The Rise of a Primitive Civilization

Blood spurted continuously as the 1500-pound behemoth finally began to falter, its legs wobbling before it could no longer support its massive body. The boar collapsed, its body still twitching spasmodically. Luo Chong, cautious and precise, slit its carotid artery with his bone knife, ensuring the blood drained completely—a necessary caution as the scent could attract other predators.

Summoning his four young followers, Luo Chong had them witness the butchering process, instilling a mix of awe and fear. The daunting task at hand was how to transport the boar back to the camp; even drained of blood, it weighed nearly 1400 pounds. They couldn't move it alone, and another sow awaited their attention.

After deliberation, Luo Chong decided to use the sow to help transport the boar. Like before, he led the sow in circles around a tree until it was subdued. He then securely tied its snout and muzzled it to prevent biting. Muzzled and unable to bite, the sow could only grunt helplessly.

The boys helped Luo Chong bind the boar's hind legs together and then attach the corpse to the sow. Additional ropes were tied to the sow's forelegs for better control. Luo Chong led the way, holding the lead rope to the sow's snout, while Da Zhu and Hou Zi handled the ropes tied to the forelegs, ready to pull apart to subdue the sow if it acted aggressively. With a dead boar in tow, the sow couldn't move fast, but precautions were still necessary.

Da Mao and Er Mao followed behind, keeping watch and occasionally prodding the sow to keep moving. The pathetic creature, typically a fierce beast, was reduced to a mere draft animal, dragging its deceased mate. Despite capturing a live animal, Luo Chong had no intention of domesticating such a ferocious species; manageable, docile animals were preferable for domestication.

Their slow, laborious journey back to the camp was uneventful, with no sign of the escaped boars. They left a bloody trail through the jungle, potentially watched by many eyes lurking in the forest. However, the robust escort formation discouraged any would-be attackers.

Upon approaching their tribal home, the younger tribe members who were clearing brush near the entrance were the first to spot the bizarre procession. Recognizable only by his distinctive hairstyle, Luo Chong led the march, covered in mud from head to toe.

The tribe gathered around, curious yet cautious about the large animals they had never encountered before. They watched in awe as the two massive pigs were dragged into camp.

Meanwhile, Go Bing, wrapped in fur, basked in the sun near the cave, observed by his mother, who was sewing new clothes for him. His spirit had improved greatly; he began shouting excitedly upon spotting Luo Chong's return.

Luo Chong instructed the lame man to prepare a large pot and salt for processing the boar. With everyone's help, they managed to butcher the giant animals. The process was exhaustive: skinning, defatting, deboning, turning intestines inside out, cooking blood, rendering fat, and tanning hides. The tribe had plenty of hands to assist, making the daunting task manageable.

By evening, they had smoked meat hanging from racks, a pot of cooked blood pudding, and several containers of rendered fat. The children, including Go Bing, joyously ate cracklings. The lame man was busy firing pottery as the hunting and fishing parties returned with their day's haul.

A new discovery that day was a sweet root found by Go Bing's aunt, a young woman who had joined the foraging team. She had uncovered a root that exuded a sweet, sugary syrup when cut. This find promised a potential source of natural sugar if they could collect enough.

As the tribe enjoyed their feast, relishing the rarity of sweet treats in the wild, an unsettling scene unfolded. The elder, carrying a thorny vine used for punishment, began to chase Go Bing's aunt, intent on whipping her with the vine. This vine was traditionally used to discipline serious offenses, capable of leaving scars and wounds that could prove fatal without proper medical treatment.

Luo Chong intervened, stopping the elder to understand the reason for such a harsh punishment. The elder claimed the sweet root was from a "demon tree," believed to kill and consume anyone who ate its roots.

Conflicted between the elder's superstitions and the potential benefits of the new food source, Luo Chong faced a cultural and leadership challenge. He needed to address these fears while considering the tribe's well-being and the potential of their new discovery. This situation highlighted the delicate balance between respect for traditional beliefs and the adoption of new resources for the tribe's survival.