Chapter 24
After diligently and conscientiously feeding Aono and the others medicine in the wooden house for three days, and receiving unanimous and indignant condemnation from everyone, Koji finally put the bowl away, still feeling unsatisfied.
"But are you really not going to eat anymore?" he asked reluctantly as he packed up the food.
"I'm not eating anymore!"
Everyone's voices were firm.
They were given medicine for three days, and now that they can finally see the light of day again, who wants to take that medicine anymore? Nobody even wants to stay in the house; they just want to go outside.
“But,” Jia’er continued, slowing down his movements, “you choked on the water at the bottom of the river and are still weakened. Are you really not going to eat?”
"We're not eating!" everyone shouted even more firmly!
Jia'er pouted with genuine emotion at the end:
"But, but at the bottom of the river, that thing is still consuming your energy, and your bodies haven't fully recovered yet..."
"No!"
"eat!"
"Yes!"
"Oh well."
Although Aono and the others had been told what had happened at the bottom of the river, they still refused to take the medicine. Koji had no choice but to accept it.
Jia'er reluctantly cleared away the dishes, not forgetting to remind everyone:
"Don't tell my mother about this, okay?"
He was referring to the matter of feeding everyone medicine; please don't tell his mother.
There's nothing he can do; his butt still hurts.
Everyone was speechless. If someone does something "bad" and is afraid of being reported, then why do it in the first place?
Jia'er thought to himself that they didn't understand how happy it was to see others take medicine while he didn't have to; the scene was very comforting.
If you heard this, you'd definitely want to punch him in the head.
After everyone had packed up, the group of six walked out of the wooden house. As soon as they came out, the little ones couldn't help but exclaim in amazement—wow, looking around, the tribe had changed so much. Everywhere they looked, there was lush greenery, and the place was bustling with activity and lively people. It was a vibrant and energetic scene.
Indeed, since the village regained its water source, everyone's lives have returned to normal, and their vibrant vitality has returned. Every villager is full of inexhaustible energy. Just then, the clan chief requested that a river channel be dug, and everyone was like they had been injected with chicken blood, with boundless energy—they were determined to complete the river channel as soon as possible.
So the vast border plain that the tribe used to have disappeared. In its place was a wide road that had been dug out not far away. The road stretched all the way from the foot of the snow mountain and seemed to be going to extend all the way to the lowest layer of the plain. The tribespeople were still digging in it.
Standing near the river, looking at the winding river that was at least ten meters wide and several meters deep, everyone was so astonished that they were speechless:
Wow, everyone is digging so fast! It's only been a few days, and they've already dug this wide and deep, and it's still spreading forward. As far as the eye can see, the entire riverbed is teeming with people.
Jia'er was very excited to see this, and he raised his hand to show off: "I have my own special shovel now!"
He was holding a gigantic shovel, the head of which was bigger than his head.
It really makes you wonder if he can actually hold onto it.
Later events proved that he had a firm grasp on the matter.
On a sunny day, the wide riverbed was bustling with activity, but at first glance, the people inside were of varying heights.
In the past, only the strong and able-bodied wielded shovels inside. Now, regardless of age or gender, everyone is wielding shovels inside, their faces radiating determination and resolve, as if they will not give up until they have dug through this river channel.
The act of digging river channels has most likely become a symbol of the collective labor of the Muyun tribe.
However, this was not Yinglong's request. She only asked the old clan chief to arrange for people to dig a river that runs through the border of the village. Who knew that the old clan chief was only responsible for conveying the message and not for managing it. What should have been a task for the young and strong to dig has now become the biggest event for the entire clan. No matter how old or young, male or female, whenever they have free time, they always have to take their shovels and swing them in the river.
So now, looking from afar, the people in the river are of varying heights, with a few tall ones interspersed with a few short ones, but everyone is working very hard.
In one of the river channels, Jia'er was sweating profusely as he vigorously wielded a shovel and dug.
He was strong and never seemed to get tired digging. Dust flew up as he swung his shovel, his momentum unstoppable.
Aono and the others followed behind him, only to end up eating dirt.
Those that are even shorter can't even get to eat the soil; they can only eat the dust.
"Hey." Aono couldn't stand it anymore, and he reached out to stop them for the sake of his younger siblings.
"Jia'er, aren't you tired?" Why do you keep spinning like a perpetual motion machine?
Tired? What's so tiring about? Jia'er wondered.
He finished digging in no time, and later he had to go to the front to start excavating.
"I'm not tired," he replied casually, even finding it amusing. But when he turned around with high spirits, he found everyone behind him covered in dust and dirt, looking like a group of small animals that had just struggled out of a mud pit.
Oh, how could this be? Does no one have any digging skills?
Never mind that for now, he's going to dig half a meter deep here this morning.
The faces of the people behind him were covered with a layer of dust, making it almost impossible to see their expressions.
Everyone knows this guy is capable, but no one knew he was capable in this much way.
