I am a Primitive Man-Chapter 844: The Essential Tool for Traveling
Chapter 844 – The Essential Tool for Traveling
A cold wind swept across the ground, lifting tiny snowflakes. It howled through the bare branches, sounding like someone crying—a chilling, eerie sound.
Inside a dimly lit cave, a fire burned continuously, smoke curling upward.
People in the cave mostly sat, squatted, or lay down.
Even when someone had to move around for necessary tasks, they kept their bodies low, bending at the waist as they walked.
Standing upright too high would make it easy for the thick smoke to irritate their eyes.
Once their eyes were stung by the smoke, they would burn, water uncontrollably, and feel very uncomfortable.
“#￥%@#…”
By the fire, a man muttered and gestured constantly with his hands.
Next to him sat the female chief of the Grass Tribe.
At this moment, the Grass Tribe chief looked at the man speaking, her eyes full of admiration.
Not only her—everyone in the tribe was similarly captivated.
The man speaking was from the former Shu Pi Tribe.
Back in his old tribe, Shu Pi had often told them stories about the Green Sparrow Tribe. Over time, people remembered these tales, using them as conversation material to share with the Grass Tribe.
Even after joining the Grass Tribe, many of them still spoke of this “higher” life, fostering admiration for the Green Sparrow Tribe.
Previously, their own tribe had just acquired fish traps and bows through these newcomers, dramatically increasing their food supply.
Compared to their earlier life, this was a qualitative leap.
Under these circumstances, their admiration for the Green Sparrow Tribe’s lifestyle existed but was not yet intense.
Now things were different.
On one hand, the early arrival of winter had destroyed much of the life they thought was good, making them experience hunger again.
On the other hand, after living this way for a year, their yearning for the Green Sparrow Tribe’s higher lifestyle had grown stronger.
This may be the nature of human dissatisfaction: once we have something good, we desire even better.
Listening to Shu Pi’s stories again, everyone in the Grass Tribe felt their hearts ignite with desire.
Even the storyteller’s own eyes glowed with longing.
This scene wasn’t unique to the Grass Tribe; other tribes that had captured Shu Pi Tribe members were experiencing similar moments.
Those scattered by war, now inspired by Shu Pi’s tales, spread admiration for the Green Sparrow Tribe further.
The harsh, long winter outside only amplified this yearning…
“#￥5@#!”
In the Black Stone Tribe, their one-eared chief clenched his fists and shouted passionately, his eyes ablaze.
His declaration meant that once spring arrived, he would attack the Green Sparrow Tribe, seizing everything belonging to them.
In his view, such abundant resources and such a good lifestyle should belong to those with Black Stone weapons.
If the Green Sparrow Tribe refused, he would lead his people with their crude boards and Black Stone weapons, showing them who truly deserved these possessions!
“#￥5@#!”
Other Black Stone Tribe members followed suit, shouting with excitement.
Their fervor could be felt just by hearing their voices.
For days, they had listened to Shu Pi speak of these things; their longing for the Green Sparrow Tribe had reached a peak.
Now, hearing their chief’s proclamation, how could they not cheer?
Shu Pi, in the crowd, cheered along with them, even louder than most.
He was genuinely overjoyed.
Since he conceived this idea, a considerable amount of time has passed. There were moments he had thought it impossible and felt sorrowful.
After all the twists and turns, now that this plan was finally coming to fruition, how could he not rejoice?
The Black Stone Tribe chief was finally going to attack the Green Sparrow Tribe—the wretched fellow was finally going to die.
If things went well, Shu Pi might even return to the Green Sparrow Tribe and live there again…
Inside the Green Sparrow Tribe, Han Cheng sat on a rough chair with animal pelts, in front of several needle-bound booklets.
Shi Tou pointed at some entries and explained them.
Han Cheng listened while scanning across the open booklets, comparing notes.
These booklets were calendars made by Shi Tou over the years, one per year, carefully noting sunny, rainy, snowy, and windy days—even thunderstorms.
After a thorough comparison, Han Cheng looked out at the still-unmelted snow and sighed.
“This winter came early and will leave late.”
In previous years, the snow had mostly melted by now, but this year it remained.
