Chapter 16: The Heir of the Warlock

  "Who is it." Chu Yan asked calmly. On a snowy day like this, there shouldn't be anyone coming. But there are exceptions. After all, the food that was supposed to be sent to the Lun Cliff tribe this year hasn't been delivered yet. Originally, it was decided that after the exchange meeting, the Lun Cliff tribe would instruct them on what food they needed to deliver this year. But because of the despicable things done by the Yue Shu tribe, Chu Yan was so angry that he didn't pay much attention. And Suteira also didn't mention this matter.

  Yashi shook his head. He and Bagin had discovered these people from a distance. Then he hastily returned to report to the leader, letting the leader decide. They hadn't figured out which tribe this group of people belonged to.

  "Let's go, take a look." Chu Huai tightened his fur coat. The warmth felt like Mo Yi was by his side. Ya Shi didn't say much, quietly following behind Chu Huai. He was a taciturn man with extraordinary skills.

  Two people walked quickly along the footprints that led back to the stone gate. There was a thin layer of snow on the ground, which had fallen two days ago. The weather for these two days had been extremely clear. This cold day did not bring much snow. I believe it won't snow heavily before trees and grass sprout either.

  Two people had not yet reached the edge of the forest when Chu Yan saw Ba Jin leading a group of people walking back and forth. Although he couldn't see clearly who the newcomers were, there was one figure among them who was thin and hunched over, but was surrounded by others in the middle. Who else could have such an entourage if not the old wizard Ao Hui?

  Realizing that the old wizard had fallen into the canyon, Chu Yan was greatly shocked. His pace also quickened a lot. Yashi was also very surprised, but he still didn't make a sound. He quickened his footsteps and followed closely behind Chu Yan.

  Let's move forward a bit more. Soon, everyone will be visible. Except for Ao Hui Wu Shi, there are two robust men from the Luan Ya tribe that Chu Huo has seen before, but he can't remember their names. One of them is familiar, it's Si Mo La. Behind her, there are over a dozen people following, all young men from various tribes, physically strong and capable, with half of them likely to become the next leader of their respective tribes. What's going on with this group? Chu Huo wondered in his heart, but remained calm on the surface as he walked forward: "Ao Hui Wu Shi, hello."

  "Chu Huo, leader. Hello." Ao Hui stopped in his tracks. Everyone else followed suit, no longer intending to move forward. "Let's rest here for the night. You all go prepare dinner. I'll come and talk with Leader Chu Huo."

  "Yes." The others quickly dispersed, some gathering firewood and others preparing food. The internal tribe of Kan was relatively small compared to other tribes, and their cave wouldn't be very large either. Ao Hui thought it would be impossible for so many people to live there. So they decided not to go to the cave after all. This suited Chu Huo's intentions just fine. The current state of the cave wasn't suitable for outsiders to visit anyway. The internal tribe of Kan had become wealthy, but strong men were scarce. Chu Huo didn't want to reveal their vulnerability and invite envy from others.

  The bonfire quickly rose up. Ao Hui and Chu Huo sat down beside the bonfire. Before they could discuss official business, Si Mo asked: "Chu Huo leader, your animal hide clothing is made very well. When you stretch out your hands, your arms don't even show."

  "Heh heh." Chu Yan smiled but didn't speak. So everyone's gaze shifted to his animal hide coat. But he wouldn't easily reveal the method of making this animal hide coat to others.

  Seeing this, Silmar also closed his mouth. His eyes, however, did not leave the beast skin coat. If only he had such a garment, how good it would be.

  "Chu Huo has already spoken up: 'I don't know what the wizard has come for from afar, and who these people are.' If it's just about offering food, there's no need for the wizard to come in person, and there wouldn't be so many people from other tribes following him."

  Ao Hui smiled slightly, his face full of wrinkles like a chrysanthemum flower, but his complexion was somewhat dark, an unhealthy color. Chu Yu remembered that the elderly people in the tribe before they died had such a state. Could it be...

  "Chu Hu's leader, I have grown old. It is time to choose a successor. These are the people from other tribes who were chosen to follow me and learn. I came here to choose one person from your tribe as well." Ao Hui said slowly, his expression showing a hint of kindness that Chu Hu had never seen before. The shaman was always someone to be feared, even if he didn't do evil things, the people still revered him from the bottom of their hearts.

  "It's like that." Chu Yan felt relieved and also had a sense of comfort. If the next wizard was someone from within Kan, then they would definitely take care of Kan more.

  "Chu Huo's leader, I don't know if your tribe's Mo Yi'er is willing." Ao Hui's leader, Weiwei, paused for a moment before saying the name she had chosen. He still didn't know that Mo Yi'er was a woman. Based solely on Mo Yi'er's cleverness, he had already taken a liking to him.

  Just now still relieved Chu Yan, suddenly looked ugly, involuntarily, his body revealed some sorrow. "Sorry, Wu Shi."

  "What's wrong? You still don't want to?" Before Chu Yan could explain, Sima La suddenly interrogated him like a furious cat, seemingly afraid that Chu Yan would refuse.

  "It's not that I don't want to. Mo Yi'er... has gone missing." Chu Yan said languidly. If Mo Yi'er hadn't gone missing, then whether or not to become a witch was something Chu Yan would have respected her decision on. But now, even if she were to become a witch, at least he would know where she is. Unlike now, when every day is spent in anxiety, fearing that she might disappear forever.

  "Lost. What do you mean." Sumala became more agitated, if it wasn't for his own voice being so rough, he might have blown his cover as a man dressed as a woman.

  "She was taken away by the Golden Lion. She disappeared before the heavy snow fell, and none of us could find her." Chu Yan didn't intend to hide the fact about the Golden Lion. This also served as a reminder to other tribes in the tribal alliance. Indeed, this sentence made everyone who heard it change their expression. Ao Hui hastily asked: "Golden Lion? You're talking about the Golden Lion?"

  "Yes, we've seen Golden Lion a few times before, but he didn't harm anyone. But that time, he took Mo Yi'er away."

  Awe-stricken, the grey wizard stood there. The others were stunned, still fearful of the golden lion. The most discomposed was Silmar, who looked like he had seen a ghost. He muttered to himself: "How could this be..." For a long time, he just stood there, dazed.

  Ao Hui's old age has indeed seen its fair share of storms. Looking at Chu Yan's dejected appearance, he surprisingly opened his mouth to comfort him: "Perhaps nothing will happen. The Golden Lion is ferocious but extremely intelligent and unpredictable in its actions. Maybe Mo Yi'er is still alive."

  Chu Yan nodded. He also thought so. "Then, Wizard, can you think of anyone else?"

  Ao Hui fell silent for a moment. He had some understanding of the general situation of each tribe, which made it easier to control the smaller tribes in the alliance. For now, there was only one other person suitable within the Kan tribe. "I wonder if Chu Jian's younger brother is willing."