"Alle, you guys are amazing, you actually hunted a wild boar and returned before us! How did you do it?" Several children, after tending to their wounds, ran up to Alle, looking to learn. The two groups gathered, discussing hunting experiences and reviewing their methods, noting down useful techniques and remembering mistakes for future improvement.
Shanda's eyes were filled with smiles, but two more groups had yet to return, so he couldn't completely relax. The worry in his heart had somewhat subsided. In the afternoon, another group returned, bringing back four wild rabbits. Although the prey was small, no one was injured. However, one team was conspicuously absent, and Xiao Man was nowhere to be seen.
Alle stood at the entrance, her gaze fixed on the distance. "Why aren't Ergou and the others back yet? And Master isn't back either. Did something happen?"
Those already anxious felt even more agitated upon hearing Alle's words. "Chieftain, I can't wait any longer. I have to go find my son."
"Everyone back, it's getting dark. It's extremely dangerous to go in rashly at this time," Shanda commanded, but his gaze remained fixed on the mountain. He was waiting, waiting for Xiao Man to appear.
As the entire sky turned dark, the people waiting outside saw pairs of green eyes appearing on the mountain. They were greatly alarmed, retreating back into the village, closing the gates, grabbing weapons, lighting torches, and the place became a scene of commotion.
The people of the Primordial Tribe feared encountering wolf packs the most. Wolves were pack animals and held grudges. During their hunts, they would always avoid wolf packs. Yet tonight, so many wolves were outside; the tribe was likely in danger.
"Hold your weapons, light the bonfires, we absolutely cannot let the wolves enter the tribe."
"Yes."
"My son, could my son have encountered a wolf pack?" Ergou's mother burst into tears. However, at this moment, no one had the time to attend to her. The wolf pack was attacking, and they had to do their utmost to fend off the wolves. Otherwise, in a single night, everyone in the tribe would become wolf food.
Alle climbed onto the roof and looked at the countless pairs of green eyes outside. Her legs trembled. In the darkness, she thought she saw a figure and couldn't help but rub her eyes. After confirming she wasn't mistaken, Alle jumped down from the roof and rushed towards the entrance.
"Alle, what are you doing? Come back quickly!" Shanda's face changed drastically as he saw Alle trying to leap out of the fence. He reached out to grab her but missed; Alle had already run out. "You damnable brat, can't you see the situation before you act so rashly!"
Shanda grabbed his spear and chased after her. Although Alle was a girl, her talent was exceptional, and she was destined to become a warrior for the tribe. He couldn't let Alle rush to her death. However, as he rushed out, he was stunned by the scene before him. The spear dropped from his hand, and his eyes almost popped out!
"Master!" Alle rushed forward. "Master, you are simply like a god to me!"
After Xiao Man dispersed the wolf pack, she flicked Alle's forehead with her finger. "They are injured. Have Xiaohua help tend to their wounds." Sudan Novel Network.
Alle hopped in front of Ergou and grabbed him. "What does it feel like? What does it feel like to ride a wolf?"
Ergou had several blood-strewn wounds on his chest, deep enough to see bone. When Alle grabbed him, the pain made tears stream down his face. Xiao Man reached out, grabbed Alle, and pulled her away.
Ergou's team had suffered the most. If Xiao Man hadn't arrived in time, these fellows would have become wolf fodder. Seeing her son so badly injured, Ergou's mother fainted.
Xiaohua quickly tended to their wounds. Although they were severely injured, they looked at Xiao Man with eyes full of adoration. Alle leaned in. "What does it feel like to ride a wolf? Is it very cool?"
Ergou's face was pale. "It's... it's not bad."
"Not bad!" Alle was incredibly envious. She also wanted to ride a wolf, but wolves were always pack animals, and they would never provoke them, let alone dare to use wolves as mounts. "You guys didn't go hunting wolves, did you?"
Xiao Man looked at the bright torches and the people looking at her like she was a monster, frowning involuntarily.
"Chieftain, what is this?"
"Wolves..." Shanda uttered the word after a long pause, but inside he roared, 'What kind of monster are you, to be able to command a wolf pack!'
"The wolves are gone," Xiao Man said, sitting down. "Alle, report today's harvest."
"Yes, Master." Alle quickly took out the recording book. "Team one, our team, hunted one wild boar and collected twenty hemostatic herbs and ten anti-inflammatory herbs. Team two hunted a horned deer and collected ten hemostatic herbs, fifteen anti-inflammatory herbs, and five phoenix tail herbs. Team three hunted four wild rabbits, thirty hemostatic herbs. Team four had no prey and no medicinal herbs."
The people in the tribe listened to Alle report their spoils of war, their faces burning with shame. The prey brought back by a few children hunting was more than what a whole group of adults brought back from hunting. They had also collected medicinal herbs, but what were medicinal herbs for?
"What are the injury situations for each team?"
"Team one, no one injured. Team two had only scratches. Team three also had minor injuries. Only team four was seriously injured." Alle looked at Ergou. "If Master hadn't followed, you would have all been fed to the wolves."
"Do you know what you did wrong?" Xiao Man looked at Ergou, her voice gentle, yet it made Ergou tremble.
"We shouldn't have hunted wolves."
"Why can't you hunt wolves?" Xiao Man inquired.
"Wolves are numerous, and we are few and not their match."
Xiao Man was amused by these words. "So, you believe that if there were more people, you could provoke wolves?"
Ergou's voice weakened further. Even if everyone in their tribe attacked together, they wouldn't outnumber the wolves, especially seeing so many wolves. Ergou's legs were still trembling.
"Alle, tell them what they did wrong."
"Yes, Master." Alle said loudly, "The first law of hunting: avoid pack animals. Wolves are pack animals and are extremely vengeful. Unless absolutely necessary, do not provoke them. The second law of hunting: know your own strength and do not engage prey that far exceeds your capabilities, unless you have a sure kill. The third law of hunting: never risk the lives of your companions!"
"Xiao Qin, the children are all injured, why are you being so harsh on them?" Qi Hong stepped forward.
"Qi Hong, do not be presumptuous!" Shanda reprimanded Qi Hong. "Everyone else, disperse. There's no need to crowd here. Since you have entrusted your children to her, do not doubt her. You have seen your own children's performance; they are very outstanding. Although they sustained some injuries, hunting always involves risks. With Xiao Qin here, the children will be fine. Disperse now."