I am a Primitive Man
Chapter 833 – The Second Treasure on the Island
After pulling four lotus roots from the water in succession, Han Cheng finally stepped ashore, still feeling unsatisfied.
If it were possible, he wouldn’t mind spending the entire morning digging for lotus roots here.
But that wish couldn’t be fulfilled this time—their main goal was to explore the island in the lake, not to dig lotus roots exclusively.
Shaman and the others were still waiting on the shore, and if they delayed too long, they would start worrying.
Once Han Cheng was ashore, the rest of the group followed. They stood by the water to wash off the mud from their legs. Han Cheng wiped his feet on the nearby grass and put his shoes back on.
Suddenly, someone shouted in alarm:
“What… what is this?!”
Looking down at his leg in horror, he had just noticed a yellow-brown leech halfway on his leg, the other half burrowed into his flesh!
Panicked, he tried to pull it out. The leech was soft, slippery, and surprisingly strong—it snapped in half, leaving the burrowed part inside his leg.
Dark red blood seeped from the torn leech, running down his calf.
The sight terrified him, and he screamed in panic.
Han Cheng, startled by the sudden shout even after putting on his shoes, initially thought some water monster had appeared.
Rushing over and seeing the half-leech in the man’s hand and the blood on his leg, Han Cheng finally breathed a sigh of relief.
It was just a leech—not a water monster.
“Divine Child… it… it went inside… burrowed into the flesh… can’t come out…”
The man’s face went pale, stammering, tears threatening to fall.
Indeed, encountering a leech like this could be horrifying, especially for someone unfamiliar with them.
Sucking blood, burrowing into flesh, reproducing inside—just imagining it was enough to terrify anyone, far worse than facing a hungry wolf or tiger.
“Don’t worry, it’s fine. Let me handle it.”
Han Cheng reassured him and stepped forward. He removed one shoe, holding it in his hand, and with two quick slaps of the sole against the bleeding area, the miracle happened.
The leech, which had been impossible to remove by hand, dropped out of the leg and fell into the grass.
The man, pale from fear moments ago, now beamed with joy. Even looking at his reddened leg marked by the shoe’s sole, he was more delighted than in pain.
The elder, agile as ever despite his age, widened his eyes in amazement, touching the sole of his own shoe.
So, besides the previously known functions, shoes had this incredible use! Truly a valuable item!
This reinforced just how vital their footwear was.
Previously, when screening who could first explore the island, Han Cheng had advised older people to stay behind—but robust elders were an exception.
Han Cheng explained:
“This is called a leech. They like to suck blood, especially through small cuts on the legs. But don’t worry—once they’re in the flesh, a few slaps with the sole of a shoe will remove them. No shoe? Using your palm works too.”
After putting his shoe back on, Han Cheng spoke to everyone. Explaining this reduced fear and laid the foundation for later lotus root digging. Without this knowledge, future visits would be nerve-wracking.
To further eliminate fear, Han Cheng performed an experiment—catching a leech.
Squatting by the shore, he stirred the water for four to five minutes until a leech swam over. He caught it, demonstrating that leeches couldn’t attach to smooth, poreless palms.
Then, he took a thin grass stalk, pinned the leech with his thumb and forefinger, and pushed one end onto the stalk while gently sliding his fingers downward, flipping the leech onto the grass stalk.
In front of everyone, Han Cheng stuck the leech into the ground. In time, the sun and wind would dry it into a leech chip.
“There’s a saying from my hometown: ‘When water ripples, leeches come.’ Stirring the water repeatedly attracts them.”
Han Cheng wasn’t afraid of leeches at all—his practiced hands-on handling showed he’d dealt with countless leeches in the past.
With his explanation and demonstration, the group’s fear of these bloodsucking, flesh-burrowing creatures quickly diminished. Many even tried it themselves, stirring water, catching leeches, and impaling them on grass stalks.
Within no time, seven or eight leeches met their end.
Seeing the group unafraid, Han Cheng had the freshly dug lotus roots washed and stacked in the shade. They would carry them later after exploring the entire island. It was too cumbersome to transport now.
Continuing along the island’s edge, they changed direction from west to south.
After almost 200 meters, they reached the edge of a large lotus root patch. Han Cheng estimated it covered at least ten acres.
Lotus roots are highly productive. Digging this pond could yield tens of thousands of catties.
Han Cheng laughed in delight, even from dozens of meters away.
