Becoming a Leader in a Primitive Otherworld - Chapter 5

Outside the cave, the sentries watched as tiny dots gradually grew larger. Recognizing the familiar figures, they erupted in joy and stumbled back into the cave, shouting, “They’re back! They’re back!”

“Priest, Ke, the Chief and the others brought back so many wolves and rabbits!” The sentry rushed to Yun Nai, who was teaching others about medicinal herbs, his voice tinged with uncertainty. “There’s also a lot of bl00d… I don’t know if it’s from the Chief’s group or the wolves.” He suddenly remembered, “And someone can’t walk anymore!”

Yun Nai nodded, raising her hand to silence the now-clamorous cave. “Those who haven’t recovered, stay here. Ke, let’s go.”

Ke understood immediately. She gathered a few of the more agile members and eagerly dashed out of the cave.

The sentry’s report was no exaggeration. Judging by the wolves, rabbits, and wild chickens the returning group carried, the supplies could last for at least two more meals if rationed carefully.

Xie Yu’s group had drawn much closer to the main cave. When Yun Nai emerged, she could clearly see the animal hide wrapped around Xie Yu’s arm, now soaked through with bl00d and frozen solid by the snow. Yet the heavy, metallic scent of bl00d still hung in the air.

Ke led the group rushing to Xie Yu, helping them distribute the burden of the hunted prey. “So much bl00d!” Ke exclaimed in shock, glaring fiercely at the Snow Wolf.

The group naturally noticed Shi lying on Yan’s back at the rear of the procession.

All the color had drained from Shi’s face, his bronze skin now a shade paler, appearing ashen gray.

“Chief? Shi…?”

Xie Yu didn’t answer, but everyone understood the implication, and a wave of sorrow washed over them.

Yan, still carrying Shi’s lifeless body, stood frozen in confusion. Shi had raised him since childhood, and now that Shi was gone, Yan felt like he had lost his anchor, his entire being numb and disoriented.

“Yan, put Shi down,” Xie Yu instructed, knowing that someone like Yan needed solitude and quiet time to process his grief. “Take two others to help Yan.”

Yan cast a grateful glance at the Chief. Together with the two helpers, he carried Shi’s body down to prepare for burial in the Tribe’s burial grounds.

“After you’re done, have everyone gather in the main cave,” Xie Yu ordered.

The hunted prey was carried into the cave by Ke and the others, where trusted individuals would guard the vital food supply.

Yun Nai stood quietly beside Xie Yu, listening to her instructions. Even without saying a word, Xie Yu felt Yun Nai’s presence drew all eyes, making her feel strangely self-conscious.

Xie Yu attributed this unease to Yun Nai’s gaze lingering on the wound on her hand. She reasoned that patients often felt a vague sense of embarrassment around doctors.

The group entered the brightly lit cave, where Xie Yu visibly relaxed.

The tribespeople who had remained behind cheered, pounding their chests in welcome. Xie Yu nodded in acknowledgment, noticing they were all carrying medicinal herbs.

Yun Nai finally spoke, calling out several names. “Those I’ve taught these past few days, come help apply the medicine.”

Over the past few days, Yun Nai had taught the tribespeople to identify some medicinal herbs and showed them the steps for applying them. They were now capable of treating simple wounds with herbal remedies.

Feeling awkward about her injury, Xie Yu was about to follow the herb-bearing group when Yun Nai called out, “Chief.”

“Let me help you.”

Xie Yu, who usually exuded authority in front of others, always felt strangely exposed in Yun Nai’s presence. She attributed this to their complicated relationship. Raising her less injured hand to her mouth, she cleared her throat softly. “Very well. Thank you, Priest.”

The cave was sparsely populated, mostly by the elderly, infirm, and disabled who remained behind. They were still celebrating the hunting success, singing merrily and oblivious to the conversation between Xie Yu and Yun Nai.

Yun Nai returned to her cave, Xie Yu following closely, like her shadow.

