Chapter 9 Gathering at the funeral, becoming the chief patriarch
Snow Night City
A big city that was completed on a snowy night now has three streets and eighteen alleys. The Fengyue clan members headed by the Wen family, who represented each family living in the Snowy Night City, as well as the clan leaders and people from the martial arts world who came to pay their respects, all followed the team out of the city to see Wen Yuechu off for burial.
The grand funeral spread a sad atmosphere to the streets and alleys. Even people passing by in the outer city were attracted by the sad music and could not help but stop to mourn.
Wen Shi spared no expense in organizing this funeral. Besides spreading the word of Wen Yuechu's passing to Wen Ranqi, he wanted the Fengyue Clan to witness his filial piety, his proper conduct, and his calm and competent handling of clan affairs. He wanted more members to accept and trust him, and to secure their support for the election of the Grand Clan Leader.
"Wanming, how are the people behind?"
"Master, everything went well." Wen Shi held Wen Yuechu's spirit tablet and lay beside the covered tombstone, crying at the top of her lungs. The maids and servants tried to persuade her, and they all knelt on the ground sobbing.
Several elders, already old and unable to endure further grief, were taken back to the city. Wen Yuechu's funeral had concluded, and the Fengyue clan had seen a young master who was filial, kind, benevolent, and trustworthy. Those who had returned to their respective homes spoke of him and praised him.
Wen Shi wiped away his tears and asked the servant to hold the spirit tablet. A sense of pride appeared on his face, which no longer showed sadness. He sent away the remaining maids and servants, "You can go back first. I still need to see off the clan leaders. Dinner will be prepared later."
"Yes!" everyone answered in unison.
None of the clan leaders dismounted, knowing Wen Shi would never experience such grief. The Fire Tribe's chief spoke first, "Chief Wen is truly a master of acting. We cannot help but admire him."
The great chiefs of the Yurou and Muyan tribes smiled but said nothing. They looked down upon Wen Shi because in their eyes, Wen Shi was a villain who had killed his father and left behind his brothers.
Facing the mockery of the three men, Wen Shi was already accustomed to it. He had killed his father and mutilated his siblings; it was indeed what he had done, so he had no excuse and didn't care about the mockery of the three men.
"Patriarch Murong has managed his Fire Tribe in an orderly and harmonious manner. However, I heard that Patriarch Murong's second son was expelled from Mandar City. I wonder why."
Murong Gele's old face darkened, his brows furrowed, and his face turned ashen with anger at Wen Shi.
"Hmph, he's no longer a member of our Huolie Clan. Clan Leader Wen should pay more attention to the affairs of your Fengyue Clan. I heard that many people supported the young master in the past. I wonder if they will support you."
"Would you be angry if I said it was a sure thing?"
"You, shameless!"
"Patriarch Murong, please don't be angry. Why bother being so childish? We are only gathered here to mourn the death of Patriarch Wen. The funeral is over, so we should all go back home as soon as possible."
Wen Shi touched the cold stone tablet and sneered, "Yes, you are all old, and you will soon be buried like him, so go back quickly and build a better tomb for yourself, otherwise it will be uncomfortable to lie down."
"Wen Shi, we came to offer our condolences because we respect you as Wen Yuechu's son. We didn't tell you what you did. Don't go too far. You rely on your position as the head of your clan to humiliate us at will."
"Humiliate me?" Wen Shi opened his folding fan and sneered, "When have you ever said anything nice to me? You always humiliate me indirectly. How clean are you? Patriarch Mu is tolerant and indifferent to worldly affairs in front of others, but he even dares to kill his own son behind his back. Although he is an illegitimate child, he is still his biological son after all. Am I wrong?" Yue Huainan, the head of the Yu Rou clan, looked at Mu Sen in surprise. If you want to say who among the four of them makes people feel the cleanest, it is only Mu Sen. He always looks taciturn, tolerant and kind to others and has a heart of a bodhisattva.
Mu Sen was anxious, and an ugly panic appeared on his calm face. "Don't talk nonsense, you little brat. Don't believe his nonsense."
"I'm talking nonsense, why are you so anxious?"
"We have no right to interfere in the affairs of the Fengyue Clan. Today, let us congratulate Clan Leader Wen in advance on his new appointment. It's time for us to set off."
"snort!"