Having known him for so long, have I ever heard him say he's tired?
No.
Have you ever heard him say that he needs to rest?
No.
Good heavens, what kind of creature is so gifted, and what about his terrifying mother...?
Aono was speechless for a moment. As the eldest brother here, he really wanted to set a good example for everyone, but when it came to Koji... he felt like he was going to vomit blood...
"The soil here is so loose, it comes right off with a shovel," Jia'er commented as she dug.
"Is that so..."
Haha, this is the only place without any trees, the sun beats down directly on it, and this is the hardest and most difficult part of the entire riverbed to dig...
"Hmm, it's so easy to dig." Jia'er continued to mutter as he dug. Seeing how busy he was, Qingye and the others slumped down.
Watching Xiaolong's bent-over figure, his shovel moving with lightning speed, Jinbao wondered:
"Jia'er, why are you working so hard? Is there some goal you want to achieve?"
Just as Jinbao finished asking his question, another loud, somewhat incredulous voice called out:
"Did your mother force you to do this?"
Upon hearing this, everyone exchanged glances, and the same thought popped into their minds: it's possible.
Why is such a small child working so hard for no reason? Isn't he being forced to do it? The amount of work he does is equivalent to that of an adult monster.
Even adult monsters know what fatigue is, but this child doesn't know what fatigue is...
Just thinking about this made everyone feel inexplicably indignant. Even though the person in question was their friend's mother, they still felt that this person was utterly wicked.
How can you force your own child like that?
Jia'er had no idea what wild ideas were running through everyone's minds; he simply said loudly:
"I need to exercise so that I can be qualified to go down the mountain to the village as a sacrificial offering!"
His mother told him that only if he was physically fit would he be qualified to be a sacrificial offering in that village!
Children who are not in good health will not be accepted!
And he wanted to contribute to the people of that village!
"Offerings?"
Everyone asked in unison.
"Yes, offerings."
Jia'er has his own grand aspirations.
The village chief's words in the village they left earlier were thought-provoking and memorable. After returning, Jia'er thought about it for a short while and told his mother that he was willing and ready. However, his mother told him that he was too weak and no one would want him if he just sat there. He had to build up his strength. So Jia'er started working hard for it.
This riverbed dredging was a perfect opportunity. From the very beginning, he was fully committed, determined to strengthen his body with every shovel stroke, so that he could go down the mountain to serve as a sacrifice and assist in casting spells!
What a perfect plan! Koji thought it was flawless.
It allows her to help her mother with chores, exercise, and help others.
Perfect, absolutely perfect.
Anyone who knew about his plan would praise him as an ancient genius, and they would all be full of praise for him.
But when everyone heard his story, their minds went blank.
The situation was so outrageous that their brains stopped thinking...
To be used as a sacrificial offering?
No, does this kid even know what it means to be a sacrificial offering, yet he's practicing it here?
Did his mother even know what the sacrificial offerings were for, yet she still allowed him to go?
So that's why Xiaolong works so hard?
He was going to a human village to make offerings for people.
Everyone looked extremely uncomfortable, and there was something they couldn't bring themselves to say:
"Silly boy, you've been fooled by your mother! You've been fooled by her!"
These days, who would dare use a child as a sacrifice? Who would still dare to believe in those unorthodox and evil spells?
Moreover, according to his description, the village had long been abandoned and was in ruins, with no way to save it.
Seeing the indescribable expressions on everyone's faces, Jia'er smiled brightly:
"You all envy me, don't you?"
"..."
Everyone remained silent, simply watching him.
With everyone's gaze upon him, Jia'er felt an even greater sense of mission.
Who wouldn't envy him for being able to save a village single-handedly? Who wouldn't envy him for being able to save countless descendants of that village single-handedly? He's amazing!
Thinking of this, Jia'er felt full of energy again. He decided that after he finished digging here, he would go to the front to cultivate the land!
Without further ado, he began digging even more frantically, swinging his shovel with even greater speed than before.
Seeing this diligent figure, working like an ox, everyone finally couldn't help but exclaim:
"You've been fooled! You've been fooled by your mother!"
"What?"
"What kind of sacrifice in this world would require a child to be offered? You've been deceived by your mother!"
Everyone shouted themselves hoarse, trying to stop Xiaolong, who was deeply deceived.
"Impossible," Jia'er muttered to himself as he continued to swing his shovel.
Everyone was really worried that he would get tired, so they pulled him one by one with all their might.
“Your mother really lied to you. She probably just wanted to find you something to do so you wouldn’t be so bored.”
"Yes, yes, Jia'er, your mother is lying to you..."
Everyone started talking at once, but soon they fell silent because Jia'er's terrifying mother... she arrived.
Ahhhh, she's really here! She's walking gracefully towards them, her steps light and her movements like flowing clouds.
Ah, everyone was so frightened that they fell silent for a moment, and no one dared to shout anymore.