It was clear: they needed to go south.
No matter what, the tribe needed a secure retreat route.
After discussing geographic questions with Shi Tou, Han Cheng had the booklets stored safely.
These records were vital—they helped observe patterns and predict weather changes.
To preserve them further, besides paper, they also recorded them on clay tablets—much more durable than paper, which could be eaten by insects or rodents.
Accompanying Shi Tou was a young prodigy named Hei Tao (Black Peach), who had been listening to Han Cheng’s discussions.
He was intelligent, particularly in astronomy, and eager to learn. Under Shi Tou’s guidance for about three months, he had become capable of recording observations in Shi Tou’s format.
Han Cheng welcomed this: for the Green Sparrow Tribe to thrive, more people needed to contribute.
After teaching basic natural knowledge, many tribe members began yearning to explore the world outside.
Especially Shi Tou, who could hardly wait for spring to venture south and find a new place for the tribe to survive winter.
Hei Tao had already learned the recording system and could safely stay behind, allowing Shi Tou to go.
With the pair leaving, Han Cheng got up, prepared some water, and ground ink from rough inksticks on a stone ink slab.
He then wrote carefully on paper, detailing potential difficulties for the journey, solutions, the number of people, and which weapons to bring.
These details seemed trivial but were crucial—without them, traveling to unknown territories could be life-threatening.
While writing, inspiration struck.
He paused, took fresh paper and a hard charcoal pencil, and began carefully sketching.
From experience, he first made shallow lines with fine-tipped charcoal to allow easy corrections.
Once the draft was ready, he used a thicker pencil to finalize the design.
After about an hour, he set down the charcoal, satisfied.
This design would save considerable effort during the upcoming journey—it was truly an essential tool for traveling.
Han Cheng then went to Bai Xue.
Little Xing’er was over a year old now and walked on her own, making life easier.
Han Cheng picked her up, kissed her cheeks, and tickled her underarms, making her giggle.
He then handed the design to Bai Xue, who was sewing spring clothes for Little Pea and Little Xing’er.
The sketch depicted a bag resembling a tribal leather pouch but shaped like half a cylinder, with two wide straps drawn on the flat surface.
“Brother Cheng, what is this?” Bai Xue asked.
“A backpack,” Han Cheng explained. “You can carry things on your back, freeing your hands. It spreads the weight across both shoulders, making it much easier than carrying by hand or on the shoulder. People going south in spring will all use these.”
In the future, backpacks will be an indispensable travel tool, especially for long treks.
This spring journey would be far more demanding than later recreational hikes.
If everyone carried such a backpack, it would save a lot of energy and free their hands.
Han Cheng was thrilled and focused on sketching, asking Bai Xue to construct it.
Bai Xue was skilled—not just in weaving, but top-tier in sewing and mending within the Green Sparrow Tribe.
After the explanation, she immediately gathered materials and began making the backpack.
Han Cheng guided her when needed.
They used real leather, cutting a 40 cm diameter semicircle for the base and a 50 cm × 110 cm rectangle for the body.
The rectangle was sewn into a cylindrical shape. Two 1 cm × 40 cm sticks were placed inside, spaced 39 cm apart, and sewn to the leather, forming a half-cylinder.
The semicircular base was then attached.
The top of the backpack had a 10 cm gap with holes, through which a cord was threaded to cinch the opening tightly.
For durability, Bai Xue didn’t use needles but small leather cords through pre-punched holes.
The straps were double-layered and padded with soft grass to reduce shoulder pressure.
When Han Cheng tested it, it was comfortable. He packed utensils, clothes, and several days of food, tied the top, and walked around the room, impressed with its utility.
“Divine Child, let me try,” Shaman said.
The shaman lifted the heavy, fully packed backpack with effort. Once on his shoulders, he realized it felt much lighter, hands free. Excited, he walked around the room, exploring this new tool.
“Excellent! Divine Child, this is a marvelous item!” Shaman exclaimed.
Seeing this, the other senior disciples eagerly took turns, quickly realizing the backpack’s advantages.
One, carrying the pack, even ran outside, thrilled with this innovative tool.
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Chapter 844: The Essential Tool for Traveling
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