AWB Chapter 198 The Ministry Meeting Officially Begins
Chapter 198 The Ministry Meeting Officially Begins
Agula looked at Nan Qiao, who thought for a moment and said, "Elder, this cooking method is not unsharable, but it involves some unique techniques and ways of handling ingredients, which takes time to teach."
"If you truly wish to learn, after the Hundred Tribes Conference, you can send someone to the Stone Tribe, and we can discuss the exchange and teaching in detail."
The elder nodded in thanks, and Agula was secretly delighted. He knew very well that this was not only an exchange of culinary skills, but also the beginning of in-depth exchanges and enhanced influence between the Stone Tribe and other tribes.
The night fell like a huge piece of black silk, pressing down heavily and covering the entire forest tightly.
After a busy day, the members of the Stone Tribe finally had a moment to rest after making the last serving of broth.
They sat around the extinguished campfire, their faces showing a mixture of satisfaction and fatigue.
Several tribesmen stood up and began to gather up their simple tableware and cooking utensils. As the bowls and chopsticks clattered against each other, the stone pot was lifted up, the remaining broth sloshing around at the bottom before being dumped onto the ground nearby.
Nan Qiao used his feet to disperse the embers, ensuring that no sparks could cause danger.
Kamu collected all the food he had received and put it together with the simple sled they brought with them, then slept there, intending to stay there all night.
Nan Qiao walked around the field, looking for hay that could be used for sleeping.
In a distant wood she found a pile of hay, walked over, picked up a large bundle, and returned to a corner of the camp.
She squatted down, carefully spread the hay on the ground, pressed it flat with her hands, and added a layer of slightly softer leaves on top, then sat down with satisfaction.
She stretched, loosened her sore shoulders and neck, then slowly lay down.
The tribesmen around also found their own resting places one after another. For a while, the camp became quiet, with only the occasional snoring and the rustling of the wind through the grass.
When the first ray of sunlight penetrated the darkness and shone on the earth, the camp of the Stone Tribe gradually woke up.
The tribesmen rubbed their sleepy eyes and got up to stretch their bodies.
Meanwhile, the Sun Tribe was already bustling with activity as they were meticulously organizing the opening ceremony of the Hundred Tribes Conference.
In the center of the venue, a circular altar made of huge stones stands tall. The stones are engraved with lines of time and mysterious symbols, as if whispering legends of the past.
The elders of the tribe, dressed in animal skins embroidered with ancient totems, walked steadily up the stairs and stood around the altar.
They have solemn faces and deep eyes, and they hold tightly in their hands the sacred object that symbolizes the tribal heritage - a scepter with an image of the sun god carved on top.
The young warriors are strong and sturdy, with patterns symbolizing courage and strength painted on their bare chests.
They spread out in a fan shape, standing in front of the altar, holding high their sharp spears, the spear tips flashing coldly in the morning sun, and shouting in unison, their voices like thunder, echoing in the venue, as if announcing the start of the ceremony to heaven and earth.
A group of girls wearing grass skirts woven with colorful flowers walked lightly into the venue, their skirts fluttering in the wind.
The girls held baskets filled with flowers and fruits in their hands and placed them one by one at the foot of the altar, then knelt on the ground, bowed their heads and prayed, with their soft hair falling on both sides of their cheeks.
As a long horn sounded across the sky, the tribe's high priest appeared.
He wore a feather crown and an animal skin covered with bells. Every step he took made the bells ring.
The high priest came to the center of the altar, faced the east, and chanted the ancient sacrificial text.
The obscure sentences seemed like a private conversation with the gods, praying for the protection and blessing of the Sun God, wishing that this Hundred Tribes Conference would be successful, the tribe would be prosperous, and the people and livestock would be thriving and free from disasters.
Then, the high priest lifted up the holy object and worshiped towards the sky, the earth and the four directions.
He first pointed the scepter toward the sky, then touched the ground with the tip, and then saluted in the four directions of east, south, west and north.
Every movement was precise and slow, full of awe and piety.
At this moment, the musicians struck up ancient instruments: the bone flutes sang melodiously, producing mysterious melody, the leather drums thumped with a powerful rhythm like the heartbeat of the tribe, and the stone chimes were crisp and melodious, their echoes lingering.
To the sound of music, the crowd danced slowly around the altar, their steps either light or vigorous, all following the ancient rhythm.
The ceremony reached its climax and a blazing fire was lit on the altar.
The flames danced in the breeze, illuminating everyone's faces. The tribesmen knelt on the ground, clasped their hands together, and bowed to the flames.
The high priest threw the animal skin with ancient inscriptions into the fire. Suddenly, the flames jumped up and emitted bursts of strange fragrance, filling the entire venue.
When the flames died down, the elders walked down from the altar and the high priest announced the official start of the annual Hundred Divisions Conference.
The Hundred Books Conference
The event venue was bustling with activity, and stalls from various tribes were packed with goods.
Nan Qiao brought the items of the Stone Tribe and carefully arranged them in their area.
This conference is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate the strength and wisdom of the Stone Tribe, and it is also a good time to obtain precious resources. Therefore, she is not in a hurry to discuss the method of taming the Spirit Devouring Beast with the Star Tribe, but sits back and waits for guests from all parties.
Moreover, if you take the initiative to find the other party, you will lose the initiative.
Nan Qiao neatly arranged the homemade ointment for external injuries on a piece of animal skin, next to which were the fishing nets she had woven by hand. These fishing nets had unique shapes and the woven texture was fine and strong.
Not far away, there are ceramic bowls and cups made by the tribe, which exude a rustic atmosphere, as well as the pickled bacon, which has an attractive color and a unique aroma.
Soon, the unique items of the Stone Tribe and other tribes attracted the attention of people from other tribes.
Soon people from other tribes gathered around.
A burly man looked at the ointment and asked curiously, "Is this ointment made by a witch doctor? What injuries can it cure?"
"It's not made by a witch doctor, we made it ourselves." Nan Qiao replied with a smile, "But this ointment is very effective for knife wounds, scrapes, bruises, and animal bites. When our members of the Stone Tribe are injured, they can heal quickly after applying it."
An old man nearby heard this and his eyes lit up: "Witch doctors are rare, and this wound ointment is a rare item."
"Several young men in my tribe are often injured while hunting. I'd like to exchange this exquisite bone dagger for a jar of ointment. Is that possible?"
Nan Qiao looked at the dagger and nodded, "Yes, this ointment will help your tribe members recover soon."
As time went on, more people were attracted.
A group of tribesmen worried about storing food for the winter saw a fishing net. One of the young men asked, "Is this a fishing net? How do you use it? Can you really catch a lot of fish?"