I am a Primitive Man
Chapter 111 – Waiting for the Deer Herd
Before Han Cheng came, arranging tasks for the people within the tribe was the responsibility of the Eldest Senior Brother, the leader.
At that time, things were relatively simple. It was mostly about assigning a few people to catch fish, others to accompany him for hunting, and some responsible for food preparation.
These tasks were mostly related to food, and the Eldest Senior Brother, who was already accustomed to them, handled them effortlessly.
However, as Han Cheng grew within the tribe, bringing various novel things, especially with the appearance of fish traps that successfully resolved the persistent food issue, the Eldest Senior Brother found it challenging to adapt to the multitude of new responsibilities.
Because the things Han Cheng introduced were completely unfamiliar to him, he had no idea how to organize them.
Unbeknownst to him, the authority for personnel changes within the Green Sparrow Tribe gradually fell into Han Cheng’s hands.
The Eldest Senior Brother harbored no dissatisfaction because he was oblivious to this development. He saw a flourishing tribe under the guidance of the Divine Child.
Even Han Cheng himself only recently discovered this situation.
The tribe’s wise Shaman and the Eldest Senior Brother, who served as the leader, had no objections. Han Cheng naturally didn’t make a fuss about it.
These matters were not subject to concession.
In other words, Han Cheng’s position was irreplaceable. Shaman and the Eldest Senior Brother refused even if he wanted to yield.
Without realizing it, he had become the foremost figure in the tribe, a fact that made a certain Divine Child look at the setting sun with a somewhat exasperated feeling.
Today, Shaman seemed somewhat restless. In the past, at this time, he would either be teaching the intricate sacrificial language to Shi Tou in the inner cave, translating ancient inscriptions on the tribe’s tablets, or happily crouching beside the rabbit enclosure, contemplating how many rabbits would appear in autumn, how many he could kill, and how many he could keep.
But today, he couldn’t engage in any of these usual activities. He felt lacking.
Making mistakes in teaching Shi Tou, consecutive errors in inscribing on the clay tablets, and accidentally tossing a stone instead of grass when feeding the rabbits – after almost hitting a rabbit kit, he lost interest in his tasks.
Shaman left the tribe’s main gate, stood there, and gazed in the direction the deer herd had departed.
Seeing the emptiness, with no trace of the deer herd, the emptiness in his heart became even more profound.
So much delicious meat. If it didn’t return, it would be such a pity.
After observing for a while, Shaman returned, glanced at the Divine Child, who was daydreaming in the courtyard, and thought for a moment. He walked outside the main gate again to look around. After a while, there was still no sign of the deer.
Turning back to look at the Divine Child, he found him casually playing with Fu Jiang, showing no concern about the significant event.
Shaman finally couldn’t contain himself.
“Divine Child, the deer still haven’t returned.”
He walked to Han Cheng’s side, looking visibly worried as he spoke to Han Cheng. At the same time, he couldn’t help but glance outside the main gate.
Han Cheng looked at the sun still hanging in the west. That fellow should be happily grazing and wouldn’t return so early.
Shaman was getting anxious.
Han Cheng didn’t want the old man to worry too much. He had always respected this man, his savior.
Initially, he was grateful for saving his life. After spending time together, he admired the man’s dedication to the tribe. Eventually, emotions developed.
“It’s still early. The deer are grazing; they’ll come back soon.”
Han Cheng pointed to the sun hanging in the western sky, explaining to Shaman.
Shaman felt somewhat reassured. After saying a few words to Han Cheng, he returned to the main gate to keep watch.
Han Cheng couldn’t help but secretly rejoice. Shaman used to be a calm person, and now he was stirred up by him.
The setting sun gradually descended, the daylight fading. Han Cheng started to feel uncertain.
He looked at the dimming sky and then into the empty distance. Some impatience crept in.
Why hasn’t the silly deer returned when it’s almost dark?
It’s such a big deer; can’t it be more reliable?
When he was following it, it had a strong sense of time. Just one day without him, and it didn’t know the way home?
An anxious Han Cheng scolded in his mind like an old woman.
Could it be that everything this guy did before was just an act to deceive himself?
Was he waiting for an opportunity like today to escape?
Suddenly, this thought surfaced in Han Cheng’s mind, making him uneasy. However, he shook his head to dismiss it. Deer Lord was intelligent, but not to the extent of scheming.
Perhaps they encountered some danger in the wild, delaying their return.
Shaman, Eldest Senior Brother, Tie Tou, who had recently developed a bond with the deer, and Shi Tou, who could enjoy deer milk daily as a novice shaman, all expressed their intentions to go out and search for the deer.
However, unlike others, Shaman and Eldest Senior Brother, after careful consideration, abandoned the idea and rejected Tie Tou and the others’ proposal.
Indeed, going out was not feasible. Aside from the dangers in the wilderness at night, just the vast expanse of land was enough to cause headaches.
Although Han Cheng was concerned about the deer, he strongly agreed with the decisions made by the Shaman and Eldest Senior Brother.
The deer was important for the tribe, but not to the extent that people should take such great risks to find them.
Moreover, Han Cheng couldn’t shake the feeling that this group of deer wouldn’t just leave without a word.
As the sky completely darkened, the normally bustling Green Sparrow Tribe appeared exceptionally deserted today. Everyone had no appetite for food; their thoughts were all with the missing deer.
Of course, except for Han Cheng and a few others, most people were thinking about losing a large amount of meat.
The moon grew brighter, and the stars seemed more dazzling. In the surroundings of the Green Sparrow Tribe, insect chirping echoed. The quiet night made people unusually restless.
“Let’s go back and have dinner. Don’t worry about this for now,” Han Cheng ordered the crowd after looking around.
“Rustle.”
A faint sound approached the Green Sparrow Tribe. Following the noise, there was a vague shadow, unclear.
People were delighted, and the first thought that came to their minds was that the deer had finally returned.
Han Cheng felt the same, and he even wanted to go and see them.
“They’ve came back. Close the gate!”
The Eldest Senior Brother suddenly shouted.