But as the figure in their peripheral vision drew closer, everyone couldn't help but look up again.
Jia'er's mother was indeed terrifying, but she... but she was just too beautiful. So beautiful that all the children, despite their fear, couldn't help but look up at her, their eyes practically flying upwards.
The person who came before them was dressed in a light blue robe, and even her hair was light blue. At first glance, she looked like the clear and gentle river flowing at the foot of a snow-capped mountain, captivating everyone's attention. Moreover, as they got closer, they discovered that Jia'er's mother was surrounded by a faint, auspicious seven-colored light. When the sunlight shone on her, she was radiant and looked absolutely beautiful.
It was so beautiful that everyone momentarily forgot their fear and stared in a daze.
Yinglong had no idea what the group of little creatures peeking out of the pit were thinking. She had only come for one thing today—to supervise her own little ones.
Given that he had gone off to do something so dangerous without a word last time, she was now launching a surprise attack to see if he was up to no good.
She was still some distance from the river when she saw several small, dusty figures sitting in the pit.
They seem quite busy; the little ones look like they're about to be completely overwhelmed by the pit.
Especially our own, it seems to be the shortest and most likely to be flooded.
She could only see the top of his head.
As Yinglong drew closer, she didn't notice that several little ones were staring at her intently; she only noticed her own cubs.
Wow, is that dirty-looking child with a dusty face really my child?
Upon reaching the riverbank, before anyone could react, Yinglong precisely grabbed the small dragon from the pit, then held it in mid-air and looked around.
Turning left and right, Jia'er's collar was held tightly in her mother's hand.
Aono and the others gasped. They saw that Jia'er, who was usually lively, fierce and incredibly strong, was now being held in his mother's hands like a little chick, and was even being spun around in mid-air by his mother.
"Ugh, it's all dirty!"
The first thing Yinglong said after picking up the child was this, and then she started patting the dirt off the child.
She was away for a few days, and when she came back, her child had turned out like this.
Oh dear, what a dirty little dragon! Not a single part of him is clean, not even his face is covered in filthy mud.
Yinglong patted and turned the child's clothes as he did so, and the clothes in his hands looked like old, worn-out fabrics that had been stored away for many years.
No matter how many times I take pictures, all I get is dust.
The children still sitting in the pit were stunned by the sight. The usually lively Jia'er was now a helpless dumpling in his mother's hands, powerless to resist.
"Waaah, Mother, what are you doing?"
Jia'er felt like he had been hanging up for a long time, and then his mother's hands kept slapping him. The familiar pain in his "buttocks" began to come, and his hands and feet started to thrash.
"Let me see how dirty you are. How did you get into this state?" Yinglong's men kept asking.
Jia'er chuckled and said, "Haha, I'm exercising. I want to get in good shape so I can go down the mountain and become a sacrificial offering."
He spoke with great pride.
"Oh, really?" Yinglong turned his head to look at his little guy.
“Yes.” Jia’er said innocently.
"Oh, so you're all here to help him?" Yinglong asked the other friends in the pit.
When Qingye and the others first saw Koji's mother speaking to them, they were both bewildered and excited. They were bewildered because they hadn't expected Koji's mother to talk to them, and excited because she actually did. She was so beautiful that the children were stunned and speechless. The fear they had felt when they first met her had long been forgotten. Before their minds could even process what was happening, the children had already eagerly nodded one after another.
They themselves didn't know why they nodded; they just felt that the fairy in front of them was talking to them. Regardless of whether what she said was right or wrong, nodding was the right thing to do.
Yinglong looked at the children at the bottom of the pit, including her own son, all staring blankly, and found them very cute. Her heart softened instantly.
"Really?"
The little shrimp kept nodding, pecking at the ground like chicks.
They're so adorable! Yinglong thought to herself, what trouble could such young children possibly cause? They just like to play, so she should let them play freely, regardless of whether they get dirty or not.
Thinking of this, she carefully put her child down, patted his bottom, and said:
"You should go have some fun."
"Oh! Okay."
Like a bird regaining its freedom, Jia'er fluttered down into the pit again. After getting down, he turned around and asked his mother earnestly:
"Mother, if I work hard to improve my physical fitness and practice magic, will I be able to successfully go down the mountain to become a sacrificial offering?"
"Uh," Yinglong looked a little awkward in response to her son's sudden question. Just as she was about to answer, she saw five or six pairs of eyes staring at her from the bottom of the pit, each with a piercing gaze.
Even the gazes of that group of friends were more intense than those of the person involved.
Facing those eyes yearning for the truth.
Yinglong swallowed hard, then said firmly:
"Right...but you should exercise first. Getting your body in good shape is more important than anything else."
"Yes, Mother!"
Jia'er was overjoyed to receive his mother's approval, as if he had already obtained the absolutely correct answer.
However, the answer is already quite obvious...
Aono and the others looked at Koji with complicated expressions, feeling that they had something to say but couldn't...
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
