For the next few days, the shaman from the Du'an tribe would visit me daily. After I refused his initial attempts to apply medicine, he would leave behind some colorful ointments, instructing me to use them before departing.
Fortunately, these shamans were quite incompetent. Their diagnoses relied solely on my descriptions of my symptoms, allowing me to conceal the fact that I had already recovered. Time flew by, and a week had passed. As the shamans advised, I cooperated by reluctantly getting out of bed, feigning the appearance of someone recovering from a serious illness.
Ada was overjoyed to see me up and about, personally finding a thick branch for me to use as a walking stick.
The day after I was able to stand, Hu Tu sent someone to summon me.
Leaning on my walking stick, I draped myself in thick animal hides. To emphasize my weakened state, I discreetly scooped up some snow from the ground and smeared it on my face. The chill brought a sickly flush to my skin.
Hu Tu summoning me now could only mean one thing: he intended to recruit me, unless he had lost his mind. With Da Zhi severely wounded and me having single-handedly annihilated the vanguard of the Forsaken Land, I was perfectly positioned to replace Da Zhi as Ada's second-in-command.
Lost in thought, I soon found myself standing before Hu Tu's grand tent. I took a deep breath, waited ten seconds, then deliberately lowered my head, making my face turn red with effort, before entering.
Upon entering, I saw Hu Tu seated in the main position, gulping down wine.
Noticing my arrival, Hu Tu waved his hand, motioning me to take a seat below him.
"You all may leave," he said.
After I sat down, Hu Tu didn't immediately speak to me. Instead, he instructed his personal guards standing beside him to exit.
Was he about to reveal some secret that even his closest guards couldn't hear?
As I pondered this, the vast tent was left with only the two of us.
Hu Tu downed another bowl of wine, and this gave me a clue. Something had clearly happened to distress him. Was it possible that the Grand Shaman, that old schemer, had made another move while I was recuperating this past week?
Before I could speak, Hu Tu broke the silence.
His first words stunned me!
"Batu, Da Zhi is dead!"
"What!"
Da Zhi had been out of mortal danger before I returned. Although he hadn't woken up yet, his life had been saved. How could this have happened?
"What is going on?! Did the Grand Shaman do this?"
Since there was no one else in the tent, I decided to voice my suspicions directly. Hu Tu and the Grand Shaman were practically sworn enemies, and the fragile peace between them could shatter at any moment!
Hu Tu didn't appear surprised by my question. He merely cast a meaningful glance at me, then gulped down another mouthful of wine.
"I don't know. Da Zhi never woke up after our return. On the fifth night, he suddenly developed a raging fever and passed away."
"The shaman who treated him insisted that only ordinary medicines were used, and that Da Zhi's condition worsened unexpectedly."
"I've kept this news quiet for now. Even Ada doesn't know."
A frown creased my brow. This complicated matters.
Though I had no concrete evidence, my intuition told me that Da Zhi's death was connected to the Grand Shaman! Furthermore, with Da Zhi gone, there would be no witness to Gui Li Chi's demise. If the Grand Shaman decided to press the issue, it would still pose a significant threat.
Hu Tu's decision to suppress the news was wise. Now, with Da Zhi dead, Gui Li Chi's death would become a mystery, a case with no conclusive evidence. It was imperative not to stir up trouble until definitive proof was found.
After all, whether in a nation or a tribe, betrayal from within one's own ranks was utterly unforgivable.
If this incident stained my reputation and made Hu Tu hesitate, leading him to sideline me, all my previous efforts would be in vain!
"My King, we cannot announce Da Zhi's death, but we must investigate the cause thoroughly. I suspect the Grand Shaman's shadow looms behind this."
Hu Tu sighed, a hint of melancholy in his eyes.
"I watched Da Zhi grow up. I never imagined he would die in his bed instead of on the battlefield."
The people of the Du'an tribe were pragmatic about death. For a warrior, dying on the battlefield was the most honorable end.
Hearing Hu Tu's words, I also felt a pang of sadness.
Although I hadn't known Da Zhi for long, the bonds of brotherhood between men are forged in shared struggles, one of life's ultimate tests.
Da Zhi, I vowed to uncover the truth and avenge you!
I made this silent promise just as an announcement came from outside.
"My King, the Grand Shaman has arrived!"