The man’s chest and abdomen were still rising and falling, but his injuries were severe. If the bleeding couldn’t be stopped soon, the outcome might not be optimistic.
Yet, she wasn’t entirely sure what to do.
This wasn’t just a small group of individuals anymore—it was a larger community living together. Though most of the people here had followed them, they didn’t have the authority to make decisions for everyone. After all, the tribe hadn’t fully formed yet, and positions like chief or leader hadn’t been established. Consequently, individual judgments couldn’t represent the whole.
Moreover, this situation was different from their usual crafting tasks. She knew the benefits of the modern tools and ideas she had introduced, which was why she had worked tirelessly to persuade them. And since they had already enjoyed the advantages she brought, they had tacitly accepted those changes.
But this man was different. His presence came with conditions they particularly disliked, and the unpredictable outcome made it inevitable that many would harbor reservations.
As she hesitated, Sha Yi also glanced down at her uncertainly, as if wanting to say something but holding back.
Meanwhile, Saina showed no patience whatsoever. Even as the man lay bleeding on the ground, his expression remained cold. “He didn’t seem to care before, but now that he’s in trouble, he comes running to us. How convenient—and despicable.”
Many nodded in agreement with Saina’s sharp words. Though his tone was harsh, the sentiment wasn’t entirely wrong. Even she felt a twinge of the same thought. But they couldn’t simply act as Saina suggested.
Whether it was exploiting kindness or calculated self-interest, the fact remained: compared to the violent savages who raided and slaughtered without hesitation, they and the old cave settlement were on the same side.
Their ways of life were similar. Even if human nature could be cruel and ruthless, they were still people who relied on their own efforts to survive—not “robbers.”
Besides, the fragile thread connecting them couldn’t be severed. At this critical moment, they needed to stand together more than ever to suppress those savages completely.
This wasn’t about her being magnanimous. Some things didn’t need to be dwelled on constantly. When faced with a major crisis, it wasn’t unreasonable to set aside grudges temporarily. Without compromising their principles, flexibility was necessary for long-term survival.
Right now, having one more ally—even a stranger with no prior ties—was far better than gaining another enemy. But given their past conflicts with the old cave settlement, they couldn’t treat them as mere strangers. The only choice was to temporarily let go of grievances.
In the silence, a warm hand settled on her shoulder. She looked up to see Sha Yi gazing at her. When he saw she had focused, he spoke: “Sha Yi.”
Without waiting for her response, he continued, “I think they might have guessed we’d be prepared, so they targeted the old cave settlement. Our current cave is new—they probably didn’t expect it when they first arrived. But after what happened today, they wouldn’t dare take risks here. On the other hand, the old settlement had no warning. If they strike there, they’ll gain a huge advantage.”
“So you’re saying that once they seize the food, it’ll become their leverage,” Sha Yi finished, a chill running down her spine. “And since the old settlement has fewer people than us, if those savages take over, we’ll be their next target?”
Sha Yi nodded silently in confirmation.
When she looked back at the severely wounded man, her internal scale tipped decisively toward saving him. Just then, Saina, who had been watching coldly from the side, stepped closer and murmured in a voice only the two of them could hear: “I heard there are only two or three women left in that group.”
The implication was unmistakable. Sha Yi’s expression darkened instantly, and she stiffened.
Saina smirked, adjusted the bow slung over his shoulder, then turned and slipped away through the crowd with a few others.
His words carried more than just a warning—there was an ambiguous undertone, and that cryptic smile left Sha Yi unsettled. Glancing at Sha Yi, she saw the same displeased frown.
He must have noticed Saina’s expression too—like a mix of advice and calculation, half well-intentioned, half self-serving. It was impossible to decipher what he was truly scheming.
For now, the weather was clear, and they were likely planning to hunt or gather wild fruits.
Though the savages were still a threat, she didn’t outright oppose their expedition, especially since everyone carried bows. That eased her mind somewhat.
However, in the time she and Sha Yi had been deliberating, the group had already moved quite far ahead. Questioning Saina now would be pointless—even if she asked, she’d get no clear answer.
Because Saina had always been inscrutable.
Now, whether it was due to Sha Yi’s group outnumbering the others, breaking away from the main tribe, or simply benefiting from their leadership, it felt like decision-making power in the cave had shifted entirely to their side.
Though most still consulted Saina’s group, he rarely made direct decisions. He’d analyze a point, then toss the problem back. Afterward, no matter the outcome, he’d never revisit it.
Thinking about it, Sha Yi felt a pang of unease.
She had a vague sense that Saina’s warning wasn’t just about protecting the women—it also seemed like a subtle challenge to Sha Yi’s decision-making authority, as if pushing him to devise a flawless plan.
But that was just speculation.
Truthfully, she knew Sha Yi’s group had no intention of dominating the settlement. Yet, people’s hearts were unpredictable. No one could truly know another’s thoughts, and many conflicts arose from one-sided assumptions—yet they were unavoidable.
She didn’t believe Saina would act recklessly at such a critical moment, but she couldn’t rule out the possibility of him stirring trouble once things stabilized. He was a paradox—neither entirely good nor bad, not extreme but undeniably radical. Caution was necessary.
Regardless, saving the man was the priority now. The bleeding couldn’t wait much longer.
Even if they lacked medical knowledge, stopping the bleeding, letting him rest, and replenishing his strength with food would at least give them a chance to gather information.
By the time she’d settled on this, Sha Yi had already made the decision.
The severely wounded man was quickly carried into the cave.
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