"People of the Du'an tribe, today we welcome a new Temple Tribe Leader!"
"Batu, since joining the Du'an tribe, you have hunted alongside Ada, repelled the counterattack of those failures from the Land of the Gods, and defeated Gui Dusi. You are undoubtedly the most powerful warrior of the Du'an tribe today!"
I stood by and listened as Hu Tu recounted everything that had happened since I came to the Du'an tribe, and a sense of emotion welled up within me.
Six months ago, I was still a salaryman in Shangguan Yao's company, earning a meager monthly salary and worrying about whether I could afford a house in the city.
Back then, how could I have imagined that I would be undercover in a primitive tribe, and even by sheer coincidence, become the most powerful warrior of the Du'an tribe!
Hu Tu's impassioned speech immediately stirred the emotions of the Du'an tribesmen present. Everyone cheered and rejoiced for me.
Even though I had ascended to power over the corpse of Gui Dusi, for the Du'an tribe, which believed in the law of the jungle, they instinctively pursued strength.
Perhaps among the crowd, there were Gui Dusi's relatives who would hate me because of his death, but more people would admire me, take me as their role model, until I was overthrown by the next challenger and cast down into the dust.
Listening to the cheers of the crowd, and seeing the adoring eyes of some of the children, I unconsciously felt a sense of pride and a touch of regret.
If I were truly a native of the island and had genuinely joined the Du'an tribe, with this influence, I could have stayed for a few years. When Hu Tu grew old, perhaps I could even become the leader of the Du'an tribe.
Unfortunately, I am just a passerby here. We are ultimately enemies, not friends.
After Hu Tu finished his rambling speech in his signature deep voice, he handed the horn-like object, which resembled a megaphone, to the High Priest.
This object was made of tinplate, a simplified version of an amplifier, likely inspired by the outsiders that the Du'an people had encountered.
The High Priest took the horn and began to chant a primitive song I had never heard before.
The High Priest's voice was ethereal. Although I couldn't understand most of the words, interspersed were phrases in the primitive language of the Shepherd God, suggesting it was an ancient hymn praising the Shepherd God.
The song was not long. Judging by the reactions of the Du'an tribesmen present, it was widely known, and many hummed along softly.
After a few minutes, the High Priest finished the unknown song and finally got to the main point.
"Above us, Shepherd God, it is under your protection that our Du'an tribe has achieved its current glory."
"Today, our brother, Batu, will carry the honor of the Shepherd God and become the new leader of the Temple Guards."
I secretly wondered how the High Priest, with his long beard, could still have such a loud voice!
As I was contemplating this, the High Priest suddenly called my name.
"Batu, come forward!"
This was the most crucial moment. I composed myself and tried to look serious.
I wondered if the High Priest would try to trick me at this moment. If he made a move against me in full view of everyone, it would be difficult.
I walked a few steps towards the High Priest. He sized me up and then took a bronze sword, symbolizing the position of Temple Guard Leader, from a nearby attendant. He slowly uttered a few words.
"Batu, kneel! I shall crown you!"
What?!
He wanted me to kneel?!
This instruction from the High Priest was unexpected, as Ada had not mentioned this step when explaining the succession process to me!
This was added by the High Priest. He was making his move!
Upon hearing this, the Du'an tribesmen below the platform showed no reaction, but those on the platform were different.
Hu Tu, standing beside the High Priest, heard his words, and the smile on his face suddenly froze. The joy in his eyes vanished completely. I could even see his fists clenching, his fingertips turning white.
Behind him, Ada frowned deeply, staring intently at the High Priest's back, his eyes seemingly ready to spew fire.
Pan Lili, with her head lowered, showed no change in her expression. As for the man beside her, he watched me with an amused expression, clearly enjoying the unfolding drama.
What should I do?!
In a mere few seconds, I had figured out the High Priest's intention.
The High Priest intended to use me to establish his authority!
For a long time, the source of power in the Du'an tribe had been ambiguous.
On the surface, the tribe was led by the chieftain of each generation. However, all the Du'an tribesmen were believers of the Shepherd God, giving the High Priest, the Shepherd God's representative, significant influence.
In essence, who was in charge, and whose orders the tribe would follow in the future, was the fundamental conflict between the High Priest and Hu Tu.
And now, during this solemn and religious ceremony, the High Priest's sudden move was not only aimed at me but also a challenge to Chief Hu Tu's position.
Although on the surface the Temple Guard Leader was the chief bodyguard of the Shepherd God, Hu Tu was the actual military leader of the Du'an tribe. This created a conflict.
In previous generations, both the High Priest and the tribal chief had tacitly glossed over this matter, jointly presiding over the ceremony without the current situation where the High Priest was making such a move.
In a way, this was the High Priest's silent declaration of war!
As my thoughts raced, the High Priest, seeing that I hadn't knelt, roared.
"Batu, why don't you kneel!"