Chapter 1164, Shan Qiu’s Things

Translator: Silavin

 

“You have new work. You are going to be making saddles.” Su Bai said.

 

There were a good many horses in the Tribe now, along with many other Ferocious Beasts.

 

Saddles were needed. Without them, Warriors had a very hard time riding properly.

 

With saddles whether riding out or going into combat, they would be stable and secure, and no one would be shifting around uncomfortably on the back of a beast.

 

“Making saddles?” Gu Mu looked entirely blank.

 

He had never heard the word before. He only knew the Tribe had horses.

 

“Yes. Something placed on the back of a Ferocious Beast. Here is the design. Take a look.” Su Bai pushed the design toward him.

 

He had been drawing it out over the past few days. He simply had not yet had the chance to get it to the carpenter’s workshop.

 

“This… this is not very difficult. It would not take long to produce. Leave it with me, Shaman.” Gu Mu said with care.

 

“See if there is any room to improve it. If you can make it better, do.” Su Bai said, his tone easy.

 

The precise details of a saddle had grown hazy in his memory. What he had drawn was based on a rough impression. The overall shape was there, but the finer points were not entirely clear to him. That was exactly why he had asked Gu Mu to look it over for improvements. The man was an exceptional craftsman.

 

“Room to improve?” Gu Mu studied the design carefully. “Shaman, I believe there is. I would need to go back and study it properly. I am certain something can be done.”

 

That creative desire was already pulling at him. He was eager to get back and get started.

 

“The Tribe’s horses and the Rage Wolf pack both need saddles. So fit them to the size of each. Keep them light, and make them a good fit. They should be comfortable for both the Warrior and the mount.” Su Bai said with care.

 

He did not want the saddle to be too heavy. That would strain the mount, make travel uncomfortable, and be worse still in a fight.

 

“Understood, Shaman. What about the sheep and cattle?” Gu Mu asked.

 

“Not those. For now, just the Fury Wolves and the horses.” Su Bai shook his head.

 

“I understand.” Gu Mu gave a firm nod.

 

“One more thing. The Long Toothed Turtles will also need saddles fitted to their size. Make it large enough to carry both cargo and passengers. These creatures will be very useful as a means of transportation on the great river.” Su Bai added.

 

Gu Mu nodded with great attention, already turning the design over in his mind.

 

“Shaman, if there is nothing else, we will head off.” Shan Qiu was already desperate to go and see the Giant Shell Land Tortoise.

 

“Yes, same here.” Gu Mu was a little eager himself.

 

“Not just yet. I have something very good for Uncle Shan Qiu. I expect you will be pleased.” Su Bai raised a hand and pressed it lightly downward.

 

“Something for me? Something good?” Shan Qiu stared at him with a thoroughly bewildered expression.

 

His arms were braced against two flat boards, pressing down into the ground. The veins along his forearms stood out visibly, a mark of years spent using boards to walk. That was the only way for a man without legs.

 

But Shan Qiu had grown used to it long ago. He had made his peace with a life without legs.

 

“Have you forgotten what I promised you?” Su Bai asked, with a small smile.

 

Yu Ying heard that, and slipped quietly out of the room. Light on her feet, like she was going to collect something.

 

“Shaman… Shaman, can it be…” Shan Qiu was stunned. His pupils went wide.

 

He stared down at where his legs were not, overwhelmed and unable to speak.

 

“This is good news.” Gu Mu’s old eyes crinkled warmly. The creases on his face deepened with the smile.

 

“That is exactly right. The legs I promised you.” Su Bai nodded.

 

Yu Ying came back out of the room just then, pushing a large crate.

 

“Can the Shaman truly do this?” Shan Qiu’s face was beyond expression. The shock had surpassed anything he could show.

 

“Try it and see.” Su Bai said, perfectly calm.

 

He rose from his seat, walked to the crate, and opened it. Then he pushed it across to Shan Qiu.

 

“I… I…” Shan Qiu had lost all words. Both his hands were shaking, and he had no idea what to do with himself.

 

“Come on, stop dithering.” Gu Mu gave him a nudge.

 

He felt that even he, an old man, was barely holding himself together. If that crate had been for him, he would have dived in already.

 

Shan Qiu said nothing. His trembling hands reached into the crate and drew out what was inside.

 

What came out was a pair of prosthetic legs. Shaped like real legs, carved from wood.

 

Much like the sort made from other materials elsewhere, except these were wood.

 

“These are… these are for me?” Shan Qiu still could not quite bring himself to believe it was real.

 

“Of course they are. The Shaman spent a lot of time designing them, and I spent a lot of time making them.” Gu Mu laughed his open, hearty laugh and clapped Shan Qiu on the shoulder.

 

“What? You made them?” Shan Qiu still looked as though he had not quite come back to himself. His astonishment was still fixed entirely on the pair of legs in his hands.

 

“Yes. The Shaman brought the design to me a long while back. Asked me to make them quietly. Made just for you.” Gu Mu said, his voice full and clear.

 

Su Bai had started designing prosthetics a while ago. He had originally been hoping the System might produce something. It had not so far.

 

So he had worked from memory, going by what he could recall of how prosthetics were shaped. The result had turned out rather well.

 

It was not so different from what they had back on Earth. The joints moved with a natural quality to it.

 

“Go on and try them. Stop standing there. If not now, when?” Su Bai said warmly.

 

“All right!” Shan Qiu’s voice was trembling too. His hands shook as he reached for the pair of legs.

 

He began trying to fit them, clumsily and with great care, every movement slow with thoughtfulness, afraid of anything going wrong.

 

“Put your thigh straight into it. There is an adjustable strap on the side there. Buckle it tight. Then try to stand.” Su Bai explained simply.

 

It was straightforward enough. The end of the limb went into a fitted hollow, then buckled. No complicated steps.

 

“Yes.” Shan Qiu did as he was told at once. At first, he had no idea how to go about it.

 

“These took me a whole lot of time to make. I was very careful with every part. Do not go wasting the Shaman’s care and mine.” Gu Mu’s strong voice rang out.

 

He had been deeply moved while making these prosthetics. His hands had shaken at the very start.

 

“Try standing.” Su Bai encouraged him.

 

Shan Qiu’s movements were slow. Clearly, his emotion had not yet settled.