The Female Supporting Character Refuses to Be Human Again - Chapter 209.1

Meng Changjin couldn’t help but think about the client.

Based on the information she received, the client inherited the position of Wu of the Yan Tribe from the previous Wu before her passing. Because of this, while others could join different tribes, the client could not. She carried the hopes of the Yan Tribe on her shoulders. If even she left to join another tribe, the Yan Tribe would completely disappear.

The client bore the weight of the tribe’s future, watching as the remaining members of her people slowly joined other tribes while enduring the torment of her own body growing weaker day by day. Just imagining this, Meng Changjin felt like it was the darkest of times.

However, some dark times could be endured and eventually passed.

But there were some dark times where no matter how much you endured, the light never came.

The client fell into the latter category. She couldn’t make it through, nor could she see the dawn of light, so her only hope lay in Meng Changjin, to help her fulfill her long-cherished wish.

To say that Meng Changjin truly empathized with the client would be a stretch. She had never experienced such a dark period in her own life, so how could she possibly understand? But even though she couldn’t truly feel the same, Meng Changjin now understood the significance of this wish to the client.

She had to make sure to do a good job; she absolutely couldn’t mess it up.

The hunting party returned to the Yan Tribe in the afternoon, after a full day’s journey. When they set out, they were empty-handed, but now they carried prey on their shoulders, slowing their pace.

As they neared the tribe, the patrol team was the first to spot them. Seeing the hunters return with prey of various sizes, smiles spread across the faces of the patrol team members. They’d been on edge ever since the hunting party left, worried that the beasts in the forest would be even more ferocious than before.

Now, seeing the hunting party return, with all members accounted for, everyone could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

The mood shifted quickly from relief to excitement as they began to focus on the haul. Even at a glance, it was clear that this hunt had been a great success.

Because of the threat from the E Tribe, everyone in the Yan Tribe was tense when the hunting party departed. They feared that the E Tribe might choose that exact moment to attack, putting the tribe in grave danger. The anticipation of living in fear for several more days was shattered when the hunting team returned after just a week with enough food to last them a good while.

With the hunters back and a plentiful supply of food secured, the mood in the tribe shifted to one of confidence. If the E Tribe dared to show up now, the Yan Tribe had both the manpower and resources to defend themselves.

The patrol team quickly ran off to inform the Wu, shouting the news as they went. Soon, everyone in the Yan Tribe knew that the hunting party was back and that they’d brought plenty of prey.

The entire tribe buzzed with excitement. The hunters’ safe return meant more than just food; it was a sign of hope and stability. During the last few days, they had been surviving on bamboo shoots—not the most flavorful diet, but better than going hungry. Now, with fresh game to look forward to, their spirits were lifted.

As the hunters made their way through the tribe, carrying their hard-earned prey, they were greeted with admiration and chatter from the villagers. The crowd was abuzz, discussing who had brought back the most impressive catch and which animals were the hardest to hunt.

At the end of the path stood the Wu, leaning on her staff with a kind smile on her face. As the hunting party drew near, they heard her softly repeating, “As long as you’re safe, that’s all that matters.”

This first hunt of the spring season was a complete success! According to tradition, the prey would be gathered in one place for everyone to see before being distributed among the tribe. Before that, a great feast would be prepared for everyone to enjoy.

Women and elders of the tribe bustled around, preparing the feast, while the remaining hunters shared stories of their time in the forest.

Amidst the conversation, someone jokingly remarked that the prey this year seemed like it was just standing there, waiting to be caught. Although said in jest, the thought made some of the hunters uneasy—it wasn’t a mindset they could afford to have. A false sense of ease could be dangerous in future hunts.

While everyone celebrated, Meng Changjin stood out as the tribe’s newest and most formidable hunter. Her name spread quickly as tales of her prowess were recounted over and over. Yet, despite the admiration, when people went looking for her, they couldn’t find her.

At that moment, Meng Changjin was in the Wu’s cave.

Inside the cave, Meng Changjin placed a bundle wrapped in large leaves onto the stone table and opened it, revealing a pile of white rice. This was no ordinary rice; it was polished and processed, the kind that couldn’t normally be planted.

However, as a cultivator, Meng Changjin didn’t follow the logic of science. She had been nurturing the rice with her spiritual energy, reviving its dormant properties. Now, these grains could indeed be planted, even in ordinary soil, thanks to a bit of spiritual transformation. What they might eventually grow into was uncertain, but whatever they bore, it would be edible.

Meng Changjin had underestimated the potential of these grains. If she had known earlier, she would have bought more seeds to store for the tribe. Unfortunately, she hadn’t anticipated this outcome.

Still, no matter what strange crops these seeds might yield, as long as they were edible, that would be a victory.

🌟 Kliraz’s Tidbit: When Science Meets Cultivation Across Cultures (￣ω￣)

Ah, Meng Changjin and her magical rice revival—it’s like blending ancient farming techniques with a dash of spirituality! Let’s explore how rice cultivation across cultures mirrors Meng Changjin’s approach to turning lifeless grains into a source of hope. (¬‿¬)

In ancient China, rice wasn’t just food—it was a symbol of life and prosperity, embedded in festivals and rituals that spanned generations. The legendary figure Shennong, known as the “Divine Farmer,” is said to have taught the art of agriculture, including rice cultivation, around 5,000 years ago (Needham, J. (1984). Science and Civilisation in China. Cambridge University Press, 4(2), 99-101). This blend of the supernatural and agriculture in Chinese culture resonates with how Meng Changjin uses her spiritual power to breathe life into rice seeds, defying natural laws with a touch of the spiritual! (^_^)

But it’s not just China where rice holds a sacred place. In Japan, rice cultivation is deeply tied to the Shinto religion, with Inari, the deity of rice and fertility, being worshiped in shrines across the country. Rituals like the “Inari Matsuri” celebrate the divine connection between the land and its crops, highlighting rice as a symbol of spiritual and physical sustenance (Bocking, B. (1997). A Popular Dictionary of Shinto. Routledge, p. 63-65). Just like the Yan Tribe’s reliance on spiritual guidance for their survival, Japanese culture has long viewed rice as a gift from the gods, integral to their way of life.

Even on the other side of the world, in West African cultures like those in Nigeria, rice has a similar significance. It’s a symbol of wealth and prosperity, often featured in grand celebrations and social rituals, such as weddings and communal festivals (Osseo-Asare, F. (2005). Food Culture in Sub-Saharan Africa. Greenwood Press, p. 80-82). The urgency of Meng Changjin’s quest to grow more rice for the tribe would resonate just as strongly in these cultures, where rice also represents community and survival.

Today, our approach to rice cultivation has evolved into modern agricultural science, including the development of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) to increase yields and resist disease. The Green Revolution in the 20th century was marked by breakthroughs in rice farming, such as the creation of IR8, known as “miracle rice,” which doubled the crop yields in Asia (Evenson, R. E., & Gollin, D. (2003). Assessing the Impact of the Green Revolution, 1960 to 2000. Science, 300(5620), 758-762). This innovation was pivotal in addressing food shortages, much like Meng Changjin’s efforts to ensure that her tribe would never go hungry.

So, whether it’s spiritual cultivation techniques or advanced genetic research, humanity has always sought ways to make sure there’s enough food on the table! Next time you have a bowl of rice, remember the long journey of innovation—from ancient rituals to modern labs—that made it possible! (≧◡≦)