I am a Primitive Man
Chapter 871 – Joyful Reunion (Three-in-One)
“Let’s go from here…”
The next morning, after breakfast, the group that had rested here overnight packed up and set out again.
Following the path they had used previously for a while, under Mao’s guidance, the group gradually deviated from the old route and headed toward areas they had not yet explored.
This was the new route that Han Cheng and Mao had devised the previous night for this segment of their journey.
If all went smoothly, it would bypass two large bends, making the route as straight as possible and reducing the overall distance.
The followers had no objections. After all, it was their Divine Child who proposed the plan, explaining its benefits and the potential worst-case scenario.
Even the worst outcome was something they were willing to accept, and especially because it was the Divine Child suggesting it and accompanying them…
Back in the main Green Sparrow Tribe, in the house where Han Cheng and Shaman lived together, Shaman once again donned his feathered crown and held his bone staff to pray in front of the totem pole.
Over the past days, Shaman had been praying to the totem pole more frequently, and each session lasted longer than before.
This was because their Divine Child, along with some tribe members, had left the tribe to the south in search of warmer lands.
By now, they had been gone for three whole months.
Yet still, the Divine Child had not returned.
As the days passed, Shaman’s unease grew. He constantly worried that the Divine Child and the others might encounter difficulties, or even something far worse.
Although he knew the Divine Child was supremely wise, and those who had left with him were strong, armed with the tribe’s weapons, and capable of risking their lives to protect him, Shaman still could not fully relax. The time apart was too long.
The tribe could survive without him, but it could not survive without the Divine Child.
Thus, when praying at the totem pole, Shaman often expressed a willingness to exchange his own life for the safe return of the Divine Child…
Over time, concern for Han Cheng’s group was not limited to Shaman. Apart from the newly acquired slaves, every member of the Green Sparrow Tribe anxiously awaited the return of their Divine Child.
The tribe truly could not do without him.
Many even regretted not leaving with the Divine Child themselves at the outset. That way, they would not have had to endure this torment within the tribe.
Because of these emotions, even their recent great victories and the capture of numerous enemies did not bring much joy.
As the sun set, Shaman, slightly stooped with age, climbed the stairs built along the inner side of the outer wall and squinted through his cloudy eyes toward the south.
That was the direction the Divine Child had gone, and also the direction of his eventual return.
Over the past few days, Shaman had imagined the Divine Child returning from the south countless times, but each time his anticipation was slowly replaced by disappointment.
Yet, with each new day, Shaman’s hope rose again, especially at dusk, as the sun sank and the day neared its end—the hope felt even stronger.
Bai Xue, who loved raising silkworms and weaving, could no longer sit still. She would frequently leave her room to glance toward the main gate, or climb the outer wall to look south.
Sometimes she would take Little Pea and the still-unsteady Xiao Xing’er outside to see if their father had returned.
With Brother Cheng gone, it felt as if all her focus had been carried away, leaving her restless and anxious.
When he was around, she was calm; once he left, she became anxious and unsettled.
It was not only her—many in the tribe felt the same. Most of their time was spent gazing southward, especially at dusk, longing for the return of their Divine Child.
The Grass Tribe leader, hoe in hand, observed the people around her glancing southward. She stopped her work, rested her hands on the hoe, and followed their gaze.
After nearly two months in the Green Sparrow Tribe, she had grown much calmer than when she first arrived.
She had adapted to life in the tribe, learned many new tasks, and mastered tools she had never seen before.
In the process, her palms had developed many painful blisters, almost preventing her from touching anything.
Now, after so much labor, her hands had formed thick calluses, allowing her to handle tools without injury.
Through this, she also gained a more profound understanding of the Green Sparrow Tribe.
For instance, the tribe they had previously attacked with the Black Stone Tribe leader—a force that had dealt their army a heavy defeat—was merely a branch of the Green Sparrow Tribe.
Moreover, this tribe really did possess vast quantities of food, far more than she had imagined.
These marvelous and enviable things were not obtained magically—they were the result of the hard work of the tribe’s people.
Just like her own people obtained food through hunting and gathering, the Green Sparrow Tribe’s labor created abundance.
They had better tools and more diverse methods, producing far more than her people could imagine.
The frequent labor she observed—plowing, hoeing, and more—was part of this system.
She had once doubted how such work could yield almost endless food, but her experiences in the tribe convinced her it was true.
She rarely saw the tribe’s people leave for large hunts or gather fruit. If not through these methods, where did all their food come from?
Additionally, the Grass Tribe leader now understood why the tribe constantly gazed south. They were awaiting the return of the one they called the Divine Child.
Initially, she thought the tribe’s chief was the one standing on the stone wall who had defeated them. Later, she realized the chief was the one who had struck down Shupi’s head with the Black Stone weapon.
However, she also saw an elder with gray hair, in whose presence even the strong and fierce chief became respectful.
She learned this elder was Shaman, the tribe’s shaman, a figure of wisdom higher even than the chief.
He had once commanded the main tribe to immediately move against her group at the Copper Mountain settlement—a power far exceeding what she had known in her own tribe.
