Banished to Another World
chapter-58

Yan Mo and Yuan Zhan only stayed in the A’wu clan for two days.

In the two days, they saved eighteen of the twenty one seriously injured people. Three people still died in the end, but A’wu people, especially the old Shaman and his disciple, already felt like they witnessed a miracle.

Yan Mo couldn’t do anything to the three people’s conditions. One person’s brain was penetrated by a stone pick. One person had heart injury which made him lose too much blood. The last one had too much blood in his abdomen cavity and complicated infection.

The third morning they stayed there, Yan Mo heard Jiu Feng’s call before he could even open his eyes.

Jiu Feng’s wings can now fly over a short distance. When he discovered that he could fly again, Jiu Feng didn’t want to wait anymore to get out and announce to everyone on this land that he, this overlord, was still around. With one move, he’ll also let the enemies who kept eying his territory know that he’s still alive.

When Yan Mo heard Jiu Feng’s calls, he climbed up before opening his eyes and ran out of the tent. Great, here comes the biggest trick! (the thing that can dupe people the most)

Yan Mo stood in the open space and waved to the sky. As long as Jiu Feng hadn’t flown too far, he’d definitely be able to see him.

The A’wu people, who were busy at work outside, looked up to the sky. After so many days, they finally heard the human faced-bird god’s call again.

Jiu Feng really did see Yan Mo. Part of the reason he came out was to find the little two-legs. The two big and small ones living in the mountain cave can’t talk with him, not fun.

Jiu Feng swooped down.

A’wu people were very frightened. They regarded god with respect, but they’re also scared of him(it).

Many of the A’wu people quickly prostrated to the ground.

The old shaman also ran over. Then, he and the A’wu people saw a scene that made them doubt their eyes.

When Jiu Feng was very close to the ground, he suddenly raised up and descended slowly, perching himself on the wall and folding back his wings.

Yan Mo was standing in front of the wall, looking up at him with a smile.

Jiu Feng stretched down his head, and Yan Mo reached out with a hand. One human and one bird, one rubbing against the other, one stroking the other. They muttered amongst themselves and looked very close to each other.

Some more courageous people sneaked a look and now stared at them until their eyes were close to bulging out.

After that, Yan Mo signalled for the old Shaman to come over, and reached out to touch his forehead. The old shaman was terrified and in deep awe. He moved his forehead closer to Yan Mo’s hand and even wiped his forehead beforehand.

Yan Mo held back his laugh and said to him and the A’wu people prostrating at the open space, “Jiu Feng came already, I and Yuan Zhan will leave now.”

Yuan Zhan went to Yan Mo’s side.

A’wu people let out sobs and weeps. There was even someone cried, “Priest-daren, don’t abandon us.”

Yan Mo’s eyes swept to the A’wu clan leader and old clan shaman. He let out a small smile. “A’wu clansmen are honest, kind, and hardworking, I really like all of you. If you want to become clan under the protection of the Jiuyuan tribe, you can come to the left corner of the eye salt lake, the lake that you had gone to last time to offer sacrifice, and let us know if you’re willing.”

The old shaman wanted to say something right away. Yan Mo raised a hand and stops him. “After you had thought about it, come again and tell us.”

“The tribe don’t need useless people.” Yuan Zhan suddenly said.

Yan Mo contemplated for a bit then told the old Shaman exactly what Yuan Zhan had said, while adding, “To be a part of Jiuyuan tribe, a person must get the approval of the priest, chieftain, and Jiu Feng. Although I want to protect your clan, no one will take care of lazy and dishonest people. We will not turn A’wu people into slaves, but if A’wu clan wants to join the tribe, you will have to first learn the tribe’s language and pass several tests.”

Hearing that Jiuyuan tribe will not make their A’wu clan into slaves, the old Shaman’s last worry could now sink to his stomach. His mood instantly brightened. He had discussed with the clan elder these few days many times. If it was up to the clan leader, he was itching to just join Jiuyuan tribe as soon as possible and be protected by the tribe.

