Building a Civilization and Raising Cubs in the Beast World – CH19

Chapter 19

For a brief moment, Bai Tu felt as if he were babysitting a group of children. Of course, for the sake of his own life, he wisely decided to keep that thought to himself.

Under the expectant gazes of the wolves, Lang Qi ultimately traded two baskets of raw meat for one basket of braised meat. 

The meat intended for trade had already been roasted once to preserve it better, while most of the meat they carried for the journey was dried or smoked. Only a few baskets contained raw meat meant to be eaten over the next day or two, as any more would spoil quickly. 

Those two baskets of raw meat represented an entire meal’s worth of food for the wolves.

The braised meat wasn’t anything particularly fancy—it was essentially a slightly more complex stew due to the lack of sugar and certain seasonings. Still, the final product managed to shock the beastfolk. 

The slow-cooked braised meat was tender and flavorful, rich without being greasy. Each bite burst with savory juices, so delicious that it made them want to swallow their tongues along with it.

Since the braised meat filled only one basket, each wolf got a piece about the size of a fist. For the faster eaters among them, the meat disappeared in just a few bites. They barely had time to savor it before it was gone, leaving them staring enviously at those who still had some left.

After devouring the braised meat in record time, the wolves savored the lingering flavor as they chewed on their roasted meat. Though they had traded away two baskets of meat for one basket of braised meat, the wolves didn’t regret it. 

Hunting was rarely a concern for them; if needed, they could catch fresh prey along the way. Eating a bit more at one meal wasn’t a problem.

However, the contrast between the braised meat and the dry, tough roasted meat was too stark. For wolves who had never tasted braised meat before, it was tolerable. But now that they had experienced it, gnawing on roasted meat again felt like chewing on leather.

A group of wolves began eyeing the rabbits’ remaining baskets of food with thinly veiled longing. Since the rabbits had been willing to trade at lunch, did that mean they’d trade again at dinner?

 If they needed more meat, the wolves could always hunt fresh prey that evening. It wasn’t easy to catch animals while traveling, but it wasn’t impossible either.

With that thought in mind, the wolves exchanged glances, silently coming to a mutual agreement. Their collective gaze then shifted to the rabbits’ remaining baskets.

The beastfolk guarding the baskets suddenly felt a chill run down their spines, as if something was watching them. They stood up and scanned their surroundings but saw no threats. 

Looking back at the other beastfolk, everyone seemed to be eating normally. Puzzled, they rubbed the backs of their necks but couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling.

*

While the wolves were busy roasting their meat, the rabbits hadn’t been idle. Their meat was already cooked and ready to eat, but in the past few months, the tribe had grown accustomed to balancing meat with vegetables under Bai Tu’s guidance.

Both tribes had brought members of their gathering teams, but while there weren’t many wild fruits in the area, there was no shortage of edible wild greens. Out of consideration for the braised meat trade, the wolves’ foraging team went farther out to gather fruit for the rabbits. 

However, when they returned, they were surprised to see the rabbits pulling up grass. It wasn’t until the wolves began eating their roasted meat that they realized the rabbits planned to cook and eat the grass.

Lang Qi fell into silent contemplation. Every single thing the rabbits did seemed to catch him off guard.

What was even more surprising was that the rabbits didn’t just keep the greens for themselves—they offered to share.

“Want to try some?” Bai Tu invited Lang Ze, who was the closest wolf to him. 

Lang Qi’s expression was cold and unapproachable, but Lang Ze was much friendlier. Perhaps their shared interest in gossip had forged a bond, as Lang Ze seemed genuinely curious about the Snow Rabbit Tribe. Even the sight of boiling greens didn’t dampen his interest.

Lang Ze’s eyes lit up. “Is it good?”

Unlike the Snow Rabbit Tribe, which frequently dealt with food shortages, most wolves had never worried about having enough to eat. Wild grass was not part of their diet; the closest they came to eating plants was the occasional wild fruit.

“It’s delicious,” Bai Qi said confidently. Having once been wary of wild greens himself, he was now their biggest fan. 

When the greens were ready, he ladled himself half a bowl and devoured it in no time, wiping his mouth before moving on to chew on some jerky. Braised meat and wild greens made for a perfect main course, while beef jerky served as a satisfying post-meal snack.

Lang Ze, who had only been mildly curious, was now fully intrigued. His eyes sparkled when he saw the beef jerky. It was something he had never eaten before!

Watching Bai Qi eat with such enjoyment, Lang Ze’s instincts told him the jerky would taste good.

Beastfolk had large appetites, and just when Bai Tu thought they were full, they always managed to eat more. Lang Ze, for instance, had already eaten a piece of braised meat, a piece of roasted meat, and half a bowl of greens. Within moments, he had also polished off an entire pack of beef jerky.

To make the jerky easier to eat during the journey, Bai Tu had cut it into small pieces and wrapped each portion in clean, dried leaves. Each pack was about the size of a hand, weighing roughly 100–150 grams—enough for a light snack during a break or after a long walk.

