Just as Fang Shu and Wu Zhibai stepped into the stone cave together, an unusual fluctuation rippled across the Wu Family's Ancestral Mountain.
At that moment, deep in the heart of Mount Wu, a white-bearded elder abruptly opened his eyes.
His brows knitted tightly. After performing a divination on his fingers, surprise and doubt crossed his face. "A change in the ancestral vein? What has happened within the tribe?"
Fortunately, his expression eased when his calculations showed that this was no calamity for the Wu Family. On the contrary, it seemed to be a blessing.
The white-bearded elder let out a long breath, then issued a command summoning Wu Qi to his presence.
Soon, the sturdy man Fang Shu had encountered earlier appeared outside the secret chamber at the center of Mount Wu.
None of the flippancy he had displayed before Fang Shu and Wu Zhibai remained. He kowtowed respectfully. "Wu Qi has come as commanded and begs an audience with the ancestor."
An even voice sounded from within the chamber. "Come in."
The two stood facing one another. Wu Qi shifted uneasily and asked in a low voice, "What instructions does the ancestor have for me?"
The white-bearded elder asked, "Has anything significant happened within the tribe lately? Good or bad, tell me everything."
8
Surprise and uncertainty appeared on Wu Qi's face. His first instinct was to assume that the ancestor had learned of some of his own outrageous deeds within the tribe.
But after stealing several glances at the white-bearded elder, he realized that such a solemn expression surely meant the elder had not emerged from seclusion merely to question him over those trivial matters.
At once, Wu Qi recounted everything that had happened, leaving out anything involving himself.
Among other things, he casually mentioned, "Wu Zhibai