The old Shaman hurriedly said, “We’re willing.”

Yan Mo stopped him again. “Even if you’re willing, you still need to pass several tests. Before that, you can only be a subsidiary of the tribe, until you have learnt the tribe’s language and passed the tribe’s tests. Only then will you be able to become the real members of the tribe. Not only you, mountain god Jiu Feng hadn’t even agreed to let the Yuanji tribe that has 2000 people join in, he had only picked out a handful of people out of all of them.”

This was where Yan Mo was being sly. He had to have a reasonable explanation for why Jiuyuan tribe seemed like it only consists of three core members at the moment. He wasn’t worried that what he said wouldn’t be understood by the other party, because he had found out that communicating with a hand touching the other’s head will break through any language barrier and let the other party directly understand his meaning. It’s the same on his side.

The old Shaman didn’t know the Yuanji tribe, nor did he know how many 2000 truly were, but he knew that 2000 people tribe will definitely be much stronger than their small clan.

“However…” Yan Mo’s tone changed. He said gently, “Because you were already residents acknowledged by the mountain god Jiu Feng, the tests you receive don’t have to be as severe as that Yuanji tribe that lives under the mountain.”

“Priest-daren, what will the test be?” The old shaman asked worriedly.

Yan Mo solemnly said, “Loyalty and hard work. When you have decided to come to the salt lake to meet with us, Jiuyuan’s chief and the earth god’s blood warrior, Yuan Zhan will send someone to tell you what you have to do. As long as you have achieved it, you can join the tribe. But you can rest assured, while you are being tested, you will be under the protection of the tribe. The tribe will give you salt, protect you and will help you get food. I will also teach you more things to let your clan live a better life.”

The old shaman felt grateful and wanted to ask about other things.

Yan Mo, however, didn’t intend to answer any other questions. He let go of the old Shaman and said to Yuan Zhan, “Let’s go.”

Although Yuan Zhan didn’t know the saying “loosen the reins to hold a tighter rein on them”, that doesn’t mean he didn’t know what Yan Mo wanted to do.

Yan Mo didn’t feel worry when leaving them. Firstly, he had left them enough medicinal herbs at the injured people’s place. He had also taught the old shaman and his disciple how to change the dressing and take care of the injured people. Secondly, he was certain that the A’wu clan could not run away from his grasp. During these two days, he and Yuan Zhan had shown A’wu people many amazing feats.

The A’wu clan leader was even a step ahead of the old Shaman, he had told Yan Mo his intention of joining Jiuyuan tribe with stammering words. They also knew that they can live easier life by joining the tribe.

But Yan Mo still felt that things delivered up to your door would feel easy, and would not be treasured by people. To avoid the A’wu people taking their protection and sacrifices (of time and effort) for granted, he had to give them the impression from the start that joining Jiuyuan tribe is not that easy. Only in that way will they cherish what they received. This will also separate their status from other clan groups out there in their own mind.

This didn’t mean that Yan Mo denied the importance of equal status. But even in his original world, in the modern society that proclaimed that everyone was equal, there is obviously a gap of standing between ordinary people and government officials. The constitutional monarchy still existed, as well.

He will not be exploiting these primitive people, but he will not allow his position to be shaken by anyone. He worked hard to do all of this, and it’s not just to be a good person or to teach the primitive people.

Of course, his approach will be different towards different people. If he met someone as strong as Yuan Zhan or someone stronger than himself, he would have changed to another method to subdue them and win them over.

The entire A’wu clan sent Yan Mo and Yuan Zhan away from afar. Jiu Feng flew in circles up in the sky.

Yan Mo didn’t choose to leave in a more flashy manner. There were three reasons. One, he couldn’t let Jiu Feng’s newly healed wings to bear all three of his weight, Yuan Zhan weight and the little monster’s weight. Two, he thought that it’s not that cool to leave with himself dangling on Jiu Feng’s claw. Third, it’s too cold up there, it’s much warmer to walk on the ground.

