I am a Primitive Man-Chapter 935: The Domineering Tribe that Cultivates Rice

With the wise Shaman’s blessing, the hunchbacked primitive led their livestock and carried their goods, heading toward the tribe they had visited many times before.

After several days of travel, the scenery ahead began to change.

Patches of water appeared in front of them, and with them, some people.

These people were wrapped in animal skins and carried clay pots.

Some of the pots were too large and heavy to hold with one hand, so they gripped the rim with one hand and rested it against their waist.

This method saved a lot of effort.

However, it demanded a strong waist.

The free hand would occasionally reach into the pot, grab something, and then forcefully scatter it into the water.

At this time, the weather was still cold, and the water was freezing, yet these people seemed completely unfazed, stepping through the muddy water while repeating the same motions.

On the shore, a few people stood holding dazzling weapons.

Their weapons looked bigger and sharper than those carried by the hunchbacked primitive.

These people didn’t work themselves; they only watched those in the water labor.

They wore thicker furs and generally looked stronger than the workers in the water.

The hunchbacked primitive was familiar with this scene and knew exactly what the people were doing and why.

They were scattering small, edible fruits still in their shells into the shallow water.

These fruits, once planted, would sprout and grow, much like wild grass.

By the time the leaves turned yellow, the plants would mature and bear more of these small fruits.

Then, the tribe would collect all the fruits from the plants at once, instantly gaining a large amount of food.

This was one of the main reasons why this tribe was so wealthy and powerful.

The hunchbacked primitive envied this method of obtaining food and wished their own tribe could acquire food in the same way.

After all, who would want to laboriously carry goods far away, traveling from one tribe to another, to trade for enough food?

But such thoughts could only remain in the hunchbacked primitive’s mind—they dared not actually do it.

Almost all the fertile areas suitable for these fruits belonged to this powerful tribe.

Even the shallow waters near their own tribe’s territory still fell under this tribe’s control.

During the growing season, if one mimicked this tribe and scattered the shelled fruits in the water, the powerful tribe would not interfere.

But come harvest time, one could not take anything.

No matter whether the fruits had grown naturally or had been sown by outsiders, in the eyes of this tribe, they automatically belonged to them.

Any tribe daring to defy this rule would face the armed men on the shore.

These men would seize not only the fruits but everything else as well—including the tribe’s people.

The barefoot people trudging through the freezing water were mainly descendants of tribes that had once dared to defy this rule.

After repeated incidents, no tribe within a wide radius dared to try it again.

Even if the fruits grew at the edge of their own lands, no one would harvest them.

Even if this powerful tribe forgot to harvest, the other tribes wouldn’t dare touch the fruits, lest birds eat them.

Fortunately, this tribe only claimed these special fruits. They did not monopolize all food; otherwise, many tribes would have had to either join them or migrate far away.

Every tribe had its own way of surviving, just as people in later times each had their own way of life.

The hunchbacked primitive tribe, unable to cultivate these fruits, had developed the method of obtaining food through trade.

From a distance, the people of the powerful tribe paid little attention to the approaching hunchbacked primitive.

They had met often and knew what each side did.

Some even smiled upon seeing the hunchbacked group, as their arrival meant more food for the tribe.

The traded food was not as abundant as the fruits harvested in season, but it was still valuable.

All that was required in exchange was common goods—like pottery, which their people could produce in large quantities.

“#￥4@3…”

Even from afar, the hunchbacked primitive smiled, loudly greeting those standing on the shore with weapons.

The two tribes were close and often interacted so that they could understand most of each other’s language.

“#￥5@…”

One of the shore people responded.

One even left to approach the hunchbacked primitive.

After a short while, they met, exchanged a few words, and the approaching person led them to a specific location.

Along the way, the hunchbacked primitive saw more workers in the water.

In some areas, people were herding prey animals, far more numerous than those in their own tribe.

They continued toward a mountain that looked slightly out of place.

The mountain had sparse vegetation, and under the sun, some peaks even seemed to sparkle.

The main living area of this powerful tribe was not far from these peaks.

At first, only the peaks were visible to the hunchbacked group, but as they moved closer, more appeared.

It was a flat area covered in layers of straw.

The hunchbacked primitive was not surprised; they had seen this before and knew these were dwellings of the tribe, like treehouses in their own tribe.

Soon, they reached the homes built from straw, branches, and mud.

Here, more people appeared, primarily children and pregnant women.

The stronger adults were dispersed further away and engaged in various labors.

Some scattered the shelled fruits into shallow water, others tended livestock, or gathered wild vegetables.

Under their leader’s guidance, the hunchbacked primitive moved through the gaps between dwellings.

They eventually reached an open space at the center of all the habitations.

It wasn’t empty; a large cave stood at its center, far more elaborate than the others, with several sizable clay pots fixed above it.

Even from this alone, the difference between this cave and the others was evident.

The hunchbacked primitive stopped at the edge of the open space, not proceeding further.

Those who had been here before knew that this tribe generally disliked outsiders stepping onto this central area.

The guide spoke a few words and then stepped into the space, heading toward the ornate central cave, moving cautiously and respectfully.

At the cave entrance, he first placed his hands together above his head, bent slightly forward, and then spoke.

Silence followed inside, lasting a while before the cave door opened—though no one emerged.

He repeated the gesture before stepping into the lavish cave, first resting his weapon against the outer wall.

The hunchbacked primitive did not comment. They knew who lived inside.

It was the tribe’s shamaness, holding a status comparable to that of their old Shaman.

But she was far wiser, imbued with mysterious power.

The precious pottery and weapons were said to have been crafted by her.

Even as an outsider, the hunchbacked primitive felt a mix of reverence and fear.

After a while, the person emerged, carrying two precious pots.

He placed them on the ground after walking a bit and then returned inside to fetch more.

Every time he entered, he repeated the respectful gesture of hands above his head and a slight bow.

“#￥4@2!”

Under the gaze of the hunchbacked group, he went back and forth many times, bringing out pottery and edible salt.

Once arranged, he called out to the hunchbacked primitive.

Hearing him, they stepped onto the open space, placing their own and their livestock’s food on the ground for exchange.

Exchanges were routine, conducted smoothly and quickly under mutual supervision.

They gained pottery and edible salt, while the tribe received the food they brought.

“@#4%%…”

The man looked puzzled. Usually, they would immediately collect the goods, but this time, they hesitated.

The hunchbacked primitive’s gaze turned toward the shamaness’ dwelling.

“@￥Y…”

When asked, they explained they wanted the shamaness to appraise how much food these precious items could be exchanged for.

Understanding this, the man couldn’t help but smile.

Precious items? Exchange for food? Could anything be more valuable than his tribe’s own treasures?

But the smile quickly faded, replaced by utter disbelief.

He stared intently at the fine pottery in the hunchbacked primitive’s hands.

So there really were items more precious than his own tribe’s pottery!

Carefully, he carried the precious pottery toward the ornate house, full of excitement and caution.