Chapter 40

The Tribe was bustling with transformation. It was visibly changing, especially the ground which had become much cleaner, with even stones having been cleared away.

“Separate the dry faeces and bones, don’t throw them around. Take those wood branches to the firewood pile.”

“Don’t make the water storage tank any larger, just dig it deeper. You can fill the bottom with stones and pack the soil as tightly as you can.”

“The bathing areas need drainage ditches. The water needs to be drained out, it can’t be reused.”

Su Bai kept moving around, watching over the various facilities being constructed, worried that the straightforward Tribe members might not be flexible enough.

For instance, the two Warrior Trainees digging the water storage tank thought bigger was better and kept expanding it, without considering whether the water source would provide enough to fill such a large tank.

The purpose of the storage tank was to collect water at night when everyone was resting. During the day, the water might not even reach the pool before being used up by the Tribe members.

“Shaman, have some water,” Yu Ying ran up to Su Bai with a cup of water.

“I was just getting thirsty,” Su Bai took the cup and drank it in a few gulps.

“Shaman, do you want more water?” Yu Ying softly asked.

“No need,” Su Bai shook his head, watching Yan Hua and the others carrying wood out of the forest.

He looked up at the sun in the sky, estimating it to be around one or two in the afternoon.

“Everyone must be hungry by now,” Su Bai muttered, walking towards Yan Hua.

The Tribe did not have three meals a day. They usually only had two: one around 10 am and another at dusk.

Yan Hua dropped the wood from her shoulder when she saw Su Bai approaching. She quickly asked, “Shaman, do you have any instructions?”

“Let everyone take a break,” Su Bai shook his head, looking at the pile of about thirty logs and the several metres high stack of wild grass.

“Shaman, we’re not tired,” Yan Hua wiped the sweat from her forehead and hoarsely said, “While it’s still light out, we should bring back more wood.”

“Alright, rest for a bit and drink some water first,” Su Bai insisted, waving his hand.

“Yes,” Yan Hua responded with a warm heart, turning to notify everyone to rest.

The cow horned girl called out in a clear voice, “Shaman says everyone should take a break.”

Hearing they could rest, most people in the Tribe smiled, especially the children who cheered joyfully as everyone was tired and hungry.

“Hopefully the water will arrive today. It will comfort everyone’s hard-working hearts,” Su Bai muttered to himself.

Mai Mang walked over with big steps and hoarsely said, “Shaman, we’ve finished digging the four pits for the toilet.”

“You should rest too, drink more water,” Su Bai looked at Mai Mang’s pale face. He had been seriously injured just yesterday. He had not replenished his lost blood. Yet, he was already doing heavy work.

“I’m not tired. This little bit of work is nothing.” Mai Mang said dismissively. Going into the forest to hunt was both tiring and dangerous. He often needed to chase after a Ferocious Beast for a whole day.

“Rest for a while, I have more work for you later,” Su Bai softly said.

He looked curiously at Mai Mao, who was digging drainage ditches for the bathing areas, and asked, “How old is your Son this year? He looks too thin.”

“He’s twenty-one this year.” Mai Mang’s round face softened, but his tone seemed to have a hint of annoyance to it. “He just doesn’t eat much meat. He says he’s leaving it for me to eat. Do I need him to save that bit of meat for me?”

“…” Su Bai fell silent, understanding that even the Totem Warriors were scrimping and saving. If this continued, the Flame Dragon Tribe’s strength would only keep diminishing.

He looked at the children in the distance and softly said, “Most of those children are malnourished. If there’s enough food, the Tribe should implement three meals a day. That’s the only way for people in the Tribe to get enough nutrition.”

“Shaman, three meals is too difficult. We’re satisfied if we can eat our fill with only two meals,” Mai Mang shook his head upon hearing this. Even Totem Warriors had to eat sparingly, dividing one meal’s worth into two.

“I’ll make sure everyone eats their fill. The Tribe will get better and better,” Su Bai said firmly.

“En, I believe in the Shaman,” Mai Mang nodded heavily.

When Yan Hua came over, she asked curiously, “Shaman, what are these logs for?”

“Mainly to build a classroom,” Su Bai explained. The toilets and bathing areas would not need much wood; the classroom would require a large amount.

“What’s a classroom?” Yan Hua tilted her head in confusion.

“It’s a place for everyone to learn to read,” Su Bai said gently. The animal hide Teepees were too small, and lighting was a big problem.

“Learn to read?”

Mai Mang’s eyes widened in shock, and he exclaimed, “Shaman, are you going to teach everyone to read?”

Having been a Totem Warrior for over a decade and visited many other Tribes, he knew more than the cow horned girl and understood the importance of writing and reading.

“Yes. Only with the ability to write and read can there be inheritance to the descendants. Everyone will also become smarter,” Su Bai smiled brightly, remembering what the orphanage director on Earth used to say, ‘education is the only way out. It’s how people can avoid falling too far behind at the starting line.’

“That’s great! Our Tribe will finally have its own writing system!” Mai Mang was extremely excited.

He remembered visiting other Tribes and seeing strange patterns carved on the wood outside houses. However, he did not understand any of it. It had led to many embarrassing situations and had remained a thorn in his heart.