The Eye of Oblivion

Chapter 10: Ancestor Worship Day

The news of the child from the Li family being taken away by the esteemed priest at the age of ten spread swiftly throughout the clan.

Yahan noticeably felt a rise in his status within the tribe. The men no longer regarded him with the same patronizing demeanor. Most notably, his father’s chastisements had become less frequent, and the slaps that used to greet him were now rare.

Although it took some getting used to, this was undoubtedly a positive development.

As the year drew to a close, the world prepared for a festival akin to the Spring Festival of his previous life, though far more lively. This festival was not about visiting friends and relatives but centered around a grand ancestral rite.

As the day of ancestor worship approached, the village grew increasingly animated. Especially at night, the sounds of wild beasts roaring and lamenting filled the air, making it impossible to sleep. These creatures, captured by the village hunting teams from the dark forests, were kept in a designated area, awaiting their role in the festival.

The women were also occupied, gathering various fruits and chestnuts in advance. Each household would fill a clay jar with a mound of fruit, not for eating, but for brewing wine.

The festive atmosphere stirred even Yahan, whose soul hailed from Earth, making him excited.

Although he had witnessed the ancestral rites twice before, he had only observed from a distance with other children and had never participated. According to tribal customs, children under ten and women were not allowed to take part in the ceremonies. Regrettably, despite possessing an adult’s soul, Yahan, at just seven, was not allowed to join in the revelry with the tribe.

However, this year, he had been granted permission. Following the earlier events, he was now seen in a new light by the tribespeople and, with the priest’s approval, was allowed to participate.

This undoubtedly satisfied his intense curiosity.

When the day of ancestor worship finally arrived, the village was illuminated by bright torches, their flames casting a warm glow.

All the men of the tribe gathered in an open area, where hundreds of wild beasts, bound by their limbs, lay on the ground, their faces marked with fear and their struggles accompanied by muffled cries. Even the fiercest beasts showed signs of despair.

Each man poured his homemade fruit wine into a massive clay vat, the proceedings marked by solemnity and order, creating an atmosphere of great reverence.

As the wine accumulated in the vat, an enticing aroma of mixed fruits filled the air.

The men around occasionally suppressed their swallowing noises, and even Yahan, who had little interest in wine, could sense its rich and mellow fragrance.

At that moment, a commotion arose as four strong men carried a statue over three meters tall toward the center of the gathering. Among them was the clan leader, and Yali, Yahan’s father, was also present. These four men were the tribe’s most formidable warriors.

Following them was the elderly priest, whose age seemed to have left him frail.

The commotion quickly subsided, and the men bowed their heads, avoiding the statue, enhancing the solemnity of the scene.

The statue was placed firmly in the center of the area, emitting a faint clinking sound.

Yahan, too, lowered his head in imitation. However, his curiosity got the better of him, and he stole a glance at the statue. He was immediately struck with shock and awe.

“It’s a three-eyed statue!” Yahan thought in amazement. The statue was quite crude, with indistinct facial features and no artistic quality. Even the most inept sculptor could have carved it. Yet, despite its blurriness, the single vertical eye on its forehead was unmistakable.

He reflexively touched the faint scar on his own forehead. Could it be that the ancestors of this tribe were once three-eyed beings whose third eye, like a vestigial tail in humans, had gradually disappeared over time?

But what about the statue from Earth? Did the ancestors of this tribe once visit Earth? And what of the incredible power emanating from the statue’s eyes? These thoughts churned in his mind, creating a tumult of confusion.

As Yahan wrestled with his thoughts, the ceremony began.

The old priest danced frenetically on the open ground, chanting or perhaps reciting in a strange and unfamiliar tone. The mournful melody resonated through the air. Yahan gradually set aside his turbulent thoughts and immersed himself in the ancient ritual.

After half an hour, the ceremony concluded. The priest’s eyes emitted dark, ghostly glimmers as his emaciated hands, resembling skeletal claws, reached into the air. A horned python began to struggle into view from the sky. The priest then picked up a bone staff and swiftly sliced through the python, severing its head and splitting its body in two. The blood, drawn by an unseen force, arced strangely and fell upon the statue.

“Ancestors, bless our people with favorable weather, bountiful harvests, and many offspring…”

Yahan watched the frail priest with awe, deeply shaken by the displayed power.

Regardless of the physical strength of the tribespeople, Yahan could accept it as merely a matter of degree. But the magical or supernatural nature of this power left him profoundly unsettled.

Such mysterious and extraordinary power inspired a deep sense of reverence.

…

Following the ancestral rites came the tribe’s revelry. The remaining beasts were slaughtered on the spot, and the mingled scents of blood, meat, and wine filled the village. Boisterous songs and hearty laughter resonated as the men lost themselves in celebration.

Yet, Yahan remained disinterested, his mind preoccupied with thoughts of the priest’s enigmatic power. His gaze frequently drifted to the statue’s forehead. Under the blood’s stain, the statue radiated a bewitching hue.

Recently, his vision had improved, and his senses had sharpened. Even in the darkest night, he could clearly discern distant objects. Especially in the dim firelight, the statue was as clear as day.

At that moment, a large hand landed heavily on his shoulder. Startled, he turned to see a drunken youth swaying towards him.

“Yahan... Yahan, my brother, I heard from Ah Er that you’re strong. I want to have a match with you. Here, drink! Drink! After finishing this jug of wine, we’ll fight!”