Genshin Impact: Rise of the Desert

Esen Choros was the wisest of Ivan's followers. He grew up with Ivan and learned some of Ivan's habits and various kinds of knowledge that shamans called "taboos".

This naturally includes Hilichurls. When Esen was twelve years old, he even used Hilichurls to get a Hilichurl henchman to share some carrion with him while hunting. It was the best meal he had eaten in his twelfth year.

Therefore, the wise Esen was left with the Blade Tribe to further study the Chuqiu language, so that he could teach his people. Meanwhile, Laka sent his son Brunei to learn human languages.

Ivan believed that this alliance needed to continue, as reducing the hostility of the Hilichurls would bring great benefits to the tribe, such as their strong labor force.

The Chuchus watched as the humans took away Brunei, the shaman's wisest son, while the Muscovites left behind Esen, the chieftain's assistant.

Along the way, they passed countless stone houses and saw hundreds of mushroom-covered pigs. Looking at these Hilichurls who didn't raise many livestock, Ivan asked in confusion, "Brunei, isn't your Hilichurl diet just meat?"

Brunei is a taciturn Chuqiu crossbowman who uses electric crystals to make flintlocks and hunts with a rather unsophisticated crossbow.

He answered slowly, "My father taught us how to catch fish, and using nets kept us away from the terrible water."

The Chuchus are afraid of water, and it took the Muscovites a long time to learn something their chieftain knew in his past life.

Ivan and his companions drove the sheep slowly through the Hilichurls' territory. The Hilichurls had received orders from Raka not to harm the humans, but some mischievous Hilichurls couldn't resist trying to frighten the sheep, causing them to bleat loudly.

The Hilichurl Ranger, who was teaching Hilichurl cubs in front of the stone slab, immediately stood up upon hearing the sound, his eyes fixed on the human herding sheep past him.

The Hilichurl Rangers drew their weapons, shielding the cub behind them as if facing a formidable enemy. Having traveled extensively, they knew all too well that humans were not friendly towards Hilichurls. Despite Raka's orders, the Rangers remained highly vigilant.

Ivan happily herded his sheep away from the territory of the Blade Tribe. He spurred his horse onward, and only when night fell did he see tents made of wood and animal hides scattered across the hillsides by the river—the tribe he had longed to visit.

"Wow!" Ivan shouted excitedly, as if to throw all the fatigue and stress of the journey to the winds. This shout also invigorated the warriors herding the sheep, making them feel cheerful as well.

"Quickly call all the tribesmen over."

"Yes, we haven't let our people down!"

"Haha, everyone can drink fragrant goat milk and eat sweet milk tofu!"

The warriors couldn't wait to see the admiring looks in their people's eyes, and they sang joyfully the songs that circulated in the desert, praising their guardians.

Only by following our powerful leader in battle

Only then can you fill your little home with Mora.

Little one

Grow up quickly!

Only by stealing other men's wives

Only then can you have your own wife.

Only by burning down other people's houses

Only then can you have your own house.

Only by killing other men

Only then can you become a real man.

Little one

Grow up quickly!

Follow the chief to fight

Protect your family

Little one

Grow up quickly!

Become a man

Marry your own wife

Build your own house

Little one

Little one

..............................

"Children! I'm back!" Ivan spotted the seven- or eight-year-old children picking up sheep droppings like busy little bees. Ivan spurred his horse forward and shouted, "I've kept my promise! Go tell everyone! I'll make sure they get sheep tonight and drink sheep's milk tomorrow morning!"

When Ivan was seven or eight years old, he would act like a little adult, carrying a wooden spear and hunting with his friends. He would eat whatever he caught, and go hungry if he didn't catch anything.

Children today only need to collect sheep dung for fuel and can eat dairy products at home, all thanks to Ivan's repeated trade and adventures.

"Lao Da!"

"The Big-Headed Man is back! He's brought a flock of sheep!"

"Mom! We have sheep now!"

Wow! So many sheep...

The children stared wide-eyed at the flocks of sheep covering the hillsides, their bleating so loud they could barely hear their own voices.

.....................

Originally, there was a statue of the Red King Ahmar in the tribe, which stood to the side and in front of the shaman's tent. Later, Ivan sold this statue to a Liyue merchant in exchange for a flock of sheep. The hollowed-out interior of the statue was cleverly transformed by the shaman into an open-air fire pit, which is only lit during grand festivals.

After the sheep were divided, it was completely dark. Dried animal dung was poured into the open fire pit, and a roaring fire was lit. Countless bonfires also gathered around it.

The men grilled milk tofu, the women brewed milk tea, and the children played and frolicked in this rare festive atmosphere.

The air was thick with the smell of mutton as Ivan slowly walked into the shaman's tent.

The shaman, named Perm Yaroslavl, was the last person Ivan wanted to see. Perm claimed to be an astrologer, apprenticed to the Fontaineian Astomanser Barbiros Trismedistus, but in this desert, everyone called him the shaman.

Perm's master, Ivan, thought the name sounded familiar, but he had never paid it any attention. From this old man who only knew how to refine elemental oils, Ivan had never seen a trace of mystery; he only thought the old man was putting on a show.

From small matters like getting married to major events like going to war, the old shaman would perform rituals for everyone.

Ivan arrived at a huge, mysterious tent with a roof made of monster horn, bent down and went inside.

The tent was filled with smoke, making it difficult to make out certain objects. Taking a few steps further in, a hanging pot came into view, with a fire pit beneath it. The fire pit had been dug into the ground, extending all the way to the sleeping area—a welcome sight for the elderly on cold desert nights.

Ivan walked to the pot, which contained a thick, greenish liquid that emitted a foul odor. It's worth noting that the smoke inside the tent was coming from this viscous liquid, filling the tent with an exceptionally unpleasant smell.

Holding his nose, Ivan, who respected the elderly and cared for the young, slowly walked forward, cursing, "Perm, are you fucking cooking shit? Fuck your mother! Come out!"

The room was filled with smoke, and the only light came from the fire pit, which Ivan couldn't see at all.

Suddenly, Ivan noticed a hunched figure appearing in the fire pit behind him, its eyes emitting an eerie red light.

The hunched figure stirred the liquid in the hanging pot with a large ladle, making a sound like sawing wood: "Son of Iron Horse Varisi, grandson of Slope-footed Toghtobuk, Ivan IV, born of a sandstorm, clever Afanti, born with blood in his hands, shepherd... my noble chieftain, doubter, Ahmar tells me in the darkness that you have fulfilled your promise."

Ivan, his face grim, slowly walked in: "Lift the tent flap and you'll see the sheep, and you'll hear the tribesmen's laughter... Are you kidding me?"

As Ivan approached, he saw Perm's face clearly. Long, deathly white hair draped over his shoulders, and even though he was hunched over, his muscles were still clearly defined. His bare upper body was covered with scars.

He was a berserker when he was young, but now he insists on pretending to be a charlatan.

Ivan grabbed Perm: "Come on! Come with me!"

"Wait, my medicine..."

"Shh... Listen, the banquet has begun."

Outside, enchanting singing drifted in…

..............................

1. Pack animal dung: The dung of pack animals and sheep is full of nutrients and fiber, along with other substances in the dung. After drying, it can be burned for a period of time. (Of course, it can also be a small snack.)