The sun had dipped below the horizon, yet nothing had changed in the Black Forest. It was still just as dark.
Luo Chong ate grilled fish with the people of the Tree Tribe. They were very warm and hospitable, constantly bringing out local specialties to entertain him.
One fruit was oval-shaped, with skin like a plum and a taste like an apple. It was sour and sweet, and was another specialty of the Black Forest. According to Dashu, the forest did not only have Black Iron Trees; there were a few other fruit trees as well.
Mutong, with his flamboyant hairstyle, brought Luo Chong a bowl of tree sap. The bowl was wooden, and the sap inside was as red as blood.
Luo Chong hesitated a little, but seeing everyone else drinking it, he took a small sip. It was somewhat salty and not very tasty, but the people of the Tree Tribe drank it happily. Dashu thumped his bulging pectorals and told Luo Chong that drinking it would make him as strong as Dashu.
Luo Chong was speechless. Isn't this just salt water? I even have table salt. Want to learn about it? But he did not take it out. Good things could not be revealed too freely. What if they robbed and murdered him for them?
After the meal, Dashu arranged a tree hollow for Luo Chong to rest in. Then he told Luo Chong that he was taking his tribespeople out to hunt and asked whether Luo Chong wanted to come.
Luo Chong was surprised for a moment, but after thinking about it, he understood. Rabbits were nocturnal animals and rarely came out during the day, so hunting at night was perfectly normal. He agreed.
There were eleven people in the group, including Luo Chong—five men and six women. Each member of the Tree Tribe carried a Black Tree branch. They were long and thick, not like clubs at all. Branches sprouted densely from them, making them look like the wolf-tooth clubs used in the Ming Dynasty.
Luo Chong still had his usual equipment: a bow and arrows, a dagger, and a spear. He did not bring the Back Basket, leaving it at the Tree Tribe. He was not worried that they would steal his things. If they really did, he would not mind wiping out the whole tribe or something.
Dashu really liked Luo Chong's spear. The trees here were all crooked and twisted, and he had never seen such a straight wooden shaft before. However, he was too embarrassed to ask for it. As a Chieftain, he knew that weapons were generally not given away. A weapon was the symbol of food; how could one casually give away the tool one relied on to eat?
Besides, although Luo Chong's spear looked impressive, Dashu did not believe it could catch rabbits.
Luo Chong did not make a move. He only wanted to be a quiet spectator and see how the Tree Tribe caught rabbits.
Dashu first led everyone to gather some mushrooms. These mushrooms smelled delicious and were Snow Rabbit's favorite food.
They placed the mushrooms beneath a Black Iron Tree and hid nearby. Before long, a plump rabbit hopped over. It warily looked around, and when it heard no movement, it slowly edged toward the mushrooms.
Just then, Dashu led a group of people charging over. Ten branches covered in dense offshoots swiftly formed a fence, completely surrounding the unlucky rabbit. Terrified, it clucked inside and repeatedly stamped its hind legs against the ground, making thumping sounds as a warning.
But it was all for nothing. Dashu and the others rapidly tightened the encirclement until the rabbit could no longer move. Only then did they finish it off with a wooden spike.
Tsk, so this is a group hunt—and they even catch them alive. Luo Chong instantly had the idea of trading with them. How wonderful would it be if I could have them catch rabbits for me?
Dashu proudly held up the rabbit to show off to Luo Chong. Then he pointed at Luo Chong's spear, implying that Luo Chong's weapon was no good. If Luo Chong was willing to give it to him, Dashu could give Luo Chong his own weapon in exchange.
Luo Chong rolled his eyes and indicated that he would not trade. Dashu did not press him, but he continued enthusiastically introducing his branches to Luo Chong, explaining how useful they were for catching rabbits. Luo Chong was practically laughing from anger. If yours are better than mine, why the hell are you trying to trade? Keep it for yourself.
After moving to another spot and laying out the mushrooms again, Dashu pulled Luo Chong behind a Black Tree and indicated that Luo Chong should follow him later. He intended to use a comparative experiment to convince Luo Chong of the branches' advantages.
