Chapter 338

In the grand hall of the Temple of Sacrifice, Qi Bai smiled as he invited Bao Xi and Luo Shu to sit.
Luo Shu introduced:

“This is Bao Xi Sishi. He is the grandson of Yong Shensi of Beast God City and a young heir of Nie Shensi in Qi City. Sishi Bao Xi represented both Beast God City and the Upper City as envoy to Heiyao. I happened to be on my way to trade with Heiyao and so accompanied him.”

Qi Bai feigned surprise:

“In winter, an envoy claiming to represent both the Upper City and Beast God City already visited Heiyao—and now another envoy comes again? Why?”

He looked puzzled, but didn’t mention the past friction between Bao Tan and Heiyao.
Bao Xi produced a bone token:

“This is a sign of authority from the Central Shrine—proof of my identity.”

Lang Ze reached out, and Hu Xiao handed him the token. Lang Ze glanced at it and passed it to Qi Bai.
The artifact felt real—cool to the touch, neither pure metal nor stone—fashioned from a rare bird's bone, beyond the crafting abilities of ordinary cities or tribes.
Holding it, Qi Bai studied it closely. The token was rectangular with rounded ends, reminiscent of ancient jade tablets from Hua nations. It bore symmetrical, precise carvings—surely a meaningful insignia.
The Central Shrine was different indeed. He’d never heard of any city envoy formerly carrying such a unique credential.
But if so—does that mean Bao Tan was a fake envoy? That’s audacious…
As Qi Bai was musing, Lang Ze voiced his question:

“He is not fake—our orders simply differ.”

Bao Xi rose respectfully, bowing toward the southwest. He then addressed Qi Bai and Lang Ze:

“By the decree of the Great Shensi, I hereby invite Heiyao to journey to Sacred Mountain City to attend the Decennial Grand Divine Assembly.”

The Sacred Mountain refers to the mountain range where Beast God City stands—the legendary place where the Beast God descended on the continent; the most sacred land of all.
The Central Shrine holds regular assemblies, but the once-in-every-decade Grand Divine Assembly—presided over personally by the Great Shensi—is the most sacred ritual of the order.
Why every ten years? Legend says the Beast God slumbers and only breathes once per decade; only then, when the rite occurs at the summit of Sacred Mountain, can the prayers reach the Beast God's ear.
Qi Bai glanced to the southwest—exactly the direction he’d sensed when bathing in the Sacred Spring. He remained curious about Beast God City but reserved belief in its legends.
After all, although every city was permitted to attend, they didn’t come empty-handed. Each city’s lord and priests had to bring sufficient offerings—more offerings meant more divine favor; too few, and you were shunned. Cities that failed to answer the call might suffer divine wrath.
He thought: Beast God is asleep—so how could He possibly “measure offerings” and award blessings or curses accordingly? The myths felt rather contrived.
As Qi Bai and Lang Ze mulled, Luo Shu changed topics with a smile:
“Great Priest, I hope you’ve prepared enough goods.”
“What do you mean?”

“In winter, I traveled between tribes collecting herbs—not much came back. But this time—with Bao Xi’s help, we contacted many cities and tribes. Just for herbs, we brought two full carts. And we’ve also brought over twenty beastmen—perhaps they are the kin Heiyao is searching for.”

Bao Xi alone likely lacked the power for such coordination. Luo Shu’s remark signaled strong sincerity behind the shrine’s invitation.
Qi Bai’s smile grew warmer:

“In that case, Heiyao will prepare abundant provisions in return.”

Bao Xi’s gaze lowered:

“All this is by the will of the Great Shensi. I merely followed orders.”

Qi Bai paused. Bao Xi had already mentioned “Great Shensi” twice now.
Lang Ze also picked up on it:
“Heiyao is honored by the Great Shensi’s invitation,” he began, hesitating slightly, “but as Sishi surely know, we’ve had conflicts with the Red Jackal tribe to survive. If both I and the Great Priest attend Sacred Mountain, Red Jackal might object.”

“No need to worry,” Bao Xi replied, calm. “In Beast God City, the will of the Great Shensi supersedes all. Heiyao, as invitee, will be under their protection.”

Qi Bai considered the words. Perhaps only upon arrival at Beast God City would they truly gain the Great Shensi’s safeguarding?
Regardless, the shrine’s stance toward them was strangely ambiguous.
Having fulfilled his purpose, Bao Xi did not linger. Accompanied by guide Ma Ling, he exited the hall, crossing a long corridor to the main plaza before the temple.
A heavy sound echoed from afar. Bao Xi tensed—but neither Ma Ling nor nearby beasts seemed alarmed, as if accustomed to the noise.
Bao Xi sensed its rhythm—purposeful, not random. In his mind, he counted: one…two…three…twelve beats.
Ma Ling noted:

“That’s the Heiyao bell-drums—they mark time in the city. Noon has just struck. Sishi, would you like something to eat?”

Bao Xi shook his head but gazed at the bustling street:

“What are the people doing?”

Ma Ling followed his gaze:

“That’s the Trading Street—citizens are exchanging goods. Lord Luo Shu always shops there when he visits.”

Strange outfits, exotic food scents, wagons everywhere…
Standing there, gazing at the soaring city walls, Bao Xi felt a surge of unease.
Inside, Luo Shu—once Bao Xi departed—smirked and beckoned Hu Xiao:

“What fresh treats do you have? Bring them here—I haven’t eaten properly in half a year!”

