"What is this, old man?" Mrs. Zhang took it and studied it for a while.
"It should be some sort of herb." Lin Meng speculated,
He knew some of the medicinal herbs in Wilderness but he had never seen this particular one before. However, after cleaning it, there was a faint unique smell of herbs.
Certainly, given he was unsure of its exact use, he didn't dare to give it to Lin Zhuang, rather using some old medicinal concoctions he had saved previously.
"What's up with you bringing an herb all of a sudden?" Mrs. Zhang was more confused. ??What has got into her man, growing even more riddling as he ages?
"This was given to us by that Giant Python." Lin Meng explained, sighing.
"What?"
Mrs. Zhang was caught by surprise, it took a while for her to gather her wits, her face still filled with disbelief.
It's hardly believable that a python suspected to be a ferocious beast, rather than attacking them, gifted a herb instead.
But the words came from her own husband. Mrs. Zhang was well aware of how truthful her man was. Although he was somewhat submissive and honest, he never lied to her.
"But old man, even if the Giant Python gave you an herb... what does this have to do with you going up the mountain, or that Lord Willow God?" Mrs. Zhang's thoughts were getting more and more confused.
"If I'm not mistaken, that Giant Python most likely came down from that mountain." Lin Meng asserted confidently, "And the reason Lin Zhuang became so strong might also be related to the mountain."
"Does it have to do with that Willow God you mentioned?" Mrs. Zhang asked abruptly. She was known for her astuteness during her younger days, and even though she was confused now, she was able to pinpoint the key issue.
The Lord Willow God!
"Correct." Lin Meng nodded solemnly. "Lin Zhuang has repeatedly advised me to go up the mountain, saying that if we went up to worship the Willow God, we would be safe."
"I didn't believe it at first, I thought Zhuang was just babbling nonsense because of his severe injuries, but the appearance of the Giant Python made me change my mind!"
"That Giant Python seemed to have come specifically to save us!!!"
"Old man, don't tell me you suspect... that the Willow God Lin Zhuang mentioned... could actually be a Sacrificial Spirit, and that our eldest son unintentionally received the recognition and approval of the Sacrificial Spirit?" Mrs. Zhang's breathing suddenly became rapid.
The Sacrificial Spirit, that's the Sacrificial Spirit!
If their son could indeed gain the recognition of such an entity, she would die in peace.
The Sacrificial Spirit, also known as the "Spirit of Sacrifice," is a shortened term for the "spirit of sacrifice and offerings" of the village. It guards the safety of the village, deters the ferocious beasts in the Wilderness, powerful and mysterious.
Not every tribe has a Sacrificial Spirit, and the relationship between the Sacrificial Spirit and the tribe is usually mutual selection.
Some weaker tribes can't even feed themselves, let alone sacrifice to the Sacrificial Spirit?
After all, the Sacrificial Spirit does not protect the tribes out of pure kindness.
People need the protection of the Sacrificial Spirit in the Wilderness to deter powerful enemies, and similarly, the Sacrificial Spirit also needs the faith and worship of the people.
Simply put, the Sacrificial Spirit needs to be worshiped with hot beast blood every once in a while, and this alone would deter many tribes.
Vicious beasts may not be as dangerous as ferocious beasts, but they still are very ferocious. For smaller tribes, hunting them could often lead to significant losses, not worth it at all!
"I can't be sure about that, but there is no doubt that a powerful entity exists on that mountain!" Lin Meng stroked his beard thoughtfully, finding it prickly.
He was born and raised in a tribe, but he also had friends and acquaintances in villages. According to them, there doesn't seem to be any Sacrificial Spirit that can command Exotic Beasts in battle!!!
So, he can't be completely sure if this Lord Willow God is really a Sacrificial Spirit.
However, considering that his eldest son not only had a good relationship with the entity on the mountain but also benefitted from it, the entity definitely wasn't an enemy.
That alone is enough.
"Old man, if it's like you said, then I agree for you to go up the mountain. But I'll have to go with you. If we upset the entity, we can try and speak on behalf.
"You sweet-talking?" Lin Meng was startled. In all these years, he had never known that his wife possessed such a skill.
After all this time, did he not know his own wife? She was always straightforward and quick-witted. It was a miracle if she wasn't accusing someone let alone sweet-talk.
Of course, Lin Meng didn't dare voice that thought, or it would provoke another round of complaints.
He cherished his wife.
Once the decision was settled, the elderly couple discussed the details and finally agreed to wait for Lin Zhuang to wake up before going to the mountain.
All through the night, their emotions fluctuated, only quieting down deep into the morning...
They spent the night in silence...
...
Lin Zhuang woke up on the third day.
Though his injuries looked severe, they weren't life-threatening. Plus, the tool Body Tempering Scripture Jiang Hui passed down to him was indeed extraordinary. It managed to keep him alive. Combined with the medicinal herbs prepared by Lin Meng, Lin Zhuang was given a second chance at life.
After Lin Zhuang woke up, Lin Meng and Mrs. Zhang wasted no time in inquiring about Lord Willow God.
Lin Zhuang hesitated a little, but eventually made no attempts to conceal anything, telling them everything concisely.
By now, Lin Meng and his wife were more certain of their prediction.
"Good son, your mother and I plan on visiting Lord Willow God, could you guide us the way." Lin Meng rubbed his rough, calloused hands as he smiled, while explaining everything that had occurred after Lin Zhuang had lost consciousness.
"This...I'll need to ask for Lord Willow God's permission." Lin Zhuang scratched his head.
Originally, he wouldn't dare make such a decision on his own, but after hearing Lin Meng's recounting of the events after his lapse into unconsciousness, he subconsciously believed that Lord Willow God probably didn't mind meeting his parents.
"That sounds great." Lin Meng and Mrs. Zhang naturally agreed, considering they wouldn't dare offend such a powerful entity.
...
They rested for another half month, and Lin Zhuang completely recovered from his injuries, energetic once more. After notifying Lin Meng and Mrs. Zhang, Lin Zhuang went up the mountain.
After seeing Jiang Hui, Lin Zhuang repeated his father's request word for word.
Jiang Hui's senses covered tens of thousands of miles, so naturally, he already knew about this matter. As far as Lin Meng's request was concerned, he was more than willing to accept.
He could gain more followers, who were also good-natured, a deal too good to refuse. However, how he should express his consent was a troubling issue.
He could neither speak nor dream, so how could he let Lin Zhuang know that he agreed?
Jiang Hui pondered the matter for a good while but couldn't arrive at a solution.
Fortunately, Lin Zhuang put forward a suitable suggestion.
"Lord Willow God, my parents wish to visit you. If you agree, please sway your branches." he requested.
In front of the towering willow tree, the greenery was dense and vibrant, like a small mountain hanging in the sky, with myriads of branches dangling, swirling like countless jade belts.
Lin Zhuang spoke out, his voice full of devotion and hope.
Upon hearing this,
Jiang Hui gently swayed his tree trunk.
Immediately, the emerald willow branches interlaced, moving of their own accord, making a rustling sound in the absence of wind.