In Xie Yu’s mind, Yun Nai had always seemed different from the rest of the tribe. She suspected Yun Nai held unique perspectives on the tribe’s development and wondered if she should seek her advice.

This was Xie Yu’s first time in Yun Nai’s cave, and she was curious. After a few glances, she realized it was much like her own, mostly filled with tools and herbs for divination and healing, though there was more dried grass.

Xie Yu sat cross-legged on a grass mat, when Yun Nai’s voice broke the silence. “I haven’t thanked the Chief yet.”

Xie Yu looked at her in surprise, unsure what there was to thank her for.

“You had this dry grass sent to me.”

Ah, that’s what this was about. Yun Nai remembered now. When she first arrived at the Tribe, Yu saw her and immediately thought she looked frail, fearing she might freeze to death in the cold. Yu had ordered extra dry grass to be delivered to Yun Nai’s cave entrance each time.

“You’re welcome. It’s the Chief’s responsibility.”

Hearing this, Yun Nai nodded slightly and fell silent, focusing on cleaning Xie Yu’s wound.

The dried bl00d had crusted, sticking the fabric to her skin. Even the slightest movement sent excruciating pain shooting through Xie Yu’s arm.

The two women remained silent as Yun Nai gently peeled back the cloth. Xie Yu let out a muffled groan with each tug.

“It hurts, doesn’t it?” Yun Nai broke the silence with an obvious question.

Xie Yu’s throat tightened. “It hurts.” Though she carried memories of past deaths in the Tribe, this was the first time Xie Yu had directly confronted death—a living person bleeding profusely and collapsing before her eyes. She should be hurting. She wasn’t a god, nor was she devoid of emotion.

Seizing the moment while Xie Yu was lost in thought, Yun Nai swiftly tore away the remaining fabric.

Xie Yu hissed involuntarily, glancing in shock at Yun Nai’s impassive expression. The wound gaped open, raw flesh exposed, sending a sharp jolt of pain through her arm, causing it to tremble violently.

“A short pain is better than a long one,” Yun Nai murmured, applying the medicinal paste to the wound.

“Oh…” Xie Yu replied, her voice subdued. She glanced down and saw Yun Nai’s slender, pale fingers scooping up the dark green herbal paste and smoothing it onto her own wheat-toned arm—the stark contrast in color was striking.

A faint sigh seemed to escape Yun Nai’s lips, so faint that Xie Yu wondered if she had imagined it.

Yun Nai watched Xie Yu’s trembling arm, the wide movements disrupting the application of the medicine. She paused, considered for a moment, then stood up.

She turned her head, scanning the cave for something, but ultimately found nothing. Xie Yu looked up at her, puzzled.

After a moment, Yun Nai seemed to give up. In the next instant, she extended her hand to Xie Yu. “It will take time to fully assimilate the entire inheritance. For now, I cannot alleviate the Chief’s pain. If the pain becomes unbearable, please grip my hand tightly.”

It was rare for Yun Nai to speak so much. Her voice, like a clear spring, seemed to soothe Xie Yu’s lungs, instantly revitalizing her. “It doesn’t hurt anymore,” she declared, suddenly full of energy. “Please continue applying the medicine, Priest.”

“Very well,” Yun Nai replied, lowering her gaze. She resumed her task without another word.

Xie Yu gritted her teeth, suppressing her trembling.

Yun Nai’s movements were gentle and deliberate. After a moment, she continued, “Once your wounds heal, you’ll become even stronger.”

Xie Yu pressed her lips together, skipping the topic. “While I was away, did anything happen? How is the High Priest?” She had come straight to get her wounds treated upon returning, not yet having had time to learn about the Tribe’s situation.

She had originally planned to ask Ke after the treatment, but now it seemed better to ask Yun Nai first.

“The High Priest has already passed,” Yun Nai said calmly, as if the matter were commonplace.

The firelight in the cave flickered suddenly as they spoke of Luo.

Xie Yu had mentally prepared for this news, showing little outward reaction. “Then the Priest will have to bear the burden from now on.”

Yun Nai nodded slightly. “I understand.”