Later, she realized there was an even wiser figure—the Divine Child—beloved and respected by all in the tribe.
Initially, she had no feelings toward this unseen person. But over time, she recognized his extraordinary position and wisdom within this strong and wealthy tribe.
Knowing that only a few years ago this tribe had been small and ordinary, and had grown prosperous only after the Divine Child arrived, the Grass Tribe leader felt fear, reverence, and admiration.
She, too, gazed south, longing to see this mysterious figure: tall and formidable, or old like Shaman, with gray hair…
Suddenly, a trembling, joyful shout rang out:
“Green Sparrow Flag! Divine Child! The Divine Child is back!”
The Grass Tribe leader paused her work, stood straight, and looked south.
Far away, she saw a low-hanging cloth tied to a pole.
Though too distant to discern details, the people’s cries made their identity clear: the Green Sparrow Flag.
She remembered the flag from the Copper Mountain attack and when the chief had intercepted them. Even on the main tribe’s square, a larger flag stood.
Now, the southern horizon also displayed such a flag!
The next moment, an astonishing sight appeared.
The gray-haired, slightly stooped elder, the one she had thought so solemn and elderly, began running down from the wall at a surprisingly fast pace, heading south.
Inside, Bai Xue, feeding silkworms, heard the shouting and froze, then her face lit up with joy.
She hurriedly set down the basket of mulberry leaves—but it tipped, scattering some. Normally protective of the leaves, she ignored it, abandoning caution, and dashed outside.
After nearly twenty meters, she turned back to pick up Xiao Xing’er and continued running toward the main gate.
Little Pea, hearing the news, followed, shouting, “Daddy!”
Even lazy Tuan Tuan, the giant panda, waddled energetically behind them.
Others, overcome with excitement, abandoned their chores and ran south, cheering.
The Grass Tribe leader clearly felt the tribe’s overwhelming exhilaration.
Previously, when the eldest senior brother had returned victorious, the tribe had not displayed such unrestrained joy.
Now, seeing the unseen Divine Child so beloved, she gained a deeper understanding of his status.
After a long journey, Han Cheng and his group finally reached familiar lands and saw the main tribe. Nearly a hundred days away from home, they too were overjoyed.
Even before they could cheer, the tribe’s distant shouts reached them.
People began running toward them. Despite exhaustion from the journey, they all ran toward the tribe and the incoming crowd, shouting:
“We’re back!”
The flag bearer waved the Green Sparrow Flag vigorously, the embroidered bird seeming to fly in the wind.
As the two groups met, joy and excitement erupted explosively.
“Divine Child!”
“Divine Child!”
Those welcoming them shouted in unison, their emotions condensing into this single title.
Over half had tears in their eyes.
“Daddy! Daddy!”
Little Pea, like a tiny winged sparrow, flapped his arms and ran forward.
Han Cheng’s heart trembled at the child’s cry.
“I’m here, Daddy!” he called, crouching and opening his arms to embrace the child.
“Did you miss Daddy?” he asked, patting his head.
“Yes! I dreamed of you several times, and when I called, you didn’t answer. I cried,” Little Pea said, a hint of grievance in his tone.
“That was just a dream. How could Daddy ignore you?” Han Cheng laughed, rubbing his son’s head.
He then noticed Shaman was not present and asked:
“Where’s Shaman?”
“He’s behind,” someone replied, scratching their head in embarrassment. They had forgotten to wait for Shaman in their excitement.
Relieved, Han Cheng led the group toward the rear to meet Shaman, joyfully shouting:
“Let’s go, we’re returning! Let’s welcome Shaman together.”
Those who had just arrived turned and followed Han Cheng, and the newcomers joined at the rear.
The excitement was now accompanied by a deep sense of calm—a feeling that neither tall walls nor sharp blades could give.
Soon, Han Cheng saw Bai Xue, panting, carrying Xiao Xing’er.
“Brother Cheng!” she shouted, running faster. Han Cheng smiled, embraced both mother and daughter, patted her back, wiped her sweat, and said:
“Brother Cheng is back.”
He then turned to Xiao Xing’er. Nearly a hundred days had passed, and she had grown, though shy and cautious in recognizing him.
“Call Daddy,” prompted Little Pea like a small adult.
“Daddy~” Xiao Xing’er said hesitantly, faintly.
Hearing this from his precious daughter, Han Cheng was overjoyed.
He lifted her from Bai Xue’s arms, wiping her drool, and then picked up Little Pea, walking back to the tribe with his little family.
“Shaman!”
Ahead, Han Cheng saw Shaman, accompanied by Yuan, hurrying toward them. He set the children down and ran to greet Shaman.
“Divine Child!” Shaman shouted, voice strained but quickening his pace.
Compared to when Han Cheng had left, Shaman looked older and haggard—exhausted from worry over their journey.
“We’re back,” Han Cheng said, taking Shaman’s hand with a smile.
Shaman, visibly emotional, finally relaxed completely. He examined Han Cheng for injuries and smiled more widely upon seeing none.
“Divine Child!”
He released Han Cheng’s hand, bowed respectfully, and called out.
“Divine Child!” the others echoed.
This was their Divine Child, deserving of all respect.