When Qing Kuo and the others heard that Jian Mo and his group had brought back an injured winged beast, they hurried over to have a look.
As soon as they reached outside Jian Mo’s courtyard, Qing Kuo called out, “Jian Mo, did you bring back an injured new winged beast?”
Jian Mo raised his voice in reply, “Yes! It’s on the side of the courtyard!”
Qing Kuo and his companions walked to the courtyard’s side and immediately saw the unfamiliar winged beast Jian Mo and his group had brought back.
Qing Kuo remarked, “What a large winged beast! Is it wild, or does it belong to another tribe?”
Jian Mo glanced at Qing Kuo, surprised that his first question hit the key point. “It should be wild. I observed it earlier and found no signs that it’s been domesticated.”
Qing Kuo scrutinized it further. “Wild winged beasts rarely grow this big or have such a docile temperament. That’s quite unusual.”
Jian Mo explained, “Chirpy found it, so maybe it’s influenced by Chirpy’s temperament.”
Hearing its name, Chirpy let out a delighted chirp, “Chirp—!”
Everyone laughed.
Qing Kuo asked, “Is it just this one winged beast? Are there any others coming to our tribe?”
Jian Mo shook his head. “I doubt it. They don’t seem to be social animals.”
Qing Kuo looked disappointed. “It would be great if there were a whole flock. We could raise more of them. I see Chirpy is quite useful and well-behaved.”
Ye Luo added, “We could start by taking care of this one.”
Jian Mo chuckled. “That depends on whether it wants to stay after its injury heals.”
After a brief chat, Jian Mo said, “I want to perform surgery on this winged beast. Can I count on you all to assist me?”
Qing Kuo immediately agreed, “Of course. What do you need us to do?”
Jian Mo replied, “Hand me surgical tools. Wu Jiong will also be on standby to ensure the winged beast doesn’t act out, so I’ll need one more person to assist.”
Having assisted Jian Mo before, Qing Kuo readily agreed without hesitation.
Jian Mo quickly gathered moss before it got dark and handed it to Ye Luo’s group to boil water. They needed to feed the unfamiliar winged beast water laced with anesthetics to knock it out before they could proceed.
Everyone busied themselves with their tasks. To keep Chirpy from getting scared, Jian Mo also called Ban Ming over to take Chirpy outside to play.
Soon, they fed the boiled moss water to the unfamiliar winged beast and securely bound it once it was unconscious. With preparations complete, Jian Mo put on clean clothes and gloves and began the operation using sterilized tools.
The first priority was to remove the broken horn lodged in its body.
Jian Mo used a scalpel to cut into the wound. He hadn’t even reached the broken horn when pus, thick like muddy water, gushed out in large quantities, emitting a foul stench that quickly filled the air.
Jian Mo’s expression remained steady. Wu Jiong also handled it well, but Qing Kuo gagged, almost throwing up, and hastily took a few steps back.
Fortunately, Qing Kuo was wearing a mask, preventing him from contaminating the winged beast.
After recovering, Qing Kuo stepped forward again to help and murmured from behind his mask, “How long has this winged beast been injured to have so much pus?”
The area under its skin was like a water-filled balloon. At least a basinful of pus had flowed out, making for a terrifying sight.
Jian Mo removed the necrotic flesh, rinsed the wound with salt water, and concluded, “At least ten days. Otherwise, the tissue wouldn’t be this rotten.”
Qing Kuo sighed. “It’s been through a lot.”
Carefully, Jian Mo cleaned the wound under the winged beast’s skin and slowly extracted the broken horn embedded deep inside its body. The horn had penetrated along the bone but hadn’t damaged it. However, it was likely carrying bacteria, causing severe tissue decay around it.
Jian Mo finally pulled out the broken horn, which was nearly as long as his forearm, and placed it on a clay tray. He continued to remove the decayed flesh until fresh blood flowed, then thoroughly cleaned the area and prepared to stitch it up.
