Chapter 597: The Mysterious Ritual House Customs of the Bai Tribe

As soon as Ying finished speaking, Nan Tian hurried up, "Ying, I have something I want to tell you."

"You say."

Ying now no longer harbors the old hostility toward Nan Tian, because he knows Nan Tian no longer has those thoughts toward Nan Qinghuan; men understand men best.

Therefore, now he is still kind to him; whatever he wants to do, Ying can satisfy, provided the request is reasonable.

Nan Tian looked up at the Tulou here, "It's like this: every time the Bai Tribe moves to a new dwelling we hold a house dedication ceremony, but I've heard you have long abandoned rituals here, so…"

"House dedication ceremony?"

Ying and Nan Qinghuan exchanged a glance; he had never heard of such a strange ritual, and the Bai Tribe people were also watching them, "Ying, we have this custom back home; can you accommodate us?"

The Bai People look forward to moving into a new house, but a ritual is required; however, in Kuaihuo City rituals are prohibited, because Ying and everyone gradually realized that seeking gods is less effective than earning everything with one's own hands. Thus the ritual custom has slowly vanished here, even the people of the Ying Tribe and A Mu no longer cling to rituals.

Because, without even a Shaman, what is there to ritualize? Nan Qinghuan thought for a moment, feeling she still must respect their custom, "Alright, since this is Abai Tribe custom, I support it now that you're here. How do you wish to proceed?"

Nan Tian, seeing her agree to their ritual preparations, was very pleased, "It's like this: we need to light a Bonfire here and then carry the flame into the new house."

"This way, but that would cause a fire; before you lived in caves it wouldn't ignite, but now they're wooden houses—have you thought this through?"

Hearing this, Nan Tian had already considered it, "You needn't worry; I have discussed with the tribe, we will be very careful, just to fulfill a tribe member's wish."

Since Lan Tian said so, Nan Qinghuan knew that refusing now would be unreasonable; each tribe has its own traditions, and she and Ying will respect them.

Ying thought for a moment, "Then, if that's the case, you prepare; I also respect your custom."

"Thank you, we'll prepare tonight; can the two of you join us?"

"We?"

"Goddess, Ying, we also need to make Bai Tribe food for celebration; have you tried Lamb Wrapped Meat?"

"What? Lamb Wrapped Meat? That's something fresh…"

Youchao Xuan, upon hearing, also found it strange, "Nan Tian, what is Lamb Wrapped Meat?"

He also wants to bring Qing Feng to taste what Lamb Wrapped Meat tastes like!

Nan Tian teased, "You surely haven't eaten it, but this is the best lamb among the Bai Tribe; tonight everyone is welcome here to eat meat and drink wine."

"Haha, fine, I'm also curious what Lamb Wrapped Meat is, so we'll all come together tonight."

"Ying, you are welcome."

That day, Nan Tian and the Bai Tribe prepared the house ritual together, while Ying and Nan Qinghuan returned to rest, for the Rainy Season was approaching, the crops had been harvested, and over Jiuzhou there was peace, with hardly any worries.

Except for the Baiqi Tribe.

Ying sent Yao to constantly monitor the Baiqi Tribe's situation, so he could grasp their movements single‑handedly, and also the Rongdi; after Rongdi took the Aurora back, they have been peacefully nurturing the fetus, and all life seems so calm and beautiful.

The sky was very dim; Nan Qinghuan stood in the courtyard, worrying whether tonight's Bonfire party would be ruined, and this Rainy Season might last longer than last year, so preparations must be thorough.

But now it's different from back then; back then, a single rain meant no food, now everyone has stored grain, so no rush.

"Qinghuan, what are you thinking?"

After soothing the child to sleep, Ying came out and gently slipped his arm around her waist; the couple, rare to have such moments, enjoyed this time together.

"Ying, you say how wonderful this peaceful era is, everyone lives well, no worries about food or clothing, each face is full of happiness; if it could last forever, how great would that be?"

Nan Qinghuan's meaning Ying understood; she doesn't want him to go to war, but the Baiqi Tribe must be subdued. Only by subduing the Baiqi Tribe can… then… then we can unify, truly achieve unification.

Sooner or later we must fight this war!

"Qinghuan, didn't you say war is to end war? If I don't act, will the Baiqi Tribe let us be? These days I've heard Yao report that they are preparing battle plans, so…"

"I understand; we'll act after the Rainy Season ends."

Ying squinted slightly, remained silent, his gaze complex as it turned to the distance.

According to Yao, perhaps the Rainy Season won't end in time.

A battle plan for a rainy day—something never done before—but that's all he can do!

"Ying."

Suddenly, Yao's voice came from not far away; Yao, accompanied by Ashu, rushed over, likely with urgent news.

Ying, unabashed, continued to hold Nan Qinghuan, "What's wrong?"

"Good news, the child of Rongdi, sent by Lone Wolf, has been born; they bring us congratulations."

"What, so soon?"

Nan Qinghuan almost forgot this; indeed, Aurora was pregnant; when she left, the child was only two or three months old, and now it's about to be born? Beastmen's children are born earlier than ordinary humans; she only learned this after arriving here!

Yao produced a piece of white silk bearing a clear blood footprint of a child; this is the local custom—when reporting a birth, they imprint the child's foot on silk and show it to relatives.

Inviting them to congratulate; actually this is somewhat similar to modern customs.

"Isn't that so? I didn't expect it so soon, but it's good the child is born while we aren't at war; otherwise Rongdi would be reluctant."

"Isn't that right, Ying? When shall we go to Kuaihuo City to congratulate Rongdi?"

Ashu also wants to visit Kuaihuo City, curious about the differences between there and here!

Nan Qinghuan watched them discuss when to attend the wedding banquet, yet she couldn't guess the child's gender from the foot.

"You haven't said whether it's a boy or a girl yet?"

Yao saw her looking back and forth at the white silk, and chuckled, "Goddess, take a guess?"

Nan Qinghuan was speechless; how could one guess from a single foot? "Boy or girl?"