"You could have asked the Ancestral Spirit to cast a spell and unlock Sheng's bloodline, but you didn't. You made him take the trial like the other boys of the tribe. Then he just happened to run into danger... Tell me, was someone behind this?"
Faced with Hong An's furious questioning, the Wizard fell silent.
Much like the relationship between royal power and religious authority in later ages, the relationship between Hong An, the leader of the Hongdong Barbarians' warriors, and the Wizard was complicated. They sometimes cooperated, sometimes clashed, and always remained wary of each other.
Now, with Hong An on the verge of losing his temper and breaking with him, the Wizard could only fall silent. At last, he said, "Fine. I agree to move Sheng into the Ancestral Spirit Cave. But the Ancestral Spirit just fought those Evil Demons from beyond the heavens. He exhausted much of his power and has fallen asleep. He can't help Sheng break his Bloodline Shackles."
He had yielded a step, but still refused to concede entirely. Hong An glared at the Wizard, though he knew this was the man's limit and that changing his mind would be difficult. He gave a cold snort and slammed the door behind him.
Long after Hong An left, a powerful warrior came in through the back door. "Wizard, didn't you promise to find a way to make me the warrior leader of the Tribal Stockade? Why did you agree to Hong An's demand? If Sheng doesn't die, how can I become the new leader? Their line carries the strongest bloodline in the Tribal Stockade."
The Wizard snorted. "If I hadn't agreed just now, Hong An would have known I was determined to oppose him. If we'd fallen out on the spot... Don't forget, he's the