Becoming a Leader in a Primitive Otherworld - Chapter 10

The problem Yun Nai raised was significant. Due to the urgency of the situation, Xie Yu hadn’t prioritized this issue, focusing instead on securing food and shelter to survive the winter.

The man’s laziness and cunning were telling. It was no wonder the Shadow Tribe was so poor and weak, as he was not the only one of his kind in the tribe.

If left unchecked, this behavior would eventually permeate the entire tribe, making it nearly impossible to correct later.

Resource allocation had always been a thorny issue. The law of the jungle—survival of the fittest—was evident everywhere, yet it seemed so natural, as if it were meant to be this way.

This was why others knew what the man was doing but didn’t intervene.

While some members of the group might have been too weak to help the woman, why hadn’t the guards, who were responsible for maintaining order, spoken up? Because the man’s brother was a powerful warrior in the tribe, and no one wanted to offend him.

Those who bully the weak simply because they have some strength must be punished, but we also can’t let the weak feel entitled to a share regardless of their efforts.

For example, the meat hunted by the warriors and the wild fruits and vegetables gathered in recent days were distributed to everyone, regardless of whether they had participated in the hunt or gathering.

If this continued, the tribespeople’s motivation to contribute to production would decline.

Yun Nai shared her thoughts and quietly awaited Xie Yu’s response.

Her hand rested lightly in Xie Yu’s palm, and she casually glanced at Xie Yu’s healthy, wheat-toned skin.

She’s so vibrant, Yun Nai thought. She has a unique, exotic charm and radiates warmth.

Xie Yu slowed her movements, pondering Yun Nai’s suggestions while considering possible solutions.

“Then the Priest will point out that person to me later,” Xie Yu said, snapping out of her thoughts. “I don’t want to make a mistake.”

Yun Nai nodded.

Once their discussion had nearly concluded, a silence descended between them. Their conversations, whether about the past or present, had always revolved around the Tribe and its people. They had never discussed anything beyond that.

Now, it seemed they had nothing left to say.

“That’s enough,” Yun Nai said, breaking the silence.

“What? We could talk about other things too.”

“I mean,” Yun Nai said, her slender fingers gently stopping Xie Yu’s hand, creating a slight resistance that could be easily overcome with a little force. “You don’t need to apply any more.”

Xie Yu’s gaze followed the retreating fingertips, suddenly realizing she had been touching Yun Nai’s hand for quite a while. Could Yun Nai have misinterpreted her actions as a deliberate excuse to touch her hand?

She initially wanted to release her grip, but then shook her head. “We don’t know if there are any germs. Better to apply a little more.”

“But the medicine is almost gone,” Yun Nai pointed to the medicine bowl.

Another silence fell between them. Xie Yu changed the subject. “Priest, how about we start running together every morning?”

She had been thinking about this since their journey, and now seemed like the perfect time to bring it up.

No, Yun Nai thought secretly.

She knew her poor stamina was a weakness.

But running was so tiring.

Deciding to follow Xie Yu’s lead in avoiding the topic, she said, “You can call me by my name from now on.”

Xie Yu immediately saw through her little trick. She never expected the usually serious Yun Nai to have such a playful side. “Alright, Priest. So, about that exercise?”

Yun Nai knew she couldn’t avoid it, but she also recognized the benefits of the training. In truth, she knew Xie Yu would never force her if she refused. But Xie Yu was acting in her best interest, and facing the hopeful glint in those pale golden eyes, Yun Nai found it impossible to voice her refusal.

After a moment’s hesitation, she nodded.

Xie Yu’s gaze followed the grain of the animal hide down to Yun Nai’s jawline, a secret smile playing on her lips.

They stepped out of the hut into the damp, chilly air of early spring, thick with moisture. The branches and leaves of the trees in the grove rustled in the breeze.

Outside, the tribespeople were busy hammering wooden pegs into beds. Xie Yu quickly counted at least ten completed frames.

Several individuals had taken the lead, all of whom had been quick to react during the hut construction.

Yun Nai pointed out the troublemakers from earlier. The man was still pretending to smooth the wooden planks, though he hadn’t actually done any work.

Xie Yu walked into the group, clapped her hands, and everyone turned to look at her.

“Now that we’ve moved to our new settlement, we need new rules.”

The tribespeople pricked up their ears. This was no ordinary announcement.

“From now on, food will be distributed according to how much work each person contributes.”

