The Himalayan tahr was an exceptionally rare mountain animal.
Alongside snow leopards, Himalayan black bears, and gray langurs, it was considered one of the region’s most treasured species.
Its population numbered little more than five thousand.
Covered in long wool that could grow nearly eighteen centimetres in length, it was often called the long-haired mountain sheep.
Because the species was so rare, villagers normally sheared its wool before releasing it back into the wild.
Killing one…
Was reserved for only the most honoured of guests.
It was the highest form of hospitality the village could offer.
Before long…
A steaming pot of tahr stew was placed on the table.
“Honoured guest…”
“Our village is poor.”
“This is the best we can offer.”
“I hope you won’t mind.”
The elderly village chief bowed respectfully.
Lucian smiled warmly.
“Thank you, Elder.”
“But please…”
“Sit down.”
“Let’s eat together.”
He gently pulled the old man toward a seat.
The elder hurriedly waved both hands.
“No, no.”
“You should eat.”
“We’ve already had lunch.”
“Heh…”
“Come on.”
“If you just stand there watching me…”
“I’ll feel too embarrassed to eat.”
Lucian laughed.
Yet no matter how much he insisted…
The old man stubbornly refused.
Just then—
The door suddenly burst open.
A small, round figure rushed inside.
“Wow!”
“There’s mutton!”
“Grandpa, what’s the special occasion today?”
“Mmm!”
“It’s delicious!”
The newcomer was a little girl of about ten years old.
Wrapped in layers of thick winter clothing, her small body looked adorably round.
Without even noticing Lucian, she reached straight into the bowl, grabbed a piece of meat with her hand, and happily stuffed it into her mouth.
“Krasi!”
The old man immediately roared.
“Stop right there!”
“How can you be so rude in front of our honoured guest?”
He quickly turned toward Lucian.
“Honoured guest…”
“My granddaughter has behaved terribly.”
“Please forgive her disrespect.”
As he spoke…
He reached out, intending to pull the bewildered little girl to her knees.
Lucian immediately stopped him.
“Heh…”
“It’s fine.”
“I can’t possibly finish all this by myself.”
“Come.”
“Let’s eat together.”
Smiling, he casually picked up a piece of meat with his own hand and took a bite.
To be honest…
The tahr wasn’t particularly delicious.
Its gamey flavour was overwhelming.
Lucian frowned slightly as he swallowed.
A moment later…
His expression relaxed.
A pleasant warmth spread throughout his entire body.
It felt almost like swallowing a mouthful of strong liquor.
The old village chief continued standing there, holding little Krasi by the hand.
Although the honoured guest didn’t seem angry…
And had even forgiven her…
There was no way they dared sit at the same table.
Seeing that neither of them moved…
Lucian ate a few more bites before quietly putting the food down.
“Thank you for your hospitality.”
“I still have somewhere I need to go.”
“I’ll be leaving now.”
As soon as the words left his mouth…
His figure vanished.
The old man and little Krasi stood frozen in astonishment.
A moment later, however…
They quickly recovered.
After all…
They had witnessed the sorcerers living atop the mountain perform similar miracles before.
Seeing someone disappear into thin air wasn’t entirely unbelievable.
“Grandpa…”
The little girl tugged gently on his sleeve.
“Was that man one of the temple sorcerers too?”
The old man slowly shook his head.
“I don’t know.”
“But he must be a guest of the masters.”
“The sorcerers don’t dress like he does.”
“Oh…”
Krasi nodded thoughtfully.
Meanwhile…
Concealing his presence, Lucian raced back toward the temple atop the snowy mountain.
The atmosphere in the village had completely ruined his appetite.
He hated being placed on a pedestal.
He truly hated it.
The villagers respected the temple’s sorcerers…
But that respect had gradually transformed into fear.
And that…
Was not a healthy relationship.
Ten minutes later…
He arrived outside the temple gates.
His concealed figure slowly became visible.
The apprentice sorcerers guarding the entrance were startled.
One chubby young apprentice immediately ran inside.
At that moment…
The Ancient One and Kaluu were calmly drinking tea in the main hall.
Hearing the apprentice’s hurried report, both immediately stood and headed outside.
The moment they reached the entrance…
They saw Lucian already walking toward them with an easy smile.
“Greetings…”
“Mr.
Lucian.”
The Ancient One immediately bowed.
Kaluu quickly followed suit.
Lucian smiled.
“Heh…”
“I haven’t been here for a whole day.”
“I found myself missing the place.”
“So I thought I’d stop by.”
With that, he walked into the hall.
The two sorcerers exchanged helpless glances before hurriedly following after him.
Inside the hall…
Lucian casually took the seat of honour.
Looking at the visibly nervous pair standing below him, he chuckled.
“Relax.”
“Sit down.”
Only after hearing his permission did the Ancient One and Kaluu kneel and take their seats.
Once they had settled…
Lucian spoke.
“I came today because I need a favour.”
Kaluu immediately replied,
“Mr.
Lucian…”
“If there’s anything we can do…”
“Please don’t hesitate to ask.”
Lucian nodded.
“I’d like one of your sorcerers who has mastered portal magic to accompany me for a while.”
“And…”
“I’ll also need you to send regular food supplies to my palace.”
The Ancient One and Kaluu visibly relaxed.
To them…
Those requests were incredibly simple.
“Certainly.”
“We’ll make the arrangements immediately.”
Kaluu rose at once.
After bowing respectfully, he hurried away.
Once Kaluu had left…
Lucian turned toward the Ancient One.
“Heh…”
“Master Ancient One.”
“There’s one more matter.”
“On my way here…”
“I passed through the village below.”
“I noticed something.”
The Ancient One blinked.
“What was it?”
Lucian smiled.
“I think…”
“You should go see it for yourself.”
He stood up.
As he walked toward the exit, he spoke one final sentence.
“Taking care of your people…”
“Should make them see you as family.”
“Not as gods.”
With that…
He left the hall.
The Ancient One remained seated in stunned silence.
His final words echoed over and over in her mind.
For the first time…
She felt that she had taken another step toward true enlightenment.
Chapter 13: Baron Mordo