Chapter 244: Snow-Capped Peak

Chagan knelt devoutly within the tent, his snow-white hair cascading onto the ground as he pleaded, "Honorable Oso and Ri, the Bear Clan is the most cunning in the desert. For the grain you need, our Hu Lu Clan is willing to provide double."

Oso and Ri Amur gazed at the letter in his hand. Hason bore a resemblance to him, but Amur was rougher and more robust. Setting the letter down, he gently stroked his untamed stubble with the thumb adorned by a ring, resembling a man who could tip over drunk at any moment.

"There's a saying in Great Zhou called 'act within one's means,'" Amur's voice rumbled. "I appreciate your sincerity, my friend, but your herds have been sent into the war zone. If this continues, many in the Hu Lu Clan will starve this winter."

Chagan's kneeling form exuded humility as he said, "I would willingly exchange all my livestock for Duo Erlan's long life."

Amur lifted his head slightly, his ring sliding along his Adam's apple as he chuckled wryly. "Jagan, did you hear those whispers?"

"My son slew the Sohbu beast. If Da Lantai seeks retribution, I offer my own head; the Hu Lu tribe is willing to pay for its transgressions," Jagan rose, his aged face tinged with the yellow dust. "But he cannot take my daughter."

Duo Erlan was Jagan's only daughter, the jewel of the Hu Lu tribe. The tribe lacked strong horses or soaring eagles, but they held the divine protection of Chiti, the Sky God. Nestled deep in the desert, they possessed the most fertile oasis, Lake Chiti, and in lore, they were said to have been nurtured on Chiti's divine milk. Born with eyes like the lake's waters, Duo Erlan was cherished as a dewdrop in the dawn, the freest girl in the entire desert.

"Once Duo Erlan is wed to Hason, she will no longer be the gem of Lake Chiti but the jewel of the six desert tribes." Amur leaned on the armrest, standing up with the sun's rays slanting across his broad shoulders. "If Hason cannot protect his wife, he is unworthy to be Duo Erlan's husband, and undeserving of the Hu Lu tribe's allegiance. My friend Jagan, rise, grasp your curved blade, and fix your gaze on that young man. Should he dare to slight your daughter, you have the right to end him."

Jagan prostrated himself, his forehead creased with wrinkles pressing against the ground. "I follow the great Orosso and Ri, trusting that the valiant eagle Hason, son of the bravest warrior in the desert, will not betray Duo Erlan."

A'muer walked slowly, gently rubbing his throat as he reached the curtain. His eyes gazed at the sky tinged with yellow, the fading light casting a glow over an old signet ring that rolled across the scar left there years ago by Xiao Fangxu in the Eastern Horn Mountain Range.

"Blinded by the winds of Snow Pass, Da Lantai is still basking in their past glory," A'muer turned to Chagan. "Without the fierce Huo Ba beast, the You Xiong Clan can't possibly stand against my Hason."

* * *

Ba Yin received Hason's reply. He read it swiftly, then sipped on a bowl of tea. Seated on the ground in the wilderness, within the territory of the You Xiong Clan, he opened his book on his knees, requesting another meeting with Da Lantai.

The warriors of the You Xiong Clan waved him off, shouting, "Scram!"

Ba Yin drew a line with his finger in front of his knees, saying, "I am on the land of the Qing Zhuba Clan. I have not offended you."

The warrior retorted, "You're blocking our way to pee."

"Do you wish to urinate like livestock in front of the eyes of the heavens?" Ba Yin continued reading. "If Da Lantai would see me just once more, this entire desert could be your latrine."

Ba Yin was known as the "Sage." With his books, he was the wandering eye of divine wisdom in the desert. No one could relieve themselves in front of him unless he allowed it. Neither Chi nor Huo Helu had shown respect for Ba Yin, and so they had perished, adding to the enigma surrounding him.

This marked the fifth day Ba Yin had been guarding this spot, and finally, Da Lantai agreed to meet with him once again.