For a moment, the tribespeople wore varied expressions. One of them spoke up, “Then shouldn’t those of us who can hunt get a larger share of the food?”

“The meat is what you hunt, so naturally, those who bring in more will receive a larger share,” Xie Yu replied. Seeing their rapt attention, she smiled. “But I also want to emphasize that there will be many other tasks to do in the future.”

Previously, due to the harsh conditions, all food had been pooled and distributed equally by the Tribe, in the hope that everyone would survive until spring.

“These tasks are crucial for the Tribe and every member, not just for meat and animal hides,” Xie Yu continued. The tribespeople’s obsession with meat and warm hides was deeply ingrained, making it difficult for them to grasp the importance of other matters.

“Take this large house, for example. Some of you already know how to build it, while others don’t. Those who learn the method can earn meat and hides by helping others construct their own houses.”

The crowd stared at her, unblinking. Knowing they were accustomed to living in caves, Xie Yu asked, “Houses are more comfortable than caves, right?”

The tribespeople nodded in unison.

Seizing the momentum, Xie Yu publicly announced the plan she and Yun Nai had just discussed.

Every five days, the Tribe would conduct a collective hunt, with all proceeds belonging to the Tribe. During the remaining time, Tribespeople could organize their own hunts. Those who participated would receive a larger share, while those who didn’t would receive less, with the specific distribution to be decided by the Tribespeople themselves.

Goods obtained from these independent hunts could be freely traded.

If everything remained unchanged, the currently disadvantaged Tribespeople would never be able to hunt for good items on their own, making it unlikely they could trade for anything of value.

Since only some possessed hunting skills, while others were unable to participate due to various reasons, the latter group would gather other essential resources through alternative activities and trade them with the hunters.

After consulting with Yun Nai, Xie Yu outlined three primary alternative production activities: gathering wild fruits and vegetables, fishing, and constructing houses and crafting furniture. The latter two were expected to evolve into specialized carpentry professions in the future.

While wild fruits and vegetables weren’t particularly valuable, they were essential for human health.

Finally, Xie Yu delivered her most crucial point: “From this moment forward, anyone caught stealing another’s harvest will be punished for the first two offenses. A third offense will result in expulsion from the Tribe. We do not welcome such individuals here.”

Everyone could understand what she was saying, even the sly and cunning. Those who had recently committed offenses trembled.

“For now, we’ll select a group to build shelters for everyone. Those who don’t participate will still receive compensation.”

The Tribe chose seven people. Leading the group were two women named Zhi and Gan, both selected for their intelligence and leadership skills despite their physical frailty.

Among the remaining five were Li and Yan, primarily responsible for physical labor.

This arrangement made Xie Yu’s intentions clear: those who couldn’t hunt or had limited hunting abilities would now hold a slightly higher status within the Tribe.

The other warriors showed little reaction. This was a minor sacrifice; they remained the Tribe’s relied-upon fighters. Moreover, the Chief had declared that hunters would only need to contribute a portion of their catch to the Tribe, keeping the rest for themselves.

This was precisely what Xie Yu and Yun Nai had hoped for. They chose to gradually change things rather than rushing headlong into conflict.

The raw, visible savagery of these primitive people needed to be slowly tamed. Their current hope was to gradually civilize them, using rules to restrain their inherent malice.

Survival was paramount, and eating well was essential.

Currently, cooking was done using two stone stoves built from stacked rocks outside the thatched huts, while meat was roasted directly over open fires. Once the other huts were completed, each family would cook and eat separately.

Xie Yu had built her own stone stove near her hut.

“Don’t give him his full portion tonight,” Xie Yu said to Ke and Ping, pointing at the man. “Just give him half… of half.”

The tribe was small, and news traveled fast. They all knew why, so no one questioned her decision.

Yun Nai remained silent throughout Xie Yu’s instructions. After Xie Yu finished giving orders, she looked around for Yun Nai. “How did I do?”

“Very well,” Yun Nai said, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “I’m going to find something first. You should go take care of your duties, Chief.”

“What are you looking for? I can help,” Xie Yu offered, scanning the horizon. The earth was bathed in the afterglow of sunset, the sun already nearing the horizon. The other tribespeople were still preparing dinner and working, and Xie Yu had no immediate tasks to attend to.

Yun Nai turned to leave. “Didn’t we agree to make a carrying basket? There’s no bamboo nearby, so I’m going to find some suitable materials.”