Chapter 672 Mummy? (1/2)

When Yi Si conversed with Shao Xuan and the rest, he was using the tribal language of this area. It was a language he learned recently, an unbelievable feat since he was already quite fluent within just twenty to thirty days.

“I take that the other side didn’t fare too well from last year’s extreme climate changes?” asked Shao Xuan.

“That’s a mild way to put it. It was absolutely disastrous.” Yi Si’s heart broke when he thought about his field’s harvest.

“Actually, the year you Flaming Horns caused the commotion was the year with the extreme winter blizzards. It was much colder than the previous year. King City’s winter came early and there were often snowstorms. My field’s harvest was awful. If we didn’t have the batch of grains collected before winter, we might not have had grains to eat for the rest of the winter. Golden Grain Fields did not fare well either. He might have known about the disaster beforehand but he still could not avoid suffering losses during the actual disaster.”

Yi Si laughed mockingly. “Although the weather has improved now, I don’t have much hopes for the field. Ever since Flaming Horn caused the commotion, King City has been in a state of unrest. Many Yi family members cannot sleep well these days. Ever since last year’s change in climate, the people have become bolder. I believe you know why.”

“Rock Hill City from the desert?” asked Zheng Luo.

“You can say that but to be honest, the Yi family is not interested in Mu Han’s descendants. Oh wait, I mean Rock Hill’s Shi descendants. Mu Han had already abandoned his tribal surname. The Yi family of King City does not care what becomes of the Rock Hill Shi family. All they care about is ‘The Unlucky One’!”

“The Unlucky One?” Zheng Luo did not understand.

But Shao Xuan had heard of this person. “Yi Xiang of the Yi family? The guy who came over together with Mu Han of the Mu family years ago?”

“Yep.” Yi Si grew more and more excited. “At the time, Mu Han and Yi Xiang were extremely talented. The outcome from the Yi ancestor’s divination reading has already come true.”

“Look at you, you look like you’re excited for war,” said Shao Xuan.

Yi Si did not deny this. “I am also a person that the Yi family forced out, though my situation isn’t as bad as Yi Xiang, and I don’t have his talent. The Great Six families of King City have already started recruiting tribesmen like the Linlu tribe. And the assets held by descendants without bright futures, like me, were all confiscated to be used as bribes.”

Yi Si’s smile vanished. “I want to see what ‘The Unlucky One’ has done during this past millennium. You might not know it but after the disaster, the guards stationed by King City at the edge of the sea were sent to cross the ocean to scout the area. In the end, other than two people who were deliberately sent back, the rest died.

After Flaming Horn crossed the ocean, King City sent a batch of guards to be stationed there. All the miscellaneous small tribes in the area were forced to move. Due to the Yi family’s divination readings, these guards all survived the disaster. However, they all died after crossing the ocean later.

Shao Xuan only knew about suspicious movements in the desert. Perhaps this was one of them.

“The two people released back to the city talked about the appearance of monsters. Apparently there were huge numbers of them, looking like humans but not entirely human. This must be Yi Xiang’s doing. I am very curious about it but it’s too bad I have no authority in my family. I cannot access such information, plus due to the pressures of my livelihood, I had to come here. But you know that the Yi’s have never been fighters, hence I brought my own slave with me.”

Yi Si studied everyone’s expressions, then continued, “After I arrived, I knew that I was unfamiliar with this place and have limited capabilities. Once I heard about the Flaming Horn Trading Point, I came over to seek refuge.”

“How did you come here?” Zheng Luo looked at him sharply. Crossing a desert and the sea were no easy feats. You can’t trick us this easily!

Yi Si did not lie either. “On a long-winged bird.”

Long-winged birds had extensive wingspans suitable for long-distance flight. They were one of the best long-distance flight birds, their wingspans ranging from half a metre to a few metres to even ten metres. They also dove into water for food.

“I know a person who has a long-winged bird as a slave. I borrowed his bird for a while, that used up all my savings.” Yi Si turned to Shao Xuan, “Have you seen the human-like monsters in the desert?”

“No.” Zheng Luo’s expression was unkind.

“What about this- take me in, and if you catch one of those monsters you can let me study it. It’s something a Yi family member made so perhaps I’ll be able to answer your questions. What do you think?” Zheng Luo was about to speak when Yi Si added, “Of course, I won’t just stay here without working. I can help you with your accounts. Your Grand Elder, Shao Xuan, knows of my capabilities. Although I cannot do readings like the other Yi family members, at least I am confident in my calculations. Plus, my slave, Grasshopper, can also help you with manual labour. He’s as strong as you guys.”

Zheng Luo did not speak. He looked at Shao Xuan, who nodded, then took out an animal skin scroll. He looked at the town blueprint and finally picked a house close to the Flaming River Castle. While Yi Si currently did not have any form of assets on him, they still would not let him stay there for free. This was considered a loan to him.

After sending someone to bring Yi Si and Grasshopper, who had finished his meal, to the assigned house, Zheng Luo turned to Shao Xuan. “How much of that do you think can be trusted?”

“Half. Keep him close, and keep an eye on him,” said Shao Xuan.

“Alright.” Zheng Luo thought so too. Although he did not like people from the Great Six, he had to admit that the Yi family were talented people. He must not be underestimated even if he did not have divination skills. They must observe him first. It would be great if he could help the Flaming Horns but one suspicious move and they’ll kill him.

An eagle's screech echoed from the skies.

Shao Xuan and Zheng Luo’s face changed.

It was Cha Cha. Two days ago, Shao Xuan received an animal skin scroll sent over by an eagle from the tribe. They said that they would send the ‘monster’ they caught over but were not sure when.

Shao Xuan told Cha Cha to observe the area, since eagles were more perceptive. He would definitely notice an eagle approaching. This screech meant that the ‘goods’ were here.

Both of them rushed up the top of the castle. A giant mountain eagle landed with a long wooden box in its talon. It was an eagle from the Hui tribe, there was even a rider on its back.

When Yi Si asked if they had seen the ‘monsters’ from the desert, Zheng Luo said no and it was the truth. Shao Xuan was the only one to have seen one here, when he was invited to the Hui tribe.

“This is it?” Zheng Luo approached curiously.

“Yep. But it is best you open it indoors, avoid sunlight. We sealed it with some herbs that will lose effect in light,” said the Hui tribesman.

Zheng Luo carried the coffin-like long box inside, carefully moving it into a secret chamber.

There was no one there, only the Hui tribesman, Shao Xuan and Zheng Luo. After dragging the stone door close, there was no light inside.

Shao Xuan took out a water moon stone for light.

The rectangular wooden box was built like a coffin, lying silently in the middle of the dark chamber. Everyone felt a chill despite it still being closed.

Zheng Luo felt an inexplicable shiver.

“Open it.” Shao Xuan gestured to the Hui tribesman.

The Hui tribesman nodded, took the dagger Shao Xuan gave to him, his eyes lingered on the green metallic blade, then cut the ropes tied around the box.

The box was tied tightly but the sharp blade cut through them effortlessly.

He secretly stared at the dagger longingly when he passed it back to Shao Xuan. He admired the Flaming Horns for having such good quality weapons.

The ropes were untied and the box was opened.