劍問蒼天 - 第122章 祭壇 - 清風書屋

The soldiers charged with guarding the altar had all fallen drunk, sprawled every which way across the ground, and the air was thick with the reeking fragrance of strong liquor. In the distance the Miao folk crowded round in layer upon layer, watching, and now and then someone burst out laughing. As for the two visitors from the Central Plains, the man was at least still standing in place, though his expression was rather grim; the woman, however, seemed already drunk, her face flushed a vivid, dazzling red, her whole body leaning against the man—though she could still stand, and in that she was far better off than the Miao warriors sprawled across the ground.

Even the strange three-eyed monkey they had brought was sitting at their feet, eating a bite of fruit and washing it down with a sip of strong liquor, joyous and in high spirits.

Tu Magu was no fool. After a few more glances, and a look at the wine sacks scattered over the ground and the expressions of the watching Miao, he understood that this was no scheme of the two Central Plains folk, but the failings of his own men.

Seeing the chieftain come down, someone had already run up, bent to his ear, and briefly recounted what had happened.

Looking at the drunkards strewn over the ground, Tu Magu was so furious he could have choked. He thought these good-for-nothings had actually put the great matter of guarding the altar out of their minds. Worse still, a dozen or twenty men had drunk a frail young woman under the table—if word of this ever got out, the Miao would lose all face and be mocked to death in secret by the other four tribes of the southern border.

Resolving in his heart that he would certainly deal with these worthless Miao once he returned, Tu Magu forced a smile onto his face and, pretending to take no notice of the mess on the ground, walked toward Ming Li.

Ming Li, too, now saw Tu Magu approaching, and his heart gave a thud. Though this drinking contest had not been fought with blades and spears, anyone could see that the fallen Miao had cost the Miao people great face. When Tu Magu had come down the mountain a moment ago, Ming Li had seen from afar that his expression was wrong—plainly he was furious.

Though he now came forward with a forced smile, Ming Li knew well enough that he was displeased, and could not help inwardly blaming Xiaobai for stirring up such trouble.

When Tu Magu drew near, Ming Li forced a smile and said awkwardly, "Elder, my—my friend here, she—she truly doesn't know the customs, and that's how this..."

Tu Magu shook his head and said to him, "Say no more. I know it all. Truth be told, it's my own men who are useless."

Ming Li fell silent, then ventured cautiously, "Then—will the great shaman be willing to see us?"

Tu Magu glanced at him, then at Xiaobai, who leaned against Ming Li with her bright eyes half closed and her breath coming soft and quick. He gave a bitter laugh and said, "Go on up. The great shaman has agreed to see you."

Ming Li was overjoyed. "Many thanks, elder," he said again and again.

Tu Magu said blandly, "I am the chief of the Miao here. You may simply call me Tu Magu."

Ming Li was taken aback. He had seen that the old man commanded great respect among the Miao, but he had not expected him to be the chief of the whole Miao clan. He nodded at once. "Then I thank you, Chief."

Tu Magu shook his head. "Go on up, quickly! The great shaman is still waiting for you!"

Ming Li answered and was about to stride toward the altar halfway up the mountain, but Xiaobai, beside him, tangled him up. That supple, boneless body had gone limp against him; if he simply walked off like this, she would surely fall to the ground.

So he said softly to Xiaobai, "Xiaobai, I have to go see the great shaman. Stand up on your own and wait for me here, all right?"