The portion Lang Ze ate was from Bai Tu’s personal supply. Each pack contained about ten pieces of jerky, which normally took Bai Tu half an hour to finish. Lang Ze, however, demolished it in ten minutes. As Bai Tu admired Lang Ze’s impressive teeth, he couldn’t help but marvel at how nature balanced everything. Wolves were fast hunters, but they were also exceptionally fast eaters.

Lang Ze, still not completely satisfied after finishing his meal, went to his brother and brought back a piece of fatty meat. For most beastfolk, fatty meat was even more valuable than lean meat.

Bai Tu decided to use the piece of meat to render pork lard later that evening. In the meantime, he handed Lang Ze two packs of beef jerky. “Drink more water and save these for tonight,” he instructed. Bai Tu had a feeling that if he didn’t specifically say so, the jerky wouldn’t even make it to the afternoon.

Sometimes Lang Ze could be surprisingly clever. For example, he immediately realized that the two packs of jerky had essentially been exchanged for the piece of meat, so the first thing he did after agreeing to Bai Tu’s instructions was to bring one pack to his older brother.

Lang Qi, now finally remembered by his younger brother after the meal, took a piece of jerky and chewed on it. As he ate, his sharp eyes flicked briefly toward Bai Tu and the rabbits’ supplies before silently turning to organize the order for climbing the mountain.

Bai Tu noticed Lang Qi’s glance but didn’t think much of it. The wolves had over a hundred backpacks of supplies, each one larger than the rabbits’ baskets. 

It was unlikely they’d be interested in the rabbits’ modest offerings. As for the idea that the wolves had invited the rabbits along specifically for their supplies? Both Bai Tu and Bai An had dismissed that theory on the first day. If the wolves truly wanted food, it would’ve been faster to simply take it by force.

After spending the morning observing Lang Qi, Bai Tu felt that his actions seemed more like he was trying to keep something close to him. What exactly about the Snow Rabbit Tribe had caught his attention remained a mystery. It couldn’t possibly be that Hu Bu’s claims had made Lang Qi think the rabbits were capable of swallowing the Blood Wolf Tribe whole—that idea was as laughable as the thought of a three-year-old defeating a grown warrior.

Shaking off his thoughts, Bai Tu followed closely behind Bai An, adhering to the arrangements set by the two leaders.

*

Climbing a mountain was nothing like walking on flat ground, especially when there was no trail to follow. Even though the path had been used for years, no one dared to take it lightly. 

Every beastfolk carried heavy loads, which made climbing far more challenging than it would be empty-handed. One small misstep could result in injury, and with such a large group, a single fall could easily lead to a chain reaction.

Injuries sustained during hunting could be slowly treated back at the tribe, but getting injured on the road was much more complicated. The injured party would either have to be sent back to the tribe or left behind to wait for the salt trade team’s return—both options carried significant risks. 

A smaller trade team was more likely to be targeted by other tribes, while staying behind without food, water, or protection was equally dangerous.

To minimize casualties, the order of the group’s ascent was carefully arranged. Experienced beastfolk led the way, with a few shifting into their beast forms. 

On the mountain, walking on all fours provided better balance and allowed for quicker reactions to danger. The stronger beastfolk paired with weaker ones, ensuring they could provide support if needed. Additionally, at regular intervals, a sharp-eyed, unburdened beastfolk was placed in the line to quickly respond to any incidents.

With proper planning, the climb went smoothly.

*

After finishing their meal and refilling their bamboo tubes with boiled water, the group set off again. 

By this time, it was past noon, and the sun was less intense. However, the heat of the day still lingered, and even in the shade of the trees, it felt stifling. Fortunately, the shade protected them from sunburn, which was a small blessing.

As Bai Tu trudged uphill with the group, he couldn’t help but feel like they weren’t making any progress. Every time he looked up, it seemed like they were still in the same spot. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, they reached the summit, only to discover that the hardest part wasn’t climbing up—it was going down.

Even the most experienced beastfolk, who had crossed this mountain dozens of times, couldn’t guarantee that every step they took was safe. 

On the descent, the terrain was uneven, and loose stones were a constant hazard. Those in beast form were much more agile, able to leap away quickly if they stepped on unstable rocks. Even if they couldn’t avoid a fall, their thick fur provided a degree of protection, reducing the likelihood of serious injuries.

By the time the group reached the foot of the mountain, the sky had already darkened. Like the Snow Rabbit Tribe’s territory, this mountain also had a small stream, saving the group the trouble of searching for a water source. 

After years of exploration, the beastfolk had mapped out reliable routes. As long as no unexpected events occurred, the journey to the marketplace always took the same amount of time.

The chosen campsite for the night was a spot they had used many times in previous years. It was close to the stream for easy access to water, and the trees were sparser in this area, reducing the risk of sparks from their fires catching onto vegetation.

After their experience at lunch, the group cleared the campsite, started fires, and set up their cooking stations even faster than before. Some beastfolk were so hungry they could barely wait.

With no need to fetch water this time, boiling water became a quicker process. However, the wolves seemed far more interested in something else. Their sharp eyes were fixed on Lang Qi, eagerly waiting for him to speak.

