Chronicles of Primitive Civilization’s Growth

Chapter 31: An Invitation from Luo Chong

In an instant, everyone from the Tree Tribe followed the Tree Stump’s finger and saw Luo Chong on the hillside. Luo Chong also heard some shouting by the small stream below. Moreover, he distinctly heard someone calling his name.

When Luo Chong first interacted with them in the Tree Tribe, he had taught them the standard Mandarin pronunciation of his name. Hence, when they called out Luo Chong’s name, they used Mandarin.

Following the sound, Luo Chong also spotted the Tree Tribe by the stream on the hill.

“How did they come here?” Luo Chong wondered to himself.

Thirty pairs of eyes from the base of the mountain and nineteen pairs from the top met, confirming recognition. Everyone was familiar. Only Wu Da and Xi Men, whom they didn’t know, began making noises, but they quieted down after Luo Chong hit them with two branches.

Luo Chong waved at Da Shu from the hill, signaling him and his group to come up. He had no intention of making the trip back down himself; he still had mining to do.

After more than ten minutes, Da Shu led a group of people up the slope. As they reached Luo Chong, he saw their appearances clearly and frowned.

Their state was pitiful—they had brought along their families, even the children. They looked filthy, dirtier than Luo Chong had last seen them, almost like beggars, but even worse than those.

Da Shu looked weary, but when he again saw Luo Chong, he was immediately awestruck. He knew Luo Chong was looking for a horned animal, but he never expected Luo Chong to actually capture so many of them alive.

If the few members of the Cannibal Tribe riding two Fear Elephants seemed invincible, Luo Chong’s feat was truly godlike. One didn’t need to compare sizes—just the sheer number, 2 to 18! Furthermore, Luo Chong’s Blue Horse Antelope weren’t small either, being nearly the size of modern donkeys.

Luo Chong observed their embarrassed expressions, each holding a wild fruit. It seemed they had no meat to eat. He quickly took the leftover Giant Goose and roasted Beaver from a large basket carried by one of the Blue Horse Antelopes, dividing it among them. He handed over the Stone Axe to Wooden Bucket, instructing him to gather some firewood to start a fire for warmth.

Da Shu watched in astonishment as Luo Chong poured some smoking wood chips from a bone tube, which when placed among dry grass and blown on, ignited. This was truly ingenious. His admiration for Luo Chong grew.

Surprisingly enough, under the astonished looks of the Tree Tribe members, Luo Chong produced a beautifully crafted reddish-brown pottery pot with a lid, which he placed on the fire. He sliced some meat, added wild vegetables, water, salt, and chili peppers. Within ten minutes, the savory aroma of roasted wild vegetable and meat soup wafted in the air.

Since the meat was already pre-cooked, it didn’t require much stewing; boiling water was enough. Luo Chong asked Mu Zhu to fetch a wooden bowl, serving a large bowlful for them to pass around, each taking a sip.

Da Shu was the first to taste it. The salty and spicy soup was similar to their tree sap but left his entire body pleasantly warm. It contained meat slices and thick oil, complementing the vegetables, a burst of flavor with every bite. Could this be how one ate meat?

The tribe watched with envy as Da Shu savored it with delight. Eventually, Da Shu, realizing the oversight, scratched his head sheepishly and handed it to the next person.

After everyone had their turn, the soup was gone. The pot was too small; it was originally for Luo Chong’s personal use.

But everyone now looked at Luo Chong differently—his incredible way of making fire, the magical pot, the novel method of preparing soup, and the impressive Blue Horse Antelope. Now they perceived him as something of a deity.

Luo Chong waved dismissively; he was used to such reactions. He casually inquired about the reason for their pitiful state.

Da Shu immediately began to complain, and the others chimed in with gestures and voices, filling in details. Luo Chong was startled to learn of a Cannibal Tribe nearby. If they were here already, how much further were they from his own tribe? He needed to return as soon as possible. He hoped the river could protect them for a few more days.

“I still need to prepare some things today, and I will return tomorrow. What do you plan to do?” Luo Chong decided and asked Da Shu.

“We, we…” Da Shu hesitated, unsure how to respond.

What else could they do? Initially escaping hastily, they hadn’t brought anything, and their tree houses were burned down. Winter was approaching, and they had no place to live, no food supplies, and couldn’t return to the forest with potential enemies lurking nearby.

Everyone from the Tree Tribe lowered their heads. They had nowhere else to go. If Luo Chong hadn’t given them the roasted meat, they might not have even had that. And now, without food reserves, how would they survive the winter?

“Why don’t you join my tribe? You are too few to protect yourselves against enemies. Moreover, you lack housing and winter food. There’s no way you can survive the winter. We have enough food stored for all of us to eat through the winter. Your survival in my tribe is assured,” Luo Chong invited Da Shu.

Yes, Luo Chong had plenty of provisions, enough food to last the winter for his tribe. Da Shu, watching the Blue Horse Antelope nibbling on shrubs, thought about this abundance of meat—they were thirty people, and they wouldn’t finish it all in the winter. He was interested.

If Luo Chong knew Da Shu was thinking this way, he would be furious, having worked so hard to keep this herd alive.

The Tribe members were already eager to agree, completely impressed by that pot of soup. Especially the children had never tasted anything as delicious as that. They were unfamiliar with stews; all they ever knew was roasted meat. Their wooden buckets couldn’t be placed on fire to boil.

Besides, they had seen Luo Chong’s weapons, the bow and arrow. With those, they wouldn’t lack prey nor be bullied by enemies. At least they could defend themselves. Now everyone looked intently at Da Shu, hoping their chief would agree.

Da Shu realized this was the best solution, but he still had doubts. Luo Chong seemed trustworthy, but would his people accept them? After hesitating for a while, he asked, “Would your chief accept us if I accept your invitation? How about your Tribe?”

On hearing this, Luo Chong laughed. Initially, because of caution, Luo Chong had not disclosed his identity or the specific location of his tribe. He had merely mentioned it was beyond the river. Now he would need to explain clearly.

(End of Chapter)