The journey ahead became even more exciting, with hopes of more surprises. Even if nothing else was found, these lotus roots alone were enough to thrill him.
He decided to bring some back to the main tribe, planting them in nearby pits. Lotus roots reproduce quickly; within two years, the main tribe could harvest plenty.
With anticipation and good spirits, they pressed on southward.
The terrain rose and became steep, difficult to traverse. The lake along the edge grew deep.
For safety, Han Cheng led the group inward, away from the shoreline.
“Flap, flap!”
After some distance, a flurry of wings sounded, rustling branches—countless birds took off.
Feathers, leaves, and droppings fell from above. A few were hit, needing to wipe off the fresh droppings, cursing the birds.
Han Cheng sniffed, thinking life never goes completely smoothly. Just as he was enjoying the lotus roots, they encountered a “minefield” of bird droppings.
Yet the frustration didn’t last.
Seeing the droppings, Han Cheng’s eyes lit up. These weren’t a nuisance—they were a treasure!
The tribe’s farmland was expanding, and fertilizer couldn’t keep up. Even with over a thousand people and all the animals producing waste daily, it was never enough.
Now, this abundant supply of bird droppings was a gift.
Han Cheng joyfully tested its thickness with a branch—about 30 centimeters at the edges, likely thicker deeper in.
The forest floor had few grasses, due to shade and thick droppings, leaving little soil for growth.
Seeing this, the group grew excited—so much natural fertilizer could enrich many fields!
Reluctantly, they left the forest edge and continued south.
Originally, Han Cheng planned to traverse the west edge straight to the southern tip, but the thick droppings forced a change of route.
They moved along the northern edge, then east for about three li (around 1.5 km), where the forest thinned and the eastern edge neared.
They then turned south again. Sparse trees meant fewer droppings, allowing safe passage. The ground was rocky, with little soil, forming flat stone slabs.
“Gurgle…”
Han Cheng kicked a small stone, noticing it felt lighter than usual.
Picking it up, he realized it was about half the weight of a typical stone. Curious, he threw it down—it shattered.
Inside, he discovered the truth: centuries-old, compacted bird droppings—essentially “stone bird poop”!
Seeing the surrounding “stones,” Han Cheng grinned broadly. This was a treasure indeed!
The tribe immediately joined in, using sticks, bronze tools, and axes to crack open the hardened droppings, revealing fertile material beneath.
Everyone laughed heartily. This island truly was full of treasures!
Initially, Han Cheng imagined setting up a stronghold, like tigers in the city or dragons in a water marsh, but now, with so much bird fertilizer, he abandoned the idea.
No one needed to live here permanently—only temporary huts for fishing or lotus digging might be built.
After a brief stay, they continued south to the island’s tip.
“Hey~!”
Climbing the southern rocks, Han Cheng and the group waved and shouted to Shaman and the others on the shore.
The person holding the Green Sparrow flag waved it loudly, producing a flapping sound.
People on the lakeshore became excited upon seeing the group on the rocks. Little Pea jumped with joy.
Shouts and cheers were exchanged between the island and the shore.
After greeting everyone, Han Cheng and the tribe descended the rocks and started the return journey.
Returning took less time since the path was now familiar.
They collected the washed lotus roots into baskets and walked along the north sandy beach to the rafts.
Old turtles basked on the sand, long-legged herons waited for fish, and small birds strolled by. Birds and turtles scattered as the group approached.
The four rafts were secured with ropes, rising and falling gently with the water.
Twenty stayed onshore, while Han Cheng and nine others boarded the rafts. They untied the ropes, pushed off with bamboo poles, and headed south on the lake.
After a distance, they stowed the poles, picked up paddles, and rowed steadily.
“Daddy!”
Little Pea, holding Shaman’s hand, happily ran to Han Cheng, rubbing his short-haired head against Han Cheng’s hand.
“There are lotus roots, so tasty! And lots of bird droppings on the island!”
Han Cheng showed the lotus roots he had dug, exciting everyone waiting onshore.
A new food source and abundant fertilizer—truly a beautiful sight for the Green Sparrow tribe!
Han Cheng naturally agreed to bring them ashore.
The island was fully explored; aside from possible droppings falling from the trees, there were no dangers.
The weather was clear, the breeze mild, and rowing the raft was safe—a perfect time to visit the island.
Carefully helping Shaman and the children onto the rafts, securing them, and ensuring everyone stayed seated, the four rafts set off again.