Speechless, Luo Chong slung his spear diagonally behind his waist, drew out his longbow, and nocked an arrow. Dashu stared in confusion, not knowing what this new object was.
At that moment, another rabbit poked its head out in the distance. It was still more than ten meters from the mushrooms. Dashu hurriedly tugged at Luo Chong, signaling for him to get ready to charge.
Luo Chong ignored him. Looking at the rabbit twenty meters away, as big as a piglet, he drew his bow and nocked an arrow. With a whoosh, the white shaft tore through the air of the Black Forest like a bolt of lightning, piercing the rabbit through the neck and pinning it firmly to the ground.
Luo Chong smiled faintly, patted the dumbfounded Dashu on the shoulder, and walked toward the rabbit.
The other people from the Tree Tribe emerged as well. This isn't how the routine is supposed to go! Why did someone change the script? Director, that wasn't how you arranged it!
None of them knew why the rabbit had suddenly died. They could only come over to investigate. A wooden shaft with feathers was lodged in the rabbit's neck, identical to the ones Luo Chong carried on his back. Only then did they realize who had changed the script—they just had no idea how he had done it.
Only Dashu had seen Luo Chong shoot. He came over as well, the look of superiority completely gone from his face. He was no longer very interested in the spear, instead staring longingly at Luo Chong's bow and arrows.
Smiling, Luo Chong handed him the longbow and gave him an arrow. He guided Dashu's hands as he drew the bow, then fired another arrow at the rabbit on the ground. With a whoosh, its close-range penetrating power proved formidable. Half of the one-meter-long arrow sank into the rabbit.
"Wow!" The people of the Tree Tribe cried out in astonishment, filled with awe toward this miraculous weapon.
Dashu knew Luo Chong would not trade such a miraculous weapon to him, but he was still delighted to have tried it himself. Luo Chong also gave him a Feathered Arrow as a symbol of their friendship.
The rest of the hunt became a one-man archery performance by Luo Chong. A group of people followed behind him, watching him repeatedly draw his bow and shoot. In half a night's time, he had killed more than a dozen rabbits.
That was a number they had never dared imagine. On a normal day, they would burn incense in gratitude if they caught three or four. At the same time, the people of the Tree Tribe secretly began to speculate about how powerful Luo Chong's tribe must be.
After they returned, according to Luo Chong's request, the rabbit skins from this hunt went to Luo Chong, while the meat went to the Tree Tribe. They naturally had no objections.
Going by Luo Chong's original purpose for this trip, he had already achieved it. As long as he stayed here a little longer, he would definitely be able to gather enough animal hides for his tribe.
But he had only been out for a day, and he somehow felt he was letting all the equipment he had prepared go to waste. Since he had come out, he should go a little farther and properly explore this world. Besides, he was very interested in the animals Elder Tree had mentioned—creatures as tall as humans. Perhaps capturing a few alive and bringing them back to pull carts would be nice.
During the latter half of the night, Luo Chong remained in the tree hollow to rest until dawn the next day.
After replenishing his Dried Meat, fresh water, and fire starter, Luo Chong went to find Dashu and bid him farewell.
Dashu really did not want Luo Chong to leave. It was currently the season for storing food, and he felt that if Luo Chong stayed, this winter would definitely be easier for them.
Luo Chong also thought this tribe was quite good. In the future, he could trade with them if he obtained anything useful.
After thinking briefly, Luo Chong said, "Can you help me catch some live rabbits? Ten at minimum would be best."
Luo Chong held up both hands and counted it out for him. "When I come back, I'll trade other prey for them. It won't affect your food stores."
Dashu hesitated, then asked, "What if we catch them now and the rabbits die before you return?"
Luo Chong was speechless. He explained again that the live rabbits should be kept in a tree hollow, with some grass and mushrooms pulled for them to eat each day. He would be back soon and would not take long. Only then did Dashu agree.
Please give this rookie some recommendation votes and support! Yesterday, right after I said my chrysanthemum was in danger, nobody behind me managed to catch up, but suddenly a bigshot parachuted in from ahead and cut in line. The book has fallen back to fourth place again, and my heart hurts. Everyone, please send a wave of recommendations and bookmarks to comfort me.
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