Translated by Joycelyn
Use for exchange?
Gua Er stood there momentarily stunned.
He had seen one of his friends holding some delicately and realistically carved bone ornaments in his hands yesterday. He was still flaunting off to them in their small little group. Gua Er also wanted a wood carving, comparing the wood carvings that the the others in the the tribe had to his, they just weren’t even on the same level.
Hearing that it was traded with the travel team, Gua Er then went to look around for the guy, however to no avail. Therefore he decided to look for a tree first, then let someone else carve something out.
Yes, Gua Er did not like things carved out from bones, followed by stone. Compared to carved stone, Gua Er preferred wood carvings. Stone carvings were too brittle. In the past, his grandfather had carved something for him, the thing was naturally carved using the most common stone. Accidentally, he touched a piece, and it broke. In comparison, the few wood carvings till now, they were still in a good condition. Even if many think that wood carvings are weaker than stone’s, he was still biased towards wood carvings.
Today, Gua Er had taken the chance that his dad was going on patrol, he shamelessly followed him, and had even got his dad to cut down a pile of trees for him to drag back. He did not think he would bump into Shao Xuan here.
When Gua Er went to the travel team to get a sculpture, he had specifically asked about Shao Xuan’s appearance and features. He was doubting it before, but now that he was sure it was the real person in front of him, he was naturally very excited. However, Shao Xuan’s question had stunned him in place.
Yeah, people of the travel team all need something in exchange. These people are not like his home’s, they will not do anything free of charge.
Take what and exchange?
Sheep? Cattle? If he really dragged these out to trade, wouldn’t he be hit by his mom when he went back home? Then after being hit, his dad would then take over to hit him once again….
He had thought of things like this before, not that he carefully thought over it, Gua Er was a bit hesitant. But he really wanted that kind of wood carving, and it was even carved better than his Grandpa could. Unfortunately, no matter if its his dad or mom, they would definitely not trade anything for just a wood carving. They would think that it was not worth it, not worthwhile. This is also one reason why he was very envious of his little friend.
Gua Er could not think of any ideas, and he was anxious and afraid that Shao Xuan might reject him. He scratched his head, gaped his mouth several times, without knowing what to say.
How about like this,
Shao Xuan voiced out just when the other was in torment over the matter:
You promise one thing, do it with all your heart, then I will carve one out for you.
What thing?
Gua Er asked.
Just help out Old He and his family, like don’t let little Ah Nai get bullied by others. When Old He’s family is in need, help them out with everything you can. How’s that?
Ah Nai was Old He’s grandson’s name. Gua Er and the rest would not accept Ah Nai, so Ah Nai had received quite a few bullying too. Shao Xuan had thought of hitting back for him, but this was a battle between kids, it was not convenient for him to interfere. Moreover, Old He and his family still needed to live here, the Feng tribe was also not a place where if you are strong then they would compromise with you.
This…
You don’t even have this bit of power?
Of course I can do this!
Gua Er said while sticking his neck out.
Shao Xuan had understood that Gua Er’s father had some power in the tribe from their chats, and Gua Er also had also some influence on his little group of friends. If this brat isn’t making things difficult, and even give a helping hand, Old He’s family naturally could live a better life here till they return to the Flaming Horns tribe.
Gua Er did not think that what Shao Xuan requested was difficult, but he was also considered not stupid and knew how to bargain,
I agree, but then you have to carve it well, it can’t be worse than those bone carvings that you carved for the others!
No problem.
Then I will sit beside you and watch, if it’s not good, I will not agree!
Sure.
On the road, Shao Xuan had crafted a few good stone knives, those bones were not considered too hard, therefore these small knives were enough. For carving wood, he definitely could use these knives too.
Since Gua Er had said to carve it here, so Shao Xuan also did not move to somewhere else. The wood that Gua Er had brought over was not bad, fine texture, not easily deformed, the carving effect would probably be even better.
What kind of carving do you want?
Shao Xuan asked.
Let me think….hmm… I want…
After thinking it over carefully, Gua Er said:
Wolf. I want a wolf!
Compared to those beasts that he had never seen before and would not appear on the grasslands, Gua Er had wanted a wooden wolf carving the most. Wolves on this grassland were common, and people of the Feng tribe, although they also hunt wolves, but they still held a form of respect for them. If the wolves did not attack the tribe or snatch away their livestocks, they would also not actively go against the wolves.
It must be majestic, an alpha wolf!
Gua Er said while full of a yearning expression.
Shao Xuan did not understand the yearning towards alpha wolves, but the reason was answered by Old He on the side.
There was a story told in some of the tribes on the grass plains, of course, it was not known that which tribe’s ancestors had first created this story. It told about a tribe that was often attacked by wolves. That tribe’s Shaman had predicted that the wolf pack would attack one of the warriors’ home, therefore he used a stone to carve out a wolf and left it on that warrior’s door. When it was night and the wolves arrived, they saw that wolf carving at the doorstep, thinking that they had seen their wolf king, they were scared away.
Only children would believe this story, when they grew up, they would stop believing it. However, Gua Er right now was still a deep believer without a single doubt. But he also knew that not anybody had the power that the story’s Shaman had, moreover, the wood that he brought over was not big, it naturally couldn’t compare to the carving in the story. He had only purely wanted to satisfy himself with a mini version of it.
Wolf..
