Chapter 56

After listening to the news brought back by Ah Bu and the others, Lu Yu and Tai Lie began to discuss the matter of going to the Beast Plain.

This time, Lu Yu wanted to bring more people to the Beast Plain. Mainly because the Great Drift was more complicated than Lu Yu had imagined. Bringing more people would provide more fighting strength and security. Moreover, it would broaden everyone’s horizons. To become stronger, they always need to see different people and things.

Tai Lie agreed with this. Frowning, he mentioned another thing, “Besides that, we also need to bring more supplies. It’s going to require manpower.”

Lu Yu understood his concerns. Last time, it was okay to bring fewer things, but this time, they needed a larger quantity of special materials. With more people going, they naturally needed to bring more things. If everything was put into the ring, it would surely cause trouble if someone with ill intentions found out the secret later.

Lu Yu nodded. “Alright. Also, the transportation tools on the plateau are almost ready. It will come in handy this time.”

“Okay.”

Lu Yu continued, “Since we’re bringing more people this time, to ensure the safety of those staying behind, it’s best to clean up the surroundings these days and see if there are any large animal nests or other tribes nearby.”

“These days when we went hunting, we’ve been doing this. Don’t worry,” Tai Lie replied.

Lu Yu teased, “Oh? You’ve already been doing it? It seems we’re on the same wavelength.”

“What does ‘on the same wavelength’ mean?” Tai Lie asked.

Lu Yu explained to him, “It means understanding what the other person is thinking without having to say it.”

Tai Lie nodded solemnly. “Then we really are on the same wavelength because we’re partners.”

Originally, Lu Yu was the one who started joking, but now his face felt a bit warm.

This person really likes to mention the word “partners” now, and he looks so serious about it.

Lu Yu and Tai Lie decided to set off seven days later. They drew lots to leave a few unlucky Matai people behind to guard the house, while the rest went to the Beast Plain.

This was almost equivalent to a family activity, because Lu Yu said they might be gone for a while, so everyone was preparing seriously.

The next day, Lu Yu went to the plateau and talked about going to the Beast Plain.

Someone looked forward with excitement, “I really want to see the Great Drift. I’ve never seen such a grand event before.”

Facing the expectant gazes, Lu Yu could only apologize with a smile.

This time, they weren’t going to the Beast Plain to have fun. There were many important things to do, and it wasn’t very convenient to bring people from the plateau.

After some thought, Lu Yu suggested, “How about this? Let’s go explore the route first. Once we settle down, we’ll send someone to pick up those who want to come and see. The Great Drift is said to last many days. I can’t guarantee anything else, but it should be fun for everyone to join in the excitement.”

“Really? Thank you, Witch!”

“That’s great!”

After saying this, Lu Yu went to check the dried rice. The rice had been drying for several days and was ready to be harvested. The stone mortar and pestle made by the pottery expert were also ready.

Lu Yu demonstrated how to use these two tools. After pounding the rice, he used a grass sieve woven by the sewing expert to remove the husks, leaving behind a handful of white rice grains.

“Witch, is this the food you mentioned?” Someone asked.

Lu Yu nodded, “Yes.”

A child couldn’t resist secretly pinching a grain of rice and putting it in his mouth. Surprised, he said, “It’s hard and tasteless!”

Lu Yu chuckled and patted his head, “You can’t eat it now; it needs to be steamed.”

“Steamed?”

Lu Yu was prepared. He took out several large bamboo tubes from the grass basket behind him, put the washed rice in, added two pieces of wild boar ribs and soup made specially from last night, carefully wrapped the opening, and then roasted it over the fire.

After roasting for a while, the aroma of rice and meat mixed together seeped out from the bamboo tubes.

The people around sniffed, “It smells so good~”

“And it’s different from the smell of meat; it’s not as oily.”

With weapons now available, the people in the valley could organize to hunt some small wild animals. They also had some meat exchanged from Matai with materials, so the people in the valley were not short of meat now; they could have a good meat meal every two or three days.

But Lu Yu always returned to Matai before meals, so he had only taught them how to eat fish when he taught them how to catch fish before. He hadn’t taught them how to roast meat yet. The people in the valley used the most primitive method of roasting meat. It was cooked but lacked flavor and was very greasy.

After the bamboo tube ribs and rice were roasted, Lu Yu wrapped them with leaves on top, carefully took them over, and opened the wooden lid on top.

An enticing aroma wafted out.

“Wow~” The people in the valley couldn’t help but be intoxicated and took a deep breath.

Lu Yu smiled, “Go get some bowls.”

“Okay!”

—

After all, there were many people in the valley, and one mouthful was not enough for everyone. Lu Yu could only give some people a portion, give the meat to the children, and teach them how to cook rice while distributing it. “Besides meat, you can also add other things, like wild vegetables and fish, or you can add nothing and just put in some water. The water should be about half an inch above the surface of the rice.”

The people in the valley held the savory and delicious rice in their mouths, almost swallowing their tongues. “Got it, got it!”

After making the rice, Lu Yu went to the field to check. Under the careful care of the people in the valley, the newly planted seeds had sprouted small green shoots.

Following the same procedure, Lu Yu used the remaining bottle of life potion to harvest a whole hectare of rice. Then he let the people in the valley continue to dry it for a few days before threshing it.