The wound was exceptionally deep. For stitching, Jian Mo used long-tail beast sinews obtained from the Qin Hai Tribe. These natural protein sutures would eventually be absorbed by the winged beast, eliminating the need for removal.
Jian Mo worked meticulously, stitching until nightfall. By the time he was finished, his neck and back ached from bending over for so long.
Standing up, he stretched his neck and said, “All done. Let’s leave it here to rest.”
Qing Kuo, equally exhausted, asked, “Can I head home now?”
Jian Mo walked him to the door. “Sure. Thank you for your hard work. On your way back, could you ask Ban Ming to bring Chirpy home?”
Qing Kuo nodded. “I’ll let him know.”
Too tired to cook, Jian Mo let Wu Jiong handle dinner. Wu Jiong tidied Chirpy’s nest and made fishball noodles with green onions for their meal.
After dinner, Jian Mo fell into a deep sleep.
The next morning, he was woken by incessant chirping. Groggily sitting up, he peeked out the window and saw it was still pitch black outside.
Closing his eyes, he flopped back onto the bed and wrapped his arms and long legs around Wu Jiong, muttering, “What’s Chirpy chirping about? Do winged beasts crow at dawn?”
Wu Jiong gently patted Jian Mo and listened carefully. “It doesn’t sound like Chirpy. It’s the unfamiliar winged beast.”
Jian Mo listened closely. “You’re right. Chirpy’s calls are sharper.”
Unable to sleep through the noise, Jian Mo sighed. “Let’s go check it out.”
When they went downstairs, they found the unfamiliar winged beast calling out persistently.
Chirpy, also disturbed, rested its head against the wall, its eyes half-closed in a daze. When it saw Jian Mo and Wu Jiong, it let out a human-like sigh.
Jian Mo couldn’t help but laugh as he approached and patted Chirpy’s rump. “You silly Chirpy.”
The unfamiliar winged beast grew even more excited when it saw them, chirping joyfully, “Chirp, chirp, chirp!”
Jian Mo patted the winged beast’s wing and said, “Feeling better? You’re looking more spirited, aren’t you?”
The unfamiliar winged beast chirped excitedly, “Chirp-chirp!”
As it chirped, it even tried to nudge Jian Mo with its wing, a little bashful but clearly joyful.
Jian Mo, infected by its enthusiasm, gently held it back and laughed, “Stop chirping so much. Rest up and don’t make big movements, or your wound might reopen.”
He and Wu Jiong spent some time soothing the unfamiliar winged beast.
The creature was very intelligent and quickly understood what Jian Mo and Wu Jiong meant. It lay down quietly and stopped chirping.
Jian Mo patted it again, praised it a bit, and then yawned, tugging Wu Jiong back inside for another nap.
After a short rest, Jian Mo woke fully when the sun was already high in the sky.
Wu Jiong had gotten up earlier. As Jian Mo descended, he heard noises from the side of the courtyard. He walked over and saw a crowd of people from the tribe gathered to observe the injured winged beast.
The unfamiliar winged beast, now slightly recovered, was calm and indifferent to the attention. It simply continued its routine, sleeping and eating as needed.
When Jian Mo approached, Ban Ming and the others called out, “Brother Jian Mo, have you given the new winged beast a name?”
Jian Mo shook his head. “Not yet. It might not stay with us.”
“Even if it doesn’t stay, it should still have a name. Otherwise, we won’t know what to call it.”
“Exactly. Brother Jian Mo, I’ve got a great name! How about calling it Ao Yi?”
“Get lost! That sounds terrible! How about Yi Xiong? It’s way better.”
“That’s even worse than the first one!”
Seeing the argument brewing, Jian Mo quickly interjected, “Let me think about it.”
Naming was hard. Under the group’s expectant gazes, Jian Mo pondered for a while. Finally, he said, “How about Ying Ao? It means courageous and unyielding.”
