Chapter 878: In two days, I'll tell you

The next morning, as the sky just began to lighten, Cai Tong arrived and, together with everyone, left the inn and headed straight for the dock.

On the sea, the fog had not yet cleared; only a few scattered Red-haired Barbarian soldiers were slowly pacing beside the cargo ship.

Cai Tong dismounted, stepped forward, and said a few words; hearing that Kui Yi and Mei Er had ordered everyone to board and let the cargo ship pass without obstruction, the few men stepped aside.

Everyone boarded the cargo ship; the deckhands were having breakfast on the deck and all rose to salute.

Luo Zhenjiang set Tuan Tuan down.

Xiao Tuanzi returned to the cargo ship, quite excited, taking yesterday's paper box from Xiao Ningyuan's hand and handing it to the deckhands: "Uncles, try this quickly—it's a tasty treat from the Red-haired Barbarians, called bread!"

The deckhands laughed as they took it: "Thank you, Princess! Everyone, come try this rare thing!"

Xiao Ningxun handed a letter to the ship's captain: "After you finish your meal, immediately return to Spring Prefecture and personally deliver this letter to Prince Ning."

"Tell the Prince, the fleet should stop in the sea nearest to Platform Member, reachable in an hour, but absolutely must not let the island's people notice; wait for us."

"Yes!" the ship's captain replied solemnly, took it, turned to look at Luo Zhenjiang, and said, "Chief, aren't you coming with us?"

"Uncle Luo!" Tuan Tuan hurriedly grabbed Luo Zhenjiang's sleeve, lifted her little face to look at him.

"You just go," Luo Zhenjiang said, bending to pick her up: "I still have to keep Tuan Tuan company."

Tuan Tuan wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his big cheek: "Uncle Luo is really nice!"

Luo Zhenjiang smiled with brows relaxed.

Xiao Er and Lu Qi exchanged a glance, both unable to resist rolling their eyes.

Everyone disembarked, waited a while at the harbor, watching the cargo ship weigh anchor, raise its sails, and slowly sail away from the port.

"Let's go," Cai Tong said, mounting his horse again, leading everyone onto the mountain road to Hemp Bean Society once more.

The morning wind carried the scent of soil and dew, bringing a slight chill as it blew over.

Luo Zhenjiang lowered his head to glance at Tuan Tuan, drew her closer to his chest, lifted a large hand and lightly shielded her forehead, blocking the wind blowing in her face.

After a little more than an hour, they arrived at the hunting grounds.

Ma Li'an had long been waiting on that scorched, blackened clearing, his hair still loose, though he now wore an animal skin draped diagonally across his body.

Tuan Tuan pointed and shouted, "That uncle is wearing clothes today! He's only got half on!"

Everyone: "……"

Ma Li'an saw everyone approaching on horseback and stood up.

Everyone dismounted.

Xiao Ze stepped up to Ma Li'an, took the Ancestral Spirit Mask from his bosom, held it with both hands, and presented it to him.

Sunlight fell squarely on the mask.

The spread-winged mountain eagle on the mask seemed to come alive in the sunlight, the ruby on its forehead glowing with a deep, blood‑red sheen like a beating heart.

Ma Li'an's whole body froze.

He stared blankly at the mask, trembling as he reached out with both hands to take it.

He slowly knelt, tears streaming down, dropping one by one onto the mask as his shoulders shuddered violently.

Cai Tong's eyes reddened, and he turned away.

Xiao Ze bent down and helped Ma Li'an to his feet.

Ma Li'an cupped the mask in both hands, lowered his head, pressing his forehead against the eagle's beak, and let out a low, wounded groan like an injured beast.

Everyone watched this scar‑faced man, as hard as a steel blade, and couldn't help but feel moved.

Tuan Tuan blinked and said, "Uncle, I brought the mask back for you—you should be happy!"

"Why are you crying?" she tilted her head, "Do you still have something left with the Red‑haired Ghost? Tell me, I'll go get it for you again!"

Ma Li'an wiped the tears from his face and looked at Cai Tong.

Cai Tong hurriedly translated Tuan Tuan's words for him.

