Chapter 690: Learning Ritual

After the tribespeople quickly entered the city to report to Dahong, they learned that the people from Huaxia had already arrived, so Dahong also hurriedly stopped the work in his hands to go find Xuanyuan, who was still busy in the fields.

Upon hearing the news, a look of joy appeared on Xuanyuan's face: "Oh, they have already arrived! Then let's hurry over. I have missed Zhishou so much and have been wondering when he would be able to return."

Zhishou and his party traveled without rest, riding ox carts up toward Qingqiu Mountain. Fortunately, seeing that the scenery along the way was even better than before he had left the Xuanyuan Tribe and had suffered no losses, he finally felt completely at ease. He then began to examine the Xuanyuan Tribe with the perspective he had gained after living in Huaxia for a long time, looking at what places could be improved and what things should be built where, and very quickly completed his shift in identity.

The Construction Team looked at the busy Xuanyuan Tribe and felt some emotion; the Xuanyuan Tribe's location was indeed good. Throughout the entire year, it had dozens of days more suitable for work than Huaxia. Even the crops in their fields were already a lush green, while Huaxia was still a withered yellow, and even the forests were still bare, with the tree leaves yet to sprout; the only green to be seen were the ever-green pine trees.

Only Zhishou's few Slaves felt some unease in their hearts. From the moment they stepped onto the land of the Xuanyuan Tribe, they felt something was not quite right, but they could only assume this was the edge of the city, just like in Huaxia, and that they had not yet entered the city proper.

When they saw the Qingqiu City wall, which was far inferior to the city wall of Huaxia City, their hearts grew flustered. Why was the city wall here not even as good as Lema City? Even the city gates were vastly different.

After truly entering the city, the Slaves' hopes were dashed. Although there were more people in Qingqiu City and the buildings were more densely packed, what they were stepping on was a dirt road mixed with pebbles, and ox dung could be seen everywhere on the road surface; it could not be compared at all to the solid, clean roads of Huaxia.

The houses they saw were, without exception, mud walls—the color of the mud was too different from Cement for them to have mistaken it—and the roofs were made of thatch. The few of them grew increasingly panicked, but everyone else acted as if they were accustomed to it, as if this was how things were supposed to be, which made it even harder for them to accept. Why had they been bought by this person? It would have been so much better to stay in Huaxia.

But their true nightmare had not yet arrived; they were still on the road, and as Slaves, they could not speak, converse, or walk around as they pleased.

Originally, when they first arrived, the people of the Xuanyuan Tribe thought they were from Huaxia and wanted to prepare ox carts for them, but upon being told that the few were Slaves, the expressions of the Xuanyuan Tribe people changed instantly, and they wanted to stay far away from them.

At this moment, the few Slaves also felt the difference in how Huaxia and the Xuanyuan Tribe treated Slaves. Although the status of Slaves in Huaxia was low, at least they were still treated as human beings; it was just that they could not enjoy the rights that ordinary people had, but they would not be subjected to unexplained cold stares, nor would they be beaten by people for no reason on the road.

In the Xuanyuan Tribe, such things could not be guaranteed. The status of a Slave was even lower than that of livestock; oxen were treasures in the Xuanyuan Tribe and were labor forces more important than people, so what exactly was a Slave?

They had no right to ride in carts for the entire journey and could only trot alongside the ox carts. The journey alone left them extremely exhausted. They also saw many carts on the road pulled by humans; those pulling the carts were covered in filth, and in this weather, they wore only a tiny short skirt to cover their private parts, or nothing at all, as they pulled the carts with all their might.

From time to time, they would be cursed at and whipped with sticks by people who looked like their masters. The few Slaves instantly associated this with the fate of the Slaves in their own tribe back when they were at the Jiangshui Tribe; the generous treatment of Slaves by the Huaxia Tribe had actually made them forget the past.

Feeling the envious gazes cast upon them by the passing Slaves, they felt not a shred of pride or excitement, but instead felt a chill throughout their bodies. Could it be that this would be their future?

The others did not notice this and continued to chat and laugh on the ox carts. Seeing the mountaintop drawing nearer meant that Xuanyuan's residence was about to be reached, so they chose to stop the carts and walk. This was a ritual they had learned in Huaxia, serving as a sign of respect for a tribal Tribal Chief.

Zhishou felt that such a ritual was very necessary. He did not persuade the people of the Construction Team to follow local customs, but instead walked with them, yet he did not expect that they would encounter Xuanyuan and his group, who were just heading up the mountain, not long after.

Upon seeing Zhishou, Xuanyuan laughed and grabbed Zhishou's hands and arms, completely disregarding that he was still covered in mud, and the dirt on his own hands stained Zhishou's clothes.

Zhishou did not mind; he did not spoil the joy of the reunion or Xuanyuan's enthusiasm, and likewise patted Xuanyuan's arm with his hand.

Xuanyuan said happily: "Zhishou, I was just wondering when you would be able to return. I have missed you very much. You have no idea how happy I was when I heard the news of your return."

Zhishou also said with a smile: "I am also very happy to be able to return. Although Huaxia is good, it is not where I should stay. Now that my mission in Huaxia is complete, it is time to come back."

After exchanging pleasantries, Xuanyuan also saw the Construction Team and others behind him. Dahong also went over to greet and welcome them, not neglecting them.

However, Xuanyuan had some questions: "I should have had them arrange ox carts; how could you have walked over? Our officials are too derelict in their duties and should be punished."

Zhishou stroked his beard and shook his head slightly: "Alas, this has nothing to do with them. We also came by cart, but since we were about to arrive, in order to show respect for a tribal leader, it is only natural to get off and walk. This is also a part of the 'ritual' I learned in Huaxia. I think it is very good and worth learning."

Xuanyuan understood Zhishou's meaning, but still said: "But you are my teacher; it should be me respecting you. In the future, when you come over, you don't need to do this; just ride the ox cart."

Zhishou pointed his finger toward Heaven: "Huaxia has established the ritualistic order of the old and young, the noble and the lowly, and the sovereign and the subject, father and son. I believe this is in accordance with the Dao. Heaven and Earth and parents are all things we should respect. In fact, we have always been doing this; it is just that Huaxia has clearly articulated it. In the Xuanyuan Tribe, you are the Tribal Chief, so you are the highest and greatest one. Except for your parents and teachers, everyone should hold you in the highest regard; this point cannot change. I cannot yet be considered your teacher, just someone who has come to assist you. Therefore, this ritual is something I should also learn."