Chapter 80 - Canoe (1/2)

Ch80 - Canoe

Xiong Ye had liked Zhu Zhan quite a lot before this. Zhu Zhan was very strong and easily drew other people’s admiration.

But that was all in a situation where Zhu Zhan wasn’t coveting his own mate.

People in the tribe knew that Zhou Ji was his, so nobody would try and snatch Zhou Ji away from him, and Xiong Ye had never felt this sense of crisis before. Now, however… When Xiong Ye looked at Zhu Zhan, he had a kind of impulse to go up and fight him.

On what basis did Zhu Zhan think that he should go and hunt for Zhou Ji? They weren’t relatives, and they didn’t even know each other well.

Xiong Ye glared hatefully at Zhu Zhan.

Zhu Zhan didn’t understand the reason for Xiong Ye’s hostility and was puzzling over it when his subordinates came over and pulled him away. “Lord, our own roasted meat is ready. Hurry and come eat.”

Zhu Zhan knew that his subordinates wouldn’t really call him over to eat just because the roasted meat was ready, so that meant that there was probably something else going on… He was a little suspicious as he followed them over, only to hear one of his subordinates say, “Lord, Xiong Ye probably thinks that you’re trying to steal Zhou Ji away from him.”

People outside the situation could see things more clearly. Zhu Zhan’s subordinate had already noticed that Xiong Ye hadn’t been happy with Zhu Zhan asking so much about Zhou Ji. His displeasure was even more apparent now.

Zhu Zhan: “……” Was that what it was? He really had no interest in Zhou Ji! He already had a mate of his own, and he wasn’t like Xiong Ye and Zhou Ji who had tied themselves to another man. His mate was the most beautiful girl of their Giant Pig Tribe!

Of course, many years had passed since then. The most beautiful girl had already given him several children and could no longer be considered the most beautiful…

“What a damned…. It’s already strange enough for those two men to find each other and become mates. I was just talking, is it really necessary to be on guard against me?” Zhu Zhan said.

Zhu Zhan’s subordinate: “If Xiong Ye was constantly asking about Zhu Zhu and said that he wanted to catch food that Zhu Zhu liked for her to eat… “ Zhu Zhan’s mate was called Zhu Zhu.

Zhu Zhan didn’t even think about it before exclaiming, “He dares?!”

Zhu Zhan’s subordinate said, “Isn’t that it?”

That was indeed the case. Nobody would allow anyone else to court their own woman… Zhu Zhan finally understood and turned to his subordinates, “Right, who allowed you to call Zhu Zhu so intimately? Call her sister-in-law! In the future, just address me as big brother. Calling me Lord makes me feel uncomfortable.”

Zhu Zhan’s subordinates: “…Big brother.” They had all grown up together and were used to calling her Zhu Zhu, but now they weren’t allowed to anymore…

Zhu Zhan added, “I wonder how Zhu Zhu is doing now… Do you think we’ll have a chance to go back?”

“Absolutely!” Zhu Zhan’s subordinates said.

“Exactly, that Zhou Ji must have a way!” Zhu Zhan said. “As for Zhu Zhu, mothers with children are the fiercest. She must be doing well.”

His Zhu Zhu was big and fierce. He often had to hide from her when she was angry; she had to be alright.

Zhu Zhu’s subordinates all nodded to express their deep approval.

They had all been afraid of Zhu Zhu when they were younger!

While they were chatting, Xiong Ye was also talking to Zhou Ji, “Zhou Ji, ignore that Zhu Zhan. I don’t think he has any good intentions!”

Zhou Ji felt that Zhu Zhan had been a bit wronged over this matter. A few days ago, Zhu Zhan had clearly been very suspicious every time he glanced at him, and even today… Zhu Zhan definitely hadn’t come to speak with him because he liked him, but because there was something he wanted to ask for.

But it wasn’t a big deal if Xiong Ye felt that way.

Xiong Ye added, “However, don’t worry… You’re my mate. We’ve received the Beast God’s blessing, and nobody can break us apart.”

Zhou Ji smiled, “Indeed.” He didn’t entirely understand exactly what it was he felt towards Xiong Ye, but one thing was for sure, which was that he liked having Xiong Ye by his side.

Some chili peppers had been added to the sauerkraut devil frog, making it particularly appetizing. Zhou Ji ate a bit too much again this meal. As for Xiong Ye, he always ate a lot.

There was no collective hunting the next day.

Xiong Ye got up early in the morning and said to Zhou Ji, “I’m going to go and catch you something delicious again today.”

Zhou Ji laughed and said, “Alright. Come back early.”

“Yes!” Xiong Ye agreed. He also wanted to leave early and return early. He needed to guard against Zhu Zhan!

However, Zhu Zhan came to find Zhou Ji as soon as Xiong Ye left.

At this time, Zhou Ji was lounging near the place where pottery was being made.

Pottery was made outside the valley. However, the shapes and things made out of mud couldn’t be rained on, so the priest had ordered people to build sheds out there. Unfortunately, the people of their tribe had very limited experience in building shelters from rain. They had been going at it for a few days without managing to build up anything.

Zhou Ji suddenly remembered a music lesson he had learned in school. The teacher had taught them to sing a ‘earth ramming song’.

He had long forgotten how that song went, but he still remembered what the teacher had said about ramming earth.

The so-called rammed earth method was to use mud as the primary building material and press it together firmly until it could become a foundation wall. This method for building structures had been passed down from ancient times and had been used for countless years.

He had no experience with building structures. He knew that houses could be made out of wood, but he didn’t know any of the specifics. Besides, houses built with wood wouldn’t be warm enough for the people of the tribe, and would also attract snakes, insects, mice, and other pests.

But it should be better if they built a wall out of mud, right?

Zhou Ji immediately shared his thoughts with the tribe.

Rammed earth structures were definitely a time-consuming and laborious process, but the people of the Big Bear Tribe weren’t short on strength and had plenty of time!

Zhou Ji first had the priest draw out a square about twenty square meters large, then dig out three sides to insert two rows of wooden sticks. They filled the space between the wooden sticks with dirt, then had people continuously pound down the dirt in the middle.

The dirt would become very, very compact after it was pounded repeatedly. The mud wall that would be created this way wouldn’t be affected by wind or rain, and they wouldn’t have to worry about any grass or other such things growing in it. Structures built this way were very warm in winter and cool in summer.