Lang Qi approached Bai An and, just like at lunch, exchanged one basket of braised meat for a basket of raw meat. When he returned to the group with the braised meat, the young wolves erupted into cheers.

As their voices grew louder and louder, Lang Qi finally lost his patience. “Shut up! If you keep making noise, you’ll be eating roasted meat tonight!”

At that, the wolves immediately scattered, hurrying to tend to their tasks—boiling water, roasting meat, or searching for suitable stones to carve into cooking pots. For wolves with sharp claws, carving a stone pot wasn’t difficult, though the results weren’t always perfect. Rushed pots were often uneven, but they were more than adequate for boiling water.

At noon, due to time constraints, it had been more convenient for the wolves to borrow the rabbits’ stone pots for cooking. However, they couldn’t keep relying on borrowed pots indefinitely. 

Now in their beast forms, the wolves worked diligently, digging and clawing at stone blocks to carve out their own pots. 

Despite a few hiccups—like digging too fast and breaking through the stone, scratching unevenly due to distraction, or snapping a claw and howling in pain—the scene was one of hard work and determination.

Lang Qi took a deep breath, shifted his gaze away from the chaotic stone-carving efforts, and looked to the other side of the camp.

Bai Tu was busy rendering pork fat with Bai Qi, Tu Bing, and a few others. At the same time, they were braising the meat the wolves had traded earlier. 

After all, they would still need food for the road ahead, and both tribes had brought plenty of salt for preserving meat. As for ingredients to remove the gamy odor, there was no shortage of those either—the gathering team had gathered plenty of green onions, ginger, and garlic at noon. 

Bai Tu had even spotted Sichuan peppercorns, which didn’t grow near the Snow Rabbit Tribe. That was a pleasant surprise.

Using the freshly rendered pork lard, Bai Tu didn’t braise all of the meat. He set aside some of it, slicing it into thick cuts and grilling it on a heated stone slab.

This new method of cooking quickly drew the wolves’ attention. Lang Ze, having just finished the last piece of his beef jerky, eagerly wandered over again. “Bai Tu, Bai Qi, what are you doing?” 

Although he had only spent a day by Bai Tu’s side, Lang Ze had already placed him in a position of high regard—second only to his own brother. In Lang Ze’s eyes, Bai Tu was the second most impressive person he had ever met!

“Grilling meat,” Bai Tu replied. Using a stone slab ensured more even heating, preventing the meat from being burnt in some areas while remaining raw in others. Since the slices were relatively thin, they cooked much faster than larger cuts of meat. In no time, the meat was done.

Bai Tu used a pair of chopsticks to pick up a freshly cooked slice and placed it on a wooden plate to cool. “Try some.”

Bai Qi, always quick to act, immediately brought out the dipping sauces. These were prepared by Bai Tu himself, and there were two types: one savory, made with salt, green onions, and garlic; and one sweet, made with apples and other seasonings to create an apple sauce.

The stone-grilled meat on its own wasn’t particularly astonishing—at most, it was a bit more flavorful than the wolves’ usual roasted meat. However, when paired with the dipping sauces, it became an entirely different experience.

Bai Tu preferred the apple sauce for its ability to cut through the greasiness, while most others seemed to favor the savory option, finding the slightly tangy apple sauce less to their liking. They would try a bite or two but then gravitate back to the salty dip.

As the next batch of meat sizzled on the stone slab, Bai Tu listened to the crackling of the fat and used his own pair of chopsticks to pick up a piece. 

He dipped it into the apple sauce, gently blew on it to cool it down, and placed it in his mouth. The taste was as satisfying as ever: the grilled meat carried a hint of sweetness from the apple sauce, perfectly balancing the flavors. 

Worried about the hot weather spoiling his supply, Bai Tu hadn’t made much apple sauce this time. He decided that if they came across more fruit along the way, he would make another batch to enjoy on the return journey. After all, life was always better with good food.

Bai Qi, meanwhile, had already devoured his portion with the speed of a seasoned eater.

Lang Ze mimicked the two, picking up a slice of meat and dipping it into the sauce. Before Bai Tu could warn him to let it cool, Lang Ze popped the piping-hot meat into his mouth. 

A moment later, he howled in pain, fanning his mouth with his hands. Even so, he stubbornly refused to spit out the meat, chewing it with tears in his eyes and finishing it before immediately grabbing another slice. This time, he blew on it first before taking a bite.

By now, Bai Qi was practically a semi-pro at grilling meat. He skillfully flipped the slices and brushed them with a thin layer of lard. After grilling two trays’ worth of meat, Bai Tu handed over the task to Bai Qi and stretched his wrists and shoulders, only to notice a strange atmosphere around him.

He slowly raised his head and was nearly scared out of his wits by the sight before him.

In the dim light of the night, over a dozen wolves stood or crouched nearby, their glowing eyes fixed intently on the grilled meat and dipping sauces in his hands.

Not far away, Lang Qi stood with a complicated expression on his face.