Chapter 21: Warrior Ceremony (3)

Zhang Fan was a little surprised, isn't this the warrior ceremony? Why are there still my own matters? And they even let me go on stage to meet everyone? This… this… this… Seeing Zhang Fan still refusing to go on stage, Ba Ke Er beside him asked:

Fan Fan, why aren't you going up on stage?

I… I… I… I don't know what to say after going up.

It's fine, you can stay silent, nobody will blame you.

Zhang Fan suddenly had an idea.

How about… Ba Ke Er, how about you come up with me?

Sure! Sure! Come on, Fan Fan, I'll hold your hand and walk.

After hearing that, Zhang Fan immediately stretched out his right hand toward Ba Ke Er. Thus, Ba Ke Er held Zhang Fan's hand and they walked together from their barbecue spot onto the stage. The people below, upon seeing Zhang Fan's appearance, were all somewhat surprised, how could there be such a handsome person! However, upon seeing Zhang Fan and Ba Ke Er holding hands, everyone understood, it turned out Ba Ke Er's actions were still quite swift!

Seeing Zhang Fan and Ba Ke Er holding hands, the chief smiled even broader. "This is Zhang Fan, whom Ba Ke Er brought back from outside the tribe." The chief introduced Zhang Fan to the tribespeople below, also explaining that Ba Ke Er was Zhang Fan's guide, possessing the first right of pursuit. Zhang Fan looked at the people below, and finally, encouraged by Ba Ke Er, he spoke:

"Hello everyone! I'm Zhang Fan. Please guide me in the future. Thank you." After saying that, Zhang Fan didn't forget to bow to everyone. Seeing this, the people below gave him face and began to applaud. Zhang Fan hearing the applause for him, felt truly happy. Then he thanked everyone and left the stage together with Ba Ke Er.

The chief felt it was time to hold the ceremony, so he signaled the drummers to start. Soon, thunderous drumming came from the stage again. This drumbeat differed from the one at the beginning; this drumbeat was like a war drum—urgent, clean and neat. Listening to such drumming, Zhang Fan felt as if he were on a battlefield, his blood boiling! Gradually, the drumming stopped, and the chief once again ascended the stage. He said to the people below:

"Now, I, Fei Ji, chief of the Heaven Lion Tribe, formally announce that the warrior ceremony begins! Please invite the warriors participating in this year's coming-of-age trial to come onto the stage!"

After saying that, he stepped to the side of the stage, waiting for the warriors to go up. The people below all wore smiles, making a wide path for the warriors so they could ascend the stage.

Soon, Ba Ke Er and a group of young beastmen who were going to take the trial together with him stepped onto that wide path and went up onto the stage.

After they all went up, the chief took out a small booklet and began to read each of their battle records, starting with the person who returned last. He read for a while before reaching Ba Ke Er. Upon hearing Ba Ke Er's name, Zhang Fan began silently cheering for him in his heart and gave him an encouraging smile. Seeing Zhang Fan's smile, Ba Ke Er felt his heart melt, sweeter than honey. Finally, Ba Ke Er's record was finished reading, and everyone formed an estimate in their minds. Sure enough, not long after, the chief announced Ba Ke Er as the strongest warrior and bestowed upon him a head ornament symbolizing strength and courage.

Gradually, the ceremony also drew to a close—the partner ceremony.