“I will go to the Beast Plains for a while. After all the rice is packed up, everyone will use the leather bags made by the people who have learned tailoring to pack the rice and store it in the wooden house. This is food prepared for the winter, but if anyone really wants to eat some, they can.”

In addition to the two harvests of food, they would plant another crop, which would be ready for harvest in late autumn. So there would be more than enough food, even if they ate until winter.

The crowd responded loudly, “Great!”

Finally, Lu Yu thought about it and brought some of the first harvest of food back.

The Matai people who naturally loved meat probably wouldn’t like to eat rice. Besides eating it himself, Lu Yu thought that these provisions might come in handy in the Beast Plains, so he stored them in the ring.

The preparations proceeded in an orderly manner. The transportation tools for the people in the valley were also made, two wooden carts with two wooden wheels each. As long as there was enough strength, they could carry a lot of things, and people could also sit on them.

Seeing this, Shan Pu clapped his hands and laughed, “When the time comes, we can let Witch sit on it, and we’ll pull Witch to run. The marching speed can be much faster.”

Lu Yu didn’t hesitate to pat him on the back. “Are you saying I’m too slow?”

Shan Pu hurriedly shook his head, “No, no, I’m afraid you’ll get tired, Witch…”

Lu Yu felt that his physical fitness was already very good. “I’ll keep up with your pace. Alright, hurry up and load the animal skins and everything else. Remember to secure them with grass ropes, so they don’t fall off while you’re walking.”

“Got it!” Shan Pu replied and ran off like a happy little horse.

Lu Yu shook his head and smiled, about to go to work himself, when he was suddenly stopped by a voice.

“Witch, do you have a moment?”

Lu Yu turned around and found it was Cha Zhe. “Yes, Cha Zhe, what’s up?”

Cha Zhe walked over. “Witch, are you going to the Beast Plains to participate in the Great Drift?”

Lu Yu nodded, “Yes, you should have heard about it when we were eating last night. We’re planning to go to the Beast Plains to exchange some goods.”

Cha Zhe asked, “Can you take me with you?”

Lu Yu was taken aback. “Do you also want to go?” Lu Yu had no intention of bringing the young Matai with them. Just in case, if they were to encounter those who had attacked the Matai during their trip to the Beast Plains and a fight broke out, at least the young Matai would be safe. The Matai tribe wouldn’t face extinction, and besides, the area was full of dangers; it wouldn’t be suitable for children.

In his mind, Cha Zhe was also a child, so he wasn’t planning to take him along either. Lu Yu patiently advised, thinking Cha Zhe just wanted to join for excitement, “There are many people there, and we may not be able to take care of you properly…”

Cha Zhe bit his lip. “Witch, I remembered something important.”

“What is it?” Lu Yu asked, puzzled.

Cha Zhe lowered his head. “My mother was originally brought back from another tribe by my father. When I was young, I went to my grandfather’s tribe to play, but as I grew up, I stopped going and don’t remember the way anymore. I thought, with such a grand event like the Great Drift, I might encounter my grandfather…”

Lu Yu suddenly realized. So that was it! He had misunderstood just now.

Lu Yu felt somewhat sorry and also a bit happy for Cha Zhe. “So you still have relatives! Alright, you can come with us. Don’t worry, there will definitely be many tribes participating in this event. Even if your grandfather’s tribe doesn’t come, it’s okay. We can inquire about it at the Beast Plains later…”

Listening to him ramble on, Cha Zhe slowly raised his head, staring at Lu Yu’s face, a hint of darkness flashing in his eyes.

Of course, Cha Zhe didn’t have any grandfather; he just made up the story to go with them to the Beast Plains. Only in that crowded and chaotic place would he have the chance to evade the Matai and quietly take Lu Yu away, tie him, and plunder him…

Completely unaware of Cha Zhe’s thoughts, Lu Yu was happily planning for him and even reflecting on himself.

He had brought Cha Zhe back with him initially and upgraded his guidance function twice, but he hadn’t paid much attention to him afterward. After all, Cha Zhe wasn’t a Matai, and living with a group of people in an unfamiliar place, as a child, he might feel scared and helpless. He should have cared more for him, but caring for others was something he couldn’t do…

Lu Yu pondered, suddenly brightening up. “Cha Zhe, do you want to eat something delicious?”

Seeing him looking over, Cha Zhe quickly lowered his gaze, covering up the expression in his eyes. “What?”

Lu Yu smiled. “Rice!” Since both Cha Zhe and he were ordinary people, and not like the Matai who only loved meat, he should like rice too.

Cha Zhe replied, “Okay.”

As Shan Pu, carrying the fur, walked towards the cart, he watched the two figures and scratched his head in puzzlement. Why did that Cha Zhe’s gaze at Witch just now seem so strange?

Seven days of preparation passed in a flash, and finally, it was the day for Lu Yu and the others to set off for the Beast Plains for the second time.

Lu Yu looked into the distance, the previous Beast Plains were just the tip of the iceberg, and he didn’t know what they would encounter this time.

The tribal battles brought by the Great Drift, the wild celebrations around bonfires, the grand feasts, the battles of the strongest warriors… what would it be like?