Ch64 – Counting

Zhou Ji had known about Xiong Ye and Shi Li’s matters from the very start, and he didn’t care about any of it.

At the time, he had only felt grateful towards Xiong Ye. He had known that Xiong Ye’s reasons for wanting to become mates with him weren’t pure, yet he had still agreed despite that.

Now, however... Zhou Ji restrained his spiritual power that had rushed towards Yang Ying.

Yang Ying inexplicably felt a little cold. She shivered and trembled as she looked at Xiong Ye again, “Xiong Ye, help us for the sake of Shi Li. Even if you guys can’t become mates, you’re at least still friends.”

“I’m not friends with him anymore.” Xiong Ye said, “And even if we were friends, even my blood-related younger brother lives in the collective cave. Why should I take care of my friend’s younger brother?”

The environment and smell in the collective cave wasn’t good, but other than that, it was fine. It was actually warmer there in winter because they burned more firewood there.

Xiong Ye had always felt that living in the collective cave was pretty good. Why couldn’t it be lived in?

He had let Zhou Ji live with him back then because Zhou Ji had looked a little foolish at the time, and he had been worried that others would steal all his things... If he had known that Zhou Ji was actually very clever, he definitely wouldn’t have gotten involved.

Xiong Ye had seen a lot of life and death from childhood and had even killed someone during their trip this time... He wouldn’t do anything to Yang Su and Yang Ying, but he also wouldn’t sympathize with them.

Xiong Ye turned and left, heading towards where Zhou Ji was.

Yang Ying still wanted to follow, but Xiong Bai caught her and held her back, “Yang Ying, Xiong Ye won’t fight women, but I will! And that child of yours... If you continue kicking up a fuss, I’ll beat you every time I see you!”

After saying so, she immediately gave Yang Ying a slap that almost made her topple over.

Xiong Ye didn’t involve himself in these things... Fighting was commonplace in their tribe. It wasn’t uncommon to see people fighting one day, and then be happily eating together the next.

“Zhou Ji, have you finished cooking your porridge yet?” Xiong Ye asked, “It looks pretty good.”

He basically understood now; Zhou Ji liked to eat things that were nearly flavorless!

“Almost.” Zhou Ji took a spoon and scooped some up to taste it slowly.

“Is it delicious?” Xiong Ye asked.

“It’s delicious.” Zhou Ji glanced at Xiong Ye and didn’t appear to intend to give Xiong Ye a bowl.

Xiong Ye didn’t mind at all. He served himself a bowl to eat.

It was very delicious! Very fragrant and much tastier than vegetable soup. It would definitely be a great meal if it was eaten together with meat.

After Xiong Ye had eaten two or three mouthfuls of porridge, he no longer touched it. It was rare for Zhou Ji to like something, and he knew that although it looked like a big pot, only a small amount of the thing that Zhou Ji had called barley had been added to it. It was better if Zhou Ji got to eat it instead.

“Zhou Ji, everyone from the salt team has a free day tomorrow. I’ll go and catch fish for you to eat.” Xiong Ye leaned towards Zhou Ji and gave him a kiss.

They hadn’t had a chance to be intimate during the journey to trade for salt as everyone had been living together, and he rather wanted...

Zhou Ji didn’t speak as he slowly ate all the porridge.

Xiong Ye felt that Zhou Ji looked very attractive when he drank porridge.

No wonder the Beast God liked him.

After they were finished eating, Xiong Ye washed the pot out of habit and then brought their pot with them back to the cave. He then embraced Zhou Ji, “Zhou Ji, we haven’t been intimate in a long time.”

“I’m not feeling that well today.” Zhou Ji replied.

“Is it because you’ve walked too much? Quickly go to bed.” Xiong Ye was anxious as he spoke. Zhou Ji had walked a lot today, and the priest had pulled him away to do this and that... He must be very tired!

Xiong Ye looked at Zhou Ji worriedly, then ushered him into their sleeping area. After that, he held up a big bucket of water and ‘gurgle gurgle’ swallowed it all into his own tummy before lying down outside.

He had worked hard at cultivating and absorbing energy every night during their journey, but he had no way to practice using that energy or anything like that. He wanted to get up early tomorrow morning to practice, but he was worried he wouldn’t be able to wake up in time. That was why he drank a lot of water––that way, he wouldn’t be able to hold back the urge to pee in the morning and would definitely be able to wake up.

In the past, he would also do this whenever he wanted to wake up early.

After drinking the water, Xiong Ye fell asleep as soon as he lay down.

Due to the previous incident and because they were traveling in a large group, they hadn’t run into any large dinosaurs during this trip to trade for salt. For some reason, they also hadn’t encountered any poisonous snakes and other such things that they would usually encounter in the past either.

He had spent a whole month that way and hadn’t been able to rest properly... Two to three minutes later, Xiong Ye was already fast asleep.

Zhou Ji: “......”

Xiong Ye slept very well, but he was woken up by the urge to pee very early in the morning.