The group only understood the “courageous” part, but that didn’t stop them from liking the sound of it.
Ban Ming exclaimed, “Ying Ao! It sounds great! Meow-ao—!”
The winged beast tilted its head, its fluffy face full of confusion.
Jian Mo patted its wing and said, “From now on, you’re Ying Ao.”
Ying Ao was clever. Jian Mo repeated the name several times while feeding it, and the creature quickly learned to respond.
Like Chirpy, Ying Ao enjoyed the food from Jian Mo’s home and always cleaned its bowl. However, Ying Ao didn’t enjoy being raised in captivity. Once its wound improved slightly, it began flying off to find its own food.
When Jian Mo refilled its bowl, it wouldn’t touch the food, leaving it for Chirpy, who happily devoured two bowls at a time.
Seeing this, Jian Mo removed one of the bowls, worried that Chirpy might get too fat to fly.
Though Ying Ao’s injuries hadn’t fully healed, Jian Mo changed its dressings daily. Every morning after receiving treatment, Ying Ao would fly outside the tribe to hunt or forage independently.
Ying Ao disliked noise and avoided the tribe’s little ones. It neither joined their games nor tolerated their presence, flying away at the first sign of them.
The tribe found this fascinating. Despite both being winged beasts, Ying Ao’s personality was completely different from Chirpy’s.
Since Ying Ao rarely stayed within the tribe, no one objected to Jian Mo keeping another winged beast.
Jian Mo felt a bit regretful. “It won’t eat the food we provide, so it seems we can’t raise it after all.”
Winged beast meat was tough and unappetizing, and they were large creatures. People generally chose to tame them rather than hunt them. However, a winged beast like Ying Ao, which clearly couldn’t be domesticated, was impossible to keep by force. After all, if an uncontrollable winged beast decided to act up, it could endanger the rider mid-flight.
Ban Ming and the others lamented, “We thought we’d have another winged beast in the tribe.”
Jian Mo shrugged. “You can ride Chirpy if you want. It won’t say no.”
That cheered them up. “Let’s take Chirpy out for a ride this evening!”
Jian Mo generously replied, “As long as Chirpy agrees, it’s fine by me.”
Since the tribe still provided half of Chirpy’s food, letting others ride it occasionally was only fair.
During the busy summer season, everyone was preoccupied. Jian Mo and Wu Jiong were occupied with planting, foraging, and hunting, shifting their focus to other aspects of life.
One evening, after a long day’s work, Jian Mo returned home, sweat-soaked and carrying a basket on his back. He planned to bring fresh leaves to Chirpy.
Reaching the courtyard’s side, he noticed Ying Ao had already returned, perched like a perfectly upright owl. Chirpy was also there, it’s back to Jian Mo, eating something.
No need to guess—it was surely food Ying Ao had brought back.
Hearing Jian Mo’s footsteps, both winged beasts turned their heads in unison.
Jian Mo wiped the sweat from his forehead and said, “Carry on. Chirpy, I brought some greens for you.”
Chirpy chirped happily and moved closer to nuzzle Jian Mo. “Chirp!”
But Jian Mo quickly pushed Chirpy’s large head away. “Don’t nuzzle me! Don’t get your feathers all over me.”
With summer in full swing, Chirpy was shedding heavily. If it rubbed against Jian Mo while he was sweaty, feathers would stick everywhere.
Chirpy whimpered, “Whine.”
Just as Jian Mo was about to leave, Ying Ao suddenly grabbed his clothes with its claws.
Ying Ao’s strength far exceeded Chirpy’s, causing Jian Mo to stumble. He turned to see Ying Ao hesitating, looking guiltily at its own claws before pushing a pile of fruits out from under it. “Chirp.”
Jian Mo looked at the fruits, then at Ying Ao, and guessed, “Are these for me?”
Ying Ao chirped affirmatively, “Chirp.”
