Chapter 196: Ruyi, don't fail me now
Han Cheng stared at the exposed patch of fur, stunned.
The retreating Eldest Senior Brother soon obscured his line of sight.
The Eldest Senior Brother bumped into Han Cheng, turned around to look, and, seeing Han Cheng's gaze fixed straight ahead at the saber-toothed tiger, he thought he was worried about the tiger.
Just as he was about to say a few words in a low voice, Han Cheng had already started to retreat.
Though he was extremely eager to confirm whether the creature lying in the grass was indeed Fu Jiang, he couldn't put the entire tribe at risk.
As everyone slowly backed away, the saber-toothed tiger and the slightly red-eyed wild boars disappeared, and as the tense atmosphere dissipated, the group became more active.
The Eldest Senior Brother glanced back at the area and motioned for everyone to head elsewhere. However, it was at this moment that Han Cheng stepped forward.
"Divine Child!"
"Divine Child!"
Understanding Han Cheng's intentions, everyone grew anxious and began calling out to him in low voices.
Seeing the concerned looks on their faces, Han Cheng smiled reassuringly, telling them not to worry and that he wouldn't act rashly.
The Eldest Senior Brother and the others refused to leave without Han Cheng, insisting on accompanying him back.
Only after Han Cheng displayed the authority of the "Divine Child" did they fall silent, their concern evident.
Han Cheng instructed everyone to wait there and, for safety's sake, had Mu Tou chop down several tough vines from a nearby tree with stone axes, using them to create a barrier in front and on both sides of the group.
Everyone was now located on a moderately steep slope surrounded by tall trees.
The chopped vines were entwined around these trees, forming three layers: one about twenty centimeters off the ground, one at waist height, and the highest one about a meter above the ground.
With these three layers of vines as a barrier, the Eldest Senior Brother and the others would be much safer even if a beast went berserk and charged.
Han Cheng picked up his slightly smaller stone spear and carried a small backpack.
The Eldest Senior Brother and the others were extremely anxious. Still, under the authority of the Divine Child, they didn't dare to stop him or follow along, only gazing at him incessantly and silently praying to the gods to protect him.
As Han Cheng looked at the gradually approaching low-lying area, he smiled wryly to himself, finding it strange that he had willingly approached it despite wanting to leave just moments before quickly.
And what's more, he might have encountered the "white-eyed wolf" that had likely already met its end.
With these thoughts in mind, his footsteps didn't falter as he continued toward the low-lying area.
As he neared the area, his attention became more focused, and his steps slowed.
Fortunately, this area was relatively damp, and the fallen leaves didn't make the bone-crushing sound as they did elsewhere, which helped him conceal his movements.
Carefully reaching the edge of the depression, he cautiously peered inside. After they left, with no external factors influencing them, the two groups of beasts resumed their standoff.
He looked towards the saber-toothed tiger, but he couldn't see the fur he had seen before due to his low position.
After looking around, Han Cheng quietly approached a nearby large tree.
The tree was about twenty meters away from the two groups in standoff, thick enough that an adult couldn't reach around it.
The trunk wasn't very smooth. It was rough and bumpy, perhaps due to some disease or scars left behind by dead branches that had withered from lack of sunlight over the years.
The past two years of primitive living hadn't been in vain; the three pairs of leather pants worn through climbing trees weren't just for show. Han Cheng could only look up and sigh if such a tree had been placed before they crossed over. But now, carrying a backpack, he climbed up quickly and silently.
He left his spear lying on the ground, as bringing it along would hinder his climbing and risk making noise, disturbing the two groups of "thugs" on the brink of eruption.
The tree trunk was thick enough to conceal Han Cheng's figure completely, so the two groups of beasts, already on the verge of exploding, didn't notice that someone had sneaked back.
Han Cheng climbed about five or six meters in one breath before stopping.
There was a branch extending towards the center of the confrontation.
Though it was a branch, it was thick enough, about the size of a bucket.
Han Cheng flipped onto this thick branch and moved cautiously forward.
After advancing about three meters, he stopped at the fork. This spot was conducive to concealing his presence and provided stability.
With one hand holding onto the branch, Han Cheng looked towards the saber-toothed tiger. From his elevated position, he could see the lump in the grass quite clearly. His heart couldn't help but pound at the sight, as the fur color and partial body shape resembled Fu Jiang's!
However, the distance was still too far, and the creature had been bitten, so the details were unclear.
Feeling uncomfortable and hopeful, Han Cheng wished it wasn't Fu Jiang.
He wanted to get closer but restrained himself.
As the trunk extended forward, it branched out more, and the branches ahead quickly became thinner.
While it could support his weight, it couldn't conceal his figure, and it was very easy to make noise. It wouldn't be good if these guys found out he was here.
He looked down at the wild boars below, making threatening noises but ultimately unwilling to attack, and at the saber-toothed tiger, only growling softly. He cursed their fussiness in his heart. Were they going to bicker like this before every battle? Bicker first, then fight?
After waiting for a while, Han Cheng couldn't wait any longer. He quietly took off his backpack and wore it in front of him.
Inside the backpack were eight small stones, which Han Cheng had carefully selected and placed inside. Because there were only a few stones, they covered the bottom of the backpack. The stones wouldn't fall out even if he bent over with the backpack on.
He took out a stone from inside and held it in his hand, squeezing it tightly. Thinking of the scene in Water Margin where Yan Qing shot the sparrow, he silently prayed in his heart, "If Fu Jiang's life is not meant to end, let this stone hit the wild boar below, startling the beasts and leaving behind a broken corpse for me to inspect! If Fu Jiang cannot survive this time, the stone will miss, and the beasts will remain unmoved!"
After silently praying this way, Han Cheng raised his right hand, which he often used to practice throwing stones for fun. Looking at the stone in his hand, he whispered, "Ruyi, don't fail me now!"
Then, with a sudden swing of his arm, he let go of the stone, which flew straight downward!
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