Chapter 38 – Preparation (2/2)

After sorting out the stone tools, Shao Xuan noticed that Caesar was yawning as he squatted there with his ears droopy. He was not spirited at all, and at first sight one would see him as a lazy dog lying in front of his own door. No wonder that Lang Ga and the others would just ignore him these days, instead of seeing him the same way as they saw game. Animals like Caesar were not challenging enough, and they certainly had no interest towards a wolf who had lost his wild nature.

However, how should he deal with Caesar while he’s gone hunting? It would be over twenty days!

Leaving him home was not an option, and Shao Xuan would not feel comfortable if there was no one to look after him.

Send him up and ask for the Shaman’s favor? No, that old wizard could barely look after himself when he got busy.

Shao Xuan even considered whether he should send Caesar back to the orphan cave, but after some serious thought, he gave up on that idea, for Caesar would be totally undisciplined if he stayed in the cave, and no kid there could control his behavior.

He thought of several people who might be able to take care of Caesar, but finally, Shao Xuan decided to ask old Ke to be his guardian. Also, Caesar would be obedient at old Ke’s place.

Since Shao Xuan had been learning from old Ke for such a long time, Caesar became quite familiar with the place. What’s more, Shao Xuan believed that old Ke would be good to Caesar.

So, three days after the previous hunting team came back, the other team prepared to set off.

Carrying old Ke’s sabre and the stone tools he crafted for himself, Shao Xuan took a detour to old Ke’s house, for he planned to leave Caesar there. Aside from Caesar, Shao Xuan left plenty of fish and meat. Caesar was growing fast, and he ate more every day.

“Now be good and stay with old Ke. I’ll pick you up once I return.”

Shao Xuan could still hear Caesar’s whine as he carried his equipment and climbed up the mountain. He sounded pretty pitiable… He was more like a dog…

According to the earlier agreement with Lang Ga, Shao Xuan should stop by at his place first, and then Lang Ga would be the one to take Shao Xuan to the mountain top. Before the hunting team set off, there was a gathering. Shao Xuan was unfamiliar with many rules and procedures, so he had to be guided by someone, or else he could easily make mistakes.

By the time Shao Xuan arrived, Lang Ga was already waiting at the door, with quite a few big animal-skin bags full of tools and equipment.

“Let’s go.” Lang Ga carried the bags and walked in the front.

Many people saw Shao Xuan as he climbed the mountain with Lang Ga. People were pretty surprised to see him, for no one expected that Shao Xuan could tag along with the hunting team this time.

“Is Ah-Fei not with us?” Shao Xuan asked Lang Ga.

Shao Xuan had seen Fei’s figure, but he noticed that Fei did not carry any equipment, nor was he heading up the mountain. In fact, he glanced at Shao Xuan angrily.

“Oh, him.” Lang Ga whispered, “In the last hunting mission, that lad disobeyed some order and caused a scene. So Mai and the others forbade him to join this mission, but left him at home for reflection. If his reflection was satisfying, then perhaps he could join the third mission. But anyway, he can’t go this time. So, you must remember to follow the orders when you are in the hunting team, Ah-Xuan.”

“Understood.” Shao Xuan answered.

They met Ang and a few other warriors that were Lang Ga’s friends, so they all went up to the mountaintop together.

The gathering was held the same place as last time’s ritual ceremony, however, this time the fire fit was not lit entirely.