Jian Mo held his shirt hem, bent down, and scooped the fruits into it. That’s when he noticed another pile of fruits under Ying Ao.
Could those be for Wu Jiong?
Excited, Jian Mo rushed home with the fruits, calling out as he ran, “Wu Jiong, where are you?”
Wu Jiong responded from the kitchen, “Here. What’s up?”
Jian Mo dashed into the kitchen, dropped the fruits, and dragged Wu Jiong toward the side yard. “Come! Let’s see if my guess is right!”
Jian Mo dragged Wu Jiong to Ying Ao.
The massive winged beast lowered its head to glance at Wu Jiong before shuffling slightly. It used its claws to push a pile of fruits out from under itself, gesturing toward Wu Jiong with a chirp, “Chirp.”
Jian Mo burst into laughter. “Good Ying Ao!”
Wu Jiong asked, “Are these for us?”
Ying Ao tilted its head, and then pushed the fruits closer to Wu Jiong.
Jian Mo grinned. “Looks like Ying Ao has taken up the job of providing for us.”
Wu Jiong bent down to pick up the fruits. “Thank you, Ying Ao.”
Ying Ao responded with a soft chirp, “Chirp.”
The two returned to the kitchen.
The fruits were elongated and about the size of drought cucumbers.
Jian Mo asked, “How do we eat these?”
Wu Jiong rinsed two of them in water and split one lengthwise with his hands, revealing soft, ivory-colored flesh inside. “Eat the flesh and spit out the seeds.”
Jian Mo took a bite and was surprised by the sweet, tender, and slightly sticky texture. It was incredibly delicious, the only downside being the many seeds.
His eyes widened. “What kind of fruit is this? I’ve never seen it before.”
Wu Jiong explained, “It’s called softyu fruit. There aren’t any near our tribe. Who knows where Ying Ao found it?”
Jian Mo was amazed. “A fruit this tasty, and we don’t have it here? I’ll save the seeds and plant them on the hill behind our backyard. Do you think they’ll grow?”
Wu Jiong replied, “I’m not sure. No one’s tried planting them before.”
Jian Mo declared, “Then I’ll plant them tomorrow.”
After finishing one softyu fruit, Jian Mo eagerly started on a second. “Should we ask Ying Ao where it picked these fruits?”
Wu Jiong said, “It might not understand you.”
Jian Mo insisted, “You never know. It’s smart. Let’s go ask.”
Pulling Wu Jiong along, Jian Mo headed back to Ying Ao.
They found Ying Ao resting outside Chirpy’s nest, eyes closed. Jian Mo gently ruffled its head, waking it up.
Ying Ao, still groggy, didn’t get upset at being disturbed. “Chirp?”
Jian Mo held up a fruit and waved it in front of Ying Ao’s face. “Ying Ao, where did you pick this?”
After a moment of recognition, Ying Ao stood up and prepared to run for a takeoff.
Jian Mo quickly grabbed its wing, while Wu Jiong caught Jian Mo’s waist to keep him steady against Ying Ao’s strength.
Jian Mo laughed helplessly. “It’s already dark! Tomorrow, okay?”
Ying Ao flapped its wings a couple of times and settled back down.
It seemed Ying Ao remembered the matter. Early the next morning, it flew up to their window and started knocking on it with its wings.
The loud thudding woke Jian Mo abruptly from his sleep. He sat bolt upright, staring groggily at the window where Ying Ao was waiting. It chirped loudly, “Chirp—!”
Jian Mo groaned and flopped back into bed. “I’m starting to think Ying Ao isn’t so smart after all.”
A truly intelligent winged beast wouldn’t wake someone so early in the morning!
Wu Jiong handed Jian Mo his clothes. “At least it remembered what we talked about last night.”
Jian Mo mused, “Don’t you think Ying Ao is like a strict father?”
Wu Jiong, puzzled, asked, “???”