He climbed out of the cave and went outside to solve his physiological issue, then took the opportunity to practice using the energy in his body.

He wanted to become strong, and after that, even stronger!

Xiong Ye trained so hard that he was covered in sweat. As soon as he lifted up his head, he saw the powerhouse who had taught him before standing in front of him.

He couldn’t smell the man’s scent and hadn’t heard his movements. He hadn’t noticed his presence at all.

“Sir...” Xiong Ye was a little surprised.

“Become a bear.” That person said.

Xiong Ye immediately turned into a bear and was picked up by the scruff of his neck and carried away by the man.

Xiong Ye: “......” This person was in human form, but he himself was so big. Didn’t the man feel that it was a little strange to be carrying him like this?

He was thrown into that cave once again, and a wave of energy rushed into his body.

Xiong Ye already knew what he should do next and didn’t hesitate as he began to cultivate.

He had already been brought out to cultivate by this man many times. This man only ever talked to him to explain some ways to use the energy in his body, and he would leave as soon as he was done.

Xiong Ye didn’t know who this man was, but he knew that he needed to work hard to seize this opportunity properly.

With that in mind, Xiong Ye was even more attentive as he cultivated.

Zhou Ji saw him working so hard and felt that it was necessary to work him even harder...

After Xiong Ye finished cultivating, Zhou Ji instructed, “Go back on your own. Focus the energy on your legs as you run back.” He wasn’t going to carry him back! He could just slowly make his own way!

Xiong Ye nodded and agreed. As he tried to use the energy to run back, he found that his speed was growing faster and faster, but by the time he arrived back at the tribe, he was completely exhausted––that person clearly hadn’t had to exert much effort to carry him away, but they had actually still gone such a long way away.

Not only that, it wasn’t that early in the morning anymore...

Xiong Ye sat down to rest for a while before going out again to hunt.

When the man who had taught him how to hunt had turned into a giant beast on the mountain, he had scared away all the dinosaurs in the vicinity. Even the fish and shrimp in the river had been scared away, but some small dinosaurs had begun to come back in search of food, and the fish and shrimp had also returned.

It took Xiong Ye some effort, but he caught seven to eight fish before heading back.

He brought the fish with him back to the tribe, only to discover that the entire tribe was empty. On the other hand, a large group of people had gathered in a place not far away from the tribe, in the area where the gathering team had planted things in the earth.

When Xiong Ye hurried over, he saw the people of their tribe as well as the people of the Little Brook Tribe. They were all gathered there around Zhou Ji.

“It really grew!”

“Bless the Beast God!”

“So that’s what barley looks like!”

......

Everyone was very happy, but Xiong Ye was rather puzzled. He was still curious when he heard Zhou Ji’s voice, “Xiong Ye!”

“Zhou Ji!” Xiong Ye hurried over.

“I’m not feeling well. Let’s go back.” Zhou Ji said.

“You’re not feeling well?” Xiong Ye was worried. He lifted Zhou Ji up and ran towards their cave, “Hurry back to our cave and rest!”

Zhou Ji: “......”

People of the tribe: Xiong Ye carried away the Beast God’s messenger! He actually dared to act like this towards the Beast God’s messenger! Isn’t he afraid of insulting the Beast God?

At the same time, everyone in the tribe had all come to terms with the fact that Zhou Ji was the Beast God’s messenger.

Previously, everyone had thought that Zhou Ji was really fortunate to have found Xiong Ye as a mate, but now... Everyone felt that Xiong Ye was the lucky one for having found Zhou Ji as a mate.

If they had known how amazing Zhou Ji was earlier, they also would’ve pursued Zhou Ji back then!

Since these people felt this way, they also spoke of it aloud.

Zhou Ji, who was still observing the situation with his spiritual powers despite having already left, “......”

This morning, shortly after Zhou Ji had returned and lay back down to sleep, the priest had come over and asked him to plant the barley.

Barley was a good plant, but right now... they didn’t have enough seeds.

A single bag of seeds from the Little Brook Tribe couldn’t be used to sow much land, but if he let the Big Bear Tribe slowly plant it however they liked, they might only be able to obtain enough seeds by the end of next year. In the meantime, they probably wouldn’t be able to eat barley at all.

Zhou Ji was thinking about these things when he heard the priest ask, “What does this barley look like when it grows? Does it grow in mud or on trees?”

“Plant it and see.” Zhou Ji suggested.

He was in a bad mood and was too lazy to say much. He brought the priest to the field, and on the way, not only did they run into people from the hunting and gathering teams, they even met with the people from the Little Brook Tribe who had come over to see how they were raising dinosaurs.

Amongst these people was also Yang Ying and Yang Su who had somehow mixed into the crowd, and the two of them were even crying and wailing.

Zhou Ji didn’t say much. After tossing the barley onto the ground, he directly used his abilities to produce a batch of barley.

And then, the barley grew and matured in front of everyone’s eyes.

This was simply a miracle!

And then... Everyone crowded around him.

