I am a Primitive Man Chapter 935: The Domineering Tribe that Cultivates Rice

Previously on I am a Primitive Man...
A strong tribesman rallies the group to raid a new tribe for its precious pottery and salt, displaying his weapon and physique to affirm their strength, but the elderly Shaman angrily shouts from his treehouse, silencing the crowd and forcing the man to retreat. Consulting with the hunchbacked primitive, the wise Shaman devises a cautious plan: observe the new tribe without attacking, trace the source of the exquisite items through trade rather than conquest, recognizing the producing tribe's superior power akin to their formidable neighbors. He instructs trading current food for ordinary pottery and salt first, then using the finer goods to secure abundant resources from the strong neighboring tribe, impressing the primitive with his foresight. The next day, preparations begin as the group loads food onto animals and departs under the Shaman's watchful eye.

Blessed by the insightful Shaman, the hunchbacked primitive guided their livestock and bore their wares toward the familiar tribe they had journeyed to numerous times.

Following days of trekking, the landscape in front started to shift.

Sections of water emerged before them, accompanied by figures of people.

These individuals donned hides from beasts and bore earthenware vessels.

Certain vessels proved too bulky and weighty for a single grip, so they clasped the edge with one hand while supporting it against their side.

Such a technique conserved considerable strength.

Yet it required a robust midsection.

The unoccupied hand would from time to time dip into the vessel, seize an item, and then vigorously toss it into the liquid.

Even though the climate remained chilly and the liquid icy, these folks appeared utterly unaffected, wading through the slushy shallows as they kept up the repetitive actions.

Along the bank, several figures lingered, clutching gleaming armaments.

Their armaments appeared grander and keener than the ones borne by the hunchbacked primitive.

These observers refrained from toiling; they merely oversaw the efforts of those submerged in the water.

They sported denser pelts and overall seemed more robust than the laborers splashing about.

The hunchbacked primitive recognized this sight well and comprehended precisely the activities of these people and their purpose.

They were flinging petite, consumable berries encased in husks into the gentle waters.

Once sown, these berries would germinate and flourish, akin to untamed foliage.

When the foliage yellowed, the growths would ripen and yield additional tiny berries.

At that point, the group would gather every berry from the growths simultaneously, securing a vast supply of sustenance instantly.

This stood as a primary factor behind the affluence and might of this group.

The hunchbacked primitive coveted this approach to securing nourishment and yearned for their own group to obtain provisions similarly.

After all, who desired the grueling task of hauling items over long distances, journeying between groups, merely to barter for sufficient sustenance?

Nevertheless, such notions lingered solely in the hunchbacked primitive’s thoughts—they lacked the courage to act upon them.

Nearly every fertile zone apt for these berries was owned by this mighty group.

Even the mild waters adjacent to their own group’s domain remained under this group’s dominion.

In the sprouting phase, imitating this group by dispersing the husked berries in the liquid faced no opposition from the mighty ones.

However, during reaping, nothing could be claimed.

Regardless of whether the berries developed on their own or were planted by foreigners, to this group, they inherently became theirs.

Any group bold enough to challenge this edict would confront the armed guardians on the bank.

These warriors would confiscate not just the berries but all possessions too—including the people of the defiant group.

The shoeless laborers sloshing through the frigid liquid consisted chiefly of offspring from groups that had previously challenged this edict.

Following multiple such events, no group in the broad vicinity ventured to attempt it anew.

Even if the berries sprouted at the borders of their own territories, none would reap them.

Even should this mighty group overlook the reaping, surrounding groups wouldn’t risk harvesting the berries, fearing the birds might consume them instead.

Thankfully, this group laid claim solely to these unique berries. They avoided dominating every form of sustenance; else, numerous groups would need to ally with them or relocate distantly.

Each group possessed its distinct survival strategy, much like individuals in future eras each followed their unique lifestyles.

The hunchbacked primitive’s group, barred from growing these berries, had devised the practice of acquiring sustenance via bartering.

From afar, members of the mighty group spared scant notice to the nearing hunchbacked primitive.

They encountered one another frequently and understood the roles each played.

Some even grinned at the sight of the hunchbacked contingent, since their coming signified additional nourishment for the group.

