The next morning.
Rarely, the Orcs and females in the tribe did not go out for hunting and gathering. Everyone gathered in the open space, bustling and busy.
"Aren’t you all curious as to why I and the shaman asked for collection of the Fruits of Divine Punishment?" At these words, the Orcs perked up their ears instantly. Although the tribesmen had done as asked by the Chief and the Shaman to collect the Fruits of Divine Punishment, the underlying fear of the fruit still created a tense atmosphere in the tribe.
"The tribe discovered a new use for the Fruit of Divine Punishment a few days ago. We used it to cure a Giggle Beast. Now, I will bring out this Giggle Beast for everyone to see."
Under his father’s gesture, Ge Tai opened the basket beside him and took out a Giggle Beast, putting it in Chief Ge Xing’s hands.
"Now, an Orc from each family may come and examine this Giggle Beast." Chief Ge Xing’s tone was slightly excited, leaving the Orcs a bit baffled.
Xiu Li nudged his partner with his finger, "You go have a look."
After a moment’s hesitation, Ge Rou stepped forward under the watchful gaze of everyone. The closer she got to the Giggle Beast, the more puzzled she became. It had been stored for such a long time, how come there was no smell at all?
She walked closer, took the Giggle Beast from Chief Ge Xing’s hand, and sniffed it hard, "This... this... "
Ge Rou was dumbstruck. Her face could not hide her shock, and her voice was trembling slightly, "Brother, this Giggle Beast is perfectly preserved!"
Upon hearing this, all the Orcs surged forward without any hesitation, and the small Giggle Beast was passed around in the crowd.
Ji Nuan offered a silent three-second eulogy for the unfortunate Giggle Beast. It was a good thing it was already dead, otherwise it would have died of fright.
Ge Xing waved his hand, signalling for calm, "You’ve all seen it, smelled it.
Yes, this Giggle Beast was cured using the Fruit of Divine Punishment. Despite being stored for many days, the meat hasn’t deteriorated at all.
So, tribesmen, feel free to go hunting. Bring back the Fruits of Divine Punishment when you come across them. We’re going to cure plenty of game, so that no one in our Watson Tribe – be they young, female, or Orc – will die from a lack of food. What do you say, everyone!? Good or not?"
The Orcs were collectively ecstatic, their faces flushed as they threw back their heads and roared in unison, "Good! Good! Good!"
"Ji Nuan, come over here!" Shaman gestured at Ji Nuan.
Ji Nuan, swishing her fluffy tiger tail, stepped forward and stood next to Grandma Shaman.
Grandma Shaman said loudly, "The usefulness of the Fruit of Divine Punishment, the discovery of the Stinky Fruit, and the way to eat the Giggle Beast were all discovered by Ji Nuan. During this period, Ji Nuan has made such a significant contribution to our Watson tribe.
Therefore, I hereby announce that after this winter, Ji Nuan will be the one to succeed me and become the shaman of our Watson Tribe."
Unbeknownst to Ji Nuan, her status within the tribe had become as elevated as that of Chief Ge Xing and Grandma Shaman.
Ge Ye’s chubby cheeks were flushed with excitement as she raised her plump hand high, "Shaman Ji Nuan!"
"Hm!" A fruit pit hit Ge Ye in the forehead. The little girl clutched her forehead in pain and shot her father a look of resentment from where he sat on a rock.
Ge Xing glared at his daughter fiercely, twirling his beard, "Just be quiet."
Ji Nuan, standing next to Grandma Shaman and watching the interaction between this father-daughter duo, had a smile in her eyes. They were unquestionably a family.
"Grandma Shaman, since the Fruit of Divine Punishment can help us preserve food, it’s more like a gift from the Beast God. We shouldn’t keep calling it the Fruit of Divine Punishment, right?" Ji Nuan queried.
Grandma Shaman’s eyes lit up, "Indeed, it doesn’t sound like a punishment anymore, it’s more...
She turned her gaze to Ji Nuan, "Since you discovered this use, why don’t you come up with a new name?"
A ripple spread in Ji Nuan’s heart, her eyes filled with nostalgia, and her lips part barely a whisper, "Salt Fruit!"
"Salt Fruit?" Grandma Shaman murmured.
The old woman did not ask the origin of the name, she just nodded, "Alright, we will call it Salt Fruit."
...
This day, the atmosphere in the Watson Tribe was exceptionally high.
The hunting teams of Orcs and gathering groups of females were all full of energy.
The Orcs no longer worried about hunting too much game and having it spoil.
The females also sped up their gathering, eager to help the Orcs process game and learn to cure the game with Divine...
No, with Salt Fruit.