194: worship ceremony

“Zha La Ma, I heard your tribe had a bountiful harvest this time, even offering one hundred thousand cattle and sheep?” a Xiongnu people envoy asked the envoy next to him.

“King Baiyang has only called us here this one time in so many years, how could our gifts not be generous?” Zha La Ma said with a smile.

“You’re really bleeding money, aren’t you?” the envoy asked in surprise.

“Of course. Our Great Local Official said, how can one be disrespectful to the Sky God? Naturally, we offer as much as we have,” Zha La Ma laughed heartily, then asked in return:

“By the way, Niu Asu, what offerings did your tribe present to the Sky God?”

“Alas, it was also cattle, but our tribe naturally cannot compare to yours; it’s not worth mentioning, not worth mentioning,” Niu Asu demurred, then changed the subject, saying, “Where did Tuogu go?”

Tuogu was an envoy from a tribe neighboring theirs, and his tribe was the most powerful among the surrounding tribes.

“Look at you! Don’t mention Tuogu yet. Just tell me, how many cattle did your tribe send?” Zha La Ma was curious when he heard the other party also offered cattle. It would have been fine if the gifts were of different categories.

But since they were all cattle, a clear winner could be determined.

Because everyone knew that King Baiyang had suffered a great loss before winter, sacrificing countless cattle, sheep, and warhorses to retrieve the young Prince Wuluoli.

Hence, this gathering of various tribes to worship the Sky God after so many years. Most of them chose cattle, sheep, and warhorses to replenish King Baiyang's resources, hoping to gain his favor.

Niu Asu kept evading, but Zha La Ma kept pressing him. Only when he saw Zha La Ma's face turn red and his neck thicken from questioning did Niu Asu chuckle softly, “Not much, just one hundred fifty thousand each of cattle, sheep, and warhorses.”

“One hundred fifty thousand each?” Niu Asu immediately gasped for air. He had been outdone!

Both their tribes bordered the Jiti Tribe, so this time they hoped to gain King Baiyang’s favor and obtain the right to wage war against the Jiti Tribe!

But now Niu Asu’s tribe had stolen a march, leaving Zha La Ma somewhat stunned.

However, before he could ponder a countermeasure, a booming voice rang out, breaking the clamor of people exchanging information.

“King Baiyang has arrived!”

The hundreds of Xiongnu people envoys gathered before the Moon God Temple stopped talking and turned to bow in unison:

“Greetings, King Baiyang!”

King Baiyang stopped before the Moon God Temple, quietly observing the envoys from various tribes, but did not speak.

A deathly silence fell over the Moon God Temple.

Finally, someone couldn't resist and curiously looked up, only to be met with King Baiyang's emotionless gaze, which scared him into quickly lowering his head.

“Alright, rise,” King Baiyang said.

Only then did the envoys raise their heads.

“I apologize for troubling you to travel such a long distance this time,” King Baiyang said in a deep voice.

“This Subordinate would not dare!” As soon as these words were uttered, the envoys quickly lowered their heads again.

“Before we worship the Sky God, there are still some matters to attend to.

Please wait a moment,” King Baiyang said in a deep voice. Then, some people brought several Xiongnu people.

The few individuals were covered in blood, their heads drooping, and were supported by others, their lives unknown.

“Guards, first take these people who disrespect the Sky God and offer them to the Sky God!” King Baiyang said.

Then, some people brought wooden posts and tied the individuals to them, setting them up outside the Moon God Temple.

Everyone craned their necks, curiously watching the scene unfold.

Zha La Ma found one of the individuals somewhat familiar. He nudged Niu Asu with his shoulder and whispered, “Niu Asu, look at the person on the far right. Doesn't he look like Tuogu?”

Niu Asu looked over after being prompted, then gasped in surprise: “It really is him!”

Just as the two were exclaiming, King Baiyang’s voice came again:

“This time, for the worship of the Sky God, we are honored to welcome the envoy of the Xiongnu people young Prince Wuluoli, Elder Aikala!

And the envoy of the Xiongnu people Crown Prince Modu!

To worship with us!”

Everyone looked over, only to see Aikala smiling and cupping his hands in greeting to the envoys, while Modu's envoy's face was incredibly grim.

The envoys looked at the two, then at the more than twenty people hanging from the wooden posts, and understood somewhat.

These more than twenty people, used as offerings, all had some ambiguous connection to Modu!

This was killing a chicken to scare the monkeys!

The envoys broke out in cold sweat, relieved that their tribal leaders were relatively well-behaved; some had explicitly rejected Modu, while others were still observing.

Otherwise, once they agreed, their fate would be like those envoys hanging on the posts, suffering torment before awaiting death!

King Baiyang quietly watched everyone's reactions. He thought that after today, the tribes that were still observing would likely firmly side with him.

He who hesitates is lost.

Today, he was determined to eliminate the rebels under his command!

“Where is Zha La Ma?” King Baiyang asked.

Zha La Ma, who was in the crowd, quickly stepped forward and responded, “This Subordinate greets King Baiyang here!”

King Baiyang smiled at Zha La Ma’s appearance: “The Jiti Tribe’s envoy has not arrived, showing contempt for the Sky God. I command your tribe, by the will of the Sky God, to annihilate the Jiti Tribe!”

Zha La Ma could hardly believe his ears. His offerings were far less than Niu Asu’s. Logically, the good task of eliminating the Jiti Tribe shouldn’t fall to him!

But in the next moment, he understood clearly: Niu Asu’s tribe must have done something to displease King Baiyang, which allowed his tribe to gain this merit!

“This Subordinate thanks King Baiyang!” Zha La Ma responded excitedly!

This meant their tribe had a legitimate reason to attack the Jiti Tribe, and their tribe’s strength would become even greater!

King Baiyang nodded, then announced several other decisions. Without exception, the tribes to be punished were those of the two dozen people on the posts.

And those preparing to attack were the tribes that had firmly rejected Modu.

He believed in rewarding loyal tribes, as loyalty was far more important than strength in his view!

Among the many envoys present, some were joyful and some were sorrowful. King Baiyang watched them silently, his thoughts unknown.

At this moment, the Army to eliminate the rebels had already departed from the Encampment. Once these envoys returned to their respective tribes, his territory would once again be a unified whole!

“Begin the worship of the Sky God!” King Baiyang said.

Regardless of their inner thoughts at this moment, everyone cast aside distractions and reverently began to worship the Sky God!

The Xiongnu people's ritual for worshipping the Sky God was not simple, but they were the most devout believers, meticulously and reverently completing every step.

The ritual of worshipping the Sky God continued until the sun set and the moon covered the grassland, finally reaching its end.

At this point, King Baiyang spoke: “Next should be the divination. Bring the cattle!”

“Yes!” Bulu personally led a black ox forward.

King Baiyang smiled: “Elder Aikala, your vast knowledge is renowned across the grassland. Please, perform the divination.”

Aikala nodded and agreed with a smile: “Very well.”