The Bird-beaked Mosquito flew all the way south, finally reaching the vicinity of the Swamp.
On a clearing next to the swamp, more than fifty Warriors of the Mosquito Tribe's Hunting Team leaned against a large tree and built a temporary shelter, lighting a bonfire.
The roof of the shelter was made from the Giant Shield crafted by Jiang Xuan.
Among these Warriors of the Mosquito Tribe's Hunting Team, the leader was a middle-aged man named Hu Wen.
Hu Wen was not tall, but he exuded a strong aura, with a fierce gaze giving off a sense of danger.
On his face, besides the Totem Pattern of the Mosquito Tribe, there were three horizontal stripes painted in green, red, and yellow.
This signified that he was a powerful Three-Color Warrior!
"Buzz..."
The giant Bird-beaked Mosquito landed on Hu Wen's shoulder after flying back.
"Did you find anything?"
Hu Wen's voice was somewhat rough and hoarse, which made him seem even more fierce.
"Buzz buzz buzz..."
The Bird-beaked Mosquito's wings made a special sound and it flew up, flew a short distance south, and returned to Hu Wen's shoulder.
This was a very unique form of communication that only the people of the Mosquito Tribe, who had long contact with Bird-beaked Mosquitoes, could understand.
Hu Wen glanced at the southern forest and then at the Giant Shield above him, saying, "As expected, there are other tribes in this forest."
Someone beside him asked, "Leader, should we go search for them?"
Hu Wen said in a deep voice, "No rush, we are unfamiliar with this forest. We'll investigate the tribe after dawn."
"Listen to the leader."
The fifty Warriors echoed and then quietly roasted food over the bonfire.
Their food included some prey hunted during the day and some wild vegetables dug nearby, as well as some wild fruits.
In the surrounding woods, there were more than a dozen Bird-beaked Mosquitoes foraging, resting on branches when tired, and alerting to dangers.
After eating, they left two to keep watch, while others lay down beside the bonfire to rest.
With over a dozen Bird-beaked Mosquitoes guarding the bonfire, ordinary mosquitoes dared not approach, or if they did, would be eaten by the Bird-beaked Mosquitoes.
Thus, the Mosquito Tribe's people could sleep peacefully in the jungle without worrying about being bitten by mosquitoes.
That night, heavy rain fell, but since they had prepared the roof beforehand, the Hunting Team's bonfire was not extinguished.
The next day, led by the Bird-beaked Mosquitoes, the Mosquito Tribe's Hunting Team quietly ventured toward the Vine Tribe.
Yet, the Vine Tribe had no idea that danger was drawing near!
...
First year of the Vine Tribe's establishment, May 15, Sunny.
"Today is such a good day!"
Jiang Xuan stepped out of the bamboo house, and saw a sky of pure blue with only a hint of dawn in the east.
Last night's rain had washed the forest clean, and even the air was much fresher.
Jiang Xuan walked to the clearing in front of the bamboo house and discovered the leaves of the Fan Grass had spread open again, like small fans gently waving in the wind, looking very beautiful.
He walked to the pond; last night's heavy rain had raised the water level high, and water was still flowing out from the outlet.
"Luckily I blocked the inlet last night, or else the pond dam would have flooded and all the fish would have escaped."
After months of effort, the Vine Tribe now had three ponds.
The first pond was in front of the bamboo house, the second in the middle of the farmland, and the third at the edge of the farmland.
These ponds not only bred fish but also provided water for irrigating crops during droughts.
Moreover, the ponds were habitats for numerous frogs and toads, which consumed many insects each night.
Jiang Xuan walked a short distance and saw someone crouching in the field, busy even earlier than him.
Curiously, Jiang Xuan approached and found it was Gan Song.
"Gan Song!" Jiang Xuan called.
"Leader."
Gan Song turned and saw Jiang Xuan, quickly standing to greet him, holding a Small Stone Hoe covered with mud.
"What are you busy with so early?"
"Leader, last night's heavy rain and wind toppled the Bamboo Tube Grass and Clapping Flowers we just planted yesterday. I'm straightening them and adding soil."
Jiang Xuan walked closer and found indeed many insect-eating plants battered crookedly by the rain and wind; some Gan Song had already straightened, with soil piled around the roots.
Jiang Xuan nodded, "It's commendable that you care for these plants. Thank you for your effort."
Gan Song immediately shook his head, "No effort at all; it's my duty."
Jiang Xuan patted his solid shoulder, "I see all you do for the tribe, Gan Song; the tribe won't treat you badly."
"Thank you, Leader."
Gan Song grinned, showing neat teeth, feeling encouraged spiritually by the Leader's acknowledgment, which fueled his drive.
Ever since losing an arm, he was even more determined, yearning for others' approval, not wanting to be looked down upon.
This was why he worked tirelessly since arriving at the Vine Tribe.
Jiang Xuan squatted down and worked with Gan Song to straighten and support the slanting plants, then returned to the bamboo house for breakfast.
After breakfast, Jiang Xuan continued polishing a leg bone of the Big Horned Sheep.
He had worked on this leg bone for several days, sharpening its end acutely.
After polishing, he tightly bound the leg bone to a spear shaft made from the Purple Blood Tree with Tree Bark Rope, then coated it with strong adhesive Fish Swim Bladder Glue to prevent detachment.
Once done, a sturdy Bone Spear was fashioned.
"Whew whew!"
Jiang Xuan swung the newly made Bone Spear a few times, finding it quite handy, showing a satisfied smile.
"The Bamboo Spear is too light; too much strength makes it hard to use properly. The Bone Spear is better."
Jiang Xuan had previously used Bamboo Spears, but his strength had increased several times, making the lightweight Bamboo Spear unsuitable.
Therefore, he crafted a Bone Spear using the hard leg bone of the Big Horned Sheep, a time-consuming task but worthwhile.
"Buzz buzz buzz..."
Just as Jiang Xuan finished the Bone Spear and prepared to go hunting in the mountains, he suddenly heard the buzzing sound of insect wings.
The buzzing was not as loud as that of giant dragonflies but was dense, clearly more than one.
At this moment, Gan Song, who was working in the distance, shouted, "It's Giant Mosquitoes, the Mosquito Tribe is here!"
This shout alarmed all the people of the Vine Tribe.
Those Wanderers who had witnessed the Mosquito Tribe's brutality screamed and ran towards the bamboo house, seeking protection from the Tribal Warriors of the Vine Tribe.
Jiang Xuan, Chi Shao, Gou Teng, Shi Qiu, and Nan Xing immediately grabbed their Long Spears, Short Spears, and bows and arrows to prepare for defense.
As they headed out, Chi Shao grabbed Jiang Xuan, her expression serious, "Xuan, if there are too many, you must flee to hide at the foot of Stone Mountain; I'll cover for you."
Jiang Xuan urgently responded, "Sis, what nonsense are you saying? I am the tribe's leader!"
After saying this, Jiang Xuan was about to break free from Chi Shao and continue forward.
However, Chi Shao held him tightly, "Xuan, listen to me!"
Jiang Xuan's eyes reddened slightly, as he turned back to look at Chi Shao.
Chi Shao gazed into Jiang Xuan's eyes, "You must understand, our Vine Tribe is small, with so few people. If the leader falls, everything collapses."
"My life doesn't matter; as long as you are here, the tribe is here."
Chi Shao gently caressed Jiang Xuan's face, "You're my only family now. I will never let you be harmed, do you understand?"
Instantly, Jiang Xuan's eyes brimmed with tears. He nodded with difficulty and then charged out, with Chi Shao following closely behind, sprinting ahead with all her might.