Chapter 726: Dragon Meat in the Sky, Donkey Meat on the Ground:
At the entrance of the Green Sparrow Tribe, Han Cheng, the Divine Child, couldn’t help but shout out when he saw the several creatures being led by the senior disciple.
Longer than a deer’s tail but shorter than a horse’s, cloven hooves shaped like two crescent moons folded together, a body size a notch smaller than common horses, and that “white mask” naturally on their mouths — all of these unmistakably revealed the true identity of these creatures to Han Cheng.
The arrival of the sheep from the Sheep Tribe was already a great haul. The senior disciple and his group’s timely encounter with those unknown tribe people was a stroke of luck. But none of that compared to the surprise Han Cheng felt from these seemingly a bit dumbfounded creatures.
Over the past few years, Han Cheng had kept a close watch for large beasts, even going so far as to instruct the tribe’s trading team to start a trade involving salt and pottery in exchange for young livestock.
Yet, large beasts had remained nowhere to be found.
Sometimes Han Cheng wondered if such beasts even existed in his era. If they did, why had no trace of them been seen until now?
And now these donkeys suddenly appeared in front of him most unexpectedly — how could he not be thrilled?
Although donkeys aren’t as large or strong as cattle, horses, or mules, Han Cheng was still very happy.
Whether pulling carts, plowing fields, or the yet-to-be-developed task of turning mills, donkeys were much more durable and trainable than deer.
With donkeys joining, the tribe’s farming efforts could reach a whole new level.
Moreover, when idle, they could even form a unit of donkey cavalry.
Though donkeys might not be able to gallop wildly on the battlefield, having them carry loads would considerably conserve the warriors’ stamina.
The idea of donkey cavalry was not a sudden whim of Han Cheng.
In ancient times, when there weren’t enough warhorses, it was not uncommon for irregular troops or local bandits to ride donkeys to battle. Zhang Guolao rides a donkey.
Of course, donkeys offered more benefits than just that. These hardworking animals were also highly valued for their meat.
“Dragon meat in the sky, donkey meat on the ground” was not an empty saying.
Not to mention the delicious donkey meat soup, a simple donkey meat bun alone could make anyone’s mouth water uncontrollably.
Additionally, donkey hide could be boiled into Ejiao, a highly nourishing tonic.
The arrival of donkeys instantly brought so many benefits that it would be strange if Han Cheng were not happy.
Perhaps sensing the immense murderous aura emanating from Han Cheng, the Divine Child, these donkeys nervously shifted their hooves on the ground.
While Han Cheng happily imagined the future with these six donkeys, the four beaten-up captives from the semi-farming tribe were all in a daze.
Their shock was even more profound than Han Cheng’s upon seeing donkeys.
What kind of tribe was this?!
After enduring all these blows and shocks, their minds felt overwhelmed.
Not to mention the fierce wolves that attacked outsiders but were gentle with their own, furthermore, this tribe far outnumbered theirs, and the tall, imposing walls they had to crane their necks to see over, along with the large, cleared surrounding land free of weeds, were enough to leave them speechless.
They were from a semi-farming tribe, people who had personally plastered walls with mud and planted fruits with branches, bones, and stones.
They understood how hard that was.
And precisely because of that understanding, they were stunned when confronted with these unimaginable things.
Did they accomplish all this?
What kind of tribe is this?!
These semi-farming tribe people helplessly cursed in their hearts.
How could such a tribe still exist in this world?!
Though they still didn’t know what this tribe was called, the strange-sounding name “Green Sparrow Tribe” echoed in their minds.
Without needing to look or say much, they knew this was the “Green Sparrow Tribe” those they captured had spoken of — the tribe their wise female shaman had sent them with that cursed captive to seek out.
The shock from the Green Sparrow Tribe didn’t end there.
When the dazed captives were pushed inside the tall walls and saw the numerous tall houses, their jaws dropped once again.
Is this the tribe the wise female shaman was searching for? The Green Sparrow Tribe had once been eager to rob them of their fine pottery.
Before reaching the Green Sparrow Tribe, these bruised captives still felt some resentment toward being captured by the Eldest Senior Brother’s group, thinking they had been too careless.
If they hadn’t been so careless, these people might not have caught them.
They believed that once they returned and reported back to the wise female shaman and their strong leader, they would surely defeat these people.
But upon arriving at the Green Sparrow Tribe, their confidence dwindled, and their hearts grew weak.
The wise female shaman shouldn’t have sent them to search for sheep and the “Green Sparrow Tribe’s” secrets.
This was their true feeling, and the first time they had doubts about the female shaman’s wisdom.
Han Cheng and the others paid no mind to what the captured semi-farming tribe members thought. At this moment, they were overjoyed by the arrival of the Sheep Tribe and the donkeys.
Shaman’s face was all creased in a smile, eyes nearly disappearing.
He hugged all the Sheep Tribe minors tightly, reluctant to let go.
Then he took out several jars of peach preserves boiled in May and June this year, opened them, and served the minors bowls to eat.
As the minors ate, he watched with a smiling face, occasionally reaching out with his rough hand to rub some children’s heads, looking kind and benevolent. This sight gradually put the initially anxious Sheep Tribe members at ease, filling them with heartfelt comfort and warmth…
The sheep brought by the Sheep Tribe were now entering the Green Sparrow Tribe’s sheep pens.
Where once there was some space, the pens were now complete — and even overflowing.
Out of necessity, some sheep had to be penned in the deer shed.