The priest shouted out to the Beast God, and everyone else in the tribe was full of reverence. The people of the Little Brook Tribe immediately decided to join the Big Bear Tribe on the spot.

Everyone’s attitude towards Zhou Ji had changed.

Zhou Ji suddenly felt somewhat regretful.

If things went on like this... He would likely end up tired to death!

At the same time, he was worried that they might end up targeted due to such strange occurrences.

Forget it, this could all be attributed to the Beast God!

He just needed to stick with the argument that this had all been done by the Beast God, and it would be fine!

He calmed down when he thought of this, and was then carried back to the cave by Xiong Ye.

“Zhou Ji, where do you feel uncomfortable?” Xiong Ye looked at Zhou Ji with worry. Zhou Ji hadn’t felt well last night and also didn’t feel good again today...

“I’m alright. I’ll be fine with some rest.” Zhou Ji said. He should probably stay in the cave for the next few days to avoid being surrounded by the people of the tribe.

“Then you go have a proper rest. I’ll make you something to eat.” Xiong Ye said.

“You can cook?” Zhou Ji asked.

Xiong Ye didn’t hesitate to nod. “Yes!” He had often watched Zhou Ji cook, and had naturally learned something from having looked on so much.

“You do it, then.” Zhou Ji said. He then watched as Xiong Ye happily began to cook.

The corner of his mouth curved up, but then he suddenly recalled how Xiong Ye used to always roast meat for Shi Li to eat...

Zhou Ji: “......”

Zhou Ji was inexplicably a little unhappy as he watched the completely oblivious Xiong Ye finish preparing some fish soup and brought it over to him.

So, after the two of them finished drinking fish soup, Zhou Ji started, “Xiong Ye, I’ll teach you how to count.”

“Counting?” Xiong Ye didn’t understand.

“It’s using numbers to count and calculate. Don’t you want to be the tribal chief? It’s something you need to learn.”

“I already know it! I learned it from the priest, and the priest said I’m very good at it!” Xiong Ye smiled as he looked at Zhou Ji.

“Is that so...” Zhou Ji said, “Then you should calculate how much it is if you add up all the numbers from one to ninety-nine.”

Xiong Ye was instantly confused, “Why would you need to count this?”

“If you give the first person one grain of barley, and the second one two grains of barley, the third person three grains of barley, all the way until the ninety-ninth person, how many grains of barley does that add up to?”

“Normally, this isn’t counted at all.”

“It’s true that you don’t usually need this, but there are more and more people in the tribe, and the things you have to count will only grow in number in the future. Shouldn’t you practice a bit?” Zhou Ji asked.

Zhou Ji’s words made sense... Xiong Ye replied, “Then I’ll count it.”

After saying so, he picked up a branch near the entrance to the cave and broke off a segment about the length of his fingernail, setting it to the side. He then broke off another two sections about the same size and set them to the side, then three...

Zhou Ji felt that he could go to sleep while waiting for the answer.

While Zhou Ji was making a small bit of trouble for Xiong Ye by making him count, the Giant Tiger Tribe’s Hu Tian had arrived at the Little Brook Tribe.

The Little Brook Tribe was only a small tribe. He had originally told Hu Tiao to bring some people over and destroy the tribe while the Little Brook Tribe was unprepared.

This was a very easy thing to achieve, and because there wasn’t enough space in the Green Hill Tribe for everyone to live, Hu Tiao and the rest had simply chosen to settle down in the Little Brook Tribe.

But now, Hu Tiao and the rest had all been killed.

Hu Tian’s expression was ugly. He looked towards the person next to him, who happened to be Fu Xiao, the person whose animal form was a bat, “Tell me about the actions of those people from the Big Bear Tribe in detail.”

“Tribal chief, it was like this...” Fu Xiao clutched at his head and described everything that had taken place after the Big Bear Tribe had come to the tribe.

Hu Tian listened very seriously. Some time later, he laughed, “This Big Bear Tribe is quite interesting. They... have a powerhouse who can destroy a tribe all on their own?”

Fu Xiao didn’t dare lift his head and look at him, but his head shrank back in fear when he heard his laughter.

Their tribal chief was laughing... This wasn’t a good sign!

“Tribal chief, that Big Bear Tribe should be very strong, we need to be careful!”

“Tribal chief, since the Big Bear Tribe dared to kill Hu Tiao, we should go and kill them immediately!”

“Tribal chief, I’m willing to go and attack the Big Bear Tribe!”

......

Hu Tian raised his hand, and these people immediately closed their mouths.

Hu Tian: “Divert some dinosaurs into their territory so that they can help us eat some of the people first.”

Those people agreed immediately when they heard Hu Tian’s words.

They had discovered some herbs that would make dinosaurs go crazy. As long as the dinosaurs came into contact with this herb, and they led the dinosaurs using this herb, the dinosaurs would naturally follow them wherever they went.

In the past, whenever they encountered tribes that were difficult to deal with or wanted to save themselves some trouble, they would first set the dinosaurs loose.