Chapter 122: Chapter 29: The Killer Reveals Himself_3
Yan Fei glanced at Ah Dai and said, "I understand, Prophet."
Pu Lin staggered out of the stone room, appearing even more aged. His frailty brought up a sense of depression in Ah Dai’s heart.
Yan Fei called in two Pu Yan Tribe Warriors to carry Yan Ju out and casually lifted the restrictions on Yan Li’s meridians. He told Yan Shi, "You and Yan Li mustn’t leave here tonight. Tomorrow at noon, at the tribal square, I will publicly address the matter of Yan Ju." After saying this, he nodded at Ah Dai and Xuan Yue, then turned and left.
Yan Shi was stunned for a moment until his father left, then he broke out into painful sobs as if to release all the grief buried deep inside him. He had finally found the murderer of his wife, yet it turned out to be his most respected elder brother. What hurt him the most was that even if he could annihilate Yan Ju ruthlessly, his wife would never come back to life.
Until now, Yan Li was still dazed with the shock of the recent events, standing idly at the side, not knowing what to do.
Ah Dai watched Yan Shi, his mind filled with his own past sorrows and his childhood anguish. Tears unknowingly flowed down his cheeks, he reached out and grasped Yan Shi’s arm, standing silently beside him. Amidst the grieved atmosphere, the air seemed especially oppressive.
Xuan Yue got closer to Ah Dai, gently grasping his big hand, her eyes filled with warmth.
Ah Dai’s body shuddered, when he saw the tenderness in Xuan Yue’s eyes, a warmth rose from the bottom of his heart. In his eyes, Xuan Yue seemed to have matured drastically, no longer the little girl whose sharp tongue was like a thorn to him.
Two days later, Ah Dai and Moon Scar, along with their group of eight, left the Pu Yan Tribe to continue their journey of exploration. Yes, their group had increased by two—Yan Shi and Yan Li. At noon the day after Yan Ju was apprehended, Clan Leader Yan Fei explained Yan Ju’s sins in front of the entire tribe. Mutilating his own tribesmen was the gravest sin in the Pu Yan Tribe. Eventually, Yan Ju died under Yan Shi’s Long Knife. Even though Yan Shi had avenged his wife, he couldn’t find happiness in it. When Ah Dai and the rest were about to leave, Yan Shi asked Yan Fei for permission to join their adventure. At first, Yan Fei was hesitant, but Pu Lin told him that it would be beneficial for both Yan Shi and Ah Dai, and the adventure could also help Yan Shi clear his gloomy mind. With Pu Lin’s words, Yan Fei stopped objecting. Yan Li felt very guilty about Yan Ju’s deeds and had desired to leave his tribe for a long time, so he thought this would be the right opportunity to do so. He asked Yan Fei for permission, claiming to be Yan Shi’s protector. Due to his exhaustion from Yan Ju’s matter, Yan Fei agreed without much thought, but he reminded them that they must listen to Ah Dai and Xuan Yue’s commands and can’t act impulsively.
So, Ah Dai and his group left, Yan Shi and Yan Li accompanying them. Yan Shi and Yan Li continued to ride horses while Ah Dai, not wanting to endure the bumpy ride again, went back to his wagon with Xuan Yue and the others.
Today, the sky was clear and a massive stretch of blue sky and endless sunlight made the air much hotter than usual.
Ah Dai stuck his head out of the caravan and shouted to Yan Shi and Yan Li, "Brothers, it’s too hot today. Let’s rest a while before moving on."
Yan Shi hadn’t spoken a word since leaving the tribe. Hearing Ah Dai’s calling, he slightly nodded, reined his horse, and dismounted along with Yan Li.
Ah Dai, Xuan Yue, Moon Scar, and the others got down from the caravan. The group walked to a patch of shade in the nearby forest and sat down. Yan Shi sat alone on one side, his face filled with desolation.
Yan Li pulled two Battle Axes from his back and put them aside, turning to Ah Dai and said, "Brother, do you have any water? I’m going to die of thirst in this damn heat."
Moon Scar slightly smiled and tossed his water skin to Yan Li, saying, "Drink up. This is spring water I fetched from your tribe."
Taking the water skin, Yan Li looked at Moon Scar, a bit awkward and stuttering, "Brother, your name is Moon Scar, right? I’m sorry for what I did last time. I was too impulsive. I hope you don’t take it to heart."
Moon Scar, thinking back on Yan Li’s ax-wielding attack and how he was almost sliced in half, chuckled and said, "It’s all a misunderstanding. I’m not one to hold grudges. However, Big Brother Yan Li, your skills sure are impressive! I was almost a ghost under your ax."
Yan Li laughed heartily and said, "When it comes to skill, among the younger generation in our Pu Yan Tribe, besides Big Brother Yan Shi and Yan Ju, there’s... " Yan Li stopped speaking abruptly as he remembered Yan Ju, then quickly glanced at Yan Shi who was sitting aside. Yan Shi was still seated there, polishing his Long Knife, seemingly unaware of their conversation.
Making a goofy face at Moon Scar, Yan Li caused Yue Ji to giggle, then ran off to take a drink of water himself.
Ah Dai walked to Yan Shi’s side with his water skin and said, "Big Brother Yan Shi, have some water."
Yan Shi glanced at Ah Dai, took the water skin, took a few sips, and said, "Thank you, Brother Ah Dai." These were the first words he’d spoken that day.
Ah Dai sat down next to Yan Shi and said, "Big Brother Yan Shi, everything is in the past now, stop dwelling on it. Maybe, in the future, you might find a good wife."
Yan Shi glanced at Ah Dai, shook his head, and said, "It’s not possible. There are no better girls in the world than Yun Er. Brother, you don’t need to console me. Yun Er’s revenge has been avenged, she can rest in peace now. I will spend the rest of my days entirely for my people. Now, I want to be alone for a while, you go chat with your friends." Finishing his words, he sheathed his Long Knife, leaned against the sturdy tree trunk, closed his eyes, and stopped speaking.