"I won't see you off. By the way, there's something I forgot to tell Patriarch Yue." Yue Huainan stayed alone and would set off later.
"What is it?"
"Master Yue Chi has left the valley, don't you know?"
Yue Huainan whipped the horse hard, and it neighed and galloped away. Wen Shi looked at the muddy ground covered with paper money with ease, laughing wildly.
He knows everyone's secrets, and no one can stop him from doing what he wants.
"Wanming, have you found the person?"
"We've found the clues and we'll find it soon."
"Good, very good. When we return to the city today, we will draw up the tally of votes and post them in the streets and alleys. We will update it daily. Once the mourning period is over, we can hold the grand celebration of my inauguration."
"Yes, Patriarch, I will have my subordinates prepare everything for you."
"When I take over, if there are still people who are talking behind my back and don't support me, I want them to disappear quietly."
"I understand,"
On the grassland
Tana helped Wen Ranqi up and carefully handed her the warm milk. "You're awake now. Drink a bowl of warm milk first. It's fresh."
Fresh milk was delicious, but without sugar, it had a fishy taste. Wen Ranqi managed to drink half a bowl, but when he couldn't finish it, he left it on the bedside table. He had changed into clean clothes, but every time he tried to stand up, he still felt a sharp pain in his abdomen. While Tana was out, Wen Ranqi lifted his clothes and saw a purple bruise on his stomach. He was thankful it was just a flesh wound, not internal damage; if he had been kicked and bleeding internally, he would have been in great trouble.
Wen Yuehan hadn't been herding today, having slaughtered a sheep early in the morning. He was excitedly scraping the skin outside the tent to prepare lunch. Wen Ranqi watched from a distance as he walked over. It was his first time seeing a live sheepskin being scraped. It looked bloody, but not particularly disgusting.
"Brother's craftsmanship is really good. He can cut off the whole skin intactly."
"You'll get good at it the more you scrape it, and it's very simple." Wen Yuhan showed off to Wen Ranqi and enthusiastically introduced to him how to completely peel off the sheepskin.
Put the lamb on a plate, set up the pot, and light the fire. With a few cuts, the whole lamb is cut into eight pieces. The pure lamb meat is cut into small pieces and skewered on wooden sticks, sprinkled with a little salt and spices, while the bones and internal organs are thrown into the pot, stir-fried, and then boiled with water.
Under the high fire, the mutton soup pot soon boiled, and the mutton skewers on the charcoal were almost roasted, sizzling with oil and emitting a rich aroma.
"Tana, bring us our brew. I want to have a good drink today."
Tana brought out a small jar from the tent, and the three of them ate barbecue around the charcoal fire. Wen Ranqi couldn't wait for Wen Yuhan's wine, so he took a bunch and started eating.
"It smells so good! I haven't had such delicious barbecue in a long time." Wen Ranqi smiled innocently. Wen Yuhan handed Wen Ranqi a bowl of wine and said, "Come on, let's finish this bowl first and then eat the meat. There's more in the pot."
"Yeah, clean up." Wen Ranqi downed the wine in one gulp. It wasn't even as spicy as Erguotou, so this kind of wine was just a piece of cake for Wen Ranqi. "I'll have another bowl. It's quite delicious."
"No, you're injured. I'll give you plenty of wine when you recover."
"You said that," Wen Ranqi was moved by the enthusiasm and sincerity of Wen Yuhan and Tana. While eating the mutton skewers, he thought about the journey. He didn't know what would happen in the future, and he felt increasingly confused and desperate, not knowing how to go back. He felt wronged and wanted to cry.
"Xiao Ran, are you crying?" Wen Yuhan asked worriedly. Wen Ranqi sobbed and held back her tears. "No, the strong wind blew some soot into my eyes. Brother Albugu, you guys are such good people. I don't want to leave now that I'm with you."
"If you're willing, Xiao Ran, then you can stay for a while. Your sister-in-law and I can support you. If you feel bad about it, you can come herd sheep with me. I happen to be in need of a shepherd."
Wen Ranqi burst into laughter, "So you pulled me back, it turns out you were in need of someone to herd your sheep, hahahaha."
“Haha ...
The three of them fell to the ground laughing when they heard this. The vast grassland, the sheep were like clouds, the green grass was like the sky, it was harmonious and beautiful.
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