Chapter 152 - The Multiple-headed Viper
“Brother Minh has an expansive knowledge of human culture. How erudite you are! “ Shi Mu exclaimed with genuine admiration.
“You flattered me, brother Shi. I am just a humble shaman that stays all year round in the Sacred Snow Palace. I have never really been in the outside world; all I have is large amounts of time that is used to read ancient books.” Minh Tu smiled shyly.
“Oh, do you mean there is sort of a library in the Sacred Snow Palace? Can I go there?” Shi Mu’s eyes lighted up at the mention of books.
This request embarrassed Minh Tu as his smile froze apologetically, “I’m afraid not. The library is not allowed for even the kinsmen of the eight big tribes to enter without permission. This rule is set by the first Great Shaman and is followed strictly thereafter. Though warrior Mu is an important guest to the sacred mountain, this rule cannot be broken.”
Shi Mu was rather disappointed hearing the words, but he could only nod his head.
“But...warrior Mu can ask me whatever question you want to know about. Basically, I have leafed through all the books in the library.” Seeing that Shi Mu accepted his explanation resignedly, Minh Tu relaxed; consequently, he could not help but feel sorry for Shi Mu, so he hurriedly proposed to help him through his good memory.
“Well...not that I have any questions in mind...It’s only that ever since I came to the wasteland the curiosity for your barbarian culture has been growing in my heart...” Shi Mu stuttered, as if embarrassed by Minh Tu’s kind offer. He kept walking with Minh Tu while casually mentioning various conventions he had seen in the barbarian tribes en route.
The topics Shi Mu brought up were all but innocuous common customs, which made Minh Tu relax his vigilance. He soon adopted a sprightly manner to give explanation to Shi Mu’s doubts. The two were actively engaged in this conversation about barbarian conventions when Shi Mu led the topic bit by bit to totem arts in a roundabout way. Totem arts was a confidential matter so Minh Tu immediately became guarded in his speech. To figure out Shi Mu’s intention, he also began asking about human martial arts. But to his surprise, Shi Mu seemed completely unguarded, answering every question frankly in a way that baffled Minh Tu, and compelled him to answer Shi Mu’s questions out of reciprocal respect.
Once his vigilant tongue was unsealed, Minh Tu forgot the scruples that had prevented him from talking freely. The two walked even slower, lost in conversation. Eventually, they simply stopped by a concealed place and concentrated in discussing about the barbarian totem magic and human martial arts.
The ensuing cultural interflow between the two youths proved extremely beneficial to both parties. Especially for Minh Tu, who had always harbored a great interest in human charm magic. He seized this hard-won opportunity to delve into the subject, asking Shi Mu numerous questions about charms.
Shi Mu behaved rather generously by not only displaying a few low-level magical arts, but also gave two low-level charms to Minh Tu for his further study. Actually, as a primary shaman, Minh Tu ranked roughly as a human Adept scholar, so the questions he asked were all but elementary. No secrets at all.
“Since brother Mu is so generous, even telling me about the secrets of charm magic, I’ll tell everything I know to you. Please ask whatever concerns you.” Retreating his rapt eyes from the charms in his hands, Minh Tu suddenly fell silent for a moment. Then he returned the charms to Shi Mu and said straight-forwardly, as if he had just made a resolve.
Shi Mu smiled faintly, taking the charms. After a brief silent, he answered, “I do have something to ask you, brother Minh.”
“Just speak out what is in your mind. I won’t conceal anything I known.” Minh Tu answered with a serious face.
“Have you heard about the Eternal Doom Curse, brother Minh?” Shi Mu did not beat about the bush this time, but asked frankly.
Minh Tu raised his eyebrows, rather astonished at the mention of the curse.
“Seeing brother Minh’s expression, probably you know about it.” Shi Mu’s heart leaped up excitedly, but his face was the usual coolness.
“As far as I know, this curse belongs to one of the eight tribes, the Fiery Snake Tribe. Technically it’s not a secret at all. The eight tribes all have some similar curses, but in my tribe, the Blue Teeth, this sort of black magic is strictly forbidden. I only read some in the library. What does brother Shi want to know about this curse?” Minh Tu nodded after a thoughtful moment.
“I’d like to know the cure to this curse. Please enlighten me, brother Minh.” Shi Mu stated solemnly.
“Is there any chance that...brother Shi somehow is suffering from the curse?” Minh Tu was really astonished this time by Shi Mu’s serious attitude.
Shi Mu gave a bitter smile, and then out poured his story unequivocally. He related the whole process in which he got the curse with only a few embellishments to avoid embarrassment, because after all, Minh Tu belonged to the barbarian tribes. From their earlier conversation, he had figured out Minh Tu’s life story through ways of devious questioning, knowing that the youth had always stayed in the Sacred Snow Palace ever since childhood, causing him to have a candid and pure personality. Otherwise, it would be unsafe to tell him about this experience.
After hearing Shi Mu’s relation, Minh Tu thought for a while with a grave face, and then spoke up slowly, “As far as I know, to break this curse one has only two ways. One is to have an Earth Grade saint impose an even higher seal on the curse...”
“I’ve known about the two approaches. As for the first one, I know it’s impossible for me. That’s why I escorted the princess to the sacred mountain - to seek the second method.” Shi Mu sighed softly and said.
Minh Tu did not answer immediately. It was only after a while that he resumed, “Apart from the secret totem art of the Fiery Snake Tribe, you’ve got to hunt a strong snake beast to get its spirit.”
No Comments Yet
Post a new comment
Register or Login