Chapter 2251 - 2248: Bai

Chapter 2251: Chapter 2248: Bai

Yan Lingling wasn’t concerned whether Lin Tian liked hearing the story or not; she started narrating it, imitating the storytelling style of the elders at home.

"Legend has it that a long, long time ago, this place wasn’t a high mountain ice field; it was a vast prairie with two tribes living on it. However, these two tribes had a longstanding feud."

"To fight for territory, wars broke out every few years. Even during peaceful times, there were constant skirmishes. Whenever war broke out, many people died on both sides, deepening the hatred."

"The two tribes each swore vicious oaths: prohibited trade, prohibited intermarriage, prohibited any interaction. If violated, they would face punishment from the Priest’s God."

"A young man and woman from the two separate tribes accidentally met and fell in love. However, they knew the tribe’s vow wouldn’t allow them to be together, so they could only secretly meet."

"However, eventually, the secret couldn’t be kept any longer; their affair was discovered by the tribe, and the Priest declared that, to appease the Priest’s God, they must be executed."

"The lovers were tied to stakes for execution by fire, sacrificing to the tribal god. Whether it was heavenly mercy or indeed the Priest’s God’s wrath, after they died, the earth shook, the prairie cracked, and magma spewed forth."

"Overnight, the prairie disappeared, replaced by countless mountains and valleys, and it rained for seven days and nights. Later generations said it was the tears of heaven in pity. The rain washed away everything; the people, cows, flock, houses, all vanished."

"The two tribes disappeared, and this Heavenly Tears Lake formed at that time. It looks like an eye, and to this day, it still sheds tears. See those flowers and trees—those are its eyebrows, and the water flowing from the gap is the tears."

Yan Lingling completed the story with great seriousness, then looked at Lin Tian, seemingly awaiting his reaction.

Lin Tian had heard many such myths and naturally didn’t believe them. In some tourist spots, out of a need for history and culture, they would just make up stories.

Lin Tian blinked and pondered before saying, "This is just a myth; Ling’er doesn’t have to feel sad for the lovers."

Thinking it was a sad story, Lin Tian thought the little girl was upset for the characters, so he offered consolation.

Unexpectedly, Yan Lingling shook her head and said, "I know! They just encountered a geological movement. The plains became mountains, and people at that time didn’t understand and thought it was God’s wrath."

Lin Tian was taken aback, then chuckled quietly, "So you understand modern scientific principles."

"Of course, I do! The Medicine King Mansion isn’t truly isolated from the world. Many senior apprentices go down the mountain to train. When I’m eighteen, I’ll also go down to train. Without knowing modern knowledge, how could we manage?" Yan Lingling affirmed confidently.

"I see. Then how do the young people in the Medicine King Mansion handle marriage proposals?" Lin Tian asked curiously, inspired by the story. Surely they don’t marry internally—wouldn’t that be considered close kinship?

"We’re not like those two tribes, forbidding marriage with outsiders. If senior apprentices meet someone they like during their training, the elders in the Medicine King Mansion won’t object. We have free love and marriage." Yan Lingling asked, puzzled by Lin Tian’s question.

This was surprising to Lin Tian, who thought the Ancient Hidden Stream were like the Divine Clan—aloof and disdainful towards others, naturally prohibiting marriage with common people.

Still, discussing marriage with a little girl seemed inappropriate, so Lin Tian vaguely said, "Well, that’s good, at least it’s not as tragic as the Weaver and Niu Lang’s story."

"Brother Lin Tian is referring to the Weaver and Niu Lang’s tale, right? Actually, I don’t think Niu Lang was so great; he not only peeked at the Weaver sister bathing but also stole her clothes." Yan Lingling said, somewhat dissatisfied.

Lin Tian was stunned, taking a moment to gather his thoughts. The little girl knew quite a lot and had her own judgments, speaking clearly and logically.

Generally, girls of this age have a vague, partial understanding of the world, but Yan Lingling was quite different.

"Brother Lin Tian, wait a minute. Once I catch a fish, I’ll take you back to the Medicine King Mansion." After talking for a while, Yan Lingling hadn’t forgotten Lin Tian’s main task.

"It’s fine, you fish." Lin Tian wasn’t in a hurry; unlike Ji Zimo and others, he’s not constantly competing with Shen Lin, so there’s no rush.

Yan Lingling’s fishing rod was very simple, just a slender bamboo pole with a thread, without even a float—very amateurish looking.

Just as Lin Tian thought this, the thread suddenly moved. Yan Lingling’s eyes brightened, grabbing the rod and flicking it cleanly and with speed.

A fish landed on the shore, about palm-sized, its scales silver, reflecting light and glinting with a peculiar luster.

The Snow Leopard couldn’t wait any longer and was ready to pounce for a bite. The little girl promptly tapped it on the head, the "big cat" whimpered twice and behaved.

Yan Lingling took out a bamboo tube, just the size of a fish, filled it with water, placed the fish inside, sealed it skillfully—it was clear it wasn’t her first time fishing.

Poor Snow Leopard Bai pitifully stared at the bamboo tube, drooling.

"Bai, how many times have I told you, you must cook it before eating," Yan Lingling educated the Snow Leopard seriously.

Saying this, she cast the rod again, and after about half an hour, reeled in another fish, putting it in the bamboo tube as well.

"Brother Lin Tian waited for long, let’s head back." The little girl hung the two bamboo tubes on her waist, speaking happily.

"Is two fish enough for Bai, being so big?" Lin Tian asked, puzzled, and this time Bai strongly agreed, nodding frantically, clearly feeling unsatisfied.

Yan Lingling didn’t mind, laughing, "With Bai’s appetite, even half of the fish in Heavenly Tears Lake wouldn’t be enough. There’s no way we can let him eat that much."

Snow Leopard Bai immediately drooped its head, looking rather disappointed—such a humanlike "big cat" made Lin Tian amused.

Yan Lingling seemed well accustomed to it, unconcerned about its "playing pitiful," tapped its head again, then skillfully leaped onto the Snow Leopard’s back.

Snow Leopard could act as a steed; Lin Tian was envious, as such a mount was far more impressive than any sports car.

"Brother Lin Tian, why don’t you get on? I’ll take you to the Medicine King Mansion," Yan Lingling turned her head to Lin Tian and smiled.

Roar...

The Snow Leopard growled low, immediately showing its disapproval, unwilling to let Lin Tian ride. As a fierce beast, it had its dignity—unless acknowledged, let alone Bai, who wasn’t an ordinary beast, having somewhat developed intelligence.

Although Lin Tian spoke on its behalf earlier, it hadn’t reached the level of acknowledgment, so the Snow Leopard wouldn’t let Lin Tian ride. Yan Lingling tried tapping its head again, but the trick didn’t work. The Snow Leopard continued glaring at Lin Tian, not allowing him to come close.