Chapter 229: The White Elephant Clan People

Sane spent an afternoon finishing four five-tier wooden bookshelves, with knee-high legs underneath to serve as decoration and to raise the bookshelves, preventing the old man from having to crawl on the ground to search for documents.

Kaelen applied a layer of anti-termite paint made from mosquito-repellent grass and pine resin on top. Waiting for the paint to dry, the two of them moved the bookshelves into the house. The old Sage’s books were very numerous, and the whole family had to arrange them until it was pitch black to finish.

Seeing that it was already dark, Sane’s family decided to spread animal skin mattresses and stay here. Kaelen had taken the time to finish reading the scroll before dark, therefore after finishing arranging the books, he and Sane began talking softly to discuss the next direction.

Finnick was more playful, so he invited Chloe and Nova to run out to catch fireflies, while Edward stayed in the house, pulling down a few books that he found interesting, reading while asking the old Sage about every place he did not understand.

Waiting until the moon rose high, everyone turned off some torches to go to sleep.

The next morning, when the sky was still dim, Kaelen and Sane woke up, preparing to return to the Golden Bull tribe’s guest house.

The old Sage insisted on following them. He carried the walking stick that Sane had just carved for him from leftover wood, wearing a heavily patched cloak, repeatedly reminding the beastman guards not to let anyone touch his bookshelves. Halfway there he complained his legs were tired, in the end Sane still carried him down the mountain on his back.

The old man lay on Sane’s back, extremely comfortable: "This back is really broad. When I was young I was also as tall and big as you, it’s just that..."

Kaelen walked beside them, listening to him tell stories of his youth the whole way.

At the Golden Bull tribe, the Rabbit clan woke up early, lining up in a horizontal row to brush their teeth. A few White Elephant clan beastmen staying in the same guest house saw that and curiously leaned closer:

"What are you guys doing?"

The Rabbit clan group simultaneously looked over, then...

Then when Kaelen and Sane returned to the guest house with the old Sage, they saw a row of people standing brushing their teeth. Among the Rabbit clan group, Kaelen also saw a few unfamiliar faces.

These people had statures as tall as the Black Bear clan people, their bodies were round and plump, especially their round bellies like water jars, swaying as they walked looking very funny. Their skin was pale gray, their large ears drooped on both sides, everyone’s face was gentle, their eyes narrowing into a line when smiling.

Finnick held Papa’s hand, his eyes glued to the leader’s belly, wanting to ask but not daring to.

"Oh my, that brat Bertram is it? What are you kids doing?"

The old Sage slid down from Sane’s back, leaning on his stick hobbling toward the group of people.

The Rabbit clan had basically finished brushing their teeth and were washing their faces, seeing that the person approaching was an old man, they hurriedly bowed their heads:

"Grandfa, greeting Grandfa. Why are you awake so early?"

The old Sage waved his hand: "I’m old, cannot sleep much. What are you kids doing?"

Victor answered nimbly: "Grandfa, we are brushing our teeth and washing our faces. Oh, Lord Chief, Lord Priest, you two are back?"

Kaelen smiled: "Yes. Victor, this morning tell everyone to cook glass noodles to eat. Remember to leave the chili oil separate, whoever eats it can add it themselves."

"Yes."

Bertram and the White Elephant clan people at this time had also spat out all the toothpaste foam in their mouths, clasping their hands in greeting:

"Greetings Sage Valmot, we are learning to brush our teeth from the Rabbit clan." Bertram said excitedly, the ring of toothpaste foam around his mouth not even washed off yet: "Old Sage, after brushing my teeth I feel my mouth is very clean, you try it."

He held out a wooden cup and a toothbrush made from beast bone and white wild boar bristles, intending to hand it to the old Sage. Kaelen hurriedly stopped him:

"Toothbrushes should not be shared, you gentlemen should keep them for yourselves. I will prepare another one for the Sage."

At this moment, Bertram only saw Sane and Kaelen, hurriedly clasping his hands in greeting: "You two must be the two leaders of Crimson, right? Please forgive us for not greeting you earlier."

Sane waved his hand: "Do not stand on ceremony like that, we are all guests of the Golden Bull tribe."

Right when Bertram raised his head intending to say something, his belly was suddenly poked lightly once. Bertram looked down, only seeing a spotted leopard cub about six years old using his index finger to poke his belly, his eyes filled with curiosity.

Kaelen followed Bertram’s line of sight, seeing his son playing with someone’s belly, hurriedly grabbing the boy’s collar and dragging him back. He smiled awkwardly:

"Sorry everyone, kids are mischievous."

Bertram burst into laughter: "It’s okay, it’s okay, kids from other tribes seeing us also have to come poke a few times to test!"

"Little brat, you like my belly?" Bertram narrowed his eyes smiling: "Come here, I’ll let you touch it."

Finnick immediately charged over, his two small hands resting on the round belly, his face serious as if examining a patient. Afterward, he turned back to report to Papa in a solemn voice: "Very firm! Like a jar!"

