Full of Life --- Part 2

Grass and trees flourished around Stone Village, and although there were many fierce beasts, they had guards protecting them from the big mountain. The amount of food was not that abundant for the villagers. They only had some rough wheat bread, wild fruits, and rare meat in the children’s bowls.

In fact, insufficient food was always a very serious problem for Stone Village. The mountain range was extremely dangerous, and the abnormal beasts and fierce birds were too strong and terrifying. Every time they went out to hunt, it was possible that someone would lose their life.

If there was a choice, the villagers would not be willing to enter the mountains, because entering the mountain indicted blood and sacrifices.

To them, food was always extremely precious, and wasting was not allowed. Every single child were taught that since they were young. Hunger. Food. Hunting. Life. Blood. They were all interconnected.

The courtyard of the old chief, Shi1 Yunfeng, was located at the front of the village. It was pieced together by huge stones, then tightened up with huge burnt willow wood. Within the courtyard and in front of the kitchen, a white-colored liquid inside a pottery pot was boiling. The fragrance of the milk pounced towards one’s nose, and the little guy was currently simmering milk from beasts. Other than that, occasionally, he threw some medical herbs in and slowly stirred it with a wooden ladle.

After a short while, the old man yelled, “Little guy, come over and eat!”

The little guy lost his parents when he was half a year old, so he grew up by drinking the milk of beasts. At that moment, he was already one year and a few months old. If he was a normal child, he should have already weaned, yet he still drank the milk quite deliciously. He was unwilling to stop drinking the milk, so he was teased by some older children.

“Yiya, hu…I can’t run anymore…” He kept persistently chasing after the five-colored sparrow, and he was already out of breath. At that instant, he fell and sat on the floor.

“Little guy, drink your milk!” A bunch of older children clamored together.

“You little monkeys, didn’t all of you also pass through his age?” The old chief smiled and reprimanded them.

“But we didn’t still drink milk at the age of one and a half! Hehe..”

The little guy made a silly smile as he faced the teasing of the older children. His big, bright, and black eyes squinted into a crescent moon and he didn’t seem to mind. He sat in front of the pot and scooped with the wooden ladle, drinking the milk quite delightfully.

After breakfast, several extremely aged old people in the village gathered in the courtyard of the chief, Shi Yunfeng. Although their hairs had all turned white, they were still very vigorous.

“Something’s wrong recently. Late last night, a giant creature passed by and created a massive disturbance. Something must have happened deep within the mountain range.”

“Mm. I woke up from my sleep a few times last night, and my skin and bones were chilly. Undoubtedly, some cruel beasts or huge insects must have passed by.”

Several old people spoke one after another. They were either frowning or in deep contemplation. They discussed some hints of danger recently, and they felt that something different happened.

“I feel that in the deep wilderness, something impressive must have appeared to attract the attention of the surrounding areas or ancient remains, so all of them quickly went over,” said chief Shi Yunfeng after thinking.

“A mountain treasure wouldn’t have appeared right?” Another old person instantly widened his eyes. His hair and beard all stood up, and he expressed his surprise.

Others also expressed unusual expressions and their gazes were burning, however, they quickly put out the flames in their eyes. Things like those were not something that they could get. No one would enter the deepest parts of the faraway mountain range.

For all these years, not a single person was able to survive after entering such a place. All sorts of overpowering things appeared within the mountains, and even if every single person in Stone Village went in together, they wouldn’t be able to accomplish anything.

“Chief, we haven’t entered the mountain in quite a few days.” Just at that time, a powerful adult male walked into the courtyard. He was the leader of the hunting team, and he was also the chief who was going to serve Stone Village next.

“It hasn’t been too peaceful recently.” Chief Shi Yunfeng furrowed his brows.

“But there really isn’t much food left.” Shi Linhu said. His build was extremely tall and big, being over two meters tall. He carried a broadsword that weighted 300 jin or so, and his entire figure looked like a human-shaped bear. Chunks of copper-colored muscles were all over his body, and they were moving around like a python.

“The little ones need to grow and they cannot starve. We must think of some methods,” spoke an elder.

“Although it isn’t too peaceful and quiet at night here, on the other hand, there aren’t many abnormalities in the day. I’ll bring some people out, and there shouldn’t be many problems if we are careful.” Shi Linhu said.

In the end, dozens of males at their prime gathered at the front of the village. The chief, Shi Yunfeng, brought them in front of the lightning-struck wood and seriously prayed towards the old willow tree.

“Guardian spirit, please protect my clan members, let them hunt some plump prey for the children, and safely return. With devout hearts, we offer sacrifices and offerings to you for generations to come.”

1. Shi = Stone