Chapter 151 - The Ambassadors of Sea-dwellers
“Your Highness, the Great Shaman is busily engaged at the moment so I’m afraid you’ll have to wait. I suggest that you rest for a few days before everything is settled. Please follow me to the Palace of Blue Teeth, if you will.” Ulan turned back to face the princess, and then gently made the invitation.
“Thank you, Master Ulan. I’ll do as you said then.” The princess returned a charming smile.
Ulan slipped the white jade token into his sleeve and turned to lead the way, after which Shi Mu and the princess followed closely behind. Soon, their figures melted away into the depth of the camp.
Later, the three came to a wide pathway made purely of white rocks. It was spacious enough for Shi Mu and the princess to ride in a more leisurely mood. Even though she was on a horse, the princess still looked much shorter than Ulan. During the short trip, Shi Mu kept a short distance between himself and the princess, riding on the Four Odds while constantly keeping an eye on the landscape.
“We owe everything to Master Ulan today, or I daren’t think of the consequences.” The princess cupped her hands to express her genuine gratitude to Ulan.
“You’re welcome, your Highness. I just did as ordered.” Ulan waved his hand indifferently.
“Could I ask from whom you received the order?” The princess asked, feigning the same attitude as Ulan.
“Hehe, of course from Master Yanya[A], the shaman of my tribe, Blue Teeth.” Ulan laughed as if tickled by the princess’ innocence. The prince however, did not show a surprised look in response. As known to all, the barbarians differ in their attitudes toward warfare; naturally, the peaceful tribes do not see eye to eye with the military ones. Earlier, when they were besieged by Ahguna’s men, the necklace of blue teeth dangling around Ulan’s neck gave the princess a hint that this man was probably on the peaceful side.
After another twenty minutes or so, the small ambassador group was led to a clearing halfway up the mountain, where a blue palace of medium size was erected. After dismounting their horses, Ulan ushered his guests into the palace, leaving the tired animals to be looked after by servants.
In the great hall of the palace, a gaunt elderly man was sitting solemnly in the main seat in his blue frock. The moment they entered the place, Shi Mu and the princess felt as though they were seized by a strong current rolling to the depth of a deep sea; the inexorable magnetic power came from just the sitting old man. This indescribable power held them in awe and suspense.
“Shaman Yanya, thank you very much for helping us out of the predicament today. I am Huo Wu, the Fire Dancing Princess of Qi the Heavenly Country, at your service.” Once entering the hall, the princess immediately made a step forward to salute the shaman with a hand folded at her bosom. Shi Mu also bowed deep to the shaman after the barbarian fashion. Ulan waited patiently for the two ambassadors to present themselves, and then submitted the princess’s identity token to Yanya the Shaman. This done, Ulan stood reverently behind the elder man.
“Welcome, princess. Please take your seats.” The elder man gestured to the two seats reserved for them. He then went on to dismiss the white jade token in Ulan’s hand, smiling amiably, “I did this because the last thing I want to see, is to let the war nuts - I mean, my aggressive kin - and sea-dwellers have their way.”
“Sea-dwellers?” The princess raised her delicate eyebrows in surprise.
“I presume that news has not reached you yet, princess Huo Wu. Seven days ago, the Saint Girl of the sea-dwellers, Pearl by the name, who has recently risen to fame, led an ambassador group to the White Horse Mountain. She asked my tribe to join them in the war against you humans, in the name of Sea-Dwellers. Therefore, shamans of the eight great barbarian tribes were called together to the sacred mountain a few days ago. That’s why I’m here now.” Shaman Yanya once again shocked the two young ambassadors by breaking the latest news.
The princess’s countenance changed visibly. By any chance the sea dwellers and the barbarians should join forces, the human species’ situation would be greatly jeopardized.
“Master Yanya, considering the relationship between your honored tribe and the sea-dwellers, I guess you’d probably say no to the proposal.” The princess regained her calm quickly, and then asked the elder man with bright eyes blinking.
“Hehe, you surprised me with your broad knowledge, little princess. That’s correct. My tribe, the Blue Teeth, is one of the four big peaceful tribes, and we hold the same attitude as the other three peaceful tribes toward the sea-dwellers. From generation to generation, we live near the East Sea; there are always feuds with the sea guys. To join hands with them is out of the question.” Shaman Yanya shot the princess an admiring look and spilled out his true feelings slowly.
“Could I ask, Master shaman, what is your opinion of the proposal put forth by the sea- dwellers?” After giving the question much thought, the princess ventured to ask.
“The aggressive tribes are quite enthusiastic about the idea, but we four peaceful tribes are against it. As for the Great Shaman, he is still wavering. Hehe, so your appearance was timely.” Yanya laughed heartily.
“Thanks very much for shaman’s instruction. I shall definitely try my best.” Hearing the encouraging words, the princess was extremely delighted as she hurriedly bowed to express her heartfelt thanks.
At this moment, Yanya seemed suddenly to take notice of Shi Mu. A thought dawned on him and he asked in confusion, “Princess, are there only the two of you in this ambassador group?”
“Certainly not. This is a long story. I shall begin with the events after we left the capital of Qi...” In the following hours, the princess told Yanya every detail about the massacre of her fellow companions, holding back no information, especially about the killers that included an Earth Grade saint of the sea species.
The ambassador group’s misfortune sent the shaman into a moody silence. After a long while, he spoke out, “Princess, the Earth Grade saint you told about sounded familiar to me. It reminded me of the No.1 warrior Zakku of the Firing Snake Tribe. That man uses a whip called the Dark Snake Whip, and his fighting image[B] is a green sea serpent.”
Shi Mu and the princess shared a tacit look, both feeling chills down their spines. Recalling the scenario at the entrance of the camp, they shuddered with a panic of fear.
“By the way, I can sense a small dint of the Dark Green real qi[C] left in your body. Though you have suppressed it, it can be a real latent danger over long-term. I’ve got a Yin-Dispelling Pill[D], you can take it to drive away that dangerous qi.” Shaman Yanya took out a wooden case and passed it to the princess.
“Many thanks to Master Shaman!” The princess stood up to take the case in a great excitement. After having a few more words with the shaman, the princess left the hall with Shi Mu. A servant led them to two neighboring stone flats outside the hall as their temporary residence.
......
Shi Mu took a stroll in the his abode and found himself in a three-roomed big flat that was exquisitely decorated. This should be the place for VIP guests.
Then someone knocked gently on the door. Shi Mu pulled the door open and saw Huo Wu outside.
“Princess, please come in.” Shi Mu smiled kindly and invited her in.
“How many times have I told you! Just call me Huo Wu, no princess thing, ok?” Huo Wu gave him a reproaching stare and complained.
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