Chapter 60 – Don’t get so worked up! Let’s talk like adults! (1/2)

Translated by Sunyancai

The others in the hunting group were still waiting by the exit of the cave until the next day in the afternoon.

Originally they were to leave at noon, but Mai and Lang Ga suggested to wait a little longer, which was the only reason why all the warriors were staying by the cave.

In fact, Lang Ga and the others had already completely lost hope by that time, but still, they were not willing to admit it.

“Let’s go, or else we won’t be able to make it in time.” Another warrior of Mai’s age proposed as he looked up at the sky.

They did not bring much food, for they had stored all the game they had hunted in the first location. Since they were trekking towards the second location, they only brought moderate amount of food. Now, some of the warriors already had an empty food bag.

According to tradition, in the hunting group, nobody shall leave when waiting for a comrade. Even running out of food, no warrior shall go for hunting. That was in fact a memorial service in disguise. Although their comrade might be gone forever without any remains, others should wait to pay their respect in some way. Rationally speaking, all of them knew that whoever had gone lost would never return.

Once they left the cave, it meant that they gave up on waiting, which was also considered- the end of the mourning and the beginning of the hunt. It was a different nature of act, for they won’t return to the cave unless the hunting was over.

Most warriors in the hunting group thought that it was already enough for them to have waited for so long. Shao Xuan was no big guy, and neither did he have any important status in the tribe. So there was no need for them to spend days in mourning. They had to start the hunt soon.

Mai looked at the sinking sun and told everybody that they should prepare to go.

Before leaving, everybody lowered their heads and pointed at the middle of their eyebrows with their index fingers. Every time when someone was lost, the others would pay their respect in that simple way.

“Let’s go”. Mai led the others to leave the cave after the mourning. They were heading to another cave in the mountainside, which was their second stronghold.

…

Step by step, Shao Xuan walked towards the exit of the cave, with the ancestors on his back and stoneware, in his bags.

After spending so much time in the darkness, Shao Xuan did not feel uncomfortable seeing the light again.

Shao Xuan was able to hear the sounds of insects and birds outside, and he was in quite a good mood.

The mountain was not different from any other mountains on the surface, and there was also grass, bushes, trees, pools and brooks. It was only in the inside of the mountain that was different from other mountains. So on the surface, all the plants and animals were similar, and the list of all the names of hunting group leaders in generations were still carved on the wall near the entrance, and that wouldn’t be erased at all.

By the exit of the cave, Shao Xuan stood still and listened closely to the sounds outside. He observed the surroundings through the vines, and made sure that no dangerous creature was there. So carefully, he pushed aside those vines and stepped out. When exiting, he paid extra attention to those mummified people on his back, because they were fragile.

Feeling the not-so-bright sunshine, Shao Xuan felt like he was somehow reborn. If he was in a safe environment, he would probably shout it out to express his euphoria.

Earlier he was already used to seeing those skeletons, and in fact, Shao Xuan was not afraid of them. However, now during the daylight, he looked back and only found four mummies…Shao Xuan calmed himself down, and began to hypnotize himself: it’s fine…they are the ancestors, ancestors of the tribe… even if they are mummified, dried, and darkened, they are as brave and extraordinary as always…

He did not untie those four “people” immediately. The treasure was still effective, and Shao Xuan wanted to shelter himself under the blessing of the ancestors before he could rejoin the hunting group.

Shao Xuan didn’t know where he was standing but looking up, he could still see those flying figures in the sky, so he figured that perhaps he was still at the same mountain. It was not the mountainside, but the mountain foot, and, he felt that it was already the other side of the mountain.

It was impossible for him to run around in the unknown environment without a plan. He was not capable of dealing with the ferocious beast by himself. At the same time, Shao Xuan had to be prepared not to be grabbed by those big birds flying in the sky. So he could only try to make contact with the hunting group first.

Looking down at the body, Shao Xuan found a layer of gray stone powder all over his animal skin clothes, as well as on his hands.

He rubbed his hands together to dust off those stone powder. Originally he intended to grab some leaves from the vines to wipe his hands, but on second thought, he gave up on the idea, for he didn’t know whether it was poisonous or not.

After rubbing his hands, Shao Xuan curled two of his fingers and put them into his mouth. Right after that, a rhythmic whistling sound came out.

Yelling was absolutely forbidden here, for that loud noise might draw the attention of some creatures. Hence Shao Xuan used the old way of the hunting team, which was the whistle. As he was blowing the whistle, he decided to make a deer whistle for later use when he returns to the tribe.