After finally sending off the Bai Zhi Tribe birds, Jian Mo and Wu Jiong had dinner and went to bed early.
The bed was warm, the familiar presence beside him was comforting, and the evening breeze and moonlight were perfect. Yet, Jian Mo found himself tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep.
Wu Jiong wrapped an arm around him to keep him still and asked softly, “Still thinking about the honey sparrow nests?”
Jian Mo sighed. “Honestly, I don’t think it’s such a bad deal. We have so many resources on hand—if we trade with a few more tribes, the profit will cover the loss. It’s not a big deal if we lose a little on the nests.”
Wu Jiong suggested, “Then let’s go back tomorrow and trade for the nests.”
Jian Mo groaned. “Let’s do it. It’s just embarrassing to go back after refusing so firmly today and changing our minds tomorrow.”
Wu Jiong chuckled and ruffled his hair. “Pride doesn’t matter much when it means we’ll have honey blocks to collect for years to come.”
They already had several methods of making sugar, but none matched the sweetness and richness of honey blocks. If possible, Jian Mo would much prefer honey blocks. Ji Xun’s ample supply—even using it as a seasoning for cured meat—was enough to make anyone envious.
Making up his mind, Jian Mo said resolutely, “You’re right. Let’s go back tomorrow.”
“First thing in the morning,” Wu Jiong replied. “Now, get some sleep.”
With their decision settled, Jian Mo finally relaxed. Snuggling into Wu Jiong’s familiar warmth, he soon fell asleep.
The next morning, after handling their daily tasks, Jian Mo and Wu Jiong packed their goods, mounted Chirpy and Ying Ao, and flew directly to Ji Xun’s high mountain meadow.
When they arrived, Ji Xun was watering his vegetable garden. Seeing them approach, he greeted them and sighed, “Alright, half a basket it is. We get along so well; let’s not let a small amount of goods ruin our friendship.”
Noticing the faint dark circles under Ji Xun’s eyes, Jian Mo guessed he hadn’t slept well either. Smiling, he said, “That’s great! In that case, I’d like to trade for more than one honey sparrow nest.”
Ji Xun replied, “I have thirty-one empty nests here. If you want, you can take them all.”
Jian Mo considered. “That depends on whether we have enough goods. We brought pearl rice, along with some cloth, animal hides, metal, and glass. Take a look.”
Ji Xun washed his hands and inspected their goods. While cloth, hides, metal, and pearl rice were familiar to him and didn’t pique much interest, the glass caught his attention.
Holding a pale red piece of glass, he exclaimed, “Beast God above! Is this stone? It looks like a frozen sunset!”
Jian Mo gently tapped the glass. “It’s not stone; it’s very fragile and can shatter easily. When we brought it here, we had to wrap it in several layers of animal hide for protection.”
Ji Xun carefully held it up to the light, marveling at its beauty. “It’s stunning. Fragility doesn’t matter.”
Jian Mo smiled. “You can install it in your windows. That way, you can see outside without needing to open them.”
Ji Xun imagined the scene and nodded enthusiastically. “That would be beautiful.”
“It is,” Jian Mo agreed. “How many pieces would you like? Just so you know, glass is very hard to make and even harder to transport. A single large pane costs ten baskets of pearl rice.”
Ji Xun caressed the glass, his eyes filled with admiration. Without haggling, he said, “I have thirty-one honey sparrow nests. Let’s call it thirty, and I’ll gift you the extra one. For that, you owe me twenty-one baskets of pearl rice.”
Jian Mo quickly did the math in his head and nodded. “Deal.”
Ji Xun continued, “I’d like four large panes of this glass…”
Jian Mo smiled. “That’ll be an additional nineteen baskets of pearl rice.”
Ji Xun calculated silently, his expression growing pensive.
Jian Mo, realizing he might have actually sold the glass to Ji Xun, felt his earlier hesitation vanish, replaced with excitement. Smiling brightly, he asked, “So, do we have a deal?”
Ji Xun sighed. “I don’t have that much pearl rice. Could I pay the rest in honey blocks?”
Jian Mo considered. “That works too. How many honey blocks equal a basket of pearl rice?”
Ji Xun replied, “I usually trade twenty-eight honey blocks for a basket with the Bai Zhi Tribe.”
Jian Mo nodded. “We’ll use the same rate.”
By the end of their negotiation, Jian Mo had traded for the honey sparrow nests while retaining most of their pearl rice. On top of that, they gained an additional 532 honey blocks, which Jian Mo generously rounded down to 530.
