Ge Ye looked back and saw that Ji Nuan looked uncomfortable, she immediately slowed down. "Shan Zaizai, what’s wrong with you? You’re okay, right?"
Ji Nuan took a couple of deep breaths: "I’m fine, I just ate too much earlier, so running is making me a bit uncomfortable."
Ge Ye was relieved to confirm it wasn’t serious. She looked at everyone around them, each in a hurry to run to the clearing.
She then moved closer to Ji Nuan’s ear, whispering: "I heard from my father that while Grandma Shaman was praying today, Lord Beast God revealed that the winter this year would be 30 days longer than last year."
Ji Nuan gasped in surprise. While she wasn’t sure if the Beast God’s revelation was real, Grandma Shaman’s predictions were always accurate. If she said the winter was going to be longer, then it really would be longer.
Furthermore, a longer winter meant a harsher lean season next year.
In the clearing filled with animals, Grandma Shaman stood at the forefront, supported by Uncle Bo.
Seeing the animals had gathered, Ge Xing stepped forward and let out a thunderous roar. The field fell silent instantly.
"Alright, everyone, quiet down. Today, we’ve gathered here because the Shaman has received a revelation from Lord Beast God about the winter."
Ge Xing’s voice was filled with gravity, causing an eerie silence to descend on the field.
Leaning on her wooden staff, the kindly-looking Shaman stepped forward, her usually loving eyes seeming somewhat profound: "Tribe members, Lord Beast God has spoken. This winter will extend for over 30 days than last year."
Grandma Shaman’s words felt like a thunderbolt out of a clear sky to the assembled crowd. The females started wailing in fear, nestled into the arms of their males. The faces of the orcs were all stuck with gravity.
The unrest in the assembly exploded immediately.
With a sigh, the tapping sounds of the Shaman’s wooden staff on the stone attracted the crowd’s attention.
"What use is there in crying? Will crying ward off hunger? Prevent sickness? Keep the old, the cubs, and the females from dying?" After these words, Grandma Shaman hobbled away towards the cave, intending to gather more herbs before the arrival of winter.
"Tribe members, our Watson Tribe has survived through countless hardships. No adversity we haven’t faced. Similarly, we’ll get through this harsh winter."
"Alright, let’s disperse."
All the joy they had while coming was replaced by heaviness as they departed, despite there being plenty of time before winter.
Given the lack of food preservation methods, it was impossible to store more game during the abundant season.
The only solution was to intensify hunting before the winter arrives to capture as many preys as possible.
Having died once, Ji Nuan cherished her life more than anything.
Back in the cave, the chubby cub was already sleeping soundly.
She carefully shifted the little one onto the stone bed and draped a beast skin over him. Afterward, she lay down outside the bed.
She was no longer alone, she had a cub to raise. From tomorrow on, she needed to work harder to find food. And also, salt...
Ji Nuan’s breathing steadied as she fell asleep.
The little cub, who had been sleeping soundly, opened his eyes, clear and wide awake.
The winter will be extended...
Looking at the tiny cub beside him, he knew that if he stayed with her, she would certainly not survive the winter.