Ma Li'an gazed gently at Tuan Tuan and slowly walked up to her.

Luo Zhenjiang slightly tightened his hold on Tuan Tuan's right arm, placing his left hand on the hilt of his sword behind him.

Ma Li'an asked, "Was it you who helped me retrieve it?"

Cai Tong quickly replied, "It was the Princess who went to get it."

Ma Li'an thumped down onto his knees, right hand over his heart: "All the people of Hemp Bean Society will remember your great kindness!"

Luo Zhenjiang startled, quickly stepped back a few paces.

Tuan Tuan slipped from his embrace to the ground, ran up to Ma Li'an, and with her little hand wiped away his tears: "From now on you won't have to cry anymore—live well!"

She thought for a moment: "But you have to promise me you won't kill deer anymore, okay?"

Cai Tong, eyes red, translated it for him.

Ma Li'an nodded, slowly placed the mask on his face, and rose to his feet.

The mask covered his face, revealing only a pair of deep brown eyes.

He turned, faced the forest, and raised his head in a long howl.

His howl echoed through the valley, over and over.

Moments later, faint footsteps sounded from deep in the woods as one after another native emerged—men, women, old and young—dark‑skinned and clad in rags.

They walked onto the clearing, and upon seeing Ma Li'an wearing the mask, they instantly erupted.

"The Ancestral Spirit Mask! Our Ancestral Spirit Mask has returned!"

"How many years have passed," the elders wept, tears streaming down their faces, "Our ancestors and deities have finally returned to protect us!"

"Our good fortune has returned!"

Cai Tong quietly translated their words.

Luo Zhenjiang picked up Tuan Tuan, and the group formed a small circle, placing the two in the middle.

The natives, however, seemed not to notice them at all; their eyes held only Ma Li'an wearing the mask.

Malin barefoot stepped on the burnt land, starting the ancestral spirit dance.

His arms spread like a mountain eagle's wings, his body rising and falling, each step heavy and powerful.

The natives knelt around him, singing a folk song in an ancient tune; their voices rose from low and hoarse to high and loud, echoing back and forth through the valley.

Tuan Tuan lay on Luo Zhenjiang's shoulder, staring with big eyes, entranced.

Only after the time it took to finish a cup of tea did the singing gradually cease.

Malin took off his mask, walked up to Xiao Ze, and said in stiff Zhongyuan speech: "Thank you."

Xiao Ze nodded solemnly.

Malin waved his hand, and the natives, as they had come, slowly dispersed into the deep forest.

In an instant, only Malin remained alone in the clearing.

Malin took off the mask, gripping it tightly in his hand, his deep gaze sweeping over the people before him, and asked in Zhongyuan speech, word by word: "You, what do you want me to do?"

Xiao Ze looked at him: "Cai Tong, please tell him, the red-haired devils are about to impose heavier taxes on them."

"This time, when the tax officials come, what they will do is: not pay taxes, not work, not resist."

Cai Tong hurriedly translated his words to Malin.

Malin lowered his head, looking at the mask in his hand, and remained silent for a long time.

When he raised his head again, he looked at Cai Tong: "If we do this, they will surely kill people; even if my tribespeople could do that, I don't believe those Han civilians could."

Cai Tong conveyed his meaning to Xiao Ze.

Xiao Ze smiled slightly, pointed at the mountain below and nodded: "They have agreed."

Malin understood, his eyes widened, he stared fixedly at his face, then turned to Cai Tong: "Is what he said true? How could those Han civilians possibly agree?"

"It's true." Cai Tong nodded, briefly recounting the matter of Linjiang.

Malin stood dazed for a moment, looking at Tuan Tuan in Luo Zhenjiang's arms.

He thought back to that day, the little child's appearance among the deer herd, his voice low: "I believe."

He lowered his head, his rough fingers lightly rubbing the mask's beak for a moment, and asked: "When will the heavier taxes begin?"

Cai Tong lifted his gaze to Xiao Ningyuan and asked on his behalf.

Xiao Ningyuan smiled slightly: "In two more days, I will tell you."