Crossing to Live in the Wilderness Plains 185
Chapter 185
Because it had rained for several days in a row, and because the beastmen had trampled all over the place while jumping around to catch the red-billed sparrows, the originally dirt roads had turned muddy. After the accumulated water drained away and the sun dried the ground, the surface became uneven and filled with potholes, so the roads needed to be repaired again.
Early in the morning, Chen Qi was dragged off by Azhang to discuss tribal matters. With the Salt-Water Tribe joining them, housing had become the top priority—they couldn’t let everyone squeeze together in one place forever.
Chen Qi had already prepared the housing plan in advance. He took out the blueprints he had drawn a few days earlier and explained them. Since they already had experience building houses from fired mud bricks, once the land was divided, they could start firing bricks immediately.
Because this was the first major event after the merger with the Salt-Water Tribe, Azhang didn’t hand it off to others. He and Achu personally led the tribe members to work. Meanwhile, the new round of summer planting was handed over to Chen Qi and Ali.
In addition to replanting the large wasteland in the tribe, several sections of land in Chen Qi’s courtyard also started being planted. Aside from a few commonly used vegetables and seasonings, Chen Qi deliberately set aside two plots for herbs—not many kinds, just some common wild plants with hemostatic properties. Although they could be found on the plains, Chen Qi wanted to try cultivating them.
Outside the tribe, the pile of meat from the dragon-type corpse had nearly been stripped clean by migrating beasts within a few days. Only some half-rotted fur and bones were left. The beastmen of Qi Ze City brought back some intact bones for later use, and threw the rest into the Chishui River to feed the fish.
After the thunderstorm, the massive migration herd appeared near the Chishui River. Because the river had risen sharply, they couldn’t cross and had to wait for it to recede. Some smaller animals discovered several tree trunks lying across the river—some left behind by beastmen when crossing, others having fallen naturally in place. These trunks became bridges for the migrating beasts. A huge group of impalas immediately occupied one of the logs and trotted across to the opposite shore with agile movements.
Crossing to Live in the Wilderness Plains (CLWP) is translated by Betwixted Translations. The site you’re reading this chapter on stole our translation.
Ye Huo was hiding in a patch of tall grass. He was dressed in camouflage clothes and wore a woven grass hat. The tall grass was downwind, so the animals couldn’t smell him.
“This is my first time hunting. I’m a little nervous.” Ye Huo licked his slightly cracked lips, though the excitement in his eyes didn’t show a hint of panic.
“You could even hit a hyena-drake. A few impalas are nothing. Don’t worry.” Chen Qi comforted him softly as he pulled an arrow from the quiver and loaded it into the crossbow in his hand.
This crossbow was modified from a siege crossbow. Although it was still somewhat crude and its power was similar to an ordinary wooden bow, it didn’t require much arm strength to use, making it the most suitable weapon for males, who were physically weaker than females.
Ale had given birth to a male cub the day after the storm stopped. He was the first male—and the first beastman—born since Qi Ze City was founded. It was Ye Huo’s first time becoming a father, and he was overflowing with excitement. Naturally, he didn’t want Ale to go out hunting right after giving birth. So he went to Chen Qi to learn hunting skills. In winter, he had heard from Ka Luo that Chen Qi once caught many prey with a few simple traps.
They weren’t far from the tribe, near a small bamboo grove. Besides Ye Huo and Chen Qi, Aze was of course present to protect everyone. Ajing and the little wolf cub had also been dragged out by Aze to learn hunting.
Their target was a small herd of impala grazing not far away. The herd likely used to live nearby and hadn’t crossed the river with the migrating beasts. Their relaxed posture made it look as though they planned to settle here. Thanks to the camouflage, the impalas hadn’t noticed the beastmen watching them.
Aze signaled Ajing and the little wolf cub, telling them to circle around and block the impalas from behind.
Before they came out to hunt, Aze had already explained the hunting plan to Ajing. Although Ajing had only followed Aze on a few hunts last summer and lacked experience, he was smart and learned quickly. Receiving Aze’s signal, he crouched low and circled around with the little wolf cub through the tall grass.
“Wait until they come a little closer,” Chen Qi whispered.
Ye Huo nodded, slowed his breathing, and fixed his gaze firmly on his target.
A young female impala had found a patch of tastier wild grass. It wandered a little away from the herd and stopped not far from Chen Qi’s group. With each bite, its ears twitched, and it would lift its head to scan the surroundings, alert to predators.
Whoosh. An arrow whistled through the air and pierced straight into the female impala’s neck. Its cry startled the herd. Before they could flee, two more arrows shot out from the grass. One missed, but the other pierced through the neck of an adult impala, which collapsed after only a few struggles.