Hu Xiao rolled her eyes and snapped her fingers at the priest to bring food.
Only after Qi Bai intervened did she reluctantly go fetch it.
Once she left, Luo Shu turned serious:

“I started looking into Envoy Yu Shen, and I have some information now.”

The Qingchi City Lord and Madam Xia had been persuaded not to involve themselves further with Heiyao, so Luo Shu had been gathering intel alone.

“Envoy Yu Shen is from the Lingbao Clan, but his status is unusual.”

Usually beast-form mimics parent form. But Lingbao offspring sometimes appear purely white, in both beast and human forms.
Such “anomalies” are ostracized—even within a small tribe—let alone in a shrine emphasizing divine authority. These “orphans abandoned by the Beast God” often weren’t permitted to survive to adulthood.

“Envoy Yu Shen was one such pure-white Lingbao beastman. No one knows his origins. When he appeared at the shrine, he was already a third-tier warrior.” Luo Shu admired.

He advanced beyond his clan by merit, becoming a divine envoy before thirty.
Becoming a shrine priest has two paths:
Inheriting a lineage position—even without special ability, if approved by the shrine, you may serve.
Rising by own merit.
For demi-beastfolk, criteria are tricky—like a healer envoy draws on healing, a feline envoy on leadership.
For horned beastmen, though, it’s clear: any third-tier warrior is eligible to become an envoy.
As an envoy, you’re supported by the shrine—and gain a literal “get-out-of-death-free card”—which explains why Yu Shen appeared suddenly.
His place of birth and deeds were kept secret—but he resided among Lingbao after joining the shrine.

“But this was over twenty years ago. His disappearance—possibly during a divine restoration ritual—was abrupt. Rumor has it he was slain by other envoys mid-mission.”

Strictly speaking, Envoy Yu Shen wasn’t Qi Bai’s father, and Mao Bai never remembered him. Yet hearing all this, Qi Bai’s heart tightened.
It felt like something deeper lay hidden.
Luo Shu’s eyes drifted upward:

“Then… why did you want me to investigate Envoy Yu Shen?”

Though legendary, many in Upper City didn’t even know of him. Where had Qi Bai and Lang Ze learned?
Lang Ze answered:
“I have reasons. You must not speculate or spread rumors—be mindful of inviting trouble.”
“Don’t worry. I earned all these goods—not about to harm myself.” Luo Shu patted his mouth, then asked:

“But what’s your connection with the Lingbao Clan?”

Luo Shu frowned mentally: he’d hoped Lingbao would restrain Red Jackal—but now they’re tangled with Lingbao instead?
Qi Bai asked:
“Did you hear any rumors when you left Upper City?”

“No,” Luo Shu shook his head. “I paid attention to Ji City and Qi City—no unusual happenings.”

Yet all three knew calm seas might portend deeper storms.
News of Cang Shensi’s death had reached Ji City long ago. Yet the Central Shrine had only sent a replacement—no other moves.
Inaction could mean a greater upheaval was brewing. Now with Lingbao intervening, the situation grew more convoluted.
“In Qi City, I heard something else,” Luo Shu hesitated.

“The Great Shensi’s appearances in recent years have dwindled. One envoy casually mentioned that from last autumn to this spring, the Great Shensi never left the shrine.”

He held up a finger:

“I asked several envoys—none saw him either.”

He glanced warily at the door:

“I suspect the Great Shensi’s health may be failing…”

At that moment, Hu Xiao re-entered, carrying food boxes. Qi Bai and Luo Shu snapped to attention, while Lang Ze raised his eyelids.
Under their watchful gaze, Hu Xiao backed up a step—she felt like they were plotting something nefarious… and if they knew what I heard… she might be in trouble…
But seeing the food, Luo Shu leaped up:

“Let me see it!”

As for the Great Shensi—well, he’d said all he could. Now it was up to Qi Bai and Lang Ze to separate the truths from trouble.
Hu Xiao opened the food boxes one layer at a time: salty roast chicken, soy-braised pork knuckle, stewed radish with beef brisket, chilled tofu strips—and finally, a massive bowl of cold noodles.
Luo Shu grabbed a leg with one hand and slurped noodles with the other:

“I knew you’d like cold food—it’s so hot that’s all it makes sense. Another bowl!”

Qi Bai, chewing a drumstick, glanced out the window at the blazing sun.
Spring had just wrapped up—but the sun already scorched mercilessly.
Truthfully, Qi Bai had grown accustomed to this abnormal heat even in their remote north. Spring and autumn were all but disappearing. Down south might now be just summer and winter.
He reminded:

“You’re outside a lot—avoid direct sun. Many of our people suffer sunburns and that can be lethal without treatment.”

Thankfully, North Zhou had passed the drought. But even with rain, more frequent irrigation was needed to prevent crop failure. Farming was unforgiving—when the heavens fell out of mood, nobody rested easy.
Luo Shu slapped the noodle bowl down:

“...How can sun cause injury like that? No wonder some beastmen in the troops were inexplicably injured. It was the sun…”

He thought a moment, realization dawning.
No wonder when he first entered the city, every cart he saw had a large, shaded canopy—it was for shielding sun! Hei Yao folk don’t make useless things.

Buy! I must go to the cart shop later!