Ba Yin gathered his books and addressed Da Lantai, "Esteemed..."

"Li Bei's Iron Riders have already reached the frontier. Time is running out for Hason," Da Lantai removed his boots, stepping barefoot on the earthy ground. "Did he kill his wife?"

Ba Yin extracted Hason's reply, preparing to hand it over. Da Lantai raised his hand to stop him, shaking his head. "I cannot read. You read it aloud."

"The Eagle wishes me to convey this to you," Ba Yin began, "He—"

Midway through his sentence, they heard the sound of approaching hooves. Da Lantai stood up and approached, not needing to speak as a chestnut-colored stallion charged into their territory, prancing among the Xiong Xi tribe's land, eventually stopping in front of Da Lantai.

"I heard at Chi Ti Lake that Esteemed Da Lantai seeks my head," Duo Erlan held her whip while her horse continued to dance nervously, looking at Da Lantai. "If you intend to use the might of the Suo Huo Ba Beast to coerce my husband, you should first seek my consent."

"So you rode here to my domain," Da Lantai admired the legendary flower from the stories, "Planning to offer your own head to secure victory for your husband?"

Ba Yin abruptly stood up, noticing the warriors within the territory also rising. He hurried forward, raising his arm to protect Duo Erlan's horse and said to Da Lantai, "No, this is not what the Eagle intended..."

"My brother killed your sovereign," Duo Erlan lifted the back of her hand to wipe the dust from her face, having been on the run for days. "Gergenhaas is the best brother in the world but does not deserve the title of a hero. If you seek retribution for Suo Huo Ba, you may take my head, but this is a feud between the Xiong Xi and Hu Lu tribes, not a vendetta between you and Hason. You should speak to me about it."

As she spoke, Duo Erlan threw her dagger to the ground.

"I am willing to atone for Gergenhaas's recklessness with my life before the Xiong Xiong Clan. Da Lantai is a true warrior. Take this dagger and end me; then our Hulug Clan will have settled the score."

Da Lantai picked up the delicate dagger, its elegance adorned with a cat's eye gemstone, reminiscent of Duo Erlan's sharp yet innocent beauty.

"You display great courage. If Gergenhaas had your bravery, the Xiong Xiong and Hulug Clans could have been brothers long ago."

"There are no 'ifs' in this world. Sacrifice my head to the tiger and resume your curved sword to follow the eagle," Duo Erlan dismounted, her skirt swaying in the night breeze. Approaching Da Lantai, she declared, "The opportunity for the Xiong Xiong Clan lies in this moment."

Da Lantai opened his palm, cradling Duo Erlan's dagger as if it were a blooming flower. Strangely, his gaze held a fatherly affection when he looked at her. The biting wind of the night rustled the Xiong Xiong Clan's banner as Da Lantai spoke with a weathered voice, "Silly girl, this debt remains unpaid."

Ba Yin seized the opportunity, "The eagle can promise Da Lantai that regardless of whether the Xiong Xiong Clan agrees to march on the borderlands, he will return their ancestral lands and offer all his cattle and sheep as an apology from the Hulug Clan. But if Da Lantai insists on taking his wife, he will risk his life in a relentless battle against the Xiong Xiong Clan."

Da Lantai's narrowed eyes widened slightly; he had heard similar words before.

Hyrigu sat within the tent. Just two days prior, he had also respectfully told him, "The Lord of Zhongbo extends his arm to Da Lantai. We are willing to help the Xiong Xiong Clan reclaim their homeland. Before that, Duanzhou will provide ample food supplies to the Xiong Xiong Clan."

All these people understood that the Xiong Xiong Clan yearned to return to their ancestral lands, preferring to stay and guard the snow-capped peaks for Suo Huo Ba Beast.

Da Lantai clenched his hand, speaking kindly and effortlessly, "The Xiong Xiong Clan has received what they deserve, and they are willing to fight for you."

He gave Hyrigu the same response.