Chapter 85 – Breaking through its shell (1/2)

Translated by Sunyancai

When they had returned to the tribe and completed the sword cleansing rite, all the warriors in the hunting team descended the mountain and returned to their homes. Shao Xuan did not have many kills, so he could carry everything and leave the mountain directly.

The Shaman didn’t detain Shao Xuan to chat, as all his attention was focused on the Green Thief that was brought back by the advance group. But after the sword cleansing ritual, the Shaman had informed Shao Xuan that he would send someone to invite him to a talk in a few days.

This time, the ferocious beasts that the advance group had hunted were less than before, the quality was also lower. However, their merit was the biggest. Unfortunately, the Green Thief could never be spoken about aloud, and only a few people in the tribe learnt about it. Moreover, those who knew were only those with high positions or large contributions in the tribe. Most common people had no idea. The only thing they knew was that the advance group had made huge contributions this time.

Most of the normal people wouldn’t pry into the details of the advance group’s contributions.

They tended to care more about the harvests of their own families and friends. In regards to other people, they were nothing more than the topics of their gossip. Even though many residents were curious about the appearances of the advance group at first, they were no longer concerned once they returned home and busied themselves with processing the game.

Shao Xuan rushed over to Old Ke’s house once he had dragged the meat home, bringing some eggs and fresh meat along the way.

As Shao Xuan travelled down the mountain, he delivered some bird eggs to Mai and Lang Ga. He had eaten his fill of them in the green forest, and the only reason he had brought some back was to allow the others to have a taste. He was curious to see if eggs from the green forest were different from those from other places, and if they could be used for medicine.

In Old Ke’s room, Shao Xuan briefly described this trip’s harvest. As there were some things that could not be shared, Shao Xuan instead described in great detail the white fur he had used in the traps.

“The white fur could be woven into a long white thread and is very suited to use in traps. It is a pity that it cannot be preserved for very long. I initially wanted to bring some back for you to take a look at, but it was all used up on the way back. We encountered some troubles, and after setting the traps, the used thread started deteriorating after a few days and lost its elasticity, a single tug and it’d break. By the time we reached the tribe, it had all disintegrated.”

Although some of the terms that Shao Xuan used while explaining felt very unfamiliar to Old Ke, he could still guess the meanings, and hence understood Shao Xuan’s words.

“It would be good if someone discovered a way to bring them back whole.” Said Shao Xuan.

Old Ke shook his head, “You can’t force that.”

For Old Ke, all he wanted was to pass down the skills he had to someone suitable. Now that he had found Shao Xuan as his apprentice, he had no regrets. What’s more, that Shao Xuan could tag along with the advance group and return safely, was proof of his luck and ability.

“What are those eggs?” Old Ke looked at the eggs that Shao Xuan had placed in the pot.

“I brought them back from the forest. People in the advance group often eat them, so I brought some back.”

On hearing Shao Xuan’s reply, Old Ke did not inquire further. Since Shao Xuan said that it was on the diet of the advance group, it should be something good.

Shao Xuan kept three bird eggs for himself and gave the rest to Old Ke. After having dinner at Old Ke’s place, he brought Caesar back to his own cabin.

Before sunset, Shao Xuan planned to treat the animal meat that he had brought back first.

A stone pot was set in the room. After kindling the fire, Shao Xuan put the remaining three bird eggs into the stone pot. He wanted to cook them first before cutting them and bringing them to the orphan cave.

Shao Xuan paid no mind to the pot after tossing the eggs in. Instead, he treated the animal meat outside his cabin. Otherwise the night swallows would come to stir trouble after dark.

Caesar was chewing a bone in his paws as he crouched beside the door. Suddenly, his ears twitched as he looked back at the stone pot inside. He listened carefully, and then ran towards the stone pot to look inside.

There were three bird eggs in the stone pot, and each of them was the size of Shao Xuan’s fist. They weren’t the biggest amongst Shao Xuan’s stock nor were they the smallest or the ones with the most patterns. These were merely in different colors.

Shao Xuan put the meat in the stone trough for pickling before he noticed that Caesar was staring at the stone pot.