I am a Primitive Man Chapter 930: Everything Has Changed
Previously on I am a Primitive Man...
Han Cheng was completely correct—the soaring mountains that divided the regions ensured Jinguancheng's warmth far surpassed that of the Green Sparrow Tribe's central village. This became clear merely by feeling the slim, fragile ice that cracked with ease.
Up to this point, merely two snow events had taken place in the area.
Furthermore, the snow fell lightly, creating only a shallow covering that vanished swiftly through melting.
After experiencing a full winter in this location firsthand, Han Cheng at last achieved total comfort and security.
Time flowed on silently, and amid the Green Sparrow Tribe's diligent efforts, the air's warmth started to climb gradually, escaping everyone's awareness.
While individuals might have missed the change, the emerging vegetation had already detected spring's concealed vitality lurking under the persistent chill.
With a nudge from his foot clearing away some dead grass, Han Cheng noticed the roots beginning to show hints of green.
He flung his arms out broadly, rallying his own spirits.
Spring was upon them, and the moment for sowing rice approached rapidly. Accelerating the setup of the fields became essential…The party advanced through the foliage and underbrush. During their journey, several paused to gather the scarce blossoms of this time and weave them into their locks for added charm.
The innate urge to beautify oneself runs through every person, spanning from antiquity to eras yet to come.
Future descendants, though, pushed this impulse to absurd lengths.
Through endless applications of assorted “wondrous methods,” a unkempt youth could emerge from an outing reborn as a graceful maiden; aging females might transform into captivating young lasses that drew all eyes…
If the ancient females in their midst had glimpsed these forthcoming techniques, astonishment would have gripped them, their matted, frost-stiffened tresses seemingly straightening in surprise.
Their party numbered substantially, reaching around fifty or sixty souls.
They bore numerous items; almost each person shouldered a bundle.
Beyond that, several of the sizable beasts they guided also carried loads of provisions.
Among these were pelts, sustenance, and above all, treasures they held dear: ceramics and seasoning—salt capable of rendering any meal utterly delectable to humankind!
They guarded these possessions with great care. Should anyone stumble on the path, efforts were made to topple ahead, shielding the vital cargo strapped to their backs.
Such value stemmed from the ease of bartering these for abundant goods from fellow clans.
Owing to these resources, their own group enjoyed a more affluent existence, surpassing the prosperity of most bands they had encountered.
The climate stayed frigid, and the extended trek had chapped their hands and faces with frost's bite.
Numerous bore tiny fissures in their flesh from the harsh weather.
Nevertheless, their moods soared high.
They had adapted well to such journeys, the blooms adorning the women's tresses and their lighthearted behaviors lifted spirits, and crucially, they realized that a short further march would bring them to a familiar trading ally.
They hadn't come to these parts in quite some time. Any prior salt exchanges would likely be depleted by now.
Drawing from earlier dealings, they anticipated a hearty reception and straightforward swaps for the counterpart's stored edibles.
Ceramics endure indefinitely, yet savory salt, even rationed carefully, gets used up over time.
This insight came from years of practice.
Another gained wisdom was that greater gaps between outings meant richer hauls upon return—much like foraging for wild greens.
Frequent returns to one spot diminished the yield each visit; allowing time to pass enabled larger gatherings in one go…
As they progressed, parched foliage and growths snapped beneath their steps. Seeds latched onto their forms and the creatures they trailed.
Certain seeds gripped firmly; others dislodged soon after.
Eventually, under suitable moisture, heat, and sun's rays, these seeds would sprout and develop into fresh growths…
“@#￥QWE!”
The desiccated grass grew sparser in this spot. Upon a jutting rise, a shadowy cavern signaled the dwelling of the nearing clan.
Near the cavern, various grown-ups reclined against boulders or growths, idly soaking up the sun's rays.
Young ones scampered and frolicked close by. The scene appeared peaceful and serene.
The party's head was an elderly fellow with a weathered visage.
His form bent forward a bit, likely from prolonged load-bearing or similar strains.
Still, he appeared robust.
In his grasp rested a timber rod topped with a gleaming element that reflected the light.
Stepping ahead, he spotted the cavern and its occupants, then bellowed out to signal their coming.
This served to alert the dwellers, avoiding alarm or aggression, while urging them to prepare edibles and wares for barter.
True to form, the shout brought the folks upright, gazing their way. Eager for the dealings, the arrivals hastened their steps toward the group.
Yet, contrary to custom, no joyful welcome came from this band.
The bent leader paid it no mind and, intent on the gains ahead, pressed on eagerly.
“@43￥%5…”
Before long, they reached the site.
The stooped leader hailed the band's head with incomprehensible phrases, then shared a quick clasp.
A pair of pests seized the moment to hop to new bearers, seeking variety perhaps.
At the same time, the arrivals shed their burdens from bodies and beasts, displaying them openly.
The ceramics and salt, held in vessels or wrappings, stood out front and center.
After all, these drew the strongest interest.
The stooped leader let go of the head and pointed to the offerings with a grin.
Only then did the oddity strike him.
In times past, once wares were shown, the band's head and kin would cluster close, thrilled by the arrivals.
Today, though beckoned, the head and his folk showed no spark of interest.
The stooped leader stood still.
Such conduct was unheard of in any prior trading encounter.
Having grasped the worth of these items before, facing them anew without zeal defied all precedent.
What could be amiss?
Did their offerings fall short now?
Rubbing his scalp, he examined the goods once more.
They remained pristine as always—attractive, alluring— so what caused this apathy?
This had never occurred in earlier visits.
Perhaps the provisions from before hadn't run out yet?
Despite the elapsed duration, this seemed the sole logical reason. No other fit.
“#￥@#3…”
He motioned to the ceramics and salt anew, mimicking the swap gesture, yearning for the head's engagement.
But disappointment followed, as the head continued to overlook him.
Worse still, after eyeing the items, the head shook his head vigorously.
Not only the head, but numerous clan members nodded their heads in unison with rejection.
The stooped leader and his fellows could scarcely credit what they saw.
Did these folks grasp the proposal's import?
By refusing so plainly, once departed, no further chance for securing these valuables would arise!
Stunned, the group observed the head retreating into the cavern.
From overextending his stance, he knocked his brow against the entry.
Massaging the flushed spot, he stooped low and edged inside warily.
Under normal circumstances, this mishap would spark laughter. The stooped leader, fond of mirth, would have chuckled heartily.
Yet this time, no sound escaped him.
Not solely due to the band's peculiar response, but because the head reemerged bearing an item cradled close.
The stooped leader's eyes bulged, mirrored by his companions' stares.
Their attention locked on the thing the head clutched.
Noting the stooped leader and his party's shock, the head's sense of superiority grew.
Before, his band had marveled at ceramics and salt. Now, the head's group could display their own pride to these visitors.
Despite the bruise on his brow, the head held his chin up once more.
The clan followed suit, thrusting chests forward and lifting gazes— a touch absurd, but they held the pose.
The head set down the exquisite ceramics and a vessel with deliberate care.
The ceramics were spacious, spherical, without blemish, and strikingly beautiful.
The stooped leader reached out tentatively to verify, his doubt evident.
The head swiftly cleaned the touched area, anxious lest the valued ceramics suffer harm or stain…