Jian Mo explained, “It’s like when you ask it to wake you up early, and it makes sure you’re awake as soon as dawn breaks, not wanting to delay anything.”
Wu Jiong shook his head, even he struggled to follow Jian Mo’s thought process sometimes.
Jian Mo chuckled to himself. “Chirpy is like our silly son, always waiting for us to feed and care for him. And Ying Ao is like a fretful dad, remembering everything we say.”
Wu Jiong sighed. “I’m not ready to have a winged beast as a father figure.”
Jian Mo laughed, “I didn’t mean literally, just personality-wise.”
Joking and laughing woke Jian Mo up fully. “Let’s get up. If we don’t, Ying Ao might break our window.”
Wu Jiong was already dressed. “I’ll feed the Tou Tou Beasts. Let’s grab a quick breakfast and head out.”
Jian Mo suggested, “Bring some dried meat for the road. If we don’t leave soon, Ying Ao might get too anxious.”
They quickly got ready, packed some dried meat, and mounted Chirpy to follow Ying Ao.
Ying Ao didn’t mind carrying them, but its injury wasn’t fully healed. Occasionally, it would show off mid-flight, making the ride dangerous for both itself and its passengers. Riding Chirpy was a much safer choice.
Chirpy obediently followed their commands, flying close behind Ying Ao.
Ying Ao led them beyond the He’an Tribe’s territory, toward the boundary between the Dianxin Tribe and the Red Zhen Tribe.
Boundary areas were often sparsely populated, far from tribal centers. This made them rich in foraging opportunities.
After dismounting, Jian Mo stretched his numb legs and bounced a few times before marveling to Wu Jiong, “Ying Ao’s range of activity is huge.”
Wu Jiong nodded. “It needs to roam far to find enough food.”
Jian Mo patted Ying Ao. “That’s true. It’s not just a raised beast; it’s a provider.”
Ying Ao chirped in agreement.
With Ying Ao leading the way, they soon found the first softyu fruit vine.
It was a sprawling plant, covering an area of several hundred square meters, though the yield was low. Despite its size, only a few fruits hung on the vines.
“It might be because Ying Ao already picked through here,” Jian Mo guessed.
He and Wu Jiong searched the vines, gathering fruits and collecting wild vegetables and edible insects hidden underneath.
Their efforts paid off. The dense foliage of the vines had hidden many fruits that Ying Ao missed during its earlier foraging.
After half a day of gathering, Ying Ao led them to another foraging spot for wild vegetables.
The two foraging sites seemed to be filled with foods that winged beasts loved. Chirpy happily ate its fill, chirping contentedly all the while.
Jian Mo, watching Chirpy, said to Wu Jiong, “Do you think we’re over-harvesting Ying Ao’s foraging spots?”
Wu Jiong reassured him, “There’s plenty of vegetation. New fruits will mature in a few days.”
After a moment’s thought, Wu Jiong added, “Tomorrow, I’ll take Ying Ao to one of my usual foraging spots to find food.”
Jian Mo agreed. “That’s a good idea. We can exchange foraging spots so Ying Ao doesn’t lose out.”
They spent the entire day gathering, taking only a brief nap at midday.
After such a long day of gathering, their haul was substantial.
When they returned to the tribe, everyone was stunned. People flocked over to take a look. “Brother Jian Mo, where did you go foraging today? You brought back so much food!”
Jian Mo gestured toward Ying Ao. “Ying Ao led us.”
This sparked another round of admiration.
Zhou Fu exclaimed, “Amazing! As expected of the winged beast from your family!”
Jian Mo smiled and nodded proudly. “Indeed, Ying Ao is incredible.”
Ying Ao stood tall, lifting its head and puffing out its chest with an air of aloofness as it basked in the compliments. However, its tail betrayed it, giving a small, involuntary wag.
Chirpy, resting its head lightly on Jian Mo’s, seemed delighted for Ying Ao and chirped, “Chirp!”