Crossing to Live in the Wilderness Plains (CLWP) is translated by Betwixted Translations. The site you’re reading this chapter on stole our translation.
Chen Qi glanced at his missed arrow, then at Aze, who had killed with a simple wooden bow. He praised him before reminding Ye Huo to finish off the struggling female impala.
At that moment, Ajing and the little wolf cub also moved. They targeted a young impala that had gotten separated from its mother in the chaos. As it turned to run back to her, Ajing and the little wolf cub cut off its path.
Ajing’s fingers transformed into claws as he lunged like a small predator. The little wolf cub circled behind, baring its teeth and growling.
The young impala was extremely agile. It dodged their attacks several times. Unfortunately, it chose the wrong direction to flee and ran away from its herd.
Ajing and the little wolf cub chased from both sides. Ajing finally leaped onto its back, half his body hanging onto it. Although dragged for several steps, his weight made the impala stumble, its hind legs buckling under him.
The little wolf cub’s eyes flashed green. It lunged forward, jaws closing around the impala’s neck. The warm blood made the little wolf cub choke slightly, but it didn’t loosen its grip, letting the blood run down its muzzle.
Ajing got up from behind the impala. A small patch of skin on his forehead had been torn—kicked by the impala during its struggle. It hurt a little, but he didn’t care. He slid his sharp claws under its throat and pierced the soft hide.
The young impala struggled only briefly before falling still. The little wolf cub let go and pitifully glanced up at Ajing. Seeing the blood on his forehead, it licked him—but with its mouth full of blood, one lick smeared red all over Ajing’s face, making him look terrifying at first glance.
“Ajing, you’re hurt?” Chen Qi and the others approached after dealing with their impalas. Seeing Ajing’s blood-covered forehead, Chen Qi rushed over anxiously.
Ajing couldn’t see himself. The injury had hurt a little at first, but he hadn’t thought it serious. He touched his forehead—and his fingers came away covered in blood.
The little wolf cub whimpered softly and licked him again—this time cleaning the blood rather than smearing more onto him. Chen Qi examined him and, finding no injuries besides a small cut on the forehead, finally relaxed.
“Little Wolf and I hunted prey,” Ajing announced proudly as he dragged the young impala over.
Because the little wolf cub had bitten its neck open and Ajing had slit its throat with his claws, the smell of blood was strong even from a distance. In contrast, the impalas hunted by Aze and Ye Huo looked clean—the arrows had not been removed, and there were only a few wounds.
Crossing to Live in the Wilderness Plains (CLWP) is translated by Betwixted Translations. The site you’re reading this chapter on stole our translation.
Chen Qi was long used to the smell and didn’t mind. He patted Ajing and the little wolf cub on their heads. “Since we’ve hunted prey, let’s go back for today. Do you want to carry your prey yourselves, or should I help?”
“We can carry it ourselves,” Ajing replied loudly. Though Chen Qi treated him like an ordinary child, in actuality, Ajing was probably far stronger than Chen Qi.
Still, Ajing didn’t carry the impala himself; he placed it on the little wolf cub’s back instead.
Seeing Ajing ready, Chen Qi packed up his things and turned to head back—only to see Aze standing some distance away. He had a freshly hunted impala slung over his shoulder, but sweat dotted his forehead, and his face was much paler than usual.
“What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?” Chen Qi reached out and touched Aze’s forehead—only to feel chilling coldness.
“It’s nothing.” Aze squeezed his mate’s hand, took a deep breath, and forced down the sudden wave of nausea rising in his chest.
Chen Qi took the impala from Aze’s shoulder. If this were right after he first transmigrated, he probably wouldn’t have been able to lift an impala at all. But now, he could do it with ease.
The sudden lightness on his shoulder made Aze pause in surprise. Realizing what had happened, he instinctively reached out to take the prey back—how could he let his mate be the one to carry it?
Chen Qi grabbed his wrist and spoke to the two people standing nearby. “Let’s head back. I’m not sure if Aze caught a chill from getting rained on the other day.” Then he turned back to Aze and added seriously, “Once we’re home, you need to rest properly. Don’t you dare get sick and hide it from me.”
Seeing Chen Qi suddenly turn stern, Aze’s lips moved a few times as if he wanted to argue, but in the end, he could only reply helplessly, “Alright.”
Words from the Translation Crew
Miiya: 1 of 3 for the week. Happy Easter all.
Translator: Miiya
Editor: MushroomKnight73
Proofreader: Yume
Editor stepping into the realm of MTL translating, starting with CLWP. Support this translation with a Ko-fi. Three Ko-fis will add an extra chapter from the stockpile to the next weekly release.
