Chapter 633 A Different Ne (2/2)

“Isn’t this a net to catch fish? What is this?”

Everyone was shocked.

When Shao Xuan continued pushing the log into the net, the second netting layer finally finished its contraction. The second net was already tied tightly on the log.

The first layer acted like a drawstring pouch, trapping the prey inside. This second net had a ‘drawing’ mechanism so it trapped the prey in the ‘drawstring pouch’.

“A net like that and pseudo-poles on the side, hidden along a path where the prey will pass through. Once the prey hits the net, or was chased into it by the hunters, it would be trapped inside. If it were a deer with long antlers, its antlers would be knotted tightly inside. Its neck would probably be trapped too so the net tightens as it struggles, finally strangling it to death,” said Shao Xuan.

Due to some research on knots, Shao Xuan understood the netting system better than the rest. The tribesmen understood this too so they did not doubt his words.

“This net is used to catch prey with physiques like deers and goats!” Shao Xuan concluded. They didn’t know what plant was used to make this net but it had been delicately processed so they’d be extra sturdy. It was more than enough to catch regular beasts.

“Then it’s not a fishing net!” Duo Li was shocked.

“This means that the Gu tribe might not be living near the Flaming River. It might not even be near the river, they could be further inland?” wondered Tuo aloud.

“No, they must be in the area. They won’t be too far from the Flaming River,” said Shao Xuan confidently.

As he spoke, Shao Xuan picked the other net up. This was different from the first net, using a different weaving style and straw rope.

The first net was woven from straw rope braided using tight threads. It was very sturdy, no spaces could be found between the threads. Even a thorn would not be able to pierce through the role unless a lot of force was applied.

However, the second net was woven from a different rope. It was just a thin thread-like plant combined but not braided together.

After instructing Duo Li and the rest to lift the second net up, Shao Xuan did not use the log. Instead, he went to the place where they threw food scraps. There were some piranha bones from when they fished and roasted before.

The piranha’s skeleones and rows of sharp teeth were easily recognised.

Shao Xuan took one of the skeletal heads. The opened jaw revealed many sharp teeth.

He clamped the jaw full of teeth on the net, then moved it as if it was trying to bite the net,

This fish would’ve definitely left teeth marks on regular fishing nets, less sturdy ones would quickly break. However, even after tens of bites, the net remained almost perfect!

The threads woven into the net would split when the piranha bit down, causing the threads to slip in between the teeth. That was why every bite would just pass through the rope, then when the fish released it, the threads would shrink back together into a rope.

“This is…”

“This is a net specifically for catching piranhas?!” Duo Li lifted the net curiously to study it, even testing it out with a piranha skeleton.

“It works!”

Most inland rivers also had fish with sharp teeth, though not as many as this river and were of different species. They would not weave a specialised net like that to catch these fish. If they made a net like that, it was likely to catch piranhas from Flaming River as piranhas lived in large schools here.

“The Gu tribe is definitely awesome at making nets.” Although he hadn’t met them, Tuo had to admit this fact. And if Shao Xuan hadn’t pointed it out, they wouldn’t have noticed so soon.

“And if this net is wet, the threads would be even more slippery. The fish teeth would pass through easily and the net won’t be broken in a short period of time.” Shao Xuan touched the wet part of the net, passing it to everyone.

“I can’t believe it!” Kun Tu scratched his head again. So that was why the few Gu tribe members looked at him that way. He really wasn’t knowledgeable enough to recognize the wonders of this net.

“With net-weaving skills like that, the Gu tribesmen definitely won’t go hungry. On the contrary, they must be quite rich,” said Shao Xuan.

“But there is no Gu tribe here. We’ve travelled along the river but did not see them. Or you would’ve known already.” Kun Tu still couldn’t understand why.

“If we haven’t seen them, then the Gu tribe must be farther than we thought.” Shao Xuan stared out ahead.