Kaelen: "... Finnick."

Bertram laughed boisterously, laughing so hard that his belly jiggled violently.

After Kaelen took out a set of tooth brushing tools and a new toothpaste jar handing them to the old Sage, Finnick volunteered to take on the task of teaching the old man how to use the toothbrush.

When the first morning sunlight appeared, the kitchens in the Golden Bull tribe also began to smoke. The old Sage sitting in the guest house still occasionally heard the sounds of Golden Bull clan people running over to exchange chili oil with the Rabbit clan. The old man was curious:

"What is this chili oil?"

Kaelen explained: "It is a type of spice in Crimson, it has a spicy taste, not suitable for an elderly person like you. If you are curious, later try a little bit, otherwise your stomach will not be able to bear it."

The old Sage nodded: "Then later remember to get a little bit for me to try."

However, Kaelen misjudged this old man, this person tried chili oil once and became fascinated, insisting on asking Kaelen for a jar. Kaelen had no other choice, repeatedly reminding the old man about the dosage and frequency of use.

After eating breakfast, Chief Maxwell sent people to invite the old Sage and Sane’s couple to the communal house. Edward had woken up early, Kaelen told him and Finnick to go find the Rabbit clan and Golden Bull clan young cubs to play, no need to always follow the two fathers around. The two little kids then trotted holding hands and ran off.

Draven today would stay at the tribe to teach the Rabbit clan and the Golden Bull clan healers how to concoct potions, Aaron and Evan were also busy listening for news, therefore Kaelen had to entrust Oliver to Siley. Siley was used to taking care of the small egg, therefore Kaelen was completely reassured to let him look after Oliver.

Although having lost that absurd memory segment, Oliver still liked this big snake brother very much, therefore as soon as he was handed into Siley’s hands by Papa, the boy’s eggshell immediately emitted a faint light, conveniently wobbling twice. Sane’s face turned as black as the bottom of a pot. Kaelen smiled, patted his hand, and said:

"The boy only considers Siley as an older brother, Siley is the same, do not think about everything in a negative direction."

Siley awkwardly scratched his cheek, his head slightly lowered. Sane snorted once, darting a warning glance at Siley, then he and Kaelen supported the old Sage outside.

The old Sage was very curious about the egg’s relationship with the white-haired young man, also voicing his question out loud. Kaelen smiled bitterly, explaining softly. The old man burst into boisterous laughter:

"Your family’s Sub-Beast also has quite a personality, doesn’t he? Young in age but his mind is not small at all!"

Kaelen and Sane blushed, only regretting that brat did not break out of his shell earlier so they could whip his butt.

"What is the matter that makes the Sage laugh so happily?" A booming voice came from inside the communal house, the Golden Bull clan Great Elder poked his head out, smiling and asking.

"Oh my, just heard an interesting story. You guys just ignore me, no need to pay attention."

Chief Maxwell stepped out from the tent, carefully supporting the old man’s arm, leading the old man into the tent. Waiting for everyone to settle down, Maxwell then stated the purpose of inviting Sane’s couple along with the old Sage today.

Bertram waited for Chief Maxwell to finish speaking and immediately continued:

"I heard you taught the Black Bear clan and the Golden Bull clan how to build terracotta houses?"

"That is correct." Kaelen answered: "Today we intend to make them right away. Do you want to watch together?"

Bertram immediately nodded in agreement. The old Sage pulled out the letter he wrote last night from his animal skin bag, handing it to Bertram:

"This brat Bertram, I have a matter needing to meet with your family’s old Sage, please relay my invitation to him. Just give this letter to him, he will know what to do."

Bertram received the letter, a bit curious about its material. This thing was much thinner and lighter than sheepskin parchment, not knowing what material it was made of. He really wanted to open the letter to research it right on the spot, but did not dare to. Waiting until he was free he would ask the old Sage Valmot later.

After Bertram sent a beastman to bring the news back to the tribe, he followed Chief Maxwell’s group heading out to the empty lot south of the Golden Bull tribe. The old Sage was also curious about the brick making process, so he let a beastman guard carry him on his back.

The empty lot south of the tribe had been cleared of brush since yesterday, the clay had also been dug up by the Crimson Warriors and the Golden Bull clan beastmen. Kaelen squatted, picked up a handful of dirt, rolled it into a long string, then bent it. The dirt string cracked in the middle.

"This dirt is mixed with too much sand, swamp mud must be added to make it pliable. After mixing it must be incubated overnight before it can be used." He dusted his hands and stood up.

Great Elder Alton asked: "Mixed with what?"

"With feet."

This answer made the Golden Bull beastmen extremely excited. They immediately transformed out hooves, jumped into the dirt pit, stomping the mud splashing around, stomping while laughing boisterously, and before long they splashed mud all over each other’s faces.

The old Sage sat on a chair under the tree, pointing: "See, I told you so. This bunch is only good for their brute strength."