Chapter 811: Don’t Want to Go Back? Then Join Our Tribe!
Night fell, and a half-moon poured its clear light down. In the night sky, bright stars accompanied the moon. Under the moon and starlight, the Green Sparrow Tribe had transford into a sea of celebration.
Even without ntioning anything else, just the bowls of mutton offal soup—made by boiling, chopping, adding fruit vinegar, ginger, and garlic, then adding water again—was enough to make everyone’s mouth water.
Not to ntion the mutton bone soup, simred from the bones left after eating the at.
Han Cheng hadn’t been idle. He had removed all four kidneys from the two tigers. Tonight, he and Shaman each ate one, leaving the other two for them to share the next morning.
Since finding Yuan, the “hand warr,” Shaman—once prone to lapses—had entered the sa day-and-night labor routine as Han Cheng, so food could not be skimped.
By nearly noon the next day, the elder senior brothers who had traveled overland returned, and celebration ensued, needless to say.
Two days later, Han Cheng sent a team with so food and twenty to thirty sheep westward along the newly built roads.
These sheep were ant as rewards for the road-building teams in the tribe.
After more than a day of travel, Han Cheng’s temporarily appointed reward team encountered the road-building crews still at work.
Naturally, there was great excitent when they t—especially after realizing that twelve of the sheep had been left for them to eat.
The road-builders were thrilled by such generosity from the Divine Child. Chewing the mutton, they felt motivated to work even harder, aiming to finish all remaining roads, except for bridge constructions, before the first snowfall.
So could not resist asking how the tribe had suddenly obtained so many sheep.
Among the reward team was the one who had manned the bamboo raft. Excitedly, he began to recount their unforgettable experience from a few days prior and what they had harvested.
People enjoy recalling or sharing morable and honorable deeds.
As he narrated enthusiastically, the road-builders stared in awe and longing, regretting they hadn’t been part of such a morable hunt.
After telling of the hunt, he ntioned killing two tigers on the way back.
This naturally elicited astonished reactions from the road-builders.
Then he revealed that both tigers were male.
He asked the road-builders, with a mysterious look, why these two male tigers could coexist peacefully.
The road-builders could not answer, having heard the Divine Child say multiple tis that “Two tigers cannot share a mountain unless one is male and the other female,” and they found it reasonable.
Seeing their reactions, he displayed a knowing expression and, teasingly, finally said: “Because they’re good brothers!”
Most road-builders looked confused, clearly not understanding. He then patted his companion and explained by example: “Just like us two—we don’t fight. We are good brothers.”
“We don’t fight. We are good brothers!”
Once they roughly understood the aning, others joined in the chant.
This declaration quickly gained agreent among most.
Being one tribe, all refraining from fighting, they truly could be called good brothers by this standard.
He scratched his head and glanced at his companion, feeling sothing was slightly off, yet agreed with the crowd and said, “Yes, we don’t fight. We can live together. We are all good brothers!”
Thus, “good brothers” beca the Green Sparrow Tribe’s annual buzzword for the decade—a result Han Cheng had never anticipated.
By the ti he realized it, the term was already spreading through the tribe.
It wasn’t limited to males; females used it too.
Seeing Bai Xue feeding little Han Xing while saying they were good brothers, Han Cheng felt an urge to smack soone.
Indeed, speaking the words carelessly had brought about unforeseen consequences.
Of course, these were matters for later.
The next day, the reward team, with so remaining sheep and food, headed to the Copper Mountain residential area along the built roads.
So roads remained unbuilt. Over the sumr, previously cleared paths had grown grasses taller than knee height.
Fortunately, this wasn’t a tropical region. Otherwise, the terrifying growth rate of tropical plants would have swallowed up entirely the paths cleared with axes and sickles in just one sumr.
About ten miles from Wild Duck Lake, the Wind Tribe and the Neighboring Wind Tribe were building roads.
For months, aside from rain, they had worked daily on the roads. Even if they hadn’t done such labor before, they were now highly skilled.
As tasks beca routine, they completed more each day and received more rewards. Gradually, they adapted to the work, paying less attention to hunting and gathering.
Adults were like this; children even more so.
Half their days were spent building roads, while the other half was dedicated to learning Mandarin and Chinese characters. Over months, this structured life accelerated the children’s progress in road-building and language skills.
anwhile, they grew increasingly unfamiliar with hunting and gathering.
Many adolescents even beca indifferent to these activities.
Previously, hunting and gathering were necessary, yet food remained scarce and hunger common. Now, with road-building alone providing ample and better food, their focus naturally shifted.
“Green Sparrow flag! Green Sparrow flag!”
A sharp-eyed adolescent pointed to an unfinished stretch of road, shouting excitedly.
Others looked and saw a group erging from a hundred or two ters ahead, one holding high a flag embroidered with a Green Sparrow emblem.
Seeing this familiar sight, all from the Wind and Neighboring Wind Tribes cheered.
Finally, people from the main tribe had arrived—though they wondered if the Divine Child was among them.
The crowd greeted them with joy, as if welcoming their own hunting party, not outsiders.
Soon, the three tribes t, filling the area with laughter.
To an observer unaware of the details, it was impossible to discern that these people belonged to different tribes. Not only was there no tension, but they appeared identical in appearance, and their language was the sa.
Not seeing the respected Divine Child, the Wind and Neighboring Wind Tribe mbers felt disappointed, especially the children.
But this disappointnt quickly gave way to greater joy: the visitors slaughtered two sheep and cooked als for everyone.
The leader, Mao, pointed to three more sheep, saying these were also left for the Wind Tribe mbers.
