We arrived at the Kasa tribe as the sun was high in the sky. Upon seeing us, the guards at the entrance quickly led us into the tribe.
By this time, the Kasa tribe had undergone significant changes.
In the central open space, people had constructed a simple platform from wood. Flanking the platform were many exotic flowers and plants I didn't recognize.
There was even a black bear, its belly opened, placed in the very center.
Keya and the old savage were murmuring below the platform, I couldn't tell what they were discussing.
As if sensing us, Keya turned her head and saw us approaching. She quickly abandoned the old savage and rushed to me, bowing respectfully. "Master, the ceremony is about to begin. We've been waiting for you."
I didn't reply, instead, I carefully examined her from head to toe.
Keya was no longer wearing the simple animal skin attire from three days ago. She was now clad in a thick bear hide, adorned with various ornaments around her waist and hands.
"Keya, I've prepared a great gift for you! It's getting late, let the ceremony begin!" I said.
Keya nodded and left.
At this moment, the old savage also shuffled towards me, bending low to offer a bow.
It was then I noticed that his face, which had been etched with worry just days ago, now seemed to have a youthful glow.
What was going on?
Was the old savage so happy that Keya was becoming the new tribal leader?
Could Keya possibly be his granddaughter?!
Though I felt a sense of bewilderment, the ceremony was about to start, and I couldn't ask too many questions.
I took Ke Xin's hand and found a clean spot to sit down.
With our arrival, Keya's succession ceremony finally commenced.
At this momentous occasion, all members of the tribe, men and women, young and old, gathered near the platform to partake in this significant event.
"Esteemed tribesmen, today our Saintess Keya will become the new leader of the Kasa tribe, leading us to glory!"
The old savage retrieved a scepter from the center of the platform. It was less a scepter and more a spear.
Ke Xin whispered to me, explaining that this scepter had been passed down through generations of Kasa chiefs, symbolizing their authority.
All members of the Kasa tribe were obligated to obey the wielder of the scepter unconditionally.
Just as Keya was about to take the scepter from the old savage, someone in the crowd suddenly shouted loudly.
"Wait a moment!"
My eyes narrowed. I saw the crowd part, and a savage man with a grim expression emerged.
This guy, he's trouble.
I looked at him with a hint of amusement, then glanced at the old savage standing on the platform.
The remnants of Tu Gu Hun's faction should have been eliminated. Where did this troublemaker come from?
Or perhaps...
As soon as the grim-faced savage man spoke, he began to stir the emotions of the Kasa tribespeople, implicitly and explicitly targeting Keya.
"Fellow tribesmen, our Kasa tribe has always respected strength. Only the strongest can be our leader! We are at our weakest now, a time when we need a powerful leader to lead us to revival!"
"Tu Gu Hun, what exactly are you trying to say now?!"
Before Keya could react, the old savage's expression changed, and he sternly rebuked the savage.
Tu Gu Hun finally revealed his true intentions. Pointing at Keya, his attitude was exceptionally arrogant.
"I say, this deposed Saintess is utterly unworthy of becoming the next leader of our Kasa tribe!"
It seemed Tu Gu Hun had accomplices in the crowd, vigorously cheering him on!
"Yes, yes! Keya clearly lacks strength! Can we rely on her to lead us in hunting?"
"We cannot follow a weakling!"
"Someone who was once abandoned, now wants to be our leader? On what grounds!"
As Tu Gu Hun's henchmen fanned the flames, other tribespeople began to stir, their discussions buzzing incessantly.
It appeared these were the remaining opposition hidden within the Kasa tribe. I wasn't sure if they had colluded on their own or if someone was pulling the strings from behind the scenes.
I scornfully glanced at the noisy Tu Gu Hun. He was merely a flea-bitten clown.
What mattered was whether there were other figures behind this...
I coldly eyed the old savage on the platform, his righteous demeanor. Just as I was about to act,
"Tu Gu Hun, a warrior with courage should seek revenge against the Du'an tribe, yet you only sow discord here, bringing shame upon the Kasa tribe!"
To my surprise, Keya on the platform, far from being flustered by this sudden turn of events, looked at Tu Gu Hun with remarkable composure.
She spoke these stern words.
Keya's words made Tu Gu Hun look like a cat whose fur had been ruffled. The arrogance on his face vanished, and he shouted at Keya, "You, who pledges allegiance to outsiders, how dare you aspire to be our leader! If you insist on becoming leader, I, Tu Gu Hun, will be the first to object!"
They've already pushed it too far. I can't hold back any longer!
"I am her master! Whoever objects, step forward and let me see!"