Chapter 022: The Tree Tribe

Upon discovering the hollowed log abandoned on the ground, Luo Chong marveled at the ingenuity of its design—a barrel carved from a single piece of wood, its interior charred out by fire. This craft suggested that the two women he had encountered were likely collecting water when they stumbled upon him and fled in fear, possibly to return with reinforcements.

Preparing for potential conflict, Luo Chong swiftly donned his robes and boots, equipped his quiver and longbow, and secured his belongings within the backpack, mending its broken strap just in case a swift escape became necessary.

As he was setting up a fire by the riverbank and began skinning the massive fish he had killed, the forest echoed with approaching footsteps, heralded by the glow of torches. The two women who had fled earlier were among the group of ten—four men and six women, all barefoot, clad in white fur robes, their skin pale as though dusted with flour.

The group's leader, a robust young man in his late teens, wielding a branch as a weapon, cautiously approached Luo Chong. They surrounded him in a semi-circle, their expressions a mix of curiosity and awe at the sight of the giant fish lying behind him.

There was a tense silence, punctuated only by the crackling of the torches. After a few moments, the leader gestured towards the wooden barrel.

Realizing the misunderstanding, Luo Chong rolled his eyes and picked up the barrel with his spear, cautiously handing it over while keeping his front towards the group.

The leader passed the barrel to a younger member of his tribe, who then proceeded to fill it with water. Speaking in an unintelligible language and pointing at the fish, the leader seemed to be making a request.

Understanding that they were interested in the fish, Luo Chong stepped aside to grant them access. The group erupted into action, some attacking the fish as if exacting revenge while others wept, perhaps for loved ones lost to the creature.

Expressing gratitude, the leader pounded his chest with his fist and then extended it towards Luo Chong. Misunderstanding the gesture as a challenge, Luo Chong hesitated, but the laughter and friendly embrace that followed clarified it was a gesture of friendship and alliance.

Through gestures and broken communication, the leader invited Luo Chong to visit their tribe. Considering the invitation and the lateness of the hour, Luo Chong accepted, thinking it wise to learn more about this tribe that resided only a half day's journey from his own.

Accompanied by the tribe, they carried portions of the fish back to their village, which was nestled high in the trees. The village was an impressive network of treehouses built within a circle of enormous black trees with a single entrance. Inside, a central fire pit provided warmth and light.

The village, though small, was ingeniously adapted to their needs, with individual living spaces carved directly into the trees. They lived in a secluded environment, which explained their pale complexions and their shock at seeing someone from beyond their wooded world.

The elder of the tribe, frail and nearly blind, led Luo Chong and the tribal leader, whom he learned was named Da Shu, to the top of a lookout built atop the treehouses. From here, the elder pointed eastward towards a distant mountain that appeared cloud-like at the horizon.

Da Shu explained that their ancestors spoke of large, horned animals that dwelled on those mountains, fast as the wind and colored like the sky. Intrigued but skeptical, Luo Chong considered the possibility of such creatures, realizing the potential need for traps if they were as elusive as described.

Their attire, crafted from the pelts of a large species of rabbit native to the forest, intrigued Luo Chong. These rabbits, which thrived on moss and mushrooms, could be a sustainable resource for his tribe, considering their rapid reproductive rates.

As night fell, Luo Chong contemplated the opportunities this new alliance might offer. The simplicity of the tree tribe's lifestyle, their knowledge of local flora and fauna, and their resilience in such an isolated environment impressed him deeply. He spent the evening sharing stories of his own tribe and learning about the customs and survival strategies of his hosts, hopeful about the future collaborations between their communities.