Published: March 12, 2025
Chapter 595: Cremation
Zhao Hai nodded. He could understand the feelings of those orcs. Just when they were on the brink of annihilating their tribe, suddenly a place appeared before them that could allow them to survive. Under such circumstances, it would be strange if they didn’t harbor any gratitude. No wonder the orc tribe, which had always refrained from cremation, changed to cremation upon arriving here.
However, Zhao Hai still felt he should remind Thais. So he said, “Clan Leader Thais, my space is quite vast. If I find the beast god spear, then I can bring these remains back to the Orc Prairie. Don’t you think it would be better to bury them on the prairie?”
Upon hearing Zhao Hai’s words, Thais was momentarily stunned. Then, his eyes lit up as he looked at Zhao Hai and said, “Is what you said true? Can you really bring these remains back to the prairie for burial?”
Zhao Hai nodded and said, “Yes.”
Thais glanced at the corpses, then at his clan leader behind him, sighed softly, and shook his head. “Forget it, sir. Let’s proceed with cremation. Even if we can find the beast god spear, I believe they would feel ashamed to return to the Orc Prairie.”
Zhao Hai looked at Thais and said, “Clan Leader, I came here specifically to search for the beast god spear. I believe I can find it. If I do, won’t you be able to return to the prairie?”
Thais looked at Zhao Hai, forced a bitter smile, and said, “To be honest, sir, what’s the point of returning to the prairie now? Our king kong ape clan has a glorious history; we were once royal among the orcs. But what does that matter now? We were all exiled here. Currently, our clan consists of merely one hundred thousand members. Even if we return to the Orc Prairie, what can we gain? As such a small tribe of one hundred thousand, how can we survive there? Will the current orc royals see us as a threat? Sir, to be frank, we yearn to return to the Orc Prairie, but at the same time, we fear it.”
Zhao Hai was shocked. He hadn’t expected Thais to think so far ahead. Was this truly the orc tribe known for their straightforwardness? He seemed more like a wise elder who had seen the complexities of the world.
Zhao Hai understood very well that Thais was right. Their situation was awkward. They were formerly royalty, but now they were just a small tribe of one hundred thousand. Even if their combat power was formidable, what difference would it make upon returning to the Orc Prairie? The orc race had become accustomed to the rule of the lion and tiger tribes and would certainly not allow them to become royalty again. Upon returning, they might even be marginalized, and life would not be easy.
Moreover, they couldn't develop like other tribes through war, as their status prevented it; the lion and tiger tribes would not give them such opportunities. Therefore, it would be fortunate for them just to avoid oppression and slowly fade away.
Zhao Hai sighed, choosing not to say more. He turned around and collected the corpses on the ground, then led the king kong ape clan to the foot of the mountain. Once they left the mountain, they entered a frozen world. Zhao Hai placed the corpses on the icefield and quietly stepped aside.
Thais led the king kong ape clan in a simple memorial service. They sacrificed a few magical beasts and performed their worship, which wasn’t too elaborate. However, seeing so many corpses laid on the icefield caused all the king kong apes to cry; these were their ancestors.
After more than an hour, once the memorial was complete, Thais walked over to Zhao Hai and bowed, saying, “Thank you, Mr. Zhao Hai. Please help us take the remains to the mountaintop.”
Zhao Hai nodded, collected the corpses again, and followed Thais and the others up the mountain. The higher they climbed, the warmer it became. Soon, they reached the mountaintop, where there was a massive volcanic crater, circular in shape, emitting white gas, and flickering with what looked like firelight.