A’wu people wanted to give half of the monster’s carcasses to Yan Mo, but Yan Mo refused them with the excuse that they themselves didn’t have enough food. He only made Jiu Feng carry one of those carcasses so he can dissect it later. Jiu Feng seemed to be very interested in the small monsters, but he didn’t want to eat meat that wasn’t fresh. He agreed reluctantly to help Yan Mo carry one of those back home.

Actually, Yan Mo truly didn’t want A’wu clan to eat these small creatures. These things looked too much like human. But right now he was unable to provide them with a large amount of foods. If he stopped the A’wu clan from eating these creatures in a winter where there’s a lack of food, what’s the difference between that and telling them to go die?

So he didn’t mention it at all. He just didn’t eat any of the food A’wu people brought him these two days. Yuan Zhan, seeing that Yan Mo didn’t eat those small creatures, actually didn’t eat it as well. He directly ran out and caught several rabbits and prairie rats and roasted it, supplying for their food.

The behaviours of the two people were understood as another thing in A’wu people’s eyes. They thought that Priest-daren and the god’s warrior were saving up food for them. It’s to the point that some of them were now ashamed of their narrow-mindedness as they watched the two men in the distance who left with empty hands. They had suspected the two had come to steal their food and take over their territory.

Leaving aside the subsequent discussion and decision in the A’wu clan, let’s look at the two people who left.

After walking some distance, Yuan Zhan asked the boy who looked exhausted and a bit excited beside him, “Didn’t you want to take the flax?”

“No rush. After the A’wu clan joins us, the flax will naturally belong to us.”

“What test are you giving them?”

“Houses need people to build, hemp cloth need people to make it, pelts need people to tan, salt drying need people to dig it out, fine salt need people to refine them. You will also need people to go with you to expand our territory. So many things to do, each one is a test. Of course, the important thing is to make them learn our languages as soon as possible. Cause I don’t want to be a machine translator.”

“Mash in trance later?” **Yuan Zhan didn’t know the word translator, and mispronounced it as meal clothes chicken.

Yan Mo didn’t explain. It’s so troublesome to explain every single unfamiliar word to him. He said instead, “On how to test those people, how to manage them, how to distribute the manpower, I’m sure that you’re better at it than me. I’ll leave the specifics on what to test them on to you and Meng. I will only be responsible for providing support and instructions.”

Yuan Zhan struggled to digest the words. “I also wish you can put your hand on my head right now. Your words are getting harder and harder to understand.”

“After we arrive, I’ll give your body a thorough check. I’ll also need to compare your data… You don’t need to think about what my words mean, you just need to do exactly as I told you.” Yan Mo, the number one doctor of Hua country, was struggling with the fact that there was something strange happening with Yuan Zhan’s body that he couldn’t explain.

Yuan Zhan suddenly grabbed Yan Mo’s hand. Yan Mo turned to him.

“You seem less and less scared of me.”

“Scared of you? Tsk!” Yan Mo didn’t feel like this deserved a sneer, “I couldn’t beat you before, so I can only endure it. You thought I was scared of you?”

“I want to do you.”

“…Look at the bright sky, what are you even thinking?” Yan Mo really couldn’t understand this primitive man’s way of thinking. They were just walking. Nothing happened, but he actually could go in a rut at this time.

“Thinking of you.” Yuan Zhan said very honestly. He had already endured it for two days. That day, when Yan Mo defeated so many monsters at once, he had already wanted to push him down and do him hard. Then when Yan Mo told the A’wu people the tribe was called ‘Jiuyuan’, that desire had turned into an obsession that made him itch and ache — Turns out, his Priest-daren only talks like he’s always looking down on him, but in his heart he always thought of him, heh!

Jiuyuan, Jiu Feng plus Yuan Zhan. That’s what he thought!

