Chapter 552: Are You the Goddess of the Ape Tribe?

Nan Qinghuan was even more bewildered—what Ape Tribe, she is certainly not!

"A Mu, Ancestor, I'm not a member of any Ape Tribe; rest assured, I'm not. But where exactly is the Ape Tribe you speak of?"

This was Nan Qinghuan's first thorough understanding of the Ape Tribe; apparently, in the hearts of Jiuzhou people, the Ape Tribe is the most noble human race, because their skin is as fair as theirs and they are good‑looking, but the Ape Tribe does not accept intermarriage with outsiders—if a child is born from such a union, it is deemed a mongrel and executed.

Mongrel!

They also say "mongrel."

It is said that the Ape Tribe lives in a place beyond Jiuzhou, a earthly paradise with food and drink, a place everyone longs for.

But no one has ever been there.

Nan Qinghuan, of course not from there, hurriedly reassured A Mu and the Ancestor, "Rest assured, I am not Ape Tribe."

Hearing Nan Qinghuan, A Mu finally relaxed, "That's good, that's good. Duo Fa—how did you handle him?"

Sure enough, A Mu asked about Duo Fa again; this time Nan Qinghuan didn't hide it, "A Mu, I've already released Duo Fa, but I heard he went out, encountered a beast, and was bitten to death."

"Bit to death?"

A Mu and the Ancestor exchanged a glance; A Mu, anxious, rose quickly, "Where was he bitten? Not in our Town, I hope?"

"Probably not. Rest assured, A Mu, this matter doesn't involve us."

She knew A Mu didn't want them to become enemies of the Baiqi Tribe, so she went along with her wishes.

A Mu seemed to sigh in relief; as long as Ying didn't kill him, it was fine.

She didn't want to witness a tragedy of kin killing kin—no!

"That's good, that's good."

After feeding the two children, Nan Qinghuan felt exhausted, cradled them onto the bed and fell into a deep sleep; the two children, each on a side, were very quiet.

They didn't make a fuss, probably sensing their mother was weary, and slept especially soundly.

After Nan Qinghuan fell asleep, A Mu and the Ancestor finally stepped out; A Mu intended to cook for Nan Qinghuan, but the Ancestor called her back.

"Lei, come out with me."

The Ancestor was very solemn, which made A Mu a bit nervous, yet she slowly walked out.

Mother and daughter arrived at the riverbank outside the Tulou; it was very quiet.

Seeing the Ancestor's earnest demeanor, A Mu felt awkward, "Ancestor, what business do you have with me?"

The Ancestor's gaze swept her face, then she murmured, "Lei, why have you always been helping the Baiqi Tribe? Clarify this matter with A Mu."

A Mu, worried about exposure, just shook her head, "No, A Mu, I didn't."

"You're still lying to me. When Qinghuan gave birth, I was right there; I saw you worshipping the A Luo god, which only Baiqi Tribe members worship. Lei, you suddenly left ten years ago—did you go to the Baiqi Tribe?"

Hearing the Ancestor's words, A Mu didn't know how to answer, how to tell her mother about the past? "A Mu, I..."

"Actually I've known for a long time: you aren't stopping this because you're afraid Ying will get hurt, nor because you're scared the Baiqi Tribe will trouble you; you're afraid Ying will fight the Baiqi Tribe, right?"

Boom!

The Ancestor's words made A Mu's face change; she didn't know how to tell her own mother about that matter.

"A Mu, I..."

"I know you have things you don't want to say; I won't force you, but stop interfering. Qinghuan and Ying are the masters of the Small Town; whatever they decide is theirs. Don't intervene. Actually I already know their affairs—Ying is displeased, Qinghuan is displeased. Look, the Town is thriving, everyone eats well and is full; Ying and Qinghuan have contributed greatly. You can no longer sway their decisions, understand?"

Hearing this, what else could A Mu say? She nodded, "Yes, Ancestor, I know what to do now."

"Alright, I'm old enough that I can't manage your affairs any longer; I just hope you understand—let the children handle their own matters. Let go."

After speaking, the Ancestor slowly turned and left; when she was gone, A Mu felt as helpless as a frost‑hit eggplant, and she didn't want it to be this way.

But she didn't know how to tell Ying, how to explain his strange lineage.

Fortunately, Duo Fa wasn't killed by Qinghuan now; that's good, that's good!

She turned to prepare some food for Nan Qinghuan, but suddenly a man stood behind her.

From his attire, it was clear the man was from the Baiqi Tribe.

Her heart thumped; who was this? "Elder, have you ever been to the Baiqi Tribe?"

Afang strode to A Mu's side, glanced at a scar on her face; though time had faded it, he still thought he recognized it.

"What are you talking about? I'm Ying's mother; how could I have been to the Baiqi Tribe? Stop talking nonsense."

"Wait, you look a lot like a relative of mine."

A relative? A Mu then realized Afang resembled someone, "You..."

"I'm from the Baiqi Tribe, but rest assured, I'm not going back now. Duo Fa caused trouble, and if I return it's a dead end. Here there's food and drink; I can stay, it's far better than the Baiqi Tribe."

"What is your name?"

A Mu also found the youngster somewhat familiar, but after so many years she wasn't sure if she was mistaking him.

"Afang, I'm called Afang."

"Afang?"

A Mu was shocked by the name; that brat from years ago had grown so much? "Are you Lamu?"

Lamu—yes, the Lamu who once carried the chief's woman's child; he seemed very similar!

Hearing the name, A Mu became very nervous, but she wouldn't admit anything.

"What Lamu? I'm Ying's mother. Since you're from the Baiqi Tribe, stop wandering around; the locals don't like your tribe's people. I'm leaving."

Dropping those words, A Mu hurried away, fearing Afang would recognize her, and quickly vanished into the riverside forest.

Afang thought the woman looked familiar, but then wondered how that could be—wasn't that woman and the chief's child burned to death in a thatched hut years ago? Had he mistaken her? Now Afang was focused on survival; Nan Qinghuan had agreed to let him stay, so he needed to find a way to earn a living.

He must start anew!

After Afang left, A Mu actually returned, her eyes watery as she watched his departing back, and tears fell.

She still remembered the events of those years; it was indeed that boy.

But she couldn't acknowledge him, or Ying's identity would be exposed, and then... the secret of those years couldn't be kept!

After thinking for a moment, A Mu clenched her teeth and left.

?