Chapter 128: Not a Witch Practitioner

"Yu Lin, this is my father."

"This is my younger uncle........"

"This is........"

Si Linghua pointed at Si Shan Zhong, smiling as Si Linghua introduced the people inside the hall.

Especially the few members of the Chong Clan who are the strongest fighters; they all get along well with him, the strongest among them is his father, and there is also a brother who will become emperor in the future.

This network of relationships gives him the confidence to slack off as a loafer in the tribe.

Hiss.

This situation feels somewhat familiar...........

Yu Lin stopped pondering, and after getting to know the others, asked:

"Wen Ming is at his home now, right?"

Si Linghua shook her head, pointing to the place where the tribe met yesterday: "No, he was called away by my grandfather early on."

"He said he wanted to teach him some flood-control knowledge."

"Yu Lin, have you eaten? How about joining us for a meal later?"

"Fine," Yu Lin nodded, not refusing.

Si Tang, shuffling with an aged, unsteady gait, came over and whispered to Yu Lin:

"May I have a word with you?"

"Sure."

Yu Lin and them walked to the side, to a quiet spot.

He looked up at Yu Lin: "They say you smashed a huge stone with a single punch yesterday, summoning thunder that split the trees."

"I didn't see you break the stone, but I went to see the tree struck by lightning this morning........"

"When I was young, I went to Wu Xian Guo and saw a Sage summon great fire, burning a bear that could speak human words, and also saw someone summon mountain earth to block a breached dam......... They called it Witchcraft; women are called witches, men are called male practitioners."

"Are you a male practitioner from Wu Xian Guo? Or are you sent by the Emperor?"

"To... supervise Gun's son and have us continue flood control?"

A murky look of appraisal and probing flashed in his eyes.

Although he knew such a move might anger Yu Lin, he did it anyway.

"I'm not from Wu Xian Guo, nor am I sent by the Emperor," Yu Lin shook his head, raising a finger: "But one thing you guessed correctly is that I came here solely to do one thing."

"Help Si Wen Ming with flood control."

"........." After a moment of silence, Si Tang's face showed puzzlement:

"With your Witchcraft, you could handle flood control yourself; why involve Si Wen Ming?"

"Wouldn't that be a burden?"

Yu Lin shook his head: "So I said, I only want to help Si Wen Ming with flood control."

"It's not that I want to do flood control myself, so I won't directly take part in it."

"As for other matters, I can't say much, but in short I have no ill intent."

Si Tang listened, and a sudden speculation flashed in his mind—perhaps Heaven saw their suffering from floods and sent Yu Lin to help them?!

Flood control is still unavoidable.

If he had appeared earlier, perhaps his two sons wouldn't have perished in the floods........

Alas, it's only that they lack a good fate!

After a long sigh, Si Tang bowed to Yu Lin:

"I understand, thank you."

"No need, it's just a transaction," Yu Lin helped him to his feet.

Although Yu Lin sensed the sadness he had just shown, he didn't know what exactly had happened to Si Tang, so he said nothing comforting.

He simply returned with him to the place where the beast meat was divided.

Until noon arrived.

The grilled meat was grilled, the boiled meat was boiled.

Yu Lin, of course, wouldn't shortchange himself and took out the seasonings directly.

First marinate, then roast.

In an instant, the rich aroma swept over the entire tribe like a wave.

Fat dripped onto the fire, producing a "sizzle" sound, and the unique scent of various spices made everyone's noses involuntarily twitch.

"What is this smell......"

"So fragrant!"

"Ten times more fragrant than the roast offered in sacrifices!"

The tribe members stared longingly at the roast in Yu Lin's hands, their throats bobbing, yet no one dared to step forward and ask for a piece.

The giant tree split by lightning yesterday still lay on the outskirts of the tribe, and no one dared to approach the mysterious figure who could summon heavenly thunder.

Of course, except for one.

Gugong—

A particularly loud sound of swallowing came from beside them.

Yu Lin turned, seeing Si Linghua staring intently at the roast, a suspicious glimmer hanging at the corner of her mouth.

The youngster wiped his mouth with his sleeve forcefully, then cautiously tugged at Yu Lin's sleeve.

"Yu Lin......" Si Linghua's voice carried a hint of flattery:

"What are you grilling?"

"........... roasted meat."

'"That, that I can have a bite?" Si Linghua looked at him pitifully, her eyes full of pleading:'

'"Just one bite! Please!"'

'Yu Lin looked at this greedy teenager, helplessly nodding:'

'"Alright, bring your meat over, I'll also help you grill it."'

'"Great!" Si Linghua leapt three feet high and sprinted to the dividing area.'

'She nimbly squeezed through the crowd, grabbed the two fattest hind leg pieces, and rushed back, afraid Yu Lin might change his mind.'

'"Thank you!" Si Linghua eagerly handed over the meat, her face full of anticipation.'

'Yu Lin took the two hind leg pieces, each weighing about four or five catties, and raised his eyebrows:'

'"Can you eat all that by yourself?"'

'"No," Si Linghua scratched her head:'

'"The other piece is for Wen Ming."'

'"That's pretty righteous of you." Yu Lin nodded, then cut the meat into pieces and skewered them.'

'Si Linghua instinctively squatted beside the fire, staring unblinkingly at the roasting meat.'

'She occasionally fanned the scent toward her nose with her hand, inhaling deeply, a veritable gluttonous child.'

'Seeing this, Si Shan Zhong not far behind rubbed his forehead, his face full of helplessness.'

'But that's also good—being able to get on good terms with such a being and teach him some real skills......... this lifetime I won't have to worry.'

'Regarding his son's situation.'

'Si Shan Zhong said it's fine if he comes home when it rains; he has no other demands.'

'It wasn't long after.'

'Having finished his morning study with Da Yu, he finally completed his task and walked over with Si Chang and a few others.'

'Beside him followed a middle-aged woman, not particularly beautiful in appearance, but her resemblance to Da Yu was striking.'

'Presumably she is Da Yu's birth mother, Xiuji.'

'Da Yu naturally also smelled the aroma; this unprecedented fragrance made even someone who rarely feels desire for food feel his appetite whetted.'

'But he was still in the midst of study, so he could only suppress it for now.'

'Seeing him arrive.'

'Si Linghua hastily swallowed the meat in her mouth and waved, calling out: "Wen Ming, Aunt, come quickly!"'

'"This meat smells so good!"'