Chapter 7 The mysterious person tells

Albugu Nasutu stood in the grass, slightly shielding his eyes. In the distance, his wife, Tana Nasutu, sat on a small wooden stool, enjoying the morning sun as she leisurely milked. His family had three cows. Among the Fire Tribe, most families raised sheep, which could be traded with other tribesmen, but cattle, especially dairy cows, were only available to a select few.

Albugu shouted to his wife. Tana heard her husband's voice and waved in the distance, but a bright smile bloomed on her husband's fair cheeks.

Tana carried the milk bucket, the ornaments on her body jingling as she walked, like larks on the grassland. Albugu finally waited for Tana to return. He took the milk bucket and carried Tana back to the tent. The curtain was closed and the sun was just beginning to heat up.

The milk pot on the stove was bubbling with hot milk foam, the chewy steamed buns were already heated, and there was also the roasted lamb that the two of them had eaten last night.

"Albugu, come here, I'll pour you a bowl." Tana and Albugu had been married for four years, but they still retained the warmth of newlyweds. They addressed each other by their first names, and to outsiders, that was the unique romance of their undiminished love. Albugu took the milk tea his wife had poured and lovingly placed it next to her, then poured himself a bowl.

"Thank you, Tana."

"What a delicious milk tea! I wonder if there's a portion for me?" The tent curtain was lifted, and a figure, whose voice had been heard but whose face hadn't been seen, walked into the tent. Clad in a long black robe with a hood that completely concealed the newcomer's features, Albugu protected Tana behind him, his gaze fixed intently on the newcomer.

Black was the color most hated by the Tana people. She was terrified of the completely unseen "raider" in front of her, and nervously stuck to Albugu's back. Seeing the man approaching, Albugu quickly and skillfully drew the sword he always carried at his waist and placed it between the "raider" and himself.

He doesn't have much martial arts skills, and maybe he can't beat the person in front of him, but he has to take on the responsibility of being a husband, and he should protect his wife even if it means his death.

The Raider stopped just a stone's throw from Albugu, feeling at ease in the tent as if it were his own familiar place. He took off his black robe and hood, then sat by the hearth, inviting Albugu and Tana to sit down.

"Don't worry, I won't hurt you. I just smelled the fragrance of milk tea and came in to ask for a cup of tea." The bright tent allowed Albugu to see the appearance of the visitor clearly.

With a sharp face, a high nose bridge, and a pair of eyes that looked a little melancholic, the man before him was no less handsome than most good-looking people.

"There are many tribesmen on the grassland whose milk tea tastes the same as ours. I wonder why this young man found the farthest tent here." Albugu's hand was always on his sword, and he did not let down his guard.

"Because I only want to drink yours." The man drank half a bowl of milk tea with an intoxicated look on his face. "Albu Gu? Although you are not as brave as Bals, you are definitely not the same as Albu Gu." Albu Gu's eyes trembled slightly when he heard it. The man seemed to have told his secret. He pulled out the sword at his waist with a fierce look. Tana was so scared that she covered her mouth with her hands, her face ashen. She had never seen Albu Gu so terrifying.

"Who the hell are you?" Albugu roared, and a tense atmosphere instantly filled the tent. The man calmly picked up a jade stone and threw it, breaking Albugu's sword in two. Tana screamed in shock, and Albugu protected her. The opponent was too strong, and if he confronted him head-on, it would be like an egg against a rock. He relented, and Tana, following Albugu's composure, calmed down and sat beside him.

"If you just want a cup of tea, can you please leave after you finish your tea?"

"Don't mind it. Look how bright the sun is outside. Let me sit for a while." Albugu was very angry, but he couldn't beat him. Tana carefully took a steamed bun and a small plate of mutton and gave it to the man.

"Madam is kind-hearted."

The man shamelessly began to eat steamed buns and mutton, and only rode back properly after he had eaten and drunk his fill. He looked at Tana, and Albugu also asked Tana to leave the tent first. As long as Tana was not put in danger, Albugu was willing to face the unknown danger alone.

"Tell me, who are you?" The two spoke frankly.

"It doesn't matter who I am, but I know who you are. What I want to say and what I want to ask for are very important." Albugu sneered. A man who came from an unknown origin and threatened him actually wanted him to do things for him.

"I don't even know who you are. How can you be so confident that I can help you?" The man grinned. He had guessed everything Albugu was thinking. He looked at Albugu calmly and said, "It's okay if you don't want to help me, but there's one person you won't refuse."

"Tell me about it." Albugu said without showing any weakness.

"Wen Ranqi, he's still alive, you didn't know that, did you?" Albugu stood up suddenly upon hearing this. His shocked eyes were filled with suspicion and disbelief.

The man continued, "You've spent the past four years hiding in this remote grassland, herding livestock and getting married. He's spent the past four years enduring humiliation and living in fear. Even if you don't go to mourn your father, you don't want to return to the south to see him again."

Albugu's pupils were filled with regret and uneasiness. He had traveled all the way from the south to the north. He was unwilling to fight and rob. In the end, he tried his best but failed to save his brother who depended on him for survival.

The scene on the Cliff of Gone Years would appear in his dreams every night. He wanted to forget it, but in the end he chose to escape.

"How do I know you're not lying to me?"

The man sneered and said, "What can I get out of you now? You've been a bastard since childhood, not recognized by the Fengyue Clan. Now you've run to this grassland with no power or financial resources. All you have is this tent and the background of that woman outside the house. I don't care about anything you have."

"You, what do you want?" Albugu felt aggrieved and angry.

The man walked up to Albugu and pulled out a colorful stone. "This is cloud stone, actually a rare piece of jade. It was originally placed under the altar of the Fire Tribe. This cloud stone can play a unique role in special circumstances. I want you to give it to Wen Ranqi."

Albu took the marble. The sunlight filtering through the cracks made it appear crystal clear. "Why did you take the marble from the altar? When and where did you want me to give it to him?"

"When the second spring arrives and the first peach blossoms bloom in the south, tell him to go north to the Fire Tribe's altar. No matter where he is or what he's doing, make sure he gets there on time. I'll be waiting for him there. Bring this cloud stone with you, and you must get there no matter what. Otherwise, there will be no chance again."

"There's another important person."

"People, what people?"

"Have him take Mu Qi, his apprentice, with him. Remember, tell him that if he wants to go back, this is his only chance to succeed."

Albugu stared at the marble in his hand helplessly. He had no idea what the mysterious man wanted to convey, but what he wanted to convey must be very important.

"Why should I tell Xiaoran all this? What if he doesn't believe me? Where should I find him?"

The man had already put on his black robe and took the dried sac from the cabinet. "He will come to find you. Just give him the item and take me to tell him the truth. He will definitely believe what you say. Also, I want to remind you of something."

"What?"

"He has lost his memory, so you can't tell him who you are, let alone mention me. He has forgotten his painful past, and he is living happily now. If you want him to continue living and live happily, don't let him know about the past."

The man drew aside the curtain. Tana stood outside the door, her expression nervous and fearful. Albugu followed him out. The hooded man was wrapped in a black robe, just like when he came. "Wen Yuhan, remember, you can save him this time. Perhaps we will meet again in the future. Take care."

The man mounted his horse and rode away, whipping the horse.

Tana snuggled up to Albugu. The cloud stone in her arms was clearly cold, but Wen Yuhan felt it warm. If the cloud stone could save Wen Ranqi, he would deliver it to Wen Ranqi safe and sound, even if it meant death. He had failed last time, and he must not make the same mistake this time.