking and values were wildly different from the tribespeople here.

The days passed quickly and the time for planning was ending soon. If winter ended early this year, the moon would be out in a few days, they had to finish everything they planned for the winter. It would be too late to make a decision after the winter was over.

“What should we do?”

Some wanted to invite tribes further out, one suggested a performance to show off their strengths but everything was faced with mixed reactions.

Seeing the people in the building argue, Shao Xuan thought of something and said to the shaman beside him, “Should we hold a banquet ?”

Although they hadn’t announced the new leaders, they have already started sitting according to their new ranks. The elders sat together with the shaman beside Shao Xuan.

The building was silent and everyone arguing looked at Shao Xuan.

Although his voice wasn’t loud, everyone looked towards him with their ears perked. He didn’t expect all of them to notice him when they were so preoccupied with the debate.

He wasn’t sure if it was his imagination but he felt everyone’s heart beat a little louder and faster.

Everyone was looking at him. He didn’t say anything but looked at the shaman than the other elders.

“I think Ah Xuan has a point.” Ao was touching his sword’s hilt as he spoke. His eyes were gleaming and he couldn’t help but tap the blade with his fingernails. “A banquet is a good idea. A thousand years has passed and we never had one before.”

Ao looked at Zheng Luo. He knew about the situation here but not on the other side so his eyes turned to Zheng Luo.

Zheng Luo let out a bitter smile and shook his head, “It's the same for us.”