The Sacrificial Mountain ritual was indeed a significant event. In such matters, the younger generation could manage the proceedings, but it wasn't Hu Ma's place to interfere, which brought him some peace of mind.
In truth, if he had wanted to speak, he could have. For instance, he could have directly asked the Mountain Lord what kind of offerings he desired, or whether he'd like a couple of maidservants burned as an offering to serve him... But considering the Mountain Lord's temperament, he decided against it. Inviting someone to a feast, who asks what dishes to order or if they'd like a foot wash afterward? After all, someone with genuine intentions would have already made all the arrangements.
Besides, what truly mattered to him was the Sacrificial Mountain ritual itself. The Mountain Lord had repeatedly mentioned it, ostensibly due to a craving, yet Hu Ma knew very well he wouldn't urge him to perform such a pointless task.
