I am a Primitive Man
Chapter 878 – A True Hero Dares to…
Amid the repeated sounds of hammering, the wooden planks that had been cut and trimmed by Lame were assembled.
During this process, they frequently reworked sections, removing unsuitable parts and carefully reassembling them.
Through this slow and painstaking effort, a donkey saddle gradually took shape in the carpentry room.
To better fit the donkey’s back, the underside of the saddle arched upwards, with both the front and rear ends slightly raised.
Of course, at this stage, the saddle was still in its most primitive form.
They brought over a donkey of average size from the herd and repeatedly measured and adjusted the saddle. They even let someone sit on it to feel the fit.
Adjustments were made according to these trials.
By the end of the day, the final adjustments were completed just before nightfall. Next, all that remained was to tightly wrap the frame with leather and attach the stirrups on both sides.
After finishing the last adjustment, Lame let out a long sigh, feeling both relief and satisfaction. He pressed his hands to his knees, slowly stood, and stretched leisurely.
With the saddle completed, after a full day of heating and hammering, Second Senior Brother had also finished shaping the meteorite axe and chisel by dusk.
Unlike blunt tools like the meteorite hammer, axes, and chisels require sharpening after forging to be genuinely effective.
Fortunately, sharpening was far simpler than forging.
After dinner, Second Senior Brother and Hei Wa each took an axe in one hand and a chisel in the other, grinding them carefully on fine whetstones.
Meanwhile, Lame wrapped thick leather around the saddle frame.
After wrapping, he applied a strong adhesive made from fish bladders, and in some areas, hammered in short bronze nails.
With Lame’s work, the previously rough-looking saddle suddenly looked refined and elegant.
With the help of a few assistants, Lame completed the saddle, while Hei Wa and Second Senior Brother paused their work.
In the firelight, the freshly sharpened meteorite axe glimmered as if reflecting a faint inner glow.
“Crack!”
Second Senior Brother placed a thick wooden stick—thicker than a baby’s arm—on a wooden block and swung the axe diagonally with full force.
The stick snapped instantly in two, and the shorter section flew across the floor, landing with a loud clatter.
The break was perfectly smooth.
Everyone in the room was amazed; none had ever seen such a sharp axe.
Lame, the tribe’s master carpenter who frequently used axes, was particularly thrilled. He rubbed his hands together and shivered with excitement, unable to contain himself.
Such an axe was irresistible to a craftsman of Lame’s caliber.
Even the most stunningly strong beauties, stronger than Zhuang or even Second Senior Brother, could not compare in allure to this meteorite axe for Lame.
Han Cheng took the newly sharpened axe from Second Senior Brother, felt its balance briefly, and handed it to the ecstatic Lame.
“Try it out. See how it feels,” Han Cheng said with a smile.
Lame carefully received the axe, lightly touching the blade with his fingers, tracing along the edge with the utmost care—more delicately than he ever treated a beloved woman.
After a careful examination, Lame gripped the handle and struck a piece of wood, testing the axe’s performance.
With a gleam on its edge, the axe cut through a long section of wood effortlessly.
Lame had never experienced such ease.
Previously, he had thought his iron or later bronze axes were excellent. But holding this meteorite axe, he immediately felt that all previous axes were inferior.
The sensation was exhilarating.
Unable to resist, he swung again and again, enjoying the effortless power.
“Lame, try this chisel,” Han Cheng said, taking the sharpened meteorite chisel from Hei Wa.
But Lame, like he had taken a dose of energy, continued swinging the axe, oblivious to the chisel.
After a moment, Han Cheng interrupted him and handed over the chisel.
Blushing slightly, Lame accepted it and scrutinized it before taking a discarded piece of wood and striking the chisel’s edge with the back of the axe to test its sharpness.
Even though he expected its quality, the chisel still amazed him with every strike.
Not only was Lame astonished by the sharpness of the meteorite tools, but everyone witnessing this was astonished by the sharpness of the meteorite tools.
Those who had thought bronze tools were excellent now reconsidered, imagining a future where the tribe could all use meteorite tools.
This excitement naturally shifted their priorities: bringing back the meteorite now seemed more important than just rescuing the other tribes’ members.
“Lame, these tools are for the carpentry room. Later, I’ll have Second Senior Brother make saws and planes as well,” Han Cheng said, smiling at Lame, who was as happy as a child.
These tools were intended for them, and axes, in particular, should not be used indiscriminately.
