The Rise of a Primitive Civilization

With the significance of fish firmly understood and the sight of countless fish competing for the bait in the river, the children might not have grasped the full potential, but the woman's eyes lit up immediately. This new food source was plentiful and less dangerous to acquire than hunting in the jungle, and it could potentially become a staple for the tribe.

The woman, animated and vocal, gestured eagerly for Luo Chong to teach her how to catch fish. However, Luo Chong reassigned the tasks among them: one child was tasked with smashing the viscera, the woman was in charge of gutting the fish, and the other child was sent to gather twigs and branches from nearby trees to hang the fish by threading the branches through the gills.

With roles clearly assigned, Luo Chong continued fishing, now truly "scooping" fish from the river. With each cast of the bait, fish swarmed, and the baskets were often so full they barely sank. Luo Chong, therefore, opted to simply scoop them up from the bank, consistently catching at least two fish with each attempt.

The group worked through the afternoon, moving spots whenever the fish seemed to dwindle, and by the end of the session, they had amassed over two hundred fish. The largest weighed around ten pounds, and even the smallest were the size of a hand. With such a haul, the children couldn't carry them all back alone.

Luo Chong sent a child to fetch more of the older children to help. The woman carried the stone basin, two children each bore a stick laden with fish, and Luo Chong himself balanced two baskets full of fish on a pole across his shoulders. Together, they made a triumphant return to the cave as the sun set.

By the time they returned, the foraging and hunting parties were already back, as it was dangerous to remain in the jungle at night. Everyone was gathered around discussing the day's events, focused particularly on the story of the terror bird and the chief's death.

The children entered the scene, shouting and boasting about their catch to the adults, who had only managed to secure smaller game like rabbits, rodents, snakes, and wild fowl. The usual somber mood due to the chief's death was instantly lifted by the sight of the fish. The tragedy of the leader was quickly overshadowed by the excitement over this new abundance of food.

After sorting the day's bounty, the community gathered outside the cave where a large pyre had been prepared for the chief's body. The oldest man in the tribe, identifiable by the ram horns he wore and respected for his wisdom, lit the fire. As the flames consumed the body, the children salivated over the smell of cooked meat, showing little sadness, their minds likely on the feast to come.

Luo Chong took the opportunity to observe the tribe more closely. There were 52 members, excluding the chief now reduced to ashes. The demographic included eight adult men, fifteen adult women, fourteen children over six years, and fifteen children under six. The male adults were few, and those present didn't strike Luo Chong as particularly robust or capable, aside from a few like the horn-wearing elder, a man with an extra finger who favored a club, and a few other notable characters such as 'Feather' and 'Stone', named for their preferred tools or ornaments.

As the chief's body turned to ash and the night deepened, Luo Chong noticed two moons in the sky, a large one moving from east to west, and a smaller one from north to south. This startling revelation confirmed that he was not on Earth, casting doubt on how much of his previous knowledge was applicable here.

The villagers returned to the cave for dinner, barricading the entrance with a boulder. Tonight's meal was fish and fruit, the latter being eaten first as it was less perishable. Luo Chong had discovered chestnuts among the gathered nuts, which he recognized easily.

Traditionally, the chief would have distributed food, but tonight Luo Chong was asked to do so. Not only because of his haul but because the others were unfamiliar with how to prepare or eat fish. He instructed them on how to grill the fish and carefully remove the bones, demonstrating with a fish he had prepared earlier. The adults mimicked his actions, enjoying a new taste experience.

The children shared several larger fish, finding the larger bones easier to handle. Luo Chong prepared boneless pieces for the youngest, who ate quietly, fascinated by the roasted fish, licking their lips in anticipation.

In the back of the cave, a natural fissure allowed smoke to escape, keeping the cave comfortably ventilated. This natural haven, safe and hidden, was ideal in a world teeming with dangers.

As the firelight flickered, casting shadows on the cave walls, the elder, still revered despite his diminished status, began to sketch a mural of Luo Chong fishing by the river. The simplicity of life here, combined with the communal efforts at dinner and the shared responsibilities, began to endear this primitive yet complex community to Luo Chong, making him feel unexpectedly at home.

Despite his abrupt transplantation into this strange time and place, Luo Chong's adaptability was seeing him seamlessly integrate into this primitive tribe, slowly taking a place of leadership and innovation among them.