The bartered provisions didn’t match the bounty of seasonal berry hauls, yet they held worth.

In return, only ordinary items were needed—like earthenware, which their folks could fashion abundantly.

“#￥4@3…”

Despite the distance, the hunchbacked primitive grinned, calling out boisterously to those armed figures on the bank.

The two groups shared proximity and frequent dealings, allowing comprehension of most of one another’s tongue.

“#￥5@…”

A bank dweller replied.

One even departed to draw near the hunchbacked primitive.

Shortly thereafter, they converged, swapped brief phrases, and the incomer directed them to a designated spot.

En route, the hunchbacked primitive observed additional toilers in the water.

In certain zones, individuals herded game beasts, in far greater numbers than those in their own group.

They pressed onward to a hill that appeared somewhat anomalous.

The hill bore thin foliage, and beneath the sunlight, certain summits even glimmered.

The primary settlement zone of this mighty group lay not distant from these summits.

Initially, merely the summits caught the hunchbacked group’s eye, but as they advanced, further sights unfolded.

It formed a level expanse layered with thatch.

The hunchbacked primitive felt no astonishment; they had witnessed this previously and recognized these as the group’s shelters, similar to their own arboreal abodes.

Ere long, they arrived at the residences constructed from thatch, limbs, and clay.

Here, additional people surfaced, mostly youths and expectant females.

The sturdier grown-ups scattered to remote spots, occupied with diverse tasks.

Some flung the husked berries into mild waters, others oversaw beasts or foraged uncultivated greens.

Guided by their escort, the hunchbacked primitive navigated the intervals amid the shelters.

They ultimately attained a cleared zone at the heart of every dwelling.

It wasn’t barren; a vast cavern dominated its midst, far more ornate than the rest, topped with several ample earthen pots secured above.

From this detail alone, the disparity between this cavern and others shone clear.

The hunchbacked primitive halted at the cleared zone’s border, declining to advance more.

Those with prior visits understood that this group typically disfavored foreigners treading upon this core region.

The escort uttered a few phrases and then entered the zone, proceeding toward the embellished central cavern with evident wariness and deference.

At the cavern’s entry, he first clasped his hands overhead, inclined forward mildly, and spoke.

Quietness ensued within, persisting for a duration before the cavern’s portal parted—yet no figure appeared.

He reiterated the obeisance prior to entering the opulent cavern, initially leaning his armament against the external barrier.

The hunchbacked primitive offered no remark. They recognized the inhabitant.

It was the group’s shamaness, possessing a rank akin to that of their aged Shaman.

However, she embodied greater sagacity, infused with enigmatic might.

The valued earthenware and armaments were rumored to stem from her craftsmanship.

Even as a visitor, the hunchbacked primitive experienced a blend of awe and trepidation.

After some time, the figure exited, bearing two valued vessels.

He set them down after a brief walk and reentered to retrieve additional ones.

Each entry involved repeating the deferential pose of hands elevated and a gentle incline.

“#￥4@2!”

Beneath the watchful eyes of the hunchbacked contingent, he traversed repeatedly, hauling forth earthenware and consumable salt.

Once organized, he summoned the hunchbacked primitive.

In response, they advanced into the cleared zone, depositing their own and their beasts’ provisions upon the earth for bartering.

Barters proceeded routinely, executed efficiently and promptly with shared oversight.

They obtained earthenware and consumable salt, whereas the group secured the provisions they delivered.

“@#4%%…”

The figure appeared perplexed. Typically, they would swiftly gather the items, yet this occasion brought delay.

The hunchbacked primitive’s attention shifted to the shamaness’ abode.

“@￥Y…”

Upon inquiry, they clarified their desire for the shamaness to evaluate the quantity of provisions these valued articles might procure.

Grasping this, the figure couldn’t suppress a grin.

Valued articles? Barter for provisions? What could surpass the worth of his group’s own valuables?

But the grin swiftly vanished, supplanted by profound incredulity.

He fixed his gaze upon the exquisite earthenware in the hunchbacked primitive’s grasp.

Thus, items surpassing his group’s own earthenware truly existed!

With utmost care, he transported the valued earthenware to the ornate dwelling, brimming with eagerness and vigilance.