The first thing Shao Xuan thought of was Caesar, who was left behind in the tribe. Caesar, after he was branded, was enough to be an alpha. Without even talking about his revenge, he still could go against the ferocious beasts in the forest. Who knows what he has grown up to become now.
Remembering the appearance of Caesar and the look when he hunts in the forest, Shao Xuan’s knife moved.
Gua Er had wanted to learn a little carving skill, but unexpectedly, the movements of the knife of the person in front of him were getting faster and faster. At first, he could still see each of the knife’s movements, slices of wood shavings fell, but as it became faster, he had no chance to follow Shao Xuan’s speed. The only thing he could see was the wood chips flying like splashes of rain, forcing him to retreat a few steps.
Gua Er wanted to ask a few questions, but he realised that the sculptor in front of him was somewhat immersed in a trance, preventing anybody from interrupting.
Old He grabbed some wood chips on the ground with his hands, then stared at Shao Xuan. Although he couldn’t see clearly the movements of Shao Xuan’s arms, but the totem pattern on Shao Xuan’s face, he could see it as clear as day. That was the Flaming Horns tribe’s totem. It was much clearer than the ones that appeared on his father.
To carve a sculpture, you don’t necessarily need to use the power of totems. However, when Shao Xuan is seriously carving something out, he will somehow naturally start using it. The few stone knives he had on hand were actually not that good a tool. Many times, to accurately carve out his desired form, strength, speed, etc must all be well controlled. Not allowing any mistake. And the thing that he learnt when he was studying how to carve stones was exactly precise control. It had also made sculpturing much easier.
The surrounding four people could not help but put down the things that they were doing and stare at Shao Xuan.
Following the speed of the wood chips falling, the wood carving in Shao Xuan’s hands was also slowly forming.
Gua Er’s breathing gradually got heavier. He had not seen anybody carving like this before. At the same time, he had a feeling that this sculpture was exactly what he wanted. Maybe, it could be even better than he had imagined.
Once Shao Xuan’s hand with the knife stopped, his other hand was holding a completed sculpture that was covered in wood chips. He blew over it softly.
The sawdust covering the wood sculpture flew up, leaving the sculpture, just like scattered gold dust. And the sculpture finally revealed itself.
That was a very robust wolf, you could even see the muscle underneath all its fur. It stood in an upright posture, without baring its teeth, not growling, and also not lifting up its claws. He only stood there, with a slightly turned head. Just like it was looking at something not worth mentioning, emitting power and aura Gua Er could not explain. Seemingly like everything in front of it could not pass through it and could only only retreat.
The wood carving was not that big, looking at it, it was only the size of a small dog. But the feeling it gave was totally something different.
This, are you satisfied?
Shao Xuan held the wood carving in his hand, asking Gua Er.
Sat…Satisfied!
Gua Er excitedly stretched out his hand, holding it carefully.
Then, the promise before, do you still remember it?
Shao Xuan asked once again.
What did you say? Oh, remember, of course I remember! Take care of Old He and the rest!
Looking at the wood carving in his hands, Gua Er felt that this transaction was too satisfying.
Once a word’s out, you can’t chase it with horses.
Uh?
Gua Er was at a loss at the words Shao Xuan had spoken.
That is to say, once these words are said, even riding on your tribe’s fastest horse… you will still be unable to take them back. Your promise can never be taken back, and you must definitely keep what you have promised.
Shao Xuan simply explained.
Of course!
Gua Er was now only thinking of quickly taking this carving back, not planning to stay any further, he got up to leave.
Only after Gua Er had left, Shao Xuan turned over his head, meeting Old He’s grandson Ah Nai’s eyes.
You also want one?
Shao Xuan questioned.
En!
Ah Nai vigorously nodded his head.
What kind do you want?
A wolf too!
Not necessary.
Shao Xuan rubbed Ah Nai’s half grown hair and said:
In the future, you will see a real, living one. Compared to the carving it is even more impressive. Not only a wolf, there is also a cave lion, a big headed crane, and many more…
Shao Xuan told Old He and his family stories of the tribe, and carved a stone carve with a totem pattern: the Flaming Horns tribe’s twin horns.
Old He was already old, he had experienced many countless setbacks and attacks, ups and downs, till now. Although it was not much like embracing the harsh winds, but compared to Yan Shuo, he was also more stable. But his hands, that usually hold stone picks, when holding onto that not too big stone token with the twin horns totem on it, kept trembling, even half a day later it had not lessened.
A long while after, Old He turned towards a direction, carefully placed the token in front of him, then faced towards the direction of the Flaming Horns tribe and knelt down to worship. Ah Nai and Old He’s wife also bowed down too.
After finishing worshipping, Old He then got up.
The tribe was once in that direction, but later they left. Where exactly it is, I don’t know. I have never went there, I only know that our ancestral land is there. This is what my father has told me, and my father also heard this from my grandfather. One generation after another, it was passed down. They said, although the tribe has left their ancestral land, but the root is still there. If the tribe still exists, one day, the tribe will return to the ancestral land and reignite the totem flame once more.
Shao Xuan, you don’t have to search for each and every one of our separated members. The wanderers from the Flaming Horns tribe are many, and there may be even more people who do not know where they really belong to, and even more who do not know where to go and cannot see which path they should take next. But when the flame starts burning once again, at that time, every wanderer who has been living all around, they will be able to go home!