Yun Nai then explained what had transpired in the Tribe during Xie Yu’s absence.

After Xie Yu left, Luo likely passed away the moment his inheritance ended. Following custom, the Tribe buried him in the burial grounds.

The Tribe then organized daily expeditions to gather wild fruits and medicinal herbs. For a while, everything proceeded as usual. However, upon returning one day, they discovered that Jiu had secretly run away and hadn’t returned since.

“I was supposed to be watching her, but she slipped away without me noticing,” Yun Nai said, pausing her movements to meet Xie Yu’s gaze. “It’s partly my fault.”

“If she wanted to escape, she would have found a way,” Xie Yu reassured her. “There’s no need for the Priest to blame herself.”

Before Yun Nai could respond, Xie Yu quickly changed the subject. She had little experience comforting girls, and besides, where could Jiu have gone? She would inevitably seek out Yu’s sister, Du. It wouldn’t be long before Jiu and Du resurfaced to cause trouble.

“Priest,” Xie Yu asked, “how do you think the Tribe should proceed after this winter?”

The winter was bitterly cold. Even with the Totem’s assistance, they couldn’t afford to be reckless. They had to stockpile food while waiting for spring, when they could reassess their plans. This period would be ideal for strategizing the Tribe’s future development.

Now that the Tribe was under her leadership, Xie Yu vowed it would never remain as poor and small as it was now.

“We need to relocate,” Yun Nai said after a moment’s thought. “This place isn’t suitable.”

Xie Yu’s face lit up. Their thoughts were aligned.

As they continued their discussion, Li ran up to the cave entrance. Hesitant to enter, he called out from outside, “Chief, Priest, we’re all ready.”

The three returned to the large cave where the Tribe members were gathered.

Li cleared away the pile of branches blocking the cave entrance. Xie Yu exhaled softly, her white breath dissipating into the air. All signs indicated that the outside was far colder than they had perceived. The Tribe couldn’t endure another winter like this.

The atmosphere inside the cave was heavy, a stark contrast to the jubilant excitement when they had first returned. It was clear everyone had learned of Shi’s death.

The Tribe members hung their heads in dejection. Xie Yu frowned, but recognized this as an opportune moment to rally their spirits.

Clearing her throat and suppressing her own grief, she spoke in a solemn voice: “I know you are all saddened, regretful, and even fearful at the loss of another of our Tribe’s warriors. But Shi died for the Tribe, and we must live for the Tribe. We must remember every warrior who falls for us and condemn every traitor who betrays us.”

Her words carried a deeper meaning, which Yun Nai immediately understood.

“As long as we remember him, he will live forever in the hearts of every member of the Tribe!”

Yan raised his head before the fire, joining the collective roar of the crowd. From that moment on, he would live not just for himself, but for his brother and the Tribe.

The other hunters who had gone out were allowed to return early to rest. That night, the Tribe butchered half a deer and mixed the meat with wild fruits gathered over the past few days to fill their bellies.

Although their food reserves were still plentiful, Xie Yu wasn’t arrogant enough to throw a celebratory bonfire.

As night deepened, Xie Yu and Ke emerged from the cave to discuss the recent events. They discovered that Ke’s account aligned almost perfectly with Yun Nai’s.

“I believe Jiu will return soon, and Du as well, Chief,” Ke said, her eyes gleaming with conviction. “Even though Jiu is my sister, if she dares betray the Tribe, she will no longer be my sister.”

Xie Yu nodded. “Good.”

Just as Xie Yu was about to return to her cave, Ke asked another question: “By the way, Chief, will you be moving to the Priest’s cave, or will the Priest move to yours? Should I help you move your belongings?”

Ke assumed that, like other bonded pairs in the Tribe, Xie Yu and Yun Nai would find a corner in the large cave to sleep together at night.

Xie Yu paused.

Ke had asked a valid question. Xie Yu and Yun Nai would eventually need to live together, but… she summoned her Chiefly authority once more. “We’ve already discussed it. I’ll handle the move myself. You may return to your duties.”