Too bad that Yan Mo didn’t know what Yuan Zhan thought in his brain, or he would have yelled that he was really wronged. The word Jiuyuan he said before, the ‘Jiu’ was indeed taken from Jiu Feng, but the ‘Yuan’ was absolutely not from Yuan Zhan’s name. It’s because he thought Yuan Zhan and Meng were both from Yuanji tribe and he was also a person from the Central Plains (Zhongyuan), that’s why he took this word ‘Yuan’.

“Look at the sky, brother. It’s going to snow! Let’s just hurry back, please, okay!” Yan Mo was already exasperated.

“There’s still time.”

“What?”

Yuan Zhan rubbed his face, then pounced on Yan Mo. Yan Mo, who was ‘attacked’ didn’t say anything else, he sprinkled his drug then followed with his needles.

Yuan Zhan sneezed twice, then couldn’t move anymore.

“I was just testing what your defence will be.” The upset young man said, unwilling to accept the result.

Yan Mo got back up and stamped on his face hard twice, then stamped on his crotch. He snarled, “Now you know?”

En, I know how to handle your defence later. Just wait! The young man showed a twisted smile, but soon he couldn’t smile anymore. His little slave, his Priest-daren, was stepping on him very… rhythmically.

That day, one person thought he had won and had humiliated the person who had humiliated him, thus winning one point.

That day, there’s another person who experienced a new way to have fun, and thus opened a new door in his old and narrow perception. His thoughts that were limited by the narrow look will then be extended and widened. He embarked on a road of no return of becoming a ‘pervert’ as someone would call it.

To determine who really had won and who had lost in this battle, you might have to look at the two of them several decades in the future. But at this moment, no one knew about the future.

Yan Mo ‘very mercifully’ pulled out the needles on Yuan Zhan and fed him the antidote. The second snow of winter fell and spread around softly.

The next day, A’wu clansmen couldn’t wait longer, and showed up at the left corner of the salt lake’s eye.

Although Yan Mo had told Yuan Zhan to take care of all the people managing matters, how can he let go of such a good chance to win the people’s hearts?

Even if he didn’t want to think for his benefit, he had to think for his son who had a big possibility of coming into this world. He couldn’t let Yuan Zhan have sole control of the entire tribe. He had to leave a basic notion in the hearts of the tribe’s members: they can change chiefs, but Priest-daren is the tribe’s spiritual pillar and the core. Without him, Priest Yan Mo, Jiuyuan tribe will not be Jiuyuan tribe.

So he took over the important duties of teaching language and technical instructor. His very first disciple was the little kid A’wu who he had saved and had an inexplicable fear and admiration towards him.

Yuan Zhan did as his Priest-daren said. He chose eight children from eight to twelve years old in A’wu clan and led them to the stone house so they could take Yan Mo’s lessons. These children would be staying in the stone house temporarily until winter ends.

In order to do this, Yan Mo soothed Jiu Feng over and over, and promised him that he would drive these strangers out of his territory once spring arrived.

Yuan Zhan left alone in a day with heavy snow to explore the land and scout out the surroundings.

The A’wu people also weren’t slacking off, Meng was responsible for training their men from twelve years and up to be warriors, while the men who were too old for warrior training and most of the women gathered flax and flax seeds.

Yan Mo really wanted to speed up the manufacture of hemp thread and hemp cloth, but he didn’t know how to make spindle and looms. He could only draw the image of a spindle from memory, explained what the final product was supposed to look like, and left the specifics to the A’wu people to think about in the name of ‘test’.

On the other hand, he also left tanning pelts in the A’wu people’s hands. Of course, he told the A’wu clan members all that he knew about skin tanning in the name of ‘teaching them new skills’. The method he knew requires alum and salt. They had salt now, but they couldn’t find alum. This didn’t stump A’wu people, though. They substituted the alum with a type of plant juice that their clan traditionally used to tan hides.