He then pulled out a bamboo tube sealed at the top, opened it, and distributed candies—one for each person.
“What is this?”
The elder tilted his head, examining the translucent candy, marveling at its beauty.
“It’s sweets, made by the Divine Child. Sweet and delicious!”
Mao smiled and explained.
Hearing that such a beautiful object was ant to be eaten, the elder hesitated, turning it over in his hands, unwilling to eat it.
“Sweet! Really sweet! Delicious!”
Though the elder hesitated, others quickly put the candy in their mouths.
Having never tasted such candy, the children froze briefly, then their eyes lit up with delight, even more excited than when tasting canned fruit for the first ti.
Seeing everyone’s pleasure, the elder finally ate his candy. Upon tasting it, his eyes widened—this was incredibly delicious!
Had he known sooner, he would have eaten it imdiately, rather than holding it in his hands for so long.
Savoring the sweet taste alongside the aroma of cooking at and watching the three reserved sheep nearby, the elders felt warmth in their hearts.
They grew to respect the Divine Child even more.
Unknowingly, in many hearts, the Divine Child’s status surpassed that of their tribal leaders.
He constantly thought of them, worried they couldn’t afford salt or pottery, arranging road-building so they could receive food and hides without effort.
Food was freely available.
For the elders, this generosity alone was enough. Yet the Divine Child also sent occasional treats.
Such abundance was unheard of in their tribe, where leaders consud the best, leaving many to go hungry.
Under the kind and generous Divine Child of the Green Sparrow Tribe, they experienced unprecedented good living—full, plentiful, and delicious als.
Treats included sheep and sweet candies.
After eating and resting, the reward team, led by the trading party, departed for the Copper Mountain residential area along the built roads.
The Wind and Neighboring Wind Tribe mbers remained in their joyful state, and the delicious food motivated them to work even harder.
A breeze blew, and yellow leaves fell from trees. The elders sighed.
This was not a sentintal reflection, but an acknowledgnt that winter was approaching.
People in this era dreaded winter, as it ant cold, hunger, and death.
Previously, elders had sighed rely at the coming winter. Now, the sigh was also for the impending separation.
Winter made outdoor work impossible; roads could not be completed.
They would have to leave this generous tribe and return to their own, resuming their previous lives.
As awareness spread, the previously lively road-builders grew silent, the atmosphere subdued.
Many spoke little, quietly working, and the already mature children beca even more responsible.
The reward team, with the Green Sparrow flag, arrived at Copper Mountain, and the residential area erupted in joy.
After presenting candies and sheep, everyone rejoiced.
The bamboo raft operator again recounted the spectacular sheep capture and the curious fact that both tigers were male.
In doing so, the term “good brothers” spread to Copper Mountain.
After spending a night there, Mao led the team back the next day.
Except for provisions for the road, all remaining food was left in Copper Mountain.
The returning team carried copper and tin ingots slted in Copper Mountain.
Over three-quarters of the bronze path had been completed. They left Copper Mountain in the morning, following the flat roads eastward, arriving near the Wild Duck Post Station by late afternoon.
Temporary do-shaped semi-subterranean work shelters had been set up. The Wind and Neighboring Wind Tribe teams, employed to build roads for the Green Sparrow Tribe, rested here.
The trading party was used to camping, but preferred so shelter. Wooden stakes had been driven around the shelters for added safety.
The reward team was nurous, so not all could stay in the shelters; so squeezed into tents.
“Why the long faces?”
After dinner, Mao noticed the elders’ unusual deanor.
Mao hadn’t been particularly attentive initially, but years of trade had honed his observation skills. Carelessness could lead to danger.
He saw their mood wasn’t right and asked:
“If you have difficulties, tell us. We are willing to help. Even if we can’t, the kind and wise Divine Child will help you.”
Using both Mandarin and gestures, he conveyed this to the elders.
Upon hearing this and recalling the Divine Child’s intelligence and kindness, the elders’ hearts brightened.
The Divine Child could solve their difficulties!
Encouraged, the elders revealed what troubled them.
Mao was pleased—they now desired to join the Green Sparrow Tribe.
“Why don’t you just join our tribe? That way, we can live together. What we have, you will have too…”
Most primitives dislike secrecy, and Mao offered a straightforward solution—inviting them openly to join.
Hearing this, mbers of both tribes, especially the children, were thrilled. Eyes sparkled in the firelight.
The elders’ hearts raced, but, like most adults, the light gradually dimd.
They wished to join the powerful, kind tribe, but thoughts of their own tribes and those left behind bound them, preventing action.
They did not understand these feelings, but they were real.
“I’ll tell the Divine Child about your difficulties when we return, and he’ll help you.”
Seeing the elders shake their heads, Mao was slightly disappointed but smiled and said this instead.
Thus, the elders pinned their hopes on the wise Divine Child.
After a day of labor, the usually quick-to-sleep elders stayed awake late.
The next morning, Mao and his group packed up, ate, and continued toward the Green Sparrow main tribe.
The elders watched them and the Green Sparrow flag fade from sight, feeling a newfound sense of hope.
The Divine Child’s wisdom would surely resolve their problems.
“Really?”
Within the Green Sparrow Tribe, Han Cheng, handling newly picked hawthorn, saw Mao ask excitedly.
Receiving an affirmative response, Han Cheng’s face lit up with a broad smile.
His half-year’s gradual assimilation of the tribe had paid off; soon, his tribe’s population would grow substantially.
As for solving the elders’ current difficulties, Han Cheng had long planned the solution—ready to implent it directly.
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