Ji Xun had to bring out several jars of honey blocks, but even that wasn’t enough. In the end, he added three fist-sized metal ingots to make up the difference.
Holding the glass reverently, Ji Xun said, “It’s so expensive. If it weren’t this beautiful, I wouldn’t have agreed.”
Jian Mo reassured the visibly distressed Ji Xun. “You have honey sparrows, so you’ll keep producing honey blocks. Glass, on the other hand, is rare. If you missed this opportunity, you wouldn’t be able to trade for it anywhere else.”
Ji Xun asked curiously, “Is it an exclusive technique?”
“It is,” Jian Mo replied. “The method comes from my homeland, and no other tribe here has developed it yet—at least not in this region.”
Hearing this, Ji Xun’s heartache eased somewhat.
Jian Mo and Wu Jiong patiently provided after-sales service. Using wooden nails to secure the glass looked unsightly, so Jian Mo melted the last of his glue over a water bath and carefully adhered the glass to Ji Xun’s wooden window frames. To stabilize the frame, Wu Jiong added extra support with his skilled carpentry.
The finished window was simple and elegant. When installed, the glass allowed sunlight to stream into the small house, casting a soft, colorful glow.
Jian Mo explained, “On good days, you can open the windows. On bad weather days, you can keep them closed and still enjoy the view. Especially during winter storms, you’ll truly appreciate having a glass window.”
Ji Xun’s face lit up with anticipation. “You’re making me wish winter would come sooner.”
Jian Mo chuckled. “It’s not far off. Snow probably comes early here, doesn’t it?”
Ji Xun replied, “It starts snowing here in autumn.”
Jian Mo nodded and added a reminder, “The glass seals your windows tightly. In winter, if you light a fire indoors, you’ll need to crack a window or door to let fresh air in; otherwise, it could be dangerous.”
Ji Xun nodded again. “I know. My house has a chimney that’s always open.”
Jian Mo checked and indeed found a small chimney, which eased his concerns.
After helping install the windows, Jian Mo and Wu Jiong bid Ji Xun farewell. Before leaving, Jian Mo said, “We can also make clear glass now. If you ever get tired of the colored glass, you can trade with us for clear ones later. I’ll give you a discount next time.”
Ji Xun brushed a flower in a vase near the window and smiled. “No need. This glass is beautiful and will last me for many years.”
Back at the Snowfoot Tribe, Jian Mo and Wu Jiong found the village largely empty. Most of the caravan had gone hunting or gathering with the tribe, leaving the settlement quiet and desolate.
After wandering around for a while without encountering many people, Jian Mo returned to Wu Jiong and said, “It seems like there’s nothing much to do today.”
Wu Jiong asked, “No one needs a health check?”
Jian Mo shook his head. “I already checked everyone the day we arrived. There really aren’t that many patients.”
Wu Jiong suggested, “Then why not join the hunters?”
Jian Mo considered and said, “Nah, we checked the area while flying back earlier. It doesn’t look like there are any unique prey around here.”
Wu Jiong chuckled. “So, what do you want to do? Visit the Bai Zhi Tribe?”
Jian Mo perked up. “That sounds good. I’ve been curious about their tribe. It’d be nice to see what it’s like.”
Wu Jiong nodded. “Let’s go. If we don’t go today, we won’t have time tomorrow.”
“Alright. I’ll call Chirpy and Ying Ao over. Should we bring some supplies with us? The Bai Zhi Tribe has been very kind to us; we could bring something to thank them.”
“Whatever you think,” Wu Jiong replied.
After loading supplies onto Chirpy and Ying Ao, they set off once again. They knew the general direction of the Bai Zhi Tribe but had never visited before, so they expected to do some searching upon arrival.
Flying northwest from the Snowfoot Tribe, they passed the Rainrise Tribe and continued for quite some time before reaching Broadleaf territory.
The Bai Zhi Tribe’s land was lush with mountains and forests, a sea of green stretching as far as the eye could see. Amid this verdant landscape, the brown nests dotting the meadows stood out vividly.
The Bai Zhi Tribe’s nests were similar to those of the Goldtooth Tribe—elevated structures with roofs to shield them from wind and rain. However, the Bai Zhi Tribe’s roofs were made of especially thick layers of dried brown grass, resembling stacked cakes and exuding a warm, cozy charm.
As Jian Mo and Wu Jiong arrived, a group of sub-beastmen carrying baskets emerged from the nests. Petite and delicate in appearance, the sub-beastmen recognized the circling Chirpy and Ying Ao almost immediately. They waved enthusiastically and called out greetings.
One of them, with a clear, melodious voice, shouted, “Doctor Jian Mo, Chief Wu Jiong—what brings you here?”
Jian Mo called back, “We just wanted to visit your tribe.”
The sub-beastmen seemed delighted and waved even more energetically. “Welcome! You can land Chirpy and Ying Ao on the open field.”
Jian Mo and Wu Jiong did as instructed, and the sub-beastmen came over to help unload their supplies.
The leader of the group said, “Most of our people are out hunting and gathering. We’re about to head out too. Would you like to join us? We might find something special today.”
Curious, Jian Mo asked, “What special thing?”
The sub-beastmen exchanged knowing smiles but didn’t elaborate. “You’ll find out if you come with us.”
Jian Mo thought for a moment. “Alright. Should we tether Chirpy and Ying Ao on the field?”
The sub-beastmen shook their heads vigorously. “Why tie them up? They’re so well-behaved. Just let them follow us.”
Surprised by their friendliness, Jian Mo smiled. “That’s very kind of you. Thank you.”
After securing their supplies, Jian Mo and Wu Jiong followed the sub-beastmen into the forest.
The sub-beastmen moved with a distinctive gait, a mix of running and hopping that made them light on their feet. Jian Mo watched them closely, intrigued. He remembered that birds had hollow bones that made their bodies lighter. Could the Bai Zhi Tribe have a similar adaptation?
Although the Bai Zhi Tribe were mammals, their ability to fly suggested they might have unique physiological traits. Jian Mo found himself growing increasingly curious about their biology.
As they walked, the sub-beastmen began to sing. Their voices were melodious and flowing, distinct from the songs Jian Mo had heard at bonfire gatherings. They seemed to follow fixed melodies, varying the lyrics while cycling through a few familiar tunes.
The group ventured deeper into the dense green forest. Towering trees, easily over a hundred meters tall, dwarfed them, making them feel like tiny ants in a vast wilderness.
Mist rose among the trees, and sunlight filtering through it created ethereal beams of light, transforming the forest into a dreamlike paradise. Jian Mo admired the breathtaking scenery, regretting that he didn’t have a camera to capture the moment. He had a phone, but it had long since run out of battery.
Lost in thought, Jian Mo was startled when the sub-beastmen suddenly stopped beneath a massive tree.
They looked up, seemingly judging something, before declaring, “This is it.”
Jian Mo followed their gaze but saw nothing unusual. “What’s in the tree?”
The sub-beastmen exchanged mischievous smiles. “You’ll see soon enough.”
Then, holding hands, they said, “Step back. We’re going to shake the tree.”
Puzzled, Jian Mo and Wu Jiong stepped away and watched as the sub-beastmen chanted a rhythmic “Hey ya!” before throwing their shoulders into the tree trunk.
Although the sub-beastmen were numerous, the tree was enormous. It barely shook under their collective effort, but moments later, something began to fall from the branches above. Small, white particles cascaded down, rustling like tiny snowflakes.
Jian Mo focused his gaze and, after a moment, noticed the ground covered with small, round, semi-transparent objects that resembled plant seeds.
“What are these?” Jian Mo asked curiously.
The sub-beastmen, still catching their breath, replied, “This is a local specialty. Wait a moment; we’ll shake the tree a few more times and gather them once more have fallen.”
With that, the petite sub-beastmen linked hands again and prepared for another round of tree-shaking.
Their small frames were flushed with effort, and they panted heavily as they worked. Jian Mo couldn’t bear to watch them struggle and nudged Wu Jiong’s arm with his shoulder, silently urging him to step in.
“I’ll take over,” Wu Jiong said in his deep voice.
The sub-beastmen’s eyes lit up, and they stepped aside in perfect sync to make room.
Wu Jiong turned and shifted into his massive wolf form. He positioned himself where the sub-beastmen had been and, with a powerful motion, rammed his side into the tree trunk.
The dense forest restricted his movement, making it difficult for him to build up momentum. Still, even from a standing position, his immense strength was far greater than that of the sub-beastmen. With just one strike, a cascade of round objects rained down from the branches, scattering across the ground.
The sub-beastmen cheered, their eyes sparkling with excitement. “Wow! That’s amazing!”
Wu Jiong gestured for them to step back and struck the tree again. This time, even more objects tumbled down, rolling all over the forest floor.
After several more impacts, when nothing else fell from the tree, the giant wolf stepped aside.
The sub-beastmen, ecstatic, rushed to gather the fallen items, shouting their thanks as they worked. One of them called out to Jian Mo, “Doctor Jian Mo, come over! This is the good stuff we were talking about!”