Improper use could dull or damage the blade, ruining its performance for woodworking.
Han Cheng’s foresight ensured that these meteorite tools became the carpentry room’s exclusive equipment. Later, Second Senior Brother would forge a few more meteorite axes for general use.
Lame, already thrilled, was overjoyed by this arrangement, holding both axe and chisel with a goofy grin.
The other carpenters were equally delighted.
Seeing Lame’s joy, others in the room couldn’t help but smile.
For the tribe, having these meteorite tools in the carpentry room was invaluable. With better tools, Lame and his team could craft superior items, advancing the tribe’s development.
Of course, everyone also secretly hoped the northern expedition would return with more meteorites.
After testing the tools and discussing their excellence, Han Cheng signaled everyone to clean up and go to bed.
Lame, however, took the axe and chisel to his sleeping mat, clutching them tightly.
Lying on his side, he repeatedly caressed the tools, unable to stop.
Lame’s partner, sharing the mat, eventually grew restless and moved closer, making signals only Lame could understand.
Yet Lame, absorbed in feeling the meteorite tools, ignored her signals.
She increased the intensity of her gestures, but Lame remained fixated.
Finally, he set the tools aside, turned, and—much to her surprise—pushed her gently away.
“Go to sleep. Don’t bother me tonight,” he said, then hugged the axe and chisel again, completely enthralled.
To Lame, no partner could compare to the satisfaction and potential of meteorite tools—tools that brought both joy and the promise of creating something better.
He clutched them tighter, lost in bliss…
The Green Sparrow Tribe still maintained some old traditions from cave-dwelling days.
For example, each room contained four kangs (heated sleeping platforms). Small families—if their children or spouses were few—could share one room with others.
Lame’s room housed two other small families besides his own.
Tonight, the moon shone brightly, casting light across the kangs.
This privacy allowed Lame and his partner’s interaction to remain unnoticed by others.
Songs and small tunes hummed in the evening were always popular topics among the tribe.
Even in primitive times, discussions of such matters were more direct and open.
The next day, Han Cheng learned of Lame’s unusual devotion to the tools.
“Lame is a true hero, a real man,” Han Cheng said with admiration and a smile.
The tribe’s historian, a stone record-keeper, wrote this down. Over time, these words evolved into the saying:
“A true hero dares to push away his partner and face the harsh winds for the sake of his tools…”
Life continued. After this episode, Han Cheng, Shaman, Eldest Senior Brother, Second Senior Brother, Sha, Mao, and the true hero Lame led a donkey out of the tribe toward the threshing ground.
This donkey was unique: it wore the newly crafted saddle.
With the saddle, the donkey’s entire demeanor changed. It no longer looked clumsy, instead appearing clever and distinguished—a true testament to “clothes make the man, saddle makes the donkey.”
Han Cheng couldn’t help but think, “Even the donkey gains some horse-like dignity.”
“Maque, try riding it,” Han Cheng said, smiling.
After a prior adventure, Maque had stayed in the main tribe, unlike Liutou, who returned to Bronze Mountain.
Since Maque had already been tested under previous challenges, his donkey-riding skills were slightly above average. He was the perfect candidate to test the saddle and stirrups.
Hearing Han Cheng’s instructions, Maque became excited.
He approached the donkey, took the reins from Lame, stroked its face to calm it, and placed his right foot in the semi-circular stirrup.
Using both his legs and hands, he easily mounted the donkey and settled into the saddle.
Previously, without a saddle and stirrups, mounting required stepping stones, and even then, it was awkward and precarious.
Now, with stirrups, he had leverage, and the carefully wrapped leather saddle provided comfort and stability.
Maque immediately fell in love with these tools. Riding became much easier and safer.
He began trotting the donkey around the threshing ground and along the Green Sparrow highway, grinning all the while.
“Comfortable! So comfortable! This saddle and these stirrups are amazing!” he exclaimed.
“Mao, you try it next—see if your backside still hurts,” Han Cheng said.
Mao, eager to try after seeing Maque, approached, took the reins, mounted from the right side as instructed, and guided the donkey into a trot.
After riding, Mao’s excitement matched Maque’s. The difference between the saddle and stirrups was immense.
Others took turns riding, and Han Cheng noticed a funny phenomenon: everyone now instinctively mounted from the right side, influenced by Maque.
If this habit continued, perhaps in the future, when vehicles were introduced